Maori 2 - 4 Claygate Royals Tertia

And so we came to the final game of 2020. Our newly formed third team (Tertia, it means one third in latin) were due to travel the short distance to Imber Court, to take on our old rivals Maori in our second ever game.

In typical 2020 fashion, nothing quite went to plan in the build up. The League had cancelled all of the other matches that were due to be played, so of course there were suddenly a lot of available players. However we had decided that the original squad would be taken and we would only bring anyone new in should there be drop outs. As it turns out, only two of the original squad made it! London went into Tier 3, Elmbridge didn’t and suddenly we were told that we couldn’t pick anyone living in London. Cue a frantic amount of texts and phone calls, which left us with hardly anyone left from the original squad. We did manage to find some willing local replacements though and the game was on.

The match started brightly and despite the pitch being extremely boggy, Royals were playing some very good football. Allen and Rayner were finding plenty of space on the wings and chances were being created. It was long before a fine ball from Camp found Shakhnazarov who took the ball into the area and finished well from the right side. Great start and well deserved.

Maori though weren’t going to lie down and within a few minutes of the kick off, their right winger went on a mazy run, cut into the area and finished well to equalise.

Royals were dominating the game though and soon had control again. Some more nice passes between Payten, Allen, Camp and Baldwin created a half chance for Taylor who was denied by the keeper. A free kick from (Shakna) Serge, was then tipped over the bar.

At the other end, Price, McNamara and Sadler were mopping up anything that came their way, with our make shift left back looking on and learning.

We then got a corner on the left side. Payten swept the corner in at the keeper, who duly missed it and the ball was the fumbled over the line by Sadler. There was some debate over whose goal it was but I organised the game and I’m doing the match report…Payten’s goal 100% ☺

They say that the most dangerous time is right after you’ve scored and we proved that by conceding again, straight away. A cross from the right evaded everyone and was headed in at the far post to make it 2-2.

This time Maori looked to be getting on top but Royals mopped up the pressure and went and got a third. A great cross from Rayner found Allen, who played nice 1-2 with the crossbar before tapping in.

A couple of changes were made, Marsh and Eggleton came on and they both made sure that the lead was held this time by tightening things up in midfield and defence.

The second half saw Creasey make an appearance and he almost had an immediate impact when a cross from the right just missed his foot. Royals were now sitting a bit deeper and soaking the

pressure but catching Maori on the break. Baldwin was switched to the right and finished a smart move involving Taylor and Allen to make it 4-2.

Maori kept on coming at us though and Buller pulled off a couple of great saves to keep the lead intact and the Royals finished the year with a well earned victory.

It’s been a difficult but enjoyable season so far, let’s hope that it won’t be long before all three teams are back on the pitch in 2021.