After an excellent opening performance of the season in
drawing 1-1 at Oxford University, the Arthurian League Representative side
lined up for its second challenge against the London Legal League at Dulwich
Hamlet FC in South East London.
There were several changes to the side that played at
In midfield, Lederman and James resumed their roles
out wide, with Rep. team regulars Cameron Beale and
Quentin Baker making their first appearances of the season in the centre. Oli Compton and Henry Nash formed yet another new strike
pairing up front.
There was also a strong bench, with Rob Marshall
(Forest), Matt O`Brien (Highgate) and a first call-up
for Ed Poulter (
Conditions were perfect with fears of a waterlogged
pitch allayed on arrival at the ground. With the Arthurian aim to continue
where it left off against
But the growing sense that the visitors could impose
themselves on the opposition was quickly dispelled after a series of poor
passes out of defence suddenly found the Legal League on the front foot.
In a disheartening period of 25 minutes, the Arthurian
side suddenly forgot how to pass the ball and continually gave possession
straight to its grateful opponents. When thought was put into the passing, it
usually resulted in long balls being drilled at Nash and Compton, two forwards
high on skill but low on physical presence. The result was easy-pickings for
the Legal League and it soon began to launch its attacks either directly down
both flanks or playing neat one and two-touch football through the middle.
The scoreline remained blank
during this period thanks to a combination of some excellent defensive work
from the back four, including one superb last-ditch tackle from Paul Molloy
when the Legal League forward appeared a certainty to score, and a bit of
fortune that several crosses failed to find their intended target.
With the Arthurian League gainly
hanging on, the minute before the break provided a stunning about-turn in the
two team`s fortunes. For the first time in the match,
Oli Compton received a pass to his feet and was
allowed time and space to turn and run at the visiting defence. With both
Quentin Baker and Henry Nash also available and the goal beckoning, only a late
tackle from behind could prevent the Chigwellian`s
progress and a free-kick was awarded on the edge of the penalty area, five
yards right of centre.
Lederman, who had been unlucky not to put his name on
the scoresheet at
It was an ill-deserved goal and the dressing room at
half-time was far from elated with the 45 minutes that had gone before. Several
changes were made: Ed Poulter came on for his first Rep team appearance at
centre-back in place of Harrow club mate Paul Molloy, Rob Marsh came on in
central midfield with Quentin Baker switching to the left in place of Tom James
and Matt O`Brien replaced Oli
Compton up front.
The need to keep possession and play balls into the
forwards` feet was stressed, as well as the need to relax more when in
possession - the wide open spaces of the Dulwich Hamlet pitch were
unquestionably not being used to their full benefit by the visitors.
The message clearly got through, as in total contrast
to the
Rob Marsh made an immediate difference in midfield by
keeping his passes short and to feet, Ed Poulter and Gordon Baker both looked
unbeatable at the back and the wide men on both sides of the pitch suddenly
began to come into the game far more, most notably in the form of Forest
right-back Billy French who made a series of storming runs down his side to
great effect.
The visitors doubled their lead from one such move,
with Nash and O`Brien combining to send French down
the right. He delivered a low cross to the near post for Nash to turn in first
time and give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
Less than ten minutes later, and with the Arthurians still on top, the third and crucial goal was
scored. A Lederman corner was headed towards goal by the towering Gordon Baker and
although it was blocked on the line, Nash was on hand to fire home from close
range for his second of the game.
With twenty minutes remaining and the result seemingly
beyond doubt, the Arthurians relaxed somewhat and
allowed their opponents back into the game. Despite this, a morale-boosting
clean-sheet appeared within reach until a sweeping Legal League move down their
left a few minutes from time saw a fine cross turned in at the near post for a
well-deserved consolation goal.
Overall it was a patchy performance from the Arthurian
League against a much stronger than usual Legal League side. The confident
opening quarter of an hour somehow gave way to blind panic when in possession
and the remainder of the first half performance was not at all impressive. But
with the reassurance of the opening goal, the side resumed after half-time to
show their true colours and did what the Legal League had singularly failed to
do in the first half - turn their superior play into goals.
Although the 3-1 scoreline
flattered the visitors, it was a sign that there are some fine young players
beginning to make their mark at this level and a settled team is starting to
take shape.
Arthurian
League (
Scorers:
David Lederman 45`, Henry Nash 55`, 63`
Arthurian
Men-of-the-Match: Billy French, Henry Nash. (Also excellent second-halves from Poulter and Marsh).