Match Reports 07/08

West London All Stars FC v CHFC Mar 1st 2008

 "Homefields shine brighter than the Stars"...

WLA-1 CHFC-2 In a hard-fought mid table clash between two sides fighting for a possible top 4 finish CHFC managed to take all three points after battling against a well organised WLA side and the horrible wind on a pitch that resembled the lunar landscape. CHFC took the lead after a thumping header from Paul Smernicki on the end of an out swinging corner from Sevan.Keeper should've saved it?I don't think any keeper would have! WLA fought hard against the wind and it took a great save one on one from Gavin to deny them what would've proved an important goal.The lead shoud've been increased after some teasing runs from Wes Armstrong on the left causing lots of problems but with a couple of missed chances and some dodgy offsides going in only 1-0 was always going to lead to a second half dog fight. WLA came out very strong and through everything forward.The CHFC midfield and defense put in some brilliant challanges to shut out any decent attempts on goal from the home side.The back four (aided superbly by Damien Langley and Adam Gleeson) mopped up any loose balls effectively. 25mins into the 2nd half CHFC were awarded a free kick roughly 30 yards from goal.Up stepped Sevan and after hearing a shout from Paul Smernicki "Just hammer it Sav" did just that and the ball flew into the top corner after it looked like the hand of the keeper had kept it out.Keeper shoud've done better? Maybe but again I don't think any keeper in the league would have! At 2-0 it really looked like game set n match however a slight lapse of concentration gifted WLA a late goal to set up a nervous last 5mins. Overall a good win for CHFC,with players out of position namely Brendin Lo who did an awesome job at left back the squad can go into the final weeks of the season knowing a top 4 finish is a real possibility. SA

Gavin,Doug,Paul,Richard,Brendin,Damir Adam,Damien,Wes,Sevan,Franco Jesse,Sean

Goals-Sevan Paul

Sporting Hackney FC v CHFC April 5th 2008

"Hackney hit 5 and leave Homefields desperate for 3"

Sporting Hackney 5 CHFC 1 A disappointing performance by CHFC meant that they fell to a heavy defeat against a hard-working Sporting Hackney. Despite a bright start to the game, when CHFC put the hosts under considerable pressure, they fell behind mid way through the first half. A fortunate rebound from a clearance left the Hackney striker through on goal and despite a good parry by Gavin, the loose ball was stabbed home. CHFC continued to push forward but conceded a second goal 10 minutes later when a deep cross was headed in by the Hackney forward with a looping header from a very tight angle. With a 2-goal deficit to retrieve after the break, CHFC started the second half with positive intent. Unfortunately, Hackney extended their lead soon after the restart following a fumbled ball by Gavin which was picked up and slotted home by the Hackney forward. Two further goals followed putting the game well beyond CHFC. CHFC kepting fighting and applied considerable pressure in the last 20 minutes. They were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area. Unfortunately Lucs low penalty lacked conviction and was saved by the Hackney keeper. Some pride was later restored, though, as Sevan expertly scored from a free kick on the right hand side of the area. This result leaves CHFC facing a battle against relegation and needing to pick up 3 points at least from last 3 games to have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop. LO

Gavin,Doug,Paul,Richard,Dom,Waseem Luc,Tom,Wes,Sevan,Franco Jesse

Goals-Sevan

CHFC v Hayes Gate Apr 12th 2008

"Happy Hayes pile more pressure on heartful Homefields"

CHFC 0 Hayes Gate FC 3 Facing, on paper at least, the toughest opposition of their final matches of the season in Hayes Gate, CHFC fielded arguably their strongest starting 11 so far this year. Blighted by poor availability all season, the difference was clear as Sevan selected an attacking team anchored around a solid midfield pairing. With players keen to make up for the previous weeks terrible performance and result the message before the game was get at them from the start, and desperate to restore some pride, that is what CHFC did. Pressuring the talented HGFC players from the start paid dividends as Sav pushed onto their right back, supported ably by Brendin behind him, and the solidity of 2 quality central midfielders meant that much of the early pressure belonged to Chiswick. Wes, playing as a striker for the first time, came close with 2 efforts. The first was created by his speed, the second a head-on by Paul from Richards long throw. For a third time Wess pace took him beyond the Hayes Gate defense with his shot just wide of the left hand post and the HGFC defender lucky not to be cautioned for pulling him back. With the score 0-0 at half time, CHFC felt a win was within them and started the 2nd half at the same pace as the first. With GHFC pushing on, spaces began to appear at the back, and a great pass from Wes put Dammo clean through one on one with the keeper, who saved Damiens direct shot. Moments later, a great ball from the right presented a half chance to Paul, who couldnt connect. With 20 minutes to go, HGFC won a free kick wide on the right, just outside the penalty box. A wicked delivery low and fast clipped one of their players, then Luc before creeping in at the back post. Slightly fortuitous, but CHFC were once again undone by a set piece. With 10 minutes to go, HGFCs best player showed his happy feet by dancing around a defender then Gavin to slot home number 2. CHFC battled on, but by this time the game was lost. And as a final dagger to the heart, in the very last minutes, what appeared to be a strong but fair challenge in the box gave Hayes Gate a penalty, dispatched again by Happy Feet. 3-0 the end result, which definitely flattered Hayes Gate. While the result does nothing to ease CHFCs relegation worries, the performance, spirit and attitude certainly did. If they can deliver the same in the remaining 2 matches, 6 points is certainly realistic. PS

Gavin,Doug,Luc,Richard,Brendin,Tom, Damien,Adam,Sevan,Wes,Paul,Franco, Dom

Roxeth FC v CHFC Apr 26th

"Homefields bounce back to secure Division 1 status"

Roxeth 2 CHFC 4 A classic "6 pointer" with the losing side facing the real threat of relegation to Division 1. It was a tense affair at Roxeth's temporary home pitch which was one of the smallest we had experienced all season. The loss of CHFC'S central midfield partnership meant the team had to be re-shuffled with many players playing out of position. Chiswick played a variant of a 4-3-3 formation which set them up to attack the game putting onus on both Jess & Sevan to tuck into midfield when possession was lost. Chiswick started the game strongly taking the lead from a glancing header from Jess off one of Rich's long throws which have proved a real asset all season in both attack & defence. At 1-0 CHFC had control of the game and it took a great header from the Roxeth skipper to draw the game even going into half time. No time to panic for Chiswick as they had had the better of the 1st half but a draw may not be good enough!

The second half started with disaster within a minute CHFC were 2-1 down from a wind assisted 30 yard shot which left Gav stranded as the ball dipped and swerved into the top left corner. The team showed great composure and resilience to get right back in the game with a great counterattacking move. Sevan took the ball down the left flank, taking out the keeper with a pin-point cross to Damir who had made a great supporting run from midfield to slide in at back post. Roxeth's heads started to go down and now with Chiswick ready to take control of the game . Always dangerous on the break Wes broke free from a through ball from Tom ,to finish superbly across the keeper into the bottom right corner. Chiswick then put the nail in the coffin with an identical goal to the second, this time with Jess on the end of it to complete his brace. Not for the first time in recent years Jess stepped up and scored critical goals in his best performance of the season. The second half did have it's scares for Chiswick as the Roxeth captain showed his strength in the air only to head against the post. The whistle blew at 90 minutes and CHFC had won the game comfortably and secured a place in mid table in Division 1. Tactically CHFC had got the game right, the build up was good and the formation was right.Chiswick created the best chances and looked dangerous on the break especially from the wings. The central midfield trio worked tirelessly all game to support the front men, secure possession and importantly to track the dangerous midfield runners. The back five performed well restricting the Roxeth attack to only a handful of chances all game. We wanted the game more and it is testament to the team that we came back from 2-1 down to win the game comfortably. DS

Gavin, Richard, Luc, Doug, Phil, Jess, Tom, Paul, Damir, Sevan, Wes, Sean,David

Goals-Jess 2 Damir Wes