RedStar Camden vs Gower Allstars - match report Feb 3rd

And so the battle of the titans commenced, on a windy, cold morning at the Heath Extension. The six-time champions RedStar Camden, who were 6pts behind Gower Allstars, could afford nothing less than 3pts from this crucial encounter.

The game began at frantic pace, with tackles flying in from both sides, preventing any long periods of possession for either side.

Both sides stood firm at the back, but it was Gowers who looked the stronger, with their captain back in the middle of defence, clearing their lines of any potential threat.

The beast of Ricky, also began to make his presence felt with some crunching tackles all over the pitch, one of which led to a break away move, which finished with a lovely through ball from Botterill to Medley, who ran across and behind the back four, to beat the offside trap (just) and create a one on one against the Redstar keeper. Needless to say he finished coolly with his left foot under the onrushing keeper.

1-0.

Minutes after, a hammer blow to Gower, when the ever-effective Botterill went in ankle first into a horrible tackle, and needed to be carried off. Klinger replaced him on the left wing.

After some good calling and saves from Paley at the back, he was unfortunately caught out when a 30-yard belter from Redstar cannoned off the bar, luckily to safety. However it was his defence that did not react sufficiently to a perfect ball over the top, which fell to the pacey Redstar striker Junior, who had a one on one for 20 yards and rounded the stranded Paley to equalise after 30 mins.

Game on.

Gowers knew they had the majority of the play, especially in attack with the two strikers looking exceptionally dangerous on the break, and if they kept moving the ball as quickly as they could, it would catch out their opponents.

Que a perfect pacey 3-pass manoeuvre between Ricky, Medley and Kelly which split the RedStar defence, and this time Kelly was put through one on one, and he lifted the ball over the keeper to give the Gowers a 2-1 lead.

Half-time soon came, and I think both teams knew there were more goals in this game, it was just a question of how and when.

Gowers continued to be keep possession and create good opportunities down both channels, with half-opportunities missed by both Medley and Kelly.

55 mins gone, and it was RedStar this time, on the break, which was cut out by Capone and Mitchell, however their clearance was not quick or strong enough, and they were caught out, which enabled RedStar to run through on goal, and slot a gut-wrenching equaliser underneath Paley.

2-2.

Testiment to Gowers spirit, right from the re-start, Kelly and Medley broke forward combining well, and Kelly out-fought his marker on the edge of the box, to slide the on-rushing Durrant in on goal for a one-on-one….

Not renowned for his composed finishing, the Gowers hearts were in their mouths as Durrant’s right foot pulled back to wallop the ball – and soon after the Allstars were celebrating as Durrant found the top corner, with an unstoppable finish.

3-2

30 mins to play, and if you thought there was action thus far, you just wait for this….

Gowers defence holds firm, with solid play by both centre-backs, until yet another tricky swirling ball over the top of the backline finds Redstar’s Junior, who, after controlling the ball, suddenly sees the giant grandpa himself, Paley, right on top of him, blocking a crucial attempt at goal. It was nothing short of a brilliant save, which kept Gowers right in the game, however Juniors knee on the follow through of his shot, collided with Paley’s forehead, which knocked him flat out.

Seconds later when he awoke, the heroic Paley did not even know where we were or who we were playing – testament to Paley, he wanted to carry on, but he could barely stand.

Urgent re-shuffle required for Gowers, as Glyn went in goal, Stiefel came on at centre-back, and the game continued at 3-2 with 25 mins to go.

This was unfortunately for Gowers, when the tide turned and the game began to slip away from them. Redstar could sense their insecurity and vulnerability, and the six-times champions began to pile on the pressure – long dangerous throw-ins, swinging corners, and flank attacks all ensued, and within 10 mins, a ball between full-back and centre-back, found the other Redstar striker yet again in space in the box. Glyn rushed out head-first, caught the ball in the tackle – only for the strikers studs to end-up in his ear, causing the ball to spill loose, and to the striker, who crossed for Junior to head home,

3-3

Glyn with badly bleeding ear has to go off. Re-shuffle again. Kelly goes in goal, with the new left-sided Rene, taking up the left wing.

15 to go, and Redstar could sense the crucial winner, against a now exceptionally disrupted and vulnerable Gowers.

More pressure from Redstar, was however equalled by the whole Gower back four, who never stopped tackling, running and committing themselves to every possible challenge.

5 mins to go, and it was a clearance from the Gowers defence, that was headed on perfectly by Rene on the halfway line, to the engine of Ricky, who took up a left wing position.

With no one in the box, Ricky took it onto the by-line and crossed hugely (and incredibly) for the sprinting Durrant from the right wing. The ball cleared all the central defenders, and somehow found the match-winner Durrant, who from 10 yards, half-volleyed into the roof of the net.

A quite incredible and somewhat surreal finish – which was against the run of play, and simply stunned the Redstar team, who never recovered, as they were again behind for now the 4th and final time.

Minutes later, this epic yo-yo of a game finished 4-3 to the mighty Gower Allstars, and with it came 3 huge points for the Gowers.


As Gower manager for 3 years, I have never been involved in such an exciting and significant match.

Every one of you were giants out there. You never stopped running, believing and wanting. And look what comes to those who desire.

This match signalled the end of Redstars reign as champions, and leaves the Gowers, in prime position to take the title.

A quote from Eko (manager of Redstar) on the league website:-

premier red star 3 v 4 gower (german/jervier 2)great game. red star come back 3 times. gower lose 2 goalies and snatch it at the end. the red star reign is over. well played gower

The title is nearly there, although we cannot contemplate anything but victories in our remaining 5 games, none more important than Outback on Mar 2nd. But we don’t think of that now, we think of Tufnell Park Rangers, at home (UCS) this Sunday, 1.30pm KO. One game at a time.

MOTM = such a difficult one. There were brilliant combinations all over the pitch, Medley/Kelly – who were so threatening everytime they got the ball to their feet, Ricky/Mitchell, who never stopped running and thwarted so many central attacks, Ossack/Glyn who defended like giants throughout, but individually it came down to two. Durrant for his last two crucial finishes, which won us the game, and Paley for some heroic saves, and clearing of his lines – and due to his valiant, brave, and committed performance, one which will go in the memory books, this weeks MOTM goes to a thoroughly deserved Rod Paley, who played excellently throughout. Rest hard this week my friend, we need you next week more than ever.

Well done boys, you should be smiling all week at this one.