FT: 2-0
Subs: Fintan McGrath, Ash Jones, Rafa Portezan
Goalscorers: Matt Jackson, Ed Finney
MOM: Stuart McGunnigle

It was back on the 20th January, 2017 that Earlsfield had their first official derby day game. Goldfingers FC are where a majority of the Earlsfield players originated, creating a scene of friction between the two teams as they prepared for war on the pitch. Zeus himself prepared the game as the sky turned black and the rain pelted down on both teams.

It was a new years return for Charlie Acres in goal and Andy De La who had tunneled his way back from the US. The game started in the poor conditions and players muddied themselves as they slide into big tackles, fell over the mountain of mud and battled for every aerial ball. The game was tight and it was hard to define who had control as possession was hard to keep and the passing was below par. There were some close shaves as Goldfingers drilled a ball into the box from a freekick which went a few yards wide. A corner then came in which Charlie Acres uppercut out of the box and into orbit. In the other half a few half cut opportunities came for Earlsfield through a corner from Harry Smithson drilled into Matt Jackson, which was blocked. Another ball was sent across to Alex Sampson who couldn’t muster the acrobatics to scissor kick into the top bins. A pretty deadlocked first half with no exceptional play left the boy 0-0 at half time.

Fintan & Ash arrived on to the pitch in the second half and helped re-energise the team. The ball was now being played out the back thanks to Charlie, Craig and Ed – and it was a beautiful through ball to Matt Jackson from Ash Jones that cut the defence apart and whilst he tucked it nicely into the bottom corner, the goalkeeper was able to respond with a brilliant save. Whilst he celebrated that save for the next few minutes, that was short lived as a corner came in, with the Crowns battling for the header. The ball then settled for Matt Jackson to volley into the back of the net 1-0 to Earlsfield. With that goal putting them into the lead, Earlsfield started to control the game, with great passing and counter attacking play. The Goldfingers team looked defeated and barely hit our final third. It was in the 65th minute that the Crowns broke through again, with Ash Jones playing Matt Jackson down the left channel again. After beating his man to the ball he looked up to see a marauding run from El Captain Ed Finney – so he cut the ball back to the edge of the box, aided by the MOM the puddle, the ball stuck on the edge and Ed calmly slotted it in for 2-0. Goldfingers tried to push forward and get a goal back, but Earlsfield stood strong and reflected all pressure, hitting them on the break a few more times with Alex Sampson having a few efforts, Ash Jones doing wonders down the left and even De La getting up the field. The whistle finally blew to end the first derby game with Earlsfield much deserved winners of the game.

With Kiwi losing to South East London in the league, this also meant that the title was in Earlsfields hands. 3 games, 3 wins and they win the league. onwards and upwards COYC!

Location

Abbey Rec Wimbledon