NLCFC vs Bermonsea Samurais

NLCFC vs Bermonsea Samurais (Sunday 5th October) Home

            CRICKETS (4-4-2 left to right)

 

  1. Richard Hall
  2. Salmon Ali
  3. Cass Nicholson
  4. Juan-Carlos Torres Navva
  5. Luke Buffery
  6. Jon Robinson
  7. Steve O Hagan
  8. Andy Van Hale
  9. Greame Strutt
  10. Ben Wakeford
  11. Tendai Naguzumo

 

 

Result: NLC’s 2 Bermondsey Samurais 2

 

In their first ever match the North London Crickets, playing in North London Cricket club’s black green and gold, were twice in front, but ultimately had to settle for a draw. The first half saw NLC’s recovering from a disjointed first ten minutes to begin playing some excellent football. Central midfield playmaker Steve O’Hagan took charge of the game taking possession and supplying simple passes out to the wings. It was not then a surprise when, after 20 minutes of sustained pressure, it was a run from the left wing by Jon Robinson that broke the deadlock. Cutting inside the Samurai right-back he curled a shot around the Samurais keeper into the far corner from a tight angle. A fine goal to kick-off the league campaign.

Unfortunately the crickets are not yet a disciplined outfit, not having played together as a team before, and a lack of concentration at the back allowed the Samurais to reply almost immediately from a well-taken corner.

 Undaunted the Crickets maintained their pressure on the Samurai goal and with eight minutes remaining before half time Andy Van Hale, the Dutch midfield powerhouse, rose unmarked at the far post to nod home one of a succession of crosses from the left.

 

Half-time at 2-1 came too soon for the crickets who missed three or four very presentable chances late on in the half. They were left to rue these misses as the Samurais made three changes during the second half, all of which improved their team performance. The NLC’s were tiring and failing to keep possession, the Samurais were subsequently gaining in confidence. On the hour mark their central defender stole into the box from deep and headed home a deflected corner unmarked.

The crickets lack of fitness was really beginning to tell and, despite the efforts of the local support to rouse fresh attacks, the final whistle probably came as more of a relief for the home team than the visitors.   

 

NLC’s will play at home next week in the Group cup first round against “Los Andes”.