Starting lineup –
Chris Innerd
Stephen Dodd
Olly Wooding
Pete Snell
Nick Etty
Gideon Barnett
Barry Clark
Jo Sibal
Andrew Williams
Jordan Mills
Manny Afful
Subs –
Liam Angell (c)
Christian Frixou
David Szabo
What can I say about Saturday's match? That it was win or bust and we didn't win? That we put in 100% but we were beaten by a more organized side?
Those things can be said and most may be true but on a wet & windy Saturday on May 10th 2014 we were beaten in a match we had to win to have any chance of survival, but this will be more of a thank you note than a match report.
With that said we had a good squad to travel down to New Beckenham with and I was quietly confident we could get something out of this game. Now, the intruigue with our match was in part due to Civil Service who were above us by 1 point & had a better goal difference, so we had to win v HSBC 6th (who were already promoted in 2nd place) and hope Civil Service lost v South Bank Cuaco 5th, who were already promoted as winners of Minor South Division 4.
So, with those stipulations in mind, we met up at the club house but our kit arrived late as Steve Dodd (who had the kit) was delayed due to witnessing a car crash, which from all accounts wasn't pleasant viewing, but due to that (and having to wait for the match on the only pitch available to finish) we only had time for a couple of corner drills which did slightly concern me, but i'll get onto that shortly.
Now, due to the fact we needed a win in this match I decided to go with an untried, but more attacking formation of 4-3-3 instead of 4-5-1 (and packing the midfield) or 4-4-2 with Andrew, Manny & Jordan up top, Baz, Gids & Jo Sibal in midfield as a narrow 3, with Nick Etty & Pete Snell effectively as wing backs covering in midfield when we were attacking to allow 2 of Baz, Gids & Jo to attack. Theory and practice as I like to say are 2 different things and due to not having time to practice it, the plan did backfire a bit on us as we were getting exposed, especially in the wide areas as HSBC did have natural width which made it difficult for us so I did get Pete & Nick to sit and got Jordan to come back to left midfield which helped a bit. There were a couple of guys (I will name no names haha) who started the match with astros instead of boots, even though I did advise wearing boots as the English weather can be trusted as much as pervert in a hoarhouse. We conceded 3 times in the 1st half and it was quite easy for HSBC to come through the middle of us but one positive is that even at 3-1 (Andrew Williams ended up scoring what turned out to be our only goal) we were still in it and there was all to play for.
I decided to change things at half time bringing myself and Christian Frixou on to slot in at left and right back respectively (taking off Andrew & Manny and pairing Gideon with Jordan up top) after i'd brought David Szabo on for Steve Dodd & switched Pete Snell to left mid in front of me.
So out for the 2nd half we went but we were getting caught on the wings especially as HSBC's wingers were giving us all sorts of trouble and we did conspire to concede 3 more times and as each goal went in we saw our slim chance at survival get slimmer and slimmer. But one thing I do want to point out is that even with our chances of survival evaporating during the match like spit on a pavement on a hot summers day, the guys never gave up but try as we might, no matter what formation we played, HSBC (who had ex-Ibis player Musab at left back) showed why they were promoted as runners-up to South Bank Cuaco 5th. It was always going to be a difficult job & unfortunately we couldn't do it, but we'll be back.
In my opinion we weren't relegated on Saturday v HSBC but probably the 1st half of the season did it and as said earlier, this was going to be more of a thank you than a match report, so with that in mind i'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has played alongside me in the 4's this season, thank you to those who gave 100%, who put in the tackles, won the headers, scored the goals, blocked the shots, helped me from the sidelines and made this season a pleasure to lead for me, even in defeat.
In closing, i'd like to thank everyone who has helped the 4's this year, from the powers that be in the club, to those who helped us when we were short & anyone i've forgotten (for which I apologise).
From yours truly Liam Angell aka Straight Shootin' LJA, thank you for a season that will live long in the memory and hopefully i'll see you all next season and we, as a team, as a united force, will avenge this season by getting promoted next year!
I'm Liam Angell aka Straight Shootin' LJA & that's my take on the match
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Ibis FC official website - http://ibisfc.co.uk
In memory of Rob Evans R.I.P
Most of you will know of Rob Evans, a good friend and ibis teammate who tragically passed away last June while competing in the Nice triathlon. To mark the one year anniversary of that sad day, a number of us are going to run the Hackney half marathon on the 22nd June (a year to the day of his passing). Please get involved to celebrate Rob's life, and raise a few quid for the charity that his family select. You don't need to that fit to get round, but the aim is to have fun. Beers and World Cup afterwards. What a way to remember Rob doing - something he loved with the people he chose to spend his Saturdays with?
Ibis faces old and new are going to unite on the 22nd of June.
There are still places - but we need to sign up quick.
If you're up for joining this great cause & celebrating the memory of a beloved former teammate please let Alex Minshall know ASAP - alex.minshall@gmail.com
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