Third Team Match Reports

by Doyley The Third

 

Third Team Round up (whilst Doyley The Third was away)

The editor of the Third team reports was off in the Caribbean celebrating 25 glorious years married to the former Third team kit washer. So whilst he was away he asked for anyone connected with Northwood Thirds that can read and write English (or any other language for that matter) to pen a few words to report the latest exploits of the Third team. So we had to wait for my return to catch up……….and yes, Antigua was wonderful…………

This week we play away to early league leaders Marsh Rangers, another tough fixture in another tough season. The following is a précis of the matches played since the emphatic victory against West End Rangers.

Northwood 3rds  0  North Greenford United  4
Saturday 12th October 2011 (London Commercial Division 1)

Not much to be said about a “bad day at the office” performance against old foe, North Greenford United. We were beaten by the better team (and it hurts anyone connected with Northwood, to say that about any North Greenford United team) but they do look like being early Division 1 favourites.

Tokyngton Manor  1  Northwwod 3rds  5
Saturday 5th November 2011 (Middlesex Junior Cup Round 2)

After getting a first round bye, we went off to the darkest depths of Tokyngton Park in Wembley to play Tokyngton Manor, an unknown opposition from the Middlesex County League.
The Thirds booked themselves a tricky 3rd round tie away to Kensington Dragons, also of the Middlesex County League sometime in January, with a comprehensive 5-1 victory. A brace of goals from Danny Glock, with Gareth Long, Laurence Roberts and Luke Cowie adding their names to the scoresheet.

Northwood 3rds  2  AFC Fulham  2
Saturday 29th October 2011 (London Commercial Division 1)

A very disappointing result from a Northwood Thirds perspective. We need to get as many points using “home” advantage and will look at this result as 2 points dropped on the day.
However, two Mark Stafford goals were the highlight of the day.


First league win for the Thirds
Northwood 3rds  5  West End Rangers  2
Saturday 15th October 2011 (London Commercial Division 1)

The week's rest, imposed by Roxeth FC's County misdemeanours, was obviously was just what was needed (this early in the season!). Following the previous game's heavy reversal, Northwood’s Third string bounced back in some style against local rivals West End Rangers. The game marked another first for the Thirds, a start for all the Collinson clan. Dad Gary, playing alongside both sons, Dale & Conor. Laurence Roberts slotted in at centre-back, reploacing the very old Tim Delaney (dropped at long last!).

Whatever happened to the team in the past week remains a mystery. Northwood started the game at full throttle and helped by the opposing goalkeeper, were two goals to the good within ten minutes. Gareth Long and a bizarre own goal meant a dream start. To the credit of West End Rangers, they never crumbled and got themselves back into contention by scoring to make the score 2-1 after quarter of an hour.

The tide swung back in Northwood’s favour when the West End goalkeeper brought down Danny Glock with a tackle that Mike Tindall would have been proud of. Danny composed himself to convert the resultant penalty. The game was well and truly secured by a strong run and quality finish by the goal scoring find of the season, Gareth Long.

Then Laurence Roberts capped a “man of the match” performance, rising almost salmon-like, at the far post to score with a bullet header. The half-time couldn’t come sooner for our opposition at 5-1 to Northwood. Oh, how a week can change things in football, what a funny old game it is!!!

The second half saw a remarkable fight back by the men from West End. To their credit, they won the second half 1-0 when the nephew of the editor of this report scored the only second half goal, for our opponents (had to put that in to keep his grandmother happy!). West End finished the stronger of the two teams, with only the brilliance of Chris Calaby between the Northwood sticks keeping the West End total to just the two goals. The final whistle blew to the elation of all concerned with Northwood Thirds, our first win in Division 1.

This week we are due another Christmas shopping Day. Division 1 has an odd number of teams, with Northwood’s turn to be the “odd-one-out”. Our next game is a “home” fixture on 29th October against another new team to Division 1, AFC Fulham.

Man of the Match: Laurence Roberts – A great headed goal capped a fine performance!

Team: Chris Calaby, Conor Collinson, Laurence Roberts, Joe Barratt, Dale Collinson, Sam Durand (capt), Gary Collinson, Steve Brockett, Danny Glock, Alex Simmonds, Gareth Long. Subs (all used): Tim Delaney, Mark Stafford, Luke Cowie.


A Tough Lesson for the Thirds
Northwood 3rds  0  British Airways  5
Saturday 1st October 2011 (London Commercial Division 1)

Well, it was all going so well for Northwood Thirds until last Saturday, the first game of the season produced our first point of the season (hurrah!). Up next was our first “home” game of the season on the Birkbeck College “bowling green” pitch versus the old foe of British Airways. Unfortunately, playing the perennial Division 1 champions elect and County Cup finalists two games into the baptism of fire of what is top division football, was always going to be tough. It wasn’t so long ago that we were playing against British Airways fourth team, now we were pitted against one of the best teams outside senior non-League football.

Further worrying signs was the sight of ex-Northwood first teamer Dean Clark in the British Airways colours. Clarky was playing regular first team football at Uxbridge F.C. last term, the same league as Northwood first team. We are supposed to be the third string of Northwood F.C. competing against the quality and fitness of the likes of Southern League players?!!

To the credit of the youngsters of Northwood Thirds we “had a real go” at our superior opposition. Holding the deficit to only two goals at half-time was a real achievement. Although we did create a few “half chances” BA were always on top and the second period saw the Northwood back five defend superbly to keep us in the game to the final whistle. One of the Northwood defenders was heard to say “I now know how General Custer must have felt!” British Airways threw everything at Northwood in the second half, the hot tap of the kitchen sink, nearly catching Chris Calaby in the Northwood goal.

Laurie Simmonds uttered the words of wisdom in a very dejected Northwood changing room, following the match. “Don’t worry lads, we have only got to play the twice more in the league, this season!”
Results from other games in Commercial League Division 1 on Saturday seem to suggest that British Airways are early season league favourites. However, the timing of our meeting, two games into the season, didn’t help the confidence of some of the Northwood players. Though it is a long season ahead and our younger players will get stronger in the higher standard & more physical demands of Division 1 football.

This week we were meant to be playing at Roxeth in the league. However, our opposition have County FA matters to be dealt which are still outstanding. Therefore the Commercial League has postponed our fixture. So two games into the new season, we get a weeks “rest” or an early Christmas shopping day.
Next game is Saturday 15th September at home to West End Rangers.

Man of the Match:   Not Awarded, perhaps next week! – Although a few British Airways players were candidates!

Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurence Roberts, Joe Barratt, Dale Collinson, Sam Durand (capt), Luke Cowie, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Alex Simmonds, Gareth Long Subs (all used): Conor Collinson, Matthew Saunders, Conor Mullane.


A hard earned first point for the Thirds
Fulham Dynamo Sports  2  Northwood 3rds  2
Saturday 24th September 2011 (London Commercial Division 1)

Northwood's third team kicked off the 2011/12 season with a trip to Boston Manor playing fields to play Fulham Dynamo Sports. Playing in the new surroundings of Commercial League Division 1, the long pre-season was to pay dividends in a match that will probably be the marker for the rest of the season. The standard and pace of the game have definitely increased from last season.

New third team faces were on show, Gareth Long up front with the young Conor’s Mullane and Collinson starting on the bench. There was also a welcome return to the third team for Conor’s elder brother Dale. He suffered a horrific injury at pre-season training last term, missing a whole season of football.

The team shape was similar to last season (though, how is Tim Delaney still getting a game?). Laurie Simmonds hung up his boots on the golden peg at the end of last season, not that he wanted to he was asked to by his fellow players, so the average age of the back four went down a few decades! Northwood got the perfect start after quarter of an hour when new striker Gareth Long scored on his third team debut. He was fined the customary jug of lager after the game.

The midfield trio of Steve Brockett, Alex Simmonds and Luke Cowie came in for special praise from the third team management for their first half performances. Things got even better just before the break when third team golden boot trophy holder, Mark Stafford, opened his account for this season. 2-0 up at half-time, 3 points away from home would have been a good result.

As it was Fulham Dynamo were the better team in the second half and although some may take the view that the day ended with 2 points being dropped. In truth the honours finished a deserved equal (ed note: honesty is always the best policy when writing these reports…….so just how is Tim Delaney still getting a game!). So our first point on the board for season 2011/2012 was more than welcome and it was viewed by manager Laurie Simmonds that it was a point gained in the end of the day.

The week we play perennial Division 1 winners & County Cup finalists, British Airways at Birkbeck. Another tough game in a very tough league.

Man of the Match:   Gareth Long – A new face buying the man of the match jug along with his Debutant jug, a good night was had by all.

 Team: Chris Calaby, Tim Delaney, Laurence Roberts, Joe Barratt, Dale Collinson, Sam Durand (capt), Luke Cowie, Steve Brockett, Mark Stafford, Alex Simmonds, Gareth Long Subs (all used): Conor Collinson, Matthew Saunders, Conor Mullane

 

Season Kicks off for the Third Team

Another season in the London Commercial League kicks-off this Saturday, 24th September. This year, thanks to a storming finish to the 2010/11 campaign, Northwood's third string find themselves playing in the top division.

Pre-season started back at the end of July, with good turn-outs at training and heaps of enthusiasm amongst the Third team squad, and there are high hopes that we can be competitive in a very tough league this term. There are a few new faces in the squad, hopefully adding to the playing strengths of the team.

The Third team football management remains the same, Laurie Simmonds ably assisted by Tim Delaney with Richard Doyle remaining Third team secretary and contact. The thirds have managed to secure another season's sponsorship by Hennessy’s Bar in Ruislip Manor, so many thanks once again to them.

This week we travel to Boston Manor Playing Fields to play Fulham Dynamo Sports for our first league fixture, 3pm kick-off.

Parkfield  1  Northwood 3rds  5
Saturday 20th August 2011 (Pre-season Friendly)

A good first run-out for the Third team against Parfield F.C. of the Amateur Football Alliance, managed by former Northwood first team player, Paul Ripley. The game was played at Roger Bannisters Sports Ground, Harrow Weald. On a typically British Summer's afternoon, the rain poured down!!!

Northwood 3rds  2  Paddington Vale 2
Saturday 10th September 2011 (Pre-season Friendly)

Another good run out, this time in the sunshine of South Oxhey Playing Fields. Paddington Vale are a new team to the London Commercial League and on this showing will do well this season. The highlight of the game was a very rare Steve Brockett strike, a contender for “Goal of the Season” according to Steve!

Northwood 3rds  4  Sudbury Court  2
Saturday 17th September 2011 (Pre-season Friendly)

Our final friendly was at Birkbeck College Sports Ground. Against the old foe (and good friends) of Sudbury Court, another good pre-season game that produced some good football on the “billiard table” pitch at Birkbeck. Managers Laurie and Tim have got the squad to fitness levels never witnessed before in a Northwood Third team squad (whatever happened to the barbeque & real ale pre-season diets of my day???).

       

            

  London Commercial League Division 1 Season 2011/2012

  1. AFC Ruislip
  2. AFC Fulham
  3. British Airways
  4. Fulham Dynamo Sports
  5. Marsh Rangers
  6. North Greenford United Thirds
  7. Northwood Thirds
  8. Roxeth
  9. West End Rangers

   Each team plays each other three times per season


Northwood Thirds - 2011/12

1. Last Season 2010/2011

We capped a fantastic campaign by finishing runners-up in Division 2, so next season we have earned the right to play in Commercial League Division 1. A special thanks to Laurie, Tim and Sam Durand for all their hard work organising team and finance matters throughout the season.

For anyone that missed the Presentation Day, the following awards were presented to the lucky people listed below:

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

The pictures and report on the day can be found here. Reports and pictures of all games last season also appear there.

2. Third Team News

After much persuasion, Laurie and Tim have decided to continue their roles as joint team managers and Treasurers next season. Doyley will continue to be London Commercial League Secretary for Northwood Thirds FC, this year ably assisted by Tim Delaney. We still will need help throughout the season on a week to week basis. Match day jobs like collecting subs, putting corner flags out etc.

The first league games in the London Commercial League 2011/12 are scheduled for Saturday 24th September, therefore all players should have completed a signing-on form by Saturday 17th September to be eligible to play in the first league game.

3. Training

Pre-Season training will be at the club, starting on Thursday 28th July, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, then every Thursday night thereafter. Please note, due to first team friendly games on 28th July (Harrow Borough) and 4th August (Hendon) the changing facilities are not available, all other facilities (bar etc…) will be available for use on these nights. On all other Thursday nights, all clubhouse facilities will be available for Third team players to use.
Unfortunately, due to lack of support we have given up the Eastcote Hockey Club (Astroturf) booking on Monday nights.

4. Season 2011/12 Finances

This season's “signing-on” fee has yet to be agreed but it will be approx £50 (as last season). We will also need to collect subs per game, last season  the match fees were £6.00 per game. The finances for the forthcoming season need reviewing by our treasurer, and we will let you know match fees in due course.
Any fines for bookings and sending-offs are the responsibility of the player involved, and these must be paid when they are due to the Middlesex County F.A.

5. Season 2011/12 Kick-off

We have a few pre-season friendly games being arranged at present. Details will be available at training. It is hope to start playing these in late August/early September. Please make a note of all the contact numbers given below, any questions arising, please ask anyone listed.

Any questions or problems arsing, please contact those listed below:

 

Richard Doyle: (h) 01895-475564; (mob) 07919-622894; e-mail: richard.doyle@ultra-cis.com or doyleywoods@hotmail.co.uk
                               
Laurie Simmonds (h) 01753-817725; (mob) 07799-831149     
                       
Tim Delaney (h) 01895-613849; (mob) 07763-365903