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By Jordan
Sunday morning saw Westminster Wanderers arrive at South Park to witness the curtain falling on two Pacer legends and Popo to rewrite the laws of physics.
With Diego donning the gloves, the back four consisted of the confusing Oli, Oli, Ash, and Nash, Duracell bunny Alex and the calming Sprackers were in the the middle, flanked by Popo and Nick, with Sean and Curtis up top.
The first 10 Minutes paved the way for the rest of the match with the Pacers having all the possesion and playing some really good stuff.
A poor managerial decision left the “two most natural goal scorers” on the bench which was highlighted with chance after chance going begging.
Nick’s blast into orbit when well placed was bad, Nashie’s snap shot from the edge of the box had to be retrieved from the tennis courts.
Curtis looked out of his depth, the pressure of the class on the bench watching on looked like it was getting to him.
But all these mistakes were quickly forgotten about after the miss of the season.
A long lob in from Nick looked like it was going straight in. Being smart enough to realize this wouldn’t count, Popo came steaming in with perfect timing, afraid to go in with his head he opted to jump up and tap it into the empty net. Inexplicably, on the goal line, he somehow spooned his volley straight over the bar.
Sheepishly he ran back to position with his head bowed so not to catch the eye of the bench.
“Proper Howler that one like” was the comment from the Pacers events manager after he caught he’s breath from laughing so much.
Half time came and so did the manager’s axe.
The energetic Sean presumed that Curtis’s no show would save him from the chop……He was wrong, he was replaced by Jordan.
Pacers top goal scorer for the last three years was soon on the score sheet.
Blasting in a toe poke from all of a yard. It ain’t hard Popo.
1-0
Nashy was good enough to step down to let Kevla have a run around after 10 minutes of the second half.
The defence was never troubled and actually looked quite good passing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other to start attacks down the wings.
The new Oli found himself with the ball in his hands, so he launched it back into the fray for Nick to flick on to another well timed run from Popo.
He had his chance to redeem himself with a one on one but shot weakly at the goalies legs.
Their right back was on hand to tap in the rebound.
2-0
John and Steve entered the game at the expense of Spracks and old Oli.
Both looked sharp and composed on the ball.
A quick switch in position saw Kev up top and the gamble nearly paid off straight away when he had ample time to slot in Popo for his third one on one of the game.
He didn’t think Popo could face yet another glaring miss so he decided to massively over hit the through ball. The statisticians have recorded it as a shot. The keeper cleared the trouble.
A late Pacer corner was swung in and a diving Jordan nodded in the third.
A lot like Henrik Larrsons effort for Sweden in the 2004 Euros.(Feel free to let YouTube remind you).
3-0
There was still time for one last Pacer attack, more good work from the defence sent Alex scurrying away down the right flank.
A bad touch saw him run the ball out for a wanderers throw in. The flag didn’t go up so he half heartedly carried on. what happened next isn’t worth writing about because the ref eventually overruled the sleeping linesman.
A classy overall performance from everyone resulted in a good three nil victory.
A decent turn out in the Octoberfest saw a Das boot each for the two retiring Pacers, and Nashy letting on that Downton Abbey is his favourite TV show ever.
A good days work!
By Ed
Putney Pacers knew a win on Sunday against Sporting Crabs at South Park would guarantee their place in Division 3 next season. At half time, everything was going to plan with the Pacers playing some excellent football and earning a 1-0 lead. However, they were made to rue a host of missed opportunities as Sporting Crabs managed to sneak two past Antonio, who had another exceptional game in goal.
Pacers lined up with Nash and Ash sitting in front of Antonio, with Ben at left back and Oli at right back. In the middle were Spracks and Alex, with Ed and Robert on the wings. John played at number 10, providing support to Dan who was the lone striker.
Pacers started brightly and put plenty of pressure on the Crab defence. 20 minutes in, Nash delivered a pinpoint free kick onto the crossbar and back into the box to set up Ash, who slotted the ball home from close range – a move that clearly came straight from the training ground.
Pacers continued to control the game and threatened the Crab goal with a number of strikes from distance – if it wasn’t for the angle of the sun making things difficult for the Putney attack, they would surely have built on their lead.
One change at half time saw a straight swap, with Guy coming on for Robert on the left wing.
The second half started where the first left off, with Putney looking comfortable and creating chances – but unable to convert their efforts into goals. Meanwhile, the Crab attack made the most of the few goal scoring opportunities they had and put two past Putney. Despite a late charge from Pacers, Crabs went on to win the game 1-2.
Pacers showed glimpses of their full potential and can certainly feel aggrieved to walk away empty handed. However, Putney can take heart from their performance – particularly the first half – and approach the final two games of the season with confidence – and in the knowledge that their fate still lies in their own hands.
Massive thanks to Nashy for taking the initiative and writing up the year so far. It is a shame that the match reports dropped off as they used to be a good laugh and a chance to stitch up your mates as well as celebrate the good things we occasionally do on the pitch!
More effort required from here on in please.
Without further ado, over to Nashy…
March 02 2014 Pacers 0 – TEFA 5
On the first game back after 3 months of waterlogged pitches, Pacers had their first game against the impressive TEFA side who had more than played their part in the 1-1 curtain raiser back in September.
Unfortunately, Pacers were not as fresh and definitely not as fit as they had been on that day in September and the fact that the back 4 were weighing in at roughly 9 stone heavier than they had in December (no names mentioned) meant that TEFA found it all too easy to get in around the back in the opening exchanges and were 4-0 up at HT.
The second time saw a more composed passing performance that evened the game out slightly and kept TEFA almost completely out of the game.
A poor start to the year and the 4 game unbeaten streak over.
March 09 2014 Pacers 2 Hope and Horns 3
In the second game of the year, Pacers showed up for the first of their double-headers with the bare 11 after a bit of a mix-up and some last minute drop outs. Ben arrived late as the 12th man and thus the team picked itself. A skeleton 11 and with no captain meant that Pacers would always struggle and they went down 2-0 quickly after some very suspect defending. At the other end, Pacers were creating space and chances and Norfield pulled one back before HT.
The second half was a very cagey affair in which Pacers battled hard for an equaliser before conceding one and then a very cool finish from Norfield set up a nervous last 5 for Hope and Horns who hung on to their victory. First blood to Hope and Horns.
March 09 2014 Pacers 1 Hope and Horns 5
Game 2 of the day started in very different fashion to game 1 with Pacers very much on top and controlling possession. They seemed more composed and created various chances to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Norfield was once again the tormenter and was well complemented by Oli’s mate Charlie, Martin and Lewis in the middle. Sean grabbing the opener and Pacers looking in control.
Unfortunately, the referee decided that he did not want to risk the wrath of a club that had been involved in a bit of trouble the week before and he gave Hope and Horns a penalty to celebrate someone entering the box. Antonio very unfortunate to concede after clearly winning the ball.
At HT Pacers were 1-1 and had been the better team but the legs were getting tired and in the second half, Pacers fell apart with the ref once again not helping the cause and basically giving fouls for anything Hope and Horns were shouting for. One goal was allowed despite the flag being raised because apparently, the player that assisted the goal was not interfering with play when he, clearly offside, latched on to ball and squared to his team mate. Despite of the criticism, Pacers were the weaker side and were deservedly beaten.
March 16 2014 Pacers 2 Fishblood Stiffs 0
With numbers depleting week on week, Pacers got some revenge on the team that had somehow hammered them 6 3 in Purley earlier in the season. Pacers started with 11 with Ash coming sometime in the second half from Kent. Fishblood also had only 11 with their elderly gaffa starting up top and modelling some lovely tracksuit bottoms.
The game was Pacers to lose from the off and for once, they bossed the game, created various opportunities and were never troubled at the back.
Antonio kept his second league clean sheet of the season behind a very sturdy back four of Oli, Nash, Oli and Ben. Rob put in a shift on the left wing with Norfield on the right and Alex with Spracks in the middle. Curt started up top with (as far as my memory serves) Sean partnering him.
It was Norfield and Curt who scored, both after some clever play down the channels with new Oli and Norfield in particular causing all sorts of problems.
Finally a win in 2014 and a good performance.
March 30 2014 Pacers 1 Stockwell 12 (1-3 counting a 3 goal handicap for each missing player)
On a day of many records, Pacers were given a good test against table toppers Stockwell. Earlier in the season, Pacers had turned up with 15 against the same side who had narrowly run out 4 -3 winners and had questioned why Pacers were propping up the table. Although Pacers had since climbed the table, their answer came on a very warm morning at Raynes Park.
Have I mentioned that Pacers played with 8 yet? Yes 8! The heroes who showed up and took it like men that morning should forever be remembered in Pacers’ folklore: Martin, Lewis, Mrs Nick Kearns (first game back since married), Sean, Oli and Oli, Nash and Spracks.
It was the lowest ever starting line-up for the Pacers, the first 3-1-3 ever played, the most goals conceded in one half (8 Nash), most calories ever burned by a player in one match (Tied Martin and Oli S- 9, 462 each), and the largest total loss. Not surprisingly, the 8 Pacers’ legends involved left with sun-kissed heads held high. Martin, miraculously scoring in a second half which finished only 4-1. Oh yes, it was also the Sunday too many mummys’ boys got their priorities mixed up on mothering Sunday (especially Kev who went playing in the snow again).
April 6 2014 Pacers 2 Clapham New Town 0
Pacers put a few wrongs right in their second 2-0 win in 3 games. Antonio going 180 minutes without conceding. He started in goal with a back four of Oli, Oli, Ash and Nash (Trip to Trumpton?). Manager and recently disgraced captain Alex making his comeback from his over-sleeping injury and partnering Spracks in the middle.
Ben got his hour on the left flank to dissuade him from hurling abuse at the boss whilst Nick took the right flank allowing Norfield and Curt to start up top. John and Dan creating a dream bench.
Pacers dominated from the off. It was a very solid defensive line that kept Clapham well away from the danger zone for the vast majority of the game. They weren’t necessarily amazing in possession but the balls were getting into the box
and a few chances were ballooned over including a couple of close-range headers.
At HT it was clear that Pacers were going to keep it tight but would push on and finally break the deadlock. Spracks made way for John and after Oli finally got his yellow card for a few too many bone-crunchers, Dan pushed up top, Ben was sent to his familiar LB role and Norfield took the left wing. The results of the changes were immediate with Norfield exerting a much bigger influence on the game down the channel, Dan proving his class up top and bringing out the better side of Curt who after seeing his shot hit the post, saw it hit the
hand of Dan and give the Pacers the lead they deserved.
At the other end, the CB pairing of Ash and Nash did a number on Clapham’s captain forcing his removal and looked generally untroubled
. When troubled, Antonio provided more than adequate last-line defence. Pacers were 2-0 up soon after and virtually ended the game after Dan and Norfield linked up well and Norfield’s looping cross found Curt’s head and the far corner.
Pacers continued to threaten to make it a hammering with dozens of chances, a string of excellent saves from Clapham’s keeper and
some very suspect finishing keeping the scoreline too flattering for Clapham who in fairness, had one cleared off the line after a great save from Antonio.
When the full time whistle went, Pacers had ensured that they would not finish bottom of the league this season and need just two points to secure another season in the third division. With 3 games remaining against teams in the same area, surely Pacers can finish strongly. Crabs up next this Sunday.
Nash
Putney Pacers 