Mill Hill NW7ers 1 v 7 Elstree & Borehamwood

Match Report

Taking one look at the waist lines of the 22 men that took to the Rowley Lane field on Tuesday 3 July 2012, 5 Live presenter Mark Pougatch billed this table-topping clash as the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ and for long periods of this match Zeital’s foot soldiers competed bravely with their fierce rivals across the Hertfordshire borders. Determined to avenge E&B for the 5-1 defeat last autumn, the boys NW7 fought on the wings and by the corner flags, they fought with growing strength and stoutly defended their back line. They never did surrender. But, ultimately, it was their inability to take their chances that was their undoing.

Mill Hill started brightly enough, using their pace to good effect. But, in their first chance of the evening, the front line of E&B took their chance and went 1-0 up against the run of play. Despite an equal share of the ball and number of clear cut chances, NW7 found themselves 3-0 down after 30 minutes and the frustration began to show as the heavens continued to rain on NW7’s parade. Tackles went awry and passes went astray until Andy Bloom reduced the deficit with a slightly fortuitous goal in the 40th minute, receiving the ball on the penalty spot with an open goal at his mercy. Replays showed Bloom in an offside position but the fact that the E&B defender deflected the ball into the grateful Bloom’s path meant the goal stood. NW7 were back in the game and almost reduced the deficit further when Novick - back his wrestling holiday in Eastern Europe - cut in the left and decided to aim for the corner of the net occupied by the goalie’s legs instead of passing the ball to the unmarked Stefan bearing down on an open goal. The goalkeeper saved Novick’s shot with his legs and E&B managed to clear their lines the resulting corner.

At half time, Mill Hill went into the dressing room 3-1 down but far dejected. There is nothing that a rub down and an arousing team talk Andy Bloom cannot fix. NW7 took to the pitch for the second half with fire in their bellies and the confidence that Ben Lewis had finally arrived after doing whatever he does to prevent him joining the team at the beginning of every match.

But, the belly fire and Lewis were not enough. E&B scored early in the second half and the additional loss of Zinkin the heart of the Mill Hill midfield led to the team being overrun in middle of the park. Four soon became five and Mill Hill found themselves chasing shadows as the more organised E&B began passing the ball around with confidence and scored a couple more.

The final score of 7-1 flattered Elstree & Borehamwood but the fact is that Mill Hill got punished for their profligacy in front of goal. They will have to improve on their finishing if they are to have any chance of finally inflicting the revenge on E&B they so desperately seek.

Following the match and chugging on a cigar, Zeital commented “This was far our finest hour, but our finest hour is not that far.” The players had no idea what he meant, but at least it sounded good.

Ben Novick