26.10.03 Thorndon Park - Chiesa Crash Out!

La Chiesa kissed goodbye to their chances of Cup glory in fifteen minutes of madness in Brentwood yesterday. Three second half goals from Thorndon Park knocked the stuffing out of LCDC and left them with a crisis of confidence ahead of what has now become a crucial early season six pointer against St Augustines Reserves next Sunday.

Played in the beautiful confines of Brentwood School, once the home of footballing luminaries such as Frank Lampard and Adam Jeffers, La Chiesa took a while to get going. If you didn't know better, you might have thought half the team had been out all night drinking in a Chinese Karaoke Bar, but they assured me they were all tucked up in bed (with Cocoa) straight after The Premiership finshed at 11.30. Throw in an extra hour in bed courtesy of GMT, and there could be no excuse for any tiredness.

Following last weeks awful display against Ascot, it was important that Chiesa got through the first twenty minutes unscathed, and they did so thanks to a battling display from Gary Higgs in the centre of midfield, and a more organised defence with the return of John Riley. Matt Gillham and Colin Williams linked well down the left flank, Gillham working hard on defensive duties to have his best 45 minutes for the club. Danny Hardwick had been looking assured between the sticks, and it was a sucker punch for the Hornchurch side when Thorndon took the lead on the half hour. A defence splitting pass from the left released David Watts, who tucked the ball past the oncoming Hardwick to make it 1-0. Wish I could be like him!

Although disappointing, the goal woke up certain members of the team and the following half an hour split either side of half time was La Chiesa's best period of the match. Matt Gillham started taking on Thorndon's No 7 , who by his hair, boots, and all round demeanour was obviously influenced by a certain ex Man Utd star. On one such occasion Gillham nipped past the Luke Chadwick wannabe and linked up with the new look strike force of Trew & Taylor, wasting the best opportunity when he inexplicably passed (badly), when a shot on goal would surely have produced an equaliser. Cy Taylor then linked well with Higgs and Lamont on the right but shot straight at the keeper.

Half Time saw La Chiesa 1-0 down but by no means out. Benny Lee, was lured out of retirement for his first match in more than a decade, replacing Alan Lamont who had understandably tired having been been up all night singing, and working like a demon on the right of midfield.

Ten minutes into the second half and they were level. A well rehearsed corner routine saw Harris drive the ball to the near post, Higgs flick on and Danny Trew rise like salmon to nod the ball home. It was just like watching Bould & Adams over the Arsenal in 88/89! I love it when a plan comes together! Could that be La Chiesa's name was on the cup? Well, no. The parity was restored for no longer than ten minutes before Gavin Chuck capitalised on a miskick in the Chiesa defence to sprint into the area and tuck the ball past Hardwick to give the Terris Bar boys the lead . Just minutes later, Chiesa heads went down even further when Nathan Sharp's tantalising cross was deflected past Hardwick for 3-1. The Fat Lady was gargling salt water then, and she was in full voice soon after when Gavin Chuck crashed home the fourth. Only embarrassing misses from Rowan Chuck, Thorndon's answer to Johnny Wilkinson, spared La Chiesa from an absolute hiding.

Well, we could sit here all day trotting out excuses. The boys were tired, the length of the injury list, the lack of match practice, etc etc, ah what could have been! The reality of it is that La Chiesa have lost 75% of their matches this season, and are yet to keep a clean sheet. They are fast becoming the Carlisle United of the Corinthian League, and pressure on Gaffer Samuel Knowles is mounting (see 'Banter'). But at least it's all buddies together huh?! ...and now they can concentrate on the league!!! (Couldn't resist) It only remains for us to wish Thorndon Park all the best for the remainder of their cup run, hope they go and win it now!

LCDC ;(4-4-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Soteriou, Williams;M Gillham, Higgs, B Gillham, Lamont (Lee); Taylor, Trew

Gol - Trew


				*lachiesa.co.uk* *26.10.03 Thorndon Park - Chiesa Crash Out!*



	Home \| Banter is Dead... \| Whatever Happened To La Chiesa? \| Player Profiles \| La Nascita Della Chiesa \| Historical Match Reports, Stats, & Banter \| LC/DC On Tour \| FAQ's \| Other Net Nerds \| BOATS!