Wars fight back against the champions

Combined Counties League – Division One – Wednesday 24th August
Warlingham F.C. 2 Worcester Park F.C. 2

Despite our pre season success and all the hard work put in by everybody we have not been able to convert this into results when it has mattered in either the League or FA Cup. Indeed in three outings we are yet to score!

So just to help matters along the fixture computer lines up last years champions, Worcester Park, quickly followed by last years runners up, Bedfont Sports before we welcome our closest rivals Farleigh Rovers on bank Holiday Monday!

It was clear as the WP players took the field that their team was little changed from last years champions who managed to beat us four times in both league and cup. Clearly getting back was going to be no easy task and so it proved.

Wars started well and in the first 15 minutes the teams were evenly matched and the pace furious. The game was end to end but few chances were created in the early stages but it was free flowing and well refereed by Ryan O’Sullivan who was under the additional pressure of being assessed.

The end to end football continued but chances started to flow as the ceaseless commitment from both sides started to bear fruit.

After 19 minutes a through ball was poorly cleared from the edge of the WP box and Penfold calmly controlled and lobbed the keeper only to see the ball drift just over. Back came WP down our left and only an excellent sliding tackle from Gladwin stopped the advance.

Baker, who had started strongly, found himself with the ball at his feet after 25 minutes and warmed the keeper’s hands from 35 yards.

WP are a big strong and resilient side with a very solid spine and despite Wars pressure they defended well.

Higgins slotted a ball through to Nichol on 28 minutes but he managed to miss kick and the chance was gone. Then the tide turned and WP were on the front foot with Wars back peddling as first they headed wide and then shot just over as they built pressure around the Wars penalty area.

40 minutes in and a break down the right and cross saw the WP forward meet the ball on the volley beyond the far post and send a powerful shot just over Coote’s goal. The excellent Broom had a good chance on 42 as he connected with a Martin free kick but could only head wide.

Then it happened! Having failed to win a defensive header WP broke down Wars right and Captain Higgins managed to upend the forward in his desperate lunge for the ball. The referee had no option but to point to the spot. Coote managed to dive out of the way as the ball was despatched with power straight down the middle of the goal. 1-0 WP

Half time soon arrived and your commentator was left wondering just what impact this would have on Wars morale and confidence especially given WP’s status as champions.

Wars started the second half brightly and Bugden had a low shot saved well in the first minute. Unfortunately WP were soon right back at us. A through ball on 51 minutes had Nicoli chasing hard to stop the advance and in doing so he caught the heels of the WP forward and in falling managed to break his collar bone. The forward slotted the ball across an empty goal as Coote advanced but thankfully failed to find a colleague.

Nicoli has been excellent in our first 3 games and will now be out for 6 weeks. A major blow and we wish him well for a speedy return.

Nicoli was replaced by Stripp with Higgins dropping back into the centre of defence.

Wars quickly got back into the action and had a goal disallowed for offside just 2 minutes after Nicoli departed. No idea who got the header in because I was too busy calling the ambulance! The game was still evenly matched and the pace had not subsided. WP should have scored after 60 minutes as the giant centre forward headed wide and then Bugden just failed to connect with a Lineker cross up the other end just a minute later.

WP went further ahead on 66 minutes as a good passing move was converted and it was beginning to look like a long night for the Wars. WP 2-0 up.

WP continued to apply pressure as they sought to put the game beyond doubt but Wars held firm. Higgins cut out a cross, emanating from the enormous goal kicks from their keeper, with the forward waiting. Wars were still fighting but time was pressing on with another goal scramble cleared after 34 minutes and another WP headed chance going wide on 38 minutes.

Wars were becoming increasingly desperate and the play was getting stretched further and further as both sides resorted to route one football. Dias had come on to replace Bugden and one long ball broke to his feet and he promptly rounded the defender and chipped the keeper and Wars are right back in it at 2-1 but with time running out. Not surprisingly WP had not been in much of a hurry to get play going for the last 15 minutes and this came back to haunt them as we drifted further and further into added time and the Wars bombardment continued.

In the 95th minute Dias picked up another long ball and was fouled on the edge of the box as he powered forward. Having worked long into the darkness the night before on free kicks it now all paid off. Lineker stepped up and despatched an excellent shot into the corner and put Wars back on level terms. The whistle followed soon afterwards – 2-2.

MOM – A superb comeback showing commitment determination and fortitude. Everything a team needs to succeed. MOM is another difficult decision. Gladwin was excellent throughout and Baker was not far behind. Dias made a difference when he came on and Higgins battled hard throughout. Martin and Nichol continue to impress in the middle of the park and Penfold had a great first half. Lineker scored the all important equaliser with a fantastic strike and Budgen never stopped running and creating problems for the WP back four. My vote went with Gareth Broom who held it together at the back under extreme pressure and always looked dangerous in the opposition box. An all round stand out performance.

Team: Coote, Baker, Gladwin, Broom, Nicoli, Nichol, Martin, Higgins, Penfold, Bugden, Lineker Subs used: Stripp, Dias, Roache Subs not used: Dilley, Canning