Debut Delight at the Death
West Drayton Reserves 1 GPR 3
We’ve done it.
After two full seasons, eight attempts and zero luck, Grove Park Rangers are in the second round of a cup on pure merit. Not settling for a proxy win, the boys, made up of a blend of veterans and debut makers, held their nerve after coming back from behind for a fourth consecutive game to lead.
Five minutes in, nothing much had happened but West Drayton’s step up in quality was obvious. Our previous visit ended in a 7-0 rout for the Salads, but it seemed there would be no chance of a repeat this weekend.
We started dangerously at both ends, Oli knocking the ball out wide to Robert, who flicked it through to Rory. He almost reached Gavin but this was cleared with ferocity, allowing them to counter. Oli was forced into making a sharp save early into the game.
We were the better side on the ball, but it was clear that goals were imminent. And the opener almost came through a total fluke. Steeve played a quick one-two with Rory, and the onrushing keeper in his attempt to clear the ball, smacked it against our no. 9’s back. It almost looped into the net, only to be stopped close to the goal line.
Then the goal did come, and not for us. A corner was swung in and a fifty-fifty between Oli and the opposition centre back saw the ball fly into the air, only for the same player to connect with it on the way down.
Disheartened, but very much used to this by now, we got straight back to attacking the game, and soon should have levelled the game. Robert played a beautiful, incisive ball to Gav to set up a clean finish identical to his strike last week. This time, however, he sprayed the ball just wide.
Knocking on the door, we then scored one of our best goals to date. A flat ball over the top reached Rory, whose sublime flick landed perfectly for Gavin. Taking the ball on, he soon crossed it back and Rory was ready for it, letting it caress the post and ease past the goalie.
With the game scrappy, goal threats were opening up from all over the pitch. West Drayton almost went ahead again from a counter attack, but Oli did brilliantly to deny the forward and pull off another strong stop.
Rory was hungry for more goals, and the boys were only too keen to provide them. Marauding forward from left back, Aman got the ball wide, ran into the box, beating two men in the process, and pulled it back. The big man up top, however, delivered a rare collector’s item as he was unable to convert the chance.
Soon after, Oli went wide to Josh, who had been the heartbeat of our possession all game, and he beat two men. Picking up intensity and looking for options, he played a through ball to Joel who broke into the box, past a defender and this time, Rory made no mistake in giving us a deserved lead.
It had been a positive, if slightly chaotic opening 45 minutes. With clear instructions from the gaffer, the second half began and for consecutive weeks, Joel went close to doubling our lead immediately after the pause in play. Breaking from a corner, Oli found him on the half way line, and he took it the rest of the way to give himself a golden opportunity, only for the keeper to pull off an impressive fingertip save onto the post.
The rest of the game was dominated by the scrappiness and tension that had been simmering beforehand. It started with Alan, who was clearly brought down in the box whilst going for an attacking corner. The ref waved away protests, much to the confusion of just about everyone.
Shortly afterwards, a firm but fair tackle from Andre, who impressed on his full debut, led to the recipient getting himself sinbinned for his reaction. Zech, also making his debut for the club, made an immediate impact from the bench, a floating ball coming close to give Rory his third hat-trick of the season.
A disagreement over a goal kick decision broke out into another round of handbags, delaying the game slightly and adding to the overall tension of the match, which had been close-fought and with little between the teams. Without a goal cushion, the fear of a late equaliser began to settle in.
The back four, having Ruben as the final debutant on the right flank, dug their heels in; Dan lead the charge with some powerful defensive work. Things were looking dicey as in the final moments, West Drayton were awarded a corner. This time, Oli grabbed it. He launched the ball forward to Zech, who had the rest of the pitch to himself. He sprinted to the other end and rounded the keeper with ease, wrapping up his debut and our first cup win.
It was a fitting end in many ways, a sign of the development our older guard have made and the breakthrough of the new crop that continue to impress and give the gaffer some real head-scratching. Now we look back to the league as we prepare for Princes Park, who have won both their opening games. We’re up for the challenge.
MOTM 💫 = Despite Oli and Rory’s effectiveness at both ends of the pitch, Josh had a game to remember, dominating the ball in midfield alongside Steeve.
DOTD 👀 = With everyone on good form, I’ll take this week’s award for my travel plans. Although, in my opinion, Gavin’s foul throw has gone massively under the radar…
