After my daughter's game got pushed back to an 11:15 kick-off, it looked very much as if I wouldn't get toa game on Saturday afternoon. However, step forward Community Football Academy and Glen Villa, who were scheduled to meet at 4pm on the Oadby 3G pitch. Perfect! Just enough time to get back from Oxford, have a quick cup of tea and set off up the M1 for what looked like a tasty Division One clash. Hosts Community Football Academy sat in second prior to kick-off, having just played back to back games against the leaders St Patricks. After losing 2-0 at The Emerald Centre, CFA threw the cat amongst the pigeons with a resounding 8-2 win at Beauchamp College last Saturday. That result left CFA four point behind the leaders, who also had a game in hand. At the start of play, Glen Villa sat in fifth, a further 10 points adrift of CFA but with two games in hand on today's hosts. Earlier in he season BotP had the pleasure of watching both games between St Patricks and Glen Villa, a 4-2 away win for Villa (Reversal Of Fortune) and a 2-0 away win for St Patricks (A Warm Welcome).
As a consequence of these two match, I already knew Villa boss Jonny Morgan and it was he who was one of the first people I saw upon arriving at the ground. After asking if I had the team sheets yet, he had a word with the CFA coach, who came over to share their list with me. Jonny then got the Villa sheet a little later, after a last minute change through Jake Inskip pulling up in the warm-up. Thanks to both teams for sharing their team sheets. It's very much appreciated.
I was also very pleased to meet CFA Chairman and founder Ahmed Maravia before the game, and even more pleased when it turned out that my blogs were already known to CFA, despite not having seen them play before. Ahmed spoke to me about the reason he set up CFA and just how far they and the charity had come in the 22 years since being founded. To find out more about the excellent work they do, I'd recommend taking a look at their website, especially the ABOUT US section.
Back to today's game. CFA were in search of a double over their visitors, having won 2-1 at The Rec in November. Two Charvin Ambhire goals enough to trump Jack Langton's goal for Villa.
As a consequence of these two match, I already knew Villa boss Jonny Morgan and it was he who was one of the first people I saw upon arriving at the ground. After asking if I had the team sheets yet, he had a word with the CFA coach, who came over to share their list with me. Jonny then got the Villa sheet a little later, after a last minute change through Jake Inskip pulling up in the warm-up. Thanks to both teams for sharing their team sheets. It's very much appreciated.
I was also very pleased to meet CFA Chairman and founder Ahmed Maravia before the game, and even more pleased when it turned out that my blogs were already known to CFA, despite not having seen them play before. Ahmed spoke to me about the reason he set up CFA and just how far they and the charity had come in the 22 years since being founded. To find out more about the excellent work they do, I'd recommend taking a look at their website, especially the ABOUT US section.
Back to today's game. CFA were in search of a double over their visitors, having won 2-1 at The Rec in November. Two Charvin Ambhire goals enough to trump Jack Langton's goal for Villa.
Khamkar from the spot - 2-0 Both teams started the game looking quite lively, but it was the visitors who had the first real chance when Ira Caster was sent through. However, under pressure from a defender, his shot went straight at CFA keeper and captain, Aamir Bham.
CFA then soon made Villa rue that missed opportunity as the hosts went ahead. Four minutes in, Jaseem Khamkar drove up the right before firing over a low, driven cross that Lewis Dowle couldn't hold onto. The loose ball fell to Zak Yusuf who steadied himself before planting the ball into the net. 1-0.
It quickly got worse for Villa as CFA began to stroke the ball around with the confidence of a team who scored eight in their last game. Four minutes after going ahead, another raid into the Villa box culminated in Jaseem Khamkar being clipped inside the area. Penalty given. The same player picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick. 2-0
To be fair to Villa, they tried to respond to this setback. Josh Wright saw his curling effort brilliantly pushed away by Bham and, after Hales had headed down a long ball, Caster arrived at the far post, but could only hit the side-netting. Harry Boorman then came close for CFA, but his header was just over the bar. Then Dowle made a very good stop to keep out Khamkar as CFA threatened more goals.
A third did arrive, just past the half-hour mark. Younes Mihoubi was the architect, driving down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Liam Taylor, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.
Once again, Villa tried to respond, but George Parker's free-kick, given after Cameron Grieff was caught by a stray arm that Villa thought was more than accidental, was never really troubling Bham, as it sailed over the bar and, if anything, it was CFA who looked more likely to add to their total before the break. In fact, only a very brave block from Dowle prevented Bleu McNeil from making it four in the final minute of the half.
HT Community Football Academy 3 Glen Villa 0. CFA well on top and played some very good football, using the surface to their advantage with quick passing. Villa with plenty of work to do if they want to get back into the game.
CFA then soon made Villa rue that missed opportunity as the hosts went ahead. Four minutes in, Jaseem Khamkar drove up the right before firing over a low, driven cross that Lewis Dowle couldn't hold onto. The loose ball fell to Zak Yusuf who steadied himself before planting the ball into the net. 1-0.
It quickly got worse for Villa as CFA began to stroke the ball around with the confidence of a team who scored eight in their last game. Four minutes after going ahead, another raid into the Villa box culminated in Jaseem Khamkar being clipped inside the area. Penalty given. The same player picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick. 2-0
To be fair to Villa, they tried to respond to this setback. Josh Wright saw his curling effort brilliantly pushed away by Bham and, after Hales had headed down a long ball, Caster arrived at the far post, but could only hit the side-netting. Harry Boorman then came close for CFA, but his header was just over the bar. Then Dowle made a very good stop to keep out Khamkar as CFA threatened more goals.
A third did arrive, just past the half-hour mark. Younes Mihoubi was the architect, driving down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Liam Taylor, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.
Once again, Villa tried to respond, but George Parker's free-kick, given after Cameron Grieff was caught by a stray arm that Villa thought was more than accidental, was never really troubling Bham, as it sailed over the bar and, if anything, it was CFA who looked more likely to add to their total before the break. In fact, only a very brave block from Dowle prevented Bleu McNeil from making it four in the final minute of the half.
HT Community Football Academy 3 Glen Villa 0. CFA well on top and played some very good football, using the surface to their advantage with quick passing. Villa with plenty of work to do if they want to get back into the game.
George Parker tries his luck If the Villa coaches had wanted to see a marked improvement in the second half, they almost got their wish just three minutes after the restart. Josh Wright took aim from 30 yards sending his shot arrowing past Bham only for it to come back off the joint of post and bar. Very unlucky.
Credit to Villa, after chasing shadows for much of the first half, they had definitely got to grips with things in the second half. The fluent and fluid CFA attacks had been stemmed, but the visitors still couldn't find a way to cause problems for Bham. In fact, it was Dowle who was still the busier keeper, making comfortable stops from Adam and Hajat.
Into the final fifteen minutes, Villa did conjure up a coupe of half-chances. First Myles Cosgrove burst up the right wing, sending over a cross that was only marginally too far in front of George Parker flying in a t the far post. A few minutes later, a corner from the left found its way to the back post, arriving very quickly at the feet of Cosgrove, who couldn't get his strike on target.
A minute after that opportunity, CFA sealed the game completely when a dissecting through ball sent Mohamed Mahir clear. He calmly stroked the ball past Dowle for 4-0. That left just enough time for another substitute, Meroune Fahri, to see his goal-bound effort deflected over, as CFA saw out the game.
FT Community Football Academy 4 Glen Villa 0. A much better second half from Glen Villa, who stemmed the flow of CFA, but couldn't quite find a way back into the game. Maybe with a three-goal cushion, CFA also took their foot off the pedal a little, but they'd done the damage in the first half.
The result leaves CFA a point behind St Patricks, but having played two games more than the leaders. Villa remain in fifth spot but are now thirteen points behind CFA, albeit with two games in hand.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action then, weather permitting, they both have league games next Saturday. CFA travel to 12th placed Barrow Town who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the start of January. With St Patricks not playing, a point or more would see them go top. Glen Villa are back at home, as they welcome mid-table Holwell Sports Reserves to The Rec. The reverse fixture saw Sports score in the 89th minute to edge a the game 3-2.
Community Football Academy: 1.Bham(c), 11.Mihoubi, 18.Boorman, 5.Kone, 17.McNeil, 12.Bhandal, 13.Husain, 45.Taylor, 6.Adam, 15.Yusuf, 7.Khamkar. Subs: Hajat, 2.Jameel, 4.Bobat, 10.Mills, 16.Farhi, 8.Patel, 9.Mahir
Glen Villa: 1.Dowle, 13.Wright, 6.Payton, 12.D.Garrat, 7.Caster, 8.Greiff(c), 9.J.Parker, 10.G.Parker, 11.Morton, 15.Hales, 16.Cosgrove. Subs: 14.Mason, 2.Rowe, 18.Nwaigwe, 17.A.Garrat
Credit to Villa, after chasing shadows for much of the first half, they had definitely got to grips with things in the second half. The fluent and fluid CFA attacks had been stemmed, but the visitors still couldn't find a way to cause problems for Bham. In fact, it was Dowle who was still the busier keeper, making comfortable stops from Adam and Hajat.
Into the final fifteen minutes, Villa did conjure up a coupe of half-chances. First Myles Cosgrove burst up the right wing, sending over a cross that was only marginally too far in front of George Parker flying in a t the far post. A few minutes later, a corner from the left found its way to the back post, arriving very quickly at the feet of Cosgrove, who couldn't get his strike on target.
A minute after that opportunity, CFA sealed the game completely when a dissecting through ball sent Mohamed Mahir clear. He calmly stroked the ball past Dowle for 4-0. That left just enough time for another substitute, Meroune Fahri, to see his goal-bound effort deflected over, as CFA saw out the game.
FT Community Football Academy 4 Glen Villa 0. A much better second half from Glen Villa, who stemmed the flow of CFA, but couldn't quite find a way back into the game. Maybe with a three-goal cushion, CFA also took their foot off the pedal a little, but they'd done the damage in the first half.
The result leaves CFA a point behind St Patricks, but having played two games more than the leaders. Villa remain in fifth spot but are now thirteen points behind CFA, albeit with two games in hand.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action then, weather permitting, they both have league games next Saturday. CFA travel to 12th placed Barrow Town who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the start of January. With St Patricks not playing, a point or more would see them go top. Glen Villa are back at home, as they welcome mid-table Holwell Sports Reserves to The Rec. The reverse fixture saw Sports score in the 89th minute to edge a the game 3-2.
Community Football Academy: 1.Bham(c), 11.Mihoubi, 18.Boorman, 5.Kone, 17.McNeil, 12.Bhandal, 13.Husain, 45.Taylor, 6.Adam, 15.Yusuf, 7.Khamkar. Subs: Hajat, 2.Jameel, 4.Bobat, 10.Mills, 16.Farhi, 8.Patel, 9.Mahir
Glen Villa: 1.Dowle, 13.Wright, 6.Payton, 12.D.Garrat, 7.Caster, 8.Greiff(c), 9.J.Parker, 10.G.Parker, 11.Morton, 15.Hales, 16.Cosgrove. Subs: 14.Mason, 2.Rowe, 18.Nwaigwe, 17.A.Garrat
Colourful skies over Beauchamp College
The Ground
The Oadby 3G pitch is part of Beauchamp College campus. There's not a huge amount to say about the ground. It's a standard green cage design with spectator access along on side, although you can probably get a good view of the game from the pathway that rises up above the playing surface behind one of the goals. There's plenty of parking around the college and pathways leading around to the 3G pitch. There's no spectator cover but there are dugouts on the far side of the pitch.
Ground Number: 478
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
The Oadby 3G pitch is part of Beauchamp College campus. There's not a huge amount to say about the ground. It's a standard green cage design with spectator access along on side, although you can probably get a good view of the game from the pathway that rises up above the playing surface behind one of the goals. There's plenty of parking around the college and pathways leading around to the 3G pitch. There's no spectator cover but there are dugouts on the far side of the pitch.
Ground Number: 478
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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