Garth Vader FC (3) vs (0) Railway Rhinos
November 7th, 2010 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Match stats:
Matthew James
Lee Isaac
Scott Sainsbury
The Vaders racked up a 3-0 win and bounced back well from their defeat at the hands of the nobs at Saint Athan.
With Coach Steve away eating the weight of Evan’s head in cakes assistant Rob was left to pick the team alone and with a few players missing the side was re-jigged a little to suit. The Vader’s lined up 4-4-2 with Titch returning to his up front position. This proved to be a good decision as with just 5 minutes gone Titch broke free to lob the keeper and put the Vader’s 1-0 up.
This was closely followed by an attempt on goal by Lee Isaac which was parried into to the net by the defending centre half. The Vader’s had their tails up and were 3-0 up within 20 minutes after a lovely corner ball taken by Isaac’s was converted perfectly by Scott “Gascoine” Sainsbury using an interesting technique of a diving header from a standing position.
There was never any threat from The Railway Rhinos’ with Jimbob back between the sticks and the Vader’s defence did their job well. Special mention to MOM Christian Powys.
The Vader’s attack was changed around a little as Blackie only lasted 20 minutes before pulling up with a hamstring problem. Johnny Lewis replaced him up front with the aim of giving Jimbob something to aim for.
As usual half time proved to be a big problem for the Vader’s with them failing to get going again after the break. The Rhino’s pressed the Vader’s back for the majority of the second half but never made any realistic threat on goal. The Vader’s continued to create chances but with everyone fancying themselves as strikers following the 3rd goal all the chances were wasted. A win and a clean sheet cannot be moaned about but the Vader’s should have settled down and scored goals instead of getting over excited and pushing everyone up.
Sub’s Dillo and Ben Poole put in good shifts when they were called upon, although Pooley could do with a lesson in how not to bitch at every decision. Apologies to Dale Coles and Matthew Donlon/Williams for not being registered in time (fault of the secretary on this occasion) and this will be rectified by this coming clash with Tonyrefail B away.
A big effort now needs to be made to beat Tonyrefail B, and although The Vader’s put away the A team in pre-season this will not be an easy match and The Vader’s should not get carried away.
Man of the Match: Christian Powys
Cock of the Week: Lee James (now known as Lee “the Pouter” James
Quote of the Day: N/A
Garth Vader FC (2) vs (2) Hunters Lodge
October 25th, 2010 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Vaders win 5-4 on penalties
Match stats:
Lee Isaac
Steve Boydell
The Vader’s progressed to the next round of the open cup with a win over Hunters FC on penalties after what was a really disappointing performance. The 9 man team of Hunters FC showed how football should be played and used every man on the field at their disposal, while The Vader’s saw the fact that there were only 9 on the field as a distinct advantage and didn’t pick up their men or play using the obvious advantage of 2 extra players.
The team fielded was a bid disjointed due to key players missing, mainly that of Jimbob Jones in goals who had partied so hard from Friday onwards that he couldn’t pick his head up by Sunday to play. Richard Boydell deputised and did an outstanding job in Jimbob’s absence and made the result actually feel a little more deserved than the 120 minutes of rubbish before the shootout.
It was only around 10 minutes into the game when the Vader’s struck first with a through ball being played from the back and a first (rather rubbish) touch from Rob Boydell through to Lee Isaac who made the most of it and put it in the back of the net.
In all fairness the Vader’s were trying hard to capitalise on the 2 man advantage in the first half and Blackie went through a few times (when he wasn’t off-side) and was challenged well, although there was the open goal scenario which we won’t go into.
Just before half time the Hunters were given a dubious penalty and made it 1-1 before the break.
The second half saw the Vader’s lose their shape and crumble under some heavy offensive moves from the Hunters. Around the 70 minute mark one of the long balls paid off and Steve Boydell converted with good composure under pressure from two defenders and the goalkeeper.
The Hunters though didn’t give in and a corner on the 85th minute saw the score pulled back to 2-2 and extra time would be needed, much to the disappointment of the referee who thought it was a league game – what a dohnut!
The Vader’s actually started to play a little more football in extra time and looked the most likely to score but it wasn’t to be and Penalties loomed.
Penalty takers were Hambone, Allan Thomas, Titch, Gouldy, and Blackie. 3 of the five penalties were brilliantly converted, Gouldy took his well but the keeper was equal to it and lost out only because of the power behind the shot. Blackie however missed his penalty as it wasn’t quite far enough away from the keeper and he pulled off a good save.
None of this mattered however as Rich Boydell pulled off probably the save of the season for the Vader’s and go right down low as far as he could to the post and tipped away the Hunters penalty. The pressure was too much for the last kick taker and he hit the bar for the Vader’s to progress into the ¼ finals. Nanty Rugby or Llantwit Lions in the next round so this will proably be a local derby…
Man of the Match: Richard Boydell
Cock of the Week: Gareth Blackwell
Quote of the Day: Can’t remember but it was Hambone yet again!
Litchard Park B (1) vs (2) Garth Vader FC
October 17th, 2010 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Match stats:
Richard Boydell
Scott Sainsbury
The Vader’s made it 3 wins in a row and make their way to 4th in the table with a 2-1 win over Litchard Park.
With 2 losses from 2 matches for Litchard, the Vader’s had a fair bit of confidence going into the match but the coaches tried to throttle this back due the Litchard’s A team not having a game this weekend therefore there could be some A players amongst the team. This didn’t worry the Vader’s though and from the kickoff the Vader’s pinned back Litchard in their own half and rarely had to track back apart from the odd long ball over the top which the back four managed well.
The Vader’s pushed forward hard and with confidence in their floor play (that’s floor play not foreplay) Lee Isaac had the legs on his opponent and when the ball came left Rob Boydell was able to hold up the ball for Rich Boydell and Titch to run off.
The chances were coming thick and fast and it with only around 10 minutes gone Jammy (K-Swiss Bergkamp) crossed the ball to Rob Boydell in the middle who tried to hold the ball ready to turn on goal only for the ball to ripple up leg but this made no difference as it made a perfect layoff for Rich Boydell to smash the ball into the bottom corner leaving the slightly overweight keeper no chance to get near it.
The Vader’s had their tails up and there was no stopping the attacks and the keeper made some good saves from shots from Titch and Rich Boydell.
A lucky break just before half time saw the Vader’s go in at 1-1. The goal was finished well but it wasn’t deserved and was well against the run of play.
A few changes at half time saw Scott “Gascoine” Sainsbury replace Tom Evans in the middle and Gareth Blackwell who had put in a good shift up front replaced by Ben Poole. Additionally Hambone moved into Midfield and Powys moved on the left with Chris Crowley moving into sweep.
These moves helped the Vader’s boss the midfield a little more, but the Vader’s did come under a lot of pressure at the beginning of the second half and found themselves defending more than going forward.
With 20 minutes to go Litchard looked more likely to score on the break but their play in the last third of the field and the Vader’s defence proved difficult to break open.
The game looked to be finishing as a draw but two free kicks in succession saw Scott “Gascoine” Sainsbury put his second attempt at a headed goal in the back of the net. The Vader’s now only had to play for time and a solid second half performance from the defence made sure that they 3 points was in the bag.
It was hard to pick out any particular player who had a bad game on Sunday as a good performance was put in by all on the field. What the team needs now is to work on its consistency and putting the game to bed early on by taking the chances.
Man of the Match: Scott Sainsbury
Cock of the Week: Lee James
Quote of the Day: N/A
Garth Vader FC (2) vs (1) Llantwit Major Lions
October 11th, 2010 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Match stats:
Richard Boydell
Lee Isaac
Gareth Hanbury
So the Vaders rack up their second consecutive win against another new team to the BDSFL.
With 19 players available on the day the coach had very difficult decisions to make, definitely the most difficult since the Vaders were formed. The team remained as close to the winning team from the previous week as possible with some forced changes due to absentees through injury or otherwise. The team sheet was amended several times and big apologies to the boys who didn’t even make it on to the subs bench.
So the Vader’s lined up as usual formation with a solo front man and 5 in the middle, not that it seemed that way for most of the game as the Lions didn’t even seem to have a formation and basically followed the ball and not their markers. This meant an early opener from Rich Boydell and got the Vader’s right in the mood for giving these newbie’s a kicking.
A few breaks were made early on by the Lions but most of the play was from the Vader’s especially with Lee Isaac breezing past probably one of the fastest right backs seen so far this season and creating many opportunities by cutting the ball back across goal.
The Lions centre backs were more like pussy cats and didn’t want to know in the challenges which made going forward relatively easy for the Vaders.
Not long after the 30 minute mark Lee Isaac made a dash once more past the right back but managed to cut in slightly and with a few boys in the box it looked like a goal was on the cards by cutting the ball across but Lee took on the shot and smashed the ball onto the post and the defender before the ball found the back of the net. The Vaders were 2-0 up and had their tails up.
No changes at half time but a tough team talk as although the Vader’s were 2 up the Lions had created a few chances but luckily they couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo. Additionally a mention has to go to Jimbob in goals who was as brave as usual in coming to meet the ball in open play and although he was still pissed up played outstandingly well.
The second half started all Lions and the Vader’s started making silly decisions in all areas, and soon found themselves losing a goal. The Lions had found a chink in the armour and it looked like the Vader’s were going to throw away another game.
Fresh legs were needed and Sean Maurice Morris cam on for Ben Poole (Post Hitter) and Tom Evans for Rob Boydell.
The Vader’s were still creating opportunities at the other end but to no avail with Tom Evans and Titch both missing the target 1 on 1 with the keeper within minutes of each other which would have put the game to bed.
It looked like it wasn’t going to be the Vader’s game because with 10 minutes left Hambone found himself on the side line due to kicking the ball in frustration and then giving his name as Aloisius Pike to the ref earning him an early shower. Hambone took his frustration out on the water bottles, fence and other object which wouldn’t put up a challenge.
A late change for Striker Steve “Thierry Henry” Boydell due to Injury, he was replaced by new signing Lee Nicholas who was thrown into the fray with 10 minutes left.
So the Vader’s held out for the win and move up to 6th in the table, with most of the teams above achieving similar results. The Bush fall from grace after being turned over 5-4 and St Pats went down to Ynysmaerdy.
Next Week The Vader’s are away to Litchard Park B and hopefully will bring home the goods.
Special mentions to the back 4 for yesterday in keepin out the Lions, Hambone, Evans, Powys and Jammy (don’t shoot from a free kick next time 🙂
Man of the Match: Goalkeeper Extraordinaire James Jimbob Jones
Cock of the Week: Hambone for his sending off
Quote of the Day: Hambone (for a change) “I think he’s gone to the Aunty Clinic with his Mrs”
Bush Kangaroos (3) vs (1) Garth Vader FC
September 13th, 2010 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Match stats:
Christopher Howells
The Vader’s should have been well up for this local derby but clearly weren’t after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands (or feet) of the Bush Kangaroos.
Due to the good performance the starting 11 mirrored the starting 11 from Thursday’s friendly against Gwynfi Utd but for Rich Boydell acting as lone striker due to player/coach Steve Boydell being out with a hamstring problem.
Also missing was Doug (Rhodri Davies) who had put in a good performance at centre half against Gwynfi was out with a knee injury. Christian Powys stepped in to cover and is proving to be a good utility player having previously played left wing, left back and centre half in the Vader’s first game of the season against Coedely (although he did give penalty away that day)
From the off it was an end to end game and both teams good have been ahead within minutes but both keepers were having a good day. Set pieces were in double figures in the first half hour.
About 30 minutes into the game the Vader’s pressed forward in numbers and a shot from Chris Hoggsy Howells saw a good block from a Bush defender only for it to come back to him for another effort which this time he put straight in the net.
The Vader’s were controlling the game now and the Bush were starting to unravel.
Hoggsy decided to call it a day at half time by deciding to say that he had a leg injury instead of the fact he wanted to go out on a high or that he was blowing a bit. (Come on Hoggsy, just say you were tired) He was replaced by Tom Evans.
The second half started as the first finished but the Vader’s were really stretching the Bush now by making full use of the width. Around 10 minutes into the second half the Vader’s were caught on the break and a cross from a Bush midfielder saw Allan “cock of the match” put the ball into his own net.
For some unknown reason the Vader’s heads went down immediately and started losing their shape.
Ben Poole replaced the tired Rob Boydell on the left wing and the Vader’s continued to try and get one back.
A few minutes later and the Vader’s were again caught sleeping and the Bush went 2-1 up. This was soon followed by a third and the game looked all but over.
Chances from Tom Evans and Lee Isaacs (nobody knows how that one stayed out) gave some glimmer of hope but in the end it was a lack of passion from the boys and lack of voice on the pitch saw what should have been a good victory turn into another loss. The Vader’s now find themselves 3 defeats in 4 games and a bad start to the season.
Tyco in the cup on Sunday coming and big changes are afoot, not only will players who found themselves on the bench get a chance to prove themselves but 3 new players to the Vader’s ranks should put the cat amongst the pigeons. Chris Crowley, Jason Thomas two experienced defenders will see the regular boys fighting for their positions and Barrie Morris a proven centre forward also joins. One thing the Vader’s must improve on is communication on the field.
Tyco are a league above BUT they have lost 2 games in a row, plus The Vader’s have beaten current league leaders Tonyrefail A. Nothing is a done deal when it comes to football so come on the Vaders!!
Man of the Match: Lee Isaac
Cock of the Week: Allan Thomas (for killing our first ever lead)
Quote of the Day: Hambone (for a change) “That’s one ‘ell of a bowl of chips!”
