West Essex 3 Clapton CFC 0

Pre-Season Friendly, Sunday 29th July 2018

My second pre season friendly (and probably my last) prior to the season beginning this weekend saw me visit the London Marathon Community Stadium within the Olympic Park and it saw Essex Senior League side West Essex see off newly formed Clapton CFC in a competitive workout for both sides.

Clapton CFC, a community club set up by the Ultras in the summer, are a fan owned club and will be plying their trade in the Middlesex County League One, three steps below their opponents in this one, however under the guidance of Geoff Ocran they are slowly taking shape and will no doubt get better and better as they play more games.

And after five minutes of this one they had a great chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty after a lunge from a West Essex defender, however the normally reliable Tony Cookey sent his spot kick over the bar and the ESL hosts could breathe a sigh of relief.

Just past the quarter hour mark came West Essex first effort on goal after a lovely cross field ball found an attacker, however the effort whistled just over although the keeper did get a slight touch on the ball, before from the resulting corner the hosts headed just over the bar.

A rather comical moment then arrived a few minutes later when a Clapton clearance struck the referee right in the plums, which drew quite a bit of laughter from the 115 fans in attendance for this one, however all was in tact and he was ok to carry on thankfully!!!

In the 33rd minute Clapton thought they had taken the lead when they powered home a header from a corner, however the linesman adjudged the ball had curled out of play before coming back into play, therefore a goal kick was given instead, and then moments later Clapton threatened again but saw the keeper deny them the lead.

But then ten minutes before half time West Essex were the ones to take the lead when a brilliant ball forward found Tom Macleod who run onto the pass and finish beyond the keeper and give the hosts the lead.

Right on half time Clapton thumped another header against the woodwork although the flag had already gone up for offside, however the visitors were looking dangerous from set pieces and despite having the better openings in the first forty five minutes, they found themselves a goal behind at the break

Half Time West Essex 1 Clapton CFC 0

Three minutes into the second period calamity ensued for the visiting keeper as a cross saw Macleod run across the keeper, putting him off and seeing him totally miss the ball and then saw the ball hit a rather surprised defender on the leg and loop the ball into the far corner of his own net to double the ESL side's lead.

In the 56th minute Macleod almost had his second for the hosts but saw his header back across goal brilliantly saved, and then six minutes later Clapton broke two on one however the final effort was off target and wide of the near post.

Another good move from West Essex ended with Macleod striking an effort over the bar, before he hosts got in again but saw the finish dribble just wide of the far post, and then with ten minutes remaining got in again after a sloppy defensive pass, but the sub keeper saved with his legs to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

Clapton to their credit were still competing well but in the first minute of stoppage time conceded again when the superb Macleod, who had a hand in every goal today, teed up Emmanuel Obeng-Kouassi who fired a brilliant effort in off the woodwork to cap the victory for West Essex.
So a good workout for both sides as they get ever closer to the start of their seasons.

Full Time West Essex 3 Clapton CFC 0

 

White Ensign 1 Basildon United 2

Pre-Season Friendly, Saturday 14th July 2018

New signing Eljay Worrell netted an early second half free-kick to help Basildon United win their latest pre-season friendly as they defeated local rivals White Ensign at Len Forge.

On another hot day the hosts, who have now entered senior status after being accepted into the new step six Eastern Senior League South Division, were looking to build on their superb win at Great Wakering Rovers two days before, however they were up against newly promoted Basildon United who will be in the Bostick North Division for the coming season, who had also netted a good win against Stansted two days prior to this.

The Bees were the first to have an opening as another new arrival, Brian Moses, charged past an Ensign defender as if he wasn’t there, but his effort was blocked before a follow up effort was cleared off the line by the hosts, before the visitors then fired wide from long range, this after Ensign had got in down the right but saw their cross cleared.

And then in the 17^th minute saw a huge chance for the hosts when a poor goal kick from the Bees keeper found an Ensign player who played the ball to a teammate who turned and lofted an effort against the bar, before the follow up was blocked, and the chance had gone.

The Bees then dragged an effort wide two minutes later, and this game was being played at a fairly decent tempo as both sides looked to get their noses in front.  Just beyond the half hour mark Ensign almost got in until a last-ditch tackle thwarted them, but the step six hosts were more than holding their own against their step four opponents.

They nearly gifted Basildon the lead twice in the coming minutes though, firstly in the 34^th minute when a poor clearance allowed the visitors in but the effort was deflected wide, before two minutes later Kendall was presented with the ball by poor Ensign defending but the effort was dragged horribly wide.

And then six minutes before the break Ensign broke the deadlock when a ball through saw Liam Sewell run onto it and he coolly slotted home and the hosts led, although the lead lasted two minutes as the visitors levelled thanks to a great long-range effort giving the hosts keeper no chance whatsoever.

The Bees saw Moses hit an effort straight at the keeper and also see Kendall head over an Asamoah cross right on half time, but this good competitive friendly reached the break all square.

Half Time White Ensign 1 Basildon United 1

The Bees began the second half well and should have taken the lead five minutes into it when Remi Nelson, another new addition for the Bostick side, head an effort against the post before somehow blasting the rebound wide, but a minute later they did lead when Worrell curled home a brilliant free-kick and the Bees had turned this one around.

Ensign’s first opening of the second period didn’t arrive until the hour mark but it was a poor side footed effort which was easy for the keeper, before Moses went close for the Bees but saw his effort deflected into the side netting, which cued a mass change of personnel from the visitors, who changed most of their eleven as well as their kit!!!

Ensign almost netted an equaliser in the 69^th minute but saw their effort tipped wide, and then with thirteen minutes left a good run from Bees winger Jamie Brown, who used to play for Ensign, set up Marcus Bowers but his effort was always rising and it flew over the bar.

With six minutes left Ensign tried an effort from long range which almost caught out the keeper, but it was the visitors who edged this one to make it another win in pre-season.  A very enjoyable game though and lost of positives for both sides to take from this one.

Full Time White Ensign 1 Basildon United 2 

FIFA Football World Cup Russia 2018 - Quarter Finals

So we had reached the Quarter Finals, and eight teams remained, and all still believed they could go all the way in this tournament.  Here is how those four ties went:-

Friday 6th July
Uruguay 0 France 2
France are into the World Cup semi final for the first time in twelve years after they saw off Uruguay to set up a last four clash with Belgium.  This tie in terms of entertainment did not come close to Les Bleus win over Argentina in the Round of 16, but it will still be rememebered for the contrasting fortunes of both keepers in this one.  More about that later on, but the French saw Raphael Varane head them into a first half lead after Antoine Greizmann had swung in a free kick, the Real Madrid defender glancing home a perfect centre, and saw Les Bleus ahead.  Uruguay, who were missing Edison Cavani through injury, almost levelled immediately from a free kick of their own, but saw Hugo Lloris produce a wonderful save to deny Martin Caceres, before Diego Godin could only blast over the rebound.  France continued to control possession at the start of the second period, and were then gifted a goal to tighten their grip on proceedings when Griezmann let fly from the edge of the box, and there seemed no danger but Fernando Muslera misjudged the flight of the ball, flapped at the shot, and saw it loop slowly over the line to leave the Uruguay keeper rather red faced.  And despite the South American side throwing bodies forward in the closing stages, they could not seriously trouble Lloris, and their run of four successive wins came to an end, meaning they go home at the Quarter Final stage.

Brazil 1 Belgium 2
Belgium put in a terrific performance to dispatch five time world cup winners and pre tournament favourites Brazil out of the competition and reach the semi finals for the first time in 32 years.  The Brazilians, who had conceded just one goal in their past four world cup games, fell behind early on when a Nacer Chadli corner went in off Fernandinho which was the tenth own goal at this years world cup, although it could of been different had Thiago Silva not missed a gaping goal from a Neymar corner, seeing his effort loop onto the Belgian's post, prior to the European's going in front.  It was an open and entertaining contest, however the Samba boys were caught on the counter and saw the Belgians double their lead when Lukaku's powerful run ended up with Kevin de Bruyne, who struck a marvellous arrowed finish into the corner of the net, and the Brazilian boys knew a magic second half was needed if they were to remain in the tournament.  And with fifteen minutes remaining they were given hope when substitute Renato Augusto nodded home a delightful pass from Philippe Coutinho, but the Red Devils held firm to stun their opponents and set up a mouthwatering semi final with the French.

Saturday 7th July
Sweden 0 England 2
England are into the last four of a world cup for the first time in 28 years after goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli either side of the break saw them defeat Sweden in Samara.  Maguire, who was again outstanding in the heart of the defence for the English, broke the deadlock just past the hour hour mark, when yet another England set play bore fruit as the centre half powered a header beyond keeper Robin Olsen after an Ashley Young corner had found him.  England could of doubled their lead when Raheem Stirling saw his effort saved by Olsen after getting in behind the Swedish backline, and then Jordan Pickford denied the Swedes an equaliser with a super stop from Marcus Berg, before England doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Alli headed home a Jesse Lingard centre to give England a cushion.  Pickford did deny Sweden twice more late on, firstly denying Viktor Claesson and then Berg again, to secure his first world cup clean sheet, and in the end see the Three Lions confortably through to the Semi Finals and a showdown with Croatia on Wednesday.  It is also only the third time England have reached the semi finals after 1966 and 1990, so this is already a terrific achievement from the Three Lions.

Russia 2 Croatia 2 (aet; Croatia won 4-3 on penalties)
The hosts remarkable run at this world cup ended in penalty shoot out heartache as they were edged out by Croatia who set up a semi final tie against England on Wednesday.  The Russian's, who had got this far against all the odd's and were contesting their first Quarter Final since 1970 in their Soviet Union days, took a shock lead when Denis Cheryshev curled a wonderful effort into the top corner for one of the finest strikes at this world cup and Russia believed once again that their team could continue this remarkable run.  But only eight minutes later Andrej Kramaric headed the Croats level, and then after the break Ivan Perisic saw a low effort come back off the inside of Russia's post and across goal as the hosts lived a charmed life.  The game ended up going to extra time and it was the Croats who edged in front when Domagoj Vida's headed through a crowded area and into the corner, however Russia managed to pull something out of the bag when Mario Fernandez headed home six minutes from the end of extra time to force penalties and bring this tie back into the melting pot.   Fedor Smolov missed the first penalty for the hosts when his weak effort was saved by Danijel Subasic, whilst Igor Akinfeev gave Russia hope when he stopped Mateo Kovacic's low spot kick, however Fernandez stuck his spot kick wide and it came down to Ivan Rakitic needing to score to send his side through, and he did just that and cued excited team mates mobbing him as Croatia reached the last four for the first time in twenty years.  And despite the Russian's exit, their fans broke into heartfelt applause as they cheered their beaten side long and loud after the final whistle in recognition at how good their achievements in this world cup had been.

Here is the semi final line up:-
Tuesday 10th July
France vs Belgium (7pm)

Wednesday 11th July
Croatia vs England (7pm)

So four teams now remain, France, Belgium, Croatia and our very own England.  It has been a remarkable world cup and a first has happened in the history of the competition as after Brazil's exit it means this is the first time ever that neither Argentina, Brazil or Germany will appear in the Semi Finals.  And for the teams left this isn't a regular appearance either in recent times, with France (12 years), Belgium (32 years), Croatia (20 years) and England (28 years) since they were last in the final four at a world cup.  For entertainment the Brazil vs Belgium clash was the best Quarter Final, whilst the Russia vs Croatia gave us the most drama, and it leaves us with the above semi finals.  France vs Belgium will be a cracker, and I feel the winners will probably come from this tie, whilst the Croatia vs England contest will probably be a tight tense affair.  Both will believe they can still win it, in fact all four teams left will believe they are good enough, proves to be another couple of decent contests as they battle for a place in Sunday's final. 

FIFA Football World Cup Russia 2018 - Last Sixteen

So after 48 games, 122 goals, and plenty of drama in the group stages, it was time for the Last Sixteen of the Football World Cup, and it began in Kazan on a sunny Saturday in Russia as France took on Argentina, here is what happened in that contest and the other seven ties: -

Saturday 30^th June

France 4 Argentina 3

French teenage forward Kylian Mbappe announced his arrival on the world stage by becoming the first teenager to net multiple goals at a world cup since Michael Owen did that in 1998, as his brace saw France overpower Argentina in a thrilling game.  The French began well and saw Antoine Griezmann strike the bar with a free-kick, but in the 13^th minute Griezmann put France ahead from the spot after Mbappe had produced an amazing lung-busting run from his own half before it was ended illegally by Marcos Rojo.  You felt if the French could add another it could be embarrassing for the South Americans, however this never happened and four minutes before half time the Argentinian’s struck from nowhere when Angel Di Maria produced a stunning long range effort which Hugo Lloris had no chance with, and the sides went into the break all square.  And unbelievably the South Americans then took the lead early in the second half when Gabriel Mercado cleverly diverted a Lionel Messi shot past Lloris and the French were suddenly chasing the game after having controlled it for the most part.  So what did the French have?  Well plenty as it turned out, and they were only behind for nine minutes as Benjamin Pavard produced an equally stunning strike with his right foot to bring them level, and then seven minutes after that Mbappe got his first goal, beating a man before striking powerfully underneath Franco Armani’s body, although the keeper may feel he should of done better with the effort, however it meant the French had turned this one back around.   The French were now flowing and they made it three goals in eleven second half minutes when a swift counter-attack saw Mbappe onto a pass and he slotted brilliantly beyond Armani and saw the French taking total control again.  The Argies never really looked like recovering from this blow, and although they did grab a third goal deep into stoppage time, when substitute Sergio Aguero headed home a pin-point cross from Messi, it was too little too late and the French grabbed a deserved win and a place in the Quarter Finals where they will meet Uruguay, who disposed of Portugal in their last sixteen tie.

Uruguay 2 Portugal 1

Edinson Cavani netted two stunning goals as he helped Uruguay to victory against Portugal, setting up a Quarter Final against France.  Uruguay drew first blood in the seventh minute when after Cavani had driven a Crossfield pass over to strike partner Luis Suarez, the Barcelona striker then sent in a pin-point cross for Cavani to run in behind at the back post and head beyond keeper Rui Patricio, and give his side a perfect start.  And it was to stay like that until the break, as a solid Uruguay defence, which were yet to be breached at this World Cup, found Ronaldo and Co fairly easy to keep at bay.  But ten minutes into the second half that was to change, as Pepe rose unmarked to nod past keeper Fernando Muslera and bring the European Champions level, and they appeared to be getting on top as Uruguay were struggling to get any possession whatsoever.  The brilliant Cavani though changed the course of this contest once again though, when he steered a wonderful first time effort beyond Rui Patricio into the far corner, and restore his sides lead.  The striker limped off late on though with a hamstring injury, so Uruguay will hope he isn’t to bad, but early indications are not great.  Portugal tried their best to take the tie into extra-time late on, but found the blue wall in the way, and it meant Portugal go out at the last sixteen stage, meaning Messi and Ronaldo leave us on the same day.

Sunday 1^st July

Spain 1 Russia 1 (aet; Russia won 4-3 on penalties)

Hosts Russia pulled off the biggest shock of the World Cup so far after they knocked out Spain on penalties after the sides could not be separated in the previous 120 minutes of football in Moscow. The Russians came into this tournament as the lowest ranked nation, 60 places below the Spanish, and just reaching the last sixteen was an achievement in itself, however no one gave them a chance against one of the giants in world football.  And on 12 minutes the Spanish grabbed the lead when Sergey Ignashevich inadvertently diverted a Marco Asensio free-kick past his own keeper whilst trying to wrestle Sergio Ramos to the floor, but Spain failed to turn their dominance of possession into chances.  And they were made to pay for this four minutes before half-time when the hosts won a penalty when Artem Dzyuba’s header hit Gerard Pique’s arm, and Dzyuba stepped up himself to stick the penalty away, and the Russian’s were level.  Andreas Iniesta, who was left out of the starting XI for Spain, was the only one to threaten to break the Russian resolve, and when the Spaniard’s did finally manage a sight of goal in extra time, Igor Akinfeev denied Rodrigo, meaning it went to penalties.  And Russia managed to score all their penalty kicks, whilst Spain couldn’t, meaning the hosts pulled off an incredible victory and are now in the Last Eight where they take on Croatia who also won on penalties against Denmark, what a story for the hosts!!!

Croatia 1 Denmark 1 (aet; Croatia won 3-2 on penalties)

Danijel Subasic saved three penalties for Croatia as his side edged out Denmark on spot-kicks after neither side could be separated in 120 minutes.  It was a match that ended in stunningly dramatic fashion, and started in the same way too, as with barely a minute gone Martin Jorgensen capitalised on chaotic defending caused by a long throw to fire a weak effort beyond Subasic, but just two minutes later Croatia were level as a scuffed clearance and an inadvertent header from Danish midfielder Martin Delaney fell into the path of Mario Mandzukic, who sent an effort beyond Kasper Schmeichel to level the game up.  However, the remainder of the 90 minutes was poor, and penalties seemed inevitable before extra time came along, but with less than five minutes left of the 120 minutes Croatia won a penalty and had the chance to win the tie before penalties, but Luka Modric saw his penalty saved by the big Dane in goal Schmeichel, and it meant the tie would indeed go to penalties.  It was a shoot out that saw the keepers dominate, however it came down to Ivan Rakitic needing to net his penalty to win, and he slotted home and it meant the Croatians were through to face hosts Russia in the Quarter Finals.  They will fancy that, and indeed the competition as a whole now, and they really must be dark horses for the tournament now, if they were not already.

Monday 2^nd July

Brazil 2 Mexico 0

Second half goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino saw Brazil edge out Mexico in Samara to reach the Last Eight of the world cup for a seventh consecutive time.  The Samba Boys were expected to progress but did not have things all their own way as Mexico dominated the opening exchanges, but Brazil grew into the contest although the opening forty-five minutes ended goalless.  That changed five minutes into the second period though when Neymar started and finished the move and got on the end of a Willian ball across goal to slide the ball home and give his side the advantage.  This came just before Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo wasted a brilliant opportunity, shooting wildly over the bar, and although Carlos Vela forced a save from Brazil keeper Alisson, their bright start was but a distant memory as Brazil gained control.  They rallied in the closing stages but Brazil stood firm and then sealed their passage into the Quarter Finals when Firmino tapped home after Neymar’s effort was diverted across goal by keeper Guillermo Ochoa, meaning the Brazilian’s meet Belgium in a mouth-watering quarter final, whilst Mexico are yet again eliminated at the last sixteen stage, just like every world cup since 1994.

Belgium 3 Japan 2

Nacer Chadli netted a 94^th minute winner as Belgium staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat a heartbroken Japan and reach the Quarter Finals.  A goalless first half succumbed to a terrific second half, and it started in stunning fashion when the Japanese took a shock lead when Genki Haraguchi ran onto Gaku Shibasaki’s long ball and fired across Courtois, and although Belgium almost responded immediately when Eden Hazard struck the woodwork, Japan then doubled their lead in spectacular style when Takashi Inui produced a twenty-five-yard strike, and it looked like another big shock was on the cards at this world cup.  Belgium needed to do something to change this and brought on Marouane Fellani and Chadli after an hour to try and give themselves some impetus.  It seemed to work to as with just over twenty minutes left Jan Vertonghen sent a looping header back towards goal, and saw it drop into the far corner, to get the Europeans back into the contest.  And five minutes later one of the substitutes Fellani rose to head home a Hazard cross and suddenly Belgium were back on level terms with fifteen minutes or so to go.  Japan to their credit kept trying to attack and they had their moments in the final minutes, however just as the tie looked to be heading to extra time, Belgium broke on the attack minded Asians, and saw Chadli laid in to net the winning goal and send his side through to play Brazil in the final eight.

Tuesday 3^rd July

Sweden 1 Switzerland 0

The Swedes got their dream Quarter Final tie against England after they saw off the Swiss in a strangely compelling but untidy tie in Saint Petersburg.  This was a hard one to call, despite the Swiss being ranked 18 places above their opponents in the FIFA world rankings, although as we have found out in this tournament, that counts for very little.  Swiss keeper Yann Sommer had to brilliantly claw away a Marcus Berg effort to stop the Swedes taking the lead in the first half, and late on Sommer then denied Haris Seferovic in what was a game mainly remembered for the missed chances from both sides.  But the winning moment came in the 66^th minute when Emil Forsberg saw his shot deflect off Manuel Akanji and leave Sommer stranded as the ball found the net, and with time running out Sweden thought they had won a penalty when Michael Lang pushed over Martin Olsson, who was clean through on goal, which saw the Swiss player red carded.  However, after consulting with VAR, the push happened just outside the box, meaning the penalty wasn’t given and a free-kick was instead.  It did not bother the Swedes though, who reached their first Quarter Final since 1994, whilst a disappointed Switzerland go home after this defeat.

Colombia 1 England 1 (aet; England won 4-3 on penalties)

England are through to play Sweden in the Quarter Finals of the FIFA World Cup after winning their first ever World Cup penalty shoot out in a dramatic win over Colombia in Moscow.  In an atmosphere that at times felt like an away game for the English boys as they were well outnumbered in the support stakes, the young squad played with zip and energy in the opening half hour or so, but as the half grew older the Colombian’s began to try and get under the skin of their opponents, and one such flash point saw a headbutt on Jordan Henderson only result in a yellow card, when many, including myself, thought it was a certain red.  This continued in the second half too, but just before the hour mark England grabbed the lead they deserved when after Harry Kane had been hauled down inside the box, not for the first time in this competition, Kane stepped up to score and give the Three Lions belief that they could reach the Last Eight.  England looked comfortable and Colombia rarely threatened, and they looked to have emerged unscathed from this ill-disciplined match, until Yerry Mina headed home deep into stoppage time and take the tie to extra time.  The extra half hour could not find a winner either, so it meant penalties, and a nerve racking few minutes for all concerned.  Both sides netted their opening two kicks before the South Americans went 3-2 up, and then saw Henderson miss, meaning the Colombians could put one foot into the next round if they netted their fourth penalty, but they hit the bar, and then saw Kieran Tripper net meaning it was 3-3.  And then up step Jordan Pickford, who had been criticised by some for his performance against Belgium, to save Colombia’s last spot kick, meaning if Eric Dier could net England’s final penalty, it was all over.  Well he duly drove home and sent England into the Last Eight in dramatic fashion, and also send Colombia home as a result.

So, after all that drama over the last few days, it means the Quarter Final line up is as follows: -

Friday 6^th July

Uruguay vs France

Brazil vs Belgium

Saturday 7^th July

Sweden vs England

Russia vs Croatia

Well well well, we are now down to the Final Eight, and we have four intriguing ties to look forward to.  First up at 3pm on Friday it’s Uruguay vs France in Nizjnij Novgorod with both sides hitting fine form just at the right time.  Uruguay looked solid as always against a talented Portuguese side, whilst France were at times breath-taking against the Argentinian’s, especially 19-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, who netted twice in that game, so it should be an entertaining encounter.  Stand out tie, Brazil vs Belgium, then follows on Friday evening at 7pm in Kazan, and this proves to be a fantastic encounter.  Then on Saturday it’s Sweden vs England at 3pm in Samara, with the England lads probably going into the tie as favourites, however the Swedes are a tight, compact, organised side who have many big scalps to their name recently, so not to be underestimated for sure.  Finally, at 7pm Saturday evening hosts Russia take on Croatia in Sochi in what must be the hosts biggest game for some time against many people’s dark horses for the competition.  Nobody saw Russia getting out of their group, let alone reach the last eight, and although Croatia will go into this as favourites, as Spain can testify it means nothing at the end of the day, so take the Russian’s with caution as they will fight and scrap for their nation backed by a no doubt raucous home crowd.  It proves to be another drama filled two days and I’ll be back with a blog on the Quarter Finals once they have been completed.