Herts Over 60's Cup

There are several cliches I can use to start this report of the Herts Cup which took place on Tuesday 4th February at Cheshunt FC with the main being ‘a bad day at the office!’.

To start with, the traffic getting off the M25 at the Hendon Junction was horrendous and although out of the five teams participating, we had the furthest to travel, (apart from one of our players arriving at Bannister’s, Harrow and not Cheshunt FC!!) we arrived first!!

So having warmed up and been given the fixtures for this Herts Cup Tournament we found out that we had eight games to play, 10 mins each game. This meant that we played each team twice.

Our first match was against our hosts Cheshunt and with Ken Rose limiting their striker to few chances, we were unlucky not get a draw against a very strong side losing 1-0.

Next up was RIP Muswell Hill, another strong side but virtually from the kick-off we created a chance, only for opposition to go down the other end and go in front.  Our lads kept their heads up and with a superb turn and shot, Michael Cocomazzi scored a well-deserved equaliser.  However, with minutes ticking away RIP manged to score the winner. 2-1 the final score.

Grange Paddocks were next up and very tight contest ended 0-0, with Ken Rose keeping a tight reign on their striker. At the other end we hit the woodwork three times and, in all fairness, would have been worthy winners.

Welwyn Extra Time, who can be quite a physical team edged in front early on and although we created much the better chances we couldn’t find the equaliser. 0-1 the final score.

So at this stage we had played all the teams once and although we hadn’t won a game, there wasn’t a game where we had been totally outplayed, and had we been more clinical in our finishing we could have won at least two of the games.

Cheshunt were next up and this really was a tight affair with both teams playing some lovely football at times, but neither could make a break through. Mike Wood and Andy Balshaw played well in midfield with Dave Marsh marshalling the defence superbly. (No pun intended). 0-0 the final score.

The eventual winners, RIP Muswell Hill, scored two well taken goals to take charge in this game, but again the scoreline doesn’t reflect our lads quality on the ball and in creating chances. 2-0 the final score. It just wasn’t our day. (another cliché).

Grange Paddocks were next and two superb strikes from Michael Cocomazzi. One on the turn and the second, a lovely chip over the keeper after a one-on-one with the keeper from a lovely thru pass from Alastair Greene.  We then dominated possession, with Mike Parkes also having a few chances, being supported well in midfield by Andy Balshaw. However, a late, late consolation goal saw the game finish 2-1.

And so to the final game against Welwyn Extra Time, who just needed a point to win the Tournament.  Our lads started really well and within minutes of the kick-off had gone ahead with another superb strike from Michael Cocomazzi. Welwyn huffed and puffed, but our lads kept their shape and defended superbly, leaving them with just a few chances from long range. John Cahillane who volunteered to play in goal in the absence of a recognised keeper, was superb on a number of occasions, not just in this match, but the whole Tournament, kept a clean sheet and the final score was 1-0, much to delight of RIP Muswell Hill!

Overall, not a great day in the office, but one which we can learn from going into the League starting in March. Several comments from the League and the other teams all agreed on how well we had competed and on another day we could, with a bit more ‘rub of the green’ have won more games.

Squad: John Cahillane, Ken Rose, Dave Marsh, Mike Parkes, Andy Balshaw, Alastair Greene, Mike Wood, Michael Cocomazzihemel fc