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Roy's Weekend Round Up
The 1sts finished their season with a mid-week game against Old Owens. A bizarre but entertaining game saw EBOG employ two make-shift goalkeepers after first candidate Rob Laney got injured and made way for Mike Williams. We can't blame the goalkeepers for so many goals but a disrupted defence looked decidedly wobbly. With 15 goals conceded in the last 3 games we don't have to look far for where we have to improve next season. On a night of unlikely results, Chelsea beat Barcelona, and Winchmore Hill lost to Polytechnic which meant that they had lost to the bottom 3 sides in the last month despite winning the AFA Senior and MAFA Cups over the same period. Barmy!

Whilst Tuesday evening proved to be another rare sunny break in the otherwise relentless April showers, but we ran out of luck on Saturday when the showers merged into continuous rain for the whole weekend. The pitches stood up magnificently to this onslaught and even after extra time in the Cup Final, the bottom pitch still looked in excellent condition. This is a testament to the fine work and judgement of Julian Oxley who should be proud of the results. Bear in mind that games were called off at many other venues around London including other Clubs hosting finals. Ebog's pitches now have a reputation for resilience when many years ago they were known more for their suitability for bog snorkelling!

This all comes at a cost though and the maintenance of the pitches will be an expense we will have to bear and rise to in the future.

The 6ths went 2-1 down against Owens on Saturday but with the wind and rain at their backs in the second half they ran riot and the eventual score was a little flattering. The story of the season was remarkable though. By 31st October they had lost 3 and drawn 1 of their first 4 games and lay bottom of the league. They then embarked on a run to the end of the season scoring at a rate of nearly 4 a game, losing only once to the eventual champions, and putting themselves 8 points clear in 3rd place. Well done to Scott & Graham and all involved.

The bottom pitch saw a rerun of the SAL Junior Novets Final which Stationers managed to win again, this time 3-1 in extra time. It was disappointing to see the team of helpers reduced to just Nick and I, as others decided that the rain might spoil their hair gel and designer trainers! It's revenue from these occasions that can help bridge the income gap caused by pitch maintenance.

Next week we have the final game of the season, the Ebog 'El Clásico', 7ths v 8ths at 3pm a sumptuous hors d'oeuvre to the FA Cup Final, Liverpool v Chelsea, on TV afterwards. Who could resist the 8th's old war horses led by pre-knackered Thomas Culkeen against the nappy wearing infants of the Matt Freeman crèche. Come along and support your Club and bar.

Club Dinner Friday 11th May 2012 - £25
Please HURRY UP and pay up if you think you're coming to the Club Dinner. Numbers have risen to nearly 60. The caterers have to be told the final number of people attending before the event. If you can't get to the club you can transfer the money.

Phone or e-mail Ros or Roy for details on how to do this. The Club Dinner is strictly for paying members and guests of honour. As always, no non-diners will be admitted to the Clubhouse on the night.

Ladies Players Required
EBOG Ladies are currently looking for some new players to join the team. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be interested please contact Emma Grostate on: 07949 212 163 or emmagrostate@hotmail.co.uk

Roy's Weekend Round Up
The 1sts were the only busy team over the Easter fortnight and put in some real Jekyll and Hyde performances. A really excellent win mid-week against Winchmore Hill, AFA Cup winners, with veteran Chris Boyce again catching the eye as midfield general. If only he could play every week! This win confirmed safety and it was perhaps this loss of incentive that led to the lacklustre effort at Parkonians on Easter Saturday. Nothing, however, could explain the terrible first half at Norsemen where the team conceded 6 goals by halftime against a team they brushed aside fairly effortlessly only a few weeks ago. They'll need to show a lot more resilience if they are to survive next season. Civil Service, who reached the AFA Senior Cup final this year and look a class act, are certain of promotion from Division 2 so there will be no easy games.

With a lot of people unavailable over Easter, the 3rds needed to dig deep to find players on Saturday and there's nobody buried deeper in the Club than Nick Finney who actually took over as Captain (see match report). Surprisingly they put up a good performance and were unlucky not to get something out of the match.

Best performance of the day though came from the 5ths who held the division leaders to a draw at their place but it does not stop Owens winning the division and gaining promotion. Although our 4ths have comfortably taken second place in the same division, they are in the unique position where only the top team in Division 2 North and Division 2 South go up because this is where the top half of the league is deemed to start and it is non-regional.

The only other EBOG side out, the 8ths, were always likely to be overwhelmed by a very strong Stationers side who are division champions and won the SAL Cup final at the Club the other week (now to be replayed because of an infringement). It took a while though for Stationers to break down some resolute resistance.

Saturday was dominated by a very entertaining SAL Inter Novets cup final. Lyonians held the lead for most of the match and Andy Copeland, SAL official representative, had already put down his burger and was preparing the medals when Norsemen pinched a last minute equaliser. Into extra time and Norsemen had moved into a 3-1 lead, it looked all over, and Andy had already put down his second burger and was preparing the trophy when Lyonians knocked in two late goals. With light fading, and Andy well into his third burger, Lyonians finally dispatched the important last penalty to the delight of at least half the crowd which had swollen to well over 100 with many neutrals drawn to the line by the gripping entertainment. Well done to both teams.

Club Dinner Friday 11th May 2012 - £25
Usually we have a long list of members who have paid in full for the Club Dinner by now. This means that all the arrangements can be made with confidence, knowing that the money will be there to pay all the costs on the day. This year our home games are coming to an end much earlier than before and there will be less opportunity to collect in the Club Dinner money in advance. It can't be collected on the night, so we're asking for as many people as possible to pay the £25 this Saturday, 31st March.

Two free strips of Raffle tickets if you pay in March, one free strip in April. The only way to reserve your seat is to pay for it!

London Marathon April 2012
As most of you will know ROS BERTACHE will be running in this event – her first Marathon - and is raising money for bowel cancer research via the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. I would appeal to all who know Ros to give as generously as possible and ensure that her efforts raise a huge sum of money.

I understand that Ros is seeking £2 per person in sponsorship and knowing the pain and suffering that Ros has endured over the past months in building up the miles towards a run of just over 26 miles feel that this is a completely inadequate sum. I am sure you will all agree and give generously to someone who has done so much for the Club and its members over recent years.

I write with the knowledge gained from running my first Marathon in London in 1985 in memory of my great friend Ken Jelley (a founder member of EBOGFC and who died of Leukaemia in 1984) and indeed gave up playing for the Club in 1984/5 to ensure I that would not get injured and ruin my chances of completing my first marathon (of 4). I was 54 when I commenced training – and, although I perhaps shouldn't, will tell you that Ros is 59!

The crowds and atmosphere on the day are difficult to describe but something I, and she, will always remember – is the fantastic experience of running in the London Marathon. Good luck Ros, I am sure every EBOG will be thinking of you on the day.

www.justgiving.com/Ros-de-la-Bertauche

Top Goalscorers

Roy's Weekend Round Up
As the games run out, more promotions and relegation issues are settled. Not so for the 1sts with a disappointing performance at Owens and they still seek the point they need for absolute safety. Their next opportunity is at Winchmore Hill on Tuesday evening (4th).

The 3rd's were also disappointed to lose to the team one place above them but can take great relief from Nottsborough who kindly disposed of Weirside Rangers and ensured our 3rds will return in Division 1 next season.

The 4ths had the best possible start against a very lively Stationers side who recently reached the semi-finals of the AFA cup. We went 2-0 up very quickly but gradually lost their grip on the game. With Owens winning on the day, 2nd place now looks the most likely final position but they need to win their final game on Saturday 14th to be sure of promotion.

The 5ths took a point off the 7th placed side and showed that they really shouldn't be going down this season. The 6ths are looking fairly certain of 3rd place and could even get promotion if the league decide it should be 2 up/2 down this season. Apparently the same situation occurred last year when Parks 7ths were unable to be promoted because their 5ths and 6ths were in the division above. However, on that occasion they decided it should only be 1 up/1 down but it is arguable that this is creating a bit of a bottleneck.

There was an attempt to get the EBOG 'classico' 7ths v 8ths played this week because they couldn't get enough players for the scheduled game on Easter Saturday. Ironically this attempt failed due to lack of players and apologies to Andrew Chvojka (all the way from Walthamstow!) and Tim Ellis who turned up at the Club expecting a game.

Club Dinner Friday 11th May 2012 - £25
Usually we have a long list of members who have paid in full for the Club Dinner by now. This means that all the arrangements can be made with confidence, knowing that the money will be there to pay all the costs on the day. This year our home games are coming to an end much earlier than before and there will be less opportunity to collect in the Club Dinner money in advance. It can't be collected on the night, so we're asking for as many people as possible to pay the £25 this Saturday, 31st March.

Two free strips of Raffle tickets if you pay in March, one free strip in April. The only way to reserve your seat is to pay for it!

Ros is Running the London Marathon April 2012
As most of you will know ROS BERTACHE will be running in this event – her first Marathon - and is raising money for bowel cancer research via the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. I would appeal to all who know Ros to give as generously as possible and ensure that her efforts raise a huge sum of money.

I understand that Ros is seeking £2 per person in sponsorship and knowing the pain and suffering that Ros has endured over the past months in building up the miles towards a run of just over 26 miles feel that this is a completely inadequate sum. I am sure you will all agree and give generously to someone who has done so much for the Club and its members over recent years.

I write with the knowledge gained from running my first Marathon in London in 1985 in memory of my great friend Ken Jelley (a founder member of EBOGFC and who died of Leukaemia in 1984) and indeed gave up playing for the Club in 1984/5 to ensure I that would not get injured and ruin my chances of completing my first marathon (of 4). I was 54 when I commenced training – and, although I perhaps shouldn't, will tell you that Ros is 59!

The crowds and atmosphere on the day are difficult to describe but something I, and she, will always remember – is the fantastic experience of running in the London Marathon. Good luck Ros, I am sure every EBOG will be thinking of you on the day.

www.justgiving.com/Ros-de-la-Bertauche

Mike Brazier.

Roy's Weekend Round Up
Six drop-outs this week for the 2nds coinciding yet again with a long away game. This is an absolute disgrace and we have to deal with the selfish attitude that has created this situation time and again this season. I would rather see us field fewer teams made up of reliable people who have more respect for the Club and the captains who they antagonise. Travelling south of the river is part of the Saturday Club experience and not long ago all our sides were doing it. Top marks to the players who showed their Club colours and came in at short notice to help the 2nds out.

The 3rd's had a real 6 pointer against the side immediately below them. Perhaps spurred by their win last week, Weirside put up a spirited defence but we were clearly the better side. Several good chances went begging in the first half and there was anxiety in the air at half-time that we were only ahead by a single Chambers goal. However, as soon as Sam Penny leapt on a defensive mistake after the break and walked the ball into the net, the floodgates opened. Most inspired of the substitutions was undoubtedly Pete Harris, the well known full back, who kept charging up the left wing, fed intelligently by his team mates, terrorising the defence and grabbing an accomplished hattrick in just 30 minutes play.

The 4ths were up against the 6ths placed side but who in early season were their main challengers. The 4ths have learned the art of winning by the odd goal though. Another goal for Goran who only returned from a long term injury a matter of weeks ago yet has already hit double-figures in the goalscorers' chart.

The 5ths took on a strong Stationers side who gave the 4ths a run for their money last week and look sure of 3rd place. They proved too strong for our rejuvenated 5th team. Rob Hodgson moves to second in the goalscorers' despite rarely playing for a winning side this season.

The 6ths couldn't overcome a Parkonians side who had only lost one all season and look favourites to win the division. On top of that, Bethune Park changing rooms had sprung a leak and drained away all the hot water – no showers! It didn't look like it was their day until they discovered that, because Parks have two sides in the division above, our 6ths in 3rd place may well be promoted!

The 7ths were also against a side who had lost only 1 game all season and were top of the division and look odds on to stay there. We were desperately unlucky not to get something out of one of their double-header games having gone 2-0 ahead in the first match.

The 8ths again played above themselves against the 3rd placed side, clawing back another significant deficit (0-2) to achieve their second 3-3 draw in successive weeks and extend their unbeaten run to an amazing (for the 8ths!) 5 games. By a spooky coincidence, both the SAL finalists, due to visit the Club for next week's Cup final, were playing this week, at the Club, against the 7ths and the 8ths.

Club Dinner Friday 11th May 2012 -£25
Usually we have a long list of members who have paid in full for the Club Dinner by now. This means that all the arrangements can be made with confidence, knowing that the money will be there to pay all the costs on the day. This year our home games are coming to an end much earlier than before and there will be less opportunity to collect in the Club Dinner money in advance. It can't be collected on the night, so we're asking for as many people as possible to pay the £25 this Saturday, 31st March, so that the Dinner can be confirmed. If this doesn't happen the Club Dinner will be cancelled this year and any payments refunded.

Two free strips of Raffle tickets if you pay in March, one free strip in April. The only way to reserve your seat is to pay for it! The Club Dinner is strictly for paying members and guests of honour. Due to poor behaviour last year consideration was given to cancelling the Dinner but instead it will go ahead with restrictions:

The Club will close promptly after the dinner and trophy presentation, probably around 11pm. As before, it is not open house for people to come in after the event even if they are members' friends. This was ignored last year and may yet cause it to be cancelled if there's a repeat.

Don't come if you don't think you can abide by these rules!

Cup Finals at the Club
We are hosting some important Cup Finals in the coming weeks. As our own matches dry up you may want to come and see how the cream of AFA football can play:
Saturday 31st March - Inter Novets Cup Final: Broomfield 6th vs Old Stationers 5th
Saturday 14th April - SAL Inter Novets Cup Final: Norsemen 7th v Lyonians 4th
Saturday 21st April - Old Boys Minor Cup Final: Old Parkonians 3rd vs Old Owens 3rd

The Bobby Moore fund for Cancer Research UK - Raises money for bowel cancer research.
If all goes well Ros is running the London Marathon for this charity. Thanks to all those who have already contributed, if anybody would like to do so online, please go to: www.justgiving.com/Ros-de-la-Bertauche

SAL Rep Game
Congratulations to Rob Laney who was selected for SAL side in the national Inter-league cup semi-final at the Douglas Bowl Stadium in Douglas, Isle of Man. The following was posted on the SAL website.

After a brave campaign, the SAL lost 2-1 to the Isle of Man in front of crowd of over 2,000 spectators. The SAL took an early lead with a goal from Alex Ewin but his effort was cancelled out in the second half with goals from Franke Jones and Ciaran McNulty.

A consolation for the League is that the Isle of Man have chosen the SAL's Dan Ashley as man of the match. Well, congratulations to Isle of Man who progress to the final.

Roy's Weekend Round Up
The 1sts were up against the 4th placed side who at least did us a favour by beating Norsemen last week. The game developed into a bit of a stalemate with few clear cut attempts on goal. However, a couple of mistakes in the second half decided a game where there was little to choose between the sides. This makes next week's game against bottom side Polytechnic all the more important.

The 2nds can't buy any luck at the moment. They more than held their own against the 4th placed side but the decisive goal came out of a loss of concentration after a controversial refereeing decision.

The 3rd's were ahead twice but allowed Owens to pinch the win from under their noses. No such mistakes from the 4ths on the top pitch who dispatched the 5th placed side in a professional display.

The 5ths played well against a side who only lost 2-3 last week to top placed Owens. However, they allowed their opposition to score in the last minute of each half. Good to see Kevin Reade back and in good scoring form after a long absence.

The 6ths wiped out a side who had won themselves 7-1 the week before. The 6ths have had a tremendous run since they were bottom with only one point from the first 5 games. They have consolidated 3rd place and even have an outside chance of 2nd. A very successful conversion from defender to goalscoring ace has notched Taz Nicholls 9 goals in a very short time.

Yet again, Matt Freeman was scraping together a side at the last minute due to late drop-outs and it is not surprising that such a hastily constructed side does not always click.

Result of the day was undoubtedly the 8ths who went away to the division's top side and inflicted only their second defeat of the season. They are now well ahead of last year's season total of points.

Next week looks like a difficult but entertaining Saturday at Alan Drive with a visit from 3 top of the table sides!

Club Dinner Friday 11th May 2012 -£25
Please get the date in your diary and pay early to avoid disappointment. Get your payment in to Ros. Two free strips of Raffle tickets if you pay in March and one free strip in April. The only way to reserve your seat is to pay for it! The Club Dinner is strictly for paying members and guests of honour.

Roy's Weekend Round Up
Back to 3pm kick offs this week the first sign of Spring. Two sides have only 4 games left so no mid-week games for them surely?

The drop-out and no show problem reared up again this week and, if anything sums up the season, it is this. The disruption this causes to captains before the game and performance on the pitch is immeasurable, but in my opinion has been chiefly responsible for our lack of success in 2011/12. It has been obvious that drop-outs have increased for distant away games when spineless individuals have viewed the situation purely in terms of their own convenience. As a result captains have had to waste a huge amount of time ringing up people to find replacements only to receive more weak and watery excuses about needing to go out early that night etc. The same individuals do the minimum to help the team, walking straight off when the posts need taking down for instance. This week Julian Oxley and Ralph Stringer were brought into the 3rds from the 5ths because they are the sort of Clubmen who help a captain out and are willing to give up a home game for a long journey South probably to get thrashed by the top side! Club loyalty isn't demonstrated by singing about it in the bar but by selfless actions like these.

The 1sts had a crucial match against the bottom side where a defeat would have been a disaster and meant a relegation dogfight. The ground at the Club was starting to go hard and the resulting bobbles meant the game would not be a classic (apparently at Winchmore Hill the ball was kicking up dust which is amazing for the beginning of March). There were two highlights in the match. Firstly, a lovely strike from Ryan Harrington in the second half, to add to his early goal in the first, was a moment of rare skill but the referee confirmed that it took a slight deflection off one of our own players on the way in. So Luke Lane gets a fortuitous goal but Ryan gets all the credit. Secondly, Jaiden Doocey, at 16 the youngest player to don the goalkeeper's shirt for an EBOG 1st team, pulled off a quite amazing save in the last minute, tipping over what looked like a certain goal from point blank range. A helpful feature was that Norsemen also lost on Saturday so with Poly they are starting to look favourites for the drop. EBOG have some tough matches to come including two against Owens (who beat Winchmore on Saturday) so can't relax quite yet.

For the 2nds the euphoria of their sensational win last week was short lived. Captain Andy White only learnt that he was without a goalkeeper less than an hour before kick off because of an incorrect drop out. Danny Pearce, who only came down to watch, kindly helped out, but he'd already had 3 pints! No way to prepare for a match against the 5th placed side but there was not as much in it as the score might suggest.

The 3rd's were blighted with drop-outs and only just scraped together a patchwork side to go and face a side in Surrey who were 10 points clear at the top. It's just not good enough and all the players who travelled are heroes.

The 4ths are a bit in and out at the moment. Stationers although 5th placed are playing above themselves and reached the semi-final of the AFA cup.

The 5ths pulled off their first official victory of the season against the 8th placed side and congratulations to Ben Moss whose selection of a 'mature' IX seemed to pay dividends. They still have a mountain to climb though to avoid relegation with only 5 games left.

The 6ths had a testing match against the 5th placed side who were only 2 pts behind them. They pulled it off though with that man Goddard getting on the scoresheet again. They now move into 3rd place and should stay there on current form. The top two look to be out of reach unless they slip up big time.

The 7ths gained a degree of revenge for their 2-7 defeat against the same opposition last week. Captain Matt Freeman suffered from 'no shows' who added to the problem by not answering their mobiles. As a result a visitor friend of Steve Moore, who only came to watch, also kindly helped us out and obviously didn't let us down.

An extraordinary result for the 8ths against the 4th placed side. A no score draw for an 8ths match is a collector's item, all the more unlikely when you consider Tom Culkeen was in goal!

Rob Laney
Congratulations to Rob Laney who recently scored twice for the SAL against Cambridge to help them to win 3-2. He should be playing in the FA Inter-League Cup semi-final away to the Isle of Man on 24 March!

Top Goalscorers