Friday 29 January 2010

Wandsworth Athletic 13 - 5 Olympic Waterloo

Consistency, possession & plunging – this week's match report

Wandsworth Athletic needed to win this game, and they did. In fine style. As seems de rigueur for a fixture against Waterloo, conditions were once again fetid. Consistent rain meant a slick surface, but rather than help Wandsworth’s passing game, it seemed to aid Waterloo’s physical style instead.

Nevertheless, Wandworth started like at team possessed, plunging into early challenges and swiftly depositing shots on target. Of particular note was the forward link-up play between Michel and Platt, who frequently tormented the robust Waterloo backline with crisp interchanges, incessant movement and accurate shooting. It was no surprise when both scored to give Wandsworth an early advantage.

Waterloo are nothing if not dogged though, and they fashioned several efforts on goal themselves, mostly from distance, but this was often awkward given the conditions. Snelling, who had a fine game, had to be at his best to keep out hazardous strikes, although Waterloo’s pressure did eventually tell and they brought the score back to 2-1.

Nerves could have set in, yet Wandsworth slowly but firmly wrestled control of the game, Platt and Michel combining several times to take the score to 8-1. At that point the match was won, and the ole football, a trademark of Lloyd in particular, began. This allowed Waterloo to eventually notch another 4 goals, although Wandsworth added more of their own, Lloyd finding the net twice and Rickard once. Overall it was a competent performance from the men in white, with several strong individual displays; the connection between Platt and Michel has already been outlined, but plaudits must all be given to Snelling, who made one outstanding save late on, and Lewis, who worked tirelessly as ever whilst also demonstrating a pleasing range of passing.

The game largely passed by without hostility, although there was a running feud between Platt and Waterloo’s cumbersome number 2. Some tasty challenges were made by both, prompting the latter to remark – “Do you want something?”. What Platt really wanted was three points – and he most certainly got it. The championship will be decided next week…

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