Hutchinson, Laing (Tierney), Torr, de la Haye, Davies, Shaw, Connolly, Cross (Peel), Guttridge, Chadwick (Tulip), Perkins

 Goals: Own goal, Tulip

With an unbeaten September under our belts, Cubo looked to start October in the same manner against a young and energetic Spartans Youth, who got the better of us during pre-season.

On a miserably wet Saturday afternoon it was going to be key to get on top early and during the first five minutes it looked as if that may be the case, with Cubo putting some early pressure on the Spartans goal following a number of set pieces. Sadly, that was pretty much the only positive thing to say about the Cubo start and the following 15 minutes were something of a nightmare. After being dispossessed in midfield just outside the box, the Spartans striker began what would be a prolific 15 minutes for himself, slotting home well from 20 yards out to put the opposition one up.

Cubo hoped for a quick response but just couldn’t get going or hold onto the ball for more than a few passes, partly down the high pressing from Spartans and partly down to sloppiness from ourselves. After losing the ball in a dangerous position again, the Cubo defence were outnumbered and the Spartans right winger was able to pick out the clinical striker who, with his second shot of the game, scored again from the edge of the six-yard box. Now 2 nil down, it should have been time to regroup and shut up shop but the Spartans third followed shortly after following a longball over the Cubo back four was chased down by the high on confidence Spartans striker and was able to block Hutchinson’s clearance before cooly finishing from a tight angle into the open net.

The first quarter of this game could not have gone much worse for Cubo, but after such a strong start to the season there was still belief and plenty of time to get back into the game. The first meaningful Cubo chance was carved out after exploiting the right hand channels with Chadwick getting behind the defence before putting the ball across the six-yard box where Perkin’s couldn’t quite get enough contact on the ball and saw it slide past the far post. Cubo kept pressing and knew that a goal before half time could change the dynamic of the game completely, and it looked as if that would be the case after a deep wide free kick from Connolly wrong footed the Spartans keeper who could only palm the ball into the top corner. The referee seemed to have allowed the goal until, after what seemed like a long time deliberating, blew his whistle and disallowed it, claiming that Guttridge had impeded the goalkeeper. The referees whistle shortly followed to put an end to a half we can forget and hope is not repeated this season.

After a frank conversation in the changing room amongst the entire team, Cubo came out for the second half looking to start quickly and aggressively and that is exactly what happened. Our midfield began to see more of the ball and the pressure began to grow on the Spartans back four. There seemed to be a period where it was Cubo attack followed by Cubo corner over and over again, with our best chance falling to Perkins who lifted the ball over the bar as the ball fell to him at a set piece.

With the clock ticking and Cubo still goalless, it was time to inject some pace and energy into the game, with Peel and Tulip replacing Chadwick and Cross. Tulip immediately looked sharped and had success against the Cubo right back, while Peel started picking up the ball in some dangerous pockets of space. The Cubo goal eventually came with 25 minutes to go – Tulip collected the ball out wide and squared up the Spartans full back and cut inside before firing the ball across the six-yard box, where the outstretched leg of the Spartans centre back diverted the ball into the back of the net. Now there really was a belief that we could get back into this game and that belief grew even further after a flick on from a Cubo corner hit the arm of a Spartans defender and we were awarded a penalty. Tulip stepped up and calmly slotted into the bottom left hand corner to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes to go.

As the minutes ticked by, Cubo saw several half chances pass by and one great save by the Spartans keeper in particular kept them ahead going into the final few minutes after an exceptional touch / turn by Tulip. The game then slowed down to a halt following a very poor challenge on Perkins by the Spartans number 6, who was lucky to escape only a yellow card. A final chance nearly fell to Torr, who was narrowly beaten to the ball by a Spartans defender after Guttridge rounded the keeper and pulled it back across the box. Unfortunately, this was to be the last chance of the game and it finished 3-2 with Cubo coming away with nothing. This really was a game of two halves and despite the very poor start to the game, Cubo can be buoyed by the way they came out in the second half and took the game to Spartans. We have a tough set of fixtures ahead but if we can play like that consistently for 90 minutes in these upcoming games, we continue to be challenging at the top of the table.

MoM – Harry Tulip: starting on the bench after landing from Japan less than 24 hours earlier and changed the game, adding energy, pace and final product.

 

Lineup: Hutchinson, Tierney, Laing, Torr, Davies , Shaw, Connolly, Peel (Cross), Tulip (Guttridge), Chadwick, Perkins

Goals: Tulip, Perkins, Chadwick, Torr?, Connolly

Cubo looked to round off an unbeaten September by welcoming Horsley FC – back in the league after a 1 year hiatus – to the Aspire Academy on a hot and sunny autumn afternoon. Recognising a few familiar faces from the previously dominant treble winning side, the Cubans knew it would be a tough game and recent results for the oppo indicated so.

An incredibly strong squad saw Tierney drop back in at RB, with Laing stepping in for the previously ever-present de la Haye alongside Torr. The unofficial ‘best looking central midfield’ in the league remained unchanged, whilst Tulip just edged Guttridge for a starting position as part of the front 3 to offer extra width after both were absent from the previous game.

Both sides started brightly but it was Horsley who enjoyed the lions share of possession, with the central no.8 finding time and space, but with two strikers dropping deep to receive the ball, there was rarely any danger beyond Torr’s backline. One or two openings for the front 3 of Cubo showed potential to beat their men on pace, but it was Horsley who had the best chance of the opening 20. Horsley’s ‘Taz’ found himself in the 18 yard box, edging the ball past Laing who almost brought him down, but credit to the striker who kept going, playing the ball across the goal and following a brief goalmouth scramble, Cubo had Chadwick to thank for lunging himself in front of the ball and saving a certain goal.

Moments later, Horsley’s right winger pounced on some brief hesitation in the backline to find himself through on goal, slotting the ball past Hutchinson into the side netting to put Horsley 1-0 up, and given the strong reaction to the goal from both home and away players, it was a clear that we had a good game on our hands between two good teams. As they’ve done so often this season, Cubo didn’t panic – growing into the game with time afforded to the full backs and central midfield to start shifting the ball. Perkins and Peel both had shots on goal with Perkins in particular finding himself able to control and run at the defence. One such attack from Chadwick and Tierny saw the ball pulled back to Peel, who in attempting to get the shot off was tackled, cannoning the ball off Perkins’ face and on to Tulip who controlled and slotted home to make it 1-1. Not the prettiest, but after turning up one gear Cubo found themselves looking sharp.

The second half began with a markedly different tone from the Cubans who suddenly found much more time and ability to shift the ball quickly against a clearly fatigued Horsley. It wasn’t long before Tulip, collecting a pass from Connolly, knocked the ball and burned past his right back to slot in for Perkins who made no mistake in tapping home for 2-1, more chances followed for Torr and Perkins but Cubo needed another to kill the game off. Whilst appearing to knock the wind out of Horsley’s sails, the away team quickly found themselves back on level terms after some superb skill from Horsley’s striker, spinning Torr on the touchline and pulling back for Taz to make it 2-2.

The managers made swift substitutions to bring new energy into the game, and Guttridge made an instant impact, collecting the rebound from peel’s shot, before controlling and crossing for Chadwick to get ahead of his man and make it 3-2. Shortly after, Chadwick found himself beating the offside trap to cross for the still-forward Torr who claims to have made the final touch to take his tally for the season to 2 goals. After a long deliberation between linesman and referee (rumour has it the referee was just aghast that Torr would claim it as his own), the goal was confirmed and Cubo had all but sealed the win.

The 5th goal didn’t take long, as Connolly was gifted the ball following a miskicked pass from the Horsley goalkeeper who had found himself playing right back momentarily. The cultured midfielder controlled and slotted home with his left foot for his annual goal. The goal was given an extra poignancy later in the week with Connolly announcing he will be moving to New Zealand in the new year, after taking inspiration from the love, care and attention that Cubo old boy Martin Ansell was able to devote to his Mrs on the other side of the world since leaving the baby blue army.

The result left Cubo joint top of the table, with a very difficult run of games to come in a busy October, but no bigger obstacle than what this very good team have overcome this season.

MoM – Chadwick’s running, goals and assists tied for MoM with Connolly who dictated the entire game from Midfield.

 

Lineup: Hutchinson, Laing (Tierney), de la Haye, Torr, Davies (Frost), Shaw, Connolly, Peel, Shedwick (Hannaway), Chadwick, Perkins

Goals: Perkins (2)

Sitting in fifth place, only 2 points behind the leaders, and with several of the teams ahead of them playing each other, Cubo had an opportunity to make a move towards the summit of the table this weekend. Westside, the only team to have won all their games this season, were today’s opposition.

Back at home on the hallowed artificial turf of the Aspire Cage, both teams who like to get the ball on the deck and play attractive football were hoping to get off to a quick start. It was Westside who in fact started the brightest, exposing some gaps in the Cubo team, playing between the lines, and creating a couple of early chances, one of which rattled against Hutchinson’s post, another drawing an excellent save from the keeper. After taking the lead in all of their previous 5 games this season, Cubo were in an unfamiliar position after a chipped free kick over the Cubo defence was latched upon by the Westside number 9 and fired into the Cubo net, putting them one behind early on.

This seemed to set something off within the Cubo team and they responded excellently, keeping the ball much better and taking advantage of the high Westside back line with Perkins, Peel, Shedwick and Chadwick regularly running behind in the channels. After spurning several chances, the Cubo pressure was finally rewarded with the equalising goal, with Perkins peeling off at the back post, bringing the ball down well and firing into the back of the next from a tight angle. Cubo went from strength to strength after that, with some liquid football (one move between Laing, Connolly and Shedwick in particular) and constant pressure on their back four, the momentum was ours going into the break.

The second half carried on in the same manner as the first ended, with the Cubo defence having plenty of time of the ball to start the attacks through the busy midfield duo of Shaw and Connolly. Perkins, pretty much unplayable all game, constantly got the better of the Westside centre backs and Peel started to find more and more space, picking up the ball in dangerous situations. As the game moved into the final stages it looked as if the game was going to finish with the points shared at Southfields and several Cubo changes were made looking to add some energy for the final push. One of these substitutes, Hannaway, found himself high on the left wing and had the composure to take time and spot Peel drifting in to the box, who nicked the ball just ahead of the Westside centre back’s outstretched leg, going down and winning a Cubo penalty with five minutes to go. Perkins with his confidence high stepped up and slotted home to make it 2-1, leaving a very organised Cubo having to withstand a barrage of long balls to ensure they came off the pitch with the three points.

Results amongst the teams around us in the top half of the league meant that we finished the weekend joint top of the league. The work rate of this Cubo team is exceptional and that, added with the high quality football that is being played, really should give the whole team confidence that we can challenge at the top of the Surrey Elite League come the end of the season.

MoM – Oli Perkins gave an all round near perfect Number 9 performance, superb hold up play and terrorised the Westside centre backs for the entire 90 minutes, topped off with a deserved brace before running a 1 hour 37 minute half marathon less than 24 hours later – what a guy!

The battle for manager of the year has finally begun, with our leading fellows dusting down their beach bodies from their summer exploits and returning to action.

Heres how August has gone for the management duo’s….

Torr and Tulip have lead the 1XI to a stellar start, taking 9 from 12pts in the opening 3 league games. While not in league action, the dynamic duo of Egan and Wilkie have also been in action, with two top results in the pre-season games to date, with a glittering 4-1 pasting of RBS.

On paper a tough decision, but the nod goes to Torr and Tulip for a storming start to league action. The 1XI duo take a 1-0 lead heading into September.

 

 

The votes are in and have been counted. Without further delay, we can announce the August Players of the Month…… new signing Crossy takes the 1XI award, with a resurgent Pinners taking the 2XI award.

Here are what the managers had to say….

1XI – Matt Cross

Cubo’s new attacking signing has slotted straight into the preferred 4-3-3 formation, being a driving force in turning defence into attack – epitomised by his goal on the opening game of the season where he ran half the length of the pitch, knocked over 3 players and slotted coolly into the side of the net.

Unfortunately it only took 3 games before Crossy succumbed to the inevitable ‘Cubo Wedding Guest Virus’, so we’re looking forward to seeing him back in a baby blue shirt very soon.

2XI – Andrew Pinnington

With squad members old and new keen to impress the new Management team, it was last seasons ever present striker that has shone early. Returning to the fold looking like he’s had a strict summer diet and fitness programme Pinners has hit the ground running early.

A fantastic 45 minute cameo vs RBS, where it wasn’t just the goals that caught the eye, have been the deciding factor. Pinners worked back for the team, held the ball up well and showed the sort of strength, power and determination we need for our title hunt this season.

 

 

 

Lineup: Hutchinson, Davies, de la Haye , Wood, Shedwick (Coffey), Pyke, Tierney (Brooks), Peel, Tulip, Male (Patterson), Kelsall

Goals: Kelsall, Peel

Cubo looked to continue their good early season form in stifling hot conditions at Southfields, welcoming league stalwarts Ripley Village to the Aspire Academy. For the 3rd game in a row however the lineups and squad was again different, but equally as strong – which is a testament to the summer recruitment and strength in depth at the club for the 2018/19 season.

Club veterans Shedwick, Pyke and Patterson returned to the squad, adding energy and composure to a relatively fresh-faced looking line up. With few striking options, new signing Male lined up on the left side of a front 3 with Tulip through the middle and Kelsall offering right-sided width.

The game started at a slower pace than the previous 3 fixtures, as both teams struggled on the heavy Southfields 3G under hot sunshine, immediately it was clear that Ripley would channel their play through their left back, who possessed a wand of a left foot that could switch play quickly. The Cubans kept a strong back line however and were rarely flustered, with Wood and captain de la Haye distributing the ball across both sides of the pitch with ease, and Davies and Shedwick beginning attacking moves at will. It was Ripley who had the best chance of the first 20 minutes however, hitting the post with a well struck free kick that had Hutchinson beaten.

As the half grew on, Cubo grew into the game, getting particular joy down the left side after Male and Tulip switched positions to offer more physicality down the middle and pace out wide with Davies in support. This resulted in two great chances for Tulip, one of which struck the post after a superb tipped save, and numerous chances for Male, Kelsall, and Peel as Cubo began pegging Ripley back into their own box on repeat with Tierney at the source of most play. After numerous close shaves, Tulip again beat his right back on another attack and squared the ball across to Kelsall, who calmly shaped up to slot the ball into the top corner on the volley – 1-0 Cubo and half time.

2nd half brought a permanent switch to LW for Tulip and Cubo began permanently switching play out to both sides of the pitch, as both wingers took on and beat their man time and time again, coinciding with Peel finding more and more space, the baby blues were now dominating. A few chances spurned added more frustration, particularly from Tulip, but it was inevitable that the goal would come. 20 minutes into the half, Pyke found Tulip on the left, who played a first time ball over the top to Peel, who dealt well with an irregular bounce to take the ball to the line, beat his man, then round the keeper to slot coolly home for 2-0.

With fresh legs added to the pitch, Cubo continued to control the play, with Patterson going through on goal to cross for what was almost 3-0 – the ball hitting the post from a defenders mis-kick. However, against the run of play, Ripley’s left back found himself in space, and unleashed a rocket of a shot from 25 yards, which evaded the hands of Hutchinson into the middle of the net. After cruising to 2-0, Cubo were now up against a motivated Ripley side, and numerous corners and long balls were well defended by de la Haye’s defence, despite a few scary moments.

A 2-1 win with every man playing his part despite the heat and tired legs, but 9 points from 12 to start the season is a Cubo record in this league, with both teams shaping up well for a good season. Next week sees the Cubans head to Chessington, a team who they just couldn’t beat last season in 3 attempts.

MoM – again a close one, but Harry Peel was the difference maker in the 2nd half after a slow start, bagging the winning goal and always looking the threat.

Lineup: Arnold, Davies, McMahon (Male), de la Haye, Tierney, Shaw, Peel, Cross, Tulip, Perkins, Guttridge

Goals: Tulip, Guttridge

After a tough 90 minutes and several bank holiday beers, Cubo were back on it Monday morning, heading to the depths of Croydon to face league new boys Farleigh, fresh from a forced demotion from the Combined Counties league. The journey did prove  too complex for Guttridge and McMahon, finding themselves 20 miles away 30 minutes before kick offs – train journeys are hard!

Cubo have form for low availability on bank holiday Mondays – understandably so, but after arriving to find a huge Farleigh squad including a substitute goalkeeper warming up, it was clearly going to be a game for every ounce of early season energy. New recruit Barney Tierney completed another makeshift backline at right back, making his full debut for the Cubans.

Cubo started superbly, with the returning Peel enjoying time and space on the ball exploiting generous gaps afforded by the opposition. Wave after wave of Cubo attack followed, with the advanced 5 of Cubo’s attack causing mayhem, and returning player of the season Shaw aggressively snuffing out any danger – Guttridge and Peel traded chances but the goal had to come eventually, and after 25 minutes it inevitably did.

Receiving the ball following a Farleigh corner, Perkins wasted no time in controlling and releasing Tulip, who saw off the mouthy right back with ease before turning inside and beating the keeper with a low controlled shot. 1-0 and Cubo very much in control. Another makeshift defence had little danger to deal with but after conceding, Farleigh grew into the game testing Arnold with some long range efforts and threatening corners. Just before half time, the home side equalised, turning over possession and releasing the pacy striker, who finished confidently past the onrushing Arnold. 1-1, half time, and again Cubo had reason to feel a game was not reflecting their performance.

The 2nd half was barely 5 minutes old when McMahon’s hamstring gave up, and Ben Male entered the game to slot in alongside Captain de la Haye, getting himself a yellow card within 5 minutes to announce his arrival. Both sides were now well in the game, but it was undoubtedly Farleigh who enjoyed more of the ball, although they did little to challenge Arnold barring one fantastic save as the club chairman again rushed out and made himself big to stop the goal. It was Cubo who always looked the most threatening on the break, with Perkins in particular causing panic on the right, slotting just past the post after another left back rinsing.

After weathering the possession storm with what were now very tired legs, Cubo’s quality eventually came through, and after being released along the left Guttridge had the confidence to cut inside, pick his spot and curl a beautiful winner into the top corner, a deserved winner for a man who led the line superbly all game.

Cubo saw the game out despite some more pressure, but ultimately were only threatened in possession rather than chances. A verbally spicy affair came to an end, and the Cubans could reflect on 6 points out of 9 from 3 games in 9 days, an excellent return considering the lack of pre-season friendlies and bank holiday availability – with every player in all 3 squads playing a key role – onwards for the season!

MoM – lots of contenders but it was the colonel himself, Rob Davies, who didn’t put a single foot wrong at left back. Beginning attacks and nullifying Farleigh’s biggest threat on the right wing.

Lineup: Touaita, Davies, Jones, de la Haye, Coffey (Kelsall), Brooks (Tierney), Connolly, Cross, Tulip, Perkins, Guttridge

Goals: Guttridge

Cubo welcomed local rivals Battersea to the Aspire Academy for the first home game of the season, and the first of 2 games in less than 48 hours as the Surrey Elite League welcomed back the bank holiday double header, aka wedding availability season.

After both sides enjoyed comfortable opening day wins, a tense battle was expected in a fixture that ebbs and flows each season. Both teams felt evenly matched in the opening exchanges, with the pace and width of the wingers on both team exploiting space and opening up numerous opportunities, but it was Battersea who just shaded the best of the chances, forcing a couple of excellent saves from the stand in keeper Adam Touaita.

After growing into the game, Cubo began pushing the Battersea defence further back, and when Tulip found an opening against the full back, he crossed for Guttridge who controlled, turned and placed an excellent finish into the side of the net. Cubo almost doubled their advantage straight after, with a sharp cross from Guttridge just missing Perkins and firing off a defender onto the post. Cubo ended the half feeling on top with a particularly strong performance from a makeshift back line, but knowing there was much more to come from both teams.

Half time instruction to maintain shape and approach were briefly undone when Battersea began peppering the Cubo box with crosses, corners and long throws, with the latter causing carnage only 5 minutes in, leaving Battersea’s midfielder with a tap in after a brief bit of pinball football to make it 1-1. 10 minutes later and it was 2-1, this time with a corner causing the same panicked reaction and almost a carbon copy finish to put Battersea in the lead.

Cubo looked to fight back, immediately attacking the Battersea goal, with a Perkins tap in after an excellent attacking move being rightly ruled out for offside. Battersea then scored the goal of the game as the impressive Anderson turned his man, firing an angled shot in from the edge of the box. Cubo continued to attack, believing the game could still be salvaged, but an over the top ball latched on to by the right winger, finished the tie as a contest.

After resolute organisation and exciting counter attacking, it was a shame for all involved to be on the receiving end of what looked on paper to be a bit of a pasting, but the tie was in reality much closer. Cubo look forward to the return leg on a ground they always go well at.

 

Lineup: JohnEgan, Brad Wilkie, Liam Humble, Nick Wood, Tom Clarke, Sam Dickens, Rob Ellingford, Justin Armitage, Henners, Rob Jones, Alex Bain,
Lester Hitch, Andrew Pinnington, Chris Pyke, Joe Coffey, Oli Perkins, Tom Robinson

Goals: Perkins, Pinnington x 2, Coffey

Cubo’s strong pre season continued as a mixed 1s and 2s team eased to victory over RBS in Chiswick. On a balmy evening in South West London, it was unclear whether the game would even go ahead after a combination of transport delays and a lack of clean shorts and socks threatened the incredibly ambitious 6.30pm kick off time. Even after some late withdrawals, Cubo had 22 players to choose from, an unfamiliar challenge for Messrs Egan and Wilkie.

Despite having been warming up for nearly an hour by kick off, RBS were on the back foot from the off. Pyke and Humble took control of the centre of midfield, neatly spreading play and winning the ball high up the pitch, with Shedwick’s driving runs a constant menace. An aggressive back four, led by Wilkie, was snuffing out RBS attacks with ease. After some early sighters, Perkins scored the first after being released on the right and firing a low, long range strike past the keeper at his near post. Both protagonists seemed genuinely surprised by the goal but it had been coming. The second was from a defensive error as the RBS centre half, clearly imagining he was an altogether different footballer, attempted a twenty yard pass with the outside of his boot. It fell neatly to a Cubo man who slid Pinnington through, who smashed home high into the net from inside the area. RBS scored past stand-in keeper Lester but soon the two goal advantage was restored, a mazy/dizzy/meandering run from Humble ending at Pinnington‘s feet, who toe poked past the keeper.

Half time brought a raft of changes, and left half of the Cubo team in their underwear on the side, looking like an advert for Tesco boxer shorts. Despite the visual distractions Cubo maintained control, with Wood making an assured debut at centre half. Shedwick, dropping deep, was linking play well both left and right, with Armitage returning to the fold after *comment removed*. It was Armitage, putting in a strong performance after *comment removed* who created the final goal, a direct run and cross being met emphatically on the volley by Coffey, who led the line exceptionally well in the Chiswick twilight.

Cubo will be hoping to continue their form into both 1s and 2s league campaigns.

MoM – Pinnington for scoring the goals and writing this report. Although Humble ran him very close.

Big shout out to the debutants Liam, Tom C Nick, Sam and Rob. Assured starts to their Cubo careers.