Lonsdale v North Romford 08/01/2006

North Romford won by 6 goals to 4 but made hard work of it after taking a 5-0 first half lead.

Goals;
S'ts 4,
Richards
Clifton

NRFC got the new year of to a flying star, playing some of the best football they have played all season, in a first half that could not have been anymore one sided.
Lonsdale were simply blown away by the pace at which North Romford set about this game and were second best in every aspect in the 1st half.

NRFC looked unstoppable going forward, and the quick attacking play was mirrored by their strong and solid defending. On the rare occasions Lonsdale were able to beat the back four's off side trap Rabey or Cordell soon coverd round and snapped into a tackle.

Playing as well as this it was not long before the pressure was turned into a goal.
Clifton was causing havoc with his power and determination and stole the ball from his marker to set up the attack. After bargeing his way past the full back Clifton squared to Neville who let fly from just inside the box, the keeper could'nt hold onto the ball and as it rolled towards the goal line S'ts stole in to make sure it went in. (Neville will undoubtedly suggest that it was already over the line, but it was'nt, so see me Nev!)

Puffin (the stand in keeper for the day) did have a one-on-one to save to make at 1-0, it was an important save that was crucial to the result. He later pulled off a tip from the centre-forward's head, and should get lots of praise for being a goalie!

Soon after, the visitors doubled their lead with another quick counter attack. This time it was Richards who was set free down the right wing to run in on goal, he fired off a shot that the keeper could only push into the path of S'ts, and from two yards he doubled his, and NRFC's tally.

North Romford were in boyant mood and were pouring forward in numbers against a hapless Lonsdale back four, so it was inebitable that goals 3 and 4 would soon arrive.

The third came when Neville released Richards down the right wing again for a run at goal. This time the winger gave the keeper no chance with his effort, crashing an unstoppable shot into the the net for 3-0.

The fourth was a fine example of the flowing counter attacking play that NRFC were producing. It was started by a quick throw out from Puffin, which found Neville, his turn and pass released Clifton who ran down the line, cut back and sent over a pin point cross for S'ts, who vollyed home for a first half hat trick. 4-0.

The flowing play continued and JJ went close with a half volley after yet another great move. With the chances still falling their way it looked as though NRFC were in for a real goal feast, and they added the 5th before the break.
Richards picked up a short corner and his delivery found Cordell with his back to goal, he didnt have time to even think about laying it off as he was flattened by the Lonsdale keeper (Keith from Eastenders), penalty! S'ts stepped up to side foot home his fourth of the game and it was 5-0.

The NRFC half time team talk was all about how many goals they could get but in ture NRFC style it was not to be that simple.

There was a relaxed attitude about the side in the second half and the high tempo game that had caused the home side so much trouble had stpped. Having said that, chances still fell their way but the final nail in the coffin was proving hard to drive in.

Then came the collapse. With 25 minutes remaining Lonsdale scored from a corner, and credit where its due, were able to raise their game and force NRFC onto the back foot.
Two more goals came from corners and another after the whole side stood still, and all of a sudden it was 5-4 and game on.

Thats the way it stayed as NRFC realised they had to tighten up, push out and go in search of that final goal.
After a nasty clash of heads had left Neville dazed and confused the elusive 6th goal fnally came.
Cassidy started the attack down the left and cut the ball inside to Neville, who dispite his blured vision was able to roll the ball to Clifton, who went through one on one. Clifton calmly slotted home NRFC's most important goal of the game as it seemed to finaly kill off the home side.

There was still time for Waddy and Ricky to both get a run out, they were both able to sure things up with their tough tackles and Ricky also had time for some comedy throw on's. (left)

So all in all it was a typically excitng North Romford performance, they looked at one point as though they could end the game with a plus goal difference but were happy to just take the points in the end.





Parmenter,
Hollamby, Rabey, Cordell, Curran,
Richards, Neville, Johnson, Cassidy, Clifton,
S'ts,

Subs - Waddy, Ricky,