IBIS FC 4's 4-1 Old Salesians 4’s - Saturday 19th April - HOME

IBIS 4's 4-1 Old Salesians 4’s - Saturday 19th April - HOME

Goals - Patricio Baptista x3, Joe Elvin

Starting lineup –

Josh Banks

Anrdew Matthews

Jo Sibal

John Ewens

Pete Snell

Jordan Mills

Anrdew Williams

Ben Pierre

Joe Elvin

Patricio Baptista

Mark Addy

Subs –

Liam Angell (c)

A beautiful day for football and a strong squad to face the guys who'd beaten us 4-1 away from home earlier in the season, revenge was sweet but getting some more positive numbers in the goal difference was even sweeter. There were a couple of concerns with late dropouts & a no-show but the side we had went out and did the business. Because of the strength of the side I was able to start myself on the bench after tweaking my knee last week in the win v Old Actonians. We'd started well and were getting the ball down and playing some nice stuff around Salesians, especially when we got it out into the wide areas and used the sheer pace of Mark Addy & Andrew Williams but we did concede somewhat against the run of play as our back line of Pete Snell, Andy Matthews, Jo Sibal & John Ewens were relatively untroubled in the 1st half. Salesians got down the right (our left), and their wide man played the ball into our 6 yard box, it was a bit scrappy as the ball bobbled around our box but they put it away and went 1-0 up.

Our 1st goal, which brought it back to 1-1 was by Pat Baptista, Andrew Williams got in down the right and his pace had theif left back on toast, he had his shot saved but Pat gobbled up the rebound and got the first of his 3 goals. 1-1 is how we went in at half time in a game we felt was there for the taking if we stepped it up a couple of gears and started using our wide men a bit more.

Second half the guys went out and a 2nd goal came via a Jordan Mills corner Pat headed into the top corner and this goal seemed to really deflate the oppo as they did start to complain at the ref a bit more. In all fairness there were occasions where the ref did make the game a bit disjointed instead of letting certain things go but refs decision is final

Our 3rd goal came from the edge of the box by Pat who'd pounced on a poor clearance from their keeper, shown good footwork to get it under control and after myself & Andrew Williams screamed 'SHOOT', Pat duly obliged and slotted in a precision side footed finish. By then Salesians were playing sloppy passes and after John Ewens took a bit of a clattering I'd came on in my familiar left back position for the last half hour or so. Andy Matthews had to leave early so we had another defensive reshuffle with John Ewens (after he'd recovered from the previously mentioned late challenge) filling in alongside Jo Sibal at centre back for the rest of the match as I asked Joe Elvin & Ben Pierre to sit back & hold in midfield as I felt we had the win in the bag.

Our 4th and final goal came from a Joe Elvin belter from outside the box, shoot on sight was definitely the call here and from about 20+ yards out Salesians gave Joe the time & space and he finished with aplomb. Apart from a couple of routine saves & clearances Josh Banks wasn't troubled too much, as I said to him pre-match, if you're not troubled too much then the backline has done a good job, which was true in this match.

When the final whistle went I was definitely thankful for the effort the guys had put in and thankful that Jordan Mills' Torres-esque miss from about 4 yards out (a volley that went high, wide & butt ugly) ended up as little more than a hilarious footnote to laugh about in the changing room afterwards.

A great result, making Easter exertions thoroughly worthwhile, big thanks to those who made themselves available, we've still got a good few games left including South Bank away next and what will be a crucial double header v Old Wilsonians on the horizon. Any team is beatable, but as we've shown over the past few weeks we need the numbers to do it because we have the quality!!!

I’m Straight Shootin’ LJA and that’s my take on the match

IBIS 4's 2-0 Old Actonians 7’s - Saturday 12th April - HOME

IBIS 4's 2-0 Old Actonians 7’s - Saturday 12th April - HOME

Goals - Own goal, Liam Angell

Starting lineup –
Chris Innerd
Liam Angell
Jo Sibal
David Szabo
Stephen Dodd
Alex Laugharne
Callum Mayfield
Pete Snell
Ash Farrell
Andrew Williams
Jordan Mills

Subs –
Gavin Henry
Rico Boyce
Carlos Gordon

Following an important win in our mid-week fixture on Tuesday and an impressive performance in last week’s 2s game, it was important that we kept the momentum going and picked up another result in our battle to avoid the drop. Our opponents this week were Old Actonians, who are sitting second in the league, making this a challenging game on paper.

Nevertheless, we fielded a strong side, with the majority of last week’s team taking to the field and some able replacements coming in to fill the gaps. The game started well, with both teams aiming to get the ball down and play. However, we settled more quickly and were soon playing some nice stuff, using a combination of width and quick breaks to threaten their goal more than once. Our attacking intent paid off mid-way through the first half, with the ball being well worked out from the back and a break emerging down the right hand side. The ball eventually came to Pete Snell who fired in a dangerous ball across the box. Despite no IBIS players getting on the end of it, their centre back contrived to shin his clearance over their keeper and into far corner of the goal in true comedy own goal style, putting us into the lead, although very much with the run of play up until that point.

We soon followed this up with a second. A sustained period of attacking play resulted in a corner from the left. Jordan played a great ball right into the heart of the box and captain Liam rose highest, or at least got there first, to power home a header from six yards out and get his name on the scoresheet from the first time in a while, possibly years, no one was really sure or bothered (I’m sure he can tell you exactly how long it’s been). The important thing was that we’d given ourselves some breathing space.

The second half was scrappier than the first had been, with the opposition increasingly pushing forward as they attempted to reduce the deficit, while we were more content to defend our lead and try and hit them on the counter. We kept it tight at the back and reduced them to a few speculative efforts from outside the box. As we entered the final 15 minutes, the game became more stretched, but they failed to take their chances when they arrived, mostly due to some excellent work by Chris between the sticks. A couple of sharp saves at his near post, were followed up by a full stretch tip around the far post, from a decent curling effort. Although we spent the latter part of the game defending we succeeded in closing it out and securing the 3 points, taking off the bottom of the league. With several games in hand over the teams around us we now have a great chance of survival and also have our destiny in our own hands, so let’s make it happen. 

Match report by Callum Mayfield

IBIS 4's 4-3 Polytechnic 7’s - Tuesday 8th April - HOME

IBIS 4's 4-3 Polytechnic 7’s - Tuesday 8th April - HOME

Goals - Own goal, Gideon Barnett, Jordan Mills, Han Cho

Starting lineup –
Jaymie Bailey
Liam Angell
Jo Sibal
Stephen Dodd
Mas Resai
Jordan Mills
James Soi
Ben Pierre
Alex Konstantinou
Nick Etty
Gideon Barnett


Subs –
Rico Boyce
Saul Fitton
Han Cho

Another crucial match in the 'cup finals' that will keep us in Minor South Division 4, and another win that will give us the same end result. An evening kick off and a local derby with 3 big points on the line was always going to be a great battle and this match didn't disappoint. A bit of a mishmash of a team due to the 5.45 kick off but we started well and were actually 3-0 up in the 1st half and cruising at one point, complacency was the one thing I was trying to encourage against, especially as in the wide areas they were getting in behind us but the back.

For the 1st 3 goals Poly couldn't live with us, when we were getting the ball down, and exploiting the wide areas and also through the middle when Alex was getting on the ball and running at Poly. Bear in mind we owed Poly after the heavy defeat we received at their ground with 9 men earlier in the season so I wanted us to get more but when we ended up 3-0 to the good I was over the moon after Gideon, Jordan and an own goal (which Jordan was claiming) had given us a firm advantage.

Second half we sat back and did invite a lot of pressure on to us and Poly could smell blood in the water as they started committing more men forward as they had nothing to lose at 3-0 down. They did end up starting to overrun our midfield and every ball we were winning easily in the 1st half they began to win in the second half and they were working the back line harder, and in the 2nd half they did end up getting 3 goals back. During this half I did bring on all 3 subs and to get a bit more bite in midfield I switched Mas into centre mid (after Jordan Mills mentioned that and brought Saul Fitton on to partner Jo Sibal at centre back, put Rico at right mid and Han Cho up top but then I had to switch that over and put Rico right up top and Han at right mid.

Even though we conceded 3 in the 2nd half we had good spells of play but it was Han who got the last goal (which was a cool & clam finish coming from the right hand side) that proved to be crucial and ended up giving us the win, and made a midweek game a relief and a brilliant game with another 3 crucial points to close the gap on West Wickham and Old Wilsonians (who we have a double header coming up against soon).

I’m Straight Shootin’ LJA and that’s my take on the match

IBIS 2's 4-3 Old Finchleians Res - Sat 5th April - AWAY

IBIS 2's 4-3 Old Finchleians Res - Sat 5th April - AWAY

Goals - Afful x2, Williams, Gayle

Starting lineup –

Jaymie Bailey

John Ewens

Jo Sibal

David Szabo

Liam Angell (c)

Jordan Gayle

Jordan Mills

Alex Laugharne

Callum Mayfield

Andrew Williams

Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Afful

 

 

Subs –

Pete Snell

Rob Lusher

Carlos Gordon

 

An unusual trip up North (London) greeted the 4s this week, as we stepped up to fulfill a 2s fixture away at Old Finchleians Reserves. Although we were competing at a higher standard, we had a decent squad and knew that if we played well we could come away with a result. Although most of us had played together before, there were a few new faces and a couple of players returning to 11-a-side action after a prolonged break, notably Jaymie Bailey who donned the green keepers shirt, meaning captain Liam was at his preferred starting position of left back. Lusher also secured his preferred position and duly started the game on the bench, vociferously giving out instructions to anyone that would listen, and those that wouldn't.

We started the game well and immediately caused them problems, with Manny Afful and Andrew Williams proving a handful up top. We came very close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes, a speedy counter-attack ending in Callum Mayfield powering a shot against the bar with their keeper beaten. However, almost immediately after this they went back down the other end and scored against the run of play. A slight trip by Andrew gave their centre forward all the encouragement he needed to hit the deck right on the corner of the area and the referee duly awarded a penalty. A soft way to concede but, probably the right decision.

With the penalty dispatched, we set about getting back into the game and trying to restore parity. We continued to create chances going forward, particularly with Callum's long throws into the heart of the box; Liam and Andrew both going close. As it was, the breakthrough came from one of these long throws, with the opposition again failing to deal with the ball in the box and Andrew pouncing on the loose ball to poke home.

Although we were playing some nice football, the direct channels seemed to paying the most dividends for us. The second goal was classic route one, with Manny getting in behind their centre-back directly from Jamie's kick and then finishing brilliantly to guide home the dropping ball on the half-volley into the corner of the net. And Manny added a third before half-time, this time unleashing a rocket into the corner from the edge of the area. However, he hit the ball so hard he tweaked a hammy and had to go off, being replaced by Carlos, who then also quickly departed after falling awkwardly and injuring his knee.

We reached half-time with our 3-1 lead intact, despite a few personnel changes. The second half started slowly from an Ibis perspective, the opposition increasingly getting the ball down and playing it around more than they had in the first half. Our priority was to keep our lead, but in doing so we invited too much pressure on ourselves and conceded a second following a powerful shot from the edge of the area. As the Old Finchleians chased the equalizer the game became more stretched, allowing us to hit them on the counter. Indeed, a counter-attack brought us our fourth goal, with Jordan Gayle managing to find a way straight through the middle of their defence and beating the keeper to bouncing ball to stab home. An important goal, which gave us some breathing space heading into the last 20 minutes.

Two goal lead restored, we set about shutting up shop and seeing the game out for the three points. Old Finchleians continued to push forward, with the back four of Liam, Jo Sibal, David Szabo and John Ewens proving up to the task and repelling their advances, while Alex and Jordan effectively breaking up their attacks in the centre of midfield.

Nevertheless, there was one final twist before the end of the game, with another long-range effort from an Old Finchleians midfielder finding the corner of the net, making it 4-3 and setting up a nervous final eight minutes. However, with Lusher continuing to coordinate the defence from the sidelines, seemingly having resigned himself to a coach role for the whole game, we battled through to the final whistle to record a excellent win in a second team fixture. If we'd have taken our chances the margin could well have been greater. This result should also bode well for the 4s fight against relegation the rest of this season.

 

Match report by Callum Mayfield

IBIS FC 4th v CIVIL SERVICE 6th (DOUBLE HEADER) - Saturday 29th March 2014 - AWAY

Match 1 - Civil Service 6th 0-1 Ibis FC 4th (Mitchell)

Match 2 - Ibis FC 4th 0-1 Civil Service 6th

Goals - Elliot Mitchell (match 1)

Yellow cards - n/a

Red cards - n/a

Starting lineup - 

Liam Angell (c)

Karl Bolton

John Ewens

Christian Frixou

Jordan Mills

Callum Mayfield

Mussie Goyrom

Elliot Mitchell

Henock Woldeslassie

Andrew Williams

Manny Tesfail

Subs - 

Isaac Penza

Pete Snell

Double double toil and trouble, well, it was double and toil without much of the trouble as we had a double header this week and to add a bit of spice it was a local derby with Civil Service's 6th side. We had a full squad of 14 including birthday boy Pete who was carrying a couple of injuries from the week before and on the morning there were rumblings of Manny being able to bring someone along but that didn't happen in the end. On my way to the ground I actually bumped into Isaac who was struggling to find the Kings House Sports ground which is a bit awkward to find as there are a couple of well concealed entrances and oddly enough Henock was the last man to arrive as he'd gone to our home ground by accident, fortunately with some direction from Olly Wooding (the 2's captain) and Manny he found us in the end. So after a bit of banter in the changing rooms we made our way out and got into some defence v attack corner routines so we'd be organised. I started in goal and in front of me I started with the 3-5-2 formation that I thought worked well when we went down to 10 men v West Wickham so I thought we'd use it to start with and see how it went. We had Karl at the centre of a 3 man defence along with John Ewens & Christian Frixou, we had Jordan Mills as right wing-back and Callum Mayfield as left wing-back and in a 3 man centre midfield we had Henock Woldeslassie, Mussie Goyrom & Elliot Mitchell and a 2 man attack of Manny Tesfai & Andrew Williams, so we had a 3 man bench including Isaac Penza & Pete Snell. After my pre-match team talk which consisted partly of 'we need these crucial points to have any chance of staying up and we want all 6 not just 3'.

We started very well actually especially when we were playing the ball along the ground and the partnerships between people were blossoming and we were carving out chances and good passages of play but it was a moment of luck that got us a goal that turned out to be the winner in match 1. In the 1st half due to the enormous slope in the pitch we had an advantage and Elliot's goal looked hit and hope from my vantage point but it was a goal which Elliot hit from distance and not only did the solid ground help it bounce up and over the keeper which gave us a half time lead. Civil's looked frustrated and a bit annoyed that they'd conceded and that they were being outplayed when we kept the ball on the deck. We went out for the 2nd half buoyed by having the lead & seeing their frustration and we defended well with the hill and wind against us. I stayed as close to my goal as possible after what happened a couple of weeks ago but apart from a few saves (including one which bobbled right in front of me) I wasn't overly troubled. We actually had a few good chances even thought we were playing uphill and into the wind but we couldn't get a 2nd goal even though we had a good few chances. Civil Service gave us a couple of minor warnings but I did bring on Isaac for Jordan to freshen things up a bit on the right hand side of the midfield. We ended up deservedly winning the first game and in my post match team talk after the first game I wanted to keep the guys on their toes and up for the second match as in a double header 1 match completed is only half the job done.

2nd match began and we lost the toss so we had to play uphill in the 1st half but we did pick up an injury midway through the half which meant a quick reshuffle with me coming out of goal & a gk switch as the evergreen Karl pulled up with an injury. So John Ewens switched to the centre of the defence with me going as the left centre back and in the 1st half we got lucky a good couple of times as Civil's did get in behind us from the wide positions, I felt a bit rusty but part of that was due to not expecting to get on that early. Originally I had a plan of switching gk's at full time of the 1st match but I felt for consistency's sake i'd keep myself in goal and keep the same side out that finished the previous match but as plans will be plans will go awry. Karl's injury had meant a reshuffle but we also lost Henock during the 2nd match to injury, he'd been in the wars a bit so we had another reshuffle to do with Manny dropping into centre midfield and Jordan coming back on and going up top alongside Andrew to rekindle that partnership.

We conceded a goal which turned out to be the decisive goal in the 2nd half of the second match which was a diagonal ball over the top which was frustratingly out of my reach as I tried to head it clear and even with Callum covering their guy got in behind us from our wide left and scored what looked like a scuffed effort that bounced in past our gk and left us with about 10 minutes to find a reply. There was one negative of the match with an awful challenge on Isaac Penza from from a guy at least twice his size which I wasn't happy about as he went in 2 footed and could have really hurt Isaac, the Civil's player saw a deserved yellow and from what our ref told me post match he could have seen red. In this second game I must honestly say that Civil Service did deserve the win and even our ref afterwards said that to me, especially considering Civil's hit the bar a couple of times and I think hit the post too, but Jordan was unlucky himself not to draw us level after hitting the post in the 2nd half of the second game.

Full time came and as disappointed as we were to only get 1 win the important thing is that we got a crucial 3 points on our quest for survival, to a man I once again couldn't fault the effort put forth by the guys, especially in both games, they were played in a great spirit. We've got another double header coming up and a Tuesday game 3 days later so it's time for us to roll our sleeves up, put the work in and MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE as much as we can.

I'm Straight Shootin' LJA & that's my take on the match