Westbrook YMCA FC

Kirkby Malzard res V Westbrook Res
 
Kirlby
 
Attendance Kirkby
 
Westbrook were, as Chris Rea once sang, on the road again as they looked to carry on their positive run since Christmas by travelling, and travelling and travelling to the backwaters of Kirkby to take on a Malzard outfit on a good surface.
 
Brooks 11 was again much changed but it saw the return of several faces who had been out for a good while of the season in Russ, Sam and Ryan Preston, there was also a start for Ronnie Biggs as the second team. The mood in the camp was good as the winning run meant that there was an air of confidence in the team for those who had been involved in most of the games.
 
Brook kicked off going down the hill in the first half and the new nature of the team was there to see as it took them a while to get going but during that time Sam and Charles at the back were immense and Chris Brodie returning in goal was largely untested, bar a fine stop from a lob that could have seen Brook go behind.
 
As an attacking force Brook were in the main non existent in the opening skirmishes bar Nicholson creating a chance for himself but his left foot strike was straight at the Kirkby keeper. A tactical swap by the manager sent Day wide left and brought Armstrong up front to sure up the gaps in midfield and give the Brook front line more chance to hold onto the ball.
 
This change brought results as Brook managed to get a foothold in the game going forward and Thornton and Wilson began to dominate the physical battle in the middle of the park and Brook won a series of corners that built pressure. This pressure finally told when Glenn threw in a cross from the right after a corner was partially cleared and Thornton’s pressure saw the Kirkby skipper head the ball past his onrushing keeper for 1-0.
 
This goal settled the brook nerves and they began to play with Day and Nicholson coming into the game more and more and Brooks young defenders having the confidence to bring the ball out from the back. It was on one of these Mazy runs that Charles had that brought the next Brook goal. The young centre back carried the ball forward almost at will and was threatening a goal of the season contender when he was scythed down 25 yards out. From the resulting free kick Hands D stepped up and with a finish that reminded almost all observers of that Beckham chap in action curled one over the wall and right into the top corner for 2-0. Sublime.
 
HT 2-0
 
The Half time talk was all about the importance of the next goal as the manager pointed out if Brook got it there would be 5 in this for them but if Kirkby got it going down the hill at home then they were right back in the game.
 
The opening to the second half suggested the Malzard management had been saying the same thing as Malzard came out all guns blazing and threw everything at the Brook back four and midfield who stood firm and saw off every cross and blocked every shot on target and were magnificent it keeping Malzard out. This pressure lasted a good ten minutes and just saw every brook body defending and holding on to the lead. This pressure was almost broken completely when Hands got on the end of a long kick from Brodie and attempted a volleyed lob that had the keeper beat but drifted just wide.
 
Fresh legs were needed at this point so it a double substation Hands and shortly after Armstrong departed and Mills-Preston and Turner came on. It was the energy lift the team needed and Malzard were now forced back a bit by the work and pace of Brooks front two and after great work by Thornton Tom Day saw his point blank header superbly turned over the bar by the Malzard keeper for a corner. It was a brief respite as Rothwell flung over and another quality delivery that saw Thornton flung himself at the ball and power a header into the top corner for 3-0 – Superb.
 
From here Malzards heads seemed to go down and Brook, like a Shark sensing blood, tore into the opposition with Day, Mills Preston and Chappers, on for Nicholson’s running causing all kinds of problems and the Back four with Wilson and Thornton getting stronger in front of them seeing off anything Malzard could offer. After a great run from Mills-Preston Brook had another free kick on the edge of the box, this time Day stood up and struck the bar with a venomous shot. The rebound fell to Chappers who met it with a spectacular Scissors kick to slam the ball into the bottom corner, he likes Malzard does chappers as that is 2 of his 3 career goals scored there and it was 4-0.  Spawny.
 
The final 15 minutes saw Brook soak up Malzards efforts and pepper them on the break and this was epitomised by the link up between Harte and Day that saw Harte charge from fullback into the Malzard penalty area where one of 3 defenders took him out and gave the Ref no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Cool as ice Tom Day to send the keeper the wrong way for 5 and join Hands D on 10 goals for the season in the race for the top goal scorer. Clinical
 
In truth the 2nd half display was everything a manager would have wanted and shows that this Brook team is coming of age and has a confidence running through it that makes them a side to keep an eye on for the next campaign. It also showed he knew what he was talking about at half time…..
 
 
 
MOM Joint between Charles and Sam
Managers the same joint between Charles and Sam
 

Harangued by the West Leeds Red tops, given the dreaded nod of job security by Chairman Matt Bates and subject to some playground name calling on Twitter and Bebo, Darren Hands has been through the mill in the last few seasons. In the face of this, he’s remained strong. Time and time again assuring anyone who will listen that he is confident in his “project” at Westbrook and that he’s creating something worthwhile.

And so it was, with a mixture of youth, experience and Paul Laverty that the Westbrook second string made their way to Kirk Deighton. With 2 victories on the bounce under their belt, Hands spoke of the need for his team to get their head on the game and to win their personal battles, as Saturday was to be the day that Westbrook could secure 3 consecutive victories since the 2009/2010 season.

The early exchanges delivered what Hands had called for. A commitment across the pitch, epitomised by Hough in the third minute who bear hugged the Kirk Deighton number 8 off the ball, and in avoiding a potential red card, effectively won the mental midfield battle there and then.

The home team made much of the early running, but found little in the way of solid chances and when they did, Safe Hands Laverty was solid between the sticks. Westbrook’s first chance came midway through the half when some neat midfield passing led to Darren Hands being played in. Clean through, the Westbrook number 9 rolled back the years by showing the Deighton Centre back a clean pair of heels and his early, near post shot caused the keeper to suffer some form of paralysis as the ball sailed past him and into the net. 0-1 Brook. Lovely stuff.

5 minutes later, and Westbrook had their second chance. This time an indirect free kick fell to Terry on the edge of the box via Hands head. Taking it in his stride, Terry cut inside and tried once and then again to get his shot away, before swinging a tired leg to lift a tidy finish into the top corner. For the first time this season, Westbrook were soaking up pressure and taking their chances and at 0-2 looked comfortable.

The defence remained solid with Walsh commanding the back line, like a taller, less adulterous, less racist and more northern John Terry (8 years ago). Chapman, Teggart and Wood all played their part too and with Laverty shouting the odds from behind, Westbrook looked unlike conceding and went into half time 2 goals to the good.


The second half was barely 5 minutes old when the Kirk Deighton number 11 ran into Hough and went down like the proverbial sack of shit. As there was no foul, Westbrook played on while many of the Deighton (and some of the Westbrook) players ground to a halt, not Hands though, who made his third contribution to the game by finishing surprisingly well from a tight angle that he had no right to shoot from and probably wouldn’t have shot from had his knackered strike partner Terry not stopped in the belief that the game would be stopped. The hapless Deighton keeper really was sold a beauty. Hands then made his fourth contribution to the game, by substituting himself for Tom Day to come on.

At 0-3 the game was effectively won and the home team began to grow increasingly frustrated with the referee, no one more so than the Deighton number 10, who after being flagged (correctly) offside asked his manager to be “subbed otherwise I’m going to punch him” and pointed to the referee. A pretty astonishing reaction from a seemingly mild tempered striker and he was rightly sent off despite the home teams protestations. It has to be said the referee dealt with the situation well and somehow managed to keep the lid on the game.

Westbrook seemed more phased than the home team by these events, and Deighton’s captain led by example and pulled one back as they finally broke down the ‘Brook’s resistance.

The potential for an unlikely comeback was put to the Sword when the clinical Tom Day made space for himself on the edge of the box and finished brilliantly to make it 4-1. At this point the game was well and truly won and Westbrook finished at a canter. Whisper it, but Hands “project” is evolving from avoiding relegation to achieving promotion…

Managers MOM – Walsh
Players MOM – Wood
Reporters MOM - Terry

Westbrook v Bedale
 
 
Westbrook went into this game on the back of a last minute winner from the last game and flying with the confidence that brings, well they would have been had not 4 summers, the Cheeky girls, Bobby Browns musical career and koko B Ware not all passed in the time between these two fixtures.
 
Brook skippered by Walsh won or maybe lost the toss but either way kicked off with the sun at their backs and the wind going unhelpfully across the pitch. Prior to the game the Brook manager had talked about attitudes improving and the will to want to win being as important as the ability to win the actual game.
 
This will was shown in the early midfield skirmishes where Hough and Hands got on top in the middle and gave the Brook side the platform to build going forward. A few crosses from Paul Hands and Foxton had been dealt with by the Bedale defence at full stretch but the pressure was telling.
 
The goal when it came was simplistic in its build up and lethal, like Riggs, in its finishing. Bedales back 4 were struggling with the battle and caught out, as were most of the people at the YMCA, when Paul Laverty’s huge kick landed just outside the 18 yard box. They must have got a mild sun stroke as they could not match the Pace of Hands up front who latched onto the kick before confidently finishing with the outside of his right toe. 1-0 Brook and well deserved.
 
Till know the ref had been largely on the periphery of the game and had no influence. Shortly after this goal he decreed that it was ok for the Bedale centre forward to haul down Walsh and in doing so give himself a free run on  goal to somehow strike it wide. This then set the tone for Bedale to tackle man and ball every time and this gave them an ascendancy in the game until Rob Hough decided enough was enough and began to hit back hard through the old fashioned scissors tackle method.
 
Once Brook got back on top of the physical battle they again took a grip on the game and Foxton beat a few men and hit in one of those crosses that they love to show on sky as it was to good for the keeper and the despairing Brook forwards, I swear I heard Sire Geoff saying “now that’s the corridor of uncertainty” in the press box. From this pressure Brook won a throw in that was flicked on by Hough and flicked over the keeper from an improbable angle into the net by Hands again, this may have hit a defender but it was goal bound and the dubious goals panel have given him the goal. 2-0 and totally deserved.
 
HT 2-0 Brook
 
The second half tactics were to go to feet and build from Elliott’s strength and go onto win by a large number. The First action of the half was Hands chasing down a long high punt over the top and forcing a good save from the Bear like Bedale keeper.
 
The second half was a pretty dominant display from Brook and saw Bedales players favour leaving the foot in more and more with the ref just waving play on to almost every challenge. Foxton was on the end of most of them and must have been getting annoyed. He then burst into life beating 2 men but again Brook were thwarted by the visitors keeper. On the hour the Veteran Hands made way for the youth of Day and Bedale had another problem to deal with as Walker chose to begin to play out of his skin again.
 
Hough was beginning to dominate in the middle of the park now and brook were looking almost at ease with the game – so much so the on looking Stevie G predicted it would be the first clean sheet of the season. Walker won another ball and fed Day whose shot was superbly foiled by the Bedale keeper who was now keeping his team in the game.
 
The clean sheet brook deserved alluded them as Bedale got a goal back following some slap dash play in the middle of the park and a poor attempt to clears the ball saw a lucky ricochet fall to the Bedale forward to finish well given Laverty no chance.
 
By now Brook has made all the changes in the game and were looking very comfortable with Laverty only really having to make the odd stop from speculative long range drives as brook pushed on by Walsh and Hough forced the pace in the middle of the par after Simon Hands had to be substituted for a childish, well not in language any child of mine would be on the naughty step with soap to wash out their mouths, outburst when he got a bit of cramp. So when Rohan twisted his knee and had to be helped off the pitch Brook had to finish the game with 10 men.
 
Again they stood up to the task manfully taking the game to Bedale and with Tom Day a constant danger and Rob Hough and Walshy becoming truly dominant in the middle of the park all the remaining action was still in Bedales half and the work of Walker as a loan front man was outstanding.
 
Brook hung on for back to back victories to win 2-1 and as Si Hands says “if the results go Brooks way and they win the last 8 games Brook can win the league from here”
 
Full tims
Westbrook res 2 Bedale res 1
 
MOM Players – R Hough
Managers Jonny “left Hook” Wilson

Finally the rumours surrounding Simon Hands future at the club can be put to bed, with Sky Sports the first site to break the news:

http://www.skybet.com/cms/breaking-transfer-news.shtm?name=Simon+Hands

As statement from manager and brother Darren Hands read:

“While the club understands Simon’s decision to leave, with the Euros around the corner, he wants to play his way into contention. No problem. But given the faith the club has shown in him over the years, the move is undeniably a betrayal. He is now only my brother in name”

There will be an effigy burning session at the club on Saturday 4th February. Children and partners are more than welcome.

Westbrook V Pool
 
Fortress YMCA
 
Attendance a very brave 8
 
Well this reported has never really been an advocate of the winter break idea in football until he turned up at fortress YMCA and was hit by the 29 MPH winds, hail and rain. Summer football/ Crazy but it might just work…
 
At the toss Brook took the option of playing with the wind and sun as the bright winter sun usually does one after 45 mins. Kick off could not be delayed for Andy Sainter, apparently having to deal with a mental ex, although the ref had sympathy, is not a reason to delay kick off so Snake hips Chapman had to start at Left Back and Westbrook’s own Ronnie Biggs came in at centre back, of sorts.
 
The game began with Brook looking the liveliest of the two team with good movement from the front two, including veteran hands D rolling back the years, and they soon earned a corner. From Nicholson’s corner there was a scramble that saw Wlashy hit one against the post and Hands “got to be there to miss them” D blazing the rebound over from 3 yards (note to Hands D roof of the net is not always the best place to aim for) and Pool were off the hook.
 
From this dead ball Pool won possession and some rank bad defending later there forward was left with a simple tap in to make it 1-0. This brought brook to life and Foxtons enigmatic performance began with him skinning his fullback but crossing into the grave yard. His next bit of play was to earn a free kick 29 yards out. Hands D ushered everyone else away from the ball and took aim, fired and found the bottom corner of the goal with a sensational strike (in no way did it bounce twice and appear that the keeper did not want to dive as he might get mud on him to let it in) 1-1 and game on.
 
From here Brook began to boss the game and looked deadly every time they broke on pool so it was something of a shock when they went 2-1 down as a result of a fresh air shot from Wood and another lucky ricochet to allow a tap in. 2-1 down and again game on. The next chance was Hands D breaking down the left fed by Walsh whose curled effort clipped the outside of the post from about 16 yards, was it going to be one of those days for Brook? It looked that way when Nicholson cut in side and shaved the outside of the post from the edge of the box with the keeper well beat, it really looked that way when the mud held up the ball to some how stop Hands D and Walshy scoring from 6 yards. The next chance to go begging was when Hands D appeared to do all the hard work to drive to the by-line and pull it back to Walker but the Pool defence read it and cleared with a last ditch hoof.
 
The equaliser when it came was a well crafted goal from front to back and done very quickly as Chapman fed the on running Hands D who held it up to lay of to Walshy who crossed into the box for Elliot to knock the ball down to the Enigma that is Foxton. Foxton turned his man inside out and finished well into the bottom corner for the deserved equaliser and a really good team goal. Such a good goal it appeared to move Ronnie Biggs to throwing up in his own half…..
 
HT 2-2
 
The half time talk was about concentration and using the ball right in the wind, the consensus was with a bit more belief Brook could take this game away from pool. The opening ten of the second half saw Brook fly out of the traps and pin Pool back in there own half with Hands S driving the team forward and pressing the Pool midfielders they were making errors. Snake hips Chapman pounced on one of these errors and danced past 3 players and had the option to shoot or lay the ball into Hands D and chose to do neither and played the ball into touch.
 
This was the story for a few minutes for Brook great approach play but the final option awful, this was until they fed Hands D Wide left who rolled back the years to turn the Pool full back inside out and delivered a cross into the box that was met with equal quality by the on rushing Nicholson on the half volley into the top corner for 3-2.
 
The remainder of the half saw Pool aimlessly coming forward and Brook hitting them on the break but continuously making the wrong decisions and not really maximising the superb hold up and link play Walker was giving Brook as an outlet. Day and Foxton on a couple of occasions went for goal when the pass would have been the better option and then the pass when the shot was the better option. Brook was on top and comfy but, as is the case, dropping deeper and allowing pool to much of the ball. Laverty in truth was only tested on a couple of occasions and on both he made good stops. At the other end the pool keeper made a great stop to prevent Day making the game all but dead.
 
All the changes had been made now so the legs on the pitch had to do the work and Walker took this as his job to get the ball and run down time every time he got it from Elliot or Sainter this is what he did. Into the last 2 mins Walker took the ball into the corner and held of 3 men to win a corner and the game was up as all Brook had to do was take it short and Walker would have killed the game off.
 
These instructions bellowed on by the sideline were ignored by the youth of Wilson, Elliot and Day who, despite having the short corner option, went long to the penalty area where brook were for some reason there in numbers and Pool were off on the break that led to a one on one as Defenders had gone forward and it was 3-3 with literally seconds left to play. This reporter cannot repeat the language of the Brook management team as it’s a family website but if he had gotten hold of Day I fear the lad would not be with us any longer. 3-3 game over
 
Or was it, as some borderline alcoholic once said football is a “funny old game” and from the kick off Walker drove brook forward again and Nicholson’s cross was put out for a corner. Sainter delivered the corner and after a scramble it fell to the Enigma that is Foxton on the edge of the Box and his goal bound drive fell into the path of Day who went from Villain to Hero as he slammed home from 3 yards for 4-3 and this time it was truly game over and Brook had a well deserved win.
 
Final Score Brook 4 Pool 3
 
MOM – players Walker
Managers – Walker
Reporters – Hands D
 
 

Bedale vs Westbrook Reserves

After the previous week’s 4-0 trouncing, Westbrook’s second string travelled (and travelled, and travelled, and travelled) to Bedale looking to get their season back on track. Memories from last season’s game on the same massive pitch against a young Bedale team who’d handed out a 7-0 spanking were left behind as a focused Westbrook 11 set about their business.

Despite dominating the opening exchanges the familiar pattern of giving the opponents a two goal head start soon unfurled. The home sides number 9 couldn’t quite believe his luck.

Westbrook kept focussed on their game and the chances soon materialised. First an inviting cross from the left was met with an attempted 360 pirouette and back heel from Simon Hands. The second chance came from the right with Ben Turner combing well with Mark Nicholson to put a perfect ball in at the right post where Terry finished with a sublime shin into the corner.

At 2-1, Westbrook could smell blood and upped their game further with Middleton and Hands winning the midfield battle and feeding the front two well. Shortly after the first goal came the second and the crucial turning point of the game. Turner was played through and as he rounded the Bedale keeper was brought down and a penalty was given. Despite some prolonged protestations, the Bedale keeper was sent off. Up step Glenn Rothwell; spot kick specialist and figure of largely unjustified abuse from the home support. Heckles of ‘He’s 22 stone!” and “Is that Neville Southall? And has he shaved his ‘tache in an ironic approach to Movember?” did little to break the focus and Rothwell slotted home. 2-2.

At this point Westbrook very much held the game in their hands, yet somehow their number 9 was left free again to make it 3-2 to the home side as he completed what would turn out to be the second easiest hat-trick of the game.

Despite being down, the half time talk was up-beat and there was a tangible belief that the second half was there for the taking. Within 10 minutes of the re-start the ‘Brook were back on terms with Terry (despite his earlier prowess being displayed with the aforementioned shinning) left unmarked at the far post to smash in the equaliser from 4.4 yards out. Game on.

Westbrook continued throwing everything at the 10 men of Bedale and Turner continued to run their defensive line ragged creating space for more chances. A corner followed by a scuffed shot-come-cross from Nicholson fell to Terry at the far post to complete a hat-trick that Gary Lineker would have been proud of, not a single goal from outside the six-yard box.

As Westbrook tried to kill the game off, Turner made way for Tom Day. If the Bedale team thought this would give them a breather from Turner’s non-stop running they were mistaken as their tired legs left Day clean through with 20 minutes to go and the young man didn’t make any mistake in making it 3-5.

At this point the game should have been over. But it wouldn’t be a Saturday in the life of Westbrook gaffer Darren Hands if there wasn’t a moment of suicidal madness from his team. This week, this came via Paul Laverty who despite conceding 3 by this point hadn’t really put a foot wrong until this point. As the Bedale number 9 attempted to line up a shot, Laverty clearly pushed him over. This was every inch the proverbial stone wall penalty and instead of protests from Westbrook there were confused shakes of the head. Bedale made it 4-5 and the game was back on.

As Bedale pushed for the equaliser they were leaving themselves increasingly exposed at the back and were exposed to the fresh legs of Hands and fresh hair of Hogan. With 5 minutes to go a punt up field was chased by Terry, whose pass into Hands was fed through to Day to make it 4-6 with another coolly taken finish.

One final talking point came with the goal of game. A long punt up field was part cleared by the Bedale defence and fell to Terry (at least) 35 yards from goal, who took a touch with the thigh to tee up a lob over the hapless Bedale keeper into the net to round off a comprehensive victory for the Brook. 4-7, season back on track and thoughts of the previous encounter banished to the annals of history, like Hogan’s bald days.

Players MOM – Graham Middleton
Managers MOM – Rich Terry
Reporters MOM - Charles Wood

Harrow Hill vs Westbrook

Let the post mortem begin. Was it arriving late at the ground? Was it that some of the starting 11 were cramped up after getting dressed in a changing room the size of small dwarfs modest studio flat? Was it that the commanding youngster Jonny had to pull out at the last due to injury? Who knows? But something was certainly amiss for Westbrook.

This is a team let’s remember, who were fresh from an impressive 3-2 win against Ripon and unbeaten in 3.  Against a Harrow side that should have been beaten comprehensively on the first day of the season and who were yet to chalk up a victory this season. There should have been nothing to fear. Indeed, with his baby blue outfit, Manager Hands exuded the kind of confidence his team really should have taken into the match.

The truth is that for the first half an hour Westbrook simply weren’t at the races. From the front two to the back four, Westbrook were found wanting. It was thanks to Laverty in between the sticks that two sloppy goals in the first 20 minutes wasn’t four, and that there was something to play for once the remaining ten Westbrook players finally got into the game.

Chris Foxton on the right and Jimmy Mac on the left were the first Brook Boys to show the threat that should have been posed by proving they easily had the beating of their full backs. Regrettably the final ball was either over hit or not done justice by the front two in the box.

As Westbrook tried force their way back into the game, the youngster Tom Harte showed the kind of commitment that should have been replicated across the field by throwing himself full heartedly into a 50/50 tackle with Harrow’s number 10 (who oddly seemed to be playing at centre back). Unfortunately for Harte, a combination of the Harrow player’s momentum and being slightly late, the said number 10 was thrown into the air and a yellow card was produced. To Harte’s credit he didn’t complain and didn’t react to some strong language (more on this later) from the opposition players and support. 

This episode was followed by an almost identical challenge by the Harrow number 7 that led to a free kick and er… No yellow card.

Westbrook went into the break with the deficit reduced to one. After a ricochet, the ball bounced to Terry on the edge of the Harrow box, his shot beat the Harrow keeper and bounced back off the post on to the Harrow right back and into the net. While undoubtedly the goal wouldn’t have been scored without the original shot, there is a school of thought that as the ball was travelling away from goal when it hit the defender it should be classed as an own goal. The dubious goals panel are still deciding who the goal is attributed to, and while we wait, Westbrook’s Terry has reasoned: “I think it’s in everyone’s interest that the goal is given to me. I want the goal and the defender doesn’t.” Following up on this very sound and logical rationale, contact has been made with the Harrow defender, Harry Harrow who has confirmed “give the goal to Terry, I don’t want it as a black mark on my stats for the season, go on do the right thing and give him the goal”. He REALLY said that.

Anyway, Harrow Hill 2-1 Westbrook at the break.

Hands had plenty to say at half time and rightly pulled no punches, as he implored his team to do the simple things and to get with the pace of the game. This was a game for the taking and Westbrook knew this would be 3 points dropped.

The second half is as one sided affair as you’re likely to see without a goal being scored. Westbrook took control of the game from the off and pinned Harrow back throughout. Frustratingly this led to little in the way of actual chances as the final ball eluded Westbrook.

Running out ideas and steam, Westbrook replaced the tiring Foxton, Terry and Simon Hands, with Mark Nicholson, Rowan Elliot and Paul Hands. This provided a second wind for the team but alas no firm chances materialised.

In fact, despite being under the cosh for much of the half, the best chance fell to Harrow’s number 9 who was denied by a genuinely fantastic reflex save by Laverty to avoid what would have been a galling 3-1 score line.

Westbrook grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of chances and decisions coming their way. With the Harrow number 7 frequently scything down the left side of Westbook’s team, he still somehow avoided punishment and was thankfully subbed by a manager who mistakenly thought the ref might finally pick up on it.

A final word should go to Harte who kept his head despite the best efforts of Harrow’s number 5 (oddly playing up front) to get him sent off with some embarrassing diving and whingeing. Perhaps it was his frustrations that were vented by Glenn Rothwell, who by simply thinking aloud what he (and we all) thought of Harrow’s number 9 as he twice kicked the ball away before a late free kick could be taken (surely that equates to 2 yellows?), was sent off. The allegation is the word was aimed at the ref. The truth is it wasn’t. It would appear that both ‘logic’ and ‘impartiality’ are four letter words in Harrow.

Westbrook need to put this down to experience and not let it stop the momentum that had been building.

Players MOM – Tom Harte

Managers MOM – Paul Laverty

Reporters MOM – Harry Harrow

“It’ll come” he said. “It’ll come” he said again the following week. “I’m sick of saying it’ll come, but it will come”, he said the week after that.

And alas it appears to have come at last for the Westbrook Gaffer, Hands. Fresh from an impressive 4-4 draw and 5-3 victory, the ‘Brook seem to have shaken the losing mentality that had, to date, blighted their season. The team lined up against a cock-sure Ripon team sitting pretty in 2nd place in the league, who themselves were in buoyant mood after a 6-2 thrashing of Kirk Deighton. But, with a familiar centre back pairing and front line, shored up by the midfield experience of Middleton, Westbrook were confident there was nothing to fear.

‘Brook were first to impress themselves on the game, with Mitch (actual name Andrew Mitchell apparently) and G dominant in midfield. Paul Hands on the right was also proving a handful and it was from the right where the first goal came. The Ripon defence failed to clear Parmham’s long kick, and the ball dropped to Terry 30 yards from goal. As the defence were torn between following Darren Hand’s run and challenging Terry, the Westbrook number 10 waltzed across the box, beating 4 men before putting a left foot finish in the roof of the net beyond the flailing keeper. A solo effort that led club chairman Matt Bates to draw comparisons to John Barnes goal for England vs Brazil in 1984. For those unfamiliar with the goal, here it is:

<iframe width=”420” height=”315” src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/9SCyXGiJ-jc” frameborder=”0” allowfullscreen></iframe>

With the wind in their proverbial sails, it wasn’t long before ‘Brook doubled their lead. After good work from Mitchell, Ripon again failed to clear their lines, and as a clearance deflected of Terry’s heel it fell towards Hands left foot. Hands promptly let it bounce so he could take it with his right and volleyed home with either enough slice or backspin to beat the Ripon keeper. 2-0 and Westbrook were good value for it going into half time.

Ripon were limited to minimal efforts on goal, with the now familiar pairing of Sainter and Wilson commanding at the back. The addition of the youngster Tom Harte at right back worked well too. His no nonsense approach was more than welcome and helped keep Ripon at bay.

There could have been a penalty shout for the visitors had Rowan’s 14 yard slide in the box made it to the Ripon right midfielder, but it limped to a halt just before impact, still the lunge was impressive and reckless in equal measure.

The second half started with both teams aware the next goal would be vital and again it fell the way of the ‘Brook. The influential Middleton picked the ball up 35 yards from goal and let fly with an unstoppable shot that the keeper had little chance with. Middleton strolled back to the half way line celebrating only with a nonchalant shrug that seemed to say “nuthin but a G thang”.

At this point the game should have been over, but perhaps the third goal came too soon, as the prospect of a spanking seemed to galvanise the Ripon team. Indeed, the visitors threw everything they had at Westbrook for the remainder of the game. By “everything” we are talking knee high challenges, flem and incomprehensible insults.

In the face of the onslaught Parmham’s reflexes were called upon more than once and he was instrumental in keeping the Red Arrows at bay until they managed to bundle one effort home and quickly follow it up with a dubious penalty.

With the game poised at 3-2, it made for a nervy final 15. The visitors thought they had snatched a point at the death but the ball was cleared off the line after Parmham had done enough to quell the momentum of the ball. Ripon appealed but the ref was well placed to listen to the protestations from the Westbrook bench and concluded it was not a goal.

A great win for ‘Brook who are now undefeated in 3 and can go into next weeks trip to Harlow with belief that they can achieve a 3rd win on the bounce.

Players MOM – Graham Middleton
Managers MOM – Tom Harte
Reporters MOM – Rich Terry

Westbrook v Kirkby malzard

Fortress YMCA

Westbrook went into this home game with a spring in their step following the comeback the week before to rescue a point from certain defeat. The pre match build up was dominated by the inclusion of new experienced faces to help the youth of the team forward, and by the managers pleas not to give an opposition 2-3 goals start before Westbrook began to play.

The opening exchanges were of two team who were struggling for form and confidence in their games as nothing much came from the football being played, it was clear early on that when Brook got the ball wide they were a threat but they were not doing this well enough and the front two were being poorly supplied, as well as having poor movement.

When the opening goal came it was the real first bit of action the game had. From a Brook corner Wilson’s header beat the keeper all ends up but was hacked off the line to create a Malzard break, this break saw 3 v 4 and the ball into the box headed beyond Parnham for 0-1 Malzard. This seemed to take a lot of the sting out of Brooks play and the went into their shells despite being the better football side when they played, the 2^nd when it came was from a set play where the sheer size of the Malzard team saw them in on goal and a good header from a cross after Brook failed to clear there lines saw it 0-2 Malzard.

This is when the experience of G and Si Hands in the middle of the park kicked it as they went on a mission of getting the ball and demanding that it went to simple phases of play which brought it both full backs and Jimmy Mac to life wide right and all of a sudden there was movement and a danger to brooks play. A G corner going along the 6 yard box without a touch was one of the chances that was not taken. When the comeback goal came it was from fine football, G knocked the ball into Hands D’s feet, Hands D held onto it and got it back to G who brought Jimmy in to play. Jimmy’s ball across the box fell to Glenn whose cross into the corridor of uncertainty led to the Malzard Centre half crashing the ball into his own net and it was 1-2 Malzard going into half time.

HT Westbrook 1 Kirkby 2 

The second half started with Brook getting on top as the change of ends showed what a difference the wind was making in the game as Brook poured forward and used the ball to better affect. Hands D held the ball up which invited G on to a shot that went over and Tom Day nearly got the flying Jimmy Mac away and it looked like just a matter of time before the game was all square. However Brook conceded a free kick in a dangerous area and malzards height again caused problems and brook again found themselves 2 down.

This seemed to spur brook into life and a move involving Glen, jimmy and Hands D led to the Malzard fullback giving away a free kick. This was delivered in by Glenn and was met by Wilson on the back stick who finished nicely for 2-3 Malzard. Kirkby began to argue amongst themselves and looked on the verge of crumbling at this stage and Brook sensed blood and continued to charge forward and another move between the midfield and fullbacks saw Hallams pass put Tom Day away and the Malzard keeper did not know whether to come or stay on his line and Day finished with a majestic lob to level the scores at 3-3.

Malzard were a beaten side in all but name, Parnham had to make a few brave advances from his line but was on the whole becoming a spectator. Brook again poured forward and Hands D’s persistence saw Malzards fullback give away a corner. Glenn swung it in and the ball was headed goal bound by Wilson and again blocked on the line, this time it fell to G who turned and finished smartly for 4-3 Brook and at last the lead.

Changes were made here and Scouse, Nico and Paul hands all entered the fray to get at this ailing malzard team, shortly after this Hands S collapsed with cramp caused by general lack of fitness and a dream to play the target man role, note to Paul Hands here Si Hands has not ran onto a pass in 12 seasons so as good a ball as it could have been to feet was the better option. Scouse dropped into the middle of the Park with Nico and the fresh legs drove the team forward again and a great ball in by Scouse released Tom Day and he rounded the keeper and smashed the ball into the back of the net for the 5-3 lead and the killer goal.  

In all this Andy Sainter managed to display the kind fo bravery not seen on a football field ever, mincing out of a free header as the ball came down from a long way showing that the spirit of Kev Barker is alive at the Brook in his absence.

Final score

Westbrook 5 – Kirkby Malzard 3 

Players MOM Dave Hallam

Managers G

Bring your money

Your Racing Post

And Gamble the night away all  with the aim of raising funds for the Brook

7:45pm start