Chigwell 0 - 2 Sporting Hackney
16/02/2019
A goal a piece from Forrest and Acqua, and a clean sheet from Steve A GK saw to it that the 10-men returned to Hackney with all 3 points.
Player-Manager Jamie Duff was jubilant at full-time: 'the lads were gladiators out there today. It was very challenging playing with 10 for 90 minutes. I remember at one point watching Badu chasing their back four down and it reminded me of the scene in the film The Fugitive, when Harrison Ford was being hunted down by the FBI tracking dogs. I also remember screaming at everyone every time they made a mistake, it was high octane stuff I can tell you. I could praise everyone today, this was the Goalie's best performance of the season, he was bang on it; Muir's goal was top drawer finishing and Big T's was simply class; the full backs, H and Tim were impenetrable, Danny was a rock at the back, Jason, he was a wizard today, and Page offered up a bit of a masterclass as you'd expect, great future ahead that lad'.
With four games to go in the Parrots' season there was no room for error going into this game if promotion is to become reality. With Chigwell hot off the back of a resounding 6-0 victory against William Fitt the previous week confidence was high for the team from Essex.
In mid-week the Parrots had a potential healthy squad of 14 but a lot can change in a couple of days. By 1pm and after numerous recounts and panicked phone calls the magic number was 10.
On a day of late call-offs focus shifted very quickly to the monumental task at hand. The strategy was clear and simple, everyone had to run a marathon and win every battle.
The game started at a good pace with Chigwell using the space to great effect on what was a large, wide pitch in great condition.
The early exchanges saw a chance apiece with Armstrong doing well to block a powerful drive and Page finding space at the other end only to run out of road when the cut back to Badu looked like the best option.
With Badu as the lone striker hounding the Chigwell defence they were forced into several errors. A resulting corner from one such assault led to the first goal. The in-swinger from Page on the left was met by Lonergan whose powerful header came crashing back off the bar and Forrest was there to smash a first-time shot into the top corner. They don't come often but this was certainly one for the scrap book.
Into the second half and the pacey winger who got no change from H down the left in the first half switched to test the Colvin mettle for the second half but this had a similar outcome and just added to a joyless afternoon for him.
With each Chigwell attack there seemed to be Parrots putting their bodies on the line with tackles and blocks. As both teams tired and with the clock ticking down the second goal arrived.
Another foiled Chigwell attack ended with Hackney's Armstrong with possession. Next, a perfect delivery from the Goalie to Badu who played in Acqua in the centre circle. A quick look up showed the Chigwell keeper off his line and Acqua delivered the perfect left foot lob that glided as it rose and following measured bend and dip it dropped through the glimmering, setting sunshine into the back of the net.
With 3 games to go, this could yet prove to be a pivotal match in the 2018-19 season.
A goal a piece from Forrest and Acqua, and a clean sheet from Steve A GK saw to it that the 10-men returned to Hackney with all 3 points.
Player-Manager Jamie Duff was jubilant at full-time: 'the lads were gladiators out there today. It was very challenging playing with 10 for 90 minutes. I remember at one point watching Badu chasing their back four down and it reminded me of the scene in the film The Fugitive, when Harrison Ford was being hunted down by the FBI tracking dogs. I also remember screaming at everyone every time they made a mistake, it was high octane stuff I can tell you. I could praise everyone today, this was the Goalie's best performance of the season, he was bang on it; Muir's goal was top drawer finishing and Big T's was simply class; the full backs, H and Tim were impenetrable, Danny was a rock at the back, Jason, he was a wizard today, and Page offered up a bit of a masterclass as you'd expect, great future ahead that lad'.
With four games to go in the Parrots' season there was no room for error going into this game if promotion is to become reality. With Chigwell hot off the back of a resounding 6-0 victory against William Fitt the previous week confidence was high for the team from Essex.
In mid-week the Parrots had a potential healthy squad of 14 but a lot can change in a couple of days. By 1pm and after numerous recounts and panicked phone calls the magic number was 10.
On a day of late call-offs focus shifted very quickly to the monumental task at hand. The strategy was clear and simple, everyone had to run a marathon and win every battle.
The game started at a good pace with Chigwell using the space to great effect on what was a large, wide pitch in great condition.
The early exchanges saw a chance apiece with Armstrong doing well to block a powerful drive and Page finding space at the other end only to run out of road when the cut back to Badu looked like the best option.
With Badu as the lone striker hounding the Chigwell defence they were forced into several errors. A resulting corner from one such assault led to the first goal. The in-swinger from Page on the left was met by Lonergan whose powerful header came crashing back off the bar and Forrest was there to smash a first-time shot into the top corner. They don't come often but this was certainly one for the scrap book.
Into the second half and the pacey winger who got no change from H down the left in the first half switched to test the Colvin mettle for the second half but this had a similar outcome and just added to a joyless afternoon for him.
With each Chigwell attack there seemed to be Parrots putting their bodies on the line with tackles and blocks. As both teams tired and with the clock ticking down the second goal arrived.
Another foiled Chigwell attack ended with Hackney's Armstrong with possession. Next, a perfect delivery from the Goalie to Badu who played in Acqua in the centre circle. A quick look up showed the Chigwell keeper off his line and Acqua delivered the perfect left foot lob that glided as it rose and following measured bend and dip it dropped through the glimmering, setting sunshine into the back of the net.
With 3 games to go, this could yet prove to be a pivotal match in the 2018-19 season.
