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Sat 11th Jul 2009
Friendly
Sponsored by Will Saintey
TAFC First team 0-6 Watford F C
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With the first Ashes Test taking place and the schools yet to break up for the summer hols it seemed incongruous to kick start our preparation for the new season with a friendly against a Watford X1 so early. This is 2nd year that our local Football League Club have visited The Grass Roots Stadium and we are honoured that they agreed to the game. A healthy crowd of 224 welcomed a young Watford team comprised of Academy and professional players including two who have appeared in the First Team.
This game came perhaps a little early for our players because they only had 3 training sessions to build fitness and integrate the new players into the side. The end result was a heavy defeat but the scoreline was a bit misleading and at this stage is of no great importance. It is interesting to note that the Sports Editor of the Watford Observer made the visiting keeper Jonathan North the man of the match which appears strange when you consider the final score, but the young Welsh Youth International made a series of stunning saves to deny us the opportunity of banging in some goals ourselves.
The main points of interest for our supporters was that most of last years squad has signed on again and there were some additional players including keeper Tom Vincent making a welcome return after some years at Aylesbury United. The other new players included Shane Wood, a young central defender, left back Justin Gordon formerly of Aylesbury United and Vale and Brett Cort, another defender who is returning after a long injury having previously turned out for Aylesbury United and Chesham.
We could have taken the lead after only 2 minutes when Vinnie Iannone cleverly seized on a free kick from Justin Gordon to set Ashley Addison free in the area for a shot which Jonathan North turned around the post. From the corner the ball was whacked downfield and Liam Henderson left our defence standing and just managed to beat Tom Vincent to the ball and stab it home to open the scoring after just 3 minutes.
We came back strongly and Andy Mullins was sent away down the right and his cross was cleared under pressure. Marvin Sordell tried a spectacular flying scissor kick which went over the bar as the game flowed from end to end. In the 16th minute Tony Fields was tripped and a penalty awarded. David Whicker’s spot kick was read by Jonathan North to deny us an equaliser. Sordell showed some nice skills to work himself some space in our area but his shot was weak and well wide.
Billy Gibson and Liam Henderson have both appeared in Watford’s First Team and they showed their class to double the lead in the 20th minute. Gibson skilfully worked his way down our right and sent over a great cross which Henderson could not miss to make the score 2-0. To be behind so early against a fit young side was a blow but the players showed commendable spirit and would surely reduced the arrears but for some inspired goalkeeper by Jonathan North. Within the space of 2 minutes the Watford custodian made point blank saves from Tony Fields and Andy Mullins. Earlier a free kick fell to Tony Fields in the area but he fired over. Two minutes before half time Tom Vincent made a good save from Matthew Whichelow but he could do nothing to prevent the same player heading a returned cross into the far corner. It was a bad time to concede a goal and made the task of a comeback very difficult. So at half time we were 3-0 behind which was somewhat harsh on our lads as they had created some very good chances.
A number of substitutions were made at half time and during the second half by both teams which seemed to disrupt us more than our opponents. That man Jonathan North was called into action within 9 minutes of the restart making another superb save from close range from Vinnie Iannone. Five minutes past the hour David Salmon was unfortunate to turn a cross into his own net to put us 4 goals behind. Two minutes later matters got worse when substitute Gavin Massey scored his sides 5th goal.
Kerry Gordon made a good run down the right and his cross was met by Ashley Addison but yet again the one man brick wall known as Jonathan North somehow kept it out. With just 3 minutes to go further salt was rubbed into our wounds when Piero Mingoia scored the 6th and thankfully last goal.
Our gratitude goes to Watford who fully deserve their reputation for being a club that develops strong links with the local community. Also full marks to their young players who gave us a lesson in the art of finishing and we shall follow their careers with interest. For our players the result was not of the utmost importance but they will be disappointed at the extent of the defeat. With better finishing and a bit of luck (and a lesser keeper!) the final score could have been much closer. Its good that most of last years squad has returned and with Danny Gray, Chris Salmon and Trevor Gibbs back training and with the additions to the squad the prospects for next season look very promising.
Teams:
TA: Tom Vincent, David Salmon, Justin Gordon, Graham Hall (Capt), Steve Smith, Matt Myatt, Andy Mullins, David Whicker, Vinnie Iannone, Ashley Addison, Tony Fields. Subs: Keith Eldridge, Robbie Duncan, Shane Wood, Brett Cort, Kerry Gordon, Luke Byrne.
W: Jonathan North, Andy Yiadom, Theo Angus, Cole Penny, Adam Fenwick, Louis Lavers, Billy Gibson, Kutney Brooks, Liam Henderson, Marvin Sordell, Matthew Whichelow. Subs: Piero Mingoia, Fabrice Otshudi, Adam Thompson, Jack Warburton, Fisal Hemati, Gavin Massey, Jake Rosier, Greg Dear.
Goals:
TA:
W: Liam Henderson (3, 20), Matthew Whichelow (43), OG (65), Gavin
Massey (68). Piero Mingoia (87)
Attendance: 224
Watford FC: www.watfordfc.com
Watford Observer report: www.watfordobserver.co.uk |
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Junior keeps Mr.Vincent honest
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