Match Report
Birkbeck 1 – 2 CSTM
Tuesday 17 January 2012, 12-1pm
How Birkbeck came out of this game with nothing remains a mystery. Equally mysterious, at least to this correspondent, were the events leading up to the game’s opening goal, the details of which cannot be recalled here, save for the fact that it was definitely scored by CSTM at some stage before I arrived at the pitch. Regardless, I’m sure it was a fluke and an injustice and we definitely didn’t deserve it.
Club captain Schmidt cut an agitated figure on the sidelines, having also arrived too late to be included in the starting line-up, and his frustration was compounded as Birkbeck soon conceded a second goal. This time, I was there to witness every detail of the build-up, but in the intervening days between the match and this write-up, I’m afraid I’m unable to reveal little more than the fact the shot was deflected, and it was a little unlucky (and a fluke, and an injustice, and we definitely didn’t deserve it etc).
After some minor tactical wrangling between skipper and manager, Schmidt brought himself on to play in the centre-forward position that once saw him earn Birkbeck’s coveted golden boot. The captain’s enthusiasm at being restored to the apex of the team’s attack was evident, not least when he steamed into a challenge with the CSTM goalkeeper with a little too much gusto. (He was alright, really, and the opposition - a sporting, and good-natured bunch – didn’t make too much of it).
Despite some defensive aberrations, Birkbeck actually played very well in this match, and caused CSTM – the league’s top team – problems throughout. A midfield of Kirkland, Tacon and ap Garth were at the heart of the team’s good work, and Schmidt was proving a handful for the CSTM defence.
During the second half, in particular, a comeback seemed on the cards, but Birkbeck’s bad luck in front of goal continued. With ten minutes to go, ap Garth managed to force the ball into the CSTM net, and Birkbeck poured forward in search of an equaliser. In between a number of decent opportunities, Schmidt let rip with a thumping shot that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for it to cruelly ricochet off the inside of the post and back out again.
Alas, it was not to be. On another day, a draw or even a win might have been possible. Special mention must go to the CSTM goalkeeping academy, as our opponents fielded different goalkeepers in each half, both of whom pulled of a series of fairly blinding saves. Oh, and well played to our boys, too. (It was a fluke, an injustice, we definitely didn't deserve it etc etc etc).
Monday, 30 January 2012
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Birkbeck 1 - 6 Mediacom
Match Report
Birkbeck 1 - 6 Mediacom
Wednesday 14 December 2011, 1-2pm
Editor's note: thanks to Dave for the match report.
The scoreline flattered the opposition (Come on you’ve used that one before) well technically no as this is a different reporter, still not buying it ok how about this... we was robbed, well actually that’s not entirely accurate either... the point is... it was a funny old game.... ok enough of the clichés and here begins the report.
The game started well, both teams were passing the ball around, but in fairness the opposition handled the ball marginally better in these difficult slick and windy conditions. Fast confident counter attacking moves from the opposition and accurate finishing saw their team nose ahead two-nil by the end of the first half.
During half time Birkbeck were still optimistic that there was still something in the game... and how right we were all for the wrong reasons. Calamitous clearances and disastrous distributions from the 'keeper gifted the opposition a further 3 goals and the match was more or less over before Birkbeck could get going. However at times our passing was good and lead to Walters snatching a well earned consolation goal. But by full time other than the consolation this was one match that... ahem is best forgotten. Some intensive training over Christmas is in order and perhaps the New Year will give us renewed good fortune.
Onwards!!!
Birkbeck 1 - 6 Mediacom
Wednesday 14 December 2011, 1-2pm
Editor's note: thanks to Dave for the match report.
The scoreline flattered the opposition (Come on you’ve used that one before) well technically no as this is a different reporter, still not buying it ok how about this... we was robbed, well actually that’s not entirely accurate either... the point is... it was a funny old game.... ok enough of the clichés and here begins the report.
The game started well, both teams were passing the ball around, but in fairness the opposition handled the ball marginally better in these difficult slick and windy conditions. Fast confident counter attacking moves from the opposition and accurate finishing saw their team nose ahead two-nil by the end of the first half.
During half time Birkbeck were still optimistic that there was still something in the game... and how right we were all for the wrong reasons. Calamitous clearances and disastrous distributions from the 'keeper gifted the opposition a further 3 goals and the match was more or less over before Birkbeck could get going. However at times our passing was good and lead to Walters snatching a well earned consolation goal. But by full time other than the consolation this was one match that... ahem is best forgotten. Some intensive training over Christmas is in order and perhaps the New Year will give us renewed good fortune.
Onwards!!!
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Birkbeck 1-4 ITV3
Match Report
Birkbeck 1-4 ITV3
Wednesday 9 November 2011, 1-2pm
A match that began promisingly for Birkbeck ultimately became a mildly embarrassing defeat. The scoreline flattered the opposition, who took full advantage of the opportunities presented to them in the second half by a weary side throwing men forward in search of a way back into the match.
In truth, Birkbeck should never have found themselves in such a position. They began brightly and took an early lead when Garmon ap Garth found the corner of the net with a sweet shot to finish off a fine attacking move. The lead lasted mere seconds as ITV3, hitherto not having given much indication of being a force to be reckoned with, took advantage of some defensive hesitancy to grab the equaliser.
Undeterred, Birkbeck came back again, and when ap Garth produced an almost identical finish to an almost identical move, the Birkbeck fans (all three of them) were already celebrating a goal almost identical to the first one. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t find the net, instead rocketing off the post and out.
ITV3, though, did produce an identical response to Birkbeck’s attack by snaffling another fortuitous goal to take the lead. While stand-in goalkeeper Pearce, one of only two players to volunteer for the role in Jennings’ absence (the other, Kirkland, later described his offer as ‘an empty gesture’) managed to get to the goalbound shot, it still had sufficient pace to find its way into the net.
Whatever the role played by misfortune, Birkbeck had to face the fact that they were 2-1 down in a game they should have been winning. At the interval, the Birkbeck management concocted a motivational cocktail consisting of 2 parts encouragement juice (Parrott, Throup) and a double-shot of rage (Schmidt), which was chugged down with a grimace before the team returned to the pitch to try and find a way back into the match.
In the time that it took Nduka to arrive for the match he had gone from being top scorer to the joint-top scorer, and he took to the pitch in the second half eager to rectify the situation. Of slightly greater concern was Dr William Ackah’s revelation that he would need to leave before the end, leaving manager Parrott with the unfortunate dilemma of replacing him with either a centre-forward (Scott) or someone who can’t play football (Throup).
ITV3 were cheered on throughout the match by a collection of sharp-looking, pointy-shoed wearing media types, whom one could only assume were the now-defunct ITV1 team, who were withdrawn from the league in order to provide funding for a new series of Dinner Date*. The one exception was a shaven-headed, hoodie-wearing gentleman, who was dressed for football but not in the same kit as the rest of the ITV3 team. Mid-way through the second-half, he was sent onto the field to a chorus of semi-ironic cheers, which immediately identified him as some kind of clownish cult figure, whose every touch of the ball was greeted with some kind of noise or comment.
Not to be outdone, after a nervous exchange of glances on the bench, Birkbeck sent on their own clown as a replacement for Ackah. At this point, the score remained 2-1, with Birkbeck having plenty of attacking pressure but little in the form of clear-cut chances, and with the team getting increasingly desperate, there were gaps at the back for ITV3 to exploit. To be fair, both the third and fourth goals were excellent finishes, with the latter –irritatingly – scored by the opposition’s fan favourite, who ghosted into the box with the aid of his non-matching stealth kit (and, it has to be said, some assistance from a day-dreaming substitute).
So, a second straight defeat for Birkbeck then, and despite some encouraging performances thus far, a win in the next match is looking increasingly necessary.
*Legal Note: This is also an assumption.
Birkbeck 1-4 ITV3
Wednesday 9 November 2011, 1-2pm
A match that began promisingly for Birkbeck ultimately became a mildly embarrassing defeat. The scoreline flattered the opposition, who took full advantage of the opportunities presented to them in the second half by a weary side throwing men forward in search of a way back into the match.
In truth, Birkbeck should never have found themselves in such a position. They began brightly and took an early lead when Garmon ap Garth found the corner of the net with a sweet shot to finish off a fine attacking move. The lead lasted mere seconds as ITV3, hitherto not having given much indication of being a force to be reckoned with, took advantage of some defensive hesitancy to grab the equaliser.
Undeterred, Birkbeck came back again, and when ap Garth produced an almost identical finish to an almost identical move, the Birkbeck fans (all three of them) were already celebrating a goal almost identical to the first one. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t find the net, instead rocketing off the post and out.
ITV3, though, did produce an identical response to Birkbeck’s attack by snaffling another fortuitous goal to take the lead. While stand-in goalkeeper Pearce, one of only two players to volunteer for the role in Jennings’ absence (the other, Kirkland, later described his offer as ‘an empty gesture’) managed to get to the goalbound shot, it still had sufficient pace to find its way into the net.
Whatever the role played by misfortune, Birkbeck had to face the fact that they were 2-1 down in a game they should have been winning. At the interval, the Birkbeck management concocted a motivational cocktail consisting of 2 parts encouragement juice (Parrott, Throup) and a double-shot of rage (Schmidt), which was chugged down with a grimace before the team returned to the pitch to try and find a way back into the match.
In the time that it took Nduka to arrive for the match he had gone from being top scorer to the joint-top scorer, and he took to the pitch in the second half eager to rectify the situation. Of slightly greater concern was Dr William Ackah’s revelation that he would need to leave before the end, leaving manager Parrott with the unfortunate dilemma of replacing him with either a centre-forward (Scott) or someone who can’t play football (Throup).
ITV3 were cheered on throughout the match by a collection of sharp-looking, pointy-shoed wearing media types, whom one could only assume were the now-defunct ITV1 team, who were withdrawn from the league in order to provide funding for a new series of Dinner Date*. The one exception was a shaven-headed, hoodie-wearing gentleman, who was dressed for football but not in the same kit as the rest of the ITV3 team. Mid-way through the second-half, he was sent onto the field to a chorus of semi-ironic cheers, which immediately identified him as some kind of clownish cult figure, whose every touch of the ball was greeted with some kind of noise or comment.
Not to be outdone, after a nervous exchange of glances on the bench, Birkbeck sent on their own clown as a replacement for Ackah. At this point, the score remained 2-1, with Birkbeck having plenty of attacking pressure but little in the form of clear-cut chances, and with the team getting increasingly desperate, there were gaps at the back for ITV3 to exploit. To be fair, both the third and fourth goals were excellent finishes, with the latter –irritatingly – scored by the opposition’s fan favourite, who ghosted into the box with the aid of his non-matching stealth kit (and, it has to be said, some assistance from a day-dreaming substitute).
So, a second straight defeat for Birkbeck then, and despite some encouraging performances thus far, a win in the next match is looking increasingly necessary.
*Legal Note: This is also an assumption.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Birkbeck 1 – 2 Five
Match Report
Birkbeck 1 – 2 Five
Wednesday 2 November 2011, 1-2pm
Or Birkbeck won, five two, as the BBC announcer might put it. Were such a misinterpretation of the scoreline to spread among followers of Birkbeck FC, it would seem an unlikely enough scenario to those familiar with the team’s recent fortunes for them to seek confirmation from an official source before accepting it as fact.
Ridiculous as it may sound, though, Birkbeck created enough chances here to pull off an emphatic victory. That they failed to do so, and ended up losing the game, was down to a combination of factors. Individual mistakes proved costly at the back, while significant attacking pressure brought only the one goal in response.
Without wanting to give away too much tactical information to opposing teams with access to the internet (or jeopardise sales of the forthcoming hardback - How to Substitute Your Captain with a Rugby Tackle: A Manager’s Guide by S. Parrott, available for Christmas from all good bookshops) Birkbeck’s solid start to the season has been based upon a well-organised defence and keeping things tight at the back early on. And so it was here, with Birkbeck matching Five’s every move and looking in little danger, while giving occasional hints of their attacking prowess at the other end. The best (by which I mean, best-remembered - by me) of the first-half chances came when Pearce, playing the first half in a slightly more advanced position, stung the hands of the Five goalkeeper with a long-range shot.
Birkbeck were able to send on club-captain Schmidt and last season’s top-scorer Nduka in the second half, and the general feeling among the technical staff in the dugout (by which I mean Parrott and Throup standing on the touchline with assorted well-wishers) was that a win was perfectly achievable.
Unfortunately, though, Birkbeck conceded two sloppy goals in quick succession. First, a Five attacker found himself in acres of room on the right hand side, and after having an age to line up a shot, somehow managed to scuff one into the net through a crowd of Birkbeck defenders. Minutes later, a lapse of ball control at the back following a Birkbeck corner allowed the Five centre-forward all the time and space he needed to break away and slot home the second goal. (No point playing the name, shame and blame game here, although it’s worth noting the manager’s immortal words, "Thank God Andi was on when they scored their goals, otherwise we’d never have heard the end of it.")
In the darkest days of previous seasons, two goals could often become four, five or six, as heads dropped and tempers were lost, but this time, Birkbeck roused themselves to produce an inspiring attacking performance. Kirkland, again, was everywhere, and was unfortunate not to grab a goal when he hit the crossbar with a dinked finish. Elsewhere, long-range shots, counter-attacking breaks and goalmouth scrambles came thick and fast, but somehow Five managed to escape every time.
Birkbeck could be forgiven for thinking it wouldn’t be their day when Nduka, who had been a thorn in the side of the Five defence throughout the second half, fashioned an unbelievable chance for himself, only to blast high and wide when presented with an open goal (think Fernando Torres’s recent miss at Old Trafford, but recreated as one of Baddiel and Skinner’s Pheonix From the Flames moments).
Still, the striker was on hand to produce a close-range finish when the next opportunity presented itself, setting up a tense final few minutes. Despite their best efforts, though, Birkbeck were unable to force home the equaliser they unarguably deserved.
It was unfortunate that the team’s most potent attacking performance was coupled with their least assured defensive one, but overall, based on this display, the signs look good for the rest of the season (without wishing to jinx us or anything).
Birkbeck 1 – 2 Five
Wednesday 2 November 2011, 1-2pm
Or Birkbeck won, five two, as the BBC announcer might put it. Were such a misinterpretation of the scoreline to spread among followers of Birkbeck FC, it would seem an unlikely enough scenario to those familiar with the team’s recent fortunes for them to seek confirmation from an official source before accepting it as fact.
Ridiculous as it may sound, though, Birkbeck created enough chances here to pull off an emphatic victory. That they failed to do so, and ended up losing the game, was down to a combination of factors. Individual mistakes proved costly at the back, while significant attacking pressure brought only the one goal in response.
Without wanting to give away too much tactical information to opposing teams with access to the internet (or jeopardise sales of the forthcoming hardback - How to Substitute Your Captain with a Rugby Tackle: A Manager’s Guide by S. Parrott, available for Christmas from all good bookshops) Birkbeck’s solid start to the season has been based upon a well-organised defence and keeping things tight at the back early on. And so it was here, with Birkbeck matching Five’s every move and looking in little danger, while giving occasional hints of their attacking prowess at the other end. The best (by which I mean, best-remembered - by me) of the first-half chances came when Pearce, playing the first half in a slightly more advanced position, stung the hands of the Five goalkeeper with a long-range shot.
Birkbeck were able to send on club-captain Schmidt and last season’s top-scorer Nduka in the second half, and the general feeling among the technical staff in the dugout (by which I mean Parrott and Throup standing on the touchline with assorted well-wishers) was that a win was perfectly achievable.
Unfortunately, though, Birkbeck conceded two sloppy goals in quick succession. First, a Five attacker found himself in acres of room on the right hand side, and after having an age to line up a shot, somehow managed to scuff one into the net through a crowd of Birkbeck defenders. Minutes later, a lapse of ball control at the back following a Birkbeck corner allowed the Five centre-forward all the time and space he needed to break away and slot home the second goal. (No point playing the name, shame and blame game here, although it’s worth noting the manager’s immortal words, "Thank God Andi was on when they scored their goals, otherwise we’d never have heard the end of it.")
In the darkest days of previous seasons, two goals could often become four, five or six, as heads dropped and tempers were lost, but this time, Birkbeck roused themselves to produce an inspiring attacking performance. Kirkland, again, was everywhere, and was unfortunate not to grab a goal when he hit the crossbar with a dinked finish. Elsewhere, long-range shots, counter-attacking breaks and goalmouth scrambles came thick and fast, but somehow Five managed to escape every time.
Birkbeck could be forgiven for thinking it wouldn’t be their day when Nduka, who had been a thorn in the side of the Five defence throughout the second half, fashioned an unbelievable chance for himself, only to blast high and wide when presented with an open goal (think Fernando Torres’s recent miss at Old Trafford, but recreated as one of Baddiel and Skinner’s Pheonix From the Flames moments).
Still, the striker was on hand to produce a close-range finish when the next opportunity presented itself, setting up a tense final few minutes. Despite their best efforts, though, Birkbeck were unable to force home the equaliser they unarguably deserved.
It was unfortunate that the team’s most potent attacking performance was coupled with their least assured defensive one, but overall, based on this display, the signs look good for the rest of the season (without wishing to jinx us or anything).
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Birkbeck 0 – 0 C&R
Match Report
Birkbeck 0 – 0 C&R
Wednesday 12 October 2011, 1-2pm
Birkbeck were hoping to build on a promising showing in the opening match of the season by securing a win against newly-promoted C&R. That they failed to do so left the team with a feeling of mild disappointment until the league administrator indicated to the Birkbeck management that their opponents had won every single match of the previous season in the lower division.
On paper, Birkbeck looked to have a strong team, but, as ever, circumstances conspired to lend the starting line-up a makeshift quality. With Guest withdrawing from the squad and Nduka late to arrive, the team were subjected to the unedifying sight of their former goalkeeper starting at centre-forward.
Despite this handicap, Birkbeck began brightly enough, and with Throup’s oafish antics providing a mild distraction to the C&R defence, the midfield of Walters, Tacon and ap Garth combined well to fashion some decent attacking moves and stretch the C&R defence. Still, the arrival of a proper centre-forward in the form of Nduka, making his final appearance as a Birkbeck employee (but hopefully not as a Birkbeck player), came as a relief to all.
For all their attacking pressure, a couple of solid shots on target and the occasional goalmouth scramble were the best the Birkbeck managed in the first half. The feeling in the camp at half-time, though, was that their opponents were there for the taking in the second period.
Such feelings of optimism proved slightly misplaced as C&R played with renewed purpose after the break, and Birkbeck’s defence were forced to endure a few shaky moments. They held firm, though, thanks in no small part to the energy and tenacity of Kirkland, the leadership and organisational skills of Pearce, and the reliability of Jennings in goal. [Editor’s note: Will, you played well too, but I couldn’t find the right words to describe your performance, other than "you played well" – sorry.]
As the match wore on, the game became more open, leading to the usual anxieties on the bench as manager Parrott called for his team to throw caution to the wind and grab a goal, while assistant manager/substitute/dislikeable mascot Throup glanced anxiously at his watch and prayed for the final whistle. To fall back on tired clichés, either side could have won it, but a draw was the right result.
Tune in next week for another exciting instalment of the Birkbeck FC story, and the answers to the following questions: What was the score? Who was playing up front? Did we score a goal? Which tiny details of the match will be recalled and spun-out into a match report? AND MORE!
Birkbeck 0 – 0 C&R
Wednesday 12 October 2011, 1-2pm
Birkbeck were hoping to build on a promising showing in the opening match of the season by securing a win against newly-promoted C&R. That they failed to do so left the team with a feeling of mild disappointment until the league administrator indicated to the Birkbeck management that their opponents had won every single match of the previous season in the lower division.
On paper, Birkbeck looked to have a strong team, but, as ever, circumstances conspired to lend the starting line-up a makeshift quality. With Guest withdrawing from the squad and Nduka late to arrive, the team were subjected to the unedifying sight of their former goalkeeper starting at centre-forward.
Despite this handicap, Birkbeck began brightly enough, and with Throup’s oafish antics providing a mild distraction to the C&R defence, the midfield of Walters, Tacon and ap Garth combined well to fashion some decent attacking moves and stretch the C&R defence. Still, the arrival of a proper centre-forward in the form of Nduka, making his final appearance as a Birkbeck employee (but hopefully not as a Birkbeck player), came as a relief to all.
For all their attacking pressure, a couple of solid shots on target and the occasional goalmouth scramble were the best the Birkbeck managed in the first half. The feeling in the camp at half-time, though, was that their opponents were there for the taking in the second period.
Such feelings of optimism proved slightly misplaced as C&R played with renewed purpose after the break, and Birkbeck’s defence were forced to endure a few shaky moments. They held firm, though, thanks in no small part to the energy and tenacity of Kirkland, the leadership and organisational skills of Pearce, and the reliability of Jennings in goal. [Editor’s note: Will, you played well too, but I couldn’t find the right words to describe your performance, other than "you played well" – sorry.]
As the match wore on, the game became more open, leading to the usual anxieties on the bench as manager Parrott called for his team to throw caution to the wind and grab a goal, while assistant manager/substitute/dislikeable mascot Throup glanced anxiously at his watch and prayed for the final whistle. To fall back on tired clichés, either side could have won it, but a draw was the right result.
Tune in next week for another exciting instalment of the Birkbeck FC story, and the answers to the following questions: What was the score? Who was playing up front? Did we score a goal? Which tiny details of the match will be recalled and spun-out into a match report? AND MORE!
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Birkbeck 0 – 0 GOSH
Match Report
Birkbeck 0 – 0 GOSH
Wednesday 21 September 2011, 1-2pm
Birkbeck’s 2011-12 season kicked off with a solid performance and result against GOSH. While last season’s match report indicated an opponent of mixed ability, a draw has to be considered a good result when you take into account that they (along with every other team that remained in this division) finished above Birkbeck in 2010-11.
Mild concerns about raising a side were resolved at the last minute when Guest and Tacon both declared themselves fit and available to take their place in midfield. For the latter, it was the first time he had been able to take the field in a Birkbeck shirt since an injury incurred during a cliff-related accident ruled him out for the entirety of last season, and it was good to have him back.
With the team restored to something like full strength, the nightmare scenario of Birkbeck’s former goalkeeper having to make an outfield appearance was, thankfully, avoided. The possibility of a return to goal was also abandoned amid unconvincing murmuring about failing to recover from fairly minor surgery some six months ago, and once again Jennings donned the gloves without complaint.
The match itself was a return to ‘classic’ Birkbeck – keeping things tight in defence, staying in the game, but yet retaining the capacity to cause problems going forward. As ever, Nduka caused problems for the opposing defence, fashioning some half-decent opportunities for himself and others on a number of occasions.
A favoured tactic was to try and shoot early, as the GOSH goalkeeper’s positioning was a little suspect at times. Without wanting to sound rude, it wasn’t the only thing that was a little ‘off’ about this chap, a 45 year-old man dressed in what appeared to be a child’s football kit from the 1990s (the style of which referenced that favoured by flamboyant Mexican ‘character’ Jorge Campos). As the match progressed he became more and more agitated by marginal decisions and began barking schoolteacherly clichés at his non-compliant opponents (“PLAY THE GAME, NUMBER 6!”) while venturing further and further from his own goal, to no great effect, whenever the opportunity arose. Still, he’s probably a doctor or other healthcare professional who’s done far more good in the world than you or I will ever manage, so he can do what he wants in his lunch hour, I guess.
Birkbeck threatened more as the match wore on. Kirkland, having deputised admirably for the absent Schmidt in the centre of defence, increasingly took the opportunity to burst forward in the second half, but decent build-up play often failed at the final ball with the GOSH defence panicking.
Clear-cut opportunities don’t exactly spring to mind; a shot over the bar from Tirbhowan in the dying minutes is the closest I can manage to recall. At the other end, Jennings did all that was asked of him and rarely looked in trouble.
All-in-all, a decent performance then, although anyone feeling too happy about things should bear in mind that Birkbeck won their opening fixture last season (we all know what happened after that) and also that club captain/skipper/El Presidente Schmidt has demanded ‘the title’, and nothing less, in 2012.
Birkbeck 0 – 0 GOSH
Wednesday 21 September 2011, 1-2pm
Birkbeck’s 2011-12 season kicked off with a solid performance and result against GOSH. While last season’s match report indicated an opponent of mixed ability, a draw has to be considered a good result when you take into account that they (along with every other team that remained in this division) finished above Birkbeck in 2010-11.
Mild concerns about raising a side were resolved at the last minute when Guest and Tacon both declared themselves fit and available to take their place in midfield. For the latter, it was the first time he had been able to take the field in a Birkbeck shirt since an injury incurred during a cliff-related accident ruled him out for the entirety of last season, and it was good to have him back.
With the team restored to something like full strength, the nightmare scenario of Birkbeck’s former goalkeeper having to make an outfield appearance was, thankfully, avoided. The possibility of a return to goal was also abandoned amid unconvincing murmuring about failing to recover from fairly minor surgery some six months ago, and once again Jennings donned the gloves without complaint.
The match itself was a return to ‘classic’ Birkbeck – keeping things tight in defence, staying in the game, but yet retaining the capacity to cause problems going forward. As ever, Nduka caused problems for the opposing defence, fashioning some half-decent opportunities for himself and others on a number of occasions.
A favoured tactic was to try and shoot early, as the GOSH goalkeeper’s positioning was a little suspect at times. Without wanting to sound rude, it wasn’t the only thing that was a little ‘off’ about this chap, a 45 year-old man dressed in what appeared to be a child’s football kit from the 1990s (the style of which referenced that favoured by flamboyant Mexican ‘character’ Jorge Campos). As the match progressed he became more and more agitated by marginal decisions and began barking schoolteacherly clichés at his non-compliant opponents (“PLAY THE GAME, NUMBER 6!”) while venturing further and further from his own goal, to no great effect, whenever the opportunity arose. Still, he’s probably a doctor or other healthcare professional who’s done far more good in the world than you or I will ever manage, so he can do what he wants in his lunch hour, I guess.
Birkbeck threatened more as the match wore on. Kirkland, having deputised admirably for the absent Schmidt in the centre of defence, increasingly took the opportunity to burst forward in the second half, but decent build-up play often failed at the final ball with the GOSH defence panicking.
Clear-cut opportunities don’t exactly spring to mind; a shot over the bar from Tirbhowan in the dying minutes is the closest I can manage to recall. At the other end, Jennings did all that was asked of him and rarely looked in trouble.
All-in-all, a decent performance then, although anyone feeling too happy about things should bear in mind that Birkbeck won their opening fixture last season (we all know what happened after that) and also that club captain/skipper/El Presidente Schmidt has demanded ‘the title’, and nothing less, in 2012.
Season Summary - 2010/11
Fixtures/Results:
Nduka: 3
Champion: 2
Walters: 2
ap Garth: 1
Duffin: 1
Guest: 1
Schmidt: 1
- 16 Sep: Birkbeck 2 - 1 ITV3
- 29 Sep: Birkbeck 0 - 5 ITV4
- 13 Oct: Birkbeck 0 - 1 MediaCom
- 10 Nov: Birkbeck 1 - 1 Limeys
- 26 Nov: Birkbeck 0 - 0 GOSH
- 26 Jan: Birkbeck 1 - 3 CARAT
- 8 Feb: Birkbeck 0 - 2 UKSport
- 15 Mar: Birkbeck 0 - 3 FIVE
- 4 May: Birkbeck 0 - 1 ITV1
- 18 May: Birkbeck 3 - 3 ITV2
- 25 May: Birkbeck 0 - 5 BM
- 15 Jun: Birkbeck 2 - 0 Dynamo
- 11 July: Birkbeck 2 - 1 Universal
Nduka: 3
Champion: 2
Walters: 2
ap Garth: 1
Duffin: 1
Guest: 1
Schmidt: 1
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