We are the CHAMPIONS!

On Sunday 23^rd April Cassiobury U16 won the Championship without kicking a football.  Chorleywood could only manage a 2-2 draw with Bovingdon and that meant we could not be overtaken.

MATCH REPORT: Sunday 30^th April 2006 –

Cassiobury Rangers (6) v Hemel Aces (0)

Man of the Match: Daniel King.

Cassiobury strode out for their last game of this season as Champions of the division.  Their manager, Andy, did not change the team around as we all thought he might and kept the same format as previous games.

On 2mins a through ball to Drew on the left wing, and the forward ran on beating the right back with pace and skill.  Drew ran up to the goal line and crossed to the un-marked Chris in the 6yd box. 1-0 Cassio.  On 4 mins some nice inter play between Drew, Joe and Shane outside the penalty area, Drew noticed the goalkeeper was off his line and lobbed the ball over his head. 2-0 Cassio and 47 goals for Drew.  On 12 mins Drew again got the ball on the left wing and beat the right back.   The goalkeeper started to advance forward to reduce the angle, but Drew floated the ball over the keepers head and into the net. 3-0 Cassio and 48 goals for Drew. On 39mins Drew and John were causing confusion in the penalty area, the ball sneaked out to John who toe-poked the ball into the net. 4-0 Cassio.

The second half started and Cassio seemed to go to sleep as Hemel started to get more of the play.   On 52mins Hemel had a shot from outside the box which rattled Cassio’s crossbar.  On 59mins Hemel had another shot which was cleared off the line by Mark.

On 62mins a short corner was taken by Cassio and Joe got the ball on his right foot.  He cut around onto his left with defenders every where and he struck a shot into the net. 5-0 Cassio.  With almost the last kick of the game a lovely through ball found Shane beating the offside trap.  He ran through on goal and the keeper was unable to stop him from scoring. 6-0 Cassio.

Well that’s the end of a fantastic season for Cassiobury Rangers U16 team.  A lot of hard work has been put in from the players and Management and it has all been worth it. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!  (Nice 48 goals Drew)

MATCH REPORT: Tuesday 11^th April 2006 –  

Hemel Aces (0) v Cassiobury Rangers (10)

Man of the Match: Mark Ponsford.

1 game left and 1 win required to lift the League Championship.

 This evening Cassiobury visited Hemel Aces for their first evening match of the season.  Hemel were without several players and Cassio’s inform striker, Drew, was hampered by a groin strain.

Cassiobury were desperate for a win, and a big win at that, to boost their goal difference over their only challengers for the title, Chorleywood Red who have a 4 goal advantage over us.  As soon as the whistle blew to start the game, Cassiobury set their stall out and were camped out in Hemel’s half.  With some fine goalkeeping, goal line clearances, desperate defending, the wood work, the puddle of water in the goal mouth and some poor shooting by Cassio kept the score down.   Joe had two fine shots that rattled the cross bar, Joe and Drew had goal bound shots that were stopped from crossing the line by the puddle of water and Mark had a header cleared of the line.

However after 6mins Chris found the net with a lovely shot within the penalty area, 0-1 Cassio. On 19mins Drew got the ball on the left, he cut in from the left beating several players, got into the penalty area and shot past the Goalkeeper and the puddle of water, 0-2 Cassio. On 28mins Joe got the ball in the middle of the park, moved out to the left and copied Drew’s earlier run into the box, 0-3 Cassio.

Half time came and the players were given a rollocking by Andy their manager.  Rightly so, their shape had disappeared and they had stopped playing as a team, everybody seemed to want to score and the team structure had fallen apart.

The second half started with Andy’s words ringing in the players ears and they started to play as a team again and how things improved.

On 43 mins a corner on the right was taken by Shane.  The ball was met by Mark who headed the ball into the top corner, 0-4 Cassio.  On 51 mins Drew received the ball on the left again, cut inside and shot from outside the box, 0-5 Cassio.  Then Cassiobury at their best, passing football.  On 66mins Drew got the ball from a clearance from his own defence, he ran towards goal with Shane on his right and defenders bearing down on him.  As the defenders approached Drew slid the ball to Shane and then Drew darted off away from the defenders, Shane unselfishly looked up saw the goalkeeper in front, defenders around him and passed to the unmarked Drew who had the simplest of tap ins to score, 0-6 Cassio.

On 68mins Drew returned the favour to his strike partner Shane.  Drew picked the ball up in midfield, looked up and saw Shane on a run.  Drew’s pin point pass to Shane was perfect and Shane set off beating defenders before scoring, 0-7 Cassio.  On 73 mins Shane got the ball and set off down the left, he looked up and saw Jordon tearing down the right.  Shane passed to Jordon who continued to cut into towards goal.  As we were all expecting the shot he passed back to Shane who had continued his run, 0-8 Cassio.

On 39 mins another through ball to Drew saw the attacker bearing down on goal, 0-9 Cassio.  Unfortunately for Hemel one of their defenders twisted his ankle and was caught up in the net in an attempt to clear Drew’s shot and had to leave the pitch.  From the kick off Joe was about to score the individual gaol of the game and possibly season.  He picked the ball up in his own half and set off directly for goal.  He beat player after player and arrived into the penalty area, with the goalie bearing down on him, he coolly slotted the ball home, 0-10 Cassio.  Hemel’s defender came back on and 3 mins of injury time was played out.

Hemel must be given a lot of credit for the game, yes they had several players unavailable, but they played fairly and not once did their heads drop.  There was no arguing amongst themselves and their goalkeeper and defence did play well despite the score line.  We wish them the best.

MATCH REPORT: Sunday 26th March 2005 – Woodhall Wanderers (1) v Cassiobury Rangers (3)

Man of the Match: Mark Ponsford.

In a must win match Cassiobury went to Woodhall with a weakened side.  Their midfield dynamo, Shane, was in Spain and both Simon and Mark were carrying injuries.  However, the ‘team’ showed suburb character in a very enthralling match with every player, playing at their best.    

On 25mins Drew got a through ball on the left and left Woodhall’s left back with his pace and slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.  Three minutes later and again Drew left their left back for dead and was bearing down on goal.  This time their goalkeeper produced a fine save. Half time 0-1 to Cassiobury.

The 2005-2006 Season so far: 

Sunday 11 Sept saw us start this season off.  Our 1^st game was in the LEAGUE Cup against Bushey Rangers from the 3^rd Division.  Un-phased by the Div 3 team we showed them a lesson in football and beat them 6-0.  Our next League Cup game was against Herons Youth from the 2^nd Division and again we triumphant over higher placed opposition 2-0. 

25 Sept was to see us in Round 1 of the Herts County Challenge Cup drawn away to Tornado JSC.  However as they had folded we were awarded the match.  This meant we could have our 1^st League game of the season against newly promoted Chorleywood Red.  For some reason we coughed and spluttered our way through the game and never got started.  Apart from scoring two goals we lost 3-2. 

Next game was in the 2^nd Round of the Herts County Challenge Cup v Harpenden Cheetahs from the 5^th Division.  Hat tricks for Joe McCarthy & Drew Snailman and braces for Daniel, Shane and Jordon ensured a 12-1 win. 

9 Oct and back to the League Cup, this time against Borehamwood Youth from our Division.  Borehamwood had 4 clear changes to score during the 1^st half, but after a rollicking from Andy the boys went out in the 2^nd half and scored 3, winning 3-0.  this put us top of our table in the Cup competition. 

16 Oct and to round 3 of the Herts County Challenge Cup v Bedwell Rangers.   After a cracking shot from Drew Snailman from just inside Bedwell's half, opened up the floodgate of goals ensuring we continued into the next round with a 9-3 win. 

23 Oct and back to the league with a hard fought game against Borehamwood away that we won 1-2.  The following week we were at home against Chorleywood Red and despatched them home with a 4-1 win. 

6 Nov. The only thing we didn’t have was thunder and lightening.   It was raining heavily, cold and the wind was blustery.  Both teams were making mistake after mistake and fighting to play football in such terrible conditions.   The game ended 5-6 win to Woodhall Wanderers. 

13 Nov and to Round 4 of the Herts County Challenge Cup v St. Albans Rangers.  The weather had improved immensely from last week and Cassiobury mauled St. Albans 11-3.  A hat trick from Drew Snailman, a brace from Chris and even a goal form their Captain and central defender Mark Ponsford, who turned into an attacker after some jiggling from the Manager. 

27 Nov was the day we bowed out of the League Cup v St. Albans City.   After 2 goals from in form striker Drew Snailman and an own goal, it was not enough as we went down 3-4. 

4 Dec and back to the league fixtures v Abbots Youth.  After another hat trick from Drew Snailman we emerged 5-0 victors. 

11^th Dec and to the Quarter Finals of the Herts County Challenge Cup v Chorleywood Blue.  From the start of the game it was very tight with both teams trying to find each others weakness.  A corner to Cassiobury saw Mark nip into the near post and flick the ball into the net 1-0 to us.  To say that awakened the sleeping giant is an understatement.  Chorleywood then proceeded to put 9 goals away.  Shane and Simon got one each and although the score line eventually flattered Chorleywood 9-3 the heads of Cassiobury never fell and they battled away right to the end. 

After that we had some days off due to frozen pitches at Nascot Wood and Hemel Aces. 

8 Jan at home to St. Albans Rangers.  Joe McCarthy scored a hat trick, and with braces for Shane and Drew helped us towards a 9-3 win. 

15 Jan and home v Bovingdon Juniors we managed a 4-2 win.  The following week we were up against Borehamwood Youth who we had beaten away twice so far.  They came for another enthralling game of football.  However they weren’t a match for Shane who turned into our midfield general.  His faultless passing tore into the heart of Borehamwood and we emerged 3-0 victors.  

29 Jan and back to the League Cup, away v London Maccabi Lions.  A very cold day with a frozen pitch.  The KO was delayed in an attempt to play the game.  Although the Ref eventually decided it was playable, players were still losing their footing on the hard slippery surface.  We lost 1-2 and are out of the Cup. 

5 Feb.  By now we were mathematically guaranteed to win the league so long as we won our remaining games.  Today we were at Abbots Youth and with yet another hat trick from Drew Snailman we left with a 1-6 win. 

12 Feb and due to a frozen pitch at Bedmond Ajax we played them at Parmiters.  The 5-0 score line for us flattered us, as Bedmond were very tricky opponents.  Daniel frustrated their attacker all game. 

19 Feb and away at St. Albans Rangers.  St. Albans had a stand in Goalie today and he pulled off numerous marvellous saves to keep the score down.  With some good shooting from Cassiobury, Drew scoring 4 and Chris getting a brace helped us to a 0-8 win. 

26 Feb and at home v Bedmond Ajax.  Bedmond were well up for today’s game after conceding 5 to us two weeks ago.   Although Shane scored a hat trick and we put a total of 5 into their net again Bedmond emerged with the win putting 7 past us! 

By now we were thankful that Chorleywood Red, Woodhall Wanderers and Bovingdon Juniors had also dropped points.  The league was still ours to win, but we must win all our remaining games.  The only teams that can now pip us to the title are Chorleywood Red or Woodhall. 

5 Mar and we entertained Bovingdon Juniors.  This was a very tight game.  Although our midfield and defenders were controlling their forwards we were struggling to score.  0-0 at half time and we were looking at having our first draw of the season.  A corner to us, quickly taken short and fired in low and hard towards the near post and flicked in by Mark to earn him the M.O.M and the team the win they so needed. 

12 March and away to Nascot Wood Rangers.  After a baron spell of goals for Drew, last two games failing to score, he struck yet another hat trick to ensure a 3-2 win for us.  Due to our early Season Cup games we have now moved into 3 rd place in the table with games still in hand over Woodhall in 2^nd and Chorleywood in 1^st place  

No game for us on the 19 March but we are at Woodhall Wanderers on the 26^th which will be a very exciting game indeed.