NLCFC vs Camden Musicians

North London Crickets Football Club (NLCFC) vs Camden Muscians MAL league Divison One

NLCFC 12/9/2004

1.      Richard Hall

2.      Luke Buffery (Hal Godfrey-Wood 50 mins)

3.      Mark Lewis

4.      Craig Gaffney

5.      Juan-Carlos Torres-Navva

6.      Neil Salmon

7.      Jon Scantleberry

8.      Andy Hale

9.      Bill Ward

10.  Joe Howard

11.  Ben Wakeford

Goals: Ben Wakeford 20 mins. Joe Howard 25 mins & 35 mins. Bill Ward 42 mins.

NLCFC 4 Camden Musicians 2

NLCFC got the season off to a solid start with a workmanlike 4-2 win. The first half promised something more special with Ben Wakeford starting where he left off last season by scoring from inside the 6 yard box after Camden’s hirsute keeper spilled a low drive from Bill Ward. Another goal from equally short distance was then scored by Joe Howard. This goal at least had the merits of a well worked buildup. Crag Gaffney’s well placed goalkick was flicked out left to Ward by Wakeford. Ward crossed accurately to Howard who chested the ball down before lacing it so hard a new net was almost required. Goal three came straight from the Wimbledon/Milton Keynes handbook. Another Gaffney goalkick met Wakefords head. Howard ran onto the flick and finished well. The final crickets goal had undoubted class. Ward ignoring the well made run from Gaffney transferred the ball to his right side on the edge of the box before picking out the top left hand corner with apparent ease.

Throughout the half Midfield powerhouses Andy Hale and Jonathan Scantlebery kept control in the all-important middle of the park whilst Mark Lewis and Gaffney were surprisingly solid at the back considering both were out of position. Juan Carlos Torres Navva had his best game for the club at left back while returning allstar Neil Salmon raged up and down the right side never letting the opposition settle. The only disappointment for the crickets was the loss of Buffery to injury on the stroke of halftime.

The second half was disappointing. Obviously feeling that the game was won all concerned too there feet off the proverbial pedal which allowed Camden to score a couple of early goals (a penalty and a defensive mix-up). What should have been a relaxed stroll became another backs to the wall fight which as usual required the high quality keeping of Richard Hall. The young keeper pulled of a succession of fine saves and displayed unbelievably good handling.