Third Team Match Reports
by Doyley The Third
Northwood Thirds F.C. Presentation Day
(Held at Northwood FC Clubhouse, Chestnut Avenue)
Saturday 4th June 2011
A week of Award ceremonies started on Thursday 2nd June at Eversheds F.C. where captain Sam Durand received the Commercial League Division 2 runners-up medals from Roy Shields of Middlesex County FA at the London Commercial League AGM and Presentation Evening.
Then a very successful Season 2010/11 was celebrated by all connected with Northwood Third team at their annual Presentation Day last Saturday 4th June at the Northwood F.C. clubhouse.
Secretary, Richard Doyle thanked manager Laurie Simmonds and his assistants Tim Delaney for another fantastic season. The pair received Appreciation Awards for their brilliant efforts this season from team captain, Sam Durand.
A runners-up spot finish in the London Commercial League Division 2, and a couple of good cup runs, means next Season 2011/2012 will find Northwood Thirds playing Division 1 football.
The trophies were handed out by Andy Johnson, who did us the honour of presenting the following people with their awards:
Alex Simmonds scooped the prestigious honour of Players Player of the Year, voted for by his team mates and presented by dad, Laurie.
Laurie then handed out the Managers Player of the Year which went to young Joe Barratt. A reward for a fine first season in Northwood colours, one to watch in the future.
The Golden Boot was again won by Mark Stafford with 20 goals and was collected for the absentee by fellow striker, Danny Glock.
Clubman of the Year went to team captain, Sam Durand for all his efforts galvanizing the team both on and off the pitch.
As the day drew to a close, plans were already being made for next season.
Golden Boot: Mark Stafford (20 goals)
Players' Player of the Year: Alex Simmonds
Manager's Player of the Year: Joe Barratt
Clubman of the Year: Sam Durand
Appreciation Awards: Tim Delaney &
Laurie Simmonds
Thirds win Runners-up spot in Final day Drama
Sudbury Court 3 Northwood 3rds 4
Saturday 9th April 2011 (London Commercial League, Division 2)
Northwood third team finished the season in great style by securing promotion to London Commercial league’s “top table”. A league runners-up place (behind North Greenford United) was unthinkable at Christmas, however a strong team spirit and fantastic results in the final run-in saw the Woods claim second spot in a dramatic last day of the Commercial League season.
Our opponents Sudbury Court were in the hunt for league honours themselves. Numerous permutations were calculated before the game, but we knew only a win would ensure we were in with a shout of silverware.
Manager Laurie Simmonds got out the golden hook on which to hang-up his boots before the game (mind you, he is nearly 60!!!). A medal in the final game of a very illustrious (and very long!) career was on offer. His son Alex did his best to secure two medals in the Simmonds household with a Man of the Match display that mirrored his whole season, absolutely fantastic.
As was the whole team, all of them a credit to the colours of Northwood.
The Woods went storming into a 2-0 lead thanks to strikes from Mark Stafford and Danny Glock. This was followed by a reply from Sudbury Court.
Further strikes from Mark Stafford again (his 20th of the season) followed by a penalty by Tim Delaney (and didn’t we hear about it!) made it 4-1 at the break.
The idea was to keep it tight at the back and make our opposition come out to play. The tropical conditions and bone hard pitch would hopefully eventually wear our opposition down.
How wrong we were, as two goals from Sudbury Court meant the last twenty minutes was “twitchy bum time”!
To their credit, the Woods' defence stood tall and kept the one goal advantage until the final whistle, showing the spirit that had prevailed during the course of a very long league campaign.
There was a strange atmosphere in the Northwood dressing room, following the game. We were still not sure of how other results has gone during the afternoon. A few frantic phone calls to league officers confirmed what we had worked hard all season to achieve, a runners-up spot in Division 2 of the London Commercial League………so the celebrations could officially begin!!!
In the cold light of day (and with the hangovers to prove it) the reflection by all was that we had a fantastic campaign. Only a few seasons ago we were playing Division 4 football, and next season we will play in Division 1.
Congratulations and many thanks to manager Laurie Simmonds and his assistant Tim Delaney, team captain Sam Durand and the entire Northwood third team squad, what a season it turned out to be……bring on next year!!!
Man of the Match: Alex Simmonds – Has been fantastic all season.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, David Brown, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Alex Simmonds, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Sam Durand, Danny Glock. Subs (all used): Simon Smith, Conor Collinson, Charlie Daly.
GOALSCORERS 2010-11 |
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| Mark Stafford | 20 |
Steve Collinson | 1 |
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| Danny Glock | 13 |
Luke Cowie | 1 |
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| Paul Palmer | 6 |
Charlie Daly | 1 |
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| Tim Delaney | 5 (3 pens.) |
Danny Drewery | 1 |
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| Alex Simmonds | 2 |
Sam Durand | 1 |
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| Joe Barratt | 1 |
Own goals | 4 |
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| Conor Collinson | 1 |
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NEXT MATCH |
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Thirds Title Bid still on!
New Hanford 2 Northwood 3rds 3
Saturday 12th March 2011 (London Commercial League, Division 2)
The heavy defeat inflicted by HFC in the cup was quickly forgotten as the Third team of Northwood found their league form again, this time against old foe New Hanford.
Ironically, with other league results going our way, we find ourselves with our league title destiny in our own hands. If we win the remaining 4 league games, no-one can get more points than us. Unfortunately, that is not as easy as its sounds with 3 of those games, Southall Rangers (home & away) & Sudbury Court (away) being against top 4 teams in Division 2.
Games against New Hanford are never easy and this game was no different. Two teams trying to play football with no “home” advantage, because we share alternate “home” dates at our Birkbeck facility.
A good start by Northwood was rewarded by two early strikes from Danny Glock, who is beginning to find his golden touch in front of goal at the right time of the season.
The Woods' star was the midfield dynamo Gary Collinson, who belied his 47 years of age to show his young team-mates just how to play. It also meant that Gary had to find his way to the bar after the game, the first time he has to buy a Man of the Match jug all season, so he was fined another jug for showing off.
The half-time team talk for once involved no raised voice. “Keep it tight, don’t let them back into the game, if we get promoted we can play teams like HFC every week!” (editor's note to manager: What a plonker!!!!).
Inspirational stuff from the manager, and it obviously had the desired effect because New Hanford scored early to get themselves back into the game.
The Northwood match winner happened to be wearing the colours of New Hanford, a defensive mix-up involving the Chuckle Brothers defenders!! “To me, to you, to me, to you……. to the back of the net!" We even tried to fine the New Hanford defender a jug of lager for scoring his first goal for Northwood. Unfortunately, the culprit seemed to be suffering a sense of humour bypass.
To their credit New Hanford scored again to make it “twitchy bum time” for the Woods men. However, whereas the previous week, it had all capitulated, this week the boys stuck at the job in hand to secure the points. This was a fantastic result for Northwood against a team that had proved to be an Achilles heel in recent seasons.
The mathematics are “simple”, win all 4 remaining games and Northwood Third team points total cannot be beaten by any other team in Division 2. The trouble is using a sentence with the words “simple” and “Northwood Third team” has only ever been used to describe the mentality of our squad, never in a football term.
This week we play hosts to Southall Rangers, themselves looking for league honours. A tough game but as mentioned before, though if we are going to win honours this season, every game is going to be tough!
Man of the Match: Gary Collinson – Rolled back the years, a fine example to the Woods youngsters.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Charlie Daly, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Alex Simmonds, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Sam Durand, Danny Glock Subs (all used): Simon Smith, Conor Collinson, Lee Brockett
Thirds out in Quarter-Finals
North Greenford United 3rds 4 Northwood 3rds 2
Saturday 12th February 2011 (Middlesex Junior Cup, Quarter-final)
The opposition was the same as the previous week, unfortunately, the result wasn’t. In credit and to show the sporting nature of the Woods' Third team, North Greenford thoroughly deserved their place in the County Cup Semi-finals. On the day, they played the conditions better than the Woods Third string, there can be no complaints although we can be proud that we pushed a very good team all the way.
The pitch was so waterlogged that we decided to defend the shallow end first half. This really was a match in which the subs would make a difference, not the playing kind, more like the naval type!!! NGU used the puddles to their advantage, whereas Gary Collinson's lack of height meant at time he was wading in chest high. “What kind of footwear?” asked manager Laurie Simmonds, “flippers would be best suited!” came the reply, it was that wet we had a couple of penguins on the Northwood bench.
Northwood had a golden opportunity to score in the first couple of minutes when Danny Glock surfing a rather large wave, went one-on-one with the opposing keeper, the opposing keeper coming out on top with a swallow dive. NGU took an early lead but the Woods replied when Danny Glock did better when put through on the NGU goal, calmly slotting the equaliser. Back came NGU to go into the lead, things got even worse, just before the break when we conceded again to make the score at the break 1-3.
The half-time instructions were to get back an early goal. For a pleasant change, the lads listened to the advice and on the hour mark, got a well worked goal back from the boots of Danny Glock, once again.
The game was balanced at 2-3 with the next goal being the decider. Unfortunately, thanks to a very dubious offside decision that went in NGU favour, our opponents won the game by scoring the all important fourth strike with ten minutes to go and extra-time looming. Completely deflated, there was no way back for Northwood, game over!
To their credit, The Woods battled to the final whistle but unlike last week, the spoils of victory belonged to the men of NGU. We wish our opponents all the very best in their forthcoming semi-final.
Never wishing to dwell on defeat, the attention turned to this week's Open Cup match against HFC of Division 1. Currently our opposition sit second in the top division with games in hand to take top spot.
Another tough fixture is in prospect again, this week. Hopefully the pitches might have dried out a bit and we can play football along the ground.
Man of the Match: Alex Simmonds – The pick of the Woods' bunch.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurence Roberts, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Alex Simmonds, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Sam Durand, Danny Glock. Subs (all used): Paul Palmer, Simon Smith.
Thirds win first-leg of Double Header against NGU
Northwood 3rds 3 North Greenford 3rds 2
Saturday 5th Febraury 2011 (London Commercial League Division 2)
The Woods' third team recorded a rare but very hard-fought victory against the third string of North Greenford United in the London Commercial League. Unfortunately, this week the battle recommences when both teams meet at North Greenford's “home” in the Middlesex County Junior Cup quarter-final.
Traditionally, games between these two teams are decided by the odd goal, and Saturday's Woods victory followed suit, and what a game it proved to be, a fine advert for the London Commercial League.
The result was made ever more remarkable by the fact we were trailing NGU twice, behind at half-time, and secured victory in the last 5 minutes of the game to the great delight of all connected with Northwood Thirds.
Last week we went to British Airways and beat a title contender, this week was no different, considering NGU's position in Division 2. However, due to the unbeaten run that stems back to November, the Woods' Third string now have a real chance of league honours, having played the top teams, leaving a run-in to the end of the season that has suddenly become very exciting.
Northwood went a goal behind after a strong start to the game by NGU, but replied with their own goal machine, when Mark Stafford notched.
As half-time approached a mis-understanding in the Woods defence, let NGU in to take a lead into the break.
The second half performance, in the words of manager Laurie Simmonds, was “outstanding, the best half of football of the season!”.
One of Lauries most inspired decisions of late was to promote young Sam Durand to team captain. Sam has taken the role to heart and been an inspiration to all his team mates. He was even overheard in the dressing room saying that captaining Northwood Third team was the greatest honour in his life, since the day he was made milk monitor at school (what a life that boy must have!!!).
Woods got themselves level, again from the one man scoring machine, when Mark Stafford hit his second of the match. Mark then realised that scoring a lot of goals costs him jugs of lager, so he began missing the target at will. So we fined him the said penalty for “intentional jug evasion”.
The game could have swung either way in all fairness, NGU creating chances but finding the Woods defence and Chris Calaby in the Woods goal inspired by captain Sam Durand.
The winner came from Danny Glock, with 5 minutes remaining on the clock. He buried the ball into the NGU nets amidst wild celebrations from the team in red. So it was a “first leg” victory for the men from Northwood.
This week it’s a Middlesex County Junior Cup quarter-final against the same opposition. Whereas last week we enjoyed “home” advantage, this week we travel to Ealing Central Sports Ground. Hopefully the game will be as good as last week's, with (of course) the same sort of result for Northwood. May the best team on the day win…..
Man of the Match: - Northwood Third Team Squad – A fantastic result that means we now have given ourselves a real shout at league honours!
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Lee Brockett, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Alex Simmonds, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Paul Palmer, Sam Durand, Danny Glock. Sub (used): Gary Collinson.
BA grounded by Northwood Thirds
British Airways 0 Northwood 3rds 1
Saturday 29th January 2011 (London Commercial League Division 2)
The fine form shown by Northwoods Third string continued in some style last Saturday, at the ever pleasant facilities offered by the Concord Club.
A very youthful British Airways team are title contenders in Division 2 this season and inflicted a single goal defeat on the Woods earlier in the season. Revenge would not only be sweet, but well deserved.
The author of these reports and manager Laurie Simmonds have been harping on about the quality of some of the young Third team players. With a little bit more commitment and confidence, some of these Northwood players should really be knocking at the door of the Reserve team. The quality is there for all to see and most of these youngsters have age to their advantage.
In fact, it would be fair to say, there were a number of the opposition that could be pushing to play at senior reserve team level……to start with, whatever happens from there will be a bonus!
Saturday's performance highlighted this once again.
Although the win was by the single goal, it really could (or maybe should) have been by a few more goals. Both teams were committed to playing the ball along the ground, producing a fine advert for Commercial League football.
Like every other week, so it seems, Mark Stafford notched again. This time it was a free-kick that flew over the British Airways wall and into the back of the net to notch his 14th goal of this campaign.
The fact that young Joe Barratt received the accolade of buying the post match Man of the Match jug, shows what a open game it was. He was outstanding in the heart of the Woods defence, and has been all year.
Manager Laurie Simmonds described the performance as the best he had witnessed all season, hopefully with better to come.
So a very welcome 3 points were taken home from the Concord Club. This week we start a “double header” against old foe North Greenford United, and on Saturday we entertain them at Birkbeck in a league fixture that after the Woods' recent successes suddenly has renewed importance. Then on Saturday 12th February, we travel to NGU to play them in the Middlesex Junior Cup quarter-final. Matches between the two teams have always produced the odd goal results, normally in the favour of NGU.
It is about time things began to change (well, lets hope so!)……..
Man of the Match: Joe Barratt – Another of the Third team youngsters that really should be pushing for a reserve team spot.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Simon Smith, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Charlie Daly, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Paul Palmer, Sam Durand, Danny Glock. Subs (all used): Luke Cowie, Gary Collinson.
Thirds Storm into County Cup Quarter-Finals
Northwood 3rds 6 Hardings Print Solutions AFC 0
Saturday 22nd January 2011 (Middlesex Junior Cup Round 3)
The first game of 2011 for the third team saw them storm into the County Cup Quarter-finals at the expense of the delightfully named Middlesex County League outfit Hardings Print Solutions AFC.
In fact, the last match played by Northwood thirds was way back on 11th December, so the Christmas turkey and trimmings all needed running off during the County Cup tie. Some players had obviously over indulged.
It was really a case of the “unknown quantity” against our opposition on Saturday. There are now only two adult junior football leagues in the county of Middlesex, and the London Commercial League teams only get the chance to pit themselves against their Middlesex County League rivals in County Cup competition once a year.
However, this time the plaudits belonged to the Commercial League team with a six goal demolition of Harding, which produced the individual performance of the season by Mark Stafford with 5 goals to his name.
Indeed, although the scoreline flatters the men from Chestnut Avenue a little, with Chris Calaby in the Woods' goal making a string of fantastic saves in the first quarter of the game to keep the scoreline blank.
However, the Northwood midfield ground the opposition down and just let Mark Stafford at the Hardings defence - with devastating consequences. Two strikes before the interval made the half-time cuppa taste that much better.
His one man show continued after the break, and he was helped along the way when Tim Delaney notched a second half penalty to notch his fourth goal of this campaign. Unfortunately, for all his team mates the means we had to endure an evening of post match “how to take a penalty” stories from Tim.
Eventually he was fined a jug of lager for gloating and for being a completely boring has-been, never-was footballer (in the loosest terms!).
Mark Stafford on the other hand took his accolades in his modest stride, though we still fined him another jug of celebratory lager for showing off by scoring five goals!!!
So the result means the Northwood third team march into the County Cup Quarter-finals. All was well on Saturday evening as the celebratory jugs of lager were put to good use. Then the Quarter-final draw was read out: an away tie with our nemesis North Greenford United III. The mood darkened a little, because they always seem to get the better of us by the odd goal. But a few drinks later from the celebratory jugs, and it was a case of “Who cares, bring them on!”
Man of the Match: Mark Stafford – 5 goals again for the Third team goalscoring machine!
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Gary Collinson, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Luke Cowie, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Paul Palmer, Sam Durand, Danny Glock Subs (all used): Charlie Daly, Simon Smith, Conor Collinson.
Northwood 3rds 7 Old Alpertonians 0
Saturday 11th December 2010
(London Commercial League Division 2)
Seven goals in a Third team match? And all scored by Northwood players? Has Christmas come early? Do I ask too many questions?
The last time we celebrated in this way, Laurie Simmonds prized open his wallet and we all wished each other a happy millennium. In fact the last time he opened his wallet, Queen Victoria blinked.
The Thirds recorded their biggest win of the season against Old Alpertonians on Saturday. This was to be the culmination of some very decent results of late that has transformed a dodgy season into a half decent challenge for silverware in both the league and cup competitions.
Seven goals without reply was a fantastic result considering the players absent due to illness and pre-Christmas work commitments.
A count up of the wounded, sick and those that just wont stand up to the wife when she says “About time we did some Christmas shopping, how about Saturday afternoon?” meant we had just about enough players..
Even Wilfy Wilson was called out of retirement to play between the sticks, giving the usual custodian of the gloves Chris Calaby a run out on field. Lucky for us, the old people's home let him out for the afternoon. And we kept a clean sheet with Wilfy in goal? How times have changed.
The game also marked yet another Third team milestone from a member of the Collinson family. This time youngest son Conor notched his first goal in Northwood colours. This meant his first trip to the post match bar, to buy his “first goal for Northwood” celebratory jug.
Luckily for the Third team, our opponents decided to give out their Christmas presents out early, in the shape of defending that allowed the Northwood forwards gifts that this seasonal time of year brings.
Goal machine Mark Stafford now seems to be in the rhythm that brought him last seasons Golden Boot award. He notched a fine second half hat-trick to bring this seasons tally to 8 goals. He also chipped in with a Man of the Match display, so we showed him the way to the bar alongside Conor.
Not to be outdone, Patsy Palmer notched another 2 goals (which he spent all eveing describing to anyone that wanted to listen and a penalty from Tim Delaney was the Northwood goal tally for the afternoon.
Is it just a coincidence that Tim now takes the penalties because he is captain. Come to think of it, he takes all corners and free kicks (though not very well, from what I have seen!).
Finally, a great (but ultimately expensive) moment for young Conor with the seventh goal of the afternoon to complete the scoring.
This completes a fine couple of weeks for the Third team and now elevates us into the top half or the table. With results going our way, a third place in the league should be more than achievable.
This week we travel to one of our favourite “away” grounds, the Concord Club. We play British Airways in our last game of 2010, hopefully we can bring back 3 points for Christmas.
Man of the Match: Mark Stafford – 3 goals again for the Third team goalscoring machine!
Team: Mathew Wilson, Tim Delaney, Chris Calaby, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Conor Collinson, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Paul Palmer, Sam Durand, Simon Smith. Sub: Charlie Daly
Super Thirds Bank another Five against Abbey
Northwood 3rds 5 Abbey National 1
Saturday 27th November 2010 (London Commercial League Division 2)
The Thirds' “purple patch” continued on Saturday. Not that the result was not impressive, more like the colour of everyone in the arctic conditions. Indeed, captain Tim Delaney decided to defend the igloo end and football boots were discarded in favour of ski boots.
With the Thirds facing Abbey National, hang on a minute, should they not really be called Santander F.C. in todays banking terms? (isn’t there a team in La Liga called Santander F.C.?).
The first match 3 weeks ago at Abbey resulted in a walkover due to the opposition not having enough players. This time 15 players turned out in Abbey colours, although many of them didn’t seem to know their team mates names? Some of them referring to their own playing colleagues by their shirt number only, when it would have been easier to use their Christian names. Just a coincidence, yeah of course!!! (number 4 had a good game).
As with the last few weeks, fortunes have favoured the Third team. Team spirit is buzzing and a few Third team players are beginning to blossom.
We welcomed back Laurence Roberts, who moved on to pastures new early this season. He returned to show us what we have all been missing with a MoM display that cost him the obligatory jug.
In midfield Steve Brockett is now looking better and better (in Steve's own words), and along with Alex Simmonds they controlled proceedings, ably assisted by the return of Gary Collinson (who has obviously finished his Chistmas shopping on Saturday afternoons).
The game was a tight affair until Mark Stafford opened the scoring after 25 minutes. The Thirds then added a Danny Glock “top corner” effort from all of 25 yards to make it 2-0.
The contest was killed off just before the break, when Steve Brockett’s raid down the Abbey flank resulted in a pin point cross onto the head of Alex Simmonds to tie the result beyond doubt.
Laurie was lost for words again at half-time…….good!
Second half goals by substitute Paul “Patsy” Palmer, with almost his first touch of the ball and then an absolute fluke by full back Tim Delaney at the far post, wrapped up a good afternoons work. (Sorry, what is the full back doing at the far post? as a defender, Tim always looks like a striker, I have always said that!)………….and we never heard the end of his fluke in the post match bar!!!
So 3 points safely in the bag. This week its old foe and fellow Birkbeck team, New Hanford. So we are “away” to New Hanford at “home”???
Man of the Match: Laurence Roberts – Great to see him back where he belongs, at the bar buying a Man of the Match jug!
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Simon Smith, Danny Glock, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Sam Durand, Alex Simmonds. Subs (all used): Laurence Roberts, Charlie Daly, Paul Palmer.
Catching up with the Thirds………..
The author of these reports was suffering something worse than Man Flu (is there something worse than Man Flu??). Then he went away on holiday leaving his mates and Third team colleagues the simple task of letting anyone interested (well, basically just you but thanks for reading anyway) how the Northwood Thirds are getting on this season.
“A child of 6 could do it!” was the response from all the players, unfortunately we don’t have any 6 year olds playing for the Thirds. So it has been left to the return of said author, so here goes……….
North Greenford United 5 Northwood 3rds 0
Saturday 9th October 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
“A bad day at the office!” That was the problem, too many players at the office and not enough on the field of play! Apparently we conceded 5 offside goals??? “It cant get worse than this…..”
Northwood 3rds 1 New Hanford 3
Saturday 16th October 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
“…….it did get worse!” though, is it just a coincidence that for a team that cant get enough players each week, New Hanford had 5 players playing that day with the surname “Ringer”??? Patsy Palmer notched our only goal.
Abbey National - Northwood 3rds w/o
Saturday 23rd October 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
Abbey National couldn’t raise a team, so we played the 6 players that turned up in a friendly and battled to an exciting 0-0 draw!!! Dear me! no wonder we cant find anyone that wants to pen these reports anymore!
Roxeth 2 Northwood 3rds 1
Saturday 30th October 2010 (London Commercial Senior Cup, Round 1)
Best performance of the season so far against the top team in Division 1. Tim Delaney scored with a diving header at the far post (his description). Tim Delaney running too fast, tripped up and the ball hit him on the head (everyone else’s description) of the fluky header. Maybe things are starting to change…..?
Northwood 3rds 2 Hounslow Wanderers 0
Saturday 6th November 2010 (Middlesex Junior Cup, Round 2)
A fine win in the Middlesex County Cup thanks to goals from Mark Stafford and a rare strike by Sam Durand gives us a 3rd round tie against the delightfully named Hardings Print Solutions AFC in the new year.
Northwood 3rds 5 Stars United 2
Saturday 13th November 2010 (Commercial League Open Cup, Round 1)
After the debacle at Stars United earlier in the season, where the league has seen sense and made the game be replayed on a neutral pitch, we once again met the youngsters of Star United. This time it was a league cup match.
The game proved the old cliché that it can be “a game of 2 halves!”.
Not that we had started poorly or slowly but somehow after twenty minutes, we found ourselves 2 goals down. A very disputable offside looking effort that caught the linesman eyeing up the rather attractive girl that walked past the pitch, instead of doing his job. The referee gave the goal.
Then the Stars centre-forward did his best Moses impression, as the waves (well, the Third team defence) parted, he walked through on goal, only to bury the ball past the helpless Chris Calaby.
The Thirds continued to play the passing game that was working wonders, other than scoring goals. Manager Laurie Simmonds even commented at half-time, “I should be angry with being 0-2 down but you are playing just the way I want you to!”. There is another football cliché “It’s a funny old game, Saint!”
The half-time cup of tea was taken away after the game for drug testing.
The Thirds came out and immediately set about booking their passage into the next round of the cup.
Last years top goalscorer, Mark Stafford, finding the net 3 times. As is customary, we made sure he didn’t take the match ball home (luckily Laurie had it safely tucked up his shirt), instead showed him the way to the bar to buy his hatrick jug. Pick of the bunch was a 30 yard effort from the very impressive “Man of the Match” Alex Simmonds. Simmo junior took home the coveted MoM trophy to show his mum, putting dad Laurie back in the good books for another week (at least until next week!). Alex was ably helped by the ever improving Steve Brockett & Luke Cowie in the centre of the park, as Northwood took control of the game.
The return of Danny Glock was marked by the fifth and final goal. Danny has been absent for a couple of weeks due to looking for the dummy he spat out at Abbey National the other week. Lucky for us he found the dummy, put it back in his mouth and the moaning stopped.
He is back in manager Laurie Simmonds good books. “Sorry” seems to be the hardest word said Danny, whereas I have always found that Viscoelasticity is a harder word to use (a joke for engineers)!!!
So we go through to Round 2 of the league cup. This week we do not have a game allocated, so it's Christmas Shopping day……Oh, joy!
Next week (27th November) we are at home in the league to Abbey National, if they can muster enough players this time.
Man of the Match: Alex Simmonds – Really should be playing at a higher level, although we wont complain if he doesn’t!
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Simon Smith, Danny Glock, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Luke Cowie, Sam Durand, Alex Simmonds Subs (all used): Conor Collinson, Charlie Daly, Craig Wilson
Thirds lose out in a single goal defeat
Northwood 3rds 0 British Airways 2nds 1
Saturday 2nd October 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
After last Saturday's debacle at Stars United, the author of this report will not try to make any excuses for the single goal defeat by a very lively, young British Airways team. This game was a fine example and advert for London Commercial League Division 2. Both teams were trying to play football, a competitive battle that either team could have won.
The game was played in pouring rain that livened up the playing surface and meant the passing game could be employed by both teams. From a Northwood perspective, the game marked the first start for Conor Collinson, who took to the field with his dad Gary, watched by brother Dale (who is still recovering from his pre-season broken leg).
The Airways team were basically the youth team from last season. A couple of their forwards were very lively and hopefully should progress to a higher standard of football. In credit to the Woods centre-back partnership of Joe Barratt and Simon Smith, marshalled throughout the game superbly by player/manager Laurie Simmonds, they kept the BA forwards in check. All helped by the ever improving Chris Calaby in the Northwood goal.
From the start of the game, a tightly contested match was always going to be decided by a single goal. We had to wait ten minutes before the end of the game to have the deadlock broken. Even the BA goal was unlucky, when a speculative shot from outside the penalty area skidded off the wet surface for Chris Calaby to make a fantastic save, only for the ball to rebound into the path of the on-rushing BA forward to score the only strike of the match.
A frantic last ten minutes saw Woods throw everything at the BA goal. Substitute Alex Simmonds beat the BA goalkeeper from 30 yards to see his shot cannon against the underside of the crossbar and away from danger. Then a chipped free kick from the impressive new midfielder, Steve Brockett, teased the BA keeper into coming off his line. As the ball beat the on-rushing keeper Tim Delaney was inches from putting his head on the ball for a certain goal.
The match ended with British Airways taking the points in a game that should have finished even, on the run of play. Fair play to both teams for making it a very enjoyable game to watch.
This week we are on the road again to play our nemesis from last season, North Greenford United in a league game.
Men of the Match: Simon Smith & Joe Barratt – fine & brave defensive partnership kept out the lively BA front line.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Simon Smith, Danny Glock, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Paul Palmer, Conor Collinson. Subs (all used): Steve Collinson, Charlie Daly, Alex Simmonds.
Next Game
North Greenford United Thirds v Northwood Thirds - 3pm kick-off
London Commercial League Division 2
(Ealing Central Sports Ground, Horsenden Lane South, Pervivale, Middlesex UB6 8AP)
Total Farce Ends with a Defeat
Stars United 2 Northwood 3rds 1
Saturday 25thSeptember 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
Let me begin by saying that Northwood were beaten in a very sporting, good natured game against a young Indian team that probably deserved their victory after 90 minutes football………..and the sun shone!
Right, that’s it! that is where the niceties end and the whinge starts.
The author of this report also “doubles up” as Third team secretary. So when this game was confirmed via e-mail a week prior to the match, at no point was the fact that the playing surface was Astroturf or 3G (as if that makes all ok???). Even the league appointed official turned up unaware that he had the wrong footwear for such a playing surface.
On arrival, the Swift Road Sports centre was found to be a multi court facility that did have pitch markings, albeit the pitch size would have been suitable for an under 12’s match.
Further more, the multi court was divisible by netting that run on wires above the playing surface, which we found to be non detachable, therefore not only was the game played on a pitch that small it was only suitable for the Collinson family, there were aerial hazards as well.
In his defence, manager Laurie Simmonds tried gallantly to get the game called off at 2.45pm, but unfortunately, Doyley was otherwise engaged (in the local rugby club bar) and although we tried several times to contact league committee representatives, it was to no avail.
So the referee decided to play the game and make a report to the Commercial League, should we (Northwood Thirds) wish to appeal for the game to be replayed on a suitable playing surface with no intrusions!!!
We lost 1-2 to a group of lads that obviously play on the pitch regularly.
Fair play, we were beaten, but with one incident of a through ball to Patsy Palmer hitting a overhead wire, before bouncing in the opposite direction, it was obvious that the game had transcended into what can only be described as a farce.
Ankle injuries to Gary Collinson, Luke Cowie, Joe Barratt and a damaged fetlock for Mark Stafford (all because we didn’t have the proper footwear) just about summed up a poor day all round.
We will be appealing to the League Management Committee for this game to replayed, that is for certain. The referee’s report will bear witness to the total farce that ended in defeat……...And I am now getting down off my soapbox!!!
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Simon Smith, Luke Cowie, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Paul Palmer, Danny Drewery Subs (all used): Conor Collinson, Steve Collinson, Charlie Daly, Sam Durand.
Next Game
Northwood Thirds v British Airways - 3pm kick-off
London Commercial League Division 2
(Birkbeck College Sports Ground, Birkbeck Avenue, Greenford UB6 8LS)
Fantastic Start by the Thirds
Northwood 3rds 6 Sudbury Court 1
Saturday 18th September 2010 (London Commercial Division 2)
Northwood Thirds began their new league campaign by putting six goals past Sudbury Court on Saturday.
We had played two pre-season friendlies with mixed results. Both games were against Division 1 opposition. The first game we beat West End Rangers 4-2, the second was a 0-6 reversal against Roxeth (although it was 0-0 at half-time, obviously the barbeques began to take their toll).
Having been “promoted” to the heady heights of Division 2 in the London Commercial League, the first game was always going to be a trip into the unknown, although the re-structure of the league meant we will face familiar foe again this campaign.
However, a few new signings during the closed season by manager Laurie Simmonds and the future looks bright for the Third team. Young centre-back Joe Barratt made his Northwood debut with some style. Along with midfielder Steve Brockett and front runner Danny Drewery, the “new boys” all fitted into the team pattern admirably.
To be honest, the game was put beyond doubt within fifteen minutes. Joe Barratt rose at the far post to head home a Sam Durand corner. Then Danny Drewery marked his Northwood debut beating the Sudbury Court keeper in a one-on-one.
Some of the football the Thirds played was a delight to watch, helped by the fine pitch surface that encourages football along the deck.
To their credit, Sudbury Court never gave up and battled all the way.
Paul Palmer kept his cool when put through one-on-one with the keeper to score Northwood’s third of the afternoon and make the game safe.
Substitutions meant Charlie Daly, young Conor Collinson & uncle Steve Collinson came on for fresh legs. The move worked straight away when Charlie Daly pounced on a shot from Mark Stafford that cannoned against the crossbar, he headed in the rebound.
Then fellow sub, Steve Collinson shut his eyes and directed his slap head to meet a far post cross from Sam Durand. The ball flew past the hapless Sudbury Court keeper. Steve opened his eyes to find the ball in the back of the net and his team mates congratulating him.
The sixth goal came courtesy of the Sudbury Court centre-half. He put a bullet header past his own keeper for the goal of the game.
In the dying minutes of the game, Sudbury got the consolation they deserved, all too little, too late to effect the result.
So three points safely in the bag, though there is a long season ahead of us.
This week we are on our travels to a new team, Stars United, in the league.
Man of the Match: Gary Collinson – Rolled back the years with a vintage midfield performance.
Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurie Simmonds, Joe Barratt, Simon Smith, Sam Durand, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Gary Collinson, Paul Palmer, Danny Drewery. Subs (all used): Conor Collinson, Steve Collinson, Charlie Daly.