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This was so nearly an article full of joy, describing La Chiesa's first league win, and, but for two outrageous decisions by Referee Leonard Simpson, it would have been. The home side led by two goals to nil with just twenty minutes remaining, but by the end they were clinging on to a point by their fingernails.

 

Following the previous fortnight's disappointing results against Thorndon Park and Ascot, La Chiesa shuffled their pack in an attempt to add some bite to the midfield. Danny Button came into the centre of the park for his first appearance in the famous red and black, and Terry Soteriou was switched from Centre Back to play alongside him. Warren Hardwick also made his LCDC debut, replacing Soteriou in the heart of the defence. All three were instrumental in getting La Chiesa their first point in the Essex Sunday Corinthian League.

 

Conditions were more like an English Autumn than the Indian Summer we have had recently, the driving rain and swirling wind making it a game for blood and guts rather than tricks and flicks. Button, no doubt aided by his strict diet of Stella Artois and Benson & Hedges, put in more tackles in the first five minutes than the rest of the midfield had all season, whilst Soteriou swept up anything that got past him, getting forward to help the attack whenever possible. This pair, dubbed La Chiesa's Vieira & Petit by their hardcore following, allowed Benny Gillham and Cy Taylor more time to create on either side of midfield.

 

La Chiesa took the lead after twenty minutes, Soteriou winning a corner on the left which Colin Willams curled to the far post for Gary Higgs to head home. St Augustines keeper would not have been happy with the way he fumbled the ball into the net, but that was no concern of Higgs' as he celebrated his second of the season. La Chiesa were almost unrecognisable from the team who had played so meekly last week. From Danny Hardwick in goal to the battling Trew and Higgs up front, every one of them, apart from the linesman, seemed hungrier and more focused. Warren Hardwick and John Riley found an instant understanding at the back and Mark Harris was showing some nice touches, putting his foot through it when necessary! A terrific bit of play from Button, winning a 50/50 ball the releasing Cy Taylor with an audacious back heel, was almost rewarded with another goal, but the keeper made a good save, tipping over as Higgs latched on to Taylors cross.There seemed no danger minutes later when Colin Williams stepped up to take a free kick inside his own half , but, ignoring calls for a square pass, he unleashed one of his legendary heatseekers, and the ball was deflected past the keeper without touching the floor. The Corinthian League Panel have studied the video, and confirmed the goal belongs to the Chiesa left back, making him joint top scorer with two!

 

The interval saw La Chiesa in an unfamilar position, two goals in front and the better side! Local legend Dave Knowles gave the team talk, the team refused to light up their half time cigarettes as a mark of respect. With the wind now blowing in their faces, La Chiesa knew the second half was going to be more difficult than the first, but they almost extended their lead immediately, Higgs feeding Trew, who slotted his shot past the keeper, but the wrong side of the post.

 

Seventy minutes had passed, and, although nobody would say it out loud, it looked like three points could be winging their way to Hornchurch for the first time, until Referee Simpson awarded St Augustines a free kick thirty yards from goal, God only knows what for. St Augustines seemed to over play down their right, and as Soteriou and Button played their way out of trouble,  the whistle blew and a free kick was given. Needless to say Daniel Mills' shot flew in via a deflection past Hardwick who could do nothing about it. St Augustines almost equalised soon after when another long range free kick clipped the top of the crossbar. This was not what LCDC, without a league point all season, needed, a diificult last twenty minutes were to follow.

 

With ten minutes left came the moment which made several La Chiesa fans physically sick. As St Augustines broke through the centre, a pass released Lawrence Cross but the flag immediately went up for offside. When the ball was coolly tucked past Hardwick by Cross, everyone assumed Referee Simpson, who was twenty yards behind play, had not seen the flag. The gasps when he pointed to the centre circle could  be heard as far away as the Royal Courts of Justice, where the matter is surely being discussed as we speak. Simpson, who had earlier given a throw in to LCDC when Mark Harris cleared into touch with nobody within ten yards,  then exchanged words with La Chiesa Manager Samuel Knowles and coach Adam Jeffers on the touchline, indicating he thought he had a better view then the linesman. We await the outcome of those pleasantries, but it must be remembered that Refereeing is a thankless task, and without these fellas there wouldn't be a match to report on. Rumour has it that they only get £25 a game for their trouble... A PONY????!!!  

 

Williams had a good shot saved towards the end, and St Augustines forced some late corners, but neither team could find a winner, and the match ended all square. A bitter pill for La Chiesa del Corno to swallow, but a step in the right direction nevertheless.

 

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

 

Gols - Higgs, Williams

 

Arbitro - L Simpson