Both sides started in attacking style and seemed to be evenly matched; with AFC perhaps having the edge on the number of chances. It was then that the weather changed and the rain poured…. Not so good weather for the last game of the season! AFC adapted better to these changing conditions and although not coming very close to scoring, threatened on several occasions, leaving Cassiobury to make what they could of sporadic counter attacks. This was the pattern for the whole of the first half, although Cassiobury did begin to come back into the match towards the end of the half.

0 – 0 at half time.

The second half was more equally matched with both sides having early opportunities, but failing to put them away. It was in the 65minute that AFC had a strong attack along their right wing and managed to put in a superb cross for the their striker to head home. Cassiobury nearly came back a minute later when they had a chance, which was cleared off the line. However this did not deter Cassiobury who scored shortly afterwards, from a move created from the defence who got the ball to Jack Henley, who held it up and then put through a lovely cross for Jack Cairns to slot home. It was now one all and the game was drifting towards a draw, until Cassiobury managed to give a penalty away in the last ten minutes. This was put away by AFC. In the last five minutes of the match Cassiobury had more chances, but they did not manage to claw the additional goal back. 2 – 1 to AFC at full time.

Another determined performance from Cassiobury, losing to the odd goal; a draw would have been deserved, but that's football!

The second half started in much the same way with Cassiobury putting constant pressure on goal but failing to make anything of these opportunities, until Jake Mortimer whipped in a cross from the right wing into the 6-yard box, Ed Hutchinson gambled and broke into the box unmarked and was rewarded as the ball bounced up for him to swivel and power home a half volley to draw the teams level. Reed responded with more attacking football, but were denied by the Cassiobury defence. With the game descending into a dog fight it was going to take something special to break the deadlock and yet again Hutchinson came up with the goods, as he effortlessly beat two Reed players to smash home a 25 yard screamer into the top corner giving the Reed ‘keeper little chance. It was then left for Cassiobury to ‘batten down the hatches’ for the last 10 minutes, Which they did, to yet again deny Reed this season.

In summary a game dominated by Cassiobury, but a hard match to win due to our play letting us down and a determined Reed Rangers.

Coombs (3), J Robson,Henley

The game started with Cassiobury playing some excellent football, simple passing and moving and playing the easy ball, dominating the first 15 minutes of the match, not letting Headstone have a look in and missing three or four good chances. However at this point Headstone were awarded a penalty, which was slotted home past back up keeper, Mark Flynn and from then onwards they gained impetuous and the rest of the half was equally balanced, with wings Jake Mortimer and Ben Robson putting in some excellent crosses, supported by the left back Karl Wright and right back Warren Davis and the central defenders Martyn Baxter and Dan Zaraiah holding off any play down the middle.

0 – 1 to Headstone at half time.

The second half started with Cassiobury immediately on the attack and coming close on a couple of occasions within the first five minutes; it was after one of these chance that Headstone counter attacked and after a lovely through ball slotted home their second goal of the match. Two nil down and Cassiobury had it all to do! Cassiobury however were not deterred and were soon dominating the match (and did so for the rest of the half). Their first goal came after a defensive clearance from Warren Davis to Ben Robson, who passed through the centre to Darren Coombs who took the ball past a defender and smashed home from the edge of the penalty box. The second goal came after a trademark Dan Zaraiah long throw, was flicked on by Captain Matt Godfrey to Martyn Baxter, who flicked onto Darren Coombs to slot home at the far post. Cassiobury were now having all the play and soon scored a third after Rob Tomkinson passed to Ben Robson, who passed the ball down the right wing to Coombs who glided past the Headstone left back, to pull the ball back and make a lovely pass to the waiting Jonny Robson who coolly slotted it home. The fourth goal came on the counter attack, after Jake Mortimer played a long ball from his own half, for Coombs to latch on to and fire past the ‘keeper for his hat-trick. The last goal of the match came after Nathan Keyder passed to Coombs who with Ed Hutchinson exchanged passes on the edge of the box with the keeper making a fine save from Hutchinson only for Jack Henley to collect the rebound and put the ball past the keeper.

A mature and resilient display from Cassiobury, showing determination after being down by two goals.

The match started at a quick pace with Cassiobury immediately dominating and coming close twice within the first five minutes. Reed were struggling to match Cassiobury in any area of the game and did not manage to get out of their half for the first 15 minutes. At this point they attacked, but this was blocked by the Cassiobury defence, who then threaded the ball up to Jack Henley, who turned two Reed players and was brought down by the third, in their penalty box – Penalty. Captain Chris Franks duly stepped up and slotted the ball home. Franks followed this up, shortly afterwards with another goal, after an excellent build up from the midfield, involving Matt Godfrey and Ben Robson. Cassiobury were playing good football at this point and followed up with another goal from Ed Hutchinson; this time after a through ball, when he beat the goalkeeper to it and slotted home. For the rest of the half, Reed managed to counter attack and had their first shot at the Cassiobury goal.

3 – 0 at half time.

The second half started in much the same fashion, with Cassiobury completely dominating, but not putting away their chances. This is how it continued throughout the half, with several chances either saved by the Reed defence or ‘keeper or Cassiobury squandering them.

Cassiobury should have won this game with a hatful of goals, but it was good to get back to winning ways!

Another match with a makeshift eleven and this time against one of the divisions strugglers.

Both teams were slow to settle with Rising Eagles tending to play a route one style with a couple of very pacy forwards.  Rising Eagles scored first after a mix up in the Cassiobury defence. Cassiobury tried, and for the most part succeeded in getting the ball on the floor and playing some good football towards the end of the half with Adam Bignell scoring a well taken goal after some good play down the right. Three or four more excellent chances followed, although none were converted. 1 - 1 at half time.

Cassiobury started the second half slowly, mounting few attacks in the first ten minutes. They then settled and started to play more good football. A fine run, again down the right, from Warren Davis resulted in a goal when his cross was headed into the net by the Rising Eagles centre back.

Two more goals came from Rising Eagles ending the game 3 - 2.

Cassiobury deserved more from this battling performance.

The game started with both sides being equally competitive, with perhaps Gadeside nudging it. This was until twenty-five minutes into the match when after a mistake by Cassiobury, Gadeside struck home with a well-taken goal. This was followed shortly afterwards with another mistake and another goal. Cassiobury were still in the match though and had some decent attacks and near misses. It was a quarter of an hour before half time that Ian Dougan; the Cassiobury goalie pulled his calf muscle. This meant that Cassiobury were down to ten men until the half finished.

The second half started in much the same fashion… this time with Cassiobury down to ten men plus a limping goalkeeper, not playing in goal!

For the first quarter of an hour Gadeside were held off, but then the inevitable happened and they began to overrun Cassiobury. Eventually at the end of the half they had scored a further five. At present with the number of injuries and missing players, Cassiobury are really up against it.

You cannot expect to beat the top teams if you do not play your best eleven.

A downbeat performance from a depleted Cassiobury side saw a committed AFC Rangers gain a deserved win. Straight from kick off it was apparent that the match was going to be fought hard by both sides and we were not to be disappointed. AFC took control straight away and it was only after five minutes that Cassiobury got out of their own half. However this was followed by dominant play from Cassiobury for the next twenty minutes, but unfortunately without a result. At this point AFC scored their first goal followed ten minutes later by their second, both goals after initial mistakes from Cassiobury.

2 – 0 at half time.

In the second half AFC scored another goal within 5 minutes of the restart, which really ‘killed off’ the game and although Cassiobury were matching AFC for possession, they failed to make any real impression. AFC’s forth goal capped off a fine performance from them. An average performance from Cassiobury, which was capitalised upon by an in form AFC.

Cassiobury were forced to defend solidly, and it was not until the 20th minute that Old Shepherd had a shooting chance and scored from the edge of the box. Cassiobury conceded a second two minutes later after two clearance kicks had blown back at them. Despite the wind Cassiobury tried to play football, keeping it on the ground, and after 40 minutes were rewarded with a goal when Ed Hutchinson chipped the keeper after a move down the left involving Nathan Keyder and Karl Wright.

2 - 1 at half time seemed a good scoreline for Cassiobury and so it proved with Old Shepherd having only two or three attacks in the second half. A goal from Dan Zaraiah brought the teams level in the 60th minute, driven home from a corner. Martyn Baxter came close with an overhead kick which just cleared the bar, and a header from a throw in which went inches wide. Ben Robson rounded off the scoring with a well taken goal, chipping in from 40 yards having spotted the goalkeeper out of position.

Weather dominated games can often be a lottery but Cassiobury showed great patience in playing good football, knowing the chances would come.

Cassiobury were on top from the beginning, playing simple, fluent football and apart from one or two Leavesden attacks maintained this position throughout the half. This resulted in several near misses, including Ed Hutchinson, Dan Zariah and Jake Mortimer all hitting the woodwork and missing at least two open goals. Cassiobury were dominating the game, but not managing to punish Leavesden, who were by far the happiest side at half time, with the score at 0 – 0.

 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. But still did not manage to put the ball away and it seemed that the second half was going to mirror the first. This was until three minutes from the end when Martyn Baxter played the ball out to Jonny Robson, who in turn passed to his brother Ben Robson who laid the ball off for Captain Chris Franks, who enigmatically ghosted pass three Leavesden players to slot home Cassiobury’s only goal; but this was enough and Cassiobury won the match 1 – 0.

 A deserved win by Cassiobury who had fought hard and played excellent football at many times during the game, but just failed to score the deserved amount of goals!

Another Cup match with a depleted team and against a good side.

For the first 20 minutes Cassiobury were the team on top, dominating possession, but failing to capitalise and put the ball away, although coming close on several occasions and this included a missed penalty after Jake Mortimer was cut down in the Riverside box. Riverside then started to get back into the match, although Cassiobury contained them and towards the end of the half were back on top. 0 – 0 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, until an Adam Bignell cross was fired home by Ed Hutchinson. This galvanised Riverside who were back level after another 5 minutes and pulled ahead after further 10 minutes. Riverside got their third shortly afterwards with a penalty. Cassiobury kept on fighting and towards the end grabbed another goal after a Jake Mortimer cross was headed home by Martyn Baxter. Unfortunately this was too little too late and riverside won the match 3 – 2.

Cassiobury should not be too disappointed with their performance as they played good football in spells and kept on fighting to the end.

It is these sort of match reports I hate to write. This match should have been won by Cassiobury at a stroll and instead was lost by an overall poor performance. 

Cassiobury started the match in attacking style and for the first five minutes were camped in the opposition half, until Abbots had a break away and scored with their first attempt after splitting the Cassiobury defence. Cassiobury came back straight away, with a Ben Robson header, but the team still were not playing at anywhere near their best and conceded another three goals, all of which were scored by an initial long ball through to the Abbots strikers. The captain, Chris Franks got another goal back for Cassiobury shortly before half time. 

In second half, yet again Cassiobury started off the strongest but little effect and although coming close on several occasions it was just not going to happen for Cassiobury. The score finished with Cassiobury losing 4 – 2. 

Not a great game for Cassiobury, with poor play and mistakes being punished by an average opposition.

The last time these two teams met there was along stoppage for an injury, which allowed Valley back into match; with the game ending with honours even.

This time both sides starting in attacking style although, Cassiobury looked to be on top, creating the early chances. This view was cemented when Ben Robson, scored to put Cassiobury ahead with an excellently taken goal after a Dan Zariah throw in.

Valley were not going to give up easily and after some strong battling levelled the score, from a free kick.   1 – 1 at half time.

The second half started with Cassiobury again attacking hard and very soon going ahead, with another Ben Robson goal. It seemed that Valley had the wind taken out of them at this point and very shortly afterwards Cassiobury managed another goal, this time from Matt Godfrey, after another Dan Zariah long throw. Cassiobury’s fourth was again from Matt Godfrey, after a Jonny Robson free kick. Valley nicked a goal back towards the end, but it wasn’t enough and the score remained 4 – 2 to Cassiobury.

This match was scrappy throughout, as much down to the pitch as the players, but Cassiobury did what they had to do and the result was a good end to the year.

Appalling weather was the order of the day and both teams tried hard to make the best of the conditions. Cassiobury, with a very strong wind behind started well, and constant pressure made it very hard for Ginder to get out of their own half. After 20 minutes, Cassiobury strung together a series of passes down the left, started by Karl Wright, and ending with a cross from Mike Gibbs for Matt Godfrey to head home.

The second half quickly proved that the wind was a major factor with Ginder settling in to play some good football of their own. Only some timely tackles from the Cassiobury defence and an excellent save from Keeper Marc Flynn kept Ginder out. Ginder finally got the deserved equaliser with a through ball from midfield which split the Cassiobury defence, scoring with virtually the last kick of the game.

Extra Time. By virtue of their second half performance Ginder started the stronger despite playing against the wind. Their persistence eventually resulted in a penalty, which was converted. Cassiobury's response was to attack immediately and level through a Ben Robson Header. Ginder were awarded a further penalty at the end of the first half of extra time (as in fairness tackling was becoming virtually impossible in the conditions); this was also converted. In the second half of extra time Cassiobury found second wind and kept up the pressure, which resulted in Mike Gibbs scoring his debut goal for the club. 3 - 3 after extra time.

Penalties Ginder started first and Marc Flynn made a great save from the first effort. Four straight penalties followed by a miss from Ginder sealed the win for Cassiobury. Given the conditions, a good game and a pleasing result for Cassiobury Rangers.

After kick off, it was AFC who settled the quicker of the two teams and were immediately on the attack, however Cassiobury soon got into their stride and the first twenty minutes were evenly fought. This view was cemented when both teams had several near chances. It was AFC who pulled ahead after a break away from a Cassiobury attack. This was followed shortly afterwards with another goal from AFC after Cassiobury ‘had gone to sleep’. Cassiobury looked like this had woken them up and began to play fast, flowing, simple football; capitalising on this after a Dan Zariah throw-in was headed home by Matt Godfrey on the stroke of half time. 2 –1 to AFC at half time.

In the second half, it was Cassiobury who started the strongest and after ten minutes managed to get another goal; this time through a great passing move, finished off by Ed Hutchinson. For the next twenty minutes the game ebbed and flowed with both teams coming close, with Cassiobury perhaps edging it on the number of shots on target. It was at this point that AFC pulled ahead with their third and decisive goal after a spectacular overhead kick. The game continued at the fast pace with more opportunities but no more goals. 3 – 2 at full time.

Silly mistakes and not taking their chances let Cassiobury down, although the spirit and the continued effort and fight, meant that heads could be held high.

Cassiobury came into this match with yet another depleted team, against a team whom we had beaten and lost to, last season and off the back of two defeats; it was not going to be easy. The conditions on the day did not favour either team with a strong blustery wind.

The match started at fast pace with both sides playing scrappy football, with Cassiobury having by far the most possession, but managing to either lose the ball easily or failing to pass the ball to feet. With the amount of possession they had, Cassiobury should have gone on to score, but instead Reed pulled ahead with a lovely goal from 30 yards. Not to be out done and perhaps because they realised they had a match on their hands, Cassiobury immediately pulled level after Jack Henley collected the ball from 'keeper, Ian Dougan to put in an excellent cross for Mark Flynn to nod home. 1 –1 at half time.

In the second half Cassiobury began the better of the two teams and it was within a short time that Jack Henley scored their second goal after a lovely through ball from Mark Flynn. What a difference a half makes… Cassiobury were now playing excellent, free flowing simple football, managing to pass and move and as importantly have an end product, missing and coming close on several occasions. It was during one of these moves that Karl Wright was brought down in the penalty area, for Robert Tomkinson, playing his first match of the season, to slot away the subsequently awarded penalty. This was followed shortly afterwards, with a lovely move involving the central midfield duo of Ben Robson and Matt Godfrey, resulting in the first goal of the season for Darren Coombs (also playing his first match of the season). Coombs followed this goal with another, after a great through ball from Jack Henley; he narrowly missed getting his hat trick in the last minute of the game.

5 – 1 to Cassiobury at full time.

A match where the expression “game of two halves” really applied, with a dismal first half and a fantastic second half… lets hope it is the second half’s style of football that continues for the rest of the season!

The game started with Gadeside immediately on the attack and Cassiobury having to defend hard from the off. Gadeside’s experience and players playing out of position allowed them to negate Cassiobury's pace and skills on the ball and meant that Cassiobury were always 'chasing' the game, with the few attacks that did occur coming on the counter attack. It was 20 minutes into the half when Gadeside got the first goal after a counter attack. Cassiobury should have levelled 10 minutes later after their goal keeper caught the ball from a long throw in and stepped back into their goal (touching the rear of the net); unfortunately the referee failed to spot this! For the rest of the half the score remained the same with both sides now being fairly equal. 1 – 0 to Gadeside at half time.

The second half continued in the same manner with Cassiobury managing to keep Gadeside out for the first 15 minutes, but then through a series of errors letting Gadeside score another three goals. The half was also notable for the debut of Cassiobury co-manger, Simon Cooper. 4 – 0 to Gadeside at full time.

Cassiobury will learn from these types of matches and come back a stronger team in the future.

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 Spennytown's forth and fifth goals; the first coming from yet another error and the fifth from good open play. Cassiobury fought back hard but could not get the run of ball and Spennytown managed a sixth after a counter attack. Ed Hutchinson got one back for Cassiobury but it was far too late. 6 – 2 at full time.

This game was decided by Cassiobury giving away three ‘cheap’ goal and a bit of luck for Spennytown; this happens; but Cassiobury should not be too disappointed as the errors can be sorted out and there were some good phases of football played and yet again, their character in trying to get back into the game, showed.

At half time Cassiobury looked at where they could further improve and took it on board as they started the second half fiercely using good wing play and quick, passing football. Although Shepherd kept coming back at Cassiobury, the defence commandingly dealt with what was thrown at them, turning each Shepherd attack into a useful counter, with good midfield support, fine holding up from Ed Hutchison and excellent link play from Jonny Robson. A strategic change in formation saw Chris Franks take up a position higher up the field, which paid off dividends as good play down the right hand side, by Ben Robson, created space for Ed Hutchison to take the ball on and find Chris Franks 20 yards out who expertly dispatched the ball into the top right hand corner of the net, way out of reach of the goalkeeper. Mark Flynn and Chris Gourlay came on to play on either wing, adding freshness and pace to a game which was becoming stretched and very back and forth. Cassiobury’s central midfield kept going though and Matt Godfrey battled away as Shepherd pushed more men forward in an effort to get something out the game, whilst Jonny Robson tirelessly linked the play to relieve the pressure. Cassiobury tried to not sit back, but were pressed back late on, but a strong defensive performance meant that the final score was 2-0 to Cassiobury.

A close game of football with Cassiobury the deserved winners, played in the right spirit and refereed well.

Right from the off, Cassiobury began to play measured football; they began to use the wings and the space that that created. They were passing the ball well and in the first twenty minutes, restricted Colne Valley to only two attacks. At this point they were on top; confirming this with a well-taken goal from Ed Hutchinson, after a move involving Jack Henley and the initial pass from Ben Robson. This dominance looked set to continue for rest of the half until a clash of heads between two players left the Colne Valley left back badly injured. The game was stopped and an ambulance attended. After a 25-minute delay the game resumed (the Colne Valley player thankfully looked to be ok and had gone to hospital) and it looked like from the Cassiobury bench that a new team had started. Colne Valley immediately dominated and 5 minutes before the end of the half (a very long half!) scored an equaliser. 1 –1 at half time.

The second half started in much the same manner as the first with Cassiobury again dominating and after 20 minutes going ahead after Matt Godfrey drilled home from 20 yards, after a good move involving Mark Flynn and Jack Henley. This however did not mean that Cassiobury were going to make things easy for themselves and again Colne Valley were allowed to get back into the match to pinch a late equaliser from a headed free kick.

A bit of a patchy game, with a fair result, although Cassiobury should have won the game at a trot.

Franks, Henley

The second half started off in much the same way, with Cassiobury putting constant pressure on Loop, who were having to defend at all times. Some 10 minutes into the half Cassiobury were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Loop penalty area; the quick thinking Chris Franks then took a quick free kick and scored, against a half asleep defence This was followed shortly afterwards with a goal from Jack Henley, after a great attack and a final ball put through to him by Pat Hill. Cassiobury dominated the rest of the half, but did not manage to score any further goals and the game ended with Cassiobury 2 –1 winners.

Cassiobury got the result they wanted, although it was not particularly pretty and they could have made things a bit easier for themselves.

J. Robson, Godfrey, Bignell

The game started at a frantic pace with both teams coming close and also making mistakes. It was Cassiobury who had the better chances, but Glenn who were perhaps playing marginally better football, but both were involved in an entertaining first 45 minutes. It was Glen who took the lead against the run of play after 25 minutes, when the Cassiobury defence let the Glenn right winger cut into the box and then slot home an excellent goal from a tight angle.

Cassiobury were unfortunate to be behind, but drew level 15 minutes later after Jack Henley was pulled down by the Glenn ’keeper and Jonny Robson converted the penalty. Ian Dougan, in the Cassiobury goal was then forced to make a vital block from Glen and the defence had to be tight for the remainder of the half. 1 – 1 at half time.

Cassiobury picked up the attacking theme after the break and went ahead 10 minutes after the re-start, when Matt Godfrey volleyed home a Jonny Robson corner. Cassiobury were now more comfortable in their play, although Glenn were proving to be dangerous on the break. The match continued in this vain and it wasn’t until 20 minutes from the end that Cassiobury really began to dominate, after Adam Bignell scored a great goal from a thirty-yard free kick.

The match continued with Glen counter attacking to the end, against an attacking Cassiobury team and eventually Glen managed to grab a goal back after a penalty. 3 – 2 to Cassiobury at full time.

A good win after an average first half and a dominant second half.

Cairns (3), Godfrey,  J. Robson (3)

Cassiobury play invariably was built up from their own half, with some excellent counter attacks. This was rewarded after 15 minutes when Jack Henley put through an excellent pass for Jack Cairns to slot home. There were plenty more attacks from Cassiobury and Leavesden were desperately defending. After one such attack Cassiobury won a throw in, which Dan Zariah proceeded to throw well into the six-yard box for Matt Godfrey to nod home. Leavesden pulled one goal back shortly afterwards when a clearance caught the wind to beat the Cassiobury back line. 2 –1 to Cassiobury at half time.

The second half started with Cassiobury immediately on the attack and within 10 minutes, after a patient build up, Jack Cairns scored another goal after an excellent through ball from Jake Mortimer. Cassiobury continued to attack coming close several times in the next 10 minutes. It was Jonny Robson who scored the next goal, after a lovely ball had been played through to him by Karl Wright. Minutes later Cairns got his hat trick after a passing move with Ben Robson. This was followed up by another goal from Jonny Robson after some excellent passing moves with the midfield and a lovely through ball from Matt Godfrey. Robson got his hat trick two minutes from the end after yet another excellent through ball from Jack Henley. 7 - 1 at full time.

Another match affected by the wind, with the possibility of at least another five goals, had the goal posts been 2 inches further apart! Cassiobury won this match in style, playing attractive football with plenty of effort and commitment to the end. Credit to both teams for the sporting manner in which the game was played.

Cairns, Baxter, Keyder, Cronin

From the kick off Cassiobury put together an excellent attacking move and came close to scoring. This was repeated several times and within the first ten minutes they had got their first goal, when Jake Mortimer linked up with Adam Bignell to put a cross in for Jack Cairns to stab home. This was followed up shortly afterwards by another goal, after captain Matt Godfrey had put Jack Cairns through, again, for him to shoot, the goalkeeper to parry and Martyn Baxter to follow up and slot home. For all Cassiobury’s dominance they then conceded a silly goal after a series of defensive errors. Cassiobury responded by more attacking play and on one such attack, Neal Cronin was fouled; Nathan Keyder took the free kick, drilling it home into the Rising Eagles goal. Shortly before half time, the eagles got back another goal after a counter attack.

3 – 2 at half time.

In the second half the wind was worse. The half started with Rising Eagles having a little more possession; this was until Cassiobury scored another goal, after link up play with Ben Robson and Karl Wright, for Neal Cronin to slot home. Cassiobury were cruising at this point and the half finished with no change to the score.

4 – 2 at full time.

The result was no more than Cassiobury deserved after a good performance, perhaps made a bit difficult by the wind and our own players at times!

Godfrey, J. Robson (2), Baxter

Abbots were playing a counter attacking game and doing this very well; with their first goal coming straight after a Cassiobury attack. This was the pattern for the whole of the first half, with Abbots managing to score four good, but easily preventable goals. However this is not to take things away from Abbots, who had two good strikers, who managed to ‘split’ the Cassiobury defence. The only interlude in this play being when Jonny Robson, put the ball away, only for it to be disallowed, as it had gone off!!??

0 – 4 at half time.

After a brief ‘chat’ with the managers, at half time, Cassiobury began in great style and soon had got one goal back after some good play from the right wing and the ball being crossed for Matt Godfrey to bang home. This was followed shortly afterwards by another goal, this time after a cross from Jack Henley for Jonny Robson to score. Robson scored Cassiobury’s third after a long throw in from Dan Zariah. The game was there for Cassiobury to win, with Abbots having virtually none of the ball. Straight away, they again counter attacked and won a corner, which they scored from. Cassiobury continued to attack and scored again from a Jonny Robson free kick, which was nodded home by Martyn Baxter. In the last five minutes of the match Cassiobury had more chances, including hitting the crossbar, but they did not manage to claw the additional goal back.

4 – 5 at full time.

A poor first half let Cassiobury down and gave them too much to do in the second half, however there were more lessons learnt on the pace and ability of the premierships top sides.

Godfrey, J. Robson

The game started at a fast pace with both teams fighting hard in the middle of the park, with Cassiobury probably having the best of the early chances, with Neal Cronin, Jack Cairns, Jack Henley and Jonny Robson all coming close. The reality of it is that at this level of football, you have to take your chances or face being punished later on. As the half continued Headstone, slowly began to increase the pressure, although when they did create scoring chances they were dealt with by ‘keeper Ian Dougan and the Cassiobury back line. After 35 minutes, Headstone pulled ahead, through a header at a corner. Cassiobury began to fight back straight away, but yet again the chances not coming off.

0 – 1 at half time.

The second half started with Headstone having more confidence although Cassiobury managed to peg them, whilst having more attacks and near misses. Headstone’s next goal actually came from a Cassiobury attack, which broke down and allowed them to counter attack. The back line looked to have stopped the attack until a lucky defection put the ball into the path of the Headstone striker for him to score in the 65th minute. Cassiobury, didn’t let their heads go down and responded with more attacking football. It was as a result of this passage of play that they won a corner in the 75th minute, which was taken by Jonny Robson and struck home by Captain, Matt Godfrey. The next quarter of an hour consisted of a lot open play with Cassiobury going on the attack and Headstone counter attacking. It looked however that they had the home team pegged. This was until well into injury time, when Neal Cronin combined with Jack Cairns during an attack; both of the players were pulled down in the penalty area and the referee had an easy decision to award a penalty. This was coolly put away by Jonny Robson, with what was practically the last kick of the match.

2 – 2 at full time. A game where Cassiobury fought hard against the champions, showing real character to come away with a point.