STARTING LINE-UP

GK - Dave Newman

RB - James Girkin

CB - Alan Street

CB - Drew Girkin

LB - Ben Avery

RCM - Jon Girkin

CM - Andrew Walker

LCM - Graham Street

RCF - Simon Levi

ST - Ben Stratford

LCF - Gareth Waterhouse

 SUBS - Kabba Stevens

SUBS - Russell Nelson

SUBS - Paul Street

SUBS - Ken Girkin

 

The start of the new season for Escape FC saw them matched against Recreativo Romford, who had played the week previous, running out 4-0 victors and sitting at the top of the table.

Warren Thomas was unavailable and Paul Street was still out injured so Ben Stratford started in attack alongside Gareth Waterhouse and Simon Levi in a three pronged strike force. Jon Girkin, Andrew Walker and Graham Street made up a three man midfield, with Russell Nelson on the bench as cover. The defence was made up of James Girkin, Alan Street, Andrew Girkin and new signing Ben Avery at left back.

The game began very scrappy, with neither team taking control and the ball seeing both ends of the pitch at regular intervals. Romford Recreativo won a corner 10 minutes into the game and a vicious in swinging delivery rebounded off several players before Ben Avery claimed the final unfortunate touch to make it 1-0 to the home side. It wasn’t long before Escape were back in the game when a Gareth Waterhouse found the ball at his feet and his sliding effort beat the ‘keeper to the ball and into the net for 1-1. Escape could have taken the lead immediately after when Ben Stratford was fouled near the edge of the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Graham Street stepped up but his well placed penalty was saved low down to the left and away to safety. The price of the penalty miss was paid straight after when another in swinging corner made its way to Dave Newman who seemingly had control of the ball only for it to slip out and pounced upon by an oncoming attacker to make it 2-1.

It could have been 3-1 when a long range effort was tipped expertly round the post by Dave Newman who was looking to make up for the error for the second Recreativo goal. Instead of Recreativo taking charge Escape again pulled themselves back into the game when Gareth Waterhouse was tripped in the box and Escape were awarded their second chance from the spot, Ben Stratford was given the responsibility this time and made no mistake as he blasted his penalty straight down the middle. Escape then could have taken the lead, when a long throw in caused mayhem in the Recreativo box and Graham Street’s header came agonizingly back off the bar. Escape then took slightly more control of the match as Gareth Waterhouse found the net a second time to give Escape the lead for the first time. The scoring wasn’t over for the first half and Escape took a 2 goal lead into half time as Ben Stratford turned on the edge of the box and smashed home his second of the game with his less than favored right foot.

With so much action in the first half, you could be sure that the game wasn’t even nearly finished. The second half started in similar fashion to the first, neither side taking control and it seemed a matter of time before the next goal but no-one could tell who it would be for. A neat passing move down the right hand side for Recreativo ended with a diagonal through ball that cleft the Escape defence in twain and a cool finish made it 4-3. However, Escape rallied and fought back for their 2 goal advantage, Graham Street sprayed a cross field ball from left to right, finding Simon Levi, who in turn found Ben Stratford through the middle, despite looking offside, smashed the ball past the ‘keeper to complete his hat-trick and make it 5-3 to Escape.

The game then turned very scrappy, Escape, happy with their lead began soaking up the pressure and made a change, Kabba Stevens replacing Andrew Walker in midfield, giving fresh legs and to help share the defensive load. Escape weren’t home and dry yet as a long and high ball was well controlled and volleyed into the net to make it 5-4, making the final 15 minutes very tense and the game still not over and looking as though it could go either way. Gareth Waterhouse had an opportunity to finish the game and complete his hat-trick as his delightful lob from the edge of the area beat the ‘keeper and bounced 1 inch too high over the bar to the shock of all watching.

Recreativo kept pushing forward and began overloading the Escape half, ‘keeper included. A corner was cleared by Escape and with Kabba Stevens in his own half, he had the goal at his mercy but his long range effort rolled wide, thanks mainly to the sloped pitch. Escape held on for the win and despite a less than polished performance, the points were the only thing that mattered.

 

Escape FC Man Of The Match: Ben Stratford - Superb hat-trick and lead the line excellently.

Escape FC Donkey Of The Match: Dave Newman – For his juggling act that lead to the 2nd goal.

Escape FC Miss Of The Match: Gareth Waterhouse - Tough break for the front man as he had a blinding game, but was bitterly dissapointed with this miss to complete his 1st hat-trick.