BACK TO BACK WINS
Sutcliffe Rangers 0 Gorundhoppers Blue 2 (Norman Park, Hayes)
After our first win of the season last week the lads confidence was on the rise. Last season we drew and lost to Sutcliffe so we knew it was going to be a difficult game.
Hoppers started the brighter, dominating the first 20 minutes. Darren Nicely-Prince almost finished off a fine move after Aaron Walker picked him out with a terrific delivery from the right. David Lawrence then had a shot palmed away before he was brought down in the box only to be denied a penalty. Johnston Brown hit over from 6 yards and Donnie Forbes' effort was saved by the keeper. Rangers then started to dominate the rest of the half and were unfortunate not to have taken the lead. A goal line scramble was not cleared and Rangers appealed that the ball had crossed the line. The referee couldn't see it and neither could the linesman so it was ruled out to the frustration of the Sutcliffe players. William Carlton then managed to stop well after Brown deflected the ball goal wards and then made another save after the Rangers winger pinged an effort from 25 yards. It somehow ended goalless at half time.
Hoppers again took the game to Sutcliffe for the first 20 minutes but this time managed to nick a goal. From a free kick the Rangers defender could only head down to Brown who half volleyed in off the post. Rangers started to put Hoppers under pressure and should have equalised but their strikers heavy touch let Sam Jacques in to nick it away. The Rangers forward then tried to find space in the area but too many bodies in his way prevented him from having a clear shot. A barrage of corners where well defended by Hoppers with Jacques winning numerous headers. Hoppers always looked dangerous on the break especially with Rangers committing players forward and the pace of Nicely-Prince and Kadeem Wallace. With 5 minutes remaining Joe Willis laid a ball out to Charlie Adams on the left wing. He only had one thing in mind as he cut in from the left, took on the defender and let fly from 20 yards into the top corner. Game, set and match.
After a poor start to the season, Hoppers have finally started to play with a purpose and a confidence that has been missing in recent weeks. The football still isn't where we want it to be but effort, commitment and attitude is 100% better. I'm absolutely delighted with the win, the clean sheet and the goals. If we can continue in this vain the football will come and so will results.
This Weekend we are at home to L Sports C from the Woolwich & Eltham Sunday League in the Plumstead Challenge Cup. L Sports play their football in the Premier League and are currently 7th after winning 1, drawing 2 and losing 1 so far. They where knocked out of this competition in Round 2 last season & finished 6th in the League.
It will be a difficult game but if we are up for the challenge there is no reason why we can't continue our winning run.
MOM: The whole squad
William Carlton, Dean Morrison, Paul Patten, Sam Jacques, Donnie Forbes, Aaron Walker (Joe Willis), Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Charlie Adams, Darren Nicely-Prince, Joe Carter (Kadeem Wallace), Kevin Rose
Hoppers started the brighter, dominating the first 20 minutes. Darren Nicely-Prince almost finished off a fine move after Aaron Walker picked him out with a terrific delivery from the right. David Lawrence then had a shot palmed away before he was brought down in the box only to be denied a penalty. Johnston Brown hit over from 6 yards and Donnie Forbes' effort was saved by the keeper. Rangers then started to dominate the rest of the half and were unfortunate not to have taken the lead. A goal line scramble was not cleared and Rangers appealed that the ball had crossed the line. The referee couldn't see it and neither could the linesman so it was ruled out to the frustration of the Sutcliffe players. William Carlton then managed to stop well after Brown deflected the ball goal wards and then made another save after the Rangers winger pinged an effort from 25 yards. It somehow ended goalless at half time.
Hoppers again took the game to Sutcliffe for the first 20 minutes but this time managed to nick a goal. From a free kick the Rangers defender could only head down to Brown who half volleyed in off the post. Rangers started to put Hoppers under pressure and should have equalised but their strikers heavy touch let Sam Jacques in to nick it away. The Rangers forward then tried to find space in the area but too many bodies in his way prevented him from having a clear shot. A barrage of corners where well defended by Hoppers with Jacques winning numerous headers. Hoppers always looked dangerous on the break especially with Rangers committing players forward and the pace of Nicely-Prince and Kadeem Wallace. With 5 minutes remaining Joe Willis laid a ball out to Charlie Adams on the left wing. He only had one thing in mind as he cut in from the left, took on the defender and let fly from 20 yards into the top corner. Game, set and match.
After a poor start to the season, Hoppers have finally started to play with a purpose and a confidence that has been missing in recent weeks. The football still isn't where we want it to be but effort, commitment and attitude is 100% better. I'm absolutely delighted with the win, the clean sheet and the goals. If we can continue in this vain the football will come and so will results.
This Weekend we are at home to L Sports C from the Woolwich & Eltham Sunday League in the Plumstead Challenge Cup. L Sports play their football in the Premier League and are currently 7th after winning 1, drawing 2 and losing 1 so far. They where knocked out of this competition in Round 2 last season & finished 6th in the League.
It will be a difficult game but if we are up for the challenge there is no reason why we can't continue our winning run.
MOM: The whole squad
William Carlton, Dean Morrison, Paul Patten, Sam Jacques, Donnie Forbes, Aaron Walker (Joe Willis), Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Charlie Adams, Darren Nicely-Prince, Joe Carter (Kadeem Wallace), Kevin Rose
FIRST WIN IN FIVE
GROUNDHOPPERS BLUE 5 HAYWARD'S 2
14/10/12 - Bellingham Leisure Centre
With the season going from bad to worse in recent weeks and without a win in four confidence was at an all time low. Injury's meant players had to play out of position and the squad was looking wafer thin.
Hayward's were very slow from the off and you could see that their confidence was also low. Hoppers had to take the initiative and take the game to them. Kadeem Wallace and David Lawrence hassled their defence into mistakes, leading the front line superbly. A corner from Dean Morrison picked out unmarked Wallace to finish from 6 yards. Morrison was again at hand to set up David Lawrence to make it 2-0 at half time.
The half time talk was more about upping the pace and not getting complacent. Even though Wallace made it three after rounding the keeper from yet another Morrison assist Hoppers did the exact opposite and started to get sloppy. Hayward's made it 3-1 after they where awarded a penalty when one of their players went down like he had been shot with a sniper (I didn't touch him, he kicked me). But the three goal cushion was restored when Morrison played David Lawrence through to make 4-1. Hayward's came back again to make it 4-2 with 20 minutes remaining but Wallace grabbed his hat-rick to make it 5-2, taking his tally to 5 goals in 5 games.
Not the best of performances and we will need to improve if we are to get anything out of the game next week against Sutcliffe Rangers. But I am delighted to have finally got our first win of the season and hope we can use this victory as a catalyst to go on an unbeaten run.
MOM - Kadeem Wallace
Charlie Adams, Billy Callaway, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Donnie Forbes (Kevin Rose), Dean Morrison, Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, Aaron Walker (Terry Martin), David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace
Hayward's were very slow from the off and you could see that their confidence was also low. Hoppers had to take the initiative and take the game to them. Kadeem Wallace and David Lawrence hassled their defence into mistakes, leading the front line superbly. A corner from Dean Morrison picked out unmarked Wallace to finish from 6 yards. Morrison was again at hand to set up David Lawrence to make it 2-0 at half time.
The half time talk was more about upping the pace and not getting complacent. Even though Wallace made it three after rounding the keeper from yet another Morrison assist Hoppers did the exact opposite and started to get sloppy. Hayward's made it 3-1 after they where awarded a penalty when one of their players went down like he had been shot with a sniper (I didn't touch him, he kicked me). But the three goal cushion was restored when Morrison played David Lawrence through to make 4-1. Hayward's came back again to make it 4-2 with 20 minutes remaining but Wallace grabbed his hat-rick to make it 5-2, taking his tally to 5 goals in 5 games.
Not the best of performances and we will need to improve if we are to get anything out of the game next week against Sutcliffe Rangers. But I am delighted to have finally got our first win of the season and hope we can use this victory as a catalyst to go on an unbeaten run.
MOM - Kadeem Wallace
Charlie Adams, Billy Callaway, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Donnie Forbes (Kevin Rose), Dean Morrison, Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, Aaron Walker (Terry Martin), David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace
ANOTHER BLUE DAY 4 HOPPERS
BALGOWAN 4 GROUNDHOPPERS BLUE 1
07/10/12 - North Beckenham Goals
After a disastrous start to the season where GH Blue have only taken 1 point from a possible 9 a win was a must.
We started ok but lacked conviction and confidence. Donnie Forbes was brought down in the area but the ref didn't see it as a penalty. Then Darren Nicely-Prince went through one-on-one but was judged to be offside, which was debatable to say the least. Then a mistake at the back put Balgowan one up before a mistake from Ahmet Gul made it 2-0 at half time.
The start of the second half was more of the same. Once again another mistake lead to Balgowan's third goal but finally woke GH Blue up. Hoppers produced their best move of the match and Kadeem Wallace slotted home to give Hoppers hope. With still plenty of time left Nicely-Prince thought he had scored only for his effort to cannon off the post. As GH Blue pushed bodies forward to try and rescue the game Balgowan broke clear after yet another mistake to make it 4-1 and end any hope of a dramatic come back.
A lazy and sluggish performance for a majority of the game handed Balgowan the points. 16 goals conceded and only 6 goals scored is no where near good enough and we will need to buck up our ideas otherwise we could be in danger of throwing our season away before it even began.
MOM - Darren Nicely-Prince
Ahmet Gul, Billy Callaway (Dean Morrison), Paul Patten, Peter Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Terry Martin, Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, David Lawrence, Darren Nicely-Prince, Donnie Forbes (Kevin Rose)
We started ok but lacked conviction and confidence. Donnie Forbes was brought down in the area but the ref didn't see it as a penalty. Then Darren Nicely-Prince went through one-on-one but was judged to be offside, which was debatable to say the least. Then a mistake at the back put Balgowan one up before a mistake from Ahmet Gul made it 2-0 at half time.
The start of the second half was more of the same. Once again another mistake lead to Balgowan's third goal but finally woke GH Blue up. Hoppers produced their best move of the match and Kadeem Wallace slotted home to give Hoppers hope. With still plenty of time left Nicely-Prince thought he had scored only for his effort to cannon off the post. As GH Blue pushed bodies forward to try and rescue the game Balgowan broke clear after yet another mistake to make it 4-1 and end any hope of a dramatic come back.
A lazy and sluggish performance for a majority of the game handed Balgowan the points. 16 goals conceded and only 6 goals scored is no where near good enough and we will need to buck up our ideas otherwise we could be in danger of throwing our season away before it even began.
MOM - Darren Nicely-Prince
Ahmet Gul, Billy Callaway (Dean Morrison), Paul Patten, Peter Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Terry Martin, Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, David Lawrence, Darren Nicely-Prince, Donnie Forbes (Kevin Rose)
SLOPPY HOPPERS HIT FOR 5!
30/09/12 - North Beckenham Goals
GROUNDHOPPERS BLUE 1 CROFTON ALBION RESERVES 5
After a better performance against Park Road last week confidence was on the rise. Maybe too confident?
After 25 minutes GH Blue found themselves 5-0 down. An own goal from Peter Lawrence, two great strikes from Albion's
midfielder and two mistakes ended this game as a contest.
The second half was more about pride and damage limitation. Kadeem Wallace grabbed the consolation goal with still plenty of time left. Then Sam Jacques scored a perfectly good goal but the ref judged it as a foul. Even though Adrian Steele was blatantly fouled by Albion's keeper so much so that Aidy cracked his pelvis in the challenge. Steele came off so Hoppers played on with 10 men as all subs
were used and then when Johnston Brown came off with an injury Hoppers played on with 9 men for the last 15 minutes. The game finished 5-1 but it was a better
second half performance.
I would like to wish Adrian a speedy recovery and hope he is back soon. He had to spend almost a whole week in Lewisham Hospital but glad he is now back home.
MOM - Kadeem Wallace
Ahmet
Gul (Billy Callaway), Dean Morrison, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Kevin Rose, Charlie Adams, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Donnie Forbes (Kadeem Wallace),
Sam Jacques, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince
After 25 minutes GH Blue found themselves 5-0 down. An own goal from Peter Lawrence, two great strikes from Albion's
midfielder and two mistakes ended this game as a contest.
The second half was more about pride and damage limitation. Kadeem Wallace grabbed the consolation goal with still plenty of time left. Then Sam Jacques scored a perfectly good goal but the ref judged it as a foul. Even though Adrian Steele was blatantly fouled by Albion's keeper so much so that Aidy cracked his pelvis in the challenge. Steele came off so Hoppers played on with 10 men as all subs
were used and then when Johnston Brown came off with an injury Hoppers played on with 9 men for the last 15 minutes. The game finished 5-1 but it was a better
second half performance.
I would like to wish Adrian a speedy recovery and hope he is back soon. He had to spend almost a whole week in Lewisham Hospital but glad he is now back home.
MOM - Kadeem Wallace
Ahmet
Gul (Billy Callaway), Dean Morrison, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Kevin Rose, Charlie Adams, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Donnie Forbes (Kadeem Wallace),
Sam Jacques, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince
BEST WISHES TO DANNY GALVIN!
GROUNDHOPPERS 3 PARK ROAD 3
16/09/12
Danny Galvin
After a disappointing performance last week against Manor Park Rangers, Hoppers Blue knew they needed to improve if they were to get anything out of the game against Park Road.
GH Blue started the brighter and dominated the first half with Park Road chasing shadows at times. The first real chance fell to Peter Lawrence but his header was just wide of the target. Darren Nicely-Prince also headed wide after good work down the right. Hoppers started to pick off Park Road at will and when Johnston Brown slipped Danny Galvin through his shot was somehow cleared off the line. David Lawrence had a shot saved from an acute angle before Adrian Steele finally broke the dead lock. Steele chested down a Dean Morrison cross from the right before cooly slotting home in the bottom corner. Park Road some how grabbed an undeserved equaliser before the break.
The second half begun in the same manner as the first with Hoppers dominating the early exchanges. Steele, who was making himself a nuisance up front was brought down in the box 15 minutes into the re-start. Sam Jacques placed his penalty to the right sending the keeper the wrong way. Once again Park Road came back with another headed goal but there was a blatant push on Donnie Forbes that the ref did not spot. Hoppers pushed on again in search of a winning goal. Nicely-Prince's strike was well saved by the keeper and Galvin's free-kick went just wide. Jordan Brown finally made it 3-2 with less then 10 minutes remaining with his second of the season. But with only 3 minutes left Hoppers conceded with yet another header. There was still time for one last chance and it fell to Jordan Brown but his ferocious effort went just wide.
With 30 seconds of the game remaining Galvin went in for a 50:50 challenge and broke his tibia and fibula. Danny was taken to Lewisham hospital were he had surgery the following night. I'm pleased to say that he is now back at home and in good spirit. When I asked how he was he's reply was,"I'm still pissed about the draw".
I would like to wish Dan a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in a Hoppers shirt next season. His number 16 shirt will be retired until he is fit to wear it. The whole squad also send their best wishes along with Sunday's opposition Park Road and Groundhoppers (OBDSFL) & Groundhoppers (MET DIV 1) also send their best.
Man of the Match: DANNY GALVIN
Charlie Adams, Dean Morrison (Donnie Forbes), Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Kadeem Wallace, David Lawrence (Kevin Rose), Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, Danny Galvin, Adrian Steele (Jordan Brown), Darren Nicely-Prince
GH Blue started the brighter and dominated the first half with Park Road chasing shadows at times. The first real chance fell to Peter Lawrence but his header was just wide of the target. Darren Nicely-Prince also headed wide after good work down the right. Hoppers started to pick off Park Road at will and when Johnston Brown slipped Danny Galvin through his shot was somehow cleared off the line. David Lawrence had a shot saved from an acute angle before Adrian Steele finally broke the dead lock. Steele chested down a Dean Morrison cross from the right before cooly slotting home in the bottom corner. Park Road some how grabbed an undeserved equaliser before the break.
The second half begun in the same manner as the first with Hoppers dominating the early exchanges. Steele, who was making himself a nuisance up front was brought down in the box 15 minutes into the re-start. Sam Jacques placed his penalty to the right sending the keeper the wrong way. Once again Park Road came back with another headed goal but there was a blatant push on Donnie Forbes that the ref did not spot. Hoppers pushed on again in search of a winning goal. Nicely-Prince's strike was well saved by the keeper and Galvin's free-kick went just wide. Jordan Brown finally made it 3-2 with less then 10 minutes remaining with his second of the season. But with only 3 minutes left Hoppers conceded with yet another header. There was still time for one last chance and it fell to Jordan Brown but his ferocious effort went just wide.
With 30 seconds of the game remaining Galvin went in for a 50:50 challenge and broke his tibia and fibula. Danny was taken to Lewisham hospital were he had surgery the following night. I'm pleased to say that he is now back at home and in good spirit. When I asked how he was he's reply was,"I'm still pissed about the draw".
I would like to wish Dan a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in a Hoppers shirt next season. His number 16 shirt will be retired until he is fit to wear it. The whole squad also send their best wishes along with Sunday's opposition Park Road and Groundhoppers (OBDSFL) & Groundhoppers (MET DIV 1) also send their best.
Man of the Match: DANNY GALVIN
Charlie Adams, Dean Morrison (Donnie Forbes), Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Kadeem Wallace, David Lawrence (Kevin Rose), Johnston Brown, Sam Jacques, Danny Galvin, Adrian Steele (Jordan Brown), Darren Nicely-Prince