28 Jan '24 Away vs Cheam Rangers

Sunday 28th January 2024
Cheam Rangers vs Ewell Vets 

0-2

Team: Burnsie, Sean, Chris, JB, Arron, Ben A, Sean, Steve S, Matt F, Stevie G, Andy

Subs: Kiel, Wayne, James F

MOTM: James F

After a good performance last week, I thought that Burnsie would be faced with a huge selection dilema as everyone competed to make the squad. However, after some midweek changes and dropouts -  at 10.20am we just about had 12 players fit and ready to begin. Everyone was in good spirits, and Matt F exuded positive vibes as we did our usual fag and chat warm-up routine.

 
The opposition rocked up, and set about a warm-up routine that caused a bit of concern in the Ewell ranks. We watched as they jogged up and down the pitch in perfect order, did active stretches and at one point seemed to talk tactics. Shocking. 

Sean lost the toss. I'm going to start asking him to choose 53 numbers for the lottery - if I choose the other 6 I'm sure to win the jackpot, such is his luck. 

We started the first half strongly and passed the ball well around the pitch. I'm sure they didn't touch the ball for the first few minutes. As confidence grew, we continued playing good football with some nice link up play between defence and midfield. Cheam are a good side though, and they started to press more, putting us under more pressure. Matt, sitting just ahead of the defence, did a great job (and a worthy MoM contender) and constantly made himself available to receive the ball. 

But Cheam started to have more of the ball, and themselves were capable of stringing 10 passes together and choosing the right time to attack. One such attack led to Chris crunching into a tackle to win the ball - but it was instantly apparent something wasn't right and he went down with a (hopefully not serious) turned ankle. Luckily, he didn't need the defibrillator (as it was locked in someone's car - should that be a fine?) but he definitely needed to make use of our club medical bag. Highlights/lowlights of the rest of the 1st half:

• Burnsie made a couple of good stops. 

• Ben A put in a lovely ball from the right, finding Steve S who did everything right (shouting his own name, not "mine" this time) bar the finish. 

• They scored to go 1-0 up. I can't remember much, but I think they put some good quick passes together and eventually went 1on1 with the keeper. 

In the the meantime, Chris hobbled off the pitch and on came the 35th player to pull on the Ewell Vets shirt this season - James F. 

The second half was more of the same - good effort from both teams, some nice pressing and some nice passing. They had several half-chances they squandered (or Burnsie saved), and we battled well although if I was being harsh I'd say we never really looked like scoring. That is, until the last 15 mins. A nice bit of link up on the left saw Steve S get fouled about a yard into the box. The ref didn't hesitate and pointed to the spot. Steve S earned the pen, and under gaffa's orders he stepped up to take it. He took the penalty straight and hard (insert your own joke here) but it blasted 5 yards over. That spurred a bit of passion and stronger desire to move forward, but they defended well and soaked up our pressure. They scored their second with the last kick of the game, a free-ish header from a well taken free kick. Other highlights from the 2nd half:

• James F put in a very solid display in his first game for us. Won the ball in the air, put in some great tackles and distributed the ball well from the back. A Man of the Match display!

• Burnsie was injured in a mystery incident where he, a Ewell defender and a Cheam attacker all went for the ball. Very unclear what happened. 

• We never gave - everyone put a shift in, and we fought to the last. 

In summary, a great game to be involved with (bar the result). Although evenly matched  - if we're being honest we didn't create enough chances to warrant a better result - but lots to be proud of and take forward to next week.