Hutchinson, Golding (Dickens), Laing (Torr), Ellingford, Coffey, Brooks (Clarke), Connolly, Cross, Perkins, Chadwick (Mihaila), Guttridge (Ramsbottom)

Goals: Guttridge (pen)

With the start of both the 1st and 2nd XI’s league seasons fast approaching, Cubo visited one of the 1st XI’s league opponents, Spartans Youth FC, for their first pre-season game.

Travelling across West London to Kew Bridge, with a mix of established players and new joiners in the 31 degrees heat, to play against a young and energetic team who had already played two pre-season games, this was always going to be a tough but worthwhile test.

Cubo began the game slightly on the back foot as they got used to the sun-drenched pitch and the new partnerships within the team, conceding several set pieces. These were kept at bay by a combination of Hutchinson in goal and strong defending. Cubo began to play themselves into the game, with some nice interlay, in particular the centre midfield partnership of Brooks, Connolly and new face Matt Cross. The tireless efforts of the front three also stretching the Spartan’s back four, ensuring Cubo had an outlet in the blistering heat.

The game followed a similar path throughout the second half, with both teams enjoying periods of extended possession, however, several Cubo changes made the game a little disjointed and the best chances started to fall to the Spartans strikers. Things weren’t helped with the premature end to Ramsbottom’s debut as a hamstring injury forced him off after ten minutes of coming on.Following the drinks break Cubo were patient and started to dictate the tempo of the game, keeping the ball much better before the half was brought to an end, regularly starting at the back, down the right flank from Ellingford and Dickens.

After another flurry of Cubo substitutions at the break, the next 15 minutes saw several Spartan’s penalty shouts turned down and chances squirmed before a nice bit of movement from Guttridge up top saw him get bulldozed down just inside the penalty area and a penalty awarded for Cubo. With two of Cubo’s normal penalty takers away, Guttridge took the chance to stake a claim as the penalty taker moving forward and sent the keeper the wrong way, making it 1-o to the Cubans.

As the heat and tired legs began to take their toll, Cubo began to drop deeper and found it difficult to keep the ball and the front four saw less and less of the ball, however with Tom Clarke putting in some key tackles in front of the back four Cubo were able to resist the Spartans pressure. That was until a moment that unfortunately wasn’t caught on camera but was not to dissimilar to video below, as Sam Brooks played a one-two with goalkeeper Hutchinson and played the ball against the post and into the back of his own net, gifting Spartans with a bizarre equaliser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsKFZsWvCWU

The game was drifting towards a 1-1 draw, which would have been a fair result, until the Spartans number 11 scored a goal worthy of winning any tie with a couple of minutes to go. After threatening all game with his touch, pace and skill, he was able to send both Cubo defenders Laing and Torr the wrong way before slotting into the bottom corner and winning the game for the young Spartans team.

Although a defeat was disappointing, parts of the performance and the match fitness gained was exactly what this Cubo side needed. Particular mention goes to the new boys Cross, Ellingford, Dickens, Ramsbottom, Clarke and Mihaila who did not look one bit out of place playing against a very good team from the Surrey Elite League.

Now we look forward to our internal Club Day next Saturday before the start of the 1st XI’s campaign in the Surrey Elite League on the 18th August, looking to build on our 6th place finish from last year and mount a title challenge.

MoM – Matt Cross the stand out performer, with some nice touches and interplay, showing glimpses of what he can offer this team moving forward (let’s ignore that terrible left foot volley)

It looks like our Golden Boot stats got people talking, so we decided to take it to next level. We have trawled through the available archives and totted up the caps.

Like before, we couldn’t go beyond 2012/13 for all the teams so we have stopped there. Appreciate we have missed out some big names as a result but unfortunately nothing we can do!

Here are a few snippets for you;

1. A massive 172 people have turned out for Cubo in the 6 seasons since 12/13. In total, they have amassed over 3,555 caps between them
2. Only one man has achieved the coveted 100 caps, although there a good 5/6 lads that can join him this year
3. Despite being beaten to top spot overall, Ben McGeowan is actually the 1XI most capped played with a huge 90 caps under his belt
4. Jez Lye takes the 2XI title, with an impressive 65 caps. Also takes the award for the highest placed not to make a 1XI appearance…. actively avoiding a second pint at the AGM by the looks of it!
5. A Palacio takes the 3XI title, although with only one seasons worth of data it isn’t much of an accolade
6. Only 17 players have been capped by all 3 teams, with 6 still plying their trade for the club
7. Henry Neville has amassed a respectible 43 caps (apparently) – I personally haven’t seen him off the physio table since 1992. Rumour has it that is he fully fit for this year

#	Name	All Time
		1XI	2XI	3XI	Total
1	Jonathan Patterson	75	23	3	101
2	Ben McGeowan	90	4	1	95
3	Luke Arnold	23	63	0	86
4	Oli Perkins	78	6	0	84
5	Alan Clarke	52	28	0	80
6	Ralph Wensley	61	15	3	79
6	Harry Tulip	77	2	0	79
8	Elliot Connolly	75	0	0	75
9	Ian Clarke	62	11	1	74
10	Oli Watkins	42	30	0	72
10	Ryan Shedwick	63	8	1	72
12	Jez Lye	0	65	3	68
13	Martin Ansell	67	0	0	67
14	Satal Thethy	8	56	2	66
15	Gaz Stewart	62	2	1	65
16	Tom Golding	26	34	0	60
17	Tom Simmons	41	16	0	57
18	Rob Jones	3	48	5	56
19	Tom Hooper	12	40	3	55
19	Marcus Torr	55	0	0	55
21	Chris Pyke	42	9	0	51
22	Joe Coffey	23	27	0	50
22	Richard Crisp	2	48	0	50
22	David Wall	25	25	0	50
22	Richard Gough	49	1	0	50
26	Andrew Pinnington	0	46	0	46
26	James Ingle	6	29	11	46
28	James McGeowan	9	34	2	45
29	Joe Mull	4	40	0	44
30	Henry Neville	0	34	9	43
31	Rob Sadler	40	1	0	41
32	John Egan	0	38	0	38
32	Chris Grayson	25	13	0	38
34	Brad Wilkie	22	15	0	37
34	Charlie Cooper	37	0	0	37
34	Tim De La Haye	37	0	0	37
37	Mark Bradley	34	0	2	36
38	Ryan Frost	35	0	0	35
39	Adam Fox	3	30	0	33
39	Matt Laing	33	0	0	33
39	Hung Nguyen	29	4	0	33
42	Sean O’Donovan	0	30	0	30
43	Harry Peel	29	0	0	29
43	Martin Shardlow	2	27	0	29
43	Nick Flower	26	3	0	29
46	Alex Bain	2	26	0	28
46	Pete Hill	5	22	1	28
48	Pete Woodhead	23	4	0	27
48	Greg Tett	26	0	1	27
48	Steve Taylor	1	25	1	27
51	Andrew Findleton	25	0	0	25
52	Tom Robinson	0	24	0	24
52	Fred Gorlitz	3	21	0	24
52	Rob Davies	24	0	0	24
52	J Darlington	24	0	0	24
56	Henry Chadwick	23	0	0	23
56	Pete Smith	1	21	1	23
56	Jake Flower	23	0	0	23
59	Andy Harris	0	22	0	22
60	Chris Bentley	1	19	0	20
61	Richard Bush	5	7	7	19
61	S Sabahatian	18	1	0	19
63	Andrew Noble	6	12	0	18
63	Paul Every	18	0	0	18
65	Justin Armitage	0	17	0	17
66	Jordan Gutridge	16	0	0	16
66	Tom Shaw	16	0	0	16
66	Terry Spokes	7	9	0	16
66	Sam Graves	16	0	0	16
66	Mike Cain	15	1	0	16
71	Sam Ward	4	11	0	15
71	Luke Haddon	0	6	9	15
71	A Strickland	13	0	2	15
74	C Reid	0	4	10	14
75	Jack Hutchinson	13	0	0	13
75	Harry Forte	5	8	0	13
77	James Haig	0	12	0	12
77	Chris Lunn	12	0	0	12
77	Milan Cooper	0	12	0	12
77	John Glenn	0	1	11	12
77	Edward Jackson	8	4	0	12
77	A Hackin	0	6	6	12
77	A Palacio	0	0	12	12
84	Conor Kennedy	11	0	0	11
84	Stuart Fraser	0	11	0	11
84	Rick Utting	5	6	0	11
84	Brett Vanderlight	5	4	2	11
84	S Cain	0	1	10	11
84	C Callaghan	0	8	3	11
90	Jack Peedell	0	10	0	10
90	Sam Brooks	10	0	0	10
90	Ben Harris	10	0	0	10
90	Steve Keegan	0	10	0	10
90	Ed Smith	0	1	9	10
90	T Jones	0	10	0	10
96	Jean Luc Adamson	5	4	0	9
96	George McMahon	9	0	0	9
96	Ben Murphy	9	0	0	9
96	Sam Griffiths	9	0	0	9
96	Tim Field	0	1	8	9
96	Chris Gray	8	1	0	9
96	D Storey	0	4	5	9
103	Aidan Litterick	4	4	0	8
103	Adam Cheetham	0	8	0	8
103	R McGarr	0	3	5	8
106	Lester Hitch	0	7	0	7
106	Alex Hannaway	7	0	0	7
106	Bill Whetton	7	0	0	7
106	James Boase	1	5	1	7
106	N Coates	7	0	0	7
111	Jamie Walton-Gould	0	6	0	6
111	N Tubb	0	1	5	6
111	P May	0	0	6	6
111	J Griffith	0	0	6	6
115	Scott Valley	0	5	0	5
115	James Kelsall	2	3	0	5
115	Greg Williams	1	4	0	5
115	Ollie Strudwick	0	5	0	5
115	Ryan Joyce	0	5	0	5
115	N Maingot	0	5	0	5
121	Omar Amin	1	3	0	4
121	Ryan Carolan	4	0	0	4
121	Neil Clarke	3	1	0	4
121	J McKale	0	2	2	4
121	S Singer	0	0	4	4
121	John Watson	0	0	4	4
127	Simon Ashton	0	3	0	3
127	Steve Green	3	0	0	3
127	D Stevens	3	0	0	3
127	Sam Dorman	3	0	0	3
127	Mike Neal	0	3	0	3
127	M McQuillan	0	2	1	3
127	B Rushall	0	3	0	3
127	K Lee	0	0	3	3
127	B Young	0	0	3	3
136	Conor Parsons	0	2	0	2
136	J Loayza	2	0	0	2
136	James Logan	2	0	0	2
136	Christian Money	2	0	0	2
136	Nikolay Ponomarev	2	0	0	2
136	Dennis Todirica	2	0	0	2
136	A Touaitia	2	0	0	2
136	Rob Clarke	0	2	0	2
136	James Robinson	2	0	0	2
136	B Stanford	0	2	0	2
136	Greg Benson	2	0	0	2
136	H Durrant	2	0	0	2
136	A Higgins	0	1	1	2
136	P Riley	0	1	1	2
136	D Cucos	0	0	2	2
136	R Jones	0	0	2	2
136	A Martinus	0	0	2	2
136	B Rushall	0	0	2	2
136	W Rylance	0	0	2	2
136	Ramjuan	0	0	2	2
156	Sam Earles	1	0	0	1
156	J Paul	1	0	0	1
156	Isaac Penza	1	0	0	1
156	Ryan King	0	1	0	1
156	Sam Cook	0	1	0	1
156	J Jayson	0	1	0	1
156	M Kilner	0	1	0	1
156	Mike Thomas	0	1	0	1
156	S Brain	0	0	1	1
156	S Crook	0	0	1	1
156	M Dallamore	0	0	1	1
156	P Edwards	0	0	1	1
156	O Jones	0	0	1	1
156	Trevor Moody	0	0	1	1
156	Mike North	0	0	1	1
156	C Revill	0	0	1	1
156	A Simpson	0	0	1	1

Enjoy x

Here at Cubo, the Wold Cup has re-ignited a few arguements. We have been wrestling as a club to settle the age old questions of;

1. Who really is our all time * goal scorer?
2. Which Clarke brother has bagged more?
3. Was Jez Lye actually a more attacking right back than Jonsey?
4. Should it be Ralph, Matt or Marcus going up for corners?
5. Has Salty ever scored… and for that matter has Crispy!?

Well we decided to settle this once and for all.

* We have compiled our recorded scorers for all 3 of our teams since 2012/13. We would have gone further, but the records don’t exist on the FA / W&D sites.

Here’s the full list. First things first, there are 89 scorers…

#	Name	All Time
		1XI	2XI	3XI	Total
1	Oli Perkins	43	6	0	49
2	Harry Tulip	44	1	0	45
3	Martin Ansell	29	0	0	29
4	Andrew Pinnington	0	24	0	24
5	Ian Clarke	17	2	0	19
6	Tom Hooper	0	18	0	18
7	Ben McGeown	15	0	1	16
8	Alan Clarke	9	4	0	13
8	Jonathan Patterson	11	2	0	13
8	Harry Peel	13	0	0	13
8	Ryan Shedwick	11	2	0	13
12	Henry Chadwick	12	0	0	12
12	Jordan Guttridge	12	0	0	12
12	Mike Cain	11	1	0	12
15	Martin Shardlow	0	10	0	10
15	Tom Simmons	3	7	0	10
15	Peter Smith	2	7	1	10
18	Sean O’Donovan	0	9	0	9
18	Jake Flower	9	0	0	9
20	Henry Neville	0	6	2	8
21	Justin Armitage	0	7	0	7
22	James Haig	0	6	0	6
22	Joe Coffey	1	5	0	6
22	Andy Harris	0	6	0	6
22	Richard Crisp	0	6	0	6
22	Sabby Sabahatin	6	0	0	6
22	Terry Spokes	3	3	0	6
28	Chris Pyke	3	2	0	5
28	Joe Mull	0	5	0	5
28	Jimmy Ingle	0	5	0	5
28	Mark Bradley	3	0	2	5
28	Stevie Taylor	1	4	0	5
33	Marcus Torr	4	0	0	4
33	Elliot Connolly	4	0	0	4
33	Ryan Frost	4	0	0	4
33	Paul Every	4	0	0	4
33	Joe Darlington	4	0	0	4
33	Satal Thethy	0	3	1	4
33	Tim Jones	0	4	0	4
33	P May	0	0	4	4
41	Alex Bain	0	3	0	3
41	Adam Fox	0	3	0	3
41	Tom Golding	0	3	0	3
41	Harry Forte	1	2	0	3
41	Ryan Carolan	3	0	0	3
41	Steve Keegan	0	3	0	3
41	Richard Gough	3	0	0	3
41	Pete Hill	0	3	0	3
41	S Cain	0	0	3	3
41	Jordan Griffiths	0	0	3	3
51	Charlie Cooper	2	0	0	2
51	Nick Flower	2	0	0	2
51	Andrew Noble	0	2	0	2
51	Rob Sadler	2	0	0	2
51	N Tubb	0	0	2	2
51	B Young	0	0	2	2
57	Fred Gorlitz	0	1	0	1
57	Rob Jones	0	1	0	1
57	Jack Peedell	0	1	0	1
57	Brad Wilkie	0	1	0	1
57	Omar Amin	0	1	0	1
57	Rob Davies	1	0	0	1
57	Tim De La Haye	1	0	0	1
57	Alex Hannaway	1	0	0	1
57	Matt Laing	1	0	0	1
57	Ben Murphy	1	0	0	1
57	Tom Shaw	1	0	0	1
57	Ben Harris	1	0	0	1
57	Conor Kennedy	1	0	0	1
57	Rob Clarke	0	1	0	1
57	Tom Simmons	0	1	0	1
57	Oli Watkins	1	0	0	1
57	Milan Cooper	0	1	0	1
57	Ryan Joyce	0	1	0	1
57	N Coates	1	0	0	1
57	Edward Jackson	0	1	0	1
57	Ed Smith	0	1	0	1
57	Chris Gray	1	0	0	1
57	A Strickland	1	0	0	1
57	Greg Tett	1	0	0	1
57	David Wall	1	0	0	1
57	Jez Lye	0	1	0	1
57	Ralph Wensley	0	1	0	1
57	C Callaghan	0	0	1	1
57	Tim Field	0	0	1	1
57	A Hackin	0	0	1	1
57	G Ramjaun	0	0	1	1
57	Gaz Stewart	0	0	1	1
57	John Watson	0	0	1	1

Full results can be found here…  All Time Goalscorers

So what have we learn’t? Here is a few musings for you….

• Oli Perkins reaping the rewards of his no pass policy by edging Tulip out for top spot. While Harry has scored more 1XI goals, it’s Oli 6 for the 2XI that have tilted the title his way
• Ansell the only old boy featuring in the Top 5
• Alan Clarke and Pogo leading the way as the top defenders with 13 a piece
• 5 looks to be a popular number for the defensive mids with Pyke, Mull and old boy Bradders all on 5
• Jake Flower leading our overseas golden boot comp with 9 for Ozzy target man
• Most surpising entry is joint 57th top scorer with 1…. a one P.G.Stewart. Appears when he wasn’t between the sticks he was bagging for the 3XI (well at least once)
• 1 BBC presenter makes the list. When not hosting breakfast television, John Watson was lashing goals (well 1) in for Cubo

And finally, to answer those age old questions;

1. Who really is our all time goal scorer?
   • Perkins, just…
2. Which Clarke brother has bagged more?
   • Ian, ensuring finese triumps over brute physicality
3. Was Jez Lye actually a more attacking right back than Jonsey?
   • Typical, nothing to split them
4. Should it be Ralph, Matt or Marcus going up for corners?
   • Marcus edges it. Ralph was probably to busy being injured to head up for the corners…
5. Has Salty ever scored… and for that matter has Crispy!?
   • Of course they have. Although Crispy’s goals may be down to him doing the teamsheets afterwards!!

 

 

 

 

Cubo will be back in training on the 12th July. Here are all the details you need. Anyone looking to join is encouraged to pop down, we are always looking for new members (let us know to expect you on the “Joining Cubo” page.

Dates: 12th July, 7-8pm – will continue throughout the season

Location: 3G @ Archbishop’s Park, Carlisle Lane, Lambeth, SE1 7LE

Transport: Walkable from Waterloo and Lambeth North stations

Cost: £5 per session, paid via bank transfer

What to bring: Water, astro’s (no blades etc)

Who to look out for: Marcus, Harry, Arnie, Brad, Egan

Football is Back – Key Dates

Pre-season starts on the 18th July (7.30 – 8.30) @ Archbishop’s Park, Carlisle Lane, London, SE1 7LE

Club Day is on the 12th August. Details to follow

1st XI Season starts on the 26th August

2nd XI Season starts on the 16th September

New Players welcome. Any questions then shout!

 

Whetton, Torr, de la Haye, Laing, Findleton (Frost), Connolly (c), Cooper, Peel (Ansell), Tulip, Simmons, Perkins

Goals: Perkins, Peel, Ansell

Cubo journeyed across South West London for a first ever visit to Laleham FC, able to name a strong squad for consecutive weeks which gave Tulip and Perkins some ‘good’ headaches about starting line ups.

On a nice Autumn day on what was a fairly troublesome, bobbly pitch, Cubo struggled to find the attacking fluidity that had served them well the previous week. Whilst Perkins and Tulip looked to have the measure of their respective full backs, the midfield 3 were struggling to get the ball out to them as regularly as hoped. Much of this was down to good pressing from the Laleham midfield.

As Cubo began to grow more into the game they were hit with a questionable penalty decision, a long ball forward from Laleham found it’s way into the box, and an inconspicuous coming together in the box saw the referee point to the spot. A bit of a head scratcher since there was minimal contact and minimal appeal, but Cubo ultimately had to accept it. Penalty dispatched, 1-0 to Laleham.

Moments later it was 2-0, after stealing the ball back in midfield Laleham went over the top again, and after a bit of football pinball in the box the Laleham striker found the ball at his feet and rolled it into the back of the net. 2-0 and Cubo were shocked if not a bit confused at the sequence of events.

Gradually, Cubo’s midfield and full backs began to assert themselves on the game, with Torr and Findleton shifting the ball forward quickly and the midfield 2 of Cooper and Connolly able to find more space. Within a few minutes it was 2-1, Tulip found himself on the edge of the box with just the right back to beat, who was quickly dispatched before the ball was played across the box for a simple Perkins finish. 2-1 and with Laing and de la Haye ensuring no more chances for Laleham, Cubo set themselves up for attack after attack.

2-2 followed and it was much the same, Connolly playing it to Tulip who then played in Simmons on the left, and a perfectly weighted pass across goal found Peel who, despite getting a nasty whack on the ankle earlier in the half, calmly dispatched for 2-2 and order was restored. Cubo could have gone into the break way ahead but for some wayward finishing from Tulip, and a brilliant long range effort from Simmons going inches wide.

Half time saw the need for Cubo to settle down, move the ball quickly and get more goals. The injured Peel made way for Martin Ansell, who immediately looked dangerous on his comeback from holiday.

Both sides missed clear chances including a free Laleham header for a corner, and Tulip snatching at a 1 on 1 half volley. But with 15 minutes left, the (fairly mouthy) Laleham substitute latched on to a cleared corner to smash an absolute thunderbastard volley into the side netting, a great goal that the solid 2nd half defensive set up didn’t deserve. Though in an increasingly frustrating game, the goal did fit the pattern of play.

Cubo kept going though, and within 5 minutes the (fairly quiet) Ansell decided he wasn’t going to be upstaged, cracking another left footed volley into the roof of the net from 25 yards. Fully deserved for the Cubans but it did feel as if it should have been a winning goal given the chances.

3-3 and aside from some unfortunate pleasantries from a couple of Laleham midfielders at the final whistle, it was a good game where Cubo just shaded it in terms of chances. A shout out to the defence, who on another day would have kept a clean sheet but for a dodgy penalty and a peach of a volley.

MoM – Tim de la Haye just shaded it, playing with authority from the back. Shout outs to the rest of the defence and a solid performance from Charlie Cooper in midfield.

Whetton, Torr, Wensley (C) (Laing), de la Haye, Frost (Findleton), Connolly, Peel, Harris (Cooper), Tulip, Perkins, Simmons

Goals: Perkins (3), Tulip (1), Simmons (1), Peel (1)

Cubo got their season back on track after a poor run, coming off best in what can only be described as a crazy game at Southfields academy.

Naming probably their strongest squad of the season, with regular players returning and new lads settling well into the fold, managers Tulip and Perkins opted to give a debut to Harry Peel in midfield, and new defender Matt Laing taking his place on the bench.

A bright start from both teams saw a lot of possession through the midfield with the odd half chance coming the way of Tulip in particular who had a few early runs at the Tooting right back. Cubo began to press well before being hit by a Tooting sucker punch, as the pacy Tooting striker was able to work an opening inside of the box before finishing past Whetton, who managed to get a hand on it.

Tooting began to grow into the game but Cubo quickly hit back, Elliot Connolly’s piledriver left foot volley from 30 yards cannoned back off the bar and into the path of Tulip following up, who was able to control an awkwardly bouncing ball to make it 1-1.

Within minutes, Cubo took the lead, a superb long cross field ball by Tom Simmons was chased down by Tulip, who rounded the keeper and defender before smashing a shot at goal which was superbly blocked by the covering Tooting defender, with the ball landing at Peel’s feet who made no mistake to grab himself a debut goal.

Both sides had chances as the half drew to a close with Tooting hitting the woodwork twice and Cubo’s forwards going close but for superb work from the keeper.

Into the 2nd half and club captain Wensley was forced off with a back injury, handing Laing a half to make his mark. Cubo again started brightly and had an early goal to extend their lead. An early throw from Tulip found it’s way to peel, who crossed in for Perkins in to the box who bagged his first goal. A real sucker punch for Tooting but the way the goals were going in you know the game wasn’t over.

Tooting began pushing hard and were rewarded soon after, a ferocious shot from distance finding it’s way under Whetton’s arms to make it 3-2.

Cubo responded in kind, Tulip’s shot taking a huge deflection up and over the keeper, with smart thinking from Perkins helping him trap the ball on the byline, before bringing it back into play and making it 4-2.

Again Tooting responded with a well taken goal finished low from the edge of the box, to put the momentum back in their favour.

But Perkins grabbed his hat trick soon after, breaking from the right after good interplay from Simmons and the midfield, an attempted through ball to Tulip deflected back into his path and he made no mistake slotting past the keeper. The watching crowd of approximately 10 people weren’t able to witness a historic first Perkins —> Tulip assist in history, it felt like that goal in particular really deflated Bec.

Simmons got himself in on the act after a super counter attacking run by Perkins, who ran the length of the field before squaring to the striker, who slotted home to get the goal his energy deserved.

Tooting pulled a goal back to make the score 6-4 with a late header, but Cubo held on for the win.

A pretty crazy game but it was welcoming to see the high-tempo counter attacking football Cubo do best make a welcome return supported ably by a tenacious and disciplined midfielder, and the 4 goals conceded didn’t do the defensive line justice after what was a good display. Credit to Tooting who had just as many chances as Cubo in the game but came off slightly worse.

Man of the match – Perkins’ hat trick and assist deservedly won this week, but special mention goes to the performance of Harry Peel, whose all action display across the pitch made the difference.

Team: Woodhead, Torr, de la Haye, Wensley (c), Frost, Connolly, Harris, Cooper, Perkins, Ansell, Tulip

Goals: Tulip (2) Perkins (1)

Cubo’s 2nd away game of the season took them on another long away trip to Horsley FC, who have dominated the league and cup for the past 2 seasons.

The match report writer’s curse from the previous week had well and truly struck however, and Cubo found themselves on the wrong end of legendary player Satal ‘Salty’ Tethy’s stag weekend amongst other excuses, meaning managers Harry Tulip and Oli Perkins only had 11 players to choose from, which included no recognised goalkeeper.

After frantic whatsapp messages and hopeful emails, centre half Pete Woodhead agreed to go in goal for the 1st half, a selfless act that epitomised the ethic of the club. Despite not having a strong squad Cubo were still able to name a strong side, with de la Haye moving back into the defence, Harris moving into midfield and Perkins moving back to his role up front looking noticeably fatigued from 30 holidays in the space of 2 months.

Cubo knew the game would be 90 minutes of hard graft especially with no subs and a stand in goalkeeper needing extra protection from his back 4, but were well aware that anything could happen if they kept a clean sheet for the first 20.

Horsley started brightly with some neat interplay down the left side allowing for the occasional space in behind, which was swiftly swept up and dealt with. The first 15 minutes were in stark contrast to the opening game at Yateley, with the Cubo defence looking assured on the ball and looking to slow the game down with some good passing across the back line. Gradually, as expected, Cubo began getting into the game, with Tulip getting in behind the slightly shakey-looking right back on a few occasions and Perkins winning numerous free kicks which were then ballooned over.

Horsley’s main threat was constantly coming from the number 9, who had previously caused Cubo nightmares on the wing in seasons gone by. He was finding the odd half yard in his new role up front but was well marshaled by Wensley in particular.

In a half of few chances, key moments were Charlie Cooper repeatedly getting the better of and frustrating the opposing central midfielder twice his size, winning free kicks and giving them away without letting his mouth run, much to Horsley’s frustration. Another was a superb last ditch tackle by Wensley, stretching for the ball in the penalty box to deny a straight run at goal from the number 9 – a tackle which felt like a goal.

Cubo took the lead with 10 minutes left, as Elliot Connolly, taking an increasingly dominant role in the game, held on to the ball in an advanced position on the left side and threaded a ball through to Tulip, who paused for a moment before drilling a left footed shot in off the post from a tight angle, 1-0 Cubo and well deserved.

Moments later however, Cubo were undone on a good counter attack from Horsley, as the energetic right winger pulled a ball back across the box, which was finished by the no.9, harsh on Cubo and harsh on Woodhead and the defence in particular, but well deserved for the Horsley striker.

Another positive half time team talk found all players agreeing that each player needed to save his energy, not over-commit and continue playing the counter attacking game. Woodhead’s awareness that he was slowly morphing into Manuel Neuer came with an agreement to play the full game in goal, and Cubo began the half knowing they’d have to dig in and fight for the first 10 minutes for the game to open up again.

That they did, and the game began to ebb and flow before Cubo took the lead once more, again it was Connolly feeding Tulip, but this time with a delightful 30 yard angled through ball that was weighted perfectly for the right back to lose track of his location completely and Tulip to blast Cubo into the lead left footed once more. Cubo continued to knock on the door with Simmons and Perkins threatening from long range, but again Horsley pegged them back, with a cross in the strong wind causing confusion in the box and finding its way into the net via the back side of the Horsley striker.

That didn’t hold back Cubo, and with the defence remaining strong and spreading the ball quickly, the front 3 were able to find space and opportunity to keep chasing the lead. Excellent work from Torr and Frost to find their way forward allowed Perkins to almost score from 3 yards out, and Simmons to hit some dangerous shots from distance.

But it was South West London’s premier party boy who found the winner, after collecting the ball on the 18 yard line, Perkins jinked past 2 players before crashing a shot off the diving keeper, he collected the rebound and made no mistake from 2 yards to send Cubo towards what was surely the win.

A late casual save from a 30 yard thunderbastard from Woodhead showcased the calmness he’d had all day and Cubo saw out the game to win 3-2, a fantastic result given the circumstances and a great start to the season, the legs did ache on Sunday though.

Despite conceding 2 goals, the defence not only held their positions well, but they dug in and found themselves exploiting space in behind in the wind with some great long balls from de la Haye and Wensley, and excellent attacking runs by the full backs.

The midfield duo of Harris and Cooper put their bodies through the pain to match Horsley’s aggression, allowing Connolly the space to dictate the pace of every minute – not many midfielders in the league are capable of doing so.

And the front 3 had great balance, with mention to Simmons in particular for holding the ball up well and conserving his energy despite being a lone wolf for much of the game.

Hero of the day however goes to Pete Woodhead, for stepping up when he was most needed, and giving a ridiculously calm display which made his team mates forget he wasn’t a goalkeeper. Back to centre half next time though (or is it?)

MoM – Tulip just shading Connolly for the honours