Match Report
Colliers Wood United 3 v 0 Cobham, League, March 8th 2008
Report by Nigel Rousell.
Following the midweek matches which saw Cobham disappointingly lose away at bottom of the table Dorking 3-0 and Colliers Wood setting a new club record by smashing Bedfont 9-1, it was going to need all the Cobham players to bounce back, stand up and be counted to end the slide down the table. So the management demanded a hard working all round team effort and, until a mad second half spell from Ashley Williams which firstly saw him pick up a needless booking for something he said to the referee before eight minutes later receiving a second yellow for a rash unneeded challenge on former Cobham player Danny Cormack, it was all going as planned.
Up to this point, Cobham had been a match for the home side with one example some neat play down the flanks between Shane Rideout and Dan Rousell which found an unmarked Andy Dalehouse who could only side foot his efforts into the grateful arms of the Colliers goalie. On 19 minutes, Ashley Williams pulled back a home player and it was pointless protesting is innocence as the speedy forward's shirt had been completely ripped of his back and needed replacing!!! Colliers Wood finished the half with several good chances but some solid defending and a one on one save by the returning Nick McGregor ensured that the teams went in level at the break.
Colliers Wood had a golden chance to score early in the second half with one of their players seeing his effort from two yards blocked by McGregor and then with the rebound coming straight back to him he side footed the ball towards the corner but an outstretched Daniel Gurney leg amazingly turned it around for a corner, from which an unchallenged header put the home side 1-0 up. Three minutes later Gerald Mensah rounded the home keeper but unfortunately his touch was bit heavy and the ball bobbled away and with it the chance to equalise. Then Ashley Williams had his mad few minutes, which firstly saw him receive a yellow as the referee's patience finally wore thin and in he went in the book for foul and abusive language, despite the efforts of team mates to calm him down. The red mist was still evident as he rushed in on Cormak without making any effort to play the ball. Whilst a booking was harsh, the fact remains that the referee was left with little choice. So with 65 minutes of the match gone it was going to take a big effort to overcome but unfortunately it was not to be and two late goals making a score line 3-0 which was slightly flattering and with Raynes Park Vale winning as well this was not a good afternoons work.
