Navvies FC 2-1 Team Grolsh
The great escape is on! The Navvies closed to within two points of Team Grolsh with a hard fought win, dragging their third bottom opponents into the relegation dogfight into the process.
The Navvies were unchanged from the team that suffered an embarrassing reverse at the hands of champions Richmond, with David Ho joining Dan Bean on the bench.
The game began with Grolsh pushing the Railwaymen back into their own half, with the men in green unable to launch an attack. However, the game opened up after the first five minutes, and the Navvies took the lead on 7'. A quick throw from Paul Watson found Andy Howling on the left wing, and his neat ball across the floor found Chris Dawkes unmarked, who made no mistake.
The rumbustious tactics of Grolsh, manhandling their markers at every opportunity, meant that the opportunities were limited due to the numbers of bodies in close proximity. In particular, Pete Laybourn drew several heavy challenges, and was replaced by David Ho shortly before the interval to take a breather.
The second half saw the intensity increase, with Grolsh resorting to more of the same physical gameplay. Few chances came to either side, but the Navvies doubled their lead when the returning Laybourn's low shot eluded the Grolsh keeper.
With a two nil lead it seemed that the Railwaymen would hang on for a priceless win, but Grolsh dragged themselves back into the tie with a late goal. However, the resilience of the Navvies showed through as Grolsh were denied and the three points secured.
With the gap to sixth placed Grolsh only two points the Navvies must win their remaining three games and hope that Grolsh slip up, to force the relegation play-off with the team placed third in the Championship, at present FC Pudsey. With it all to play for the Navvies can only look forward!
Navvies FC 2-1 Team Grolsh
Dawkes 7
Laybourn 21
10. Paul Watson............9
2. Tom Knapp...............9
14. Andy Howling..........9
7. Chris Dawkes............9
6. Peter Laybourn..........9
25. David Ho................9
Navvies FC 0-7 Richmond
10. Paul Watson............6
2. Tom Knapp...............6
14. Andy Howling..........5
7. Chris Dawkes............5
6. Peter Laybourn..........4
Navvies FC 2-4 Peddleworth
Dawkes 4
Howling 11
10. Paul Watson............8
14. Andy Howling.........7
2. Tom Knapp...............7
7. Chris Dawkes............7
6. Peter Laybourn..........7
Navvies FC 2-2 Unsociable Reapers
10. Paul Watson............
Navvies FC 2-11 Stanbot Villa
10. Paul Watson............
Navvies FC 4-3 Sunday Reapers
A thrilling match saw the Navvies finally notch their first win of the season with Chris Dawkes' last minute winner. Dawkes' third goal of the season was crashed in from the touchline as the Navvies staged a remarkable fightback from 3-1 down. The game saw a sin-binning from both sides as a slightly fractious undercurrent threatened to take control, however some ugly scenes at the final whistle could not take the gloss of an excellent team performance.
Chris Way made three changes to his team from the disappointing defeat to Pudsey Celtic, with Dan Bean and Alex Long dropping out of the squad, and more controversially axing captain Dawkes in a move which had many fans questioning his judgement. Into the starting V came David Ho and Andy Howling, back for a second stint at the club following his loan move last season from LanCity. In addition, new striker Chris Kedzierski was added to the bench.
The game began sluggishly, both sides starting at a slow pace and with few chances at either end. In an effort to raise the tempo Dawkes entered the fray for Knapp. As the Railwaymen pressed for an opening they were caught on the counter as the Reapers opened the scoring just before the break.
At half time Kedzierski made his debut for Ho, and immediately the Navvies fought back, Laybourn placing a shot into the corner past the excellent Reapers keeper. Within five minutes of the restart an incident in the corner saw Kedzierski earn the dubious honour of becoming the first Navvies player to recieve the blue card, as he and the Reapers juvenile striker were sent to the sin-bin.
The dismissals affected the men in green more than their opponents, quickly shipping two goals in the 17th and 18th minutes. With the scale of the task ahead it seemed that the Biancoverde would stumble to their seventh sucessive league defeat. Laybourn had different ideas, and his right wing drive began the fightback. Kedzierski's return and Knapp's reintroduction in place of Howling added impetus, and on 26 minutes the tie was level as Laybourn completed his hat-trick. Dawkes's blast from the wing as time ran down brought the crowd to its feet as the Navvies finally tasted victory once more.
With this win in a relegation six-pointer the Navvies find themselves off the bottom of the table at the Christmas break. Will the new year see the greatest comeback since Steve Davis? Tune in to find out!
Navvies FC 4-3 Sunday Reapers
Laybourn 16, 18, 26
Dawkes 29
10. Paul Watson............7
14. Andy Howling.........7
2. Tom Knapp...............7
25. David Ho................7
6. Peter Laybourn..........8
7. Chris Dawkes............8
20. Chris Kedzierski.......7
Navvies FC 2-4 Pudsey Celtic
The Navvies extended their losing run to six games with a close defeat to Pudsey Celtic in a game in which a win was necessary to begin to make up some ground. Peter Laybourn's two goals were not enough to push the Railwaymen to a win as the plight of the team becomes worse.
The game was overshadowed by the late withdrawal of new signing Tony Podmore, who again left the Navvies high and dry following a similar no-show the previous week; striker Alex Long - missing for the second consecutive week - and utility David Ho. The Navvies were left with only general manager Chris way on the bench in case of emergency, fielding a 3-1 line-up of Tom Knapp, Dan Bean and Chris Dawkes behind Pete Laybourn.
The game was fairly even in the opening five minutes, both sides passing patiently waiting for the openings to arrive. Celtic took the early lead, a long range drive from the halfway line eluding Paul Watson. The Navvies responded well, Laybourn in particular coming deep and bringing the ball up as the Railwaymen sought the equaliser. On ten minutes it came; a curling shot from the mercurial No6 into the top corner for a 1-1 half time score.
The second period opened with the Navvies a little jittery. A bad back pass saw Watson exposed, but the big keeper blocked the one on one superbly. Laybourn saw a second chance blocked before Celtic again edged in front with a well worked move.
A slip from Dawkes saw the Navvies concede their third two minutes later, and the team visibly faded. The Biancoverde lasted ten minutes more before conceding thier fourth, another long range strike giving Watson no chance. Laybourn's second goal proving a consolation as his saved shot rebounded to his feet for an easy tap-in.
The Navvies were looking to finally get points on the board against a side that should be within their capabilities to beat. However, the last minute withdrawals of a large proportion of their once bulging squad hit the team hard, and will leave morale low as the playing members question the desire of their erstwhile teammates. The bottom line is: the team has to start winning, and fast.
Navvies FC 2-4 Pudsey Celtic
Laybourn 10, 29
10. Paul Watson............9
2. Tom Knapp...............7
11. Daniel Bean.............7
7. Chris Dawkes............7
6. Peter Laybourn..........7
15.Alex Long................7
Navvies FC 8-3 Jug & Barrell
A toothless Navvies team lost heavily to the side that beat them by the odd goal the previous week in a demoralising performance at Leisure Centre. The Railwaymen had been hoping to push for a win against Grolsh, but two key factors led to the disappointing outcome. First, the addition to the Grolsh lineup of their battering ram centre forward, and second, the late withdrawal of new striker Tony Podmore.
The Navvies were forced to field utility man David Ho in Podmore's place, and although full of running Ho was unable to supply the goals the team desperately craved.
With the familiar line up of Paul Watson, Tom Knapp and Pete Laybourn behind Ho, and Dan Bean on the interchange bench the Navvies found the going tough. Grolsh's massive forward held up the ball superbly, distributing it effectively whilst holding off his marker. This tactic was extremely effective throughout the match as the Railwaymen found themselves battered into submission.
The first Grolsh goal came after four minutes, the second after six. Laybourn replied with his fierce drive four minutes later, but Grolsh soon responded with their third just before the break.
At half time Bean was introduced for the limping Laybourn, with Dawkes pushing up to a more forward role. However, the men in green were unable to stem the tide as Grolsh wore down the defence. Their fourth goal on 17 minutes saw the re-introduction of Laybourn for Knapp in a desperate attempt to gain a foothold in the game. Grolsh soon completed the scoring with three more goals as the fight ebbed out of the Navvies.
Once again the physical battle saw the Railwaymen defeated as their endeavours went unrewarded. the lack of goals is a pressing issue, and hopefully Podmore will be able to answer this problem. The team is in danger of being cut loose at the foot of the table unless a win comes soon.
Navvies FC 1-7 Team Grolsh
Laybourn 10
10. Paul Watson..........7
2. Tom Knapp.............6
7. Chris Dawkes..........6
6. Peter Laybourn........6
25. David Ho...............7
11.Daniel Bean............6
Navvies FC 2-3 Team Grolsh
Own Goal 17
Laybourn 20
10. Paul Watson..........8
11. Daniel Bean...........7
7. Chris Dawkes.........7
6. Peter Laybourn.......8
15.Alex Long.............7
2. Tom Knapp............7
Navvies FC 0-8 Richmond
10. Paul Watson...........6
2. Tom Knapp..............6
7. Chris Dawkes...........6
6. Peter Laybourn.........6
27.Tony Podmore.........7
25. David Ho................6
Navvies FC 3-9 Unsociable Reapers
Dawkes 4, 10
Mandala 20
10. Paul Watson...........8
11. Daniel Bean............7
7. Chris Dawkes...........8
6. Peter Laybourn.........6
18.Francesco Mandala...6
15. Alex Long...............6
Navvies FC 7-0 Stanbot Villa
Laybourn 17, 22
10. Paul Watson...........8
2. Tom Knapp..............7
11. Dan Bean................6
7. Chris Dawkes...........6
6. Peter Laybourn.........7
15. Alex Long...............5