2 points up with a game in hand on our closest and biggest rivals, 5 league games left to play.... "4 wins will see us home, girls will want us, blokes will want to be us... but lets take it one game at a time" was the twisted logic of skipper RiRu before the game in his pre-match pep talk. This one was big, the opponents strong, the stakes high.
The Chigwell pitches (aka the Leyton Orient training ground) had, to put it mildly, been affected by recent wet weather. Moved from the sand trapped scheduled pitch to a lower ground, this was not the quickly drained sandstone base of Northfield's green pastures. Nevertheless, we started well, quickly settling into a good passing game which saw us dominate possession and chances on goal for the first 15 minutes of the game, with Henry Bliss and Rich Rudden dominating the middle, and James Kibbey and George Cobden-Ramsay linking really well down the right. A couple of half chances were created before Charterhouse struck, a scrappy opener but well taken by the weaker and lesser talented Greensmith brother Ed, some sharp feet (not easy for a big man) taking the ball round the defender and slamming home from close range. 1-0. The second followed shortly after, a beautifully whipped in corner by Charlie Nash placed perfectly on Mike Manches' head who rose like a salmon high above the defenders to power the ball into the top corner. 2-0. This seemed to wake the home side up a bit, with Charterhouse also suffering a major blow mid-way through the first half with inspirational defender Nick Wilkinson limping off with a hamstring injury. This prompted a reshuffle at the back, with 'signing of the season' Rich 'The Rock' Greensmith (too far?!) sliding from left back into the middle (and continuing off the pitch in one comedic episode mid-way through the first half), and the Godfather James Moss, as solid as ever, being brought on to slot in at full back. The home team created a couple of chances, a dangerous corner that was cleared and a 25 yard pot-shot that went just over showing that they had real intent. However, the game was seemingly killed off 10 mins before half time as Nash was hacked down in box having rounded the keeper ('I GOT THE BALL' he proclaimed... Sure), to cooly slot home the resulting penalty. 3-0. Half time.
The second half brought a rejuvinated Chigwell (including 2 substitutes that were not 2s regulars), who noticeably upped the tempo. 15 mins in a we still looked comfortable however, until a quick break down the left and a well placed cross was too good for the defence and their striker headed home expertly with a fine finish. 3-1. No need to panic. That was until 5 mins later when a free kick was given (don't get Rudden started on the decision) and one of their subs bending the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner for another fine goal. 3-2. The game stayed that way for a while, with Jon Jenkins commanding is area well as the home side pumped long balls forward in search of an equaliser, and the excellent James Carnegie-Brown, Henry Bliss and Angus Procter commanding every header that came their way. Then it was our turn to break, a flick on from Manches setting Rudden through on goal to expertly slam home past the keeper to provide the breathing space we needed. 4-2.
10 mins left. We could all breath a sigh of relief at last after a frantic 20 minute period. That lasted all of 30 seconds however, when time seemed to stand still as there half time substitute (who rashly admitted to being a professional goalkeeper mid-game) let a 'worldy' fly from 40 yards that left Jenks helpless as it sailed into the top corner. 4-3... Game On. The next 5 mins saw the ball being thumped back and fourth as they desperately searched for an equaliser, whilst we broke ranks from our usual Brendan Rodgers inspired passing game to resemble Wimbledon of the 1990s. 2 minutes to go, a soft free kick conceded (not the first in the game, but we're not bitter.............), which was whipped in to the back post. At least 6 bodies jumped which only served to knock the ball down on a plate to their sniping #14 to slot home his second of the game. 4-4.... heartbreak. 90 mins on the clock, from 3-0 we would have to settle for a draw. We would have taken that wouldn't we? Away to tough competition on a difficult pitch, our opponents in the ascendancy?
NOT A CHANCE.
1 minute into injury time. The ball straight from the kick-off finds its way down the Charterhouse left wing, with a good defensive challenge forcing a corner. The 'Big Lads' (know your place JC-B) are thrown forward. Nasher takes from the bottom end, and fires in to the near post, flicked on, and falls on the half volley to man-of-the-match Henry Bliss, unmarked, 3 yards out.....
4-4 after 90 mins....... 5-4 after 93. (Lets forget for now the mysterious 'offside' to deny Manches his second in the dieing moments with the goalkeeper down the wrong end and us with a 3 on 1... Course you saw it ref...).
Four games left, a semi-final to look forward to. Lets take things one game at a time is the cry. The fans (Mrs Jenkins) are already dreaming of glory.
By Rich Greensmith
No comments:
Post a Comment