"First game for nearly a month and a game of ‘what ifs’….
If Cassiobury had taken the chances in the first half that they completely dominated, if Cassiobury had not scored an own goal, if Cassiobury had scored the penalty they were awarded… but they didn’t!
The game ended with Cassiobury losing 1-2; it was one all at half time, after Valley had had no shots in the first half, only scoring through an own goal and Cassiobury had missed a penalty and then scored a couple of minutes later, with a superb individual goal from Darren Coombs.
The second half was much the same until Valley went ahead, after Cassiobury mistakes led to their Captain scoring. From then onwards, it was ‘end to end’ play, with no results from either team.
Cassiobury could have and should have won this game, but didn’t through a too casual approach.
"
22-Jan-12
Kings Langley
League
Neutral
3-1 (Won)
Henley, Coombs, Cronin
"After a weeks break due to weather, game on……
Cassiobury won the toss and decided to kick up hill and against the wind, however they settled the quicker of the two teams and were immediately on the attack, coming close on a couple of occasions. In the third minute, after a neat move started by Frank Blande, Jack Henley slotted home past an unorganised defence. The game was tough for Cassiobury in this half and a quarter of an hour later Langley went level, after the Cassiobury defence had gone to sleep, allowing a Langley player to dribble through them and score. The rest of the half was battling against the wind, but with constant Cassiobury pressure, but no further goals.1 – 1 at half time.
In the second half, it was Cassiobury who again started the strongest and with the wind behind them, were now threatening on every attack. This continued until Rob Tomkinson was scythed down in the Langley box and a penalty was awarded; although hotly disputed by them, captain Darren Coombs stepped up and cooley placed the ball in the far left corner. Cassiobury kept up the pressure throughout the half and got their third goal, with yet another penalty, this time after Jack Henley was crudely brought down in the box. No dispute this time and coming back after a three-month injury lay off, Neil Cronin put Cassiobury three up. Cassiobury continued to heap on the pressure, in what had become a very scrappy game and finished the deserved winners, with the final score being 1 - 3 at full time.
A scrappy game, with not good weather conditions which Cassiobury dealt with in a business like manner.
"
08-Jan-12
Headstone Athletic
League
Neutral
2-3 (Lost
Bignell, Coombs
"The match started with Headstone playing in an attacking manner and within 2 minutes they went ahead after a speculative shot beat the Cassiobury keeper. Cassiobury were half a sleep and allowed Headstone to continue the pressure, but at least were defending well and managed to ensure that there were no other real goal threats. This continued for about 15 minutes, until Cassiobury woke up! Then they began to play football and were soon dominating the match although it took until the 35th minute for them to equalise, after a clearance from central defender Chris Parrot, was picked up by Darren Coombs who fed a sweet pass through to winger Adam Bignell to cut in, shoot and beat the sprawling Headstone keeper. Although Cassiobury were now firmly on top, the game remained drawn at 1 all for the rest of the half.
The second half mirrored the first half – mostly! Again Headstone started on top and again they got a silly goal, after 2 minutes of play, and again Cassiobury looked like they had not played for a couple of months! They got back into the match again after about 20 minutes and again began to dominate, having a couple of chances, which on another day would have been converted. They levelled the scores in the 70th minute, after Darren Coombs expertly converted a free kick from Ben Davis. Cassiobury continued to come close, but the game looked like it was going to end in a draw, until the last minute, when on a break away Headstone attack, Cassiobury gave away a penalty. This was converted and Headstone had won 3 – 2 in the last minute.
In a match where there were opportunities not taken, Cassiobury should have done better, but due to a couple of sloppy mistakes, they allowed Headstone to ‘nick’ the game.
"
11-Dec-11
Loop Construction
Laegue
Away
1-4 (Won)
Henley, R Tomkinson, W Davis, Coombs
"A bleak cold day, but a better squad to pick the team from….
It was Cassiobury who settled the quicker of the two teams and were immediately on the attack, coming close on a couple of occasions, but continuously failing to convert their moves in the last third. The game was all square after 30 minutes, until Jack Henley, met a cross from Frank Blande. He took his time, pulling off a neat turn and then playing a one-two with Captain, Darren Coombs before guiding the ball through the keeper’s legs. The game continued with constant Cassiobury pressure, but no further goals.0 – 1 at half time.
In the second half, it was Cassiobury who again started the strongest and soon went further ahead with a goal from Rob Tomkinson, after he received a pass from fellow midfielder, Ben Robson, he dribbled 20 yards and then blasted, a shot with his left foot, past the diving Loop keeper. This was added to within ten minutes from a Dan Zaraiah throw-in, which was met by a crisp right footed, edge of the box, volley from Warren Davis; the ball flew into the top corner of the net leaving the opposition stunned. There was no time for him to celebrate however as the whole team bundled him, as this was his first goal, for many seasons! Coombs continued his goal-scoring run, with Cassiobury’s fourth, after a superb individual run, was slotted home past a thoroughly beaten keeper. Loop got a late consolation goal and Cassiobury came close on a couple more occasions, with the final score being 1 - 4 at full time.
An average performance from Cassiobury; but something to build on for the rest of the season.
"
04-Dec-11
Kings langley
League
Home
2-2(Draw)
Henley (2)
"Cassiobury had a good match last week and needed to keep this record up, to mount any sort of attack on league leaders, Headstone Athletic. This was a forlorn hope, with, again, several players missing and two players going off during the match, due to injury.
Cassiobury started the match in a determined manner; passing the ball around and generally making Kings Langley work hard in defence. In the sixth minute, a free kick was won 30 yards out; Jonny Robson stepped up and it appeared he was going to take a shot, but instead he made a short pass to Chris Parrott, who in turn took the ball to the bye line and passed it across goal, for Jack Henley to nudge home. Slowly Kings Langley crept back into the match and after 20 minutes were matching Cassiobury. Shortly after, they drew level and although Cassiobury and Kings Langley both came close, the score remained 1 all at the half way point.
In the second half, Cassiobury started the better of the two teams, but were soon fighting against a determined Kings Langley team, although managing to keep them at bay, it was a striggle and the match had turned very scrappy; plenty of effort by both teams but nothing to show for it! Cassiobury again pulled ahead, again through Jack Henley, but this was short-lived and with less than 5 minutes to go Kings Langley drew level with another goal. 2-2 was the final score.
A very scrappy match, where Cassiobury got no more than they deserved and had been down to the number of times each side hit the woodwork, kings Langley would have won. Cassiobury have to be consistently better to make any in roads in the league.
"
27-Nov-11
Colne Valley
League
Neutral
3-6 (Won)
Coombs (2), Henley (2), B Robson, B Davis
"Cassiobury came into this match off the back of a win last week and with more players back from injury. 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 Valley having more possession, but managing to lose the ball to a determined Cassiobury side. Slowly Cassiobury crept back into the match and after 20 minutes were playing the better football. Shortly after, they went ahead, with a well-taken acrobatic overhead shot from Jack Henley, following a long throw from Chris Parrot. Valley were now on the back foot, but still managed to pull level. The teams were not level for long, when again Henley scored after the Valley keeper spilled a Rob Tomkinson shot. With the amount of possession they had, Cassiobury should have gone on to score more, but instead Valley again pulled level. 2-2 at half time.
In the second half, Valley started the brighter of the two teams, but Cassiobury managed to soak up the pressure and after 15 minutes, pulled ahead, after a Danny Imlach run down the wing led to a crisp pass, which was volleyed home by Ben Robson. Cassiobury were now on top and followed up with another goal, this time from Darren Coombs, who received the ball on the half way line, dribbled up the pitch, beating the Valley defence and slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Valley grabbed another goal back, but were not going to stop Cassiobury, who pulled further ahead with another Coombs goal, after a cleared ball from the Cassiobury half, was controlled by him and this time chipped over the beleaguered Valley keeper. The last goal came from another counter attack, this time when Warren Davis cleared to Ross Virgo, for him to beat two Valley defenders and then when the keeper had committed, lay the ball off for Ben Davis to slot home. 6 – 3 to Cassiobury at full time.
A match where Cassiobury began to play, as they should have throughout the season.
"
20-Nov-11
Inter
League
Away
0-2 (Won)
Coombs (2)
"Cassiobury are now building in confidence; having more players back from injury and having strikers!
Cassiobury were lively from the off and came close on several occasions… in fact by the first twenty minutes of the match, it should have been five nil, instead it was only one nil, after a cross from RobTomkinson was stabbed home by Darren Coombs. This set the tempo for the match with some slick passing and movement; looking more and more comfortable on the ball and with confidence growing as the half went on. Cassiobury kept up the pace for the rest of the half, however at half time the score was still only 1-0 to Cassiobury, although the goalkeeper could and should have been tested on more occasions.
Cassiobury started the second half fiercely using good wing play and quick, passing football. At the back, the Cassiobury defence commandingly dealt with what was thrown at them, turning each Inter attack, and there were not that many, into a useful counter attacks, with good midfield support, fine holding up from Jack Henley and excellent link play from Jonny Robson. In the 65th minute Chris Parrot started a move, which resulted in Frank Blande passing to Coombs, who blasted the ball past the flailing Inter keeper. Cassiobury did not sit back and came close on several more occasions, but with 10 men behind the ball, they found it hard to convert their chances. This meant that the final score was 2-0 to Cassiobury.
A good game of football with Cassiobury dominating, being the deserved winners.
"
13-Nov-11
Colne Valley
League
Away
40576
Johnston, J Robson
"Another week with a depleted side and a midfielder in goal! But not all bad news…. Two players with long term injuries, back for their first match’s of the season…..
Like the last time the two teams played, the first half started off fairly equally, although on this occasion Cassiobury were definitely ‘nudging it’ and were getting stronger, as the half went on. That is until another defensive error from Cassiobury let Colne Valley pull ahead with a soft goal. The rest of the half continued with Cassiobury on top, but the match very close. 1-0 at half time.
The second half started with Cassiobury immediately on top and coming close on a couple of occasions. This is the way things continued for the first 20 minutes of the half, until after a defensive clearance lead to the ball being passed by Rob Tomkinson to Brima Johnston; Johnston then started a meandering dribble past Valley players, from the half way line to the edge of the 18 yard box, where he blasted home with his left foot past the dumfounded Valley keeper. The game came alive at this point and very soon afterwards Cassiobury pulled ahead after a charge down by Jack Henley, led to the ball falling to Jonny Robson, who slotted home from 25 yards. The game looked settled, but Valley got back into it, with 3 minutes left after yet another defensive error. 2 - 2 at full time.
A much better performance from Cassiobury, who were unlucky to let a deserved lead slip.
"
06-Nov-11
Headstone Athletic
Challenge Cup
Home
0-3 (Lost)
"With long-term injuries affecting the team for another week it was going to be tough….
In the first half both teams were equal for the first twenty minutes, until Cassiobury let in a sloppy goal. Then, although Cassiobury were still fighting hard, Headstone relaxed a bit and shortly before the end of the half got another goal. 0-2 at half time.
The second half was much of the same and Headstone managed to get another goal twenty minutes i9nto the half. 0-3 at full time.
Three soft goals and a general lack of belief cost us another game.
"
30-Oct-11
Almond Tree United
County Cup
Home
2-3 (Lost)
Henly, Johnston
"Another week with players missing and another week with where we new things were going to be hard.
Cassiobury started the brighter and attacked with real intent. In the first 20 minutes it was Rangers who created all the openings, but they came to nothing. United, mostly resorted to direct football and this could have paid dividends, had the Cassiobury defence not dealt with everything they had to offer. It was at this point that Rangers pulled ahead with an excellent goal from Jack Henley, after a through ball from Jonny Robson. The pressure from Rangers continued for the rest of the half, but without any further goals. 1 – 0 to Rangers at half time.
After the halftime break Cassiobury maintained their domination however lacked the killer instinct when in and around the opposition penalty area frustrating their supporters on the side. This encouraged United and they soon crept back into the match with an equaliser. Rangers went ahead again from a Brima Johnston goal, after a Frank Blande pass, but this was not enough and United equalised again soon afterwards. The game was wrapped up bu United with a penalty. 2 – 3 at full time.
A sloppy performance today in a game where the home side totally dominated for 70 minutes and yet contrived to let the match slip away.
"
23-Oct-11
Colne Valley
Presidents Cup
Away
0-1 (Lost)
"Another week with a severley depleted side and players playing who were injured….
The first half started off fairly equally; this was until a defensive error from Cassiobury let Colne Valley pull ahead with a soft goal. The rest of the half continued with end-to-end football; neither side dominating or getting chances. 1-0 at half time.
The second half was exactly the same, with perhaps Cassiobury slightly the better of the two teams, but not really getting a grip on the match. 1-0 at full time.
Another match where both sides did not play that well, with Colne valley nudging it on the first half goal.
"
16-Oct-11
Tudor Arms
League
Home
0-4 (Lost)
"A severley depleted side with players playing who were injured….
The first half started off fairly equally; this was until a defensive error from Cassiobury let Tudor pull ahead with a soft goal. The best Cassiobury could do was to hold on for the rest of the half. 0-1 at half time.
The second half started in much the same manner until the half hour mark, when Tudor got another goal; this was followed in quick succession by another two. 0-4 at full time.
Although Cassiobury were beaten by the better team on the day, neither side played that well.
"
09-Oct-11
FC Swan
Challenge Cup
Away
2-7 (Won)
Coombs (3), Johnson (2), Parrott, Laws
"This was a cup game and although FC Swan were in a lower division, anything could happen; it was therefore essential that Cassiobury played well from the start…..
The game started with Cassiobury immediately on the attack and winning a throw in within 20 seconds, deep into the Swan half; Frank Blande took a long throw, which Darren Coombs headed home with a glancing header. This settled Cassiobury and they began to play good, easy football and although Swan had a few chances, the Cassiobury defence managed to ensure that there were no clean chances on goal. Things got better when Jonny Robson played a beautiful through ball for Coombs to stab home. Swan got a goal back after a looping header was missed by all. Cassiobury did not let this deter them and got another goal, after a Ben Robson pass was collected by Brima Johnson, for him to round two defenders and slot home at the far post. Unfortunately, yet again Swan got another goal, from a corner. 2 - 3 at half time.
The second half started in much the same fashion, with Cassiobury dominating and this time not letting Swan have any attacks. They got their fourth goal, from a Jonny Robson corner, which was powerfully headed home by centre half, Chris Parrott. They were now playing well and soon added to the tally when Brima Johnson again hit the back of the net, with a speculative shot from 30 yards out, leaving the opposition keeper floundering. It was shortly afterwards that Coombs completed his hat trick (his fourth in four weeks!!) with another well built up goal, this time receiving the final ball from a sweet pass by Johnson, which was met by Coombs, who smashed the ball home. The last goal of the match was started from the Cassiobury defence by Danny Imlach, who passed the ball to Ross Virgo, who slipped the ball onto James ‘Arsharvin’ Laws, who brought the ball down well to ’pass it’ smoothly into the bottom corner of the Swan goal.
Cassiobury did exactly what they needed to do and in doing so, played good football to thoroughly dominate the opposition.
"
02-Oct-11
Loop Construction FC
League
Home
5-0 (Won)
Coombs (4), Wright
"This was going to be tough for both teams, due to the heat!
Cassiobury were on the attack immediately, but were not playing their best football. In fact for the first half an hour of the match, things were pretty equal; Cassiobury having most of the attacks and Loop counter attacking in return. It wasn’t until the last five minutes of the half, that Captain Darren Coombs put Cassiobury ahead, with a superb half volley from the edge of the box, after receiving the ball from Jack Henley on the wing. 1 – 0 to Cassiobury at half time.
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 two up with another goal from Coombs, after a corner from Ross Virgo. This helped to relax the Cassiobury players who were now beginning to play better, building up play from the back and coming close on nearly every attack. It was shortly afterwards that they added to the total with an excellent goal from Karl Wright, after a one-two with Jonny Robson and a drilled shot into the far corner of the goal. Within another five minutes, Cassiobury went four up with a lovely goal from Coombs from a cross from James Laws.
This was Coombs’ third hattrick in as many games…. He is on a ‘goalfest’ run…. Long may it continue!
Cassiobury added to their total in the last five minutes, with another goal from Darren Coombs after a quick James Laws corner.
An average performance from Cassiobury producing a comprehensive win.
"
25-Sep-11
Kings Langley Fc
League
Away
1-3 (Won)
Coombs (3)
"We knew from the start that this match was going to be tough, for two reasons; one we played them in a pre-season friendly and two a small, thin pitch!
The match started with Cassiobury having several attacks a largely pegging kings Langley in their half, coming close on several occasions. Ten minutes into the match, Cassiobury went ahead, when they were awarded a free kick, some 30 yards out. Jonny Robson took the kick and put a high ball into the box that Brima Johnson managed to get his head to, the keeper only parried the ball as far as the penalty spot where Captain, Darren Coombs headed back over him. Cassiobury were now firmly on top, but not pressing home their dominance, until 10 minutes before half time when A quick throw-in from James Laws was cleverly flicked on by Ben Robson, into the path of Coombs who slotted home. Nothing changed up to half time, with Cassiobury 2 - 0 up.
In second half Kings Langley 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 ‘keeper, Ian Dougan. The game began to even out and Cassiobury began to outplay Kings Langley and with 20 minutes to go Jack Henley won the ball on the halfway line and flicking onto to Coombs who ran half the length of the pitch battling off 3 defenders to smash low past the keeper for his second hat-trick in as many games!
Kings Langley did not give up and eventually scored after a penalty (the penalty itself being saved by keeper Dougan) follow up shot. This proved to be too little, too late and the game ended 3-1 to Cassiobury.
A gritty performance and a deserved win by Cassiobury.
"
18-Sep-11
Colne Valley Blues FC
League
Home
5-1 (Won)
Coombs (3), J Robson , Cronin
Cassiobury came into this match with a more experienced team and it showed, almost straight away…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. After a while Cassiobury began to slow down and play football! With the amount of possession they had, Cassiobury should have gone on to score, but instead the Blues pulled ahead after a free kick wasn’t cleared. This spurred Cassiobury and within five minutes they had pulled level after a move down the right wing, started by James Laws, involving Jack Henley and finished by Captain, Darren Coombs. Not to be out done, the other striker, Neal Cronin then made it two, when he converted from a Ben Robson through ball. Cronin was to feature in the next two goals… Both almost exactly the same and both coming from Frank Blande wing play, with moves started at the back; the first from Warren Davis and the second from Ben Davis. The result was Cronin running at the Blues defenders and on both occasions them fouling Cronin in the box. Coombs converted both awarded penalties, gaining his hattrick. 4 –1 at half time.In the second half Cassiobury began the better of the two teams and came close several times. They were now very comfortable on the ball and playing free flowing passing football, although failing to convert…. This was until midway through the half, Jonny Robson took a free kick; a superb bending strike landed in the back of the Blues net, leaving the keeper flailing in its wake. What a difference a half makes… Cassiobury were now playing excellent, simple football, managing to pass and move and as importantly have an end product, missing and coming close on several occasions. Although there were no more goals, it was a satisfying half. 5 – 1 to Cassiobury at full time.A match where Cassiobury played football, with a justified result.
11-Sep-11
Roundbush FC
Challenge Cup
Away
1-4 (Won)
Coombs, J Robson, B Robson, Henley
"Today was going to be a test for both teams; a small sloping pitch with a vicious wind.
Cassiobury started slowly with few attacks and failing to force the Roundbush keeper into any decent save. Roundbush were also playing their part and in their first attck after 10 minutes of play, managed to score a good goal.
This seemed to sting Cassiobury into action and they immeadiately upped their game, scoring their first after 20 minutes, when Darren Coombs poked a ball past the Roundbush keeper, from a Grant Blomfiled goal kick. Cassiobury were now playing slightly better and although now scoring again in the half, they heaped constant pressure on the Roundbush goal. 1 - 1 at half time.
The second half saw Cassiobury starting much more brightly and within 10 minutes they had gone ahead, after a Jonny Robson corner went straight in. After 20 minutes, Coombs picked up the ball on the edge of the Roundbush box, slotted it through to Jack Henley who rounded a player to shoot inside the far post.
The last goal came with 15 minutes remaining when after a move started from the defence, Ben Robson wrong footed a defender to shoot home from the edge of the 18 yard box. 4 - 1 to Cassiobury at the end.
A scrappy game, which in the end Cassiobury easily won, after a decent effort from Roundbush.
"
04-Sep-11
Headstone Athletic FC
League
Home
1-4 (Lost)
Henley
"First game of the season and Cassiobury were fielding a makeshift team, with five first team players missing, for a game against one of the divisions top teams…...it was going to be tough!
After kick off, it was fairly even for the first quarter of an hour, with both teams battling hard. This changed when Athletic pulled ahead after some sloppy defending from Cassiobury defence. However, Athletics’ lead did not last long, after a superb move started from the back, led to Cassiobury’s Jack Henley tucking home from six yards. Both teams continued to battle hard and were even, up until Athletic were awarded a penalty, which was dually slotted home. Athletic went further ahead further shortly afterwards. 1 – 3 to Athletic at half time.
In second half, it was much of the same; 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 Athletic pulled further ahead with their forth goal. Although Cassiobury kept on fighting, they found it difficult to break through the Athletic defence and so it ended 1 - 4 to Athletic at full time
"