Match Report: November 3^rd 2004: Arthurian League 4 - 1 London Legal League

The Arthurian League Representative side began their 2004/5 season with a fixture against the London Legal League at Dulwich Hamlets F.C. in south-east London. Despite a number of long-term absentees (Eddie Kirby, Ben Evans are both missing for the whole season) and some unfortunately-timed injuries (both regular strikers Harry Hoffen and Henry Nash were injured playing at the weekend), a high-quality side assembled for a fixture that was not played last year due to the bad weather.

The home side began brightly, with some neat interchanges of play down both sides and strikers Matt O`Brien and John Bentham looking lively in attack. After a couple of attacks petered out on the edge of the box, the Arthurians took the lead thanks to a superb deep cross from left-back Jake Marsh and a well-timed run from O`Brien, who arrived at the far post to steer the ball home on the half-volley.

Ten minutes later and the lead had been doubled. A strong run from the inside right channel from John Bentham had the visitors back-pedalling and he then produced a perfect pass into the path of Quentin Baker, who had cut inside from the left. Quentin, who has one of the best scoring records of any midfielder in the league, once more displayed his killer touch in front of goal, waiting for the `keeper to commit himself before firing it in at the near post.

But instead of inspiring the side, the two-goal cushion only appeared to boost their opponents, who then largely controlled the game for the next twenty minutes. Playing with three central midfielders and a fairly fluid system, they swamped Cameron Beale and Paul Molloy in the middle of the pitch and made it difficult to gain any sustained possession. They also had players willing to run from midfield areas and several times used raking long balls into the corners to stretch the Arthurian defence.

However, with both Rob Cooke and Jake Marsh playing in unfamiliar roles, the makeshift rearguard coped admirably, and they appeared to have weathered this initial spell of pressure when the Legal League scored an excellent goal. A long ball down the Legal League left caught out both Lederman and Maberley and the winger`s low cross was converted at the near post via a combination of a visiting forward and the covering Rob Cooke, who was unlucky not to prevent the ball going in.

Heads did not drop however and as the half drew to a close the Arthurians once more gained the ascendancy. Marsh and Baker were enjoying good possession down the left-hand side and O`Brien continued to cause the opposition defence problems. A quick break through the middle then saw the ball spread to the right, where David Lederman, until now fairly restrained from an attacking point of view, produced a teasing cross for John Bentham, who was sprinting through the middle. John showed great bravery and persistence to win the ball from a hesitant goalkeeper and turn it into the unguarded net.

The 3-1 half-time lead was harsh on the visitors, but the home side had scored two goals of fine quality and deserved a lead. At half-time, there was a major re-shuffle in the Arthurian league line-up. Piers Bourke slotted in at left-back, with the excellent Marsh moved to his more favourable role of left wing. Quentin Baker came inside to central midfield, with Paul Molloy dropping to the bench. Rob Cooke and Cameron Beale swapped roles, with Rob moving to his favoured central midfield role and Cameron switching to centre-half. Finally, Oli Compton made his debut up front in place of Matt O`Brien.

In comparison to the first half, the second forty-five minutes produced some rather tame football. Although the game became more stretched and open, neither side was able to produce the telling final ball to create a clear-cut chance.

The Arthurian League side enjoyed far more possession with Quentin Baker an ever-growing influence. Piers Bourke, who had an excellent second half, and Jake Marsh also combined well down the left, as the ball appeared to be drawn to that side of the pitch for long spells. On the right, Maberley and Lederman coped comfortably with anything the visitors had to throw at them and the Lancing right-back looked dangerous on the overlap.

Although the home side had several half-chances to increase their lead, the fourth goal was courtesy of a bad mistake when the opposition goalkeeper hacked a clearance straight to John Bentham, who gleefully rammed it straight back past him.

The Arthurians saw out the remainder of the match in relative comfort and looked the physically stronger side at the end, despite one or two players pleading a lack fitness on arrival at the ground.

All-in-all, it was an excellent performance by all thirteen players. John Bentham had a goalscoring debut to remember and Oli Compton also looked to be a player for the future when making his first appearance in the second half.

Special mention too to the players who filled in at the back to such great effect: Rob Cooke, Piers Bourke and Jake Marsh all showed themselves to be excellent footballers capable of switching positions with little trouble, whilst regular defenders Tom Maberley and James Morson both showed great speed and determination to keep the opposition at bay.

Next opponents for the Arthurian league are Lloyds of London.

Arthurian League (4-4-2): James Butcher (Lancing); Tom Maberley (Lancing), James Morson (Witley), Rob Cooke (Shrewsbury), Jake Marsh (Brentwood); David Lederman(Harrow), Paul Molloy (Harrow), Cameron Beale (Brentwood), Quentin Baker (Harrow); John Bentham (Westminster), Matt O`Brien (Highgate)

Subs: Oli Compton (Repton), Piers Bourke (Harrow)

Goalscorers: Matt O`Brien (5), Quentin Baker (15), John Bentham (42, 75)