MATCH REPORT - ONE STEP FORWARD OR TWO STEPS BACK?

Wilf Kroucher 3 v 1 Norton

Saturday 20th September 2008

(H-T 1-0)

Goals: Curtis Roberts 1,

Man of the Match: Tobrise Chinosa

First defeat of the season at the hands of Norton’s Boggy team. Starts were handed to Tiernan, who made an impressive debut and Chef (Joseph Foon) finalising an unfamilier first 11. With conditions perfect for a late pre-season encounter Norton begun the match looking disorganised and fatigued in parts. As the game went on few players bouyed by the pattern of play and touchline antics of other squad members took it upon themselves to change positions, thus making it impossible for Howard (coach) to make any tactical decisions. 15-20mins into the game Wilf Kroucher (W.K) worked Norton’s right full back (Sam Dady) to a point where the positional sense of Norton Defence was nonexistent. W.K first goal came from cross created by their left winger. A slight deflection on the cross wrong footed the centre back (Tobrise Chinosa) and the ball kindly fell to their forward who dispatch the ball too the bottom right corner of the keeper (Nuno). Norton tried to stamp some sort of authority in the game but struggled with the movement of W.K midfield and forwards. Up until this point Norton's spine looked weak and lacked character. Half-time could not have come sooner.

At the interval, some constructive words form Andrew Castle one of the guilty latecomers and Howard provoked Norton to start the second half more purposely. Unfortunately W.K scored against the run of play. A throw in was flicked on and again their forward had the room to blast the ball past Nuno. Norton looked desperate and looked on the verge of combusting. 2-0 became 3-0 with a lob 25-30 yards out. Changes were made midway through the half to either side of 60mins goals from the inform striker Curtis. All of a sudden, Norton looked like a team full of menace and direct running. The defence sorted out the problem from the first half, the midfield looked energetic when Darren moved into the centre and the frontline were causing physical problems to W.K defence when Howard came on . Big goal opportunities came especially for Andy and Curtis but these chances was not put away. However, one could not fault the industry of all Norton players to carry the fight to W.K. To cap a poor result poor refereeing decisions stopped Norton carrying the fight fairly to W.K. but hey its only a game.

At the end of the game, I have never seen the team looked so dejected. This was a defeat that I can almost safely say will define Norton’s season. If Norton start a game like that again, they will get beat by lower quality opposition. However, one hopes Norton can learn form this defeat and grow as a team and build steel like foundation for future tough away games. More importantly turn up on time for match or merely turn up for the away fixtures. Four points from 3 games (1 draw, 1 defeat, 1 win) is a balanced start. Norton must now unbalanced this statistic and started winning games.

MATCH REPORT - NORTON MAKE HAY AT GARRETT PARK

Saturday 13th September 2008

Norton 5 v 2 Old Plymouthians

(H-T 1-2)

Goals: Curtis Roberts 4, Joseph Muvunyi, 1

Man of the Match: Curtis Roberts


Let the League beginning or not in the case of the match referee, who failed to show at Garrett Park for the second week running! Easily forgiven I guess, given the height of the grass and unexpected sunshine. Nevertheless, despite a referee no show the game went ahead.

With a strong squad to pick from, Howard selected a physical and quick team. These destructive elements contributed to the winning formula.

The first 10-15 mins, Norton passed the ball well. The physical contribution of the midfield was taken its toll on the opposition. Then Curtis (MOM) picked up the ball on the left wing, came inside on his right foot and unlashed an unstoppable 20-25 yard strike. Old Plytmouthians (OP) knew they were in for a tough game and reverted to a comfortable 4-4-2 formation. All of a sudden Norton looked apprehensive. With this new found confidence, OP looked menacing and scored with their first attack. A defensive mistake gave the OP’s forward to execute a smart chip over the keeper. 1-1 seemed unfair to Norton but OP were exploring the gaps appearing in the midfield. All of a sudden, Norton was 2-1 down. A purposeful run from OP’s midfielder slipping in a cutting ball through to the forward. In turn a great ball cross the box was finished with a fierce shot to the bottom left for the Norton Keeper’s goal. Half-time couldn’t have come any earlier for Norton.

The half-time interval was the chance for Howard to install disciple back into Norton. Out went the battle cry, “Let’s turn this place into a fortress, followed by a new found collective decision to focus on the opposition’s weakness rather than our own.

Second half started with Norton going direct, turning a tired but knowledgeable OP defence at every attack. Surely it would only be a matter of time. With an excellent through ball from the midfield, Curtis scored a goal reminiscent of ‘T Henry’ (A former Arsenal player of allegedly good repute), coming in from the left curling a shot round the keeper to the far side of the goal. The Norton train was back on the rails. Within 15mins of the second half starting, Norton and Curtis Roberts scored goal #3, before Joseph Muvunyi' deft lob/chip/shot googly foxed the OP keeper to relax Norton nerves. Norton continued to carve OP apart, particularly down their right flank. As both full backs joined the attacked, there was a collective sense that the home side would press home their advantage. At the back and centre both midfield and defence remained solid resembling the Statue of Liberty. When called upon in goal, Nuno De Jesus did very well making numerous timely edge of the box interventions. Strong Solid, dominating was a common Norton trend with Captain Callis and Luis Azevedo quietly showing the way. Both Norton fullbacks continued to provide most of the best passages of play. OP didn’t have the firepower or fitness to compete, consequently Curtis Roberts scored a 4th, and his side’s 5th and was duly substituted.

With every Norton player putting in a shift and scoring a collective mark of 8 out ten, one could conclude that this game might have come a little too early for OP. Be that as it may the season has started with Norton blasting their way to a win that they deserved. The question on everyones lips is "can we maintain this level of play next week against fellow league title contenders Wilf Kroucher?"

Dear reader, thank you for visit our blog, we operate four amateur football teams. Each team has its own brand of individualism however very much subcribes to the club motto of 'All in One Hundred Percent". We welcome assistance, investment or new players. For more information on club activities please contact Howard Lewis on 07951 022060 or Trevor Bryan on 07831 276411 or visit:

www.nortonmedia.blogspot.com
http://www.team-norton.blogspot.com/
www.norton-obc.com
www.nortonfc.co.uk (Club main website under construction)

MATCH REPORT - HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL

At least Norton didn’t lose

Roehampton Athletic FC 0 - 0 Norton

Saturday 6th September 2008
Surrey southern combination league – Junior Division 2 – Match 1
Conditions – Driving wind and rain

Considering that we started the match with 10 players, 0-0 score line might seem like a descent result, but in fact it opens up old wounds.

The first 15-20 minutes, Norton looked in control zipping the ball effortlessly from left to right. The movement of the midfield was second to none, defence stood firm in the horrible conditions and the lone striker did as much as he could.
Norton looked like a team hungry for success. But as the saying goes “with success comes responsibility”. Norton as a team were responsible for not testing out Roehampton’s keeper for the entire first half. Fair enough, Norton started with 10 players (15-20mins) but Norton had enough of the ball and the movement to cause the opposition’s keeper to flex his muscles at least once. At the other end Norton’s keeper kept them in the game with a string of notably stops. Following the arrivals of the late comers and their subsequent inclusion at half-time Norton looked comfortable. However it would be fair to say the away side lacked the penetrative thrust to turn their drive into a goal advantage.

Would this have been the manager’s starting 11 had the selection been available at the beginning of the game? And if so would the result had been different? Having weathered a Norton onslaught, Roehampton began to rally and by this time came forward with purpose. Their playmaker started to dictate the play; drawing fouls, dribbling at pace, causing problem to the midfielders and defence of Norton.
Norton’s offensive play was limited to central movement and right wing cunningness. Sam Dady's long range effort crashed of the crossbar, further efforts were cleared of the line as the post and a busy Roehampton defence denied Norton victory. At the other end, Roehampton created 2-3 half chances but also lacked the killer edge.

The Full time whistle blew and Norton looked disappointed and frustrated. Not with the result, but with the failed opportunities to put Roehampton to bed. Weather conditions affected the general play of both teams, epspecially that of ten man Norton before the break. Nevertheless, with no disrespect intended, Roehampton are neither a Supercala nor a Trinity. This is a team that Norton should have beaten hands down. Am I being over critical? We will soon see

MAN OF THE MATCH: Howard Lewis


Dear reader, thank you for visit our blog, we operate four amateur football teams. Each team has its own brand of individualism however very much subcribes to the club motto of 'All in One Hundred Percent". We welcome assistance, investment or new players.

For more information on club activities please contact Howard Lewis on 07951 022060 or Trevor Bryan on 07831 276411 or visit:

• www.nortonmedia.blogspot.com
• http://www.team-norton.blogspot.com/
• www.norton-obc.com
• www.nortonfc.co.uk (Club main website under construction)