On Monday the 23rd February, Cheshunt Ravens came to Wadham to play Os over 65s in a series of friendlies with a couple of familiar faces in Neil Burns and Colin Corrigan.

First up the Reds faced Cheshunt and in the first half took off where they ended last season as EWFL Division 2 champions taking the game to Cheshunt and providing substantial threat. Cheshunt’s indiscipline in racking up running offences allowed Cox to score a penalty that send the Os into a well deserved half time lead. The second half was a different story with Cheshunt acclimatising to the Wadham pitch and taking the games to the Os. Two goals gave Cheshunt the victory their second half performance deserved.

Cheshunt 2 Reds 1 ; Cox pen ;
Weston, Conlan, Mullins, Howard, Cox, Slater
The whites now had the opportunity to play Cheshunt. There was a lot of neat football from the whites which almost resulted in taking a half time lead right at the end of the half when Slater went through one on one, but saw his shot come off two posts and out for a kick in. Cheshunt took the lead early in the second half, as a result of a penalty given for a fourth running offence off the ball as Howard put the ball into the net. Undeterred, Howard who came on in the second half for Slater equalised with a cunningly disguised pass inside the far post having seen the keeper move too far to his right.

Cheshunt 1 Whites 1; Howard;
James, Inkpen, Guerrini, Dooley, Brennan, Slater (Howard HT)
To give Cheshunt a break, the reds played the whites. The whites played some neat football, but lacked the goal threat. After an even first half, the reds upped their game taking advantage of indiscipline of whites in giving away a penalty thanks to four running offence. Cox ticked the penalty away and soon after Mullins was left fire on the right hand side to give the Reds a two goal lead. Corrigan, who played for both teams on the day came close to scoring for the whites at the death with a snap shot with his left foot that crashed against the base of the goal post.

Reds 2 Whites 0; Cox pen, Mullins;
Red - Weston, Conlan, Mullins, Howard, Cox, Slater;
White - James, Inkpen, Guerrini, Dooley, Brennan, Corrigan
With time pressing, two further 15 minutes games were played. The reds started against Cheshunt. Howard moved up front whilst Dooley and Brennan deputised for Slater. A tight game was decided by a defensive mix up that Cheshunt took full advantage of.

Cheshunt 1 Reds 0;
Weston, Conlan, Mullins, Howard, Cox, Dooley (Brennan 8)
The final game saw the whites play Cheshunt. Howard came in as a striker. Cheshunt took an early lead as Neil Burns slammed in the goal from a free kick placed on his all too reliable left boot. The whites pressed for an equaliser and were unfortunate with a corner that Inkpen received within sight of goal that he crashed against the post.

Cheshunt 1 Whites 0;
James, Inkpen, Guerrini, Dooley, Brennan, Howard
The primary purpose of the friendly was to give the reds a run out and whilst it all started very positively with Slater providing an outlet as the striker and setting up the midfielders, this didn’t last as the ball was given away too often and Cheshunt grew into the games and were dominant on the whole. There were two or three players missing (one playing for Cheshunt!), but having been promoted, the reds need to discover their mojo ahead of the league season which will be demanding in a higher league. The whites demonstrated a good understanding and it was good to see Guerrini fit seamlessly into the style of play that the whites have adopted in Middlesex festivals. However as per usual, despite creating numerous openings, goals were hard to come by. Howard’s intelligence up front should have resulted in two goals but for the eagle-eyed Brooks.

With three weeks to go, there is still some work to be done.

Thanks to Cheshunt for coming along and giving Orient some match practice.

Location

Wadham Lodge Sports Ground, Kitchener Road, London, UK