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Match Report – 15/04/07 Cassiobury Rangers (1) V’s Reed Rangers FC (3) League, HomeA lacklustre performance from Cassiobury saw a committed Reed Rangers gain a well deserved win. The ground was very hard and both teams struggled to keep control of the ball at times. Reed however were the quicker of the two sides to settle down, although Cassiobury went ahead after 15 minutes, with a goal from Darren Coombs. Cassiobury held on to the lead until half time, after both sides had come close, later in the half. The second half saw both sides creating chances, however Reed were the team who capatilised on some poor defending, drawing level, within 20 minutes. This was added to a short time later, after Cassiobury failed to effectively mark several Reed players. Reed’s last goal was bundled in after yet again Cassiobury failed to clear the ball. Not a good day for Cassiobury and the best team won on the day.
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Match Report – 08/04/07 Cassiobury Rangers (1) V’s Oxhey Estates FC (0) League, AwayMatch awarded to Cassiobury – Oxhey Estates could not play match.
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Match Report – 01/04/07 Cassiobury Rangers (4) V’s MK Ginder FC (1) League, HomeThis match followed the fantastic victory in the Chairman’s Cup and we had to keep our feet on the ground and make sure that we played football to win this all important match in the league. The game started with a wind in favour of Cassiobury, giving them the advantage and they were quick to capitalise on this, attacking from the outset, but Ginder fought hard and managed to ensure that there were no early chances on goal. Cassiobury, however were beginning to push hard and it was 20 minutes into the game when after a series of passing moves in midfield, Darren Coombs received the ball on the left, held it up and picked out Matt Godfrey making a great run through the defence to slot home from 12 yards. This was followed shortly afterwards with another goal from Cassiobury, this time from Darren Coombs who burst into the Ginder box after receiving a through ball from Johnny Robson. The last goal of the half again came from Coombs, who this time received a through ball from Jake Mortimer. 3 – 0 to Cassiobury at half time. The second half saw Ginder immediately on the attack, now using the wind to their advantage, however the Cassiobury defence were playing well as a unit; Karl Wright and Michael Hobson managing to keep the Ginder wingers contained and Rob Tomkinson and Martyn Baxter keeping out all attacks from the centre. The match continued with both sides fighting hard, but fairly, neither giving anything away. It was towards the end of the match that Cassiobury gave away a free kick 20 yard from goal and also lost concentration, because as Cassiobury were organising their wall, the Ginder striker took a quick free kick and scored. Cassiobury heads did not go down and it was only 5 minutes later that they scored their last and best goal; the move was started by Captain Chris Franks, who passed to Ben Robson who passed to Ed Hutchinson for him to pass the ball back to Franks to bang home. 4 –1 to Cassiobury at full time. Cassiobury needed to win this match and did so with a grinding performance.
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Match Report – 25/03/07 Cassiobury Rangers (1) V’s AFC FC (0) The Chairman’s Cup Final (at Kings Langley FC) - Att: 165 Official League report as submitted to Watford Observer Cassiobury Rangers clinched the Chairman’s Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Holders AFC Rangers at Kings Langley FC. The Division One League Cup Final between the Division’s top two sides produced a lively game but only a single goal in front of 165 supporters. AFC Rangers hoping to clinch the first part of a League and Cup double were caught out early on by a determined Cassiobury Rangers side who started the game with a high tempo and scored what turned out to be the winner after just ten minutes, when Darren Coombs broke through the AFC Rangers defence from the left wing and fired home past Stuart Hills. AFC looked sluggish and well below their normal game whilst Cassiobury where dictating the game in midfield. Slowly, AFC worked their way back into the match, but when they did create good scoring chances they were dealt with by goalkeeper Ian Dougan who produced a man of the match performance. One such save came on the 35th minute when he tipped a James Hill free kick over the cross bar from 25 yards. The second half saw Cassiobury being pushed slowly back as Tommy Burns struck the outside of the post with twenty minutes left. With the dangerous Darren Coombs and Matt Godfrey, Cassiobury were causing problems on the break. Deep into injury time, Dougan again saved his team when he tipped a James Hill shot up onto the cross bar for the second time before the ball was scrambled away. This proved to be the last action of the games as Cassiobury collected the Trophy. Teams: AFC Rangers: Hills, Keen, McCarthy, Schofield, Hossack (Dommett 54 mins), Brooks (Saponaro 75 mins), Hitchcock, Smith, Burns, J.Hill, G.Hill (Alsop 79 mins). Cassiobury Rangers: Dougan, Franks (B. Robson 79 mins), Mortimer, Coombs (Hutchinson 88 mins), Burch, J. Robson, Hobson, Hill, Godfrey, Tomkinson, Henley. Subs Not Used: Tracey, Davis, Wright, Cheetham. Goal: Coombs (10 mins). Referee: Steve Chambers.
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Match Report – 18/03/07 Cassiobury Rangers (4) V’s Inter FC (0) League, AwayThe ground was just right, after great weather during the week and a light rain over night, what else could affect the game? A ferocious crosswind, that’s what! A wind that did not let up throughout the match and which levelled things for both teams, not allowing for either team to show any real skill. The match started with Cassiobury immediately attacking, coming close on several occasions within the first ten minutes and it was not much later when Cassiobury's pressure paid off with an excellent goal from Jack Henley from a Darren Coombs cross. This was followed by several more attacks from Cassiobury until after a patient build up from the back, Ben Robson drilled home his first goal for the club from 25 yards out. 2 – 0 at half time. Cassiobury did not let the weather deter them and consistently pressurised early in the second half, this lead to Inter desperately defending their lines and after several corners, Johnny Robson delivered a great far post effort, for Matt Godfrey to nod home. This was followed up ten minutes later by another build up of play from the defence for Ben Robson to tuck home his second of the match. After this, things were pretty much equal, with both sides attacking but nothing coming from any these attacks. A match, which was dominated by the wind, with Cassiobury doing all that they had to do.
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Match Report - 11/03/07 Cassiobury Rangers (3) V’s Roundbush FC (0) League, AwayAfter the previous match, Cassiobury new they should win this match without much difficulty, however complacency can creep in, as the team well know! The match started with Roundbush taking kick off; this was the only time they were in the Cassiobury half for first 20 minutes of the game. Cassiobury immediately began to dominate and play the ball around well, although not scoring due to some heroic defence and goalkeeping from Roundbush. It was 10 minutes into the game that Cassiobury had a corner, which was delivered perfectly by Jake Mortimer, for Darren Coombs to nod home. Five minutes later Captain, Chris Franks added to this, after the move of the match, with the build up starting in defence. The half continued with Roundbush only making three attacks but Cassiobury failing to score any more goals. 2 – 0 to Cassiobury at half time. The second half started in much the same way with Cassiobury having all the play but failing to score. It was only ten minutes from full time that at last Cassiobury added to their total after an excellent shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Roundbush goal by Ed Hutchinson. After this, the game faded out with both sides seeming to be happy with the score line. A 3 - 0 win to Cassiobury after some fine play; a game played in fine spirit by both sides and all the players should be applauded for this!
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Match Report – 04/03/07 Cassiobury Rangers (1) V’s AFC Rangers FC (3) League, Away (played at home)This was going to be a tough one and we knew it…AFC had beaten us earlier in the season; they were the division leaders and had not lost a match! The game started at with a strong wind in favour of AFC, giving them the advantage and they were quick to capitalise on this, attacking from the outset. Cassiobury however fought hard and matched them throughout the early part of the half, although not really threatening their goal. This changed when Cassiobury won a corner, only for Jake Mortimer to take the corner and put the ball into the AFC goal. The wind continued and AFC made good use of it and within 10 minutes were level after scoring from the corner (making it two direct goals from corners in the match) and soon afterwards added to the total with headed goal from a long ball. AFC put themselves two goals up, just before half time, yet again from another long ball, which was headed home. 3- 1 to AFC at half time. The second half started with Cassiobury immediately on the attack, having the wind in their favour, but the chances failed to materialise. AFC were largely defending throughout the half, but Cassiobury just could not put through the final pass to be converted and although not through lack of trying, this is how the half continued and the match ended with the same score as at half time. No one shone for Cassiobury in this match and although the wind helped AFC, we should have dealt with their attacks and created more of our own.
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Match Report – 19/02/07 Cassiobury Rangers (12) V’s T & F Motors FC (1) League, Home From the kick off Cassiobury put together an excellent attacking move and came close to scoring. This was repeated two minutes later and within five minutes they had got their first goal, when Captain, Chris Franks crossed the ball, for Darren Coombs to tap home. Cassiobury were obviously ‘up for it’ and Coombs soon put them two ahead after another well-worked move, this time starting from Warren Davis in defence. This was followed up shortly afterwards by an excellent goal from Michael Hobson, who drove the ball straight into the bottom right hand corner from at least 20 yards. Cassiobury were now running rampant and looked like scoring from every attack; their fourth came from a corner, after Rob Tomkinson headed wide, only for Matt Godfrey to stop the ball going off and to slot home past the T & F keeper. Cassiobury added another three goals before half time, two from Coombs and one more from Hobson (after a move involving several passes; started from Ben Burch in defence). T & F did have one bright moment in the half when they scored, with a lovely unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner of the Cassiobury goal. 7 – 1 at half time. In the second half Cassiobury started in the same way they had finished the first, dominating the game and coming close several times. Coombs added a further goal to his tally soon into the half after a move started from goalkeeper Kieran Tracey, and this was shortly followed by another goal from Hobson (his first goals and a Hat trick!). This was added to soon afterwards when Darren Coombs won the ball in the T & F box, after a Sam Cheetham through ball, passed to Ed Hutchinson, who played a through ball, which was put away by Jack Henley. Cassiobury were cruising at this point, but still added to their total, after Pat Hill had stayed up after a corner for him to slot home his first of the season. The last goal came from yet another patient build up, which was volleyed home after some neat skill, by Ed Hutchinson. 12 – 1 at full time. An excellent performance from Cassiobury, an exiting match to watch and no frost, rain or snow!
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Match Report – 04/02/07 Cassiobury Rangers (5) V’s The Vic FC (0) League, Home This match was against opponents who soundly thrashed Cassiobury earlier on in the season and pride was at stake! From the start Cassiobury very quickly settled down and began to play football; passing the ball, moving into space and using their wings, allowing for early dominance. This was soon rewarded with a fine goal from Darren Coombs, who slotted home from five yards from a through ball from Ben Robson in the midfield. This was soon added to by Coombs, when he got his second after a lovely cross from Jack Henley on the right wing. Cassiobury were now in full flow and added another goal, this time from Captain Chris franks after a lovely move down the left flank, involving Michael Hobson and Jake Mortimer. Franks got his second towards the end of the half from a move, which yet again started in defence. Throughout the half the Cassiobury ‘Keeper had very little to do as The Vic were contained by a strong Cassiobury defensive line. 4 – 0 to Cassiobury at half time. The second half started in much the same manner with Cassiobury proving to be the dominant team; this time, however, The Vic managed to withstand the pressure and only conceded one goal, midway through the half; a trademark header from Matt Godfrey. The match continued in much the same vein, with Cassiobury not playing as well in the second half as in the first, mainly because they did not use their wings as much. 5 – 0 to Cassiobury at full time. An excellent first half from Cassiobury setting up a fine win. |
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28th January 2007 Cassiobury Rangers 2 Total FC 2
This was the third time
that the two clubs had met in a row, with Cassiobury winning the
previous two matches. This did not help Cassiobury, as perhaps over
confidence had crept in.
Cassiobury were also
fielding a make shift team with two players back from injury, one player
debuting and several players playing out of position.
The game started brightly
enough with both teams fighting hard in the middle of the park but
nothing really coming of it; Cassiobury began to take control and were
soon having most of the attacking play, but failing capitalise on this
and soon were made to pay for this. Total were awarded a free kick and
after the wind caught the ball managed to score. The half continued, in
much the same way, i.e. Cassiobury having most of the possession but
failing to do anything with it. 0 – 1 at half time.
The second half started
with Total having more confidence and more possession; this was until
Cassiobury pulled level with an excellent goal from Darren Coombs. At
this point Cassiobury should have gone on to win the game, having most
of the possession and chances, but Total responded soon after by going
ahead again from a sloppily defended through ball (after goalie Kieran
Tracey had made an excellent save). Cassiobury eventually pulled level
after Rob Tomkinson headed home from a corner. 2 all at full time. In summary, Cassiobury should have won this match and only drew it because of a below average performance.
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14th January 2007 Cassiobury Rangers 3 Total FC 1
Cassiobury's first Semi final and against the team we had beaten last
week… our tails were up!
The match started with
Cassiobury putting together some excellent passing moves, consistently
pushing for goal against Total, but to no avail, as Total soaked up this
early pressure. The game continued like this for the next 15 minutes;
Cassiobury having all the ball but Total managing to defend; although
having few attacks themselves. At this point Cassiobury had yet another
passing move, resulting in Ed Hutchinson getting the ball and coolly
slotting it home. Shortly afterwards,
The second half started
off in much the same way, with Cassiobury putting lots of pressure on
Total, who were having to defend at all times. This did not mean that
Cassiobury were going to dominate the half and in fact for the rest of
the half Total were consistently counter attacking after each Cassiobury
attack, yet not being able to crack Cassiobury’s defence in other words
– stalemate! The game then seemed to fizzle out with Cassiobury 3 – 1
winners and getting in to their first final.
With the pitch as it was
(narrow and quite rough) Cassiobury got the result they wanted, but not
quite as easily as they wanted and certainly not with the style they
wanted.
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7th January 2007 Cassiobury Rangers 7 Total FC 1
The first match after the New
Year’s break.
The match started with
Cassiobury having all the possession but with little to show for their
efforts, other than making sure the Total ‘keeper kept busy! Cassiobury
were putting together some excellent moves, but just failing to put the
ball away at the end. This was until Michael Hobson played a ball
through to Jake Mortimer, who then played an excellent ball through to
Darren Coombs, wide on the left, for Coombs to cross the ball for Jack
Henley to put home. Coombs then added to this goal by sliding in a
second after a superb through ball from Ben Robson. Matt Godfrey headed
the last goal of the half home, from a Jake Mortimer corner. 3 – 0 to
Cassiobury at half time.
The second half started
badly for Cassiobury, with Total hitting back within 2 minutes of the
restart. Cassiobury did not let their heads drop and after another 5
minutes had added to their goal count after Jake Mortimer again supplied
Darren Coombs a through ball for him to put away. Cassiobury then began
to build up the pressure and soon afterwards Coombs added another after
a lovely ‘on the button’ pass from Neal Cronin. Cronin then got in on
the act and added another soon afterwards after a laid off ball from Ed
Hutchinson. The last goal came after the Total ‘keeper took a goal kick,
only for Matt Godfrey to head it straight back and for Coombs to lob the
‘keeper, to make it seven for Cassiobury and four for him personally.
Cassiobury dominated this
match without really stretching themselves, but with the weather
conditions as they were, gave a good all round performance.
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17th December 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 4 Kings Head FC 0
The last match before the
Christmas break………but a game played very much in the right spirit - no
heavy tackles, no arguing etc.
The match started at a
slow pace, with Cassiobury completely dominating but, for another week,
not managing to capitalise on this dominance by scoring goals. There
were plenty of nears misses with both Neal Cronin and Ed Hutchinson
coming close, but it wasn’t until the 20th minutes when Michael Hobson
made a telling run down the left flank, crossed the ball for Cronin to
back heal and for Jonny Robson to bang home. This was followed shortly
afterwards by a corner which was cleared by Kings Head only for it to be
crossed again and for Neal Cronin to head home from the far post. The
final goal of the half was made from a clearance from Karl Wright, which
Cronin latched onto, beat a defender and then the ‘keeper to prod home
for Cassiobury’s third. 0 – 3 at half time.
The second half started in
much the same fashion, with Cassiobury dominating, but not putting away
the chances. This was until 15 minutes into the half when the ball was
put into the box for Ed Hutchinson to pass to Jack
Although Cassiobury
dominated throughout the game it looked like a lot of the players were
already on their break and certainly that both teams accepted that 4 – 0
was a fair result!
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10th December 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 5 Inter FC 0
After last weeks debacle
Cassiobury had it all to prove….
The game started at with
Cassiobury on the attack, but yet again not converting chances and
wasting the ball in the last third of the pitch. Although Inter had few
chances, they also fought hard and managed to ensure that there were no
clean chances on goal. Things looked up when both Matt Godfrey and Jake
Mortimer forced two great saves from the Inter ‘keeper and Jack Henley
scored a goal, only for it to be ruled offside, Inter also hit the post
following a breakaway attack, however, despite the constant Cassiobury
pressure it was 0-0 at half time.
The turning point of the
game came within 2 minutes of the restart when Darren Coombs shot from
just inside the Inter box to put Cassiobury one up. Cassiobury continued
to attack coming close several times in the next 10 minutes. Coombs put
Cassiobury two up after Matt Godfrey had played through a lovely ball to
him. Inter did not give up and tested Cassiobury ‘keeper, Ian Dougan a
few times, but he was up to it and pulled off some great saves. It was
shortly afterwards that Coombs completed his hat trick with another well
built up goal, this time receiving the final ball from a sweet pass by
Jonny Robson. Coombs then went on to score his fourth of the day after a
superb run from Michael Hobson, resulted in Matt Godfrey yet again
setting Coombs up. Cassiobury went on to miss a penalty after Jack
Henley had been brought down, but he soon got his just reward when he
scored Cassiobury’s fifth of the day, 10 minutes from the end.
Cassiobury needed to win
this match to restore confidence and did so, with a superb team display
in the second half.
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3rd December 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 2 The Vic FC 7
Another match which was
close to been called off and one has to say that Cassiobury wish it had!
This game was all about
missed opportunities and The Vic using the conditions to their
advantage.
The game started with Cassiobury's pace and skills
immediately beginning to tell, but unlike the previous matches,
Cassiobury failed to take their chances. Cassiobury hit everything,
including The Vic 'keeper, except the net, The Vic on the other hand had
one attack in the first half, after 30 minutes and after a speculative
shot scored the first goal of the match. This at least spurred
Cassiobury and shortly afterwards Jack Henley made it all square with a
superbly taken individual effort. The game carried on with Cassiobury
dominating and yet unable to press home the advantage until Jake
Mortimer took a free kick, shooting straight into The Vic's goal. 1 - 2
to Cassiobury at half time. The second half started in much the same fashion… Cassiobury on the attack, plenty of near misses but not taking the opportunities and they should have, because The Vic played an opportunist game and managed to score another six goals. Yes they had luck, yes the wind helped them and yes Cassiobury did not help themselves but at the end, it was the team who took their chances who won the match (The Vic probably had no more than eight shots on goal). You do not win matches on the number of chances you create; you win matches by scoring more goals than the opposition!
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26th November 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 7 Roundbush FC 1
It was touch and go if
this match was to go ahead due to the weather, but in the end the pitch
looked ok and there was a small break in the rain… game on!
The game started with
Cassiobury's pace and skills immediately beginning to tell and very soon
they scored their first goal after a great build up from Michael Hobson,
who bought the ball forward from the back, passing to Jake Mortimer who
whipped in a great cross, for Ed Hutchinson to slot home. Two minutes
later almost the exact same thing occurred but this time the cross from
Mortimer was put home by Darren Coombs. There was then a lull in the
match with plenty of rain and both sides fighting it out in the mud in
the middle of the pitch, until Ben Robson and Captain Chris Franks
played a neat one two for Franks to lay the ball off to Darren Coombs to
score his second. Cassiobury were now dominating, with Roundbush being
saved by their ‘keeper several times, until Jack Henley made a great run
down the right wing, cutting into the Roundbush box, only to be brought
down by their right back. Coombs stepped up, scored and got his hat
trick. 4 – 0 at half time.
The second half started in
much the same fashion… plenty of rain and Cassiobury on the attack. Both
sides were finding it hard work by now as the conditions worsened. After
15 minutes of the half Warren Davis came forward and released Jack
Henley to make another excellent run down the right wing, he then cut in
side and after looking up shot into the left hand corner of the
Roundbush goal. The next Cassiobury goal came as a result of further
sustained pressure eventually leading to Joe Mortimer drilling home from
outside the box. Roundbush then got a consolation goal back followed by
the last goal from Cassiobury, coming from some good passing play and a
cross from Warren Davis for Darren Coombs to score his fourth of the
match.
A good match to watch,
played in the right spirit and a deserved win by Cassiobury, even though
we were all a bit wet at the end!
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19th November 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 2 Dalys FC 3
Another Cup match with a
depleted team and against a premiership side, Cassiobury like the easy
life! How pleasant though to discover another team interested in playing
football!
The match started with
both teams playing well, with Cassiobury perhaps having the better of
the first 20 minutes, coming close on two occasions. It was at this
point that Cassiobury started another attack from the back, with Michael
Hobson putting a ball through to Ed Hutchinson for him to take on the
Daly’s right back, beat him, and then cross the ball for Jonny Robson to
volley home. Cassiobury were now on top and were playing much the better
football and did so until the last five minutes of the first half when
Dalys got a lucky break. They scored two goals in quick succession; the
first after the Cassiobury ‘keeper punched clear a cross, only for it to
bounce off a Dalys player into the net and the second being from a
speculative shot which took an odd bounce to go over the diving keeper.
1 – 2 at half time.
In the second half the
game continued in much the same way with Cassiobury again being the
better of the two teams but still failing to capitalise on their
chances, ultimately this led to Dalys third goal after a break away from
another Cassiobury attack. Cassiobury fought hard but could not get the
ball into the Daly’s goal until the last 5 minutes when Darren Coombs
poked home a Joe Mortimer through ball. 2 – 3 at full time.
This game was decided by
luck, which happens; but Cassiobury should not be disappointed with
their performance as they played good football (as did Dalys) and
showed, yet again, their character in trying to get back into the game.
Apart from two poor
bookings - the players were in the wrong not the ref - a game that made
it worth getting out of bed on a Sunday. |
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12th November 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 6 Jarman Park FC 1
Cassiobury had their tales up after the
last meeting between these two teams and from kick off were on the
attack, pressurising Jarman into several mistakes and coming close
within the first 10 minutes. At this point Michael Hobson started a fine
move, linking up with Darren Coombs and Ed Hutchinson, for
This did not deter Jarman who tried to
fight back; fortunately to no avail as soon afterwards Darren Coombs put
Cassiobury two ahead with a great goal created from a through ball from
Jack Henley. Coombs added another, after Martyn Baxter made an excellent
clearance, to make it 3 – 0 at half time.
The second half started in much the
same fashion as the first half finished, with Cassiobury dominating
without really having to ‘step up a gear’. It was some 15 minutes into
the half when Jarman got their goal after a mix up in the Cassiobury
defence. This did not deter Cassiobury who immediately grabbed a fourth
goal after Darren Coombs was fouled just outside the Jarman box. Matt
Godfrey stepped up to take the free kick and slotted the ball home into
the corner of the Jarman goal.
More attacking play from Cassiobury
lead to their next goal when Darren Coombs combined with Warren Davis to
set up Michael Dalton for his first of the match. The game was sealed
when Dalton got his second after a breakaway from a Jarman corner by Ed
Hutchinson, who after making a superb run, passed to Dalton for him to
slot home past the Jarman ‘keeper.
A good all round performance by
Cassiobury, resulting in a deserved win.
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29th October 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 4 Jarman Park FC 0
Cassiobury were playing their ‘bogey’
team; a team who we had lost to on the two occasions we had played them
and things did not start too well…. Our goalkeeper and one of our centre
halves both aggravated previous injuries during the warm up, meaning we
were down to the bare eleven with Captain Chris Franks playing in goal.
Cassiobury, unlike the previous
meetings between the two clubs, were on top from the beginning, playing
simple, fluent football and apart from one or two Jarman attacks
maintained this position throughout the half. This resulted in several
near misses, but no goals until the 35th minute when Jack Cairns made a
run into the box and was immediately brought down by a Jarman player.
Matt Godfrey stepped up to take the penalty and scored. Things continued
much the same for the rest of the half, with Cassiobury dominating but
not managing to punish Jarman with any further goals. 1 - 0 to
Cassiobury at half time.
In the second half, Cassiobury new what
they had to do; continue to let the ball do the work, be patient and
shoot when the opportunity arose. Cassiobury did this, playing some
controlled football, passing the ball around and working hard. This soon
led to a goal from Jack Cairns, after Michael Hobson had delivered a
beautiful through ball to him. Cassiobury continued with this style of
play and very soon afterwards scored another, when jack Henley linked up
with Ed Hutchinson (who had hit the Jarman woodwork twice already) for
Ed to put the ball in the back of the net.
Cassiobury were now playing excellent
football and this was capped off by a superbly taken goal from Jack
Cairns, after a wonderful ball from Darren Coombs.
A deserved win by Cassiobury who had
fought hard throughout the game. |
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22nd October 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 7 West Watford Conservatives Club FC 1
This was going to be quite a hard match
for Cassiobury as, due to availability we had to play three players
returning from long-term injury.
Cassiobury, as with the previous
meetings between the two clubs, were on the attack immediately, but were
not playing there best football. This did not stop several near misses
within the first quarter of an hour before Captain; Chris Franks
steadied things with a superb goal from a cross from winger, Matt
Woodward. At this point Cassiobury looked to be quite comfortable, and
soon afterwards Ben Robson fed a ball through for Darren Coombs to
sprint 40 yards before slotting home, to make it 2 - 0 at half time
(with a missed penalty).
In the second half, Cassiobury came out
with renewed vigour and were on the attack from the off, coming close on
several occasions and eventually going three up with another goal from
Chris Franks. This only helped to relax the Cassiobury players who were
now playing well, building up play from the back and using the wings
well. It was shortly afterwards that they added to the total with an
excellent goal from Jack Henley after a lovely cross from Karl Wright.
Within another five minutes, and after several more close misses
(including the cross bar hit three times) Cassiobury went five up with a
lovely goal from Matt Woodward from a cross from Ed Hutchinson.
At this point, and just after a corner,
West Watford Conservatives got a goal back, when with a breakaway they
had four players against one; but that is what you get when you play 9
up front!
This did not deter Cassiobury who soon
added to their total with another goal from Darren Coombs and an
excellent goal from Rob Tomkinson (his first goal in open play for a
season!).
A relaxed performance from Cassiobury,
that produced good football and a deserved win. |
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15th October 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 3 Kings Head FC 1
We knew from the start that this match
was going to be tough, as much as anything due to the ‘history’ from
last season, when we beat Kings Head, the Division winners, both times 4
– 0.
We were not disappointed…..
The match started with Cassiobury
having two decisive attacks and on the second they were awarded a free
kick for a foul, some 30 yards out. Michael Hobson took the kick and
could not have done better, with Martyn Baxter nodding home to give
Cassiobury a 1 – 0 lead after 5 minutes. The game took off after this
and Kings Head were constantly putting pressure on Cassiobury, to no
avail; that is until their left winger went down the line flicked a pass
to one of their strikers who beat two Cassiobury players to make it one
all. The game was fairly even until 10 minutes before half time when a
great ball was put in to the kings Head penalty area for Mat Woodward to
head home. Nothing changed up to half time, other than the Cassiobury
‘keeper, Ian Dougan pulling a leg muscle. Half time, Cassiobury 2 - 1
up.
In second half Kings Head started off
pushing hard and this led to them coming close on a couple of occasions
with a particularly good shot being saved excellently by stand in
‘keeper, Captain Chris Franks. The game began to even out and Cassiobury
began to outplay Kings Head and in fact from 20 minutes to go Kings Head
had to fight hard to prevent any more goals; this they nearly succeeded
in doing until the ball was fed through to Darren Coombs who scored a
beautiful half volley. 3 – 1 at full time.
A gritty performance and a deserved win
by Cassiobury. |
|
8th October 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 1 Lemsford FC 4 aet
Only 11 players today due to injury and
unavailability.
The match started with Cassiobury
immediately on the attack and after a well worked move involving the
midfield Jack Cairns produced a great shot to put the ball into the top
right hand comer of the Lemsford goal to put Cassiobury 1 - 0 ahead… or
so we thought, instead, and incredibly, it was disallowed due to our
right winger being off side. This was in the first minute of the game
and it only served to hinder Cassiobury as from then onwards they ‘took
their foot off the pedal’. The first half continued with Cassiobury
largely dominating but producing nothing and Lemsford counter attacking.
0 – 0 at half time.
For the first 20 minutes of the second
half the game continued in much the same way, until Lemsford had another
counter attack and managed to put the ball away to get 1 – 0 ahead.
This, for a brief period inspired Cassiobury and 10 minutes later they
drew level with a well-worked goal scored by Joe Mortimer. 1 - 1 at full
time, the game was now into extra time.
Cassiobury started by far the stronger
side in the extra time, but unfortunately within the first five minutes,
through a lucky deflection Lemsford managed to pull ahead. This really
knocked the stuffing out of Cassiobury and shortly afterwards, after
another break away Lemsford scored again. This was then added to, as
Cassiobury lost a player due to injury and tried to get even, to no
avail.
A game that proved that however well
you are doing, if you don’t take the chances……… |
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1st October 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 4 AFC Rangers FC 7
Both sides started
in attacking style and seemed to be evenly matched; both coming close to
scoring in the first 10 minutes, with Cassiobury perhaps having the
edge.
This proved to be the case when Neal
Cronin scored a goal, which was created from the defence. Cassiobury
were playing the better football but could not make it tell and very
soon afterwards AFC pulled level. Jonny Robson then created a goal out
of nothing to put Cassiobury ahead again, but only for a few minutes
when yet again AFC Pulled level. 2 – 2 at half time.
In second half, AFC came out the
stronger of the two sides and were putting Cassiobury under pressure for
the next 20 minutes although not managing to make the pressure tell…..
Cassiobury on the other hand were soaking up the pressure and made
several counter attacks; it was during one of these attacks that Neal
Cronin received the ball some 25 yards from the AFC goal and shot
straight into the right hand corner. Cassiobury were now ahead and had
to keep hold of the lead, unfortunately this was not to happen as soon
afterwards AFC were level again through an unlucky own goal from
Cassiobury.
It was at this point that Cassiobury
had a ‘mad 15 minutes’; Playing what can only be described (politely!)
as very poor football and in doing so letting AFC score 4 more goals
with little opposition. From looking like a promotion winning team,
Cassiobury looked like a demotion looking team. Enough said. Neal Cronin
got his hat trick from a penalty, towards the end, when Cassiobury were
battling back, but to no avail, as there was no time left.
A good start but we all let ourselves
down in the second half. First game with rain! |
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24th September 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 9 Inter FC 2
Cassiobury, as with the previous meeting between the two clubs (a friendly last season), were on top from the beginning, but were not playing to the best of their ability. This resulted in several near misses within the first five minutes, but no goals. This changed when there was a mix up between the Cassiobury ‘keeper and the defence to let in an Inter striker to put the ball away. Cassiobury were still looking comfortable without really playing well and soon managed to draw level when Martyn Baxter nodded home an excellently delivered corner. This still did not settle things and very quickly Inter pulled ahead again. This perhaps gave Cassiobury the kick up the backside they needed because very soon after they drew level with a Goal from Neal Cronin and pulled ahead with a goal from Jonny Robson. This was soon added to with Jack Cairns’ first goal for the team and a further goal from Neal Cronin. 5 – 2 to Cassiobury at half time.
In the second half,
Cassiobury came out and went straight on the attack, very soon
increasing their total with another goal from Jack Cairns. Although
Cassiobury were now very firmly on top, Inter did not give up and
gamefully tried to counter attack whenever they could, unfortunately for
them this was not often and soon Cassiobury scored another goal from
Jonny Robson.
Cassiobury were now
cruising and playing excellent football, led by a dominating midfield
and supported by all. Two further goals were added (only interrupted by
a tactical substitution from Inter… the referee coming on as left
back!!), the first being the first goal for debut player Ed Hutchinson
and the second being Jack Cairns completing his first hat trick. 9 – 2
to Cassiobury at full time.
A dodgy start from Cassiobury, but in
the end a polished performance to go through to the next round of the
cup. Another sunny day!! |
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17th September 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 3 Reed Rangers FC 2
We knew this game was going to be tough
(a demoted side from the Premier Division against a promoted side from
Division two) and so it proved to be.
Cassiobury won the toss and decided to
kick ‘up hill’ for the first half.
The match started at fast pace with
both sides going in hard for the ball and managing half chances, with
Cassiobury perhaps being a bit surprised at how little time they had on
the ball due to Reed’s continued pressure. Reed on the other hand, got
frustrated when Cassiobury began to match them and when they could not
convert their chances. This was typified when half way through the first
half, after a good build up, Neal Cronin was taken down in the
opposition penalty area only to have his appeal for a penalty turned
down. Shortly afterwards, through a lucky deflection, Reed scored the
first goal of the match, after one of their strikers found himself with
an open goal! The half continued in much the same fashion, with Reed
perhaps having the slightly better chances.
0 – 1 at half time.
In the second half Cassiobury began the better of the two teams and it was within a short time that Neal Cronin received the ball from Matt Godfrey, beat three opposition players and scored a good goal to put the sides even. This was not for long as yet again Reed took the lead through a corner, which was not cleared. Whereas last season, Cassiobury heads may have dropped at this point, the players showed great grit and determination. Some 10 minutes later Michael Hobson, received the ball from goalkeeper Ian Dougan, moved forward and passed the ball to Johnny Robson, who released the ball to Neal Cronin to score his second goal of the match and put the sides level. There was now sustained pressure from Cassiobury and Reed were not only tiring but also losing the poise they had in the first half. Cassiobury were capitalising on this and nearly took the lead with a lovely move between Jack Henley and Neil Cronin resulting in a shot from Jack Cairns which the ‘keeper just managed to parry on to the post. It was another such move, involving the same players, which ended in a lovely cross from Jack Henley being tucked into the goal by Captain, Chris Franks. The last five minutes of the match resulted in desperate play from Reed, only just managing to keep the score line down to 3 – 2 at full time.
A tough match in which Cassiobury had
to fight hard for the win and in doing so, showing real character. Great
weather again!! |
|
10th September 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 6 Oxhey Estates FC 0
Straight from kick off it was apparent
that the match was going to be fought hard by both sides and we were not
disappointed.
Cassiobury immediately began to pass
the ball around, using the wings and letting the ball do the work. Oxhey
were playing a more direct game together with a more verbal and physical
game. Throughout the first half Cassiobury had most possession, with
Oxhey only having one serious attack, but Cassiobury lacked the
necessary final ball and it was 30 minutes into the match when Neal
Cronin eventually got round the back of the Oxhey defence to put
Cassiobury a goal up. The rest of the half was Cassiobury, without any
further goals.
1 – 0 at half time.
In the second half Cassiobury began
brightly and within 10 minutes went 2 up with a goal from Matt Godfrey
after an excellent build up from defence. This was added to soon
afterwards when Martyn Baxter won the ball in the air, passed to Mat
Godfrey, who played a through ball, which was put away with a volley
from Neal Cronin which gave the Oxhey ‘keeper no chance. It was half way
through the second half that Cassiobury truly began to dominate and the
soon added to the goal total with a bullet of a shot from left winger,
Matt Woodward, after receiving a lovely pass from Michael Hobson.
Oxhey were offering little resistance
and could do nothing when Darren Coombs took a free kick from inside the
Cassiobury half (after some excellent play from Karl Wright) and beat
the goalkeeper to score Cassiobury's 5th goal. The last goal came from
yet another patient build up and excellent passing move from the
brother’s Robson (Ben and Johnny) for Jack Henley to bash home.
6 – 0 at full time.
On the whole a good performance from
Cassiobury, an exiting match to watch and great weather as well! |
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3rd September 2006 Cassiobury Rangers 8 T & F Motors FC 0
The match started with Cassiobury
immediately on the attack, putting together some good passes to put
pressure on T & F. Within 5 minutes of kick off, the pressure had got a
result with an excellent goal from Johnny Robson. Neal Cronin added to
this, with his first goal for the seniors, within a minute of the
restart, after Joe Toman laid off the ball to him. The game continued
with Cassiobury having most of the possession and T & F having to fight
hard at the back. Throughout the match Cassiobury used their wings to
create the opportunities and it was half an hour into the match when
Chris Franks the captain started another passing move from the left
wing, resulting in Jack Henley tucking home another goal. Five minutes
before the end of the first half, Jack scored his second from another
well built up move from Joe Mortimer and Martyn Baxter, in the
Cassiobury back line.
Half time, 4 – 0 to Cassiobury.
Cassiobury came on for the second half
with renewed enthusiasm, as they knew they were dominating the match.
They continued from where they left off; putting further pressure on T &
F and not letting them out of their half. It was 10 minutes into the
second half when Neal Cronin was passed the ball from Darren Coombs and
let fly from 25 yards, putting the ball into the top right corner,
giving the goalkeeper no chance. Neal was soon substituted with Jack
Cairns, who was on the pitch for 2 minutes when he received a ball in
the air to head home his first goal for the Seniors. 5 Minutes later
Michael Dalton also scored his first goal for the seniors from an inch
perfect pass from Johnny Robson. Matt Godfrey scored the last goal from
a free kick, after Michael Hobson was fouled, putting wicked swerve on a
floating ball, giving the T & F keeper no chance.
In summary a fine game and a deserved
result. |