Line Up – Arnie, Jez , Jingle, Oli W, Tom G, Salty, Phil Smith, Tom Simms, Boasey, Crispy, Milan
The 2’s opening fixture came against an Imperial College Old Boys side that had come off a very strong finish to the 13/14 season and were looking to pick up where they had left off. Saying that however, the 2’s had a very positive pre season and add to that the addition of a number of talented footballers this was going to be a close affair.
We started the game well and were passing the ball around nicely, an early chance fell to Boasey on the edge of the six yard box but a solid tackle by the ICOBs centre back averted any danger. That was the only real chance of the first half for Cubo.
The ball spent a lot of time in the middle of the pitch and Salty, Phil and Tom Simms were passing the ball around nicely and winning battles when called upon.
The only goal of the game came from a header and unfortunately it was not for Cubo, a good ball in from ICOBs right wing and a solid leap from the centre forward left Arnie with no chance and the ball looped over his out stretched right hand.
This is how it remained when the ref blew for half time.
Cubo came out the much better side in the second half, slick passing and creative play from the wingbacks meant that Cubo could really start to push up the pitch and get into threatening areas. A great free kick from Phil that narrowly missed ICOBs right hand post was the best chance of the second half.
As we moved into the final third, ICOB were looking to utilize their centre forwards lightning speed with long balls over the top of Cubo’s back four. The centre forward was able to get into threatening positions and Jingle was called in to make two outstanding clearances off the line in quick succession. Arnie also kept Cubo in the game with a number of excellent saves.
The game finished 1-0 to ICOB. It was not the start to the season we were looking for but there were a number of positives to take from the game, ICOB are going to be a team contending come the end of the season and we really came close to getting something out of the game. On to the next.
A man of the match performance from Tom Golding who put in a brilliant shift at left back.
AFC Cubo 