Arthurian League 3-0 London Legal League

Wednesday October 31^st 2007, Hanwell Town FC, 7.45pm

George Wilson made a fine start to life as Representative Team Secretary for the Arthurian League when his new charges opened their 2007/8 programme with an impressive 3-0 victory over the London Legal League at Hanwell Town FC.

For his first match in charge, the Forest striker called up several new faces and was rewarded with a series of excellent performances that bodes well for the future. In goal, James Butcher`s late withdrawal allowed Russell Hussan (Forest) to make his first appearance for the Rep side and he was joined by a trio of Carthusians: Matt Bailey and Richard Gritson formed the centre-back pairing with Charlie Nash playing on the right wing. Jack Harrison (Brentwood) was the fifth debutant, playing at left-back. Ben Murphy (right-back), Rob Marshall (centre midfield) and George Wilson (striker) completed the Forest contingent, with David Lederman (central midfield) and Piers Bourke (left midfield) the two Harrovian regulars. Matt O`Brien (striker, Cholmelians) completed the starting XI, with Billy French (Forest) the lone substitute.

With heavy traffic delaying the kick-off by fifteen minutes and severely disrupting the preparations of both sides, it was gratifying that the Arthurian League made comfortably the better start. The Reds enjoyed a fine opening quarter of an hour, gaining the bulk of possession and looking threatening going forward. Bourke down the left and in particular Nash down the right made several dangerous runs and provided some tempting crosses. The hosts were duly rewarded for their excellent start with the opening goal after just five minutes.

A short pass played into Wilson`s feet on the edge of the box drew a foul from the Legal League`s centre half and, after some deliberation, new boy Matt Bailey confidently stepped up to take the free-kick, curling it perfectly over the wall with his left foot and into the top corner.

Arthurian pressure continued for a while after the goal with the back four and midfield looking comfortable in possession. Several half chances were created and spurned, Nash again at the heart of much of the good work, but as the half wore on without further additions to the score, the visitors began to gain a foothold in the match.

Indeed, for the middle third of the first half, the Legal League were undoubtedly the stronger side. The control enjoyed by the Arthurian League midfield evaporated and suddenly Lederman and Marshall found themselves struggling to match the three-man central midfield the visitors began employing. Several sharp interceptions by Hussan were required to maintain the home side`s lead, however he was powerless to prevent a fine effort from the Legal League`s playmaker curling over him and onto the crossbar - fortunately for the hosts the rebound was hacked clear.

Having survived a sustained spell of pressure, the Arthurians once more began asserting themselves as the half drew to a close and doubled their lead thanks to a magnificent effort by Piers Bourke. After Bailey and Gritson had successfully thwarted another attack, the ball was played to Jack Harrison at left-back. He in turn fed Bourke down the left, who cut inside and sprayed the ball to Nash on the right. The pacy right winger beat his man before crossing to the edge of the box. Bourke met the ball without breaking stride to head powerfully over the stranded `keeper for an outstanding goal and a 2-0 lead.

The half-time teamtalk was a simple one: more of the same. One change was made, with Matt O`Brien replaced by Billy French who came on at right-back, Ben Murphy moving into midfield and Nash partnering Wilson up front.

And for much of the second half the pattern of play continued much as it had done in the first - the Arthurians enjoying the bulk of possession although mainly concentrated inside their own half. The Legal League struggled to push forward with any real menace and goalmouth incidents were at a premium.

The result was put beyond any question with twenty minutes remaining however when Rob Marshall scored the third great goal of the night. Excellent passing allowed Marshall space on the edge of the box and looking up, he curled a magnificent left-footed chip over the goalkeeper who could not have been more than a couple of yards off his line.

With the result secured, the Arthurian side relaxed in the final quarter of an hour and began passing the ball with confidence, completing a fine debut win for the new Representative Team Secretary without further alarm. All twelve players used enjoyed excellent nights with especially encouraging displays from the Charterhouse trio of Gritson, Bailey and Nash.

Arthurian League XI:

Russell Hussan (GK, Forest); Ben Murphy (Forest), Richard Gritson, Matt Bailey (both Carthusians), Jack Harrison (Brentwood); Charlie Nash (Carthusians), Rob Marshall (Forest), David Lederman, Piers Bourke (both Harrovians); George Wilson (Forest), Matt O`Brien (Cholmelians) - Sub: Billy French (Forest)