12.09.04. Stonewood - Chiesa Off To A Flyer

A double from Danny Trew helped La Chiesa on their way to a comprehensive victory over Stonewood on Sunday, a match that was almost called off in bizarre circumstances. It has been well documented that Chiesa's home ground at Coopers is one of the more pleasant arena's in which to play Sunday morning football, and this season it has been enhanced by access to the Pavilion for the teams to change in. Unfortunately the goal nets had been lost in the move to the new changing rooms, and the opening match of 04/05 was heading for postponement until a kind donation of nets from Alan Price, ex-manager of half the Chiesa team, saved the day.

The to-ing and fro-ing over the equipment had left no time for a warm up and no sooner were the nets expertly put up by the home team than the game was underway. Chiesa had completed the double over Stonewood last season, and were determined to pick up where they had left off in the second half of last season, but they got an early surprise. A first minute chance for Cy Taylor was thwarted by the offside trap, and when the ensuing free kick found Mark Patient twenty five yards out there seemed little danger. He had other ideas, however, stunning the home support by unleashing a shot that dipped just under the bar to give the boys from E17 the lead.

Although missing regulars Colin Williams, Warren Hardwick, Darren Hodsoll and Adam Jeffers, Chiesa were able to compensate by giving debuts to two of their summer signings. Dennis Peck, recruited from the now defunct Gidea Park, partnered Danny Trew up front, while Dean Jordan, another canny free transfer, started in the middle of the park, while centre half John Riley was skipper in the absence of Hodsoll. LC/DC jaws were on the deck for a minute or two following the opening goal, but they were breathing a little more easily in the eighth minute when last years leading scorer, Danny Trew restored parity. A slide rule pass from Mark Harris found new boy Peck on the edge of the area, he fooled his marker with a clever turn, before delivering a perfect cross for Trew to tap in the equaliser.

Confidence restored, Hornchurch Rossoneri began to pass the ball around with more authority, showing off the one touch football they have been working on in training throughout the summer. Jordan, Iain Gay and Sam Knowles were running the midfield, leaving their opposite numbers chasing shadows as they passed the ball around them. Chances were being created almost every minute, and with better finishing, LC/DC could have had the game wrapped up before half time. Peck was foiled by the visiting keeper on several occasions, a diving header and acrobatic scissor kick being just two of his efforts, while Matt Gillham was denied by the woodwork after being released by a fantastic first time pass by Jordan. Stonewood threatened occasionally from distance, but keeper Danny Hardwick was never in any real trouble. When Knowles beat the offside trap and tricked his way, Davor Suker style, past two Stonewood defenders, it seemed certain that Chiesa would take the lead, but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper. Gillham let rip with a scorching left foot drive that whistled just past the far post, but it was left to all time leading Chiesa scorer Trew to give the home team the lead. Iain Gay released Taylor down the right, and his first time cross was met at the near post by Trew for his second of the game. He could have secured his second hat trick for the club before the break, but poked the ball just wide after excellent play from Peck.

Two-one to the LC/DC at the break, and how it wasn't more was anybodys guess. The home team played some exhilarating stuff in the opening forty five, one touch football of the highest calibre, and the only worry was that so many opportunities to 'put the game to bed', as manager Knowles said a dozen times, had been squandered.

Another chance came and went in the opening minutes of the second period when Peck, found by another first time pass from Jordan, clipped the ball over the keeper for what seemed a certain goal, only to be denied by the underside of the bar. Chiesa worst fears were almost realised immediately, when a header from Stonewood corner was miraculously cleared off the line by Terry Soteriou. Oh, the benefits of having a man on the post!

Although they were dominating, albeit to a lesser extent than in the first half, Chiesa nerves were being tested more with every missed chance. Stonewood came close to contributing to their own demise when a defender looped a header over his own keeper, only to be saved by a last ditch clearance, and a fumble from the keeper looked certain to allow Peck to open his Chiesa account, but a crunching tackle forced the ball on to the post and out for a corner. Iain Gay was increasingly having to make a superhuman effort to help out his back three, as well as link up play in midfield as the game became stretched. The tide may have been turning in Stonewoods direction until Chiesa made the game safe with fifteen minutes remaining. Again it was a ball from Jordan that opened up Stonewoods rearguard, and this time it was Knowles' turn to run through unchallenged, dummying past the keeper and rolling the ball into the empty net to establish a two goal cushion for the home side.

The weight was off Chiesa shoulders now and it was time for some more sexy football. A sublime pass from Harris set Peck free once more but his fiercely struck shot flew just wide of the post, long range efforts from Jordan and Knowles were wide of the mark, before the boys from the Church of the Horn produced the move of the match to bring proceedings to a close. Substitute Benny G's slide rule pass found Trew on the right touchline, he laid the ball off expertly to Knowles, whose first time pass set Peck on his way. This time LC/DC's new number nine made no mistake, taking the ball in his stride with his left foot, before stabbing the ball past the keeper with his right.

In all probability, it was the best football of Chiesa's short life. Gay worked tirelessly as well as showing some deft touches, Jordan produced several passes of sheer quality, while the ever dependable John Riley, Harris and Soteriou were safe as houses at the back. Keeper Hardwick performed to his usual high standard, Peck and Trew caused no end of problems for the opposition defence, Taylor and the Brothers Gillham adapted well to unfamiliar wing back roles. In short, the whole performance had a style and swagger about it that augurs well for the months that lie ahead.

LC/DC; (3-5-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Soteriou; Taylor, Gay, Jordan, Knowles, M Gillham; Peck, Trew

Gols - Trew 2, Knowles, Peck

Arbitro - P Watts


				*lachiesa.co.uk* 12.09.04. Stonewood - Chiesa Off To A Flyer



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		Trew Class! writes Guillem Balague La Chiesa 4 vs Stonewood 1







		A double from Danny Trew helped La Chiesa on their way to a comprehensive victory over Stonewood on Sunday, a match that was almost called off in bizarre circumstances. It has been well documented that Chiesa's home ground at Coopers is one of the more pleasant arena's in which to play Sunday morning football, and this season it has been enhanced by access to the Pavilion for the teams to change in. Unfortunately the goal nets had been lost in the move to the new changing rooms, and the opening match of 04/05 was heading for postponement until a kind donation of nets from Alan Price, ex-manager of half the Chiesa team, saved the day. The to-ing and fro-ing over the equipment had left no time for a warm up and no sooner were the nets expertly put up by the home team than the game was underway. Chiesa had completed the double over Stonewood last season, and were determined to pick up where they had left off in the second half of last season, but they got an early surprise. A first minute chance for Cy Taylor was thwarted by the offside trap, and when the ensuing free kick found Mark Patient twenty five yards out there seemed little danger. He had other ideas, however, stunning the home support by unleashing a shot that dipped just under the bar to give the boys from E17 the lead. Although missing regulars Colin Williams, Warren Hardwick, Darren Hodsoll and Adam Jeffers, Chiesa were able to compensate by giving debuts to two of their summer signings. Dennis Peck, recruited from the now defunct Gidea Park, partnered Danny Trew up front, while Dean Jordan, another canny free transfer, started in the middle of the park, while centre half John Riley was skipper in the absence of Hodsoll. LC/DC jaws were on the deck for a minute or two following the opening goal, but they were breathing a little more easily in the eighth minute when last years leading scorer, Danny Trew restored parity. A slide rule pass from Mark Harris found new boy Peck on the edge of the area, he fooled his marker with a clever turn, before delivering a perfect cross for Trew to tap in the equaliser. Confidence restored, Hornchurch Rossoneri began to pass the ball around with more authority, showing off the one touch football they have been working on in training throughout the summer. Jordan, Iain Gay and Sam Knowles were running the midfield, leaving their opposite numbers chasing shadows as they passed the ball around them. Chances were being created almost every minute, and with better finishing, LC/DC could have had the game wrapped up before half time. Peck was foiled by the visiting keeper on several occasions, a diving header and acrobatic scissor kick being just two of his efforts, while Matt Gillham was denied by the woodwork after being released by a fantastic first time pass by Jordan. Stonewood threatened occasionally from distance, but keeper Danny Hardwick was never in any real trouble. When Knowles beat the offside trap and tricked his way, Davor Suker style, past two Stonewood defenders, it seemed certain that Chiesa would take the lead, but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper. Gillham let rip with a scorching left foot drive that whistled just past the far post, but it was left to all time leading Chiesa scorer Trew to give the home team the lead. Iain Gay released Taylor down the right, and his first time cross was met at the near post by Trew for his second of the game. He could have secured his second hat trick for the club before the break, but poked the ball just wide after excellent play from Peck. Two-one to the LC/DC at the break, and how it wasn't more was anybodys guess. The home team played some exhilarating stuff in the opening forty five, one touch football of the highest calibre, and the only worry was that so many opportunities to 'put the game to bed', as manager Knowles said a dozen times, had been squandered. Another chance came and went in the opening minutes of the second period when Peck, found by another first time pass from Jordan, clipped the ball over the keeper for what seemed a certain goal, only to be denied by the underside of the bar. Chiesa worst fears were almost realised immediately, when a header from Stonewood corner was miraculously cleared off the line by Terry Soteriou. Oh, the benefits of having a man on the post! Although they were dominating, albeit to a lesser extent than in the first half, Chiesa nerves were being tested more with every missed chance. Stonewood came close to contributing to their own demise when a defender looped a header over his own keeper, only to be saved by a last ditch clearance, and a fumble from the keeper looked certain to allow Peck to open his Chiesa account, but a crunching tackle forced the ball on to the post and out for a corner. Iain Gay was increasingly having to make a superhuman effort to help out his back three, as well as link up play in midfield as the game became stretched. The tide may have been turning in Stonewoods direction until Chiesa made the game safe with fifteen minutes remaining. Again it was a ball from Jordan that opened up Stonewoods rearguard, and this time it was Knowles' turn to run through unchallenged, dummying past the keeper and rolling the ball into the empty net to establish a two goal cushion for the home side. The weight was off Chiesa shoulders now and it was time for some more sexy football. A sublime pass from Harris set Peck free once more but his fiercely struck shot flew just wide of the post, long range efforts from Jordan and Knowles were wide of the mark, before the boys from the Church of the Horn produced the move of the match to bring proceedings to a close. Substitute Benny G's slide rule pass found Trew on the right touchline, he laid the ball off expertly to Knowles, whose first time pass set Peck on his way. This time LC/DC's new number nine made no mistake, taking the ball in his stride with his left foot, before stabbing the ball past the keeper with his right. In all probability, it was the best football of Chiesa's short life. Gay worked tirelessly as well as showing some deft touches, Jordan produced several passes of sheer quality, while the ever dependable John Riley, Harris and Soteriou were safe as houses at the back. Keeper Hardwick performed to his usual high standard, Peck and Trew caused no end of problems for the opposition defence, Taylor and the Brothers Gillham adapted well to unfamiliar wing back roles. In short, the whole performance had a style and swagger about it that augurs well for the months that lie ahead. LC/DC; (3-5-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Soteriou; Taylor, Gay, Jordan, Knowles, M Gillham; Peck, Trew Gols - Trew 2, Knowles, Peck Arbitro - P Watts