Author: thomhoops

Sporting Duet 4-2 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

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Date: Saturday 21st September, 2013

Venue: King’s House Sports Ground, Chiswick

Starting XI: Bush, Fraser, J. McGeown, Wensley, Ingle, Wall, Hooper. Thethy (C), Neville, Taylor, Keeegan.

Subs: Haddon, Glenn.

Cubo Reserves ventured North (!) of the river this week to the excellent facilities of the King’s House Sports Ground. In opposition were Sporting Duet, last season’s league top scorers and a side that did the double over Cubo in 2012/13.

Cubo started the game brightly, and the gameplan of working the Duet defence hard to stop them monopolising possession was working well, forcing Sporting to go uncharacteristically long from the back.

Although Cubo were very hesitant to go long themselves against a side featuring about 10 six foot plussers, they ironically took the lead when Bushy’s long kick forward was allowed to bounce by a hesitant Duet defence. In the ensuing confusion, Stevie T latched on to the bouncing ball and used the outside of his brand new Adidas Copa Mundial (Mikey Cain take note) right boot to lift a composed finish into the top corner.

Unfortunately this bright start was cancelled out immediately, when a corner from the left wing found the head of Duet’s biggest player inside the 6 yard box. He made no mistake with his downward header and parity was restored.

Despite a couple of uncomfortable moments resulting from long balls in the channel between right back and centre half, Cubo were more than matching their opponents. After Bushy produced a couple of good saves to keep the scores level, Hennerz made it two goals in two with a quite brilliant finish. After some incisive passes saw the Baby Blues find Keegan just inside the home side’s half, he boy from Boro cleverly delayed his pass before rolling in Neville down the left side in behind the high line of Duet. Moving with considerable grace, befitting his All Saints Autumn/Winter 2013 styling, Henry cut into the box before lofting a wonderful dinked finish over the onrushing keeper. A superb goal which allowed Cubo to get some half time drinks on board holding a 2-1 lead.

After squandering a lead in their previous outing, Cubo were well aware of making a solid start to the second half and the energy of Salty combined with Wall and Hooper making a number of challenges in midfield saw Cubo holding a good footing. Haddon replaced the tiring Keegan and moved to the right side, with Taylor now operating in a central position.

Unfortunately, as has been the case too often this season, Cubo fell behind after an individual error. Ralph, man of the match last week, was caught out by a hopeful ball forward and as the ball squirmed past him, the Sporting striker rushed in on goal and made no mistake.

Cubo again responded well and were within inches of being clean through, only to see the final throughball or squared pass just being underhit. Cubo were made to pay when an excellent last ditch block from Fraser was ‘cleared’ woefully by Hooper and the Duet right back, up on the counter, converted from 10 yards.

As Cubo became more stretched in search of a deserved equaliser, chances were appearing at both ends. Henry beat two men but his curled finish from an angle was far to close to the keeper, while a Wall drive from 20 yards was helped over the bar.

At the other end Bush produced an excellent save to claw a cleanly hit half-volley from the edge of the box out of his top right hand corner.

With minutes left Duet scored their 4th when a thrown in from the left wing saw an untracked runner waltz through a crooked Cubo back line, and convert.

Final Score: Sporting Duet 4-2 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

Goals: Taylor, Neville

Assists: Bush, Keegan

Man of the Match: Salty, just pipped Dave by one vote, after putting in a hugely effective shift as the link between the front 3 and the midfield.

Another really tough loss to accept for the 2s, but as in the previous weeks we are genuinely playing some good stuff with lots of width in our play, and a real attempt to pass through the team. Despite the lack of points there are many causes for optimism, especially as Duet will be right up there at the end of the season. Cutting out individual errors at the back, and showing a bit more care in the final third will see us get what we deserve.

AFC Cubo 2nd XI 1-2 AFC Battersea

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Date: Saturday 14th September, 2013

Venue: Barn Elms Sports Centre

Starting XI: Van der Light, R. Jones, Wensley, Nguyen, J. McGeown, Wall, Hooper, Thethy (C), Crisp, Durrant, Spokes.

Subs: Fraser, Neville, Taylor.

Cubo 2s took on experienced campaigners AFC Battersea on Saturday, hoping to register their first points of the season, at the second time of asking, following last week’s strange defeat to new boys Brentside.

A strong 14 was available, and that was in the absence of the likes of Jez, Utting, Jacko, Perkins, Keegs and Jingle-all-the-way.

Cubo started brightly although the two Battersea central midfielders form one of the better partnerships in the league and a need to get tight to numbers 14 and 10 was paramount.

Battersea enjoyed the better of the attempts on goal in the first 45, although in truth they were very much long range efforts that were straight down the throat of the retuning keeper Brett VdL.

Cubo were having some joy down their left with Jim and Henry D linking up very well, although the lack of quality when it came to the final ball was the only blot to their first half copybook.

Before the game the gaffer talked about the fact the game would be very tight, and scoring the first goal, it was felt, would be absolutely crucial. As it happened, Cubo broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when Neville, on for his namesake Durrant down the left flank, scored with his very first touch to convert Crisp’s inviting low cross from the right wing.

Cubo were now buoyant and skipper Salty was denied in a 1-on-1 by a fine stop from the Leeds United shirt wearing keeper. However despite looking to protect what they had with Stevie T replacing the first team covering Wall, and Frase slotting in at full back for Jones, the baby blue red army were struggling to keep possession and subsequently the visitors, cruelly sporting a brand new strip that looked extremely familiar to followers of this website, poured forward.

The equaliser came when a promising Cubo break was snuffed out and with men out of position a cross from the right found its way to the back post where Hung was just unable to keep a powerful shot from creeping over line.

Despite the need for calm heads, the home side were still struggling to replicate their incisive first-week football on a regular basis. With 5 minutes to go Battersea slung a diagonal ball into the Cubo box and a brave header just beat the onrushing keeper, kissed the inside of the post, and agonisingly rolled over the line.

A tough defeat for the second consecutive weak for the 2s. A bit more savvy game management to see out matches like this will be crucial in a very competitive league where all the sides will feel they have a legitimate chance of victory each week. Sporting Duet, an easy on the eye side who enjoyed a good season in 2012/13, are next up on the 21st.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 1-2 AFC Battersea

Goal: Neville

Assist: Crisp

Man of the Match: Ralph – an imposing performance from the returning centre half, who formed a very solid partnership with Hung.

AFC Cubo 1-1 Yateley United

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Date: Saturday 14th of September 2013

Cubo were again left with a feeling of two points lost after conceding a late equaliser for the second week in succession. Against last season’s champions, the Baby Blue Army produced a lacklustre first half performance during which they relinquished possession far too easily and invited pressure from their opponents.

Cubo struggled to gel at all on the ball in a first half in which they failed to create any meaningful chances and which saw Yateley dominate for large periods. On more than one occasion Cubo were thankful to the big noisy Welshman in goal for some excellent saves, most notably a stunning one-handed effort down to his right when unsighted from a close-range header. Although wasteful in possession, Cubo were defensively solid and matched their opponents physically and Yateley were lucky to end the half with 11 men after their central midfielder escaped with only a booking following a ‘series of indiscretions’.

Cubo were much-improved in the second half and deservedly took the lead when Clarke turned on a long throw inside the box and the ball ran to the ‘fitter’ Flower who produced a superb snap finish into the top left corner. After the goal Cubo were able to retain possession much better and seemed to settle into their football, moving the ball around the defence and midfield with added sharpness.

An excellent defensive display, spearheaded by the outstanding man of the match and soon-to-be engaged Oli Watkins stepping in for the absent skipper, looked to have earned Cubo a well-deserved victory until their curse of conceding late struck again. It appeared to be a foul on Stewart when he was challenged for a loose ball, but the referee allowed play to continue and the subsequent shot found its way via a Grayson boot into the Cubo net.

It was a devastating blow for Cubo who had looked on course for three points. Again, concerns will be raised about the inability to keep the ball and to convert possession into chances. However, they will be buoyed by an excellent defensive display and a more positive second half performance.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 1-1 Yateley United

Man of the Match: Oli Watkins

Brentside 4-1 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

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Date: Saturday 7th September 2013

Venue: Wandsworth Common

Starting XI: Arnie, R. Jones, Nguyen, Fraser, J. McGeown, Wall, Hooper, Salty (C), Utting, Crisp, Oli.

Sub: Jez.

The 2s got their Wimbledon District League, Premier Division, campaign underway with the short trip (for some of us anyway) to Wandsworth Common to face newly promoted Division 1 champions Brentside, who looked a physically big and experienced side.

Despite 2 late drop outs on the eve and morning of the fixture, new manager Hoops took a good squad and was optimistic of a strong result to kick off the season.

Looking to get in behind a particularly big backline, Cubo could have taken the lead inside 120 seconds when a ball across the face of goal from the effervescent Crisp was turned onto the post from just a couple of yards out from Skipper Salt Dogg.

Cubo were playing at a good tempo, working the ball wide effectively, with front man Oli Perkins drifting into the left wing channel and consistently rolling his marker and leaving him for dead.

Despite an imposing start, the Baby Blues went behind midway through the first half. Brentside won the ball in midfield and worked the ball to the right wing, where a good across was nodded in from point blank range at the back post.

The setback didn’t derail Cubo’s good play though, and Perkins saw his volley crash against the crossbar, and another good snapshot on the turn pushed away by the home keeper. Crisp also had a good chance when put in via a diagonal ball, but in trying to lift the ball over the advancing keeper he just overcooked it.

On the stroke of half time an incredible piece of bad fortune saw Crisp’s squared ball across the face of goal clipped over the crossbar from fully one year out by Perkins, who was wondering what he’d have to do to open his account.

Despite the frustrations at the 1-0 deficit, Cubo regrouped at half time and equalised almost immediately in the second half. Hooper, making some amends for losing the ball for Brentside’s opener, won the ball in midfield, and after Rick Utting was freed down the left hand side his measured early ball was deservedly converted at the second attempt by the relieved Oli P.

Cubo were now pulsing with belief and with Crisp surging past his opponent at will, and the Cubo midfield trio largely dictating things, it seemed a matter of time before they were to take the lead.

A hammer blow of a second goal followed when a needlessly given away throw-in was nodded in by Brentside’s powerful skipper. Arnie attempted to come for the ball, but met a crowd and the resulting header found it’s way into the vacated net.

Cubo looked, once again, for an equaliser that was the least they deserved but despite a Thethy shot just arcing the wrong side of the right post, and 2 or 3 occasions where a lack of ruthlessness saw excellent opportunities in the Brentside box spurned, the home team scored a third scrappy goal from a long free kick into the box.

The most galling thing about the 3rd goal was the Cuban backline was defending well, and the hosts did not look remotely threatening from open play. Hung was marshalling well and De La Frase was getting tight to the talented striker of Brentside and keeping him relatively quiet.

Jones and substitute Jez continued to get forward well from full back, and despite more good opportunities a very stretched Cubo conceded a fourth late on.

A truly bizarre game, where on chances alone, Cubo should have won comfortably. Going forward we need to be more streetwise and ruthless in attack, but despite the scoreline the positives vastly outnumbered the negative issues. The formation worked, we looked the fitter and more mobile team, but we will need to quickly learn how to deal with teams at the more direct end of the spectrum.

Final Score: Brentside 4-1 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

Goal: Perkins

Assist: Utting

Man of the Match: Rich Crisp was the overwhelming vote, enjoying comfortably his best performance in a Cubo shirt. He consistently beat his man, and was able to create a number of excellent chances for his colleagues.

AFC Cubo 2-2 Abbey Rangers

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Starting XI: Biscuit Tett, Rob Sadler, Rich Gough (c), Joey D, Joke Pat, Ian Clarke, Mark Bradley, Rufus Shedwick, Nick Coates, Martin Ansell, Terry Spokes.

Subs: Alan Clarke, Paul Every

Cubo were within whisker of pulling off an unlikely three points in their first home game of the season against a much-improved Abbey Rangers side. There were only seconds left when a ball pumped forward from Abbey found its way through to the striker to push the ball beyond a helpless Biscuit to deprive the boys in baby blue of what would have been an impressive if not undeserved victory.

For large parts Cubo were second best in this game against an Abbey side that knocked the ball around better and seemed to get to grips more quickly with the overgrown surface. Cubo had taken the lead against the run of play after ten minutes when J Pat coolly converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Joey D in the box. Unable to withstand the continuing onslaught from Abbey, the scores were level when some sloppy defending allowed the Abbey winger to run unopposed onto a through ball and slot the ball easily into the net.

Perhaps thankful that they were still in the game at half time, Cubo improved significantly in the second half although they remain concerned by their inability to keep the ball under pressure. Cubo were rewarded for their improved perfomance on the hour when the energetic Alan Clarke released the excellent Coates to cross for another star performer, Ansell, who had seemed to have held onto the ball for too long before calmly finishing in the corner of the net for a superb first goal for the club.

Cubo did well to maintain the pace and were denied what looked like a certain penalty for a foul in the box on Ian Clarke. The job looked to have been completed with some resolute defending from the excellent Joey D and an outstanding performance from Captain Richard Gough, capably aided by great goalkeeping by the deputising Biscuit. However, the last kick of the game dealt Cubo a cruel blow and left them with a feeling of two points lost rather than one gained.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2-2 Abbey Rangers

Man of the Match:

Puretown FC 1-6 AFC Cubo

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Team: Gaz Stewart, Rob Sadler, Alan Clarke, Richard Gough (c), Oli Watkins, Ben McGeown, Pat, Shedders, Jake, Nick, Nick Coates

Subs: Ian Clarke, Rick Utting, Sabby

AFC Cubo resumed a long-standing rivalry with an old foe on Saturday following Puretown’s promotion last season. Playing on Tooting & Mitcham FC’s 3G pitch, Cubo started slowly but settled down and began to use the playing surface to zip the ball around well and after a sustained period of early domination took a well deserved lead. A strong move down the right freed Alan Clarke, whose ball into the middle was flicked into the path of Rufus Shedwick who converted from close-range.

Cubo were in the goals again shortly after when a long kick from Gaz Stewart found its way through to one of the Flowers (Jake we think but who can tell?) to finish at the near post.

At this point Cubo should have gone on to dominate the game, but as often seems to be the case they contrived to make things harder than they should have been by sitting back and inviting pressure. Whilst Puretown were not able to create many chances, they were afforded a lifeline when they found space down the right and a deflected cross looped over the helpless Stewart and into the net.

At 2-1 up the win that had looked guaranteed suddenly looked more precarious. Step forward Cubo’s newest debenture-holder. Receiving a pass from McGeown in the centre circle, Shedwick nipped round one Puretown defender before beating another and carrying the ball to the edge of the area before dispatching an unstoppable right-footed shot into the far corner. 3-1 Cubo.

A 2 goal cushion safely restored by half time, Cubo relaxed in the second half and began to play some really good football. Further goals were added by Jake or Nick (probably Jake) and Sabby before an excellent move ended in a delightful chip over the oncoming keeper by Nick Coates for his first Cubo goal. Cubo undoubtedly caught Puretown on an off-day and will face tougher opposition but this was a confidence-boosting result and constituted the biggest win for the baby blue army for some time.

Final Score: Puretown 1-6 AFC Cubo

Man of the Match: Ryan Shedwick

Tooting Bec 2-2 AFC Cubo

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Date: Mon 26th August 2013

Venue: Colliers Wood FC

Starting Line-up: Gaz Stewart, Chris Grayson, Richard Gough (c), Rob Jones, Org-Patt, Mark Bradley, Ben McGeown, Shedders, Jake Flower, Nick Flower, Moisty

Subs: Nick Coates, Dave Wall

Despite far from ideal preparation, which included the gaffer not turning up with the kit until 30 mins before KO and a large portion of the squad suffering from their social exertions the night before, Cubo managed to ensure they did not come away from the weekend’s games empty handed by picking up a point in a 2-2 draw with local rivals Tooting Bec.  Indeed, the Baby Blue Army will be disappointed not to have picked up all 3 points from a game that they dominated for long periods.

The first few minutes of the game were characterised by some alcohol induced sloppiness from Cubo with stray passes and a cavalier approach to defending.  Tooting really should have scored when a cross into the box caused mass confusion in the Cubo ranks with only a good save by Gaz preventing an opener.  The game was then stopped for over five minutes when two Bec players clashed heads having gone up for the same ball and one came off significantly worse.  With blood pouring out of his clearly broken hooter there was no way he could continue and the home side were forced into making an unwanted early change. This seemed to wake up the visitors who were soon able to get the ball down and build some decent attacking opportunities.  The newly reunited (on the pitch) Flower brothers were both heavily involved and both had chances to break the deadlock.  First Jake found space in the box before firing across the keeper, who did well to push it wide of the post, before Nick’s cross/shot flashed across the goal crying out for someone to get on the end of it.  With Goughy and Jonesy doing a great job on Bec’s sole striker, the home side were finding it very difficult to get out of their own half.  HT 0-0.

The second half continued in much the same fashion and Cubo soon had the goal they deserved.  Shedders had been finding pockets of space throughout the first half and on this occasion he picked the ball up on the left touchline with acres around him before driving towards goal.  Having beaten one man his pass/bad touch made its way to Jake who slotted past the keeper to make it 1-0.  Having seen Shedders impact on the game, the gaffer promptly did the sensible thing and substituted him.  With Tooting heads going down Cubo really should have put the game to bed and had the chances to do so.  The first fell to Nick Flower who found himself one on one with the keeper but his effort was well saved by the Bec keeper.  N.Flower was involved again when he broke into the right hand channel and only had to square the ball to Martin who had the goal at his mercy bu the pass was underhit and Tooting were able to clear.

Tooting were struggling to rouse themselves however they pushed an extra man forward and were rewarded for their positive play shortly afterwards.  A Cubo corner was headed clear and made its way to the Bec number 10 who skinned Ben McGeown before squaring to the big Bec striker who made no mistake with his finish.  Whilst the goal may have come against the run of play the period it signalled a change in the momentum of the game with Tooting now looking the hungrier of the two sides.  With the night before’s exploits catching up with a few players Cubo were looking raged defensively and soon conceded a second as a result.  A corner was only partially cleared back to the Bec number 7, who had looked their most dangerous player throughout, and he had an age to pick his cross which was headed in by an unmarked team-mate.  A good cross but some appalling defending by Cubo, highlighted by the fact that there were actually three Bec players, all unmarked, queueing up to head the ball in had the first man missed it.

Luckily for Cubo there was still plenty of time on the clock to get back into the game.  Dave Wall had looked lively ever since his introduction at half time for the injured Chris Grayson, getting forward to good effect from right back.  Having created a couple of half chances with some well-timed bursts forward, it was his switch of the play from right to left which released Coatsy down the left.  The tricky winger had been a handful in his time on the pitch and he once again beat his man before pulling the ball back to the penalty spot where Ben McGeown fired home to bring the scores level with less than 5 mins to go.

A pleasing point given the circumstances with ten minutes to go but Cubo should be disappointed that they weren’t able to put the game beyond Tooting when a goal up and on top.  Credit to Tooting who came back into the game strongly in the second half and will no doubt be disappointed to concede such a late goal.

Final Score: Tooting Bec 2-2 AFC Cubo

Goals: B. McGeown, J. Flower

Man of the Match: Richard Gough – a captain’s performance from the big centre half, who even managed to avoid picking up his customary booking for dissent.

Virginia Water FC 4-1 AFC Cubo

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Date: Sat 24th August 2013

Starting Line-up: Gaz Stewart, Chris Grayson, Richard Gough, Oli Watkins, James McGeown, Ben McGeown, Jonny Patterson, Nick Coates, Sabby Sabahatin, Nick Flower, Ryan Shedwick

Subs: Hung Nguyen, Ed Jackson

Cubo returned to the scene of the final game of the 2012/13 season which saw them on the wrong end of a bad 4-1 defeat at the hands of a rejuvenated Virginia Water.  If they could claim to have been caught cold last time round they had no such excuses on this occasion as they once again went down to a chastening 4-1 loss.

Waters opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game when the ball was worked wide to their left midfielder who stepped inside Chris Grayson before smashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.  Despite this setback Cubo soon found themselves back into the game when an innocuous-looking ball forward skidded off the slippery surface and up into the Waters centre half’s right hand.  JPat stepped up and cunningly side-footed his penalty beneath the keeper’s dive, the boy is a magician from 12 yards.  Nick Flower then went close for the away side when he got across his marker at the near post but was unable to keep his header down.  The home side continued to look dangerous going forward and earned a penalty when the ball was flicked up into Oli Watkins’ hand from less than a yard.  Luckily for Cubo Gaz Stewart went the right way and James McGeown was on hand to clear the rebound.  The game looked finely poised but when a long clearance by the Waters defence cleared the Cubo backline it left the Waters striker a clear run on goal and he rounded Gaz before making it 2-1 just before half time.

Cubo started well in the second half without creating any clear cut opportunities before a highly contentious decision allowed Waters to put the game to bed.  A cross into the box was seemingly missed by both Cubo centre halves before falling to the lurking Waters midfielder who cooly slotted the ball past Gaz to make it 3-1.  Unfortunately for Cubo their protests about a push on Goughy fell on deaf ears and they faced a very difficult task to get back into the game against a side particularly adept at counter-attacking football.  With Cubo pushing forward there were always likely to be further chances for the home side and a fourth was added when a superb cross into the box was converted to make it 4-1.  Cubo were fortunate that the scoreline did not deteriorate further when Waters were awarded a second penalty (this time for a clear shirt pull).  Once again Gaz came out on top, this time with a full stretch save down to his left, leaving the Waters penalty taker shaking his head wondering what more he could have done to score.

Final Score: Virginia Water 4 AFC Cubo 1

Goals: Jonny Patterson (Pen)

Man of the Match: Gaz Stewart

Merrow 1-2 AFC Cubo

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Date: Sat 17th August 2013

Venue: The Urnfield, Merrow

Starting Line-up: Rob Sadler, Rob Jones, Richard Gough, Alan Clarke, Chris Grayson, Tom Golding, Ben McGeown, Rufus ‘Shedders’ Shedwick, Sabby Sabahatin, Stevie T, Martin Ansell

Substitutes: Jim McGeown, Hung Nguyen, Oli Watkins

Scorers: Stevie T, Shedders

Man of the Match: Alan Clarke

Cubo began their third season in the Surrey Elite at newly promoted County Cup winners Merrow, whose run to the final of that competition had seen them beat some of the better teams in the SEIL including Horsley and Coulsdon Town.  As such the Baby Blue Army were expecting a tough game against a side accustomed to winning and no doubt keen to make a statement in their first league fixture.  Cubo were once treated to some excellent facilities, with the pitch in immaculate condition, a pre-game burst of rain meant that the ball was zipping around beautifully.

With new gaffer Ian Clarke opting out of the first month of the season whilst he comes to terms with signing his life away, Club Chairman Ben McGeown took on management responsibilities with Goughy taking the armband for the day.  The early start to the SEIL season meant that Cubo were without many regulars, most notably keeper Gareth Stewart, though luckily for Ben McGeown Rob Sadler was able to act as a stand-in.  Despite the side was a strong one with a very physical presence at the back where Alan Clarke was rewarded for some impressive performances at the back end of last season with a start and Chris Grayson came in at left-back to fill the ‘Big Aussie’ quota in Jake Flower’s absence.

Goughy’s first input as skipper was to lose the toss and Merrow, sensibly, chose to play with the wind, which was howling across the pitch towards the Cubo goal.  The home side started the brighter of the two and soon had Cubo on the back foot, particularly as Sadler was struggling against the elements to get his goal-kicks out of his own area.  The first chance of the game fell to Merrow when a sloppy pass out of defence was picked off and the Merrow no.7 beat one covering defender before pulling his shot wide.  An even better chance followed when Sadler came to collect a through ball only to see it squirm from his grasp and fall to the Merrow striker.  Fortunately for Cubo, the angle proved too much and he could only put his effort into the side netting.

Having survived these early scares Cubo began to get the ball down and some neat passing moves almost saw first Martin and then Sabby released behind the Merrow backline who were holding a very high line.  The wind was proving tricky at both ends as the Merrow centre-half misjudged a long throw into the box that held up in the air before bouncing over his head and falling invitingly for Shedders.  Unfortunately the clubs resident ray of sunshine on the pitch couldn’t control his volley which sailed over the bar.  The man with the personal account at Niketown was involved again when, having intercepted a pass in midfield, he set off on a driving run towards the Merrow goal before being obstructed just outside the box.  Merrow were furious with what they considered to be a soft decision and would be even more agitated by what followed.  Sabby stepped up to curl an effort over the wall but without enough pace to seriously trouble the keeper who stepped across his goal to collect.  However, in a moment to forget, the ball slipped from his hands and dropped to an onrushing Stevie T, who forced the ball home from 2 yards out.  A great goal for the away side who up until that point had probably been second best in the half.

The goal gave Cubo a boost and they almost doubled their lead shortly afterwards when a cross from the left just evaded Stevie T at the back post.  Merrow remained a threat and were half way to celebrating an equaliser when their no.6 side-stepped a challenge on the edge of the box and thundered a strike against the underside of the bar.  A suggestion of a touch from Sadler made all the difference as it cannoned down a metre from the line before being scrambled clear.

Cubo emerged for the second half with the wind and a slight slope on their side safe in the knowledge that they would get chances against opponents who would have to attack, leaving ever larger gaps in their backline.  The key for Cubo would be showing patience in their ball retention, historically not an attribute of the boys in Baby Blue.  As expected Merrow came out strong in the second half, and despite the wind were on top of affairs, forcing Alan and Gough into some desperate last gasp challenges to prevent an equaliser.  The best of these coming when a cross into the box fell to the Merrow striker with the goal at his mercy.  He confidently struck the ball towards goal only to see Alan Clarke throw himself in front of it and somehow deflect the ball wide for a corner.  It was to prove a game-changing block.  Minutes later and with the Merrow defence pushing up to the half way line, a long pass from right back took a deflection before Shedders raced onto it and coolly rounded the keeper to make it 2-0 Cubo.

It was at this point that Cubo really should have put the game to bed but credit to the home side they came flying back at their opponents from kick off and when a free kick from out on the left was only half cleared their no.7 was on hand to nod home and bring them back to within a goal.  Cubo will be very disappointed with the timing of the goal and the nature of it given that they had at least two chances to clear the danger before the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Suddenly a game that appeared to be in the bag had become a defensive ‘backs to the wall’ exercise for Cubo, whose defensive discipline was really being tested by Merrow pushing men forward and leaving players up the pitch (at one stage they had 4 men stationed on the right wing).   Hung and Jim were introduced to help shore up the back line, whilst a lack of composure on the ball continued to haunt Cubo as they continually gave the ball away cheaply whilst attempting to hit long passes on a skiddy surface.  On the few occasions that they did look after the ball almost saw them get a third with a well worked move involved Sabby Ryan but a desperate block by the Merrow centre-half deflected the ball over the bar.   With Goughy and Alan holding firm against the aerial assault Cubo were able to see out the remaining minutes to secure a vital first three points of the season.

A hard fought victory for Cubo against a dangerous side who will no doubt do well this season.  Whilst it would be fair to say that Cubo rode their luck at points they looked dangerous when going forward and with greater composure could have saved themselves the frantic defending that took place in the last 25 minutes.  Nonetheless given the limited nature of pre-season this is a great start to the season and sets them up nicely for next weekend’s fixtures at Virginia Water and local rivals Tooting Bec.

2013 AGM Minutes

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Thanks to Luke Haddon for diligently noting these down, as Jez was sick on himself and Stevie T explained how the average age of the club compared to 2 seasons ago has gone up by about 2 years.

Accounts:

• Refer to Treasurer’s (Gareth Stewart) spreadsheet for comprehensive details.

• £719 operating profit. Mainly funded by chasing up bad debts to the club from season 2011/12.

• £615 came into the club from 2012 Bobby Moore Foundation fundraiser. Less than expected due to poor attendance.

• £5 match fees will remain for second team, as will the £65 signing on fee. First team squad will continue paying £6 match fees. Players who have paid signing on fees will get preference on selection.

• Balance of club account is £2,630.

Continuation of the third team:

• After consideration by members of the 2012/13 committee, and input from those members of the club considered for membership on the 2013/14 committee, a vote was put to the club regarding the withdrawal of the third team from the Wimbledon and District Football League.

• Withdrawal was approved on the basis that it would help to ensure overall strength and reputation of the club.

• Issues with maintaining three playing squads each week contributed to the decision.

Pitches:

• Surrey Elite Intermediate League membership dependent on vote at SEIL AGM on coming Wednesday.

• Any decision made on pitches will be made by the committee and the rest of the club informed.

Club training:

• Pre-season training will commence on the second Wednesday of July 2013 on Wandsworth Common.

Club fundraiser:

• The Club will look at alternatives to the ‘Summer Ball Fundraiser’ that has previously been arranged, with the possibility of a family-friendly barbeque (to cater for the growing number of junior AFC Cubans) taking place at the end of the season.

Committee member election:

• Club chairman – Ben McGeown

• First team manager – Ian Clarke

• First team captain – To be decided by First team manager

• First team secretary – To be undertaken by members of the first team squad

• Second team manager – Tom Hooper

• Second team captain – To be decided by Second team manager

• Second team secretary – Luke Haddon

• Treasurer – Gareth Stewart

• Media and communications officer – Tom Hooper

• Club social secretaries – None decided. Members appointed on ad hoc basis.

Club awards:

• First team player of the year – Ben McGeown

• First team golden boot – Mike Cain

• Second team player – Stevie Taylor

• Second team golden boot – Pete Smith

• Third team player of the year – Luke Haddon

• Third team golden boot – Paul May

AOB:

• Honourable mention for Luke Haddon winning Secretary of the Year across four divisions of the Wimbledon & District Football League.