Match Reports

Chingford 0 - 4 THCC FC, League, 8th March 2008

Starting line-up: Fili (GK), Matt Taylor (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Eddie Stride (CB), Jonathan John (LB), Jimmy Nimo (RW), Aaron Richards (CM), Perry Loomes (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Luke With (ST), Stephen Bingham  (ST); Bench: Luke Williams, Mark Bowtell,  Shaun Weston

Intro: With two players suspended and others missing, it was time to appreciate the size of the THCC FC squad as we still managed to have a full 14 players. The absence of Luke Bingham and Oli Taylor, usually the two midfield battlers, meant that a new midfield duo was put in place and Aaron and Perry soon took the game by the scruff of the neck, sending good passes through to both wingers and the strikers. Aaron was clearly not in the mood to sit and wait for the strikers to score, and as he burst through the Chingford defence with the drop of a shoulder he found himself one on one with their goal keeper; his curling shot beat the goalie but came back of the crossbar. Aaron was first to react and headed in to make it 0-1.

Jimmy Nimo made his return after a period of reflection and made a big impact, setting up Stephen Bingham for his first league goal (cheer) with a low cross that Stephen tucked away at the second attempt after his first effort was parried by the goal keeper. Minutes later Jimmy was on the score sheet himself, a good corner kick from Lee Thomson was met with a precise left foot volley by Mr Nimo, leaving the goal keeper clutching at thin air.

HT (0 - 3): 10 mins into the second half, THCC FC had put the win beyond doubt with a great solo effort from Perry Loomes, who side stepped at least three defender before unleashing his shot into the bottom corner. This was the cue for some substitutions, Eddie and Michael who had been holding the fort at the back were replaced by Mark and another long absent but now returning player - Shaun Weston (sporting some excellent long shorts under his team kit!). Luke William was also introduced later in the game and made some good mazy runs on the left wing. Mark Bowtell had some good efforts on goal and was involved in excellent passing moves too. Shaun made sure the defence new he was there but didn't get any clear opportunities. The game ended without further goals. A satisfying win and a rare clean sheet was well deserved by the defence, with Matt Taylor holding his own at right back despite being decidedly left footed, JJ looking very composed and Fili making some important saves in the second half.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P, Suzy Stride, Luke Bingham

THCC FC 1 - 2 Wanstead Saints, League, 23rd Feb 2008

Starting line-up: Fili (GK), Scott B (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Luke With (CB), Jonathan John (LB), Aaron Richards (RW), Oli Taylor (CM), Luke Bingham (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Perry Loomes (ST), Stephen Bingham  (ST); Bench: Luke Williams, Jonny Pilkington,  Jermain Belle

Intro: The previous two matches against Wanstead Saints yielded 17 goals, a 5-5 draw and a 4-3 victory, so a 0-0 scoreline was not expected today.... neither though did we expect to go behind in so quickly. A long aimless ball knocked forward by Wanstead from the kick off fell straight to a THCC FC defender, who took a little too much time on the ball and was caught by a quick attacker how crossed in for his strike partner to head past our diving goal keeper. The referee informed us only 17 seconds had passed since the kick off! After some good attacks down either flank, we eventually got an equalise when an excellent cross to hung up at the back post was met by a towering Jonathan John whose on target header was deflected only to loop over everyone and into the goal. JJ's first goal for THCC FC. However, before half time, an excitable Michael P went on a run that eventually ended in him being tackled and left out of position. Wanstead broke quickly and though there were large appeals for offside, the ref ignored them and Wanstead were again clinical with the chance they had been presented.

HT (1 - 2): The second half was as eventful as the first, but for different reasons. THCC FC did a lot of attacking and did forge two very good chances, for Lee and Aaron, who both went close. A clear penalty was dismissed by the referee. Later in the game as passion was running high, two THCC FC players were sent off for foul language, said to have been aimed at the referee. THCC FC clung on with 9 men and tried to salvage a point. Alas, despite not conceeding thanks to some great goal keeping and a slide tackle that stopped Wanstead scoring into an open goal, we couldn't get an equaliser.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P, Stuart Bingham, Leigh Williams, Lee Prior, Rezaul Hoque, Chris

Woodgrange 2 - 2 Tower Hamlets, League, 26th Jan 2008

Starting line-up: Fili (GK), Scott B (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Eddie Stride (CB), Jermain Belle (LB), Luke Willliams (RW), Luke With (CM), Luke Bingham (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Danny Fitzgerald (ST), Aaron Richards (ST); Bench: Stephen Bingham, Perry Loomes,  Jonathan John

Intro: Off the back of 7 games unbeaten, THCC FC went into the game confident despite having been beaten by Woodgrange 6-0 earlier in the season. An excellent first 15 mins saw us dominate the game making many chances but not breaking the deadlock. You can guess what happened next though, Woodgrange took the lead after poor defensive organisation on a free kick. This is just what we needed to get our heads straight though and by half time we had not just levelled but gone in front with goals from Luke Williams and Luke With. William side stepped the defense and fired the ball high into the net, and With finished off a good move with a simple tap in after being put through by a beautiful pass from Aaron Richardss.

HT (1 - 2): The second half saw lots more attacking from THCC, but with no fruits! It was Woodgrange who got the only goal, another set piece which eluded everyone but the striker at the back post who squared for his team mate to tap in. JJ, Perry and Stephen were all introduced and Stephen almost got the winner with his first touch a header which was too close to the goallie. Perry had chances and JJ was solid at left back but the score didn't change. It ended all square to continue our 8 match unbeaten run.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P

THCC FC 2 - 1 Redbridge, Cup Quarter Final, 2nd Feb 2008

Starting line-up: Fili (GK), Scott B (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Eddie Stride (CB), Matt Taylor (LB), Aaron Richards (RW), Oli Taylor (CM), Luke Bingham (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Jonny Pilkington (ST), Luke With  (ST); Bench: Luke Williams, Perry Loomes,  Danny Fitzgerald

Intro: Having previously drawn with Redbridge despite them being almost at the opposite end of the table to us, we went in the match knowing we had a chance. The first half was action packed. Just over 5 minutes into the game Redbridge broke through one on one after a poor goal kick dropped to their striker. Fili made a fantastic reaction save only to see the rebound bounce back to the striker who duely despatched into the roof of the net. Not being unfamiliar to going behind a goal, we knew the game was far from over and sure enough we were back on level terms minutes later when some great build up play from Aaron and Luke With found Jonny in the box. His first shot was blocked but the ball sat up nicely for a second bite at the cherry and Jonny made no mistake in putting the ball firmly past the Redbridge keeper. Before the half time whistle Jonny was on the score sheet again. An excellent corner from Aaron picked out an unmarked JP who headed into the top corner!

HT (2 - 1): The second half had just as much action as the first but without the ball getting into the back of the net. Redbridge threw everything they had at us, but thanks to the crossbar, the post and desperate goal line clearances from Eddie and Scott we hung on to see our way into the semi finals of the cup. Luke Williams and Perry both came on in the second half and both went close to scoring with excellent runs past the Redbridge defence on the counter attack. The central midfield worked their socks off and everyone on the pitch did themselves proud.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Suzy Stride, Joe Toko

Woodgrange 2 - 2 Tower Hamlets, League, 26th Jan 2008

Starting line-up: Fili (GK), Scott B (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Eddie Stride (CB), Jermain Belle (LB), Luke Willliams (RW), Luke With (CM), Luke Bingham (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Danny Fitzgerald (ST), Aaron Richards (ST); Bench: Stephen Bingham, Perry Loomes,  Jonathan John

Intro: Off the back of 7 games unbeaten, THCC FC went into the game confident despite having been beaten by Woodgrange 6-0 earlier in the season. An excellent first 15 mins saw us dominate the game making many chances but not breaking the deadlock. You can guess what happened next though, Woodgrange took the lead after poor defensive organisation on a free kick. This is just what we needed to get our heads straight though and by half time we had not just levelled but gone in front with goals from Luke Williams and Luke With. William side stepped the defense and fired the ball high into the net, and With finished off a good move with a simple tap in after being put through by a beautiful pass from Aaron Richardss.

HT (1 - 2): The second half saw lots more attacking from THCC, but with no fruits! It was Woodgrange who got the only goal, another set piece which eluded everyone but the striker at the back post who squared for his team mate to tap in. JJ, Perry and Stephen were all introduced and Stephen almost got the winner with his first touch a header which was too close to the goallie. Perry had chances and JJ was solid at left back but the score didn't change. It ended all square to continue our 8 match unbeaten run.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P

THCC FC 0 - 1 Upney, League, 17th Nov 2007

Starting line-up: Danny Fitzgerald (GK), Jermain B (RB), Mikey Penman (CB), Matt Taylor (CB), Jonathan John (LB), Luke Willliams (RW), Eddie Stride (CM), Jimmy Nimo (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Jonny Pilkington (ST), Aaron Richards (ST); Bench: Stephen Bingham, Perry Loomes

Intro: After last week win, today's match was a cruel blow to our progress despite another good performance. Some players' positions had to change due to squad rotation, but nevertheless we went into the game with a strong starting 11 and two good subs, including Perry Loomes, on his return from a nasty ankle injury, undeliberately caused by Mikey P in a friendly mid-week kick-about :-S

HT (0 - 0): THCC enjoyed most of the possession and chances in the first half, but were unable to break the deadlock due to some smart saves, a block on the line and some shots failing to hit the target. The referee did not seem keen on letting the match flow and even changed the match ball twice in the first half much to our confusion.

FT (0 - 1): Again we enjoyed most of the possession and again we had some very good chances, most notably a close range effort from Jonny P which was palmed round the post by the keeper. Perry Loomes and Stephen Bingham were introduced and both got stuck in, but still the Upney defence held firm. Deep into injury time, a ball in behind the defence gave a an Upney player a one on one, which he slotted in at the front post to break THCC FC hearts.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P, Hannah Penman, Suzy Stride (who even started some singing on the side line this week), Luke Hastings, Sam Gilbert, Mark Bowtell

Zion Tabernacle 0 - 5 THCC FC, League, 10th Nov 2007

Starting line-up: Danny Fitzgerald (GK), Jermain B (RB), Shaun Weston (CB), Luke With (CB), Matt Taylor (LB), Aaron Richards (RW), Eddie Stride (CM), Oli Taylor (CM), Lee Thomson (LW), Jonny Pilkington (ST), Mikey Penman (ST); Bench: Jonathan John, Stephen Bingham, Luke Williams

Intro: After a series consecutive defeats, today's match was a breath of fresh air for THCC FC. We welcomed back our goal keeper Fitzy and started with a new strike partnership of Penman and Pilkington.

HT (0 - 1): Many chances were conjured up in the 1st half by our creative midfield players, most notably Lee and Aaron on the wings. However, the breakthrough came through the middle of the pitch when a simple pass came in to Penman, who side stepped his marker and slid the ball through to Pilkington who fired low and hard past the helpless Zion goal keeper. Stride had some long range efforts save and Oli sent one of his trademark headers whistling just over the crossbar. The defence stood tall (very tall in Luke With's case).

FT (0 - 5): The abundant and high quality supply from the THCC midfield continued in the second half and Richards set up two goals after beating his man down the right. The first was for Penman who clumsily controlled the fast cross but managed to regain composure and net at the near post. Then Pilkington found space at the front post to finish first time from Richards low cross. Jonathan John (JJ), Luke Williams and Stephen Bingham all came on to good effect. Minutes after joining the fray, Luke delivered the perfect cross onto Penman's head for the 4th goal. Stephen showed his courage in a head to head challenge with Zion's biggest player that left them both looking a bit dazed, and he continued to show this kind of courage throughout. JJ joined the THCC defence which was impeccable throughout, and which even contributed to our attacking efforts, Luke With scoring our fifth and final goal with a fantastic curling free kick from somewhere out on the left wing!! A Penalty was awarded to Zion for a supposed hand ball but Fitzy made a smart save down to his right to claim his third clean sheet in the four games he's played.

BIG THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT: Mr P, Suzy Stride, Luke Hastings, Laura Taylor, Mark Bowtell