AFC ALLSTARS
5:5
COOKHAM LIONS
WALTERS 1, ALLAWAY 1, CAIRNS 2, STOREY 1
AFC Allstars started their preseason campaign with a new look side when they took on Cookham Lions away in Maidenhead with 12 players not signing on from the previous season and with Cookham only losing twice to other teams in 22 games, Allstars knew they were in for a hard game.
Manager Graeme Storey had an almost full squad to pick from; missing were Chris Allum (girlfriend wouldn’t let him play) and James Storey (ongoing knee injury.)
Starting in goal was Simon Jones; at the back were new signings Brian Whiteside and Nick Walters and old boys Ben Owen and David Nunn. In the Centre of the midfield were Robert Smyth and Richard Williams with Duncan Hills on the Right and Josh Cairns on the left. Up front it was left to Greg Moore and Graeme Storey.
AFC Allstars have a habit of starting badly and unfortunately this game was no different. AFC Went 3:0 down within the first 20 minutes. First a dropped shot fell kindly to the Cookham centre forward and he slotted past Simon with ease. A header from a corner was Cookhams second and their third was from the edge of the air as the ball trickled over the line.
3:0 down and not playing well, changes had to be made. On came potential new signing Scott Allaway in place of Robert Smyth to strengthen the midfield and new signing Michael came on the right for Duncan. The change was instant. AFC started passing the ball around nicely and gradually increased the pressure on the Cookham defence. Finally it told as a great saving tackle from the ex-Tranmere defender (Dave Martin) stopped a certain goal from the otherwise quiet No. 10 and the ball went out for a corner. Josh swung the ball in and it dropped to Graeme Storey who’s shot was cleared off the line, but as the defender tried to clear, Nick Walters blocked the attempted clearance and diverted the ball into an empty net. A debut goal!!
Halftime came at the ideal moment for Cookham as they looked disorganised and on the back foot. For Allstars however it was a different story as not much could be said. The team were told to forget about the opening half hour and keep playing the football they had for the last 15.
The second half was all Allstars as they dominated possession and were finally getting the confidence on the ball yet the Cookhams two massive lions were keeping their team in it with Andy Kipping and Dave Martin outstanding.
Allstars knew it would have to be special to beat these two players and the rest of their team and it came in the form of another debutant. After a succession of superb corners from both sides, Scott Allaway (AFC Allstars new Captain) powered the ball home with a header from the edge of the 6 yard box.
3:2 and AFC were back in the game. All they needed was that bit of luck. It came when Graeme Storey picked up the ball and beat the keeper with a bouncing shot from the edge of the area. The keeper will be disappointed he did not do better. 3:3 and there only looked like being one winner. The ref on the other hand had other ideas. After waving away the most blatant of penalties after the crudest of challenges in the Cookham box, he then failed to blow up for a push on an Allstars centreback and instead gave away a corner from which, with another header, Cookham retook lead.
Last season, the potential to let heads drop was there however Josh Cairns made sure that he picked up the team and it was his passion (and 2 goals) that gave AFC the lead. First he beat the Cookham left back in his own half and after running half the length of the pitch, ignoring his strike partner, he buried the ball in the far left corner, giving the keeper absolutely no chance. Minutes later he had his second when a long ball forward from Ben Owen cleared the defence and with one touch he lifted it over the oncoming keeper.
Had Allstars completed a famous comeback from 3:0 down to lead 5:4 with two minutes to go? Unfortunately not as the ref seemed determined to give Cookham a goal and when Craig Coleman had the ball kicked out of his hands no one thought anything of it till a whistle from the ref indicated he’d given it!
At the final whistle AFC came off happy to get a draw after the disastrous start, but slightly disappointed that they hadn’t won. Still with 9 debutants it was a good workout and with some of the football played in the second half this team could go on to do very well this year.
MOM: Scott Allaway – 9 – Dominated the midfield when he came on. 1 goal and 1 assist.
Simon Jones – 7 – Will feel he could have done better with 1 of the goals but a steady performance
Brian Whiteside -7 – Better second half and looked solid throughout.
Dave Nunn – 8 – Despite conceding 5 three were from set pieces and defender well against the pacy forwards.
Nick Walters – 8 Debut goal and already looks to have formed a good understanding with Dave Nunn. Great Saving tackle in the first half to deny 4:0.
Ben Owen – 7 – Solid. Isolated at times but set up a goal with great vision!
Robert Smyth – 7 – Not much chance to shine with Andy Kipping in the centre. Did well with everything he did.
Richard Williams – 7 – Quiet game but showed some great passing and vision.
Josh Cairns – 9 – Passion and determination capped by 2 great goals
Gregg Moore – 7 – Quiet game but some good crosses and as always so much energy.
Duncan Hills – 7 – Good Crosses and got back to defend when needed. Unlucky not to get more of a game.
Graeme Storey - 7 – 2 assist’s and 1 goal do not reflect the true story. Disappointing by his standards.
Craig Coleman – 7 – Unlucky to concede 2 goals and a great 1 on 1 save at the end.
Michael – 7 – Good skills at times and got some good crosses in.
David Gale – 7 – Great energy when he came on and unlucky not to score.
Nigel Walcott – 7 – First game back and didn’t show as he didn’t put a foot wrong.
Jon Trounce – 7 – As always puts in the effort and doesn’t let the side down.