Match Report - S J Cherokees vs Iver Heath Youth - 18 Sep 2005

My View From The Side

S J Cherokees 4 - Iver Heath Youth 4
Sunday 18th September

Our first away game of the season meant travelling the short distance to George Green to witness a game of high drama and tension for the supporters of both teams that ended with honours even, probably the fairest result on the day.

Both teams started well without too much penetration into the penalty areas with Iver Heath shading the midfield play with the slicker passing and moving into dangerous areas, Lee Rolfe particularly showing his strength and skill for the away side. The first five minutes saw the ball mostly in the Slough half with a couple of long range shots from Matthew Cole and Lee easily saved by the keeper.

The defence of Iver Heath stood together with Sam Clarke and Jack Cherrington challenging strongly in the middle of the ‘Famous Five’ and Tom Bishop cleaning up behind them in the sweeper role that he plays so well.

It was therefore a total surprise when the home team took the lead after 12 minutes when the Slough forward took the ball past Sam Taylor at left back and the speculative cross hit Beanies massive protruding chest and deflected past Charlie Aldridge and into the net. Another own goal after the previous weeks effort by Tom Bishop into his own net.

After facing the boys the right way, pointing towards the Slough keeper, to their immense credit The IHY players pressed forward with controlled play through the midfield of Lee, Stephen L’Angellier, and George Eva linking up well with the two forwards and its to the teams credit that heads did not drop and pushed for the equaliser, and what an equaliser.

With the ball being eagerly contested in midfield, the ball broke to Tom Randall who had dropped a little deeper picking the size 4 match ball up just inside the Slough half sprinted like a starving greyhound towards the opposition goals (goals = Scottish for goal). Seeing the advancing keepers massive frame getting closer and closer Tom coolly chipped the ball over his head and into the empty net. 1-1 and well deserved.

The opposition pushed forward with energy and demanded some excellent defending from Tom Warren at right back supported by his 4 amigos across the line. However desperate defending resulted in a free kick to Slough on the edge of the box in a dangerous position to the keepers right. With the defensive wall sort of organised Slough took the free kick planting the ball firmly into the back of Charlie’s net while he was still dreaming of Robben’s goal for Chelsea the day before.

The first half finished with the home team stronger and Iver Heaths goal under pressure as the boys in red and black soaked up the attacks from opposition and some spectators.

At 2-1 down the half time team talk needed some inspiration from the manager Kevin who dug deep into his Winston Churchill repertoire to deliver a rousing speech.

Turning round to voices of encouragement Iver Heath set about the task of drawing level with effort but in the process lost the shape of the team that had seen them through the first half. Soon disaster struck not once but twice with the Cherokees surrounding the IHY players like a rerun of a John Wayne movie.

Two well taken goals saw Slough go into what seemed a disastrous 4-1 lead and the end of any resistance from the away team. However, The Boss rearranged the side by bringing on his new recruit, Jack Miller sending him directly into the heat of battle at left midfield, George moved to left back where Sam Taylor played before being subbed.

Believing that we had nothing to lose the team in red and black began to take command of the game by battling for the ball in every area of the field and inspired defending by Tom Warren, Sam Clarke, George Eva, Jack Cherrington, Tom Bishop and some excellent goal keeping from Charlie Aldridge kept Slough out.

Now this game of football that we love needs players that can turn a loss into a draw and then into a win. Tom Randall decided that this would be his day and from a well worked clearance by Tom Warren neatly fed by Stephen L’Angellier the ball was played into Tom Randall’s path who neatly played it past the advancing keeper to make the score 4-2, game on.

To prove that the goal was no fluke Tom completed his hat trick from a long drop kick from Charlie in goal, that cleared the home team defence and again Tom found himself with only the keeper to beat. No Problem, hat trick 4-3.

Slough were now in trouble as the Iver Heath Youth players clearly sensed a result and their supporters were now shouting words of wisdom for a change. The panic for the team in yellow was obvious as they were lucky not to have a player sent off for a professional foul late in the game and conceded a penalty for another yet another foul after another attack.

The ground was quiet, wildlife went quiet, the wind stopped and cars parked up as Lee Rolfe coolly ran his fingers through his hair, placed the ball on the spot and smiled at his dad who was nervously holding his flag over his eyes. Lee took a step and then smoothly broke into a canter as he slotted the ball home. 4-4.

The game finished in an honourable draw with excellent games from all the players but I have to say outstanding performances from Tom Bishop, Sam Clarke, Lee Rolfe, Charlie Aldridge and again from Tom Warren who all pushed hard for my man of the match award that goes to Tom Randall, a superbly taken hat trick.

The Man on The Side

Iver Heath Youth : Charlie Aldridge, Tom Warren, Sam Clarke, Tom Bishop (captain), Jack Cherrington, Sam Taylor, Stephen L’Angellier, Lee Rolfe, George Eva, Matthew Cole, Tom Randall
Subs:- Jack Miller, Charlie Warren


Goals : Tom Randall (3), Lee Rolfe (1)

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