North Romford v May & Bakers 29/01/2006

After last weeks disappointment in the cup some avid NRFC followers might have thought that their season was already over, and after watching this 7-3 humiliation they would be forgiven for feeling that these thoughts had now been confirmed.
NRFC looked totally disinterested in this game and the result was a performance that was servely lacking in passion and quality.

Goals
S'ts

There was the odd glimpse of passion, Clifton and Brown, and likewise there were occasional moments when NRFC produced signs of the quality they are cabpable of.

Racing Club Fantana v North Romford 22/01/2006

North Romford lost 3-2, despite taking the lead, in an end-to-end Cup quarter final tie that killed off any hope they may have had of silverware.
Goals;
Neville
S'ts

It had been said that this would be the game of the season as the winners would surely go on and be favourites to lift the Cup, and it was a game that lived up to its billing.
From the very first whistle it was clear that NRFC were up for this one and Fantana were clearly shaken by the commitment on show.
The noise level was high, the spirit was even higher and it seemed that every lose ball had a yellow and blue shirt snapping onto the end of it.

The passion was there for all to see, but Fantana are a strong side and a well organised one at that. They made it hard for NRFC to create chances in a very tight first half.
The midfield trio of Nev, JJ and Cassidy were well on top and did start off a few flowing moves but the end product just seemed too hard to come by.
Clifton’s non-stop battling out wide on the left was nearly rewarded when S’ts helped it on to him, his bursting run and shot was saved well by the keeper.
Another good move down the left shortly after, involving Nev and Clifton, ended with JJ curling an effort past the keeper but over the bar.

For all their hype Fantana were made to look very average at times in the first half, they defended deep to combat the attacks from NRFC’s midfield but at times had 5 players back against just the one NRFC forward. They were clearly expecting weaker opponents in this game and had adjusted their tactics accordingly.
However Fantana did pose a constant threat going forward, with runners from the midfield and balls into space causing problems.
A few well timed (and some not so well timed) tackles were enough to end most of these attacks, and when the home side did manage to break through they found Brownie in top form pulling off some fine saves and rushing out to collect any scraps.

NRFC were probably the happier side at the break, and if they could keep the tempo up and keep the game close they knew they had a shot at winning this tie.
Fantana were clearly not happy and made a tactical change, taking off ‘Fat Legs - Tight Shorts’ (who was like a whale swimming up stream in the Themes against our midfield) and sending on ‘Big Gloves’ who’s claim to be Pascal Chimbonda only made things worse for him.


After some good pressure at both ends and a string of misses from Fantana, North Romford forced a corner on the counter attack.
JJ whipped it in, and skipper Neville was unmarked in the box to turn home the opener. A well deserved break through that was greeted by a team bundle!

Fantana went in search of the equaliser and got it just after a nasty clash of heads had left Spice dazed. As the centre back lay flat out you would expect some sympathy or concern… not a chance, his team mates just stood there mocking the ridiculous noise he made when he fell. After he told Gregg that he could ‘still fu*king hear him’ everyone assumed he was back to his old self.
Shortly after NRFC conceded a corner and with Spice still reeling from the clash of heads they looked less organised then usual. A quick corner was played to one of the Fantana players on the edge of the box, who’s shot was screaming wide to shouts of ‘all day’ until it was deflected in from 7 yards out. The forward’s reactions have to be commended, but why is it in football the ball always seems to fall right for other teams?

North Romford were then forced into a re shuffle as Spice (head) and Bosh (Hammy) were forced off. Ricky came on at full back with Waddy pushing into the middle and Alex went out wide. North Romford had to sacrifice the attacking creativity of JJ at this point however his performance at the back for the remainder of the game was 1st class.

The goal along with a host of changes and seemed to rock the confidence of NRFC and they soon fell behind.
Fantana were having no joy down the middle so pushed the ball into the wings at every opportunity. Their left-winger put over a dangerous ball and it was fired home from close range.
With NRFC still reeling, Fantana doubled their lead in near identical style. A good ball in was met by a fierce shot, this time the shot was blocked, but fell kindly again to a green shirt before being dispatched into the net.

Most teams would have thrown in the towel at this stage but there was a never say die attitude about NRFC, and they threw everything at it in true Cup style, switching from one up front to three.

The change had an immediate effect, Clifton went on a powerful bursting run and made it inside the box before being brought down by a tired looking Fantana defender. S’ts stepped up to slot home the penalty and there was a glimmer of hope for the away side again.

It was at this stage that NRFC really threw everything at it, Neville was the first to go close but as he scrambled an effort towards the goal it was cleared just short of the line, despite his hopeful (but quite loud) appeals that it had gone in the ref played on.
Then a long throw into the box found its way to Waddy, his header was not strong enough to beat the keeper, and as the rebound fell it was just too far to S’ts left. He stretched to meet the ball on the up and produce a half volley but could not keep it down and it flew over the bar.
There was still time for one last mad scramble, NRFC had every single player in the Fantana half (Brownie and Gregg went up there for what seemed like 10 minutes) and won a free kick on the right wing. The free kick was dropped into the box and the pinball began. Four or five blocks met four or five shots and the ball was finally cleared.

With just seconds remaining the game threatened to boil over for the very first time, which is testament to both sides after such a fast and fiery game. I guess that Hollamby had just kicked their left winger one too many times, but still it was people off the pitch that had a problem with it as opposed to the players on it who just got on with it.

All in all much respect was gained in this game by two sides that produced a display of passion, tough tackling with quality football to match.
North Romford can certainly hold their heads high at the end of a game that – had the draw been kinder - could have, would have, and maybe should have been an amazing Cup Final.

Browno
Hollamby, Cor-deli Spice, Waddy,
Bosh, JJ, Nev, Cassidy, Clifton,
S'ts,
Subs. Ricky, Alex,


to see their side of the story ...
http://www.racingclubfantana.co.uk/

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,