Watford 2-0 West Ham

I had to rush to make this game and boy was it worth it. To cut a long a story short I had to come from Brighton University open day and as i eventually walked down vicarage road i could hear Z-Cars blearing out. In a moment of panic i powered walked down occupation road to the Rookery like a man possessed. Unbelievably i had left Hastings at 12:30 and arrived in my seat just as the visitors kicked off. One down side of my arrival was to see Watford were attacking the rookery end in the first half and I am a man (a sad one at that) who likes his traditions so this really disgruntled me!

The game started at a fast pace and West Ham came at us like I thought they might after an impressive win against struggling Chelsea. However there pressure didn't last long and after 10 minutes West Ham didn't have another strong period in the game. Soon after the 10th minute Watford nearly took the lead after  Ake's free header from a Ben Watson corner was brilliantly saved by the Hammers Goalkeeper Adrian. The follow up strike from Deeney was stopped on the line by Carroll with a mixture of head and hand to the outrage of the fans behind the goal including myself. We continued to put the pressure on and it was very similar to the Arsenal game where a goal would relieve all of the pressure on the team. After Ighalo forced Adrian into another save, I was concerned that a lack of first half goal would lead to a repeat of the unfortunate result in the last home match. Luckily Watford diminished all of my fears after a whipped in free kick was dealt with horrendously by Andy Carroll Ake pounced squaring across goal to Odion Ighalo who poked home to send the Rookery into raptures. You could feel the relief sweep around the vic as the half time whistle blew.

The second half could not have started any better. After a sweeping attack Anya was released on the wing and crossed for Ighalo and after yet another error in the West Ham defence Ighalo calmly placed  his shot into the top corner to double the hornets lead and take his tally to an impressive 7 goals.

Ighalo almost had a hat trick after he cut inside forcing Adrian into another save. It shouldn't be forgotten how key Troy Deeney was to the Nigerians success who constantly found his strike partner on numerous occasions and created the space for Ighalo to shoot. The Hammers were nearly given a route back into the match after the faultless to date Craig Cathcart gave a short pass back to Valencia who somehow struck the post instead of finding the net. Cathcart atoned for his error when he stopped Carroll scoring on the rebound. in truth the Englishmen had a game to forget as the Rookery made him aware with various chants in his direction.

Watford turned on the style playing nice one touch stuff and Capoue nutmegging various West Ham players. Following on from fantastic skill from Capoue the ball found Ighalo who looked to turn James Collins. The defender took his frustrations out on the star striker by absolutely leathering him. It was a poor tackle and Collins received a straight red.

The game came was then controlled by the hornets and the full time whistle blew with the hornets picking up back to back 2-0 wins against two tough games on paper.

MOTM- Ben Watson- once again he was absolutely everywhere and controlled the game alongside Capoue.
Atmosphere rating- 9/10- Best home atmosphere yet but the phone light thing needs to stop completely failed on this occasion. I think it needs to be left in the past!

Adam Rowe

District Cup Final

Cavendish edged out in district cup final

Cavendish were edged out 2-1 by Ashlyns School in the district cup final on Thursday afternoon. Despite a spirited effort late on the boys couldn’t manage to snatch a late goal against a resilient Ashlyns defence who held on to take the trophy.

The first half wasn’t the best half of the football for the team, as they didn’t manage to make an impression early on to perhaps eradicate any pre match nerves. Ashlyns created most of the early running and looked dangerous going forward but also didn’t make any clear-cut chances in the opening 10 minutes. However midway through the first half Cavendish keeper Hoskins made a fantastic save denying the Ashlyns striker. Cavendish had a great chance to take the lead though when they were awarded a penalty but the penalty was put wide and the score remained level. Cavendish keeper Hoskins made a brilliant save denying the Ashlyns striker who was allowed clean through on the goal. Eventually Ashlyns pressure told as they took the lead after a defensive mix up leaving a tap in the Ashlyns man. Cavendish had to respond well but again didn’t really trouble the Ashlyns defence and they went in behind at the break 1-0.

The second half was a completely different story as Cavendish finally started to apply some serious pressure on Ashlyns. The Ashlyns defence knew they were going to busy and showed some great organisation to keep the Cavendish pressure down to only a few half chances. Then the chance Cavendish wanted another penalty was awarded. The decision was controversial as it looked like a fair challenge despite the Cavendish striker going down in the area. However Cavendish missed again after a stop from the Ashlyns keeper, which kept them infront. Against the run of play Ashlyns scored again on one the rare attacks they had in the second half. This left Cavendish with it all to do. Everyone was thrown forwards in hope of a goal that would help pave a way back in to the match for Cavendish. Eventually the goal came after a good corner was headed in by Osborne to make it a nervy final few moments for Ashlyns. The equaliser nearly came very late on when the ball bounced around the area and a shot came in which the goalkeeper blocked at his near post. The Ashlyns defence scrambled it clear and the referee blew his whistle, which meant Cavendish missed out on the District cup.

Ashlyns were worthy winners they showed good organisation to stop Cavendish in the second half and were the better side by far in the first half. Cavendish were spirited in defeat and gave a good effort in the second half and created the chances to maybe take the game to extra time.

MOTM- Tyler Osborne – Well he scored didn’t he!

Cavendish 1 - 0 Hemel - district cup

Wilson’s winner sees Cavendish through

Cavendish triumphed in the district cup after edging past Hemel 1-0. Hemel had beaten Cavendish 3-0 earlier on in the season in the county cup. But this game was at home for Cavendish and playing on a pitch they were familiar with seemed to be a key factor in today’s result. Wilson’s second half goal sees Cavendish’s district cup dream continue for this season.

Cavendish came out of the traps well and nearly scored within the first couple of minutes, a whipped in Hayden free kick was well saved by the Hemel goalkeeper. However all of the pressure nearly counted for nothing after Hemel missed a golden chance to break the deadlock. Hemel broke through the Cavendish defence and had a one on one but it was narrowly put over the bar. Jordan Rogers was lively all game but his shot from distance went straight at the keeper. Hemel came back and thought they had a goal after a volley from a cross hit the underside of the bar but bounced back off the line.  Hayden had another free kick brilliantly saved after the keeper got down well to tip it round the post. Then Coston tried his luck from the edge of the box but again too easy for the Hemel goalkeeper. The final chance of the half fell to Cavendish too but an easy back post header was again saved. The sides went in drawing at the break but either could have been in front from such an end to end half.

The start of the second half was a slightly different story from the start of the first as Hemel probably left wandering how they didn’t take the lead. They would of done just six minutes into the half but for Cavendish keeper Charlie Hoskins heroics he made a tremendous double save keeping the scores level. Cavendish had a disallowed goal for scoring from an indirect free kick. Cavendish argued it should have counted but it appeared to be the correct decision from the referee. Then on 54 minutes Cavendish took the lead as Jay Wilson was played one on one and coolly tucked it into the bottom corner. This was a goal that Cavendish probably deserved for their first half efforts. Hemel were always going to apply the pressure after going one down but Cavendish had the chance to seal the game off minutes after going ahead as they were awarded a penalty, but midfielder Alex Payne blasted the ball high and wide. Hemel created a few chances towards the end with a shot going narrowly wide. Cavendish were under serious pressure as Hemel pushed for an equaliser which would have seen the game advance to extra time. In the last minuet a good corner found a Hemel head but he put it onto the inside of the post. Cavendish then countered but Rogers only found the keepers legs when he went one on one. The final whistle blew seconds later meaning Cavendish got 

their revenge on rivals Hemel.

The game was close one and a draw would have been a fair one. However Cavendish took their chance when it came and defended well meaning they progress into the next round. Hemel gave us a good game and played some great football at times which shows by their recent national cup success. The Cavendish defence were brilliant all game and must take big credit for this result. 

Today’s man of the match – Jay Wilson – he caused the Hemel defence real problems all game and deserved his match winning goal.

Cavendish starting 11

Hoskins (GK)

Smith

Town (c)

Osborne

Hayden

Parrot       

Payne

White

Wilson

Rogers 

Match statistics	Cavendish	Hemel
Shots on target	9	9
Shots off target	7	7
Corners	7	6
Fouls committed	7	10

Hemel Hempstead school vs Cavendish school - county cup round of 16

Cavendish Cup Dream Over

       Cavendish’s county cup dream came to an end today after a 3-0 defeat away to Hertfordshire neighbours Hemel Hempstead. Players and coaches alike stood in a minutes silence pre kick off to remember the troops who fought for our today. Cavendish had won from behind in the previous round whilst Hemel saw off Richard Hale School 4-1.

Hemel started well causing Cavendish to retreat early on. Cavendish saw off the early pressure well though and dealt with Hemel’s threats towards the goal. Alex Payne then had shot from long range but it didn’t trouble the keeper and this was the story of Cavendish’s afternoon. Hemel had the first real chance of the game but goalkeeper Hoskins denied the Hemel player with a great save with his legs. However just minutes later the opening goal came and Hemel’s pressure told. The ball was lifted over the Keeper and Hemel took a well-deserved lead. Cavendish really didn’t respond and the ball was in the net again for 2-0.  It was a real unfortunate moment for keeper Hoskins who misjudged a cross and dropped it into his own net.

Cavendish improved after the second goal but still didn't trouble the keeper in the Hemel goal. Matthew Smith had a shot from about 25-30 yards which went narrowly wide of the goal and was probably the brightest moment in the half. As halftime approached Matt white struck a volley just over. But it finished 2-0 at Halftime.

Cavendish started better in the second half trying to bring back the deficit in the cup tie. But again they attacked to no avail with shots off target. Hemel looked deadly when going forward and had 2 chances to go further ahead but neither was on target. Hoskins made many good saves from 1 on 1 s and put the earlier mistake behind him. The boys didn't give up and managed to test the keeper mid-way through the half. Coston broke through but couldn't round the keeper. Hemel sealed their victory late on after a good run and finish.

It finished 3-0 to Hemel and they full deserved their victory as they were the better side on the day. They will progress in the cup and we wish them the best of luck. Cavendish weren't at the races today but gave it a real go and the defence stood strong. The Cavendish Man of the Match was Colum Parrot who played a great game in defence; he stood strong and never stopped trying to stop Hemel attacking. We will get our chance for revenge when we play Hemel in the district cup later on in the season. We will have better days and we can look on to the next game with many positives to take from the defeat.

Match Statistics	Cavendish	Hemel
Shots	8	11
On target	1	6
Corners	1	1
Fouls committed	9	5

 Cavendish starting team

Hoskins (GK)

Bamford – Smith

Osborne – Colum

Town (C)

Hayden

White

Ammendo

Payne

Bird

Coston

Rogers