The Boss was not in attendance at this game, he was at Fratton Park watching Pompey banking another easy three points..."Can We Play You Every Week!!!" Anyway, Jez put his 100% managerial record on the line in this game taking a makeshift team to Bognor to play Predators. It was a tough game and the opposition proved tougher than last weeks push-over against Fernhurst. Big Sav in goal and his defence : Brian, Andy, Scholes (apparently changing his nickname to Quashie), and Chalkie held out under tremendous pressure during the first half and hour. Our dynamic midfield : Jez, Anthony, Jamie and Alan provided some solid chances for Keith and Lee up front, but it was Alan who opened the scoring with a long range lob which dipped over the keeper into the goal. Unfortunately, and despite bringing Sam into the action, in the second half the Coalie couldn't hold the impressive Predators attack and we ended up losing 3 v 1.
If I was reading from Scholesy's book of football cliches I would say that this was a game of two halves. Early doors we've let the ball do the work, we've all given 110% and we've kept the ball on the carpet. Lee Jacobs was well chuffed when he's scored the first goal. The Villa keeper, sick as a parrot, has seen the ball rifle past him after some slick passing football from the Coalie midfield. We've kept the pressure on with Jamie and Geoffer terrorising the Villa defence down the flanks and central midfield pair Jez and Bran ripping the Villa players (and a few roof tiles) to pieces. Keith 'Yakubu'ed' a series of good chances past the woodwork before Lee scored his second to put the Coalie 2 v 0 up.
At half-time the Villa players must have had a right royal Peter Reid style boll***ing, because they've come out for the second half with renewed vigour. Big Sav, Danny, Scholes, Andy, and Geoffer (who replaced Brian at left back) came under increasing pressure in the Coalie defence. Scholesy was marking another ugly ginger bloke (also called Scholesy) which created enough confusion in the Coalie back line to let the Villa striker though for a consolation goal. Ollie galloped around the midfield in the second half and helped set up Lee Jacobs third goal to tie up the game and his hat-trick. Sam and Anthony have come on late doors to shore things up for the Coalie.....another brilliant three points. We are 'Over The Moon'. Big up to Clive and the supporters.
Next week we are at home to Fernhurst Res in the League.
Report Submitted by Jez.....
Under the excellent caretaker management of Sven Bullen Eriksson, the Coal Exchange were confident going into their Bareham Trophy match against Div 3 side Graffam. The Coalie started well and the ball rarely left the Graffam half. The midfield and attack were linking well, and the first goal was a beautifully weighted cross from Jamie met with power and elegance by Bran's head (ed. was Bran attached?) Jamie scored a second before a lapse in concentration allowed Graffam to get one back just before half-time. In the second half, the defence (Oiller, Scholesy, Andy the Scummer and Brian) battled well and Graffam were denied any clear chances. The Coalie piled on the pressure and eventually got the third when Lee Jacobs lobbed their keeper from a long clearance from our keeper (Lee), and the fourth came from a cross from Jamie. Chalky did brilliantly to pressure the Graffam defence and finished it off in Chalky style. Roland and Sam came on to keep things solid in the second half. This was probably one of our best performances this season, and thanks to Clive for doing the line, and again for our supporters (Chozza put in a great performance with his McDonalds).