12^th November 2006 

WFL Green Division

Enfield Rangers 7 – 1 Cassiobury Rangers  

Ravaged by illness and injury it was the bare 11 that made the journey around the M25 to Enfield to face last years league and cup winners.

Enfield struck in the opening minute, catching Cassiobury cold and firing past a helpless George. Displaying the spirit that has come to epitomise recent performances the boys picked themselves up and took the game too their opponents. Conor played in Harrison Evans whose shot was well saved. Moments later Conor flicked on Jordan’s long throw and Harrison again found himself in the right place at the right time, volleying into the keepers mid riff.

Cassiobury’s pressure paid off after 10 minutes when the bounce from Charlie’s looping shot caused confusion in the Enfield 6 yard box and Conor prodded home from close range. The reprieve was short lived. Enfield broke and a scuffed shot found its way past an injured and struggling George. There followed a disastrous 5 minutes spell. First an ill judged short free-kick gifted Enfield the opportunity to grab a third. Moments later Enfield scored a 4^th as Cassiobury stopped to appeal in vein for an unlikely offside.   To make matters worse our gallant boys were reduced to 10 men with George leaving the field with a reoccurrence of last weeks injury.

Bootroom reorganised at half time with Harry Element taking up residency between the sticks, Charlie dropping to centre back and Harry Bradford given licence to roam.

In a spirited second half display the ten showed both character and composure. Harry Element operated as sweeper-keeper picking off the Enfield long balls and Sam and Harry put in tremendous performances along side Charlie at the back. Jordan and Ben’s battling in the middle and Conor and Harrison Evans enthusiasm and tenacity on the flanks meant Cassiobury were never over-ran. Harry Bradford’s introduction up front caused the Enfield back line problems, whilst Michael’s pace was a constant threat.   

Enfield scored three fine goals in the second half, including an audacious lob from 20 yards, exploiting the inevitable gaps at the back as Bootroom switched to a 3-4-2.

To the final whistle Cassiobury gave their all to the cause and when Jordan slipped through Michael, who took the ball round the keeper, it appeared that justice would be done by way of a second consolation goal. Alas it was not to be as an Enfield defender cleared of the line.  

Bootroom was quick to praise the boys for their efforts and was left to rue the fickle nature childhood illness.

MEN OF THE MATCH - HARRISON EVANS & HARRY BOOT   
   

5^th November 2006

Challenge Cup 1^st Round

Cassiobury Rangers 0 – 2 Croxley Guild Jaguars

Cassiobury gave a fine account of themselves against the unbeaten WFL Blue Division leaders in the first round of the Challenge Cup. George was unable to start due to injury so the team was down to the bare 11 with Jordan drafted as make shift keeper.

Thankfully it was Jaguars keeper who was the busier in the first half. Cassiobury were denied an opener when he bravely threw himself at Ben’s feet after Conors threaded pass had played him in 1 on 1.   Minutes later Harry Bradford’s cross shot was parried, Sam French chased down the loose ball and fired back across goal. Michael met it full on from 2 yards out only for the keeper to block from point blank range.  Cassiobury continued to press throughout the first half, containing the Croxley front line and out playing the midfield. But despite having the majority of possession were unable to convert pressure into goals.

In the dying minutes of the half Cassiobury failed to clear a corner, the ball fell to a Jaguar attacker whose shot hit the post and rebounded kindly for a tap in. With the boy’s concentration affected Jordan was called upon to make a last ditch stop when Croxley sprung the offside trap. 

Croxley were the more commanding side in the second period, breaking from deep and restricting Cassiobury to half chances. Myles, Callum, Harry E and Sam needed to be on their mettle to thwart an increasingly ambitious Jaguar vanguard and were not found wanting. With the game swinging end to end Harry Bradford fired across the face of goal early on and Michael had a free-kick well saved. Croxley grabbed a second mid way through the half and from then on were content to soak up the pressure and play on the break. In the move of the match Charlie played in Michael who released Harry Bradford down the right. His cross was struck firmly by Sam F who drew a fine save from the impressive Croxley custodian. 

Bootroom realised this wasn’t to be our day when the mother of all goal mouth scrambles resulted in the ball being twice cleared off the Croxley line. At the other end Harry Element capped a fine display at centre back with a goal line clearance of his own.

Bootroom was justifiably proud of his team’s performance against a side a sitting unbeaten at the top of the division above us.    

MEN OF THE MATCH – TEAM AWARD

29^th October 2006

Hemel Athletic 4 – 6 Cassiobury Rangers

        (French 3, Bradford, Callanan, Brook)

Our gallant boys and intrepid touchline compardres travelled to the romantically named Cupid Green under a balmy autumnal sun for a lunch time fixture against Hemel Athletic. Bootroom anticipated a close match with both sides enjoying virtually identical results against Alexander Park and Harvesters in their opening two fixtures.

Cassiobury started like a hare out of a trap and almost grabbed an early lead when Sam French had an effort cleared of the line after meeting Jordan’s flighted corner at the back stick. With the defence solid, the midfield combative and the front men sharp there was little surprise when Ben’s slide rule pass played in Sam who opened the scoring with a composed finish after 5 minutes. Two minutes later Ben played a marvellous cross field ball to release Harrison in space on the right. His pace took him beyond the defender to the by-line where he whipped in a vicious cross that Sam met firmly to double his tally.

Brimming with confidence the boys employed Bootroom’s passing ethos to unlock the Hemel back line with devastating effect. Charlie fired just over after Jordan and Harry Bradford had combined to make the space and returned the compliment by putting Harry one on one with keeper who fearlessly smothered his shot.  With Athletic back on their heels Cassiobury’s third encapsulated the Bootroom philosophy. Jordan’s strength and tenacity in the middle was rewarded when he set Sam off down the left. He cut inside, headed for the by-line and looking up, pulled the ball back to Harry Bradford. With a perfect touch, Harry took the ball away from his marker and fired home.  

Hemel regrouped and to their credit began to turn the tide. The Cassiobury defence showed their increasing effectiveness as a unit, demonstrating a firm grasp of the offside trap and distributing the ball intelligently. Callum and Myles combined on a number of occasions to vigorously snuff out attacks while Harry Boot and Harry Element used their physical presence to restrict the threat on the right. Jono cajoled and encouraged his back line, gathering countless through balls and bravely saving at the feet of an onrushing attacker. Nothing could be done when the Hemel left winger fired a looping shot from distance leaving Jono clutching air to give Athletic a foothold at the break.

Bootroom’s half time team talk cautioned against complacency and the result appeared to have been put beyond doubt 5 minutes in when Harry Bradford crossed for Sam to earn a deserved hat-trick with another calm finish.  With nothing to lose Hemel threw caution to the wind pushing four boys into the attack. With Cassiobury holding a highline the midfield became increasingly congested and inevitably an Athletic striker sprung the offside trap to pull a goal back.

Cassiobury responded with Conor crafting a clever pass to Charlie who played in Harry Bradford. Resisting the close attentions of the Hemel defender he got his shot away only to see it drift past the post.  Hemel won a series of free kicks in their own half that flummoxed an otherwise impeccable Cassiobury back line as the ball was hoisted over the back four for numerous strikers to chase.  The touchline compardres nerves began to fray when hesitation at a Hemel corner resulted in Jono making an incredible reflex save only for an attacker to react quickest to the loose ball and prod home through a sea of bodies cutting Cassiobury’s advantage still further.        

Hemel were in the ascendancy and levelled with a superb long range effort that Jono could only stroke with his fingertips.

The touchline compardres feared that Athletics momentum must see them go on to victory. But such is the increasing team spirit amongst this band of brothers that the cries of encouragement and determination came loudest from Claret & Blue shirts. Stepping up a gear Cassiobury went back on the attack. Jordan’s long throw down the right flank was flicked on by Harry Bradford into the path of Harrison Evans. He fired in a low driven cross that Conor met beautifully to fire back across the keeper and into the bottom corner.  The back line, reacting to the increased numbers in the Hemel attack, dropped a little deeper to deal more effectively with the increasingly desperate through balls launched by their opponents.

From a hopeful punt forward, Myles stepped out of his line to win the ball and thread a thoughtful pass to Harry Bradford who again played in Harrison Evans on the right. He squared the ball to Michael who turned his defender and flashed an unstoppable drive beneath the keeper to secure the 3 points.

Bootroom was rightfully delighted with his charges at the full time whistle. At times they played football that any opponent would have struggled to cope with. Their passing was crisp, tackling tough and teamwork unrelenting. Most pleasing of all was the spirit they showed when having lost a 3 goal advantage, they rallied each other, stuck to their principles and earned their just rewards.

Viva Cassiobury!

MAN OF THE MATCH – BEN STALLARD & SAM FRENCH

22^nd  October 2006

Cassiobury Rangers 7 – 0 Harvesters

(Brook 3, French 2, Robertson (pen), Evans)

Cassiobury Rangers returned to the field of screams for their second league game of the season on a mild autumnal morning to face 9 man Harvesters.

Bootroom believed his charges would need to give a disciplined performance to guarantee 3 points. In training our gallant boys had been counselled to compete for every ball and play as a team. He hoped that the numerical advantage would allow them to develop these attributes.

Ben and Jordan set out their stall early, commanding the midfield with strong challenges and clever passing. Having won the psychological battle they released the forwards and wide men almost at will throughout the game. Cassiobury opened the scoring in a flurry when Michael, slipped in down the right, lifted the ball over the stranded keeper. Turning provider minutes later, Michael played a perfectly weighted pass out left that Sam French fired into the roof of the net. Myles and Harry Boot gave the token Harvester attacker short shrift allowing Callum and Sam Marskel to exploit the space at full back to initiate countless attacks down the flanks. Harrison Evans nonchalantly grabbed the third on 15 minutes, overlapping Michael who unselfishly laid the ball into his path. The fourth came just before half time when Myles collected the ball in his own half and played a simple pass to Jordan in the centre circle. His angled forward pass released Harry Bradford down the right. Harry’s pace took him beyond the struggling fullback and glancing up he fired a pinpoint cross into Michael’s path who guided the ball home from close range.    

With the game in their pocket the boys struggled to find a rhythm or maintain their shape in the second half. A spirited Harvester side never allowed their heads to drop and contested every ball. The fifth goal came 8 minutes into the half when Harry Bradford’s tricky run into the box earned his side a penalty. Jordan lay to rest the ghost of Hemel Aces by planting the ball confidently into the bottom corner.

Buoyed by the goal, Cassiobury pressed forward again with Michael again slipping the ball wide to Sam French who capped a fine performance with his second of the morning. Tails up, the scoring was completed after George’s good work on the left set Michael free to secure a well deserved hat-trick when he drove the ball past the despairing dive of the over-worked keeper.    Against nine men this was a difficult performance to judge. Jono remained alert despite having little to do and his distribution was immaculate.

Harry Boot and Sam Marskel gave cultured displays, using time and space to find team mates with simple passes. Myles and Harry Element were imposing in defence and Callum’s turn of speed and tenacious tackling snuffed out the only Harvester break late on after the entire defence was caught upfield. Jordan and Ben dominated the middle and Harrison Evans, Sam French and George all found space on the flanks and took every opportunity to support the forwards. Up front Michael and Harry are developing an understanding with the midfield and each other that will create opportunities against any opponent.

Cassiobury were composed in defence, creative in midfield and incisive up front, exploiting their numerical advantage to great effect. With a little more composure in front of goal they could have had a hatful. 

It is fair to say sterner tests await the Claret & Blues in the WFL U11’s Green Division. 

Next week we face Hemel Athletic who overcame a full strength Harvester side 7-1 in their opening game of the season.

Men of the Match – Sam French & Jordan Robertson
 

15^th October 2006

Cassiobury Rangers 3 – 5 Alexandra Park North

(Brook, Callanan, Harris)

Cassiobury Rangers league campaign began in earnest with a home fixture against a strong and stylish Alexandra Park North side. Bootroom employed the 3:5:2 formation that had proved so successful against Oxhey Jets the previous week.

The touchline compardres enjoyed a pleasant atmosphere as good humoured banter passed between supporters. On the pitch affairs were competitive but sporting.

Alexandra Park took the initiative and exposed a gap in the defence to take an early lead. Some good flowing football from Cassiobury, with passes exchanged down the right, led to a crisp equaliser from Michael. Despite some solid defending and last ditch tackles by Callum and Sam, Alexandra Park regained the lead shortly before half time. Bootroom was confident that his team could turn the game around with the advantage of the slope. Unfortunately, a ten minute spell of midfield indecision and a stretched defensive line led to a succession of chances for Alexandra Park. Cassiobury soon found themselves 5-1 down with the touchline compardres fearing a rout.

The team spirit so evident this season, saw the boys re-discover their passing game and move the ball swiftly from flank to flank to work an opening. Encouraged our gallant boys hit two goals in quick succession with Conor and Jono finding the net to give the final score a more respectable look. Bootroom vowed to return to a 4:4:2 for the visit of Harvesters next week.

Men of the Match:  The Forwards [Harry Bradford, Michael Brook, Jonathan Harris]

24^th September 2006 – Gadeside 9 – 0 Cassiobury Rangers

30^th September 2006 – Nascot Wood Rangers 2 – 2 Cassiobury Rangers

                                                                                         (Evans, Callanan)

1^st October 2006 – Cassiobury Rangers 3 – 3 Hemel Aces

                                (Brook 2, Rowland)

Our gallant boys continued their pre-season round of matches with a torrid visit to Tolpits Lane where they came up against an energetic and effective Gadeside outfit.

The game was evenly fought for twenty minutes in a competitive and good natured contest. With the defence committed and the midfield creative Cassiobury had the best of the early chances. Falling in quick succession to Harry Bradford, he was unlucky to see one effort denied by brave goal keeping and a second narrowly clear the bar.

Gadeside took the lead after 23 minutes and proceeded to give the Claret & Blues a salutary lesson in harnessing momentum to turn a slender advantage into a rout. Between the last 7 minutes of the first half and the 10^th minute of the second half goals reigned o’er our hapless charges. In those 17 minutes Bootroom found a kindred spirit in King Canute. To their credit after the 9^th goal the boys regained their composure, rolled up their sleeves, shored up their defences, steeled themselves in midfield and even found time to threaten the Gadeside goal.

While the final whistle was a blessing, Bootroom felt that in the scheme of things the boys would take more from this game than any played so far this season. Despite conceding 9 goals in 17 minutes the boys had proved a match for confident opponents for 23 minutes in the first half and 20 minutes in the second.

To their credit the Gadeside management team were magnanimous in victory, congratulating Bootroom on the teams endeavour and attitude.

Men of the Match – Conor Callanan & Ben Stallard

The memory of Gadeside was evoked during the warm up for our next encounter, our first local derby against close neighbours Nascot Wood Rangers. With the teams experiencing a similar start to the season Bootroom, unavailable for touchline duty, adopted an offensive formation with both full-backs given licence to roam.

In an entertaining and good-natured encounter that saw a Nascot mum with no footballing experience running the line, the Claret & Blues were reborn as an attacking force and drew upon the Gadeside experience to dominate for much of the game.  In the opening minutes both sides vied for the initiative with Nascot firing a cross shot just past the post and George, Michael and Charlie combining to bring a good save from the Nascot keeper. The Cassiobury defence set out their stall early on with some robust tackling. Sam Marskell imposed himself to the extent that within 5 minutes the Nascot centre forward was effectively out of the game.   

The game took a dramatic turn when the pace of the Nascot left winger drew a late sliding tackle from Callum inside the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. To the silent relief of the touchline compardres the penalty taker pulled his spot kick wide. Lifted by the reprieve the boys ratcheted up the pressure with Michael thwarted by last ditch interventions twice in quick succession and Charlie forcing a good save from Nascots increasingly active keeper.

Nascot looked dangerous on the break and opened the scoring after the pacey Nascot winger sprung the off side trap and lobbed the onrushing Jono. Cassiobury regrouped and resumed their domination of the game with Michael shooting just wide, George firing over the bar and Conor having a shot parried by the keeper before the half time whistle. The determination and belief was evident at the interval and little encouragement was needed for the boys to continue the second half where they left off.

Harry Bradford whipped in a dipping shot that the keeper did well to push round the post and followed it up with a series of top quality corners that, with a little work on the movement in the box, will add to our potent arsenal of set plays. The incessant pressure finally told when Ben capped another fine display with a thunderbolt of a shot that Harrison diverted past the keeper with a deft header.  With the impetus behind them it seemed just a matter of time before the Claret and Blues would find themselves ahead in a competitive fixture for the first time at 11 a side. Yet football is a fickle mistress, no sooner does she relieve your fevered brow then she is giving you a Chinese burn. 

With the game seemingly at their mercy a brief lack of communication between keeper and defender saw an innocuous through ball trickle agonisingly over the line and our boys behind a again. Unfazed Cassiobury simply laid siege to the Nascot penalty area and were rewarded with a goal straight from the training ground. Harry Elements long throw in line with the edge of the six yard box was flicked on by Harrison Evans and Conor arrived on cue to steer the ball home. Pure class! 

Although the Claret and Blues dominated Nascot for long periods they were vulnerable on the break so a draw was a fair reflection of the game overall. The spirit in which officials, players and spectators enjoyed the game made this a most pleasant autumnal morning.  

 Men of the Match - Myles Finnegan & Harry Bradford

The contrast between Nascot and Hemel Aces could not have been starker. Prior to kick off there was a sense that this encounter would be an altogether different experience.  Hemel were a physical and competitive side that had entered the field of screams in the confident expectation of leaving with 3 points. Cassiobury determined to make that task as difficult possible.  The early sparring saw Hemel head over the bar and Harrison Evans meet Jordan’s long throw only for the keeper to tip the ball round the post. With Myles marshalling his defence immaculately the Cassiobury midfield began to take control of the game.

Ben and Jordan were breaking up the Hemel play and picking out the front two with increasing ease. With the ball threaded through to Charlie he turned and faced 3 Hemel defenders, Michael timed his run to perfection to Charlie’s left whose slide rule pass into Michaels path took him beyond the last defender to fire home. The shock on the Hemel touchline was tangible. On the pitch Cassiobury stepped up a gear with the Hemel keeper plucking Jordan’s 25 yard drive from the air and Charlie’s close range effort saved by his feet.  Hemel regained their composure equalising 3 minutes from half time. Despite the setback The Claret & Blues pressed forward with Conor, Charlie and Harrison testing the keeper.  

Hemel raised the temperature in the second half, questioning decisions and bickering amongst themselves as Cassiobury pushed forward. Sam French beat two players and nut-megged a third to set up Michael who shot just wide. Hemel hit back with a break down the left, the attacker lifting the ball over George’s head to take the lead. The boys responded magnificently, pressing the play in the Hemel half in search of an equaliser. Michael delivered the goods in stylish fashion, taking down a clearance mid way in the Hemel half and nonchalantly lobbing the keeper.

Cassiobury’s third is an early contender for goal of the season. Charlie collected a high pass some 25 yards out, spun the ball off his thigh, turned and struck a sweet dipping volley that left the keeper clutching at air. Hemel were rattled, and almost fell to pieces when Harrison had a goal disallowed for offside and a penalty was awarded against them. Jordan’s spot kick was gratefully gathered by the keeper much to the relief of the local constabulary.  

Desperate to take something from the game Hemel pushed three up front and George’s bravery and composure proved vital as he rushed out of his area to clear a through ball with three Hemel forwards quite literally bearing down on him. With a couple of minutes on the clock Hemel snatched the equaliser after springing the offside trap and had another disallowed for offside in the final minute.  

Over the course of the weekend boys and touchline compardres experienced two very different encounters with the one constant through both games being the level of commitment and endeavour from the boys. 

After 5 games at 11 a-side they are beginning to gel as a team, recognise their individual strengths and value the contribution of their team-mates. The passing and movement at times left opponents bewildered and their improving grasp of the offside rule proves that Bootroom’s aim of creating a team capable of playing “Intelligent Football” is no idle wish.  

Men of the Match – Michael Brook & Charlie Rowland 
 

September 10^th 2006 - Cassiobury Rangers 0 – 3 Abbots Youth

September 17^th 2006 – Potters Bar Utd 6 – 0 Cassiobury Rangers (County Cup)

Our gallant boys take the step up to 11 a-side football with a round of matches that will determine which division of the Watford Friendly League they compete in during their debut season.

Our opening games have been against a formidable opposition. Abbots Youth were runners up in their 11 a-side league last season and Potters Bar Utd were runners up in their 11 a-side league by a solitary point.

With both teams having the advantage of a season of 11 a-side football under their belts these first two games have been a baptism of fire for boys and touchline compardres.

Our best chances against Abbots Youth came from set plays. Having weathered some early pressure Harry Element twice came close to opening his account after Jordan’s long throws had been flicked on first by Harrison Evans and then by Conor to the back post.

Abbots greater experience at moving the ball around began to tell with George the busier of the two keepers. Conor made a goal-line clearance and the frame of the goal provided the last line of defence on a couple of occasions.

At the other end Ben forced a good save from the keeper only for Abbots to score on the break and then snatch a second just before half time.

The boys settled down in the second half and more then held their own, being undone only by a well taken cross shot early in the half that eluded George’s despairing dive. Callum and Sam Marskell imposed themselves at the back making some crunching tackles as they stemmed the Abbots tide.

Conor and Charlie linked up nicely to play in Sam French whose shot from the edge of the box just cleared the bar. Harry Bradford was unlucky not to capitalise on a through ball, beaten only by the keeper’s rapid reactions.

Late on Abbots hit the post and forced another goal line clearance, this time from Harry Boot, and were worthy winners on the day.

The away trip for the County Cup tie a week later was a lesson in where we want to be in 12 months time. Potters Bar dominated the game from start to finish with 90% of the game played in the Cassiobury half.

Michael came close to opening the scoring, using his pace to great effect when slipped through one on one against the keeper. But with the ball was on his wrong foot his shot was smothered by the keeper on the edge of the box.

The rest of the game was an exercise in defending for the boys. They held out for 20 minutes with post, bar, ferocious last ditch tackles and Jonathon all playing their part until Potters Bar opened the scoring.

The second goal was a master-class in passing and movement as Potters Bar shifted the ball down the left from well inside their own half, into the Cassiobury penalty area, leaving Jonathon no chance. 

By half time it was 4-0 and Bootroom needed all his years of experience to rally the boys. The second half saw the boys pinned back once again. But a combination of post, bar, a missed penalty, Myles marshalling his defence and Jonathon making some great saves meant Potters Bar could only add two goals to their tally.

Cassiobury were denied the luxury of a consolation goal late on when Harry Bradford chased down a long clearance to the by-line and hooked the ball across the Potters Bar goal face. With Conor bearing down on goal he was denied only by the close attentions of two defenders and keeper. 

Bootroom expressed his disappointment at suffering two consecutive defeats, but appreciated the quality and experience of the opposition faced in our first two games at 11-a-side put the results in context.

With 4 more games to go before the league campaign begins in earnest the boys have time to learn each others strengths and build upon the team spirit forged during these two difficult encounters.      

Man of the Match (v Potters Bar Utd) – Harry Element