3rd win in a row for the 4s

Eastcote Report

After a week struggling with availabilities and injuries, the Monarch’s arrived in Ruislip to face an Eastcote team currently at the bottom of the league.

With only the bare eleven, and carrying at least three injuries which meant running and general movement were far from normal, the last thing the team needed was any late arrivals. But late someone, who will remain nameless, was and start with 10 the Monarchs did!

Monarch’s dealt with the injuries through a change in formation to 3-5-2 and played a number of the team out of position. Tim and Viren took up the challenge stepping into the midfield with Clint, and the three combined well in the early stages. Soon after the team was back upto 11, the umpires gave an indication of how they were going to manage the game and Eastcote won their first short corner. A solid corner routine and shot gave Eastcote a goal and an early lead. 1-0

The Monarch’s regrouped and looked to push for a deserved equaliser. This effort was frequently disrupted by the officials, making an otherwise friendly and uneventful competition into a disjointed, and heavily card driven, game. Six green cards were shown in total (four to Monarch’s) in a game which was not agressive in play on the pitch or in the behaviour of the players. To be fair though, the umpires were consistent towards both teams - just unfortunately this did not enable a game at the teams’ level to flow and be as enjoyable as it could have been.

Anyway, back to the game. The Monarchs, a goal behind, went in search of parity. Some slick passing down the left found Rod who aimed a blistering cross towards the penalty spot. Missed by everyone, Rob picked it up on the right and ran into the D, jinked past two players and won a short. With JC missing, distribution duties fell to Clint. A crisp delivery was well controlled by Tim, who then unleashed an unstoppable shot towards the post. Clint, in his new position, had drifted in for deflections like a seasoned pro and deflected the shot into the goal to make sure. 1-1.

Monarch’s were now finding their feet and rhythm. Viren was controlling the midfield well and another short pass combination led to a second short corner. The Monarch’s corner routine was starting to hum. Another crisp pass, control by Tim and unstoppable shot. This time no deflection was needed - just the reassuring thud on the back board. 1-2.

Half time gave the Monarch the chance to make some minor tactical adjustments - set up the team to manage the game with our injuries, and discuss how to avoid any more green cards.

With the game back on, the Monarch’s seemed to forget the half time guidance and were disjointed for the first ten minutes - with Wayne, James, Randy, and Karl dealing with any threat from Eastcote with relative ease - they were just slightly busier than planned.

As the half progressed, the Monarch’s started to threaten again. Rob, a constant threat on the right, skipped past a few tackles and put an inviting cross for Ash to finish - a certain goal... but no! Blaming the injury, Ash apologised to the team and set about making amends. Picking the ball up from Rob just inside the 25 yard line, Ash advanced towards the D. Drawing two players out of the game, and then laid the perfect pass to the form player, Tim, to slam another unstoppable shot onto the back board! 1-3.

Shortly after, an excellent interchange between Mark, Clint and Viren led to a Monarch’s long corner. Ash saw the opportunity for a quick take. Making the necessary 5 yards, Ash made the most of the space to deliver a pin point pass to Rod, who calmly slotted the ball home for the Monarch’s fourth. 1-4.

Shortly after, Rob was obviously proving too dangerous for the Eastcote team and the umpires decided to change from the game trend of a green card to brandish a yellow. Even down to 10, the Monarch’s were still dangerous. An incisive move through the midfield found Rod in front of goal. With the ball inching towards the line the umpire called for a foul and gave the Monarch’s a penalty flick. Viren stepped up to calmly dispatch the ball into the goal and seal a comfortable win. 1-5.

Match Report: Ash Clarke
Man of the Match: Rob Gauld