Date: Saturday 7th January, 2012
Starting XI: Clark, Denno, Pete Hill, Watkins, Keegan, Antonio, Moody, Salty, Burt, Steve T, MTM
Subs: SMDLF, Seb Brain
Cubo 2s entered 2012 in positive mood and with a fresh striking partnership resembling Demba Ba and Ameobi, there was reason to be so. The 2s have developed somewhat of a maverick status of late, both within the club and the Wimbledon and District Premier League, with inconsistent form interspersed with some gritty performances and an eventful cup run. The arrival of a well organised PWCA side to Barn Elms would no doubt prove an obstacle in shaking this tag.
Buoyed by the new partnership up front and an attacking formation, Cubo began confidently, moving the ball about well and getting good numbers forward. The pressure eventually told with MTM holding the ball up well, laying off for Moody who cleverly disguised his shot and played it in to the feet of a beefed up Stevie T. Big T made no mistake and duly opened his account for 2012.
Cubo had the better of the first half chances and were marginally winning the battle in midfield, even with a heavily wounded Saltdog being restricted to patrolling the centre circle rather than the box to box style usually associated with the skipper. A second goal was on the cards which may have put the game to bed, but a quick break and a well taken PWCA goal meant that the teams went in to the break all square.
The second half characterised the 2s season. Changes in personnel, notably the loss of Salty through injury and the influential Oli Watkins, and subsequent changes in formation unsettled the side, providing the opposition with opportunities at crucial points in the game.
Cubo took the lead for the second time early in the second half, good build up play resulted in Denno teeing up Terrence for his second. An emotional moment for our talented winger who was returning to the line up after recently becoming a proud father. We salute you. From what should have been a good platform to push on from, a touch of complacency and lapses in concentration across the park allowed PWCA to not only get back in to the game but also take the lead. A disappointing twenty minutes resulted in three goals conceded, PWCA breaking well on a couple of occasions and taking advantage of poor organisation.
Cubo managed to pull one back, MTM turning provider this time which he duly deserved after a ranging bull type performance throughout. Tel was on hand to cap a brilliant debut cooly dispatching a third for a well deserved hat trick. Take a bow, son. The second half also saw the return of Seb ‘how’s your face’ Brain, who looked dangerous immediately, throwing himself in to some daring headers! Unfortunately Cubo’s late surge wasn’t enough, but credit goes to a well organised and resilient PWCA side.
There was time for one more surprise (sort of), when Keegan had his Zizou moment. After producing a luscious, but unnecessary piece of skill, he tangled with the opposition striker, the PWCA CF took this opportunity to make his mark on Keegan’s calf whilst insulting the Boro – a Zidane on Materazzi moment was inevitable. Somehow only the Cubo legend saw red.
Cubo 2s will have mixed emotions about this game, promising passages of play and finally having two out and out strikers will be positives, but lapses in concentration and a lack of grit in the second half will need to be addressed. Ultimately it was a disappointing 4-3 loss and the 2s will need to respond well over the next few weeks to prevent what started as a very promising campaign turning in to a relegation battle.
Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 3-4 PWCA
Goals: Stevie T (3)
Man of the Match: Stevie T
Match Report: Trev Moody
AFC Cubo 