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!