Home match versus Witan @ Nescot
Sunday 17th September 2023
With the heat of the previous Sunday gone, more pleasant conditions awaited the warriors old men of Ewell Vets this fine morning.
It started acrimoniously with the opposition accusing us of giving them the wrong location for the game. A quick check of the facts revealed that it was, in fact, their ability to read that was the issue. Fake-JB (aka Burnsie) was a welcome return in the dug out, and we attempted our 3rd formation in as many matches - and we had plenty of time to warm up and discuss tactics as their team slowly ambled across the playing fields to begin kick off about 30mins late. They were ill prepared for the game, with only one goalkeeper's glove, and no linesman (we graciously offerered to run their line).
The game started cautiously, and they continued their shithousery by asking the ref to replace the match ball after they'd strung 5 passes together from the kick off. The first half was relatively even, with chances for both sides and some good passing play. In truth we should have pressed home the downhill advantage in the first half, and several half chances were squandered. A lovely bit of play saw us turn defence into attack, and a great ball put from the right fell right into Bowie's path. He did his best to put it over, but in the end it screamed into the top of the net. 1-0 to Ewell, and well deserved. We had several other attacks in the first half, including one which was at least 10 yards offsite. Andy, running their line - and a loyal Ewell Vets man - refused to raise his flag. The ref gave it anyway, and their captain politely enquired if they could drop their newly found linesman.
The opposition had a few chances too, but Nando was rarely called upon until a few minutes before halftime when a casual backpass was played into him. Nando, clearly a bit bored, decided that clearing it upfield was too easy - so he played a lovely one-two to himself off their attacker. Keepers, eh?
1-0 at halftime. Substitutions made, and defensive positions at the bottom of the hill taken up for the 2nd half onslaught.
The second half was all Witan really - we couldn't get hold of the ball, and relied on hitting them on the break. Some excellent long kicks from Nando, and flicks from Andy (aka "The Salmon") almost put Stevie G through a couple of times but their defence was resolute. Shout out to the midfield who put in the hard yards getting up with every attack and, inevitably, back down moments later.
There was passion - if some strategic disagreement - on the pitch about 15minutes in the second half. Should we play to hold at 1-0, or go for the 2nd goal to kill the game? Managers and pundits have been debating this for years. We had seconds. We often say that we're a quiet team on the pitch - but that wasn't the case today. There were voices everywhere, saying completely different things.
We had a corner. The team was encouraged to go up and attack for the corner. The team was encouraged to stay back and defend for the corner. Several players looked like they were stuck in the middle of a particularly nasty divorce battle, unsure which side to pick. In the event, Craig put a lovely corner towards the back post but with only 2 Ewell players in the box they easily cleared.
But Witan were relentless in the second half, and they had self-belief. They challenged hard, never gave up and complained to the referee about time-wasting at every opportunity. Chris and (real) JB both went down with knocks, primarily to annoy them.
Their goal, almost inevitable, came about 20mins from the end. A nice run and ball down their right, and a cool finish from their striker. Heartbreaking for us, but probably a fair result.
And so to the many positives from this game:
They beat us 4-0 last season. 1-1 is a much better result.
The defence look particularly solid, with Chris and James forming a great partnership at center-back.
The midfield worked their socks off, and we put together some lovely passing movements (especially in 1st half).
Further forward, we caused them problems and there was some nice hold up play to allow the midfield to come up and support.
We battled throughout and never gave up. People tracked back and tackles flew in (a little too much so by James who ended up covered in blood - most likely belonging to the center fwd that he'd murdered)
Injury free? (I think)
Onwards and upwards to next week!
Attendance: 4