South Park (H)

[Red army]

More convincing than the scoreline suggests. Best we’ve been in the final third of the pitch for few weeks. Looked dangerous with most forays forward, just final ball or poor finishing making result more dominant.

Good confident start moving the ball with some tempo, wing backs getting forward at every opportunity. Hani Berchiche early attempt from a free kick comforts save for their keeper. Nice give and go between Adrian Clifton and Wranyel Hercules on the left side of the box his weaker foot effort wide of the near post. The goal coming 20minutes into the game a deep free kick poorly cleared by South Park defence, ball recycled into the area by the way of a low cross from Gaby Piorkowski, a slight deflection from a defender fell nicely to Herson Alves his outside of the right foot strike guided past the keeper. Soon 2-0 ball worked from left to right found Cole Brown level with 18yd box his whipped in swinging cross finds Adrian Clifton between his markers, deft header past the keeper. Late cross from the left finds Adrian Clifton 6yds out his header cleared of the line by a mixture of keeper and defender. Ht 2-0

Sluggish start to second half, first chance falling to South Park no9, cross from Hayes’s right found the striker at the far post his volley turned away by Juliusz Pazio. Disallowed goal from Herson Alves was never handball, chipped ball over the defender from Cole Brown, landing between defender and keeper Alves burst between the pair chested down round the keeper, nothing from Lino on that side, how the ref as given that from behind the play is beyond me. Let the game go and then ask the assistant if it was handball!. Good work from Ricky Williams on the byline pulls the ball across the 6yd box, kaylen Hinds gets the ball tangled between his feet and wastes the opportunity. More half chances for the boys in red but wasteful with either final ball or finish. South Park better second half and sensed an opportunity as the game drifted along. Late goal came on 90minutes Hayes unable to clear a late free kick, scramble in the box but South park player cool head squares to unmarked team mate and side foots home from inside the box. Ft 2-1

So comfortable first half dominant throughout, South Park didn’t really lay a glove on us for 45minutes. Second half turned really scrappy but still had opportunities to increase the lead. Late goal caused some unnecessary nerves.
Thought the 4 substitutes in 11 minutes just unsettled the balance of the side, Hani substitute baffled me him and Gaby dominated the midfield for majority of the game, as soon as he went off there was no one to put a foot on ball and pick passes, Gaby overrun with the more attacking players coming on. Wranyel moved back to the right wing from left wing back caused as few issues. Just lacked bit of game management in the last 15 minutes.

Mom Wranyel Hercules out of position in the left wing back role was very good today.
Keano Robinson was close for me on his third debut for the club, dominated at the back first half, saving block mid way through the second half saved a certain effort at goal.
Decent performance at home, something to build on going into Saturday’s tough fixture at Leatherhead.

COYH

[Mr Heinstein]

Excellent report as usual, thanks.

My first match of the season and I was pleasantly surprised. It was always a comfortable victory until the end, when it wasn't quite so comfortable! That against a South Park side who may not be title contenders but equally had not lost in their previous three league games.

Subs at the end when we were "safe" did clearly disrupt things but then we want to give a run out to those who have been warming the bench.

So many new players but Piorkowski running the midfield, Hercules with the flair to break down a defence, Clifton with skill and commitment up front stuck in my mind. I probably didn't pay too much attention to individuals in defence, they just looked solid. Sippetts is surely a talent who will go far, I hope we can develop him from an impact sub playing a cameo into a member of the starting eleven.