Recreativo 0-4 Primrose Hill
9th May

The last game of the season is played out under a glorious cloud free sky, the sunshine a welcome reminder of the summer months that are just around the corner. With a full squad and sizeable support as always, we take to the pitch eager to enjoy this final fixture of the season. Maybe it was the weather, maybe the long hard day at school, but our first half is a little sluggish, Primrose bringing the game into our half. We had a couple of chances, but couldn’t put them away. Still, each and every player was doing their best and it was developing into a really good football match. The second half saw a more attacking game develop, Recreativo having more chances and more shots on goal. Daniel (in possibly his final game for the Juniors before his transfer to Hamburg), did a great job coming on in the second half. All over the pitch, despite the heat, our players did not stop running and charging into tackles. But our last game saw another defeat. Still, we will be back next time round, eager to improve and push on up that table. Things can only get better!

Team (all played) : Eren Doldur, Harry Butcher, Jaye Paul, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, George Wakefield, Jaden Stephenson, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Louis Dillon, Ollie Goldblatt, Zeki Bolat, Sam Abdullah-Kirton, Lara Tollington, Daniel Garcia Fernandez

Harbour 2-0 Recreativo
25th April 2008

Another valiant effort by all involved this evening, against a team who we felt we should have beat this time round, but once again it wasn’t to be. As our season nears the final couple of weeks, we look back and accept that we have been up against it. It’s been a hard introduction for most of us.

We saw a familiar pattern unfold here this evening; starting brightly and equal to our opponents, but failing to win the ball and take the game by the scruff of the neck. However, it was a testament to our fighting spirit that the opposition’s manager saw fit to bring on their sub, their biggest and most physically player, so early on to try and defuse our attacking play. Louis, George and Storm had some great forays into the Harbour penalty area, but couldn’t seem to get a decent shot on goal.

Sam, captain for this game, saved us with some fantastic tackling. And later on, both Lara and Harry did a fine job slotting into the defence and putting in 100% effort. So another game lost, but not through want of trying.

With the parents and players gone, a couple of us sat in a deserted and eerily silent dressing room, a little worn out by it all, quite deflated after losing what was really a must-win game. We stayed to watch another match (a fiercely contested Crown & Manor vs Regents Park game) and sat on the terrace, gulping down a burger and glugging on Coke. The dark cloud hanging above us soon lifted as we surveyed the scene in front of us. Here we are on a Friday evening watching quite literally hundreds of local kids actively taking part in grass roots football, meeting their mates and having a laugh, being part of a team and keeping fit and healthy.

Despite our hard season, despite the defeats, the scrapes, grazes and odd tear, it’s been great to be involved in this little footballing corner of north London. Recreativo Juniors have done us all proud with the supreme effort they have all showed and will come back for more when they step up to under-10s level after the summer break. Our league position may be grim reading, but if points were awarded for effort and commitment, we would we league and cup double winners by miles!

Team (all played) : Eren Doldur, Sam Abdullah-Kirton, Jaye Paul, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, Louis Dillon, George Wakefield, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Jaden Stephenson, Ollie Goldblatt, Zeki Bolat, Daniel Garcia Fernandez, Harry Butcher, Lara Tollington

Regents Park 1-1 Recreativo Juniors
(*match abandoned at HT due to Regents Pk not having enough players to continue)

With the season entering the final few weeks, we really wanted to score some goals, collect a few more points and haul ourselves up from the bottom spot of our division. Most of us had stopped looking at the league table weeks ago, unconcerned about our lowly position and remaining upbeat, concentrating on what positives we can take from our first season in the Camden and Islington League. Still, it would be great not to finish rock bottom!
With Regents Park fielding 6 players (instead of the required 8) we thought we would at least start with an advantage. However, we gave them far too much of the ball, standing off their attackers and allowing them to score early on. We have to work on our defending drills in training, keeping on our feet, jockeying our opponents and winning the ball. With time, it will come!

We managed to level soon after, some great football played across the pitch involving all the team. Jaden was back in his familiar striking position and was soon celebrating after slotting home a nicely taken goal, the result of some fantastic passing through midfield.
Unfortunately, after two more injuries to Regents Park players, our opposition could not continue and their manager conceded the game at half time. Despite our frustration at only playing one half, we hope the game will be awarded to us after such a determined effort once more.

Meanwhile, with another 20mins left on our allotted pitch time, we played a fantastic Kids vs Parents match. Out of breathe, legs tired and aching, it brought it home to most of us just how big those pitches at Market Road are and just how much ground our team cover during a match. Fun was had by all, a tap in from Donna (George’s mum) just tipping it in favour of the parents! Well done everyone!

Team : Eren Doldur, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, Zeki Bolat, Harry Butcher, Ollie Goldblatt, George Wakefield, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Jaden Stephenson, Sam Abdullah-Kirton, Daniel Garcias-Fernandez.

Recreativo Seniors : Colin, John, Anne-Marie, Jimmie, David, Stefan, Donna.

Recreativo 0-6 Hampstead
Aprill 11th

It is funny how we can lose by such a high score line, yet still come away having seen our team give such a committed and gutsy performance. We keep saying that the score doesn’t really matter if the players at least play to the best of their abilities.

And tonight, despite half the opposition looking as tall as the parent spectators, we can look at our team and know they went out there and really slogged hard. With our first choice goalie sick, both Zeki and Harry done us proud, volunteering to pull on the bright yellow jersey and stand in between the sticks. In truth, Hampstead could have got into double figures if it hadn’t been for our gallant goalie volunteers making some crucial saves throughout each half. All over the pitch we matched Hampstead for skill, ball control, footballing ability and commitment. Without wanting to sound bitter, it was their sheer physical size that won them the game, nothing else.

At the end of the game, as always, we shake hands and head back to the dressing room, unconcerned with the score line. We have three games left, three games to turn it around. And with the spirit shown tonight, we surely have a good chance of getting some points in the final few weeks of the season.

Team : Harry Butcher, Zeki Bolat, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, George Wakefield, Daniel Garcia-Fernandez, Jaden Stephenson, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Ollie Goldblatt, Sam Abdullah Kirton.
(Thanks to David, Ollie’s Dad for stepping in and reffing game after our ref failed to show. You did a great job!)

Lyndhurst 2-0 Recreativo
Challenge Cup Quarter Final 4th April 2008

With the pitches bathed in glorious sunshine, the team warmed up and ready to go, we were feeling positive about our chances against the south division outfit Lyndhurst. The first half saw both teams have a few chances in and around the box, but nobody seemed to get a decent shot in and the teams went in level at half time. Ollie, Storm and Jaden linked up very well, passing, moving into space and running on to through balls. But on the two occasions we stood off the ball, we allowed Lyndhurst to break through and score twice late on. The final whistle saw despair and tears etched across the faces of our team as we experienced the heartache of going out of the Cup. Still, we battle on. We take a big deep breathe, get over it and then look forward to our next game. We keep getting knocked down, but we always get up again and go out again ready to give it our best shot.
Team: Eren Doldur, Harry Butcher, George Wakefield, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, Ollie Goldblatt, Jaden Stephenson, Louis Dillon, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Zeki Bolat, Sam Abdullah-Kirton, Lara Tolington, Daniel Garcia-Fernandez.

Training
We continue training every Sunday in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington. The unseasonal wintry weather covered our pitch in a blanket of snow this weekend. As well as our training, we managed to have a really great
snowball fight!

Muskateers 0-2 Recreativo Juniors
Challenge Cup Round 1
Monday March 10th

As the tail end of the worst storm to hit the UK catches up with us, just as we arrive at the ground, we’re sure the game is going to be cancelled. Parents, players and the match officials huddle together in the dressing room corridor, peeking outside as the forceful wind carries anything not nailed down hurtling across the pitch. Recreativo are eager to get out there, despite the gale. The head of referees has a last puff on his fag and gives us the nod, ‘it’s on’ and we’re out in the lashing rain trying to conduct a warm up. We start with the same team who won our last match and take control of the game early on. Despite the unforgiving conditions, we are once again well supported by parents cheering on from the sidelines. The first twenty minutes sees us more or less camped out in Muskateers half, but despite the majority of possession, we reach half time at 0-0. Because this was a cup match we had been practising penalties, but were determined to go all out and score in the second half. Excellent link up play in and around the box resulted some fantastic football. Benji won a tackle, side-stepped an opponent and passed a great ball through to Jaden, who finished the move with a great goal. Harry done well after coming on late, sending balls forward and Ollie too had a great half. George secured our place in the second round of the Cup with a late goal, celebrating with a forward roll and his team mates bundling on top of him! A great performance all round. Who knows, with this spirit, we can really give it a go and get to that final. Recreativo for the Cup!

Team: Eren Doldur, Lara Tollington, Jaye Paul, Daniel Garcia Fernandez, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Jaden Stephenson, Louis Dillon, Zeki Bolat, Sam Abdullah Kirton, Benji Barbour Ricketts, Ollie Goldblatt, Harry Butcher, George Wakefield.

Recreativo Juniors 2-1 Iseldon Wolves

Recreativo Juniors 2-1 Iseldon Wolves

Feb 22nd

Good things come to those who wait. And boy, have we waited a long time for this!
Our tenth league encounter finally saw us come away with a victory and after all the effort the players have put in since September, the celebration at the end was of volcanic proportions! Seismic turbulence would be felt tonight all the way back to Stoke Newington.
With players dropping out earlier in the day with illness and others away for half term, we took to the field with no subs, a first for us. This meant some of us played a full 40 minutes for the first time. The team held its shape beautifully. Jaden bossed the midfield, first to every loose ball, Storm made great inroads down the right flank and Louis grabbed the freedom to roam here there and everywhere, to cause panic in the Wolves defence every time he had the ball. His fine performance was topped off with two great goals. Lara and Daniel done sterling jobs as full backs. Despite Jaye slicing a ball into his own net, he kept his head up and performed superbly, safeguarding the Juniors’ goal for the entire second half. Eren and Zeki too, done their bit, up and down the pitch, determined and eager to keep the ball as the ref counted down the last few minutes. And then that fantastic sound as the ref blew the final whistle. Parents poured onto the pitch. Players were mobbed. Hugs and kisses. Hands were shaken, smiles cracked across faces. It’s what it’s all about. Good times. The rest of Market Road stood and wondered if an earthquake had struck as the player’s families and friends charged on from everywhere, a joyous whirlwind of happiness, relief and pride. In the dressing room afterwards we asked the players to remember this feeling and look forward to more times like this. We want more!

Man of the Match : Louis Dillon
Team: Eren Doldur, Lara Tollington, Jaye Paul, Daniel Garcia-Fernandez, Louis Dillon, Jaden Stephenson, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Zeki Bolat.

Recreativo At The Movies

Recreativo At The Movies
Feb 16th

It’s not just all about the football. The social side of our club brings the players together as friends away from the cooker pressure of first class football at Market Road! As the birthdays come round thick and fast, we find ourselves celebrating Storm’s 9th, sixteen of us in total squeezing onto the bus and heading deep into Arsenal territory to watch “Jumper” at Islington Vue. As always, we remind everyone that we should behave impeccably when going out as a team, but in truth we’re more than happy for everyone to go a little wild (as long as we don’t scare the grannies on the bus!).

The general consensus was that the film was “brilliant”, a kind of Matrix for a teenage audience. More than enough explosions, car chases and designer violence to keep this excitable bunch happy. We munch through copious amounts of popcorn and sweets and then all return to Storm’s for a Playstation session, more unhealthy party fodder and a Recreativo Juniors birthday cake. As Wallace and Grommit would say, “a grand day out!”.

Fulham Wanderers 6-1 Recreativo Juniors
Fri Feb 8th

With coach Jimmie Gregory refusing to shave until Recreativo get their first win, the team went out determined to get something from this game. An opening ten minutes saw the Juniors putting up a good fight. Eren Dolder made his debut in goal, making some decent saves and booting the ball forward at every opportunity. But the opposition were simply too strong tonight, playing a better passing game. At times we stood off and let them play the ball around, giving them too much time which inevitably led to goals for the Wanderers.
Storm rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in, playing a lovely through ball in the second half which led to a beautifully taken goal from tonight’s captain, Zeki. We know we are up against it every time we walk out on that pitch. But we look forward to the next game, determined to get our first three points. Assistant coach Anne-Marie won’t let Jimmie’s bristly chin anywhere near her! So come on Juniors, let’s win this next game!

Team (all played) : Eren Dolder, Zeki Bolat, Jaye Paul, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, Storm Gregory-Hickling, George Wakefield, Louis Dillon, Jaden Stephenson, Daniel Garcia Fernandez, Ollie Goldblatt, Sam Abdullah Kirton, Harry Butcher, Lara Tollington.

Recreativo Juniors 0-3 Crown & Manor Jan 18th

It seems that the whole of Market Road is gnarled up with traffic this evening as we search for somewhere to park and offload our excitable bunch of under 9s. It’s always a welcoming site, the floodlights cutting through the winter evening’s darkness, illuminating the dark green astro-turf. The now familiar colours of the various team’s kits flashing across the pitches. Groups of parents and supporters stand huddled on the terrace cheering and shouting as the early kick offs are reaching the final whistle and we await our turn to get out on the pitch.
We have a great game tonight. If we were ever too worried about our score lines, we would have packed up long ago. But what keeps us going is the spirit and drive shown by our players, the willingness to keep having ago. For the first half at least, we matched Crown & Manor all over the pitch. Zeki had a particularly good game getting involved in everything in midfield. Louis showed some lovely touches and skill. We told Benji to lose his smile tonight, go out there mean and moody and not let anybody get past him. He done exactly that and showed some real confidence that seemed to flow through the team. Despite going three down, it was a much improved performance. With the manager on the look out for one or two new players to add to the squad, the future does look bright for this very special football team. Confidence, a little more experience and a couple of new signings should hopefully turn things around for the second half of the season.

Team (all played) : George Wakefield, Sam Abdullah-Kirton, Jaye Paul, Benji Barbour-Ricketts, Louis Dillon, Zeki Bolat, Storm Gregory-Hickling, Jaden Stephenson, Harry Butcher, Daniel Garcia Fernandez, Lara Tollington, Ollie Goldblatt.

Recreativo Juniors 1-5 Fulham Wanderers
Fri Jan 4th

Maybe it was too much partying over the Christmas break, but we were a little slow out of the blocks this evening. The first ten minutes saw the Juniors defending deep in our own half, pinned back by countless Fulham attacking. Good defending, body blocks and tackles save shots against our gallant Harry in goal, though we were unfortunate not to clear the ball too far from our box which resulted in the Wanderers taking a 1-0 lead. In truth, some of our players were finding it hard to concentrate on keeping their positions. As the rain poured down we found ourselves in an all too familiar game of catch up. However, there were positives! Zeki Bolat made some fantastic tackles, never shying away from a 50-50 ball, Louis Dillon patrolled the left midfield with growing confidence and sustained concentration, which resulted in a goal just before half time and a superb free-kick in the second half that was just tipped over the bar. Despite a real effort from everyone we conceded four second half goals.

As always, we shook hands with the opposition at the end and trotted back to the dressing room. The post match team talk consisted of trying to concentrate on the positive aspects of our play and not where we went wrong. Two weeks before our next game. Bring it on! Well played Recreativo Juniors!

Team (all played) : Harry Butcher, Zeki Bolat, Jaye Paul, Benji Barbour Ricketts, Daniel Garcia, George Wakefield, Louis Dillon, Jaden Stephenson, Ollie Goldblatt, Storm Gregory-Hickling,
Lara Tollington, Sam Abdullah Kirton.