Venue: Barn Elms

Starting Line-up: Luke Arnold, Tom Golding, Chris Bentley (Jez Lye), Oli Watkins, Frederik Gorlitz, Henry Neville (Richard Crisp), Satal Thethy (Jacko), Joe Mull, Martin Shardlow, Tom Simmons, Andrew Pinnington

Subs: Jez Lye, Richard Crisp, Jacko

Cubo were looking to give the visitors a fright this Halloween at a sunny Barn Elms. There was certainly cause for optimism as the BBA had a strong looking outfit, looking to get an unprecedented third win on the bounce.  Arnie between the sticks, with Golding, Bentley, Fred & player-chairman Watkins protecting him. Shards & Henners provided the width, Joe Mull & Salty in the middle, with trequartista Simmo supporting lone front man Pinnington.

The game started with a flurry of activity with neither team really monopolising the ball. One of the features of this league appear to be the sheer number of throw ins and this game was no different. From the right, the left, offensive, defensive, you name it, this game had that type of throw. An awful lot of the game was played through the middle, a bobbly area of the pitch, which probably contributed to both teams surrendering possession. However, whenever the ball was played out wide, the Cubes looked particularly dangerous, with Golding, Shards and Henners whipping in pacy crosses with a little too much on it the attacks to get any kind of contact on.

However, with the game 20 minutes old, a relatively inconspicuous looking central set piece bobbled its way to the SEL captain. In all fairness, he managed to turn smartly and drove his shot off the inside of the opposite post. Arnie had no chance and the boys in baby blue were a goal down.

The boys from Barnes are made from sterner stuff though this season and low and behold they were back in it 10 minutes later. From a Golding throw in, Pinners hooked it on with his bonce to a gleeful Henners to swivel and drill a shot (possibly) between the Keepers legs.

After the goal, Cubes found another gear. A few of the oppo could do nothing else to stop the newly revitalised home team and picked up a few cynical bookings for their troubles. That only postponed the inevitable and a few minutes after the first, Golding drilled a cross-shot into Pinnington lurking on the edge of the box. Quicker than you could say ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang’, the man himself took it onto his left foot and precisely knocked in across the flailing arm of the away keeper into the net.

Half time came. The lads knew that SEL were going to come back at them as they had players who had showed potential quality during the first half and so they would have to continue to battle, as they have done all season.

The second half was a midfield battle with very few chances for either team. Arnie made a few blinding saves, most notably a sensational hold from a cross hammered in from the SEL wide man. Jez and Crispy were introduced into the fray, with both doing their upmost to lift the Cubes over the finish line in the lead.

The referee wanted to make sure both teams would remember him for several reasons, with the main talking point of the second half coming 20 minutes from time. A bouncing ball was vitally and expertly spooned away by Crispy for a corner. But wait, what’s this? Dismay! The burly man in black pointed to the spot and gave the SEL front man a chance from 12 yards, which he snaffled up to make it 2-2.

Both sides continued to search for a way to graft out a result but neither could find the winning touch. A late Pinners injury overshadowed a game (kind of) played in a gentlemanly manner, though Cubo continued to rally with a man down.

The Cubes defence were unerring, as was their Number 1 Arnie in goal, who had little to no chance with the goals conceded. Midfield never stopped running and made a number of tackles to possibly win that particular battle on the day. Although they didn’t spoil the home support with chances, there was reason to be positive following a decent draw.

An unbeaten October will look good on Arnie’s CV as he continues to cut his teeth in the managerial game.

Goals: Henry Neville, Andrew Pinnington

MotM: Joeberto Carlos

Date: Saturday 24th October

Venue: Warlingham Sports Club

Starting line-up: Gaz Stewart, Greg Tett, Ralph Wensley, Jimmy Ingle, Jonny Patterson, Marcus Torr, Elliot Connolly, Ian Clarke, Tom Simmons, Oli Perkins, Harry Tulip

Sub: Ben McGeown

Cubo continued their recent good form with Oli Perkins and Harry Tulip both bagging braces to secure a first ever win at Warlingham.

A re-jigged line-up saw Jimmy Ingle’s recent good form for the 2’s recognised with a place in the centre of the defence next to the returning Ralph Wensley, Elliot Connolly returned to the centre of the park.

Cubo were forced onto the back foot in the early stages as the Warlingham midfield took charge and were finding plenty of space to bring their wingers into the game where on more than one occasion better delivery into the box would have caused Cubo all sorts of problems.

However the Cubans were able to ride this early storm and with the midfield getting to grips with their opponents they took they took the lead midway through the half.  Harry Tulip picked the ball up on the left hand side before skinning the Warlingham full-back and pulling the ball back post where Oli Perkins had the simple task of tapping the ball in from 2 yards out.

The Cubans were now in charge and a second goal looked likely and duly arrived just before the half.  Clarkey whipped in a free kick from out on the right and Oli Perkins guided a volley past the Warlingham keeper to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Warlingham upped their game in the second half pushing men forward to create a formation that Cubo were struggling to adapt to.  Coupled with Cubo consistently giving the ball away the home side were able to build pressure on the Cubo goal and only a fantastic save from Gaz Stewart, pushing a fierce shot onto the post, kept the home side at bay.

Cubo continued to look dangerous when the ball went forward and had they shown greater ruthlessness in the final third the game would have been put to bed.  This wastefulness almost came back to haunt Cubo when the skilful number 8 for Warlingham broke through the middle and slipped the ball in to his striker who sent the Gaz the wrong way to set up a tense final 10 minutes.

Once again Cubo were facing a tough final period in a game that they should have had wrapped up long before.  Luckily two late goals from Harry Tulip, the first a tap-in following up a shot that came back off the post before slamming home a second having picked up a loose pass from the Warlingham centre-half, secured 3 points and put a gloss on the final scoreline.

Goals: Oli Perkins (2), Harry Tulip (2)

MOTM: Harry Tulip, whilst two goals and an assist were the highlights from Cubo’s number 9 he was a continual threat to the Warlingham back line all-day, and is starting to get the goals his performances have deserved.

Date: Saturday 17th October

Venue: Barn Elms

Starting line-up: Luke Arnold, Alan Clarke, Tom Golding, Pete Woodhead, Marcus Torr, Jonny Patterson, Ian Clarke, Ben McGeown, Ryan Shedwick, Martin Ansell, Harry Tulip

Subs: Oli Perkins, Oli Watkins

A mad 10 minute spell towards the end of the game saw Cubo beat Reigate Priory for the first-time at home in 5 seasons of Surrey Elite football.

1-0 down at the half the boys knew that they needed to keep the ball better and in doing so they gained a foothold in proceedings. The baby blue army rightly equalised when substitute Oli Perkins, fresh off the physio’s table, arrived late at the back post to knock in a sumptuous McGeown cross from the left. Cubo thought they had game won when, ten minutes from the end, Perkins jinked past his marker to slot home again, this time from the edge of the box.

An ankle injury to Alan Clarke meant Oli Wats was required to surrender the lino’s flag as a late replacement at CB. It would be fair to say that the Club chairman was caught cold (having already played 90 for the 2’s) when a misplaced pass found it’s way behind the defensive line. Oli not being known for a turn of pace at the best of times was easily beaten to the ball allowing the Reigate player to slide home. 2-2.

A draw seemed the likely outcome until the dying minutes when Harry, who had been a menace to the Reigate defence all day, collected the ball on the left, dropped his shoulder for the obligatory step-over and coolly slotted into the GK’s left-hand corner from a tight angle.

Cubo’s third win in a row pushes them towards the middle of the table with a game in hand over most sides around them.

Goals: Oli Perkins 2, Harry Tulip

MOTM: Harry Tulip

Date: Saturday 17th October

Venue: Barn Elms Pitch 5 (AKA The Postage Stamp)

Starting Line-up: Luke Arnold, Adam Fox (Chris Bentley), Oli Watkins, James Ingle, Frederik Gorlitz (John Egan), Henry Neville (Martin Shardlow), Satal Thethy, Joe Mull, Richard Crisp, Tom Simmons, Andrew Pinnington.

Subs: Chris Bentley, Martin Shardlow, John Egan

AFC Cubo 2nd XI, with two wins from their first three, continued their campaign at Barn Elms against a Lokomotiv Lavender side yet to lose in 2015.

Spectators hoping to see an attractive advert for the beautiful game from two of the division’s form teams would have been sorely disappointed. This was an ugly game, but what it lacked in quality it made up for in intensity.

Lavender started the better side and the confidence brought about by their extended unbeaten run was evident as they pressed and harried the boys in baby blue. The slope, the wind and a jelly-legged Arnie all contributed to Cubo having to withstand heavy pressure but the experienced centre-back pairing of Oli Watkins and James Ingle (combined age of 66 – a great year for English football) ensured that no clear cut opportunities materialised. That was until a cross from the right found its way to Lokomotiv’s centre forward and from 8 yards out a goal looked inevitable. However, Arnie, fresh from a late night fumble in Bermondsey was in no mood to have his clean sheet spoiled the way he had dirtied his companion’s but hours earlier. Like a walrus protecting its young, he made himself large and imposing and pulled off an outstanding save to keep the scores level.

This was the boost that Cubo needed and slowly they started to get a foothold in the game. Cubo arguably finished the half with the better chances to score, with Henry Neville – following good hold-up play from Andrew Pinnington – and Freddy Gorlitz – from a Tom Simmons long throw – both narrowly missing opportunities to sneak a half-time lead.

With the conditions reversed, Cubo built on the improvement shown shortly before the break and finally started to exert some pressure on Lavender. On a small pitch with both teams showing full commitment, clear cut opportunities were difficult to come by. It was no surprise then that it required a huge element of fortune for Cubo to eventually take the lead. James Ingle picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and having bundled through one challenge, let fly from just outside the area. The keeper appeared to have his low drive covered but a wicked deflection sent the ball spinning into the opposite corner to make it 1-0.

Lokomotiv Lavender did not allow their bad luck to deter them as they set about getting back on level terms. The defence was standing firm though with John Egan and Chris Bentley now supplementing the Watkins-Ingle axis after the excellent Fred and Adam Fox were substituted.

As Lavender threw more bodies forward, chances were inevitable, but another great save by Arnie and some wayward finishing kept Cubo’s slender lead in tact. Gaps opened on the break and Andrew Pinnington and Richard Crisp both had opportunities to put the game out of reach but failed to make the most of them.

Tempers threatened to boil over towards full-time as Lavender chased an equaliser and Cubo sought to protect their lead; in the end it was Cubo that managed to secure a valuable three points in a game that could have gone either way. The result leaves the Cubans top of the league after 4 games, albeit very early days with a raft of teams 2 points behind them.

Goal: James Ingle

MotM: James Ingle

UPDATE – Friday 23 October – ORDERS ARE NOW CLOSED

After intense media speculation Cubo are pleased to confirm our official merch options for the season ahead.

This year the Club are making the transition to Nike – which is partly due to Ryan Shedwick’s contractual obligation to appear in public wearing this brand, and this brand only.

On offer is a Nike Navy Cotton T-shirt and a Nike Navy Full Zip Trackie Top – both items will feature the Club Crest, Initials and Sponsors Logo (see examples below).

These new garms will ensure the boys – and their supporters – look effortlessly ‘BOSS’ gracing the playing fields of Barnes or local bookies of South London.

To help with costs, Club sponsor, BDO, have very generously agreed to subsidise the merchandise by £10 per order when both items are purchased together.

Place an order using the form below and then make payment to the Club account using the following details, listing your name as the reference:

Sort Code: 204141     Acc No: 93766101

Any questions email – afccubo@gmail.com

Date: Sat 10th October 2015

Venue: Sean Devereux Park

Starting line-up: Gaz Stewart, Alan Clarke, Brad Wilkie, Ralph Wensley, Pete Woodhead, Elliot Connolly, Chris Pyke, Ben McGeown, Joe Coffey, Martin Ansell, Ian Clarke

Sub: Jonny Patterson

View from the opposition: Yateley United Match Report

Cubo made the longest away trip of the season to face fellow strugglers Yateley United at a ground they know well following two visits last season.  Unfortunately this familiarity did not extend to remembering how to get there for Club Clown Jonny Patterson who managed to get lost on route, turning up just minutes before kick off and holding up kick off whilst he did his shoe-laces up (which, to his credit, he managed all by himself).

Both of those previous trips produced victories for the Cubans so they had reason to be optimistic, though once again absences meant numerous changes in the starting line-up not least up front where Clarkey was forced into a striking role and Joe Coffey was promoted from the 2’s.

Cubo made a shaky start, rushing their passes to gift possession to the home side who were making good use of the pitch to stretch the Cubo defensive line.  Despite the dodgy start Cubo found themselves in front when Ben McGeown found himself in space 25 yards from goal and took one touch before cracking a finish past the Yateley keeper.  An undeserved lead for the Cubans who had been second best up to that point.  Yateley’s shape continued to cause Cubo problems, who were grateful to Ralph Wensley on more than one occasion for some fantastic defending when it looked like the home side were in on goal.  However the Cubans did eventually pay the price for their cavalier approach when a long ball over the top was latched on to by Yateley’s big striker and he finished well past Gaz Stewart.  Chances came at both ends with Joe Coffey missing the best of the bunch just before the half time whistle having been played clean through by Martin, the new boy making a great run from left to right but he dragged his finish past the post.

At half time the game was there for the taking for either side but it was Cubo who took first blood.  Good pressing high up the pitch saw the Yateley centre half mis-control the ball and Clarkey latched on to the loose ball before executing an inch-perfect lob to make it 2-1 Cubo.

The goal took the stuffing out of Yateley and Cubo began to dominate possession allowing the full backs to get forward down both flanks.  Had they shown a more clinical edge Cubo could have put the game to bed at this point but on more than one occasion the final ball was lacking the necessary quality and the closest they came was a looping header from Alan Clarke which was cleared from the line.

Cubo’s inability to make the most of their advantage came back to haunt them when they failed to clear a ball to the back post and the Yateley number 7 controlled the ball well before smashing his finish into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

With the home side’s tails up it could have been a tough final fifteen minutes for the Cubans but they showed a sense of belief that has been missing thus far this season and pushed on for the win.  First Martin found himself in space in the box but despite a lovely first touch was unable enough purchase on his volley to trouble the keeper before the winner came from an unlikely source.

Having made a late arrival to the game J-Pat arrived late once more, this time at the back stick where he timed his run to perfection before deceiving the keeper and the covering defence with his first touch, leaving him an open goal in which to rifle home the winner.  3-2 Cubo.

With time running out Yateley pushed forward but could not break down the Cubo defence, and the away side held on to secure a hard fought 3 points.

Goals – Ben McGeown, Ian Clarke, Jonny Patterson

MOTM – Ralph Wensley

Forget respective league and cup glory. Arnie and Bennie Mac are really only going about their Saturday managerial business to compete for the highest honour available, that of ‘AFC Cubo Manager of the Year’. 

Such a title is won over many battles. As a famous Cuban once said ‘life is a game of inches’. Inch by inch. Game by game. Social by social. Month by month.

This philosophy in mind, the victor will be crowned having amassed the most ‘Manager of the Month’ awards. Oli Watkins (Cubo Chairman, 1st XI first choice Linesman, ‘The New Pally’) will call the fine margins involved in this contest.

With the 2’s not playing in August, and Bennie Mac abdicating Gaffa’s responsibilities for the month, September was the first opportunity for the titans to face off.

The 1’s record, and indeed play, for September was much improved from that of the availability induced barren spell which had proceeded. 1 fantastic win, 2 draws and a solitary loss would have put Ben in the frame for honours had his reliability not been on par with a VW emissions test. Ben can only claim direct managerial credit for 2 draws. 2 points in the locker for the pint-sized-midfield-maestro.

Arnie meanwhile started ‘the revolution’ via a friendly on a bobble ridden Raynes Park. A 2-2 draw – new signing ‘OG’ bagging a brace – was an acceptable start for the Walsall man. League duties commenced the week after in dramatic fashion; a 3-2 win being fought for in the dying seconds. This was followed by a slightly deflating 2-1 loss. Team spirit has undoubtedly been carried in spades into October. Arnie picked up 3 points for the month, but perhaps more importantly for his sake (come the AGM) the MOTM Award for September.

Bennie Mac 0 – Arnie 1

September 2015 sees the start of a ‘Player of the Month Award’ for each team in order to recoignise Cubans performing at the peak of their powers. Awards are decided by each Manager.

1st XI POTM for September – Elliot Connolly

Occasional 1st XI Manager Bennie Mac says of Elliot…

“The high-topped midfield maestro continued his form from last season with a series of strong performances, even finding the time to score a typically classy goal in the 2-2 draw with Chobham, his first ever for the Club.  His muted celebration probably caused by the realisation that it means another pint of Guinness at the AGM.”

2nd XI POTM for September – Joe Coffey

Arnie, 2nd XI Manager and Part-time Welshman, says of Joe…

“Having made the big decision to sign for Cubo during the summer,  a series of stellar performances highlighted why the Shrewsbury starlet had been so sought after. A thrilling hat trick on debut has already made him a fans favourite, although that day may come back haunt him come the AGM!”

Congrats boys. I can practically taste the end of season Guinness coming your way.

Oli Wats

Date: Saturday 3rd October 2015

Venue: Barn Elms

Starting line-up: Gaz Stewart, Brad Wilkie, Ralph Wensley, Greg Tett, Ryan Shedwick, Ben McGeown, Tom Golding, Ian Clarke, Adam Fox, Martin Ansell, Harry Tulip

Subs: Joe Mullagan, Oli Watkins

Cubo secured only their second win of the season with a well-deserved 2-0 victory over fellow South West Londoners NPL.  League winners back in 2013/14 NPL have experienced a difficult start to the season and arrived at Barn Elms without many of the players who have been an integral part of their recent success.  However as the saying goes, you can only play what’s in front of you and Cubo put in a professional performance to secure three points, with goals coming either side of the half.

Geared-up by the angriest pre-game team-talk the Club has ever heard (primarily consisting of half-formed sentences and swear words) the home side took the lead when a deflected shot from Ian Clarke fell to Ben McGeown and the gaffer had plenty of time to guide his finish beyond the NPL keeper from 10 yards out.  Cubo were looking dangerous down both flanks with the frontmen causing NPL all sorts of problems.  On three separate occasions Cubo forwards got in behind but were unable to find a team-mate with their crosses.  Had they been more clinical in these areas the game could have been put to bed by half time.  At the other end NPL’s greatest threat came from their right-back/right-wing combination who were bombing  forward with abandon, often over-loading Cubo left-back Brad Wilkie, however Cubo’s resident angry Scouse was doing a good job in keeping them quiet.  As it was NPL were limited to the occasional pot-shot from distance and this never looked liked troubling Gaz Stewart in the Cubo goal.

Going into the second half NPL brought an extra man into the centre of the pitch and as a result the game became increasingly scrappy with NPL pressing the ball well and Cubo failing to move the ball well enough to utilise the wide areas.  When the home side did switch the ball there were acres to play in particularly down the left hand side where time and again Wilkie was being allowed to carry the ball unchallenged into the NPL half.  It was on one of these forays that the full back picked out Ben McGeown in the box with a raking diagonal pass and having got the ball out of his feet with his first touch the gaffer really should have done better with his finish which was pushed round the post.   Luckily for him the game was put to bed shortly afterwards when the ball was flipped over the top for Harry Tulip to run on to and the frontman took a lovely touch to take the ball away from his marker before he cooly slotted past the keeper to make it 2-0.  With 20 minutes remaining NPL pushed forward, finishing with four men up front for the final ten minutes however one deflected shot aside they failed to exert any real pressure on the Cubo goal.  At the other Cubo should have had another goal but an ambitious chip from new boy Ad trickled into the keepers arms as the referee blew the final whistle.

A solid result for Cubo who have had a mixed start to the season but will be hoping that this result, combined with greater squad availability, will mark an improved run of form.  NPL look a better side than their league position suggests but they look to be in for a tough time until some of their injured players return to the starting line-up.

Goals – Ben McGeown, Harry Tulip

MOTM – Ryan Shedwick – the ‘Flying Manc’ put in a strong performance at right-back which showed that you don’t have to have the ability to defend to play the position well.  Even curtailed his usual moaning at team-mates for their lack of ability until the final ten minutes.