West Wickham v Clifton FC
(This match report was written by the opposition, on the day of Lee Champion's first managerial game in charge of the (not so then) Mighty Clifton Vets.
It was the last game of the 2010/11 and Wickham were looking forward to the game against Clifton FC, a team who were playing together for the first time in years to see if they were good enough to enter the world of vets football!
However,24 hours before KO we only had 11 players, two of which were keepers. Luckily a last ditch ring-around by last season’s manager, Neil Linter and the man tipped to take over next season, Dave ‘that’s news to me’ Jobson produced three more players in time for the match.
Clifton FC started well, and looked like they would provide stiff opposition on a sun baked outside pitch. However, they made the mistake of playing us on the day we finally remembered how to keep the ball and we were on top for most of the match.
Geoff Airey put us in front after rounding the Clifton keeper to add to his 2 goal tally for the season and his self proclaimed 600+ goal tally for his career (Geoff assures me he can provide evidence of all these goals as he records every game he has ever played on Alfie’s Playstation).
Neil Linter marshalled the defence, Matt Waitt ran the midfield and Jim Ryan and Steve Cotton put us deservedly two and three goals up before half time with their first goals of the season.
Half-time 3-0
The second half saw a few changes in personnel but the game continued in much the same way. Clifton’s effort was unrewarded, Geoff Gibbs had little to do in goal but did everything required without fault, Jobbo and Jonah marauded down either wing and Paul Jennings added another two goals.
Wickham were 5-0 up and with Jon Clapshoe causing them all sorts of problems up front Clifton looked a little demoralised. They literally couldn’t live with him as he chested balls to team mates, played through ball after through ball with the outside of his right foot and after turning like a battleship launched a long drive that deserved a goal.
As if things couldn’t have got worse Clifton were even more demoralised when Geoff Henry picked the ball up on the half way line and, despite looking like he was going to fall over with virtually every stride, made his way into the oppo penalty area and lashed the ball home. The watching crowd went wild.It was 6-0, the linesmen had given up linesmanning and the referee blew his whistle to end the game and the season.
F/T 6-0
Clifton didn’t deserve to be on the wrong end of that scoreline but it was a great way to finish our season. T
hanks to everyone that has played a part this year. See you all next season.
Goal scorers – PJ – 2, Geoff Airey, Geoff Henry, Steve Cotton, Jim Ryan
MOM – Dave Jobson
