Cassiobury Rangers 4    Kings Head FC 0

League, Home

The last league match of the season and our most important match of the season. The formula was simple… we had to win to keep second place in the league and gain promotion; if we drew or lost there was a good chance that we could slip to third or fourth, lucky there wasn’t much resting on this match! 

The game started at with a strong wind in favour of Kings Head, giving them the advantage and they were quick to capitalise on this, attacking from the outset. Cassiobury however fought hard and managed to ensure that there were no clean chances on goal. Cassiobury began to match Kings Head and led by Captain, Chris Franks put together some excellent counter attacks, particularly when Matt Woodward on the left wing came close after 15 minutes. The defence were playing really well as a unit; Warren Davis and Ben Birch both managing to keep the Kings Head wingers quiet and Rob Tomkinson and Pat Hill staving off all attacks from the centre. The match continued like this until half time. 0 – 0. 

The second half started with Cassiobury immediately on the attack and within 10 minutes, After a patient build up, Darren Coombs shot from 20 yards to put Cassiobury one up. Cassiobury continued to attack coming close several times in the next 10 minutes. It was Jack Henley who put Cassiobury two up after a lovely ball had been played through to him by Matt Godfrey. Kings Head did not give up and tested Cassiobury ‘keeper, Greg Jones a few times, but he was up to it and pulled off some great saves. It was half an hour into the second half that Cassiobury had yet another attack, with some superb passing, when Jake Mortimer got the ball and from 35 yards took a shot, which ended in the top right hand corner of the Kings Head goal. Cassiobury then brought on Karl Wright who immediately made an impact winning a corner after Chris Franks and Matt Godfrey had both hit the woodwork. The corner was delivered and eventually drilled home by Darren Coombs.  Danny Williams, who was brought on as a sub, nearly scored in the last two minutes. 4 – 0 at full time. 

Cassiobury needed to win this match and they did so in style, playing attractive football with plenty of effort and commitment.

Cassiobury Rangers 1    MK Grinder FC 3

League, Away

Mk Ginder continued there form with Cassiobury, i.e. playing physical intimidatory football and moaning at every decision that did not go their way. That said they started the brighter of the two sides and soon pulled ahead with a through ball that led to their first goal. Cassiobury came straight back, some 5 minutes later, with an excellently built up goal, put away by Matt Woodward. The rest of the first half continued in a scrappy fashion, with MK Ginder again pulling ahead, again with a through ball.

The second half started in the same manner, scrappy football, with Cassiobury playing in an unusually lacklustre manner. This lead to MK Ginder's third goal, after yet another thorough ball was put away.  Cassiobury went on to miss several other chances, but still did not manage to score anymore, in a match where there were many opportunities.

The match ended 1 - 3 to MK Ginder; a close match, where Cassiobury had most of the chances but failed to capitalise.

Cassiobury Rangers 5    FC Sherman 1

League, Away

The match started with FC Sherman immediately on the attack, putting pressure on Cassiobury for the first 5 minutes and missing an early opportunity.  

From then onwards Cassiobury settled down and began to play football; passing the ball and moving, but still not really dominating the match. This allowed FC Sherman more opportunities and also meant that the football played was rather scrappy. Cassiobury managed several attacks, all of which came close to ending in a goal, until Matt Godfrey drilled home a ball, through a crowded penalty area to put Cassiobury one up. 

This was followed shortly afterwards by a goal from Captain, Chris Franks after a superb build up from the right wing, from Karl Wright and Jack Henley. 

FC Sherman did not give in and within ten minutes had got a goal back, after Cassiobury lost possession. Cassiobury fought back and quickly got another goal from Chris Franks, after a nice passage of play and passing from Matt Woodward, Jake Mortimer, and Darren Coombs. 3 - 1 at half time. 

The second half started in much the same manner with Cassiobury scoring another goal very quickly, through a pass from Karl Wright, which was bundled home by Darren Coombs. This however did not signal that Cassiobury were going to dominate the half and in fact for the rest of the half FC Sherman were consistently defending and counter attacking, whilst Cassiobury applied plenty of pressure – stalemate! The last goal came from Jack Henley, who neatly lobbed the keeper who was just off his line. 

A bit of a scrappy game, but won by the better team on the day.

Cassiobury Rangers 0    Jarman Park FC 1

League, Home

This game was all about missed opportunities, what could have been and wasn't.

Straight from kick off it was apparent that the match was going to be fought hard by both sides and we were not disappointed. Cassiobury playing the passing game moving the ball around and Jarman Park playing the only game they new, the long ball. In fact the first half was very close throughout and ended at 0 - 0, with few opportunities to either side. 

In the second half Cassiobury began brightly and were having the upper hand although not managing to convert their chances, most of the time Jarman Park having to rely on breakaway attacks. The missed chances, in this period would be rued by Cassiobury as in the middle part of the second half Jarman Park had a spell of pressure on Cassiobury which resulted in several corners, with the last one being tipped in by the their centre forward, the leagues top scorer. 

Cassiobury went on to miss several other chances, but still did not manage to 'put any away'. 

The match ended 0 - 1 to Jarman Park; a close match, a draw would have been a fair result but if you don't take your chances!

Cassiobury Rangers 16    West Watford Conservative Club 0

League, Home

Straight from kick off it was apparent that Cassiobury meant business with some superb passing moves resulting in the first goal within 2 minutes of play by Darren Coombs. This was quickly followed by another goal from Darren and shortly afterward Karl Wright converted from closed range.

Cassiobury were playing attractive neat football, not letting West Watford Conservatives into the game and within the first half hour of the match had added another three goals; two from Jack Henley and another from captain, Chris Franks. Darren Coombs then completed his hat trick and got a fourth just before half time. 8 – 0 to Cassiobury. 

The second half started in much the same manner, Cassiobury stifling West Watford Conservatives play and themselves playing attractive passing football. Very quickly Darren Coombs got his fifth and sixth goals, by well-worked moves and then Jack Henley then got his hat trick. This was followed shortly afterwards by a goal from Matt Godfrey. Darren Coombs then got his seventh. Cassiobury were passing the ball with confidence and added more to their tally with a goal from Jake Mortimer and one more goal from Darren Coombs, ending with 8 goals in the match and Jack Henley, scoring his fourth of the match. 

An excellent win by Cassiobury, keeping them in the title chase.

Cassiobury Rangers 1    Watford Labour Club 3

League, Away

Watford Labour proved difficult opponents in the first fixture, they recently beat Kings Head to underline their ability. This match proved that Watford Labour are better than their league position would suggest.  

Watford Labour had the majority of the ball in the first quarter, taking the lead after 25 minutes after the Cassiobury midfield failed to close down an attack. A Jake Mortimer equaliser with the aid of a deflection did nothing to spur Cassiobury on as Labour regained the lead shortly before the break. 

Cassiobury tried to fight back in the second half but it was Watford Labour who had the most chances, mostly with counter attacks, scoring their third and creating several other opportunities. 

On the balance of play 3-1 was a fair result, and with only 5 games left Cassiobury need to find a higher gear if they are going to gain promotion.

Cassiobury Rangers 6    3 Lions 1

League, Home

 There had been plenty of rain over night, with the pitch being a bit of a quagmire in the middle… conditions that levelled things for both teams and did not allow for skill to show.  

The match started with Cassiobury immediately attacking, coming close within the first two minutes and having, what looked like a sure fire penalty, turned down. Before long Cassiobury’s pressure paid off with an excellent goal from Jack Henley from a Darren Coombs cross. This was followed shortly afterwards by a counter attacked goal from 3 Lions. The match continued with Cassiobury putting on the pressure, dominating 3 Lions and from a free kick, by captain Chris Franks, Matt Godfrey scored another trademark header, 2 – 1 at half time. 

Cassiobury did not let the weather deter them and within 10 minutes of the second half, Jack Henley scored a second goal after another fine move, created by Ben Birch from the Cassiobury defence. This was followed up within no time, by a ball through to Jack Henley from Chris Franks, which he met on the volley and lobbed the 3 Lions ‘keeper to get his hat trick.  

Jack was not content to get his hat trick and added a fourth goal (Cassiobury’s 5^th) with a brilliant individual effort, chasing a ball fed through from right back, Warren Davis. From then onwards Cassiobury managed to have plenty more opportunities, with Matt Godfrey getting his second shortly before the end, latching onto a ball from Jake Mortimer to put the ball past the ‘keeper. 

An excellent match to watch, apart from the weather with Cassiobury dominating throughout!

Cassiobury Rangers 4    Interwood FC 2

League, Away

The match started with Cassiobury immediately putting pressure on Interwood with some excellent passing moves, consistently pushing for goal. This is the way the half continued, with Interwood soaking up the pressure and Cassiobury failing to capitalise on good moves, coming close on several occasions but failing to put the ball into the net. 

It was in the last 5 minutes of the first half that Cassiobury won yet another corner. The ball was delivered into the box and after some frantic defending by Interwood was poked home by Pat Hill, for his first goal of the season. 1 – 0 to Cassiobury at half time. 

The second half started in much the same way with Cassiobury putting constant pressure on goal but failing to make anything of these opportunities, until Jake Mortimer crossed a ball into the Interwood 6-yard box, this was not picked up by either team and bounced over the diving ‘keeper to make it 2 – 0 to Cassiobury. 

Interwood responded by getting a goal back from a sloppily defended corner, whilst Cassiobury maintained their attacking game. The next goal came from an excellent passing move, out from defence to captain Chris Franks who fed a delicate ball through to Darren Coombs to slot home. Interwood came straight back by grabbing a goal from mistakes made in the Cassiobury defence.  

The last goal came from yet another well built up move from the Cassiobury defence through to the midfield and on to Jack Henley to put through the ‘keepers legs to make it four. 

In summary an excellent first half from Cassiobury, but a hard match to win due to a strong defence by Interwood.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 2    Woodside Reserves FC 5

League, Home

Another lacklustre performance from Cassiobury saw a committed Woodside gain a well deserved win.

Starting on a firm frosty surface, both teams struggled to keep their footing at times. Woodside were first to settle although Cassiobury had a swift counter attack after 15 minutes resulting in a penalty converted by Rob Tomkinson. Woodside hit back with a counter attack of own and equalised after 20 minutes. They added a second 10 minutes later with a chip over the Cassiobury keeper from 25 yards. Both sides hit the woodwork and missed chances. 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw both sides creating a number of chances, Woodside being the first to capitalise on some poor defending and extending their lead. Cassiobury hit back with a well taken goal from substitute Joe Toman. Woodside finished stronger bundling in a goal from a corner and converting a free kick.
 
 

Cassiobury Rangers 3    Jarman Park FC 5

League, Away

Both sides started in attacking style although, Jarman Park were fighting harder for the ball and seemed to ‘want’ the match more than Cassiobury. This view was cemented when they scored their first goal, due to mistakes made by Cassiobury.  Cassiobury looked like this had woken them up and began to play fast, flowing, simple football. Although this was interrupted by a hotly disputed penalty given against them. 2 – nil to Jarman Park. Cassiobury then started to play the best football of the match, dominating Jarman Park in the last 20 minutes of the first half and getting one goal back; a corner headed in by Matt Godfrey.

In second half, yet again Jarman Park started off the strongest with them netting another goal within minutes of the kick off. Cassiobury pulled another goal back, with Darren Coombs neatly slotting in a cross from Chris Franks. Jarman Park then scored again, making it 4 – 2. Johnny Robson who was brought on as a sub, then scored another to make it 4 – 3 to Jarman Park. Unfortunately Cassiobury were throwing ‘caution to the wind’ in the effort of pulling level and Jarman Park netted another to make the final score 5 – 3.

Not a great game from Cassiobury, with poor playing and mistakes being punished every time.

Cassiobury Rangers 2    Colne Valley Blues FC 0

League, Home

The first match after the Christmas break… wet and cold, what more could you ask for?

The match started at a slow pace, with both sides not letting the other get the better of them. Cassiobury perhaps had more of the attacks but nothing really came of them, until midway through the first half when Johnny Robson was put through by Jake Mortimer, only to have his effort stopped by superb goalkeeping from the Colne Valley goalkeeper. That was probably the highlight of the first half and most certainly the best effort by both teams.

The second half started in much the same fashion, with Cassiobury slowly beginning to dominate, but not getting any real chances. This was until 15 minutes into the half when Darren Coombs got the ball in the middle of the Colne Valley half and attacked the box, releasing the ball to Jack Henley on the left. It looked as if Jack was going to pass the ball back across the goal, but instead he shot from a very tight angle to put Cassiobury one goal up.

Cassiobury then began to build up the pressure, but still with little result, up until 10 minutes from the end when after a goal mouth struggle the ball came out past the penalty box; a call from Matt Godfrey ensured that the ball was left for him to drill into the left hand corner of the Colne Valley goal, giving the goalkeeper no chance. A superb goal!

The came continued with Cassiobury dominating, without scoring any more goals.

Both sides showed signs of the lack of playing and training across the Christmas break as well as large amounts of celebrating!!
 

Cassiobury Rangers 8    West Watford Conservative Club 0

League, Away

On paper Cassiobury new they should win this match without much difficulty… that was before the heavy frost from the night before. On inspection the pitch was just playable, but was still quite hard and quite a match leveller.

The match started with West Watford Conservatives taking kick off; they passed the ball back and immediately lost it to hard tackling from Cassiobury; the ball went out to the Darren Coombs on the right wing who dribbled some 20 yards and then shot, the ball beat the goalkeeper after taking a minor deflection on its way. The ground did cause problems and it was some 20 minutes later that Cassiobury got their second goal from a corner, which was headed in by Matt Godfrey. The last goal of the first half was a neatly taken goal by Joe Toman; a goal created from a move started by Pat Hill in defence.

The second half started in much the same way with Joe Toman opening the scoring after 5 minutes and soon achieving his hat trick with another goal created by the central midfield team of Jake Mortimer and Matt Godfrey working with Mark Alexander who had shifted up to midfield from defence. Joe Toman’s fourth goal was perhaps the best built up goal of the match with Robert Tomkinson and Warren Davis creating the chance from defence.

 The next goal saw Greg Jones, the Cassiobury goal keeper take a long goal kick, which Danny Williams controlled and laid off to Johnny Robson, who fed an excellent pass to Jack Henley to head it home.

The last goal was as a result of a cross from Karl Wright into the path of Johnny Robson who controlled it and shot into the right hand corner.

An 8 - nil win to Cassiobury on a very difficult playing surface, a nice score to go into the Christmas break with, still at the top of the table.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 2    M K Ginder FC 1

League, Home

As everybody was aware there had been an explosion at the oil refinery in Hemel and it was touch and go as to whether this match would go ahead as the ground was not going to get the sun to ‘burn’ off the frost. However, it was decided between the two teams to play.

From the outset Cassiobury realised that this was going to be a physical match and that Ginder’s were not going to take any prisoners…. The only way to beat this type of intimidatory football is to use a simple passing game, letting skill and stamina win the day. To Cassiobury’s credit they tried to do this; unfortunately the ground conditions made it hard for both teams.

Cassiobury gamefully fought against a tide of hard tackles and complaining, trying to let their football do their talking; it was in the 30th minute that Joe Toman struck, from the right flank with a sweet half volley. This was followed ten minutes later with another excellent goal, this time from Darren Coombs. It stayed with Cassiobury 2 – 0 ahead until half time.

The second half started in much the same way as the first half, with Cassiobury playing the football and Ginder stifling their attacks. Neither team really grabbed the initiative although Ginder created a couple of opening’s which they failed to capitalise on. Ginder grabbed back a late goal, 5 minutes from the end to leave the score at 2 – 1 to Cassiobury.

Ginder are a team with pace and skill that let themselves down by challenging every decision, including those of their own linesman! If they let their football do the talking they could challenge for a top place in the division. A game where the referee (who had a good performance) was perhaps the busiest person on the pitch!
 

Cassiobury Rangers 5    T & F Motors FC 3

League, Home

Cassiobury, as with the previous meeting between the two clubs, were on top from the beginning, but were not playing to the best of their ability. This did not stop several near misses within the first quarter of an hour before Joe Toman put Cassiobury 1 up. At this point Cassiobury looked to be quite comfortable, until a goal mouth mix up, which allowed T & F to get back into the game. T & F then pulled ahead with a breakaway goal, shortly before half time.

In the second half, Cassiobury came out with renewed vigour and straight away Matt Godfrey tucked away a goal from a corner making things all square. This however did not last for long as T & F pulled ahead again through another breakaway goal.

At this point Cassiobury showed their metal and started playing controlled football, passing the ball around, and not panicking. This soon led to a goal from Jack Henley to bring things level. Cassiobury continued with this style of play and very soon afterwards pulled ahead with a second well-taken goal by Matt Godfrey.

Cassiobury were now cruising and playing excellent football (at last!). This was capped off by a superbly taken goal from Joe Toman, after some wonderful passing with Johnny Robson in the centre of the action.

In the end a deserved win but T & F pushed very hard in both games and should be there or there abouts at the end of the season.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 4    Kings Head FC 0

League, Away

The first top of the table clash. As soon as this fixture was announced, we new this was going to be the hardest and most important match of the season so far….. We were not disappointed.

The game started at fast pace with both sides going in hard for the ball and it was Kings Head who during the first 5 minutes who perhaps had the upper hand.

It was however the only time that they were on top, because from then onwards Cassiobury played fluent, simple football. They passed the ball and kept position, constantly causing Kings Head problems. This culminated in several near misses within the first 20 minutes.

It was during Cassiobury’s second corner of the match that Matt Godfrey rose up to meet the ball and head it into the back of the net. Kings Head were not happy bunnies and took the kick off to restart the game; the player receiving the ball dwelt on the ball too long and was superbly tackled by Joe Toman who passed the ball inside to Matt Godfrey who was fouled. Johnny Robson took the free kick, having it parried away by the goal keeper into the path of captain, Chris Franks who drove it home for a 2 – 0 lead to Cassiobury. This is how it stayed until half time (Kings Head having missed a penalty just after Cassiobury’s second goal).

The second half started with a flurry of action by Kings Head, keeping Cassiobury in their own half for a short period of time. This did not last for long and soon Cassiobury were yet again on the attack coming close several times in the next 20 minutes. At this point Cassiobury made a substitution, bringing on Jack Henley. His first touch of the ball followed an attack by Cassiobury, starting from defence and ending up with Joe Toman delivering an ‘inch perfect’ pass for Jack to bang into the Kings Head goal. This was then followed by two penalties; the first to Kings Head, which they missed again, and the second to Cassiobury, which was tucked home by Robert Tomkinson.

The match continued at the same pace until the end, with Cassiobury finishing as the better team. A hard fought match, with Cassiobury by far the better team on the day.

Cassiobury Rangers 9    FC Sherman 1

League, Home

Cassiobury took the kick off and were on the attack from the off. Within the first five minutes they had several shots go wide and FC Sherman hadn't had an attack. It was a couple of minutes later that Cassiobury opened the scoring with a superb effort from Joe Toman. This was quickly followed by another excellent goal by Matt Woodward.

Cassiobury made the tackles, won the ball and played the simple passes; in doing this they completely stifled FC sherman. Joe Toman followed his earlier effort with another goal from a well built up move. Cassiobury did not 'rest on their laurels', but contiued to play good football, closing FC sherman down and passing the ball out to the wing at every opportunity and it was from the right wing that the next goal came, from Jack Henley. the last goal of the half came when captain Chris Franks took a 25 yard shot which slammed against the post, the rebound being tucked in the net by Joe Toman to complete his hat trick. It was 5 - 0 at half time.

Cassiobury came out in the second half and continued to play attacking football, playing well but having slightly taken their foot off the pedal. The next goal came with a superb move from the right wing again with the ball,  after several passes, being drilled home by Jake Mortimer. This was quickly followed by another goal from Jack Henley.

Cassiobury were playing with the confidence and had the opportunity to change formation; bringing Darren Coombs up front, from the defence after the first substitution. This quickly paid dividends with his first goal of the match, straight from a goal kick. Darren followed this after a short while with a great goal from close up. FC Sherman did manage to score one goal in the second half but the game was very much one way traffic in Cassiobury's favour.

A good win by the best team on the day.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 1    AEK Letchworth 2

County Cup, Away

Another match for Cassiobury where experience by the opposition was the difference between the two teams.

The game started with AEK immediately on the attack and Cassiobury having to defend hard from the off. AEK's experience allowed them to negate Cassiobury's pace and skills on the ball and meant that Cassiobury were always 'chasing' the game, with the few attacks that did occur coming on the counter attack. It was early in the first half when Cassiobury did counter attack, from the back through to Joe Toman who crossed the ball precisely for Jack Henley to bang home the opening goal of the match.

For the rest of the half the score remained the same with Cassiobury having few attacks and having to defend the AEK attacks (interrupted by several AEK fouls and one of their players being given the red card!).

The second half continued in the same manner with Cassiobury managing to keep AEK out and produce more attacks. This continued for 35 minutes, when the AEK first goal was headed in a metre from the goal line after a cross of theirs had being unluckily deflected by Cassiobury. Their second came 2 minutes from full time after a well built up attack.

Cassiobury will learn from these types of matches and come back a stronger team, able to add experience to the skill and flair shown by the team in most matches.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 6    Colne Valley FC Blues 2

League, Away

The first match this season with rain.... and a lot of it!

The match started with Cassiobury immediately attacking, playing a sensible passing game. Before too long they had pulled ahead with a well-created goal, scored by Joe Toman.

The match continued with Cassiobury building up the pressure, dominating Colne Valley and not allowing them to play; there were going to be more opportunities. Half way through the first half after yet another Cassiobury attack the ball came to Joe Toman on the edge of the box, he controlled the ball and shot, straight into the top right hand corner of Colne Valley's goal.

The half continued in this vein (Colne Valley only got into the Cassiobury penalty area on two occasions in the first half) and Cassiobury added to the lead shortly before half time, when Matt Woodward managed to curl a corner kick straight into the goal. 3 –0, at half time.

Colne valley started the second half on the attack and after 10 minutes got a goal back.

Cassiobury did not let this deter them and Joe Toman got his hat trick with a brilliant individual effort, chasing a ball fed through from the midfield. From then onwards Cassiobury managed to have plenty more opportunities, hitting the woodwork on two occasions and going near on several more. It was Jon Robson who then managed to put two more goals past Colne Valley; the first a swerving shot resulting from a short corner and the second a shot from open play. In between these goals Colne Valley managed to get another goal.

On the whole an excellent match to watch and a well played match by Cassiobury. Shame about the weather!
 

Cassiobury Rangers 3    Watford Labour Club 3

League, Home

Youth against experience was the order of the day with the youngest W.L.C. player being 10 years older than Cassiobury's oldest.    

The game started with Cassiobury's pace and skills on the ball being negated by the experience of W.L.C. Cassiobury had too many chances to count in the first half hour; many would have ended in row Z at Vicarage Road.

W.L.C. opened the scoring however, after 40 minutes with a well-taken chance.

The second half started with an excellent passing move from W.L.C. with the Cassiobury players missing tackles, and a fine finish put W.L.C. 2-0 up.   Cassiobury continued to battle up front and a fine finish from Joe Toman and a penalty converted by Rob Tomkinson saw Cassiobury draw level.

A goal from a corner for W.L.C. and a fine individual effort from Jonathon Robson, for Cassiobury finished the scoring. A 3-3 draw was a fair result in the end although a fine performance was needed in the W.L.C. goal as the pace of Cassiobury constantly troubled the tiring W.L.C. defence.
   

Cassiobury Rangers 2    Woodside Reserves 3

Ken Simmons Cup, Away

Another week with both sides starting in attacking style although, again Cassiobury looked to be on top, creating the early chances. This view was cemented when Jack Henley put Cassiobury ahead with an excellently taken goal after patient build up from the team.

Woodside were not going to give up easily and after some strong battling leveled the score. Cassiobury, it seemed had the wind taken out of them and very shortly afterwards Woodside managed another goal. This score remained until half time, with Woodside battling the hardest.

In second half Cassiobury started off the strongest with several opportunities to pull level, unfortunately it was going to be one of those days, when it just didn't happen and Woodside narrowly missed going further ahead when they hit the crossbar.

About 15 minutes from full time Cassiobury gained a free kick, with a perfect delivery from Jake Mortimer, Darren Coombs managed to tuck it away. The game continued with both side battling hard, until in the last 3 minutes Woodside managed to get another goal. Cassiobury kept on battling, but to no avail and the final score was fair for the game.

One match each and another league match to go!
   

Cassiobury Rangers 5    AC Malone 3

County Cup, Home

The match started with both sides having strong attacks, but with little to show for them. This pattern continued for the first 10 minutes until the Cassiobury midfield began to relax into the game and move the ball around more fluently. This led to the first goal, by Jack Henley. A few minutes later, the ball was played out from the Cassiobury defence, via the midfield to the right wing, where the ball was crossed over, this time to be volleyed into the AC Malone goal by Joe Toman. Cassiobury now looked quite comfortable until a free kick was given away and which led to AC Malone grabbing a goal back (a lucky deflection past goalkeeper Greg Jones). 2 –1 at half time.

In second half AC Malone started off pushing hard and this led to their second goal through a penalty. 2 all and both sides had all to play for. The game continued with Cassiobury beginning to have the upper hand although not managing to convert their chances, most of the time AC Malone having to rely on breakaway attacks.

About 10 minutes from full time AC Malone gained a free kick and managed to score from it. Cassiobury to their credit dug in and continued to play a passing game. It was with 2 minutes left that through yet another build up from the back that Matt Woodward attacked down the left wing. He got to the box and was fouled … penalty!  Robert Tomkinson stepped up and coolly put the ball away. 3 all at full time, the game was now into extra time.

Cassiobury started by far the stronger side in the extra time and within the first minute had put themselves ahead through a goal by Darren Coombs, a superb team effort. The lead was shortly consolidated by a further goal from Matthew Woodward. 5 – 3. The game continued with Cassiobury now dominating; this they did until the whistle blew for the end of the match.

A deserved win by Cassiobury.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 4    Interwood 1

League, Home

A good start from Cassiobury Rangers saw Joe Toman score from close range at the far post after a low cross eluded everyone. This was quickly followed by a penalty awarded after Jake Mortimer was fouled inside the box. Chris Franks converted to give Cassiobury a two-nil lead after 10 minutes.

A measure of the pressure applied by Cassiobury, debutante goalkeeper Greg Jones did not touch the ball for the first 15 minutes.

Interwood defended hard for the rest of the half whilst Cassiobury missed several chances which they would normally have taken.

The second half began much like the first with Cassiobury putting the Interwood defence under constant pressure. Their reward came after 60 minutes when a Matthew Woodward shot was deflected past the Interwood keeper after a goalmouth scramble.

Interwood grabbed a goal soon after with a well taken breakaway.

Substitute Jack Henley looked sharp when he came on with 25 minutes left going close several times before scoring his 7^th goal of the season.

Not the best performance from the side this season but a win is a win.
 

Cassiobury Rangers 8    3 Lions 0

League, Away

A minute before kick off, the Cassiobury keeper twinged a back muscle. On with the reserve keeper (who normally plays in midfield). Was this setting the tone for the match? The answer to that question was NO!

3 Lions took the kick off and right from the start Cassiobury made important tackles, winning the ball and passing the ball forward (after what can only have been five touches) to jack henley, who dribbled some 10 yards and as the 3 Lions keeper came out 'lobbed' him to give Cassiobury a 1 - nil lead.

Cassiobury continued to attack, playing the ball to each other and making the tackles that counted. It was during another attack that the ball was fed out to the right wing where Karl Wright moved forward and passed the ball inside to Darren Coombs, who dribbled past two defenders and then the 3 Lions keeper to put Cassiobury two goals up.The half continued in the same vein when the captain, Chris Franks was fouled some 30 yards from the 3 Lions goal. Jon Robson stepped up to take the free kick, managing to drill it past the wall into the top left corner.

3 - 0 to Cassiobury at half time.

Cassiobury came out in the second half with the intention of building on their lead. They did this after 20 minutes; again Jack Henley scoring a well created goal. This was followed in quick succession by another goal from Jon Robson.

Cassiobury were now playing with the confidence of having a large lead and rapidly their first substitution paid off. Joe Toman (who has been injured for the past month) passed the ball from the right flank, across the goal and it was headed in by Clive Harris. Joe followed this after a short while by shooting and having his shot parried away by the 3 Lions keeper, straight into the path of Jack Henley who was following up the shot and who scored his hat trick goal.

Joe carried on producing fine efforts on goal, culminating with him scoring the last goal of the match and Cassibury's eigth! A deserved win by a team playing good football.

25th September 2005

Cassiobury Rangers 3  T & F Motors FC 2

League, Away

The match started with Cassiobury putting together some excellent passing moves, consistently pushing for goal against T & F Motors, but to no avail, as T & F soaked up this early pressure. The game continued like this for the next 20 minutes; Cassiobury having all the ball, but T & F managing to defend; although having few attacks themselves. At this point Cassiobury had yet another passing move, resulting in Jack Henley getting the ball. It looked like he was going to put the ball across the goal, to be met by another player, but he didn’t, instead he shot from a tight angle to put Cassiobury ahead.

Within 5 minutes, T & F had levelled the match with a breakaway, which resulted in a well-taken goal.  Cassiobury continued the pressure, but T & F had yet another breakaway (from a Cassiobury attack), which again resulted in a well taken goal. The score was 2 – 1 to T & F at half time.

Cassiobury came on for the second half with renewed enthusiasm, as they were dominating the match and were only losing to counter attacked goals. They new they had to level quickly; the pressure on T & F continued for the first 20 minutes of the second half, with them virtually not getting out of their half. As a result of patient build up play, Darren Coombs managed to attack a dropped ball from the T & F goalkeeper, to level the match; it was now all to play for.

Cassiobury attacked relentlessly putting constant pressure onto the T & F back four, although as with the rest of the match they managed to defend well. It was in last two minutes of the match when Cassiobury attacked again and the T & F defence cleared that Ben Burch shot from 35 yards and sweetly put the ball in the top right hand corner, to make it 3 – 2 to Cassiobury.

In summary a hard match to win due to a strong defence by T & F.
 

18th September 2005

Cassiobury Rangers 3  Woodside FC Reserves 0

League, Away

The game started with a lot of pressure from Woodside with several goal attempts going wide. Cassiobury soaked up this early pressure and began to play a spirited game against this experienced team. Woodside’s frustration started to show as Cassiobury began to slowly dominate the half.  The first Cassiobury goal came as a result of this sustained pressure and a poor clearance from the Woodside goalkeeper who could only put the ball into the path of Karl Wright who hit a low drive into the bottom corner from 30 yards. Woodside’s frustration continued for the rest of the first half whilst Cassiobury tried to play football and after 40 minutes Jonathon Robson found a bit of space to shoot and scored a trademark goal from 25 yards. On the stroke of half time Darren Coombs beat the goalkeeper with a crisp volley.

The second half was fairly low key with the Woodside players gradually getting too tired to let their frustration show. The highlight being the Woodside Goalkeeper querying an offside decision. Jack Henley hit the bar and only a good save from the Woodside ‘keeper stopped Darren Coombs from adding a second in the last minute.

All in all Cassiobury ‘did what they had to do’ under trying circumstances.
 

11th September 2005

Cassiobury Rangers 4 Colne Valley FC Blues 0

Ken Simmonds Cup, First Round

The match started with plenty of pressure from Cassiobury Rangers, but with no result, until midway through the first half when Jack Henley netted a chance created from a blocked Colne Valley attack. Colne Valley attempted to come back into the game quickly but were constantly blocked by a tight Cassiobury defence and excellent goal keeping from the Cassiobury keeper, Luke Terris. The play continued in much the same vein; Cassiobury attacking and Colne Valley, having to staunchley defend, until Jonathon Robson, for the second match running, scored from 25 yards.

The second half started much the same, and yet again Jack Henley netted a goal, this time a 'half chance' created through a build up of play from midfield. Cassiobury continued with the constant pressure until Jake Mortimer scored their fourth goal.

All in all a good result from a team still depleted by injury.
   

4th September 2005

Cassiobury Rangers 2  Headstone Athletic FC 5

Challenge Cup, First Round

Hit by a number of pre-season injuries caused by various accidents Cassiobury turned up with only 12 fit players. Having to play at least four players out of position was not the most auspicious start to our Olympian campaign.

Both teams took a few minutes to settle into their stride with Headstone being the first to find the target after 10 minutes. Cassiobury struck back five minutes later with a good finish from Darren Coombs. Two more goals followed from Headstone before the break.

The second half began with some good pressure from Cassiobury with Jonathon Robson capitalising on some space in midfield to hit a superb 30 yarder into the top right hand corner, 3-2. A breakaway from Headstone saw them increase their lead somewhat against the run of play. However the goal seemed to finallly settle them and despite continued pressure from Cassiobury they ran out worthy winners at 5-2.

Despite the scoreline the lads battled throughout and never lets their heads drop. A promising start. The difference between the two sides was probably the Headstone no.17 who seemed to be everywhere on the pitch.