Weekly Results Round-up 10/03/12
06 Dec 2011

10^th March

HEARTACHE FOR 2NDS, 5THS PROMOTED

The 1sts had a fine 3-2 win against current champs Nottsborough who are fancied to win the SAL title for a fourth time. The score-line was far from flattering to the 1’s who, with a bit more consistency would have surely been in this year’s title shake-up.

Non- availability and injuries, ‘done’ for the 2nds at a vital time in their promotion bid. Manager Dario Donoghue was forced to take a somewhat uncompetitive side to South Bank Cuaco, and unsurprising went down 5-2. Such a pity to see a season of hard endeavours go down the pan, due in part to circumstances off the field.

The 3rds took a bit of a hammering, 5-2 against an atypical Norsemen 3rds, but they still maintain a respectable mid-table position.

No game for the 4ths saw them slide down the league a bit; however, they still have a chance to finish third, come on Captain Costas do your motivational stuff!!!

The Fivers secured (un)certain promotion with an 8-1 thrashing of local rivals Southgate Olympic 4ths. Those early season draws look like denying them the championship.

The Ad Hocs (6ths) are the current form team of the club, not content with reaching an SAL Final last week; Alan Torrington’s men handed out a 9-2 thrashing to EBOG’s 7ths to go third with a slim chance of promotion.

The Freshmen (7ths) had a respectable 2-2 draw with Old Parks 8ths, they play that ‘self-confident’ team from N21 next week, come-on chaps pull ‘all’ the stops out for that one!

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

3^rd March

6ths REACH CUP FINAL AGAIN!

The 1^st team bounced back to form with a fine 2-1 win over the league leaders Old Wilsonians, which secures their status in the top division with an opportunity to finish the season in style by hitting a winning streak in their remaining matches.

Its getting tense for the 2nds as they enter the final shake-down in their attempt to win promotion. A vital 3-1 away win against fellow contenders Westminster Citzs, did their prospects no harm whatsoever.

The 3rds are fast becoming the Cub's draw specialists with yet another (0-0) draw, this time against Merton.

The 4ths got back to winning ways with a morale boosting 4-2 win against Old Parks 6ths. It would be nice to think that Captain Costas' team could finish in their current 3^rd position, which could cover all bases if the SAL have any misgivings about the 5ths irresistible march to a promotion spot.

The 5ths are nearly there after another win, this time 4-3 against Ally Pally's 5ths, they now sit proudly ''top of the league''.

The Ad Hocs (6ths) are finishing their season strongly, a great 6-0 win at Crouch End saw them reach the SAL League Cup Final for the second year running.

The Freshmen (7ths) should be content with their status in their first season in the league, despite their recent winning run coming to an end with a 2-4 reverse against Ally Pally's 7ths.

The Blue Onlooker

25^th February

5ths & 6ths are Contenders!

The 1sts slumped to a 2^nd successive league defeat after a classic smash and grab raid by West Wickham, there still seems much room for improvement in the defending technique department, if the 1sts are going to hold on to hard won advantages and make an impact in the top division.

The in-form 2nds tasted an infrequent defeat in a friendly, and at the hands of ‘’SAL wannabes’’ Garchonians, who appear to have some way to go in acquiring a true SAL culture.

It was another Saturday, another long trip, another draw, for the 3rds. A 3-3 draw was the slim reward for an arduous encirclement of the M25 in order to make Carshalton and back; that said, this is the sort of fixture which displays the true unique SAL spirit prevailing at 3rd team level and above.

The 4ths form slump continued with a 3-0 defeat away to Kew 5ths, in the SAL league cup. Captain Costas has much motivation to do with his troops, if they are to halt their slide.

The 5ths triumphant form continues with an emphatic 9-1 win over Parks 6ths. The Fivers now look a cert to fill a promotion slot, but with the 4ths languishing well below them in the league, how will that sit with the SAL Management?

The Ad Hoc’s (6ths) gave their usual tight dour defensive performance; (not!), squeaking home by 10-4 against Lloyd Bank 6ths in their league cup.

The Freshmen (7ths) gave a very creditable performance in losing narrowly 2-1 against Parks, ‘’erm’’ 9ths, surely a selection contradiction in terms, having regard to this teams league form; still, ‘’people in glass houses, throwing stones’’, and all that.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

18^th February

2nds & 4ths STUMBLE IN PROMOTION BIDS, 5ths MARCH ON!

The 2nd Team drew 2-2 against an in form HSBC after trailing by two goals for most of an exciting match. Despite creating numerous chances throughout, the absence of prolific striker Jamie Yates proved to be a handicap as many went begging. Late goals from Danny Fitzgerald and Stuart Yates salvaged a precious point for the 2nds promotion push.

The 3^rd Team will be disappointed with ‘only’ a 2-2 draw against bottom of the table Finchleians as they look becalmed in mid-table.

4ths v the 5ths league meeting was the match of the day at Brooms, with the Fivers coming out on top 2-1 after a tense match. The Fivers now top the league, leaving the 4^th Team’s Captain Costas very disgruntled and the SAL fair play committee with a passing interest in what some might call the club’s ‘constipated’ selection policy.

The Ad Hocs (6ths) were in the clubhouse, checking out their future fixture programme, as they now fancy themselves for promotion after a 3-2 win against Old Parks 8ths. Can a side who has let-in 50 goals in 16 matchs win promotion?

The Freshmen (7ths) consolidated their league position with another win, this time 5-2 against Alexandra Park 8ths; after a slow start they look to be saving their best till last!

THE BLUE ONLOOKER 

4^th February

JACK FROST FREEZES OUT BROOMS

Adverse weather defeated Brooms’ attempts to get their home games on, although it was touch and go at Hazelwood. A 10am pitch inspection saw the status quo as sunny -2C, a nice flat pitch that had been verti-drained and rolled during the week, unfortunately there had been a hard frost overnight, leaving the pitch rock hard. A reluctant decision was made to postpone matches as there seemed little prospect of an improvement in weather conditions.

It has to be said, as a callow youth your correspondent remembers playing quite happily in the conditions prevailing at Hazelwood; however we now live in different litigious times, where health and safety rules ok! Big respect to Norsemen, Civil and Wilsonians who’s Safety Officers appear to have overslept and missed the pitch inspections.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER  

1^st’s RESULT TAKES THE SHEEN OFF A GOOD DAY FOR BROOMS!

The 1^st Team exited the County Cup Q.F. after suffering the agony of losing an unsuccessful penalty shoot-out 5-4 against Old Owens.

The 2^nd Team eventually came through with the right result 3-2 after a nail-biting match with Ibis, again thanks to the huge goals tally being amassed by the prolific Jamie Yates.

The 3^rd Team’s long journey to Mitcham was rewarded with a fine 3-2 away win at Westminster Citzs.

The 4^th Team got back to winning ways at Old Owens 6th’s fine football facilities, with a morale-boosting 3-1 win, bringing a smile back to Captain Costas’ face.

The Fivers (5^ths) achieved the result of the day (from a Brooms perspective) soundly trashing that self-confident N21 team 7ths, 2-1.

The Ad Hocs (6ths) were still conducting their team selection in the club-house at ‘1pm Sat’ for the away game at EBOG’s 7ths; still it didn’t seem to inhibit them as they went and won 8-4.

The Freshmen (7^ths) completed the double over EBOG with a 2-1 win against their 8ths.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

21^st January 2012

2NDS & 5THS ON THE UP!

The first team had to swallow the bitter pill of losing 1-2 to ‘that self-confident’ team from N21, such a pity for our large number of supporters who the Ref reckoned out-numbered the home crowd; ‘keep the faith’ you Sweepers the 1^st have a cup trophy within them!

The 2nds cheered-up Brooms supporters with a 2-1 win at HSBC's desirable ground to remain top of their league, it will be exciting to see if manager Dario Donoghue can steer his team to promotion in a very competitive league, as ever, availability will be the key.

Middle-of-the table 3rds had a middle-of-the table 4-4 result against middle-of-the table Kew.

Captain Costas’ 4ths continued on the slide losing 0-2 to top of their table Old Finchleians; they also had the ignominy of seeing the 5ths leap-frog above them in the table.

The Fivers (5ths) don’t need the Ex 1^st team squatters do they? Without them they saw-off Old Parks 5ths 4-3 to go second above the 4ths; who’d be a team selector!

The second clash of the Titans (6^th V 7^th) produced a 6-3 politically correct result in favour of the Alan Torrinton's ad hoc 6ths.


THE BLUE ONLOOKER   

14^th January 2012

GOALS GALORE!

The 1^st Team produced 7 goals and their best performance of the season in hammering EBOG at their ‘difficult’ Hertfordshire venue; inevitably Ryan Gardiner was again top scorer with his third consecutive hat-trick.

The 2^nd Team’s game came up with a 13 goal score-line in winning 9-4 to go top of their league. It delighted every-one but manager Dario Donoghue who was not happy with the goals conceded. Please note William Hill have stopped taking bets on Jamie Yates to win Broom’s top goal scorer award after he bagged another hatful of goals.

The 3^rd Team were on the wrong end of a 7 goal score-line going down 5-2 to an atypical SAL 3^rd team in more ways than one; a pity as ‘The Norse’ are the last team you would expect that of!

The 4^th Team’s 6-0 defeat completed a bad Brooms day at the Norseman office, which also saw their promotion hopes recede still further; where has it all gone wrong Captain Costas? Things looked so good not so long ago.

The Fivers (5ths) meet their match and more being humbled 6-0 by a very good Old Parms 5ths to crash out of the cup; maybe the ex-1^st Team squatters are not as invincible as this correspondent thought!

The Ad Hoc’s (6^th) were also on the wrong end of a high score-line going down 5-3 to an Old Parks ‘9ths’ side who’s playing strength looks disproportional to the level that they are supposed to be playing at. The SAL management committee will no doubt have something to say about it.

The Freshmen (7^th) completed a prolific (56) goals Saturday for Brooms, winning their third game in a row 5-4. They seem to be getting the hang of this SAL football thing!

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

7^th January 2012

CLEAN SWEEP FOR THE SWEEPERS! (ALMOST)

The 1^st Team completed a league double over good neighbours Norsemen with a 3-1 victory; a spectacular second half hat-trick from Ryan Gardiner turned the game in the 1^st’s favour. Forwards Gardiner and Scott Buckeridge look set to give SAL defences a torrid time, (if they can avoid further troubles with the ref).

The 2^nd Team put themselves right back into promotion contention with a fine 3-2 win at the Bank of England. 3-0 up at half-time, following another hat trick from the prolific Jamie Yates, who has bagged 26 goals to date, the 2^nd’s were forced to defend with fortitude as the Bank staged a forceful second half comeback.

The 3^rd Team put their pre Xmas sojourn behind them and travelled to distant Epsom to produce one of their best performances of the season beating a strong Old Salesians 4-2.

Pick of this week’s matches must be the 4^th’s 6-6 draw with Old Park’s 5ths; this match had it all, as the score line swung one way then the other with the obliging Captain Costas volunteering to ‘don the gloves’ in a vain attempt to stem the feast of goals.

The 1^st Vets (5ths) had too much ability for Old Parks 6ths in winning 4-3 and now threaten the 4^th’s league position; selection between the two teams will be interesting in the second half of the season, the smart money is on the Fivers to finish above the 4ths if they hang on to certain ex 1^st teamers.  

The Ad Hocs (6^th) saw off Crouch End Vampires 6th’s with a fine 5-2 victory to consolidate their league position, could they haul themselves into the promotion race?

The newly formed 7ths are at last starting to find their feet in SAL Minor football, notching their second consecutive victory, defeating EBOG’s 7ths to complete what was a thoroughly satisfying week-end for the Club.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

31^st December 2011

The first team were so desperate to play a friendly during the ‘SAL winter break’ that they took up the mantle after Old Garchonians pitch was disappointedly declared unfit.

A venue was quickly found at Barnet F.C.’s excellent training centre ‘The Hive’ at Edgware, with both sides chipping in, circa £100, towards the expensive pitch hire fee; a fine example of the ‘amateur spirit’ prevailing in AFA Football.

The match its-self was a bit of a ‘University Challenge’ for the opposition with a number of Brooms erstwhile uni-graduates returning to fill-in for some of the 1^st’s continuing holiday revellers.
Brooms proved to be too ‘footballistically’ intellectual for their opposition, winning rather knowingly 7-1.

Four goals from Ryan Gardiner were the highlights of a worthwhile match where the 1^st team gave ample example of their potential to make an impact in AFA football.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

17th December 2011

The 1^st Team progressed to the last eight in the AFA County Cup with a comfortable 3-1 home win over a dour East Barnet OG; it has to be said this was not a  game for the connoisseurs of AFA football unless they were from the ‘N21 school of coaching’.

On the adjacent Hazelwood pitch the 2^nd Team produced better Christmas fare with a sparkling 4-0 victory over local rivals Southgate Olympic to keep up their promotion hopes.

The 3^rd Team??? What the ****

The 4^th Team sadly, lost 2-4 against that Team from N21; perhaps Captain Costas should check out some ex 1^st Teamers playing for the Fivers!

The 5^th Team marched on with a 3-1 victory over good neighbours Norsemen 6^th and now have our 4^th team looking over their shoulder and the ‘SAL fair play committee’ looking at their respective league positions!

In the clash of the Titans the ‘Ad Hocs’ (6ths) drew 3-3 with the ‘Freshmen’ (7^th) nice one chaps, all could enjoy the club xmas drink after, without any aggravation.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

10^th December 2011

The 1^st team returned home empty handed from Old Parks’ sunk by a hotly disputed goal was it over or wasn’t it! After the clamour by some SAL glitterati teams, for linesman at 1^st team level, this ref  ignored a well placed lino; goal line technology anyone?

The 2^nd team were unable to repeat their Hazelwood goal blitz of the previous week, being held to a 1-1 draw by an obdurate Old West Citizs; however they remain in a reasonable position to challenge for promotion.

The upwardly mobile 3^rd team consolidated their league position by winning 2-0 at home against a lowly Old Finchleians.

The table topping 4ths got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 win over Alexandra Parks 5ths.

A 5^th team containing a number of ex 1^st teamers had too much class for a struggling Old Owens 6^th team running out 8-0 winners in a miss-match of playing strengths.

The ad-hoc 6ths restored some Brooms pride at Old Parks by winning 4-2. The news is; Mystic Meg will apparently select the team next week, that’s the only hope of knowing who might turn up for kick off.

Our freshmen 7ths had their best result of the season thrashing EBOG’s 8^th 10-0 to give them a much needed boost.

THE BLUE ONLOOKER

03/12/11
With the 1^st team having no fixture the 2nd team had centre stage at Hazelwood, and they took a bow by winning 9-1 against a hapless Old Latymerians 2^nd team, who kicked off with nine men. A double hat-trick from 'the prolific' Jamie Yates was the most notable event from a somewhat uncompetitive match. Credit to the opposition who despite the adversity, inspired by displaying a tremendous sporting attitude throughout the game.

The 3^rd team on the 2nd Hazelwood pitch drew inspiration from the adjacent goal spree by recording a comfortable 4-1 win against Old Westminster Citizens 3rds.

Captain John Costas of a so far ‘buoyant’ 4^th team, had major difficulties in selecting a competitive team for his match, unsurprisingly they went down 4-1 to Old Finchleians 6ths, thus dealing a blow to their title hopes. One positive which might  interest higher eleven selectors, was the first appearance of ‘evergreen’ Simon Pope.

The (all our yesterdays) 5^th team progressed in the AFA Cup, knocking out local rivals Southgate Olympic 2-1. They now host Old Parmiterians in the 3^rd round.

The ‘ever ad hoc’ 6^th team made the short trip over to Alexandra Park but unfortunately returned home empty handed going down narrowly 3-2

Newbies to the SAL environs’ the 7ths, are finding it tough to make an impression, their latest lesson in the competitive nature of SAL lower eleven’s football was handed out by Old Parks 9ths who beat them 4-1.     

THE BLUE ONLOOKER