La Chiesa finished off the season in style at Warren school
this Sunday, softening Bryant Rovers up with some fantastic one touch passing in the first half, before delivering four
knockout blows in the second.
On a glorious day at their latest home in Whalebone Lane, Chiesa
played some of their best football of the season despite being without Dean Jordan, Darren Hodsoll, Warren Hardwick, Jonny
Gray, and Steve McCarthy. Hardwick's late withdrawal led to Dennis Peck having to cover again at the heart of the LC/DC
defence, with Mark Harris making his first outfield start since October at right back.
Manager Knowles wanted Chiesa to let the ball do the work and
had laboured the point repeatedly over the last few weeks, so it was surprising to see him try and take the whole Bryant team
on in the first minute, before running the ball out for a throw in. Nevertheless, Chiesa started brightly and it wasn't long
before the chances to score started to come along. Bryant's defenders were taking no chances and Chiesa were handed several
opportunities from Colin Williams corners, but Peck and Jeffers both failed to hit the target, while Knowles control let him
down when he got on the end of a Williams dead ball. The first chance from open play came after some fine work from 'Peckenbauer',
bringing the ball out from defence in the style of the German sweeper and exchanging passes with Iain Gay before slipping
Jeffers through on goal. The Chiesa 'String' outpaced his marker but was denied by a good save from the keeper. Danny Trew
looked certain to score from the rebound but mis hit his shot wide, and the deadlock was still to be broken.
Harris was swinging in some delightful crosses from the right,
and on the opposite side of the pitch, Terry Soteriou was constantly charging down the by line. It is a well documented fact
that no Chiesa defender has scored for the club, but Teggsy came close to ending that unwanted record when he got on the end
of a Knowles cutback, only to see his cross shot skim just past the far post. The next great chance for Chiesa came after
more classic one touch play involving Harris. Taylor and Gay ,and when the latter slipped a pass through to Knowles, a
goal seemed odds on but he side footed weakly at the keeper and the score remained nil-nil.
Stand in skipper Johnny Riley was dealing with any attack that
Bryant managed, while Danny Hardwick was a virtual spectator in between the sticks for La Chiesa, but halftime arrived with
the score goalless, and for all their pretty passing, Chiesa had yet to produce the killer instinct required to take
the points.
The Hornchurch Rossoneri remained confident of success however,
and five minutes into the second half they were in front. Cy Taylor put Knowles in on the right hand side of the box, and
he cut back for Trew to hit a first time shot into the far corner for his tenth of the season. Vintage Chiesa - with
the finish from DT in the style of Robin van Persie against Blackburn in the FA Cup Semi.
LC/DC were denied two penalties in a minute following
the goal, a clear handball and a push on Taylor going unpunished by referee Woods. Adam Jeffers then went close with
a half volley from the edge of the area, before he made it two with a near post header from a Williams corner, and Chiesa
had their breathing space. Soon
after it was three when Trew and Jeffers linked up on the Chiesa right before Trew's cross shot was bundled in by AJ
for his twelfth of the season. A trademark Jeffers goal - commonly known as a 'muggers snatch'.
Soteriou had another chance to notch that elusive first goal, but his shot was deflected wide, while
John Riley was denied a first for the club by interference from Taylor. Chiesa eventually made it four in bizarre
circumstances. A ball over the top from Trew was chased down by Knowles, and although Bryant's keeper won
the race to the ball, his kick rebounded off the Chiesa gaffer and into the net. There was a suspicion of accidental
handball about the finish but the referee pointed to the centre
circle, and Chiesa's most convincing performance for some time was complete. Taylor had a chance to make it five with the
final kick of the game, but fired wide when clean through on goal - some might say a trademark Taylor finish - a shame as
it would have capped a fine performance from the 'Soul Provider', but LC/DC were content with four goals and a classy all round performance.
In a way the good football played by the boys from the Church
of the Horn this week makes the previous sequence of one win in seven, that cost them any chance of promotion, all
the harder to stomach. While all the shrewd judges are making them among the favourites for promotion in 05/06, Chiesa
fans will know from harsh experience that they are liable to throw in a dodgy performance or two at the most unexpected
times. But today we are left with a great display in perfect conditions, everything that makes getting up on a Sunday morning
worthwhile! Until next season, it's Adios Amigo's...
