Wimbledon District League

AFC Cubo 2nd XI 1-2 Union FC

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Date: Saturday 8th September 2012

Starting XI: Brett Vanderlight, Rick Utting, Pete Hill, Alan Clarke, Luke Haddon, Dave Wall (60 mins Rob McGarr), Satal Thethy, Tim Jones, Rich Crisp (55mins Stevie T), Ryan Shedwick, Terry Spokes

Subs: Rob McGarr, Stevie T

Cubo 2s hoping to build upon a couple of strong friendly perfomances made a solid start to the game retaining a lot of possesion with out being able to cut out any clear cut chances. After solid work from the midfield dynamos of Salty and Dave Wall taking the game by the scruff of the neck a couple of chances at the back post went agonsingly wide. Rick and Crispy were starting to terrorise the left flank when against the run of play it was in fact Cubo who were lucky to stay level with new international signing in the sticks (and contestor for best name in Cubo) Brett Vanderlight coming close to bringing down the nimble Union striker.

In the heat both teams started to struggle and Union came out to start the second half stronger. However it was Cubo who broke the dead lock with a cross come shot from Luke Haddon who floated the ball in side the far post with the aid of the deftest of touches from Tim Jones. The goal seem to rejuvenate Cubo who then looked to push home their advantage, starting to dominate possession again. Unfortunately disorganisation at the back left Union striker with a little too much space on a counter attack and he cooly finished over the keeper. Cubo then pushed again looking for the winner with Ryan Shedwick (recently revived from his death bed) starting to cause mischief down the right flank. Cubo came close twice, with Ryan first smashing the ball against the underside of the bar after a dazzling run and then Tel who worked tirelessly all game having  a goal disallowed after the ball was adjudged to gone out of play earlier in the build up. With minutes to spare Union again caught Cubo on the break and after shrugging the lone defender aside managed to slip the ball past the approaching keeper.

A hard fought start to the season for Cubo which deserved a point. Despite a number of new faces the teams showed promising signs and there are high hopes for the season. Club chef Salty rose above a number of strong contenders to take the Man of the Match award  putting in a tireless performance despite the heat whilst showing outstanding composure in possession.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 1-2 Union FC

Goal: Tim Jones (assist Luke Haddon)

Man of the Match: Salty

Match Report: Pete Hill

 

FC Porto of London 2-7 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

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Date: Saturday 14th April

Starting XI: Hulk, JG, Joe, Oli, Jez, Lucas, Jeph, Bradders, Jordan, Tett, Paul.

Subs: Field, Saddlebags, Smith.

In typical 3s style the 1245 meet at Wimbledon common extensions was interpreted as anywhere in the 1.15-145 bracket, but still well ahead of all-italian (Editor: or Portuguese?) Porto – with Cubo needing 3 points to give the best chance of promotion with fingers crossed that other results favoured. The pre game mood was upbeat – a few reliable names drafted in and Jeph on time courtesy of JG transport.

Turner’s team talk demanded an urgent start – something lacking from recent performances – and that’s exactly what he got. Having won back possession post-ko, some tidy possession across the back culminated with Jeph picking up the ball on the half-way line and from there ghosting past 3/4 men before pulling the trigger on the edge of the box. an impressive one-handed stop led to the game’s first corner….. Lucas whipped in and that man Jeph was there to direct a bullet into the top bin. 1-0.

It wasn’t long before another attack created an almost identical goal – Lucas from a corner to Jeph with a textbook header down; cleverly judging the bounce over the man on the line – again top corner, 2-0, 5 mins played.

Cubo’s best football came from the left through this passage of the game…. JG and Jords linking up well and the midfield playing simple short balls to hold possession and work openings. It was from the left channel goal three came; stretching the Porto left back Jords won a throw, Bradders arrowed a ball into the box, lobbing all in place but for the house-wifes favourite at the back stick (GTett)…. a technically immense volley; 3-0.

Special mention at this point to Paul; relatively isolated up top, but created room for himself to play and strong in possession. Goal 4 was a more direct ball involving that very man… Bradders into Tett and from the right this time a beautifully flighted and weighted ball playing Paul in to neatly finish with a headed lob over the onrushing keeper. 4-0 and half time….. little for Tuner to recap on other than to keep heads and remind on recent complacency… 45 mins to secure an important victory.

Goal 5 came almost immediately…. Jez taking a quick throw down the right, Jords’ flick onto Cubo’s Mr Right (GTett) who had an easy job to finish at the near post. 5-0 and game over. Two Cubo changes at this point; Oli off with an injury post a very assured display, for Tim Field… and a couple of minutes later London’s night owl Edd Smith for Jords in what proved to be a 30 min display that will live long in the memory for two of the least threatening efforts on goal ever seen in football. From here the teams shared goals on the run into the final whistle….. Cubo conceding 2 goals to momentary lacks in concentration and Paul and Jeph adding to their  tallies in quality performances.

A fine display from start to finish.

Final Score: FC Porto of London 2-7 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

Goals: Jeph 3, Paul 2, Tett 2

Match Report: Greg Tett

Inter Old Boys 2-6 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

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Date: Saturday 10th March, 2012

Venue: Wandsworth Common

Starting Line-up: Bushey, Jez, Jimmy, Mark D, Luke, Jeph, Turns, Lukas, Henry, Paul M, Tett.

Subs: Ben R, Trev, John G,

So the Cubo 3s enter into the business end of the season. So its time for all the well used cliches to come out with every game being a cup final and making sure that every member of the teams bum really is squeaky clean.

I’m not sure if it was because of the growing importance of the matches, Jones’ rallying call to the whole team in the week or the fact that we were all meeting at jonesy’s and there was a chance of the early birds catching her in her night garms but for the first time in a long time. The full team was all present and correct pretty much on time. Jeph was obviously the last to show but at 40 mins before kick off he was a whole 2 hours inside his previous appearance so very impressive none the less.

With March offering up some fantastic early weather the scene was set for Cubo to really set the sleazing stakes high and wander over from nightingale lane, fully kitted in the shades. There are unconfirmed reports there were 2 road accidents early on sunday from mass hysteria in what the metro described on Monday morning as a scene out of the lynx adverts

Team assemble on the side of the pitch drawn out for under 8 football and were greeted with 3 huge lake like puddles in the middle of the pitch which considering its been the driest winter for 50 years really shows the great work that the groundsmen do over at wandsworth common. Thanks for turning up guys. With Jones now really evolving into the managerial role after having to accept that darren anderton put in more consecutive appearances, the pre match warm up consisted of drills with markers and flourescent bibs (good to see Ed’s gloves get some use in the summer months) Cubo started feeling very prepared for this top of the table clash. With 2 points separating second to fifth this really would decide who would take the second automatic promotion spot.

Cubo set up in their usual formation of 4-3-3 with Henry and the Tett really putting his claim to the biggest utility player in Cubo providing width to Paul May up top. Cubo started very brightly, with the skill, pace and power of the middle 3 of Jeph, Lukas and Turner (I’ll let you make up your own mind as to where each member falls!) far too much for Inter old boys. An early corner presented the first opportunity of the game, a superb delivery by lukas treated with the usual Head/Shoulder combo from Turner and much like his shots from outside the box it went over the bar. With some minor exchanges the first real opportunity then came, a quick break from Cubo saw the Paul the target man May pick up the ball on the half way line. In a display of “Chip and  Chase” that would have put Gareth Bale to shame he sprinted off down the left flank. Instead of the classic shoulder barge to fend off oncoming defenders, May prefers the hip barge, which took him to the byline. Skipping inside the defender coming across the only other man capable of keeping up with Englands Bale was the on rushing Jeph who after a nice cut back from May tucked it into the corner for Cubo’s opening goal.

With a fairly big team, Inter Old Boys made their tactics clear very early with very little inter play in the middle and a whole heap of long balls. In their skipper, who last year just managed to grow out of being labelled an official dwarf, possessed a throw that far out weighed his 5″1 frame. Making the most of the under 8 pitch the extra from willow launched a throw right underneath the crossbar. In the melee that followed they managed to squeeze the ball in at the back post. A very undeserved 1-1.

With the disappointment evident, Inter started to come back into the game. With a few more thrown ins that were dealt with a lot better, Inter started to apply some pressure. A few last ditch clearances and some resolute defending kept the score lines level with Jimmy and welcoming Mark Dallamore back into the team and confident at the back as always. Then the class started to show, Cubo started to get the ball down again but it was a goal out of inter’s book which made the difference going into half time, done in Cubo style. A throw into Paul May got a very decent flick to the edge of the box where jeph was waiting. The ball was brought down on the chest and crisply volleyed into the corner. The ball having not touched the floor from throw in to goal (Big time!)

Half time and after a few weeks of relatively tame words, it was time again for a few overly aggressive, ranting words from Turner (which have from somewhere developed an Austrailian twang!).

What proceeded for the next 20 mins was the most fluid, attacking and quite frankly brilliant football I have ever seen in Cubo colours. Sharp one-two’s and great vision created gaps and chances from all over the park. A nice interchange on half way set Tett racing down the right. Cutting into the box and with Paul May and Henry waiting at the back post, Tett fires across what he really should of claimed as a shot as despite being a good few metres wise and over it was certainly closer to the goal than either of the 2 on rushing defenders. In almost a mirror play 2 mins later Tett was released down the right again and with the horror cross still at the front of his mind, decided this time to instead cut back a half paced ball to the penalty spot. Seeing the opportunity May and Neville ran into almost an embracing position and seemed to almost have a small chat over who was going to tap it in before Henry scuffed one into the bottom corner.

For all reading this, please enjoy this next paragraph and revel in it alone at home, reading on the lap top in front of the TV. But please at no point should these next few paragraphs ever be discussed in any sort of group event, meeting, casual chat of otherwise. The words are consigned to this report only and if ever a word is spoken gesturing towards this event, it will be denied and dismissed as mere folklore.

By this stage the ball was rarely leaving the Inter half. Cubo were having all the possession and giving the old boys the run around. With the ball moving from left to right Tett picks the ball up on the right hand side, with a chance to set and cross he delivers a floating ball to the left hand side. Then from just inside the top left of the area, Henry chests the ball, then almost falling backwards (which I genuinely think may have been a loss of balance rather than deliberate) curls a volley into the top right hand corner. An absolute screamer.

(That really hurt to write)

Directly from kick off, Inter chip a ball forward in the vain hope of getting it out of their half. The ball was headed back where Paul May got the flick on again to release the rushing Jeph. He gathers and with the keeper rushing out, holds down the L1 button and shot superbly to dink the keeper and make it 5 (Who said Pro Evo isnt a true reflection of real life? It is when Cubo/(Jeph) plays!)

With Cubo then well clear and the dominance showing the flowing football just kept coming. In a rare expedition into the Cubo half, Inter managed to get a throw on the right hand side. With Willow keen as always to use the only opportunity he gets for feeling big, he launches another throw into the area. With Bushey seemingly taken out the keeper was not given the same keeper friendly rules and the flick on into the net was allowed to stand. Despite being 5-2 it gave Inter renewed hope they may be able to salvage something from the game. The game became a bit looser but with Cubo still firmly on top. A free kick was then given about 10 yards outside the penalty box. As usual with free kicks in this sort of distance Neville picks up the ball in the vain hope he may get the nod and gives the ball the customary 4000 revolutions before placing in on the turf. Then lining up to take it was Neville, Tett and Lukas. Slicking his hair back Tett really was displaying traits of a man who was preparing to take it but with Lukas’ left foot in the ranks, this beckham-esque display and making the ball dizzy was surely only a rouse of deception as from all members of Cubo on and off the field there was only 1 man that was going to take this. The whistle goes and Tett is the first to move towards the ball, surely just a case of a classic dummy before the left foot comes. It seems that money mattered in the pre free kick discussion as the richer of the 3 in Tett actually makes contact and curls an absolute delight of a free kick up and over the wall (still slightly convinced it went through the wall but whos counting) and into the bottom left corner. A fantastic goal to round off an absolute rout.

Now what wasnt said up to now as part of the overly aggressive any given sunday words at half time, Turner called for the game to be put out of reach. That one goal simply wasnt good enough and that he wanted 5 and 6. Some may say that with the cubo talent on show that this would have happened anyway but I say this if a tree falls in the forest but you dont know what it is, does it really fall .

Final Score: Inter Old Boys 2-6 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

Goals: Jeph (x3), Hennerz (x2), Tett.

Man of the Match: It seems that words of inspirational leadership are not rewarded by his peers as in the after match vote for man of the match, the 3 goals and all round display from Jeph carried more weight (seems most/(all) are blind to victorious guidance

I will repeat what I said at the end of the game which is put simply, the best Cubo experience I have ever been part of.

Well done to all that were part of it, a great performance and bring on the rest of the promotion run.

Match Report: Turns

AFC Cubo 2nd XI 3-3 AFC Battersea

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Date: Saturday 18th February, 2012

Starting XI: Clarke, Haddon, Noodles, Alan C, Pally, Denno, Pete Hill, Salty, Trev, Mikey Cain, Stevie T

Subs: Jim McGeown, Chrissy Grayson

After a number of weeks without a game, AFC Cubo soon resorted to previous form with pre-match banter centred on the sleazy nature of the coming evening’s entertainment, this time at Turner’s Valentines Ball. It was clear to all that Pally and Stevie T were regretting being cajoled into the Brighton Half Marathon by Noodles.

When ADHDenno’s attention finally turned towards the game, Cubo started out with a standard 4-4-2 formation with a solid starting lineup. The first twenty minutes were relatively even, with both sides challenging hard and driving forward with some snazzy football.

Despite this, the opening goal was straight from Nigel Winterburn’s highlight reel; Battersea pressing down the left and clipping a ball hopefully towards the box. With the February wind blowing across Barn Elms, the leather drifted towards the back post, sneaking past Clarkey’s receding bonce into the top corner. 0-1 Battersea.

Despite this letdown, Cubo had turned up to play football. Salty pushed a ball just over from 25 yards after some good build-up play down the left between Noodles, Pete and Trev; Alan missed a decent chance from a corner; and Mikey Cain tested the keeper a couple of times, forcing a string of stinging saves for the Battersea keeper.

After around 35 minutes, the good build-up play finally brought about results. A flowing move from Noodles on the left came to Salty who struck a cutting pass to Denno on the right. With all the grace of the Titanic, he dropped his left shoulder (anchor and all), with a conniving dummy that left the ball to come through to Luke. A first time skimming pass across the six yard box left Mikey Cain with the easiest of tap-ins. One all. And ten minutes to the break.

Cubo started out the second half on top, with Chris Grayson replacing Haile Gebrse-Pally. Ten minutes in and lightning struck again, Sicknote Haddon getting yet another war wound, and being replaced by the returning Jim McGeown. Two changes, but Cubo kept pushing. A Pete Hill corner swung in from the right resulted in Alan Clarke out jumping all around him, and powering a header past the flailing Battersea keeper. 2-1 Cubo.

Onwards and upwards, Cubo pushed on despite the lack of football in recent weeks starting to show. Stevie T caught a sight at goal after 70 minutes and clipped a volley over the Battersea defensive line. A resolute Cubo three-one up.

Unfortunately that’s where the similarities to HMS Resolute end, and where Cubo developed an unfortunate likeness to the General Belgrano. In response to going three one down, Battersea stuck a third player up front, sacrificing a defender.

The rewards came about pretty soon as Battersea won number of corners on the bounce. As one came over from the left, a defensive scramble ensued with Salty the last player to get a touch before the ball trickled over the Cubo goal line. Bollocks. 3-2 Cubo.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, another Battersea attack resulted in a corner. Maradona-esque, Chrissy “I play Aussie Rules!” Grayson got awfully confused, punching the ball as it was clipped into the box. Easy decision for the referee as he pointed to the spot, and the Battersea player stroked the ball past Clarkey from 12 yards. Three-all and full time.

Overall, a disappointing result for Cubo given the scoreline after 70 minutes.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 3-3 AFC Battersea

Scorers: Cain, Clarke, Taylor

Man of the Match: Mikey Cain. A confident start from the Aber grad. One goal and threatening throughout the game.

Match Report: Luke Hadddon

Kiwi FC 2-1 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

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Date: Saturday 14th January, 2012

Starting Line-up: Bushy, Lye, Ingle, Dallamore, Rushall, Jepht, Pickett, Turner (C), Field, May, Neville.

Subs:

Sometimes losing a football match can seem rather like breaking up with a long-term girlfriend (stay with me here). You can do all the right things, work hard, produce great moments and be truly convinced that everything is going to turn out ok. Yes you’ve had some adversity, but who doesn’t? And you’ve come out stronger. You’re certain that you are on the path to something special and then before you know what’s happening someone blows the whistle and tells you it’s all over. You’re devastated, shocked, angry and upset. You need an easy lay to take your mind of it (bottom of the league next week) but this was the big one, and it didn’t turn out as you’d hoped…

And so it was that the baby blue army gathered at a chilly Wandsworth Park to face their destiny, a game against top of the league Kiwi who they’d beaten earlier in the season to start a run of results that had seen Cubo win 4 out of 4. A victory against the New Zealanders would see Cubo a fraction off top spot with a game in hand, defeat would throw them straight back into the mix of four or five teams hunting down second place.

A stirring pre-game speech from Manager Rob Jones left the Cubo boys buzzing, and straight from kick off a through ball from Ingle set Neville free down the left. His early cross was headed clear, but the early intent was highlighted.

Cubo were pressing high up the pitch early on, although finding it hard to get into their normal passing rhythm due to a distinctly sub standard pitch. This suited Kiwi’s direct style of play, and they were taking every opportunity to hit their front men early with long balls, although they were being dealt with admirably by the cemented centre back pairing of Dallamore and Ingle.

Then a ball played out to the left saw Neville draw a foul from the Kiwi right midfielder. An inswinging free kick from the Cubo wide man wasn’t fully attacked by a strangely static Cubo attack, but the ball bounced back out to captain Matt Turner. He “controlled” the ball brilliantly with alternating touches off his chest, shin and thigh as he ran towards the goal line, but somehow saw the ball roll inches past the post from 3 yards.

Next, a break from Kiwi saw their striker pick up the ball in the wide left channel and feed a sumptuous (that’s right) pass across the pitch, evading both Cubo centre backs, into the path of the second striker. Fortunately for Cubo his finish was lacking and Bushy was barely tested.

Cubo rallied and despite the awful pitch were trying to play good football, they were squeezing up the flanks and putting pressure on the Kiwi backline. Paul May in particular making himself known to the Kiwi centre backs by chasing hard into the channels, creating more space for the Cubo midfield three of Lukas, Jeph and Turner.

A ball inside from Neville to Jeph saw the midfielder shoot wide from 25 yards, and then a foul from a kiwi midfielder on a rampaging Turner drew a free kick just to the right of the box, 25 yards out. Lukas stepped up and bent a peach towards the top corner, but the Kiwi keeper showed great athleticism at full stretch and kept it out.

Then the first hammer blow. As another Cubo attack broke down in the kiwi half, the team in all white broke. The rangy centre forward poked the ball beyond Dallamore and was just able to get there before the stretching Cubo centre back, he took a touch and slotted the ball past Bushy. 1-0 Kiwi.

Cubo continued to dominate territory in their search for an equaliser, whilst excellent controlled defending from the back four saw that Kiwi posed no further threat. However, a clear-cut chance couldn’t quite be fashioned, and at half time the baby blues went in 1-0 down.

A confident half time team talk highlighted the team’s belief that this game was far from over and that a goal would surely come. The Cubo boys came out for the second half and again tried their best to get hold of the ball and spread the play wide to the flanks for Neville and Field.

A succession of free kicks were drawn from the frustrated Kiwi boys and balls were being played in, but the chances weren’t quite falling for the attackers. Kiwi weren’t offering much in attack at all, preferring to compete hard in the midfield and defence. Every time the ball was pumped forward it was either headed clear or swept up by the confident Ingle and Dallamore.

Then the killer blow. A corner from Kiwi somehow saw the ball fall directly at the feet of their diminutive (yet tricky) centre forward. He was tightly marked by Ingle and with his back to goal, but produced a backheel through Ingle’s legs and into the net from a couple of yards. A great finish.

Cubo couldn’t believe they were two down, and were clearly downhearted that they hadn’t had such a lucky break of the ball in the opposition box all game despite their efforts. But they didn’t give up. Then, the glimmer of hope. A long ball played into the box from a free kick on the right saw yet another scramble for possession, this time as the ball looped free it was Jeremy Lye who got his head to it and steered it into the bottom corner! 2.1…

With 20 minutes to go Cubo smelt blood and a clearly fearful Kiwi sat deeper and deeper as the Baby blues pressed for the second that their territory and effort had deserved. But just as momentum was gained, a clearance from Kiwi bounced up and struck Lukas in the chest. The ref blew for a handball and the incensed midfield playmaker said something along the lines of, “No I don’t think so ref, it hit my in the chest, don’t be so silly.” The ref didn’t tolerate that sort of filth and brandished a red card. Disaster for Cubo.

However, and they deserve huge credit for this, the tide of the game did not shift now they were a man lighter. The defense were called on more often, but were once again impermeable, with Bushy not needing to make a single save and overall Cubo continued to press hard for the equaliser.

Another ball into the Kiwi box saw May with a slight opening but his right foot shot went over the top. Corner’s from Neville were becoming more frequent, although he lacked some of his usual quality and couldn’t find the Cubo would be headers. Then another bent free kick curled dangerously towards the Kiwi goal but the deflection saw the ball whistle just wide of the post. Another free kick from the right caused pin ball in the Kiwi box once again but this time Neville’s curled shot bent just over the bar.

A final turn and shot from Neville, bent wide from the edge of the box and the ref blew for full time. The Cubo boys had gone down by two goals to one against Kiwi who had pulled away at the top of the league.

Final Score: Kiwi FC 2-1 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

Goal: Geremi Lye

Cubo were left scratching their heads how they hadn’t got anything out of the game and I think even the most hardcore Kiwi supporter had to say that they were hanging on for much of the second half. But hanging on was all they had to do and they will be happy to avenge their defeat earlier in the season.

Cubo will no doubt be back, and carry the anger from this game into the remaining fixtures for the season. They should still be there or thereabouts when all is said and done at the end of the campaign.

Man of the Match:  Difficult as the effort shown by the entire team in the second half, especially when going down to ten men, was outstanding. However the winner was James Ingle who put in another dominant display at the back and never looked in trouble the entire game.

Match Report: Henry Neville

Claremont AFC 1-0 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

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Date: Saturday 14th January 2012

Starting Line-up: Fake Clarky, Luke, Alan, Joe, Noodle, Trev, Salty, Burt (Seb Brain), Pete Hill, Stevie T, Jim Dennison

Sub: Seb Brain

Cubo travelled to the Clapham region of Siberia to honour their away fixture against Claremont in the most inhospitable of conditions. Cubo were seeking to secure a double over their mid-table opponents following a hard fought 1-0 victory at The Theatre of Elms in the second game of the season and simultaneously lift themselves away from the relegation zone and raise spirits before the cup semi-final next week.

The boys in baby blue sought to impose their superiority on the game in the opening stages, but were increasingly frustrated by a lack of fluency in possession, no doubt not helped by a thawing bobbling mud bath of a surface. In spite of this, the away side was increasingly dominant in the first half.

When Cubo were able to get the ball down, some impressive attacking down the left and interplay between Mr T and Jim Dennison up front were causing the Claremont central defenders problems. Half way through the first half, Jim did excellently to wriggle away from his marker to bear down on goal, his shot rolling mere inches past the post.

Minutes later a flick from Stevie sent Jim through again. This time the keeper made an excellent save only to see the rebound fall invitingly to Mr Peter Hill inside the six-yard box. Inexplicably, almost certainly in an attempt to prove his self-styled tag of being ‘great in the air for a small man’, Peter Hill tapped the ball up and headed it towards the net as the Claremont defender swept the ball clear. Whilst replays showed that the ball was clearly over the line, it was unlikely that the referee or the Claremont linesman was going to give it.

Following a half-time break that saw Seb replace the injured Burt, Fake Clarky demonstrate his usual petulance towards the official and a stirring barking of orders from Field-Marshall Salty, Cubo came out seeking the all important goal. However, with Cubo increasingly taking the aerial approach, Claremont centre half and Pascal Cygan lookalike was able to clear convincingly in the air.

Chances were of a premium in the second period with some flowing Claremont football fashioning the best of those that were created, despite excellent performances at the heart of defence from Joe and a less clumsy looking Alan. With only seconds left and the referee opting to play-on with Claremont having been flagged offside, the home side broke through with the striker applying a cool finish to take all three points. In the angry exchanges that ensued, Cubo’s skipper was reprimanded by the referee and a supporter was ejected, in a scene reminiscent of the SPL at any game at any time of the year.

It was a cruel ending to a game that Cubo on balance had not deserved to lose and where both teams had struggled to play their passing games on a difficult pitch. However, Cubo can take a positive performance in many areas into their game next weekend as they seek London Cup glory.

Final Score: Claremont AFC 1-0 AFC Cubo 2nd XI

Man of the Match:

Match Report: Real Clarkey

AFC Cubo 2nd XI 3-4 PWCA

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Date: Saturday 7th January, 2012

Starting XI: Clark, Denno, Pete Hill, Watkins, Keegan, Antonio, Moody, Salty, Burt, Steve T, MTM

Subs: SMDLF, Seb Brain

Cubo 2s entered 2012 in positive mood and with a fresh striking partnership resembling Demba Ba and Ameobi, there was reason to be so. The 2s have developed somewhat of a maverick status of late, both within the club and the Wimbledon and District Premier League, with inconsistent form interspersed with some gritty performances and an eventful cup run. The arrival of a well organised PWCA  side to Barn Elms would no doubt prove an obstacle in shaking this tag.

Buoyed by the new partnership up front and an attacking formation, Cubo began confidently, moving the ball about well and getting good numbers forward. The pressure eventually told with MTM holding the ball up well, laying off for Moody who cleverly disguised his shot and played it in to the feet of a beefed up Stevie T. Big T made no mistake and duly opened his account for 2012.

Cubo had the better of the first half chances and were marginally winning the battle in midfield, even with a heavily wounded Saltdog being restricted to patrolling the centre circle rather than the box to box style usually associated with the skipper. A second goal was on the cards which may have put the game to bed, but a quick break and a well taken PWCA goal meant that the teams went in to the break all square.

The second half characterised the 2s season. Changes in personnel, notably the loss of Salty through injury and the influential Oli Watkins, and subsequent changes in formation unsettled the side, providing the opposition with opportunities at crucial points in the game.

Cubo took the lead for the second time early in the second half, good build up play resulted in Denno teeing up Terrence for his second. An emotional moment for our talented winger who was returning to the line up after recently becoming a proud father. We salute you. From what should have been a good platform to push on from, a touch of complacency and lapses in concentration across the park allowed PWCA to not only get back in to the game but also take the lead. A disappointing twenty minutes resulted in three goals conceded, PWCA breaking well on a couple of occasions and taking advantage of poor organisation.

Cubo managed to pull one back, MTM turning provider this time which he duly deserved after a ranging bull type performance throughout. Tel was on hand to cap a brilliant debut cooly dispatching a third for a well deserved hat trick. Take a bow, son. The second half also saw the return of Seb ‘how’s your face’ Brain, who looked dangerous immediately, throwing himself in to some daring headers! Unfortunately Cubo’s late surge wasn’t enough, but credit goes to a well organised and resilient PWCA side.

There was time for one more surprise (sort of), when Keegan had his Zizou moment. After producing a luscious, but unnecessary piece of skill, he tangled with the opposition striker, the PWCA CF took this opportunity to make his mark on Keegan’s calf whilst insulting the Boro – a Zidane on Materazzi moment was inevitable. Somehow only the Cubo legend saw red.

Cubo 2s will have mixed emotions about this game, promising passages of play and finally having two out and out strikers will be positives, but lapses in concentration and a lack of grit in the second half will need to be addressed. Ultimately it was a disappointing 4-3 loss and the 2s will need to respond well over the next few weeks to prevent what started as a very promising campaign turning in to a relegation battle.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 3-4 PWCA

Goals: Stevie T (3)

Man of the Match: Stevie T

Match Report: Trev Moody

AFC Cubo 3rd XI 2-1 South East London 2nd XI

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Date: Saturday 7th January 2012

Starting Line-up: Bush, Lye, Smith, Ingle, Dallamore, Field, Bennett, Turner, Pickett, Bradley, May

Subs: Laurence, Cucos

After a very continental Christmas break, including Wayne Rooney-styled festive party, Cubo 3s were back at Barnes ready to continue the form they concluded 2011 in.

Playing their penultimate home game of the season (on 7 January!), Cubo took the field, although a front lawn may be more appropriate given its size, against a South East London side sitting just above the relegation zone.

Cubo, in their changed strip of red and navy, lost the toss and were forced to play into a wind so strong that even Turner could record a sub-10 second 100m time if had it at his back.

SEL started strongly using the gale to their advantage. Their long ball tactics and basketball-style full-court press made it difficult for Cubo to get out of their own half for the opening 20 minutes.

It wasn’t long before the territorial pressure told and SEL broke through only to be denied by a superb stop from Bushy in the Cubo goal.

With the wind swirling above and a narrow pitch Cubo struggled to construct their usual passing game and five minutes later the away side broke through again, this time it was SEL’s other front man who was stopped by an outstretched Bushy, not once but twice.

As the half grew longer Cubo began to grow in confidence with Billers’ energy rivaling a Mascherano/springer spaniel lovechild. The striker’s chasing from the front allowed his side’s defence much needed respite.

With player/manager (you can pretty much remove the player part these days) Rob Jones’ half-time team talk fundamentally around the Wizard of Oz hurricane circling over Barn Elms, he was left with little to say as it was reduced to no more than a the force of a disappointed sigh. Fortunately, captain Matt (Tourette’s) Turner rallied the troops with his usual nonsensical, sweary, off-point, Any Given Sunday speech.

With Cubo confident of a positive result at the break they were hit with a surprise strike from SEL. A lack of pressure on the ball on the right hand side led to a hopeful ball being hooked over the top for their burly striker to run on to and lob the on-rushing keeper with aplomb.

Without a thought the home side brushed off this lapse in concentration and began to apply pressure of their own. Turner had a volley blocked from 20 yards out after winding it up from inside his own half.

The resulting corner led to the deserved equalizer. Lucas Pickett swung in a delicious left-footed delivery on to centre-back Mark Dallamore’s head, one of the countless headers he had won throughout the afternoon.

Not settling for a point though, Cubo began to win every tackle all over the pitch. Tim Field was beginning to profit from the space developing on the right hand side and Paul May was proving too much of handful for the opposing centre-backs.

With 15 minutes remaining Pickett received the ball level with the top of the area on the right touchline. A drag-back passed the full-back and a nutmeg through the covering centre-back left him with a only a half chance. The angle was tighter than his mum, but that was all he needed as he let fly and took Cubo to their 5th win in their unbeaten last seven matches.

Final Score: AFC CUbo 3rd XI 2-1 South East London 2nd XI

Goals: Dallamore, Pickett

Man of the Match: Six players received votes this week, but the winner with an assist and the deciding goal – Lucas Pickett.

Match Report: Lee Evans

Battersea Lions 2-5 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

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Date: Saturday 10th December, 2011

Starting Line-Up: Stewart, Lye, Ingle, Dallamore, Adabadze, Tett (C), Jeph, Lucas, Field, May, Hennerz.

The baby blue army arrived at a chilly Raynes Park in buoyant mood following their confident victory over old foes Merton in their previous outing and the vibe was further heightened by the knowledge that they got to wear the new kit for the second match in succession.

It was also a team with a sense of unfamiliar familiarity as the previous attacking three of May, Field and Hennerz once again played ahead of the quickly gelling duo of Jeph and Lucas. The midfield welcomed back crowd favourite Greg “Hollywood” Tett who took the skippers armband and the defence was bolstered by Mark Dallamore who slipped in alongside Ingle at the heart of the defence.

Cubo started on the front foot and quickly found that passing rhythm which is fast becoming a hallmark of their play. With the midfield three easily creating space by using the extra man and finding Hennerz and Field who hugged the touchlines stretching the Battersea back four. This movement and speed of play was once again spearheaded by May up top by himself who was running the channels and causing problems early on.

A decent exchange of passes down the right flank involving Field, Lucas and May drew a foul in a dangerous area of the pitch for Cubo. Lucas whipped a left foot cross over which somehow evaded the melee of players attacking it, and as the ball rolled tantalisingly along the line May did what all good strikers do best, got a toe end to it and claimed the goal. 1-0 Cubo.

What followed however was not a re-ignited show of pressure from Battersea Lions as they chased down the lead, but instead more ‘Ole’ football from a confident Cubo. Field was finding space down the right and lollypopping past the hapless left back and Hennerz was pulling out some flamboyant turns of his own on the left. Jeph, Tett and Lucas were ticky-tacking the ball around the midfield and May came close with a curled right footed shot from the left of the box – “oooh what a bender”

The pressure told when the ball was held up down the left flank by Hennerz, who cut back and fed Lucas 20 yards out. The man rumoured to be named after the creator of the Star Wars dynasty sent the defender the wrong way, presumably by using Jedi mind tricks, and shifted the ball onto his less favoured right foot which suddenly became “more powerful than you could possibly imagine” as the ball flew past the Battersea keeper. 2-0 Cubo.

Lucas reflects on a tidy opening goal

At this the crowd (mainly subs of both sides, a few on-lookers and a group of Animal Rights activists who had turned up following a mis-print on the match day program and thinking they were confronting a gang called ‘Batter Sealions’) went crazy. And as the slick football continued, backed up by very assured defending from the Cubo backline, they broke into a samba style sing-song – appearing to personalize a version of the 1979 Gibson Brothers’ hit single “Cuba”.

Despite all of this, and with Gaz Stewart seing less of the action than Jim McGoewn after 10pm at a Cubo Christmas party, Battersea were suddenly granted a lifeline. With ten minutes to go in the first half a rare Lions corner seemed to have been dealt with at the near post when the ref inexplicably pointed to the spot claiming a push on the Battersea player. Both teams looked bemused by the decision, but the Battersea striker stepped up and side footed it home. Half time, 2-1.

A spirited half time team talk re-focused the minds of the Cubo boys who knew that a third goal would surely kill this contest. Despite this they had to weather an initial storm from the opposition who threw everything at them in the opening minutes of the half. Their Beowolf look-a-like central midfielder was suddenly getting on the ball and finding the tricky front men. But to their credit, the line of Lye, Dullamore, Ingle and Adabadze held firm, and but for a looped cross to the back post that forced a smart save from Stewart in goal, there were no scares.

The third goal killed the game as expected and it came from a likely source. Once again a ball down the left found Hennerz, who once again cut back and found Lucas who – if this was Pro Evo – was quite clearly “on a red” in this game. This time he opted for his favoured left foot and unleashed a strike, which dipped and swerved into the far top corner. Think David Silva for Valencia vs Chelsea at Stanford Bridge in the Champions League. A definite contender for goal of the season.”Tick a boo son, tick a boo.”

Cubo knew that the game as a contest was over, but the vast array of attacking talent on display started to smell blood. Jeph who had been a constant menace in the centre of the pitch all game began driving into the box with increasing regularity. Some more great play down the right from Field and May saw a ball crossed over and it was the newest addition to the Cubo ranks who soared highest to nod it in off the underside of the crossbar. 4-1 Cubo.

A  breakaway consolation by Battersea was quickly cancelled out as some more neat passing saw Jeph released again behind the defence, and after shrugging off the attentions of the centre back he steered the ball calmly home into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 5-2 Cubo.

The final whistle blew to jubilant scenes from the Cubo boys who had exhibited the perfect balance of work rate, structure, flair and finishing to punish the more than decent Battersea Lions team.

They go into the Christmas break two points off top spot and with every right to think they should be challenging for the title this year. If this side stays together, and continues to play this way the rest of the league should be worried.

Final Score: Battersea Lions 2-5 AFC Cubo 3rd XI

Goals: Lucas x2, Jeph x2, May

Man of the Match: Goes to Lukas who was obviously bouyed by Little Mix making it into the Xfactor live final and the prospect of a night out in Funky Buddha that night. He has settled into this team very well.

Match Report: Hennerz

AFC Cubo 2nd XI 0-3 Union FC

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Date: Saturday 26th November, 2011

Starting Line-Up: Stevie T, Jack, Darlington, A. Clark, Haddon, Hooper, Burt, Neil, Denno, Moody, O’Hara.

Sub: Pally (injured).

Football is a cruel mistress. After battling to a number of single goal victories at the start of the season, the 2nd XI are now finding life a little tougher. In fairness the side picked itself earlier in the campaign, but of late an injury epidemic has swept aside much of the resources and it’s been incredibly tough to scrape an XI, let alone a settled side.

Union arrived at Barn Elms bottom of the league and with the 2s confident of a victory, despite the reshuffled pack. Sadly for Cubo, Union (with hindsight) were able to field what was their strongest outfit of the season and they swept aside the hosts in convincing fashion.

Cubo could not be faulted for effort or application but, in truth, little went right for the Baby Blues. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half after a hopeful ball down the inside left channel was not dealt with, allowing the attacker to strike the ball across Stevie and into the far corner.

Hooper and Burt were struggling to get going in the centre of the park, and with Gaz and Trev both looking to come to the ball the Union defence were happy to push up the pitch and condense the space. This allowed the Union midfield to compete and use the ball better than their hosts.

The pick of the opposition was the number 7 who was very adept at dropping between the lines to create an extra man in midfield or pull one of the Cubo centre halves out of position. Although this didn’t necessarily contribute to any goals directly, it cause unrest and will be something Cubo need to deal with quickly in the return fixture.

With the home side struggling to both a) pass to a teammate and b) control the ball, clear cut chances were at a premium. However, with a 1 goal deficit things were still delicately poised. Sadly the killer blow game just before half time when Denno was robbed on the half way line and, quick as a flash, the Union player was able to spot the ‘keeper off his line and drill home a magnificent left footed effort from fully 50 yards.

Cubo switched Stevie into an advanced role in the second half with Luke taking the gloves. However despite Trev slotting into midfield and Andy trying to replicate his excellent set pieces from open play in a wide area, Union made it 3 when the striker rode a couple of challenges before side footing into the bottom right corner from just inside the box.

Cubo tried to reduce the arrears with Moody twice going close and Jack’s curler picking out the goalkeeper, but in reality it was one of those days.

Final Score: AFC Cubo 2nd XI 0-3 Union FC

Man of the Match: Vote abandoned!

A strong looking squad for Saturday’s London Cup assignment versus AFC Sevenoaks will be hopeful of getting back to winning ways. As the song goes: “Weeeeee are the Cubo….”

Match Report: Hoops