...Trewly Trewly Trewly outrageous! A rather dull Sunday morning at Cottons Park was punctuated by two second half
moments of magic from Danny Trew and Jonny Gray that gave La Chiesa all three points.
Every team has their bogey side, and it would appear that La Chiesa are May & Bakers. In six attempts over the
past three seasons the Dagenham outfit had failed to beat Chiesa, and this week they were attempting to do so in cold
and windy conditions that made playing football a far less appealing prospect than staying in bed.
Chiesa's failure to finish off Bakers in the reverse fixture was one of the low points of 2006 (so far, I am sure there
are plenty to come), a horrible late penalty miss ensuring the game ended one apiece, and LC/DC were looking to make sure
there was no repeat this time around. Midfielder Iain Gay failed to show, Terry Soteriou and Terry Kerly were also
unavailable, so Jonny Gray came into the centre of midfield with Cy Taylor on the right. Danny Trew replaced Adam Jeffers as
the lone front man.
The first half started brightly for La Chiesa, yet again in the change strip of all blue, with the midfield five
linking up well. Had the final ball been more precise there could have been chances for Trew and Dennis Peck, but the only
real opportunity fell to Taylor, whose attempt to finish with the outside of his right boot was easily saved by the Bakers
keeper. As the half progressed the game became messy, however, windy conditions not helping as the ball seemed to
be attracted to the Chiesa left by some kind of magnetic force.
Dennis Peck thought he had given Chiesa the lead towards the end of the first period, sidefooting home from Gray's
through ball only for the linesmans flag to go up and the goal ruled out. The flag had been raised against Danny
Trew however, and, although Chiesa wish the offside rule would go back to the easy to understand old skool rules we all grew
up with, under the current version Trew wasnt interfering and perhaps the goal should have stood.
Colin Williams hit the crossbar twice with expertly whipped in corner kicks, but, those aside, there were
few moments to get the crowd excited in the opening forty five and the half ended goalless. Certain players suggested
changing formation and tactics but sometimes a bit of extra effort is all that is needed. Chiesa know they're at their
best when passing the ball on the floor, but patience is required when attempting this kind of football. It doesn't work
all of the time and can be frustrating, but in all honesty, the Rossoneri do not have the players or the tactical nous for
a Plan B.
Early in the second half, however, the deadlock was broken in spectacular style. A quick throw in was taken deep on
the Bakers left, and when Cy Taylor flicked on, the ball fell to Danny Trew fifteen yards out with his back to goal. The danger
seemed minimal, but the man with the orthapaedic boots took a touch to flick the ball in the air, another to get it to head
height before launching into an acrobatic scissors kick that stung the hands of the goalkeeper on its was to the top corner.
A Rivaldo-esque effort from DT, to record his fourth goal in three games since the purchase of said boots.
Leading scorer Dennis Peck instantly had the chance to make it two when put through but failed to finish before seeing
a second chance saved by the M&B keeper. There then came a spell of Bakers pressure, Chiesa cat Mark Harris saving with
his legs to deny the visitors an equaliser, while the home team were forced to defend a succession of corners.
Samuel Knowles was left looking more like Leslie Ash after wearing one straight in the kisser attempting
to control skipper Darren Hodsoll's throw in on his chest, before Colin Williams was denied by the woodwork for
a third time. Left unmarked after a short corner routine between Gray and Knowles, Williams unleashed one of his trademark
heatseekers only to see it crash against the underside of the bar and bounce... over the line??? Hard to say, but both
referee and linesman thought not and the score remained at one-nil...
Chiesa were in control, Chris Young was revelling in protecting the back four and cutting out danger, but the Azurri
have thrown away games from better situations before, and a second goal was required to save the fingernails of the hoardes
of watching fans being bitten down to the quick.
When it arrived, it was almost as spectacular as the first. Bakers keeper coming to the edge of his area to clear from
substitute Jeffers, who had replaced Peck by now, only to see the the ball returned past him by a first time strike from
Jonny Gray that sailed into the roof of the net from 40 yards.
That strike made up for some earlier ball greedy-ness from Jonny, (refusing to pass to the Chiesa boss when surrounded
by defenders is usually a substitution offence)and sealed victory for his team in fine style.
Goals and Williams strikes aside, it was a workmanlike performance from Chiesa. The conditions had a lot
to do with the struggle to play attractive football, and the final ball couldve been better, but the boys kept their
patience and were eventually rewarded. Special mention must also go to defensive duo Warren 'Hornchurch Hatchet' Hardwick
and Steve McCarthy, as well as keeper Harris, who having been given a torrid time in the previous game vs Maze, dealt
with everything Bakers had to throw at them in very difficult playing conditions. Three league games to go (plus the excitement/horror
of a cup tie with Premier Division Cambourne Wednesday) a highest league placing is still within reach for the famous La Chiesa
del Corno.
LC/DC (4-5-1) - Harris; Hodsoll, Hardwick, McCarthy, Williams; Taylor, Gray, Knowles, Young, Peck (Jeffers);
Trew
Gols - Trew Gray
Arbitro - L Wood
