Newham Rangers Match Reports 2008-2009
16th Novemeber 2008 - St Johns away - League
With almost a month since we last played, we needed to switch venues and play the game at our pitch in order for the game to ahead.
It looked as if the game would be a cakewalk as within 2 minutes Newham had taken the lead. Karl won a good tackle in midfield and sent a ball over the top for Ant. It looked as if he had delayed too long, but he managed to get a shot away which looped over the keeper for 1 - 0. Newham were in total control and were playing some good football and creating chances. After 7 minutes we made it 2, when Damo showed great determination and eventually fed Luke who despite the keeper getting a hand to it, sent a shot which smashed into the back of the net.
Damo was on fire and again showing determination he managed a good cross from the right with no body in the centre to meet it. He repeated the trick a few minutes later. Karl met the cross but skewed his shot wide. After 25 minutes, St John had their first meaningful attack and it took some good harrying from Tom and eventually a good tackle from Connor to prevent a goal scoring opportunity. From the corner, the ball was cleared by Jordan T onto Phil who sent a waist high ball onto Luke. His delightful volley sent Ant away, who was eventually tackled. Tom then made a good tackle to prevent a one on one and sent Ant away on the right where he won a corner. Phil sent over a good cross which Tom headed over.
Newham won another corner a few minutes later. This time when the ball was cleared, Tom sent in a good low shot from outside the box, which was gathered by the keeper.
After 35 minutes Newham made it 3 -0 when Jordan T fed Phil on the right, he sent over a good cross which drifted over the keeper and into the net.
Having dominated the game for all of the first half and restricting St John to a few attacks, they managed to get their first shot in just before half time. A hopeful ball was put into our box and when cleared a St John player was much sharper to the ball and sent a crisp shot beyond the dive of Azz to make it 3 - 1.
Half time: St John 1 - Newham 3
Newham now had the slight slope in their favour and fully expected to add to the number of goals scored. St John had different ideas. Within minutes a clearance by our defence was skewed into the air. A St John forward latched onto the ball and lobbed Azz to make it 3- 2.
Newham were now all at sea with St John looking dangerous every time they attacked. Luke went off for Reece and a little later Sam came on for Jordan Mcabe.
St John were still pressing and they managed a snap shot from the edge of the box following hesitation in our defence. The ball went inches past Azz's right hand post. Newham had a few chances of their own and when Connor won a free kick just inside our half, he sent a long ball over on the left where Sam eventually won a corner. From the corner, the ball was put over the bar by our attack.
St John broke again and from what was probably a cross the ball hit Azz's right hand post to give Newham a big let off.
We were not heeding the warning about St Johns pacey forwards and our defence was getting stretched. It took a great tackle by Connor to prevent a two on one in St Johns favour. The ball was eventaully cleared to Sam who sent over a great left wing cross which Ant headed just wide. Luke came back on for Ant.
Again St John had us stretched at the back, with Tom this time producing a good tackle to again prevent a two on one.
The feature of the 2nd half was our midfield bombing forward with the attack and creating chances, but when the attacks broke down, our defence was being left wide open. At last for the final 15 minutes, our workrate went up and the defence was covered a lot more. Although St John were still dangerous, no more clear run on goals were created and Newham had only one more good chance when Phil found himself free on the right of the box and after checking inside to beat his man, sent a shot over the bar.
To much relief the final whistle went with the score remaining the same.
Final score St John 2- Newham 3
We played some great football in the first 20-30 minutes and although St John got a goal back before half time, there seemed little danger of us even drawing the match. A combination of poor positional play by us and a much more determined approach by St John meant that the second half belonged to St John. We recovered our workrate and positional sense in the last 15 minutes, but for 25 minutes in the 2nd half, the score could have been anything. Hats off to St John for a very good display.
We probably learn more after a poor display coupled with a defeat. We can still learn a lesson or two, but with the luxury of a win. Well done both teams for a good match.
19th October 2008 - Northallerton Home - League
This week we were back to League action with Northallerton the opponents. On a windy afternoon, it was Newham who broke first with Luke shooting just wide from a Macenna through ball. It was not long before Newham scored when Karl won a tackle in midfield, Tom picked up the loose ball and tried to bustle his way through the defence. The ball fell kindly to Ant who tapped home to make it 1 -0. A few minutes later and Luke broke down the right and crossed. Karl's volleyed effort went just over the bar. Next it was Ant who turned provider with a great burst down the left and cross which Luke connected with by sliding in at the far post, the ball going just wide.
Damo had a good effort punched over the bar and just after John had a long shot, well saved by the keeper. Good work between Phil and Jordan T then to Damo saw a cross from the right which pitched up a little too high for Ant who volleyed over. Just as it seemed that we would never add a 2nd goal, Newham's next goal came out of the blue when Karl cut inside from the left and shot, the keeper had it well covered, but allowed the ball to run away from him and Luke was on hand to make it 2 - 0.
Northallerton got their 1st corner midway through the half when John prevented a run on goal with a great tackle. The corner was eventually cleared by Connor. Luke then went on a good run, heading the ball on and sprinting away. His cross went behind Ant, but Phil came in wide from the right, his shot going just over. Newham extended their lead before half time when Phil sent a ball through the centre for Ant to outpace his markers and after checking back, drilled the ball home to make it 3 - 0.
Half time: Newham 3 - Northallerton 0.
A great start to the 2nd half. Jordan T tackled on the right and passed to Phil, who sent a ball over the top for Ant to score a trademark goal and make it 4 - 0. After Connor had thwarted a Northallerton attack he sent a ball over to the right where Newham eventually earned a corner. Phil sent over a good cross where Ant met it on the penalty spot with a sweet volley to make it 5 -0. Damo could have made it 6, when after a long run through the middle, he shot wide.
Newham did eventually make it 6, but made hard work of it. A great run by Luke resulted in a shot, pushed onto the post by their keeper and across the goal line. Ant shot, but the ball hit the other post, followed by a Luke effort which came off the keeper and into the path of Sam, just on a sub for Mcenna, who tapped the ball in for his 1st goal and Newham's 6th.
Jordan T made way for Jodan M. Good work between Luke and Phil saw a shot from Phil saved by the keeper.
Newham earned a penalty a minute later following a scramble in the Northallerton box, when a defender tried to palm the ball away. Ant took the penalty and scored low to the keeper's right, who did well to get a hand to the ball. Luke made it 8 - 0 two minutes later with another good run down the right, he tucked the ball away well to the keeper's left.
Newham should have had another a minute later. Luke went on a similar run to his goal, but was upended outside the box. Ant played on and scored, but the whistle had gone for the free kick. John took the kick, but it went straight to the keeper. Luke scored a fine goal to make it 9-0 when he headed in at the near post from a left wing corner.
Connor was struggling with an injury and had to come off, with Mcenna going back on. Having just missed a couple of chance Luke would normally have put away, he showed that he not afraid to miss when from a good run down the right he sent a great shot over the keeper to make it 10- 0.
Newham completed the scoring when following a scramble in the box, Ant did well to get a shot in, the keeper making a good save into the path of Sam who tapped in for his 2nd and Newham's 11th.
Final score: Newham 11 - Northallerton 0
In the end a good result. The display was still lacklustre despite the scoreline with a lack of short passing being a major part of the game. Nonetheless the job was done, so well done to all the players.
12th October 2008 - North Ormesby away - North Riding Cup
Another chance to show what we could do against opposition from a higher division. This time in the North Riding Cup. It was Ormesby who settled quicker and won a corner in the first few minutes which resulted in a header over the bar. They won another a few minutes later and eventually a shot was sent wide. Ormesby then sent a long ball over the top resulting in a header over the bar. Newham responded and Ant was sent away. He stalled his run and was disposessed, but did well to win it back and passed to John who sent a good shot just over the bar.
Luke was then put clear on the left, but a defender managed to get back at him and cleared. Newham had a scare when Ormesby were awarded a free kick following a hand ball from Karl, but from the free kick, Azz collected well. Ormesby scored when a hopeful ball was sent into our box and following a mix up over who was going to clear, Ormesby were presented with a simple tap in for 1 - 0.
Newham attacked again and Luke was put clear although the whistle went for off side. Ormesby were gifted their 2nd goal when we took too long to clear our lines and although Azz saved well from a snap shot, an attacker followed in to tap home and make it 2 - 0. Connor had made a desperate lunge to stop the goal and was injured in the process.
Newham's best chance came a minute later as Karl sent Ant away clear on goal. Ant struck a firm shot on target, but the keeper made a fine save. Newham almost scored again just before half time. John battled away on the left and managed to dig out a shot which beat the keeper and was blocked on the line by a defender.
Half time: N Ormesby 2 - Newham 0
Connor sucumbed to his injury within minutes of the start of the 2nd half, with Jordan McKenna going back to centre half, John moving back to left back and Sam on for Connor at left midfield. Newham attacked and had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside. John lifted the ball over the top and Ant ran on past a defender and clear, shooting home for a good goal only for the ref to disallow. Newham were applying real pressure on Ormesby and when Damo picked the ball up 25 yards from goal he sent a great shot crashing onto the cross bar. Ant had too much time in picking up the rebound which always makes thing harder and he put the ball over the bar. At the other end Jordan T made and excellent tackle then clearance to sent Luke away, but on another attack by Ormesby Tom suffered for his challenge as he received a dead leg, but managed to hobble on. Phil came off for Jordan Mcabe.
Newham finally got the goal they deserved in a carbon copy of the disallowed gaol. This time Ant lobbed the keeper to make the score 2 - 1 with Newham in the ascendency. All this was wasted as we conceded another gift of a goal. Similar to their first we had more than enough time for someone to take charge, but we delayed and delayed and eventually Ormesby were able to shoot home and make it 3 - 1. We also had a new injury in Azz. Play was held up for nearly 10 minutes with Azz carrying on as a virtual passenger and Newham although 11 in number were effectively down to 9 men. Newham still pressed and the Ormesby keeper made the save of the match, diving full length to his left to keep out a Damo pile driver. However Ormesby were now very dangerous on the attack and it was no surprise when they added a 4th with a shot from the inside right beating Azz who was unable to attempt a save. Newham had one more effort when Luke volleyed wide from a corner following good work from Jordan T on the right.
Ormesby completed the score when they got a late header from a corner.
Full time: North Ormesby 5 - Newham 1.
5-1 will be the score recorded and anyone not at the match will assume Newham were thrashed, but this was far from true. Apart from the last 2 goals when half of our defence were walking wounded, the first 3 goals were absolutely gifted. Ormesby had plenty of the play and carved out a few of their own chances, but apart from the 4th never a one on one with the keeper. On another day Ant would have have scored 4 on his own, and indeed he scored from his most difficult opportunity. Couple this with a cast iron goal ruled out for offside and Newham had enough chances to have won the game. In terms of midfield play, things were fairly even, but the simple fact is we did not take our chances and Ormesby took theirs. Our players should not be too down hearted. Ormesby are clearly a good side and we had to raise our game to compete against them and although the scoreline suggests differently, for large periods of the game we matched them.
5th October 2008 - Nunthorpe away - Cup
A break from League action saw Newham make the short trip to Nunthorpe for a cup match. Nunthorpe were on the attack from the off and were awarded a corner in the 1st minute, which Newham managed to clear. A minute later and Nunthorpe, taking the advantage of the wind and slight slope, sent a ball over the top. Good work by Connor in shielding the ball allowed Azz to pick up. It was not long, however, before Nunthorpe took the lead. A long throw from the right bounced high over our defence and a Nunthorpe attacker rifled the ball high into the net. A minute later and it was 2 - 0. Nunthorpe picked the ball up in midfield and were allowed a free run to the edge of our box. A powerful shot was dispatched which gave Azz no chance. It looked like a long hard afternoon for Newham, but we suddenly started to play and forced a number of good attacks on the Nunthorpe goal. It looked as though Newham had pegged one back when their keeper saved a shot and Ant followed in to score. The ref disallowed the goal for an offside decision. Newham were now piling the pressure on and when Luke was sent through on goal, he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 2 - 1.
Nunthorpe did come back with a chance of their own, but Azz made a great block to deny a goal. It was then Newham who broke with Damo feeding Ant with his back to goal. Ant turned smartly, but his shot was scuffed and the keeper picked up. Nunthorpe had an almighty scare when Newham looked certain to score. Three times in quick sucession Newham had point blank shots blocked on the line. A few minutes later and Newham got the equaliser. Good interplay between Jordan T, Phil and Luke, and then a pass through to Ant, who raced clear and shot past the keeper to make it 2 - 2. Newham had one more chance before half time when Ant broke down the left. His cross evaded everyone and was retrieved by Luke wide out right. After completing a smart one two with Phil, Luke shot across the box and out for a goal kick.
Half time: Nunthorpe 2 - Newham 2.
Nunthorpe started the brighter in the 2nd half and Azz did well to block an attack. Jordan managed to produce a good tackle and Tom pick up the loose ball, sending Ant on the attack. Ant managed to find Luke on the overlap and Luke shot past the keeper to make it 3-2. Nunthorpe should then have scored and would have done, but for 2 excellent blocks by Azz. A gaol would have been harsh as the 2 Nunthorpe attacker involved, were initially at least 5 yards offside. Newham broke again and Karl managed to find the ball at the edge of their box and having jinked his way past 2 defenders scored with a low shot to make it 4 - 2. Newham should have been cruising now, but Connor had to produce an excellent block to prevent a certain goal for Nunthorpe. Next it was Newham to attack and having earned a corner on the right. Phil sent over a good cross which was headed back out to him, He sent a further cross in which evaded everyone in the box and was eventually cleared.
Nunthorpe sent the nerves jangling a bit when they reduced the deficit to 4-3 having been allowed to run through the centre to score past Azz. As is so often the case though, the nerves were mainly on the sidelines as Newham stepped up a gear and when Luke was sent clear on the inside right channel and was upended for a certain penalty, play was allowed to go on and Ant sent a great shot past the keeper to make it 5-3. Within a minute. Tom made a big long clearance, (shot?) which bounced near the penalty spot and onto the bar.
Newham made it 6-3 a minute later when Karl produced an excellent chip from the edge of the box which was too high for the keeper. Newham thought they had scored again when Connor sent over a long free kick over on the left. Luke met the ball on the far post and volleyed into the goal. The keeper parried the ball out at least a yard behind the line and Luke sent the rebound wide. The ball was adjudged to have not crossed the line, so the score remained 6-3.
Newham were not done yet and Ant showed great pace when sent clear down the middle and scored to complete his hat trick and make it 7-3.
Final score: Nunthorpe 3 - Newham 7
A great display for many reasons. The level of opposition was good with our opponents sitting comfortably in the 2nd division. Our start was bad, so the come back in itself was an achievement. It was very similar to St Francis last year when Newham finally got going after a nightmare opening quarter. Well done to all the players.
28th September 2008 - King Oswy away - League
We were expecting a tough game v King Oswy, being one of the better teams we faced last season and tough is exactly what we got. Newham started well though and got an early break when Luke's never say attitude saw him beat the keeper to the loose ball in the inside left channel and the ball broke kindly to Ant, who tapped home for 1 - 0. There was a hint that Luke had took the ball out, but the ref made the decision and the goal stood.
For most of the rest of the first half Newham looked comfortable without creating much themselves. Connor took a free kick from the right midfield area and after a scramble the ball fell to John who fired a long dipping shot wide. Newham should have doubled their lead when Tom sent a great ball wide for Ant, who headed for the by-line and crossed. Luke took his eye off the ball at the far post and his shot squirmed wide.
Oswy had their chances too, but mainly from long range. A good shot was sent in from the left, well saved by Azzy. Oswy's impressive number 7 was then sent through on the left again and his well hit shot went just wide. Newham came back and after Jordan T and Phil had swopped passes on the right, Damo received the ball and ran across the box, right to left and teed Tom up for a shot sent wide.
Things still looked good for Newham as we approached five minutes before half time. However, Oswy equalised, when the number 7 outpaced our right flank and crossed for an attacker to head past Azz to make it 1 - 1.
Things got worse 2 minutes later when, may be, Newham had a case for hand ball. John tried to clear the ball when a Oswy attacker put their hands up to protect their face and the ball struck the hands, Play carried on nonetheless and an Oswy player was tripped near the edge of the box. It was not clear if the foul was in the box or not and indeed the ref was certainly unsure, as he did the only logical thing in the circumstances and asked the Oswy players what they thought.
The penalty was converted to make it 2 - 1. Newham were shell shocked by the whole episode and went from being a tight unit to allowing Oswy to run free through the centre of the team and although Azzy made a valiant attempt to block, the rebound fell kindly to an Oswy player who slotted home to make it a miserable 5 minutes.
Half time: King Oswy 3 - Newham 1
Newham started the 2nd half never really having the conviction that the deficit could be clawed back, but if we had taken half the chances, then it may have been a possibility. In the first minute, Karl sent Luke away who produced a good shot just wide. Ant then twisted in the box but snatched at his shot which the keeper gathered.
Luke had a good attempt following a Damo cross and when Ant shielded the ball and laid it back for Damo his shot was blocked on the line. Newham were piling on the pressure, but Oswy produced the killer blow with a break away goal down the inside left with the attacker running half the length of the field to make it 4 - 1 and end any faint hopes of a come back. Newham continued to create chances, with the best being when Karl put Damo through, but his shot was smothered. Oswy came back into it as the half wore on, knowing that the result was not in doubt and had a few chances mainly created down the left, to have extended the score.
Full time: King Oswy 4 - Newham 1
A bad day at the office. We knew before hand it was going to be tough, but until the mad five minutes it was comfortable. The equaliser was a good one and probably deserved. The penalty should not have been given, not because it was not in the box. It may well have been and then the penalty would have been justified. However, the ref did not know himself and so having no neutral linesmen, the lesser offence should have been penalised, i.e. a free kick outside the box. The eventual decision turned the whole game and Newham lost their focus, which surely affected the play leading to the 3rd goal. Having been in front one minute, five minutes later we were 3-1 behind.
Newham huffed and puffed but never really got going, mainly due to a strong Oswy side who battled well and are a good side which may have won in any event. We badly need games under our belt to get our team play back again and hopefully the next few weeks will see an upturn in our displays.
14th September 2008 - Coulby Newham at home - League
For Newham's 1st match we had a local derby and the match started in true derby spirit, with both sides putting in a lot of effort resulting in sporadic play where neither side could string many passes together. However, Newham got the early break they wanted when from a good break down the left, Newham won a corner. Conner met the resultant cross at the near post and forced the ball home to make it 1 - 0.
Newham could have made it 2 a few minutes later when Luke was put clear in the inside right position, but dragged his shot across the goal and out for a goal kick. Newham did manage to make it 2 a few minutes later with a flowing move. Jordan T made a good tackle in the right back position and fed Phil, who inturn sent a long ball to Luke. His cushioned volley to Karl was spot on and enabled Karl to go on a long run before slipping the ball to Ant. He still had a bit to do and rounded the keeper before slotting home to make it 2 - 0.
Coulby were having as much of the ball as Newham, but were finding clear cut chances hard to come by. Alex, (Rooney) was almost put clear down Coulby's right, but a good sliding challenge by John prevented the chance going any further.
Coulby's main chances were from free kicks outside the box which were in general, well dealt with by Newham's defence. Newham were still creating and on one such occasion, John having made a good tackle, sent Tom on a storming run only for him to be brought down outside the box. He sustained a rib injury which was to get the better of him in the 2nd half. From the resultant free kick, Connor shot over. A minute later and Denny found himself free on the left and fed a great ball over to the right, setting Luke away, who shot over. Phil then sent Luke away with a great ball down the right whereupon Luke was upended. This time Denny took the kick which was firmly struck, but straight at the keeper. Half time approached with the score still at 2-0.
Half time : Newham 2 v Coulby 0
Newham started the 2nd half in much better form and controlled long spells of the game for the 1st 20 minutes. The only goal to show for this was from a speculative effort from karl. He found himself with a bit of space 20 yards out and fired a shot in. Karl had almost turned away in disgust at his scuffed effort, but the ball seemed to take an age to travel as it went past the keeper and in off the post. Well done Karl. Any goal is a good goal. Newham still had a few other chances to have extended the score. Damo made a great run to feed Ant, who shot at the keeper and the ball was cleared. Phil looked to have scored when put clear on the right. His shot went over the keeper, but hit the corner of bar and post and bounced to safety.
Damo produced another good run and was tripped outside the box. Connor sent the free kick at the keeper. A Cluster of substitutions unsettled Newham on the 20 minute mark. Luke, Phil and John went off for 2 x Jordan Macs and Callum. The sudden change was exacerbated by Tom having to leave the field having sustained the rib injury in the 1st half
For about 10 minutes Newham were down to 9 men with Damo dropping back to defence, which meant that Karl carried the centre midfield on his own. Suddenly Coulby found a new energy and from a long ball over the top Azz was lobbed to bring the score back to 3 - 1. Newham were now panicking and Coulby looked dangerous everytime they attacked. From one such attack Coulby shot low and hard to Azzy's right who dived full length to tip the ball round the post for the save of the match and worth as much as any of the goals.
Phil was brought back on for Tom to shore the centre midfield up with Karl. Play was still frantic, with chances now at both ends. Coulby did manage another goal when follwing a scramble in the box, with Newham failing to clear their lines, a snap shot beat Azzy to make the last 10 minutes a bit nervy. Newham pulled themselves together for the remainder of the match and although creating little themselves, nonetheless stopped any further Coulby chances. The nerves were probably more evident on the sidelines.
Final score: Newham 3 - Coulby 2
A bit of relief in the end, with Newham playing nothing like they can, but there were many factors which will hopefully make this a one off. Injuries to players didn't help, neither did the lumpy pitch. Our lack of match fitness in terms of passing and positional play was self evident, having played just one pre season friendly in a monsoon. Also with the inevitable rivalry between the teams, with many attending the same school, meant that Coulby put in a very commited display and for most of the match stopped Newham playing any sort of passing game.
Nonetheless a win is a win, so well done to the players.