2014 Match Reports

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