Match Reports 2001/02

The sun was out, no rain or wind, a soft pitch that took a good stud - ideal conditions for the Whistlers to put right their loss against Manor two weeks previous in the semi-final of the League Cup.

As the referee didn't turn up, Manny took fate into his own hands by asking Clive Roberts, an official referee and a Ruislip supporter to referee the game. Was this a wise decision fellow Whistlers wondered?

With Mark still recovering from his injury, Tom injured, Aidan & Michael on holiday and Robert only 70% fit, the squad was down to the basic 11 players.

Chris lined out at right back with Javan at left and Brian and Sam at centre half - a new look defence but the boys didn't need much encouraging and were up for this match.

From the kick off the Whistlers looked lively. Rami & Ross in midfield were putting in tackles that Roy Keane would be proud of.

Jake, Phabeon & Rob - no quarter was asked and none was given, with Kieran spearheading the attack and defence holding firm.

Ruilsip were knocked off their game, dominated by Whistlers. Kieran had a good chance bearing down on the keeper but somehow managed to put the ball wide.

Ross, played his normal game the wing, and exchanged passes with Rami and a shot which the keeper saved well. Minutes later Kieran was through following a great ball by Rami. The keeper came out judging the angle and saved well from Kieran. From Kieran's body language he knew he should have scored.

On the 28th minute, Brian broke down Ruislip's attack and found Jake already on the run. Jake beat his marker and cut in letting off a fierce shot which the keeper only managed to punch out but with Kieran running in, all he had to do was make a simple tap in. 1 - 0 to the Whistlers, a well deserved lead.

Ruislip came out for the second half more determined but found today that the Whistlers were no soft touch. The ref gave them some soft free kicks for very little contact but they never bothered Pavlo with any of these.

Although far from playing their best football Whistlers got back to winning ways in this league match against LNER.

Two excellent goals in the first half gave Acton a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time. Phabion opened the scoring with a great shot from 25 yards which gave the keeper no chance.

Ten minutes later Kieran finished after a brilliant through ball by Brian. Shortly after the break Kieran increased the lead when he finished from an acute angle.

Pavlo made a terrific save before LNER scored a consolation goal with a free header.

This game was played in absolutely appalling conditions, and Acton had the problem of several enforced changes due to injuries and illness.

Ruislip Manor started the better and had their spirits lifted when scoring directly from a corner after only 5 minutes.
Whistlers kept plugging away and Ross had a good individual effort, before Phabion shot just wide.

Ruislip increased their lead after 17 minutes, again from a corner kick and Acton's inability to deal with yet another corner kick allowed Manor to further increase their lead 5 minutes later.

Whistlers did come back to give themselves some hope for the second half when they pulled back a goal 3 minutes before the break, after a goal mouth scramble.

The second half started with Pavlo replacing Chris in goal. The next goal was always going to be vital; if Whistlers scored they were back in the game, if Manor scored you felt they had an unassailable lead.

Unfortunately the latter proved to be the case and again it came from failure to deal with a ball into the box this time from a long throw.
Kieran pegged back the score with a beautifully taken free kick to make it 2-4, but Manor scored from another corner in the last minute to wrap up a final place against Headstone Manor.

A repeat of last years final and unfortunately for Whistlers a repeat of last years semi-final result as well!

The match was played in very difficult conditions with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch, AEW started with the wind behind them in the first half, after 7 minutes Kieran scored with a lovely near post header from a beautifully flighted corner from the right by Phabian, but eight minutes later Manor Cubs equalised from an acute angle when the defence failed to clear the ball successfully.

Almost immediately, again from a corner, Whistlers regained the lead. Ross had an inswinging corner come off the crossbar and Phabian was on hand to tap in.

A 2-1 lead at half-time did not seem to be enough playing into the strong wind in the second half, but Whistlers scored a crucial early goal to give themselves a fighting chance.

It was an identical goal to the first one, Kieran finished Phabian's corner with a near post header. With half an hour remaining AEW conceded a needless penalty after a mix up in defence, which was duly converted.

However Whistlers battled back well and created more chances playing against the wind than they had in the first half. Only for brilliant goalkeeping by the Manor Cubs keeper denied AEW from increasing their lead. He pulled off at least four brilliant saves that had goal written all over them, but there was nothing he could do to prevent Kieran completing his hat trick.

Phabian broke down the left hand side and crossed into the box. Robert, who had made up great ground to get into the box saw his cracking shot again brilliantly saved, but Kieran finished off the rebound.

So Whistlers go on to the quarter finals of the County Cup hoping to go two steps better than last season.

Michael, Brian, Ross and Robert when introduced in the second half all had excellent games, but man of the match was Kieran.

Here we go again. Paul Goff has another day off for family business but manages to make it to the Arsenal game. Hmmm. Filling in for Sven possibly -wait til we tell big Mick McC.

Well it seems we missed the Dub accent on the line today following our first home defeat of the year. History has shown in the last 3 years that we can beat Forest in Cup games and each share the league points.

Today AEW were without defender Aidan and Jake who failed the pre-match fitness test.

AEW started well winning a corner following a bicycle attempt by Kieran. Ross was then unlucky seeing his shot go narrowly wide from another corner. Forests first attack went well wide but their second forced a good save by Pavlo.

From a break Kieran ran from the half way line but Forest cleared the ball for a corner in a timely tackle. Following the corner Forest made a quick break catching out the defence and Pavlo and fortunately the ball rolled across the line and wide.

Another AEW chance went amiss when Michael sent a great through ball to Ross forcing a fine save from the keeper.

AEW won a corner when Ross crossed in a nice ball to Kieran but this was almost costly when Forest again quickly broke and were on the attack, catching our defence square.

Brian saved the day in a horse race that saw him make up 60 yards on the Forest striker and clear the ball for a corner. Pavlo showed great acrobatics by gliding across the goal and punching the ball out for a corner which he eventually saved.

Some minutes later though Forest were to score with a powerful shot from 25 yards. From here they piled on the pressure and were to win corners and went close when the ball marginally hit the side netting.

Phabeon saw his powerful shot saved by the keeper following some good passing and movement from AEW but Forest soon increased their lead to 2 - 0 by half time.
On the re-start AEW attacks paid off when Kieran scored a header in the top corner from a corner. Ross and Javan worked hard and the scores were nearly levelled when a goal mouth scramble caused great confusion for Forest. Kieran again nearly went close hitting the side net from a tight angle and Phabeon's shot saw another scramble which was cleared off the line.

Forest soaked up the pressure and were shortly given an easy goal when they walked the ball into the back of the net without a challenge.

The score line now read 3-1 with about 10 minutes remaining. Brian, Rami and Kieran worked well seeing Kieran score. But the action continued with Forest scoring shortly after regaining the 2 goal lead just when it looked like AEW could get a point from the game.

In the final minutes AEW were awarded a free kick following a foul on Kieran. Phabeon slotted a through ball to Ross who latched onto it and put it away for AEW.

This was a well-fought fast game with both teams looking for the win, keeping both goalies busy. It seems that AEW were too slow to react today and got caught out too often on the counter attack. Was it that it was there first game back from the Christmas break or that they were all up too late watching Trevor Sinclair win goal of the month for his over-head kick.

In a closely fought County Cup tie played at Hillcrest, the visitors opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a brilliant shot from outside the box. However this only spurred Whistlers into action and Kieran equalised with a right footed shot after Phabian won a header from a kick out.

Phabian and Kieran both had good chances before half-time, but the teams turned around level at the break. Phabian was unlucky after the restart when he hit the post, before Kieran scored the goal of the match.

He beat three players before finishing after a great ball from the back by Sam.
Sam was again in the thick of the action when he cleared the ball off his own line to save a certain equaliser.

Phabian wrapped up the win to ensure a 3-1 victory when he scored late in the game. A good performance must have left the manager and coach happy with the first half of the season and now look forward to the Christmas/New Year break.

On a bitterly cold morning at Ruislip, Whistlers pulled off a great result against a very good Ruislip Manor side who we are due to meet again in the League Cup semi-final later in the season.

In a dogged first half which saw Whistlers have much of the possession, Ross Thornton went closest when he spotted the keeper off his line, but his shot went just wide. Nobody could break the deadlock in the first half and the teams turned around at 0-0.

Ruislip started the better in the second half and should have scored after 5 minutes but the shot came back off the post. However Ruislip's dominance continued and Whistlers were fortunate not to go behind when twice Ruislip had a goal disallowed for offside.

After 20 minutes the elusive first goal finally came when Kieran Peters counter attacked and after good work on the left scored with a cracking shot from a very acute angle.

Five minutes later, birthday boy Rami Dawood scored a brilliant individual goal to wrap up the points for Whistlers. A very good team performance.

The defence has now only conceded three goals in the last six games. Very difficult to select a man of the match, but for his tireless work rate and superb individual goal Rami marginally gets the nod ahead of Brian, Ross and Aidan.

Whistlers secured their semi-final place in this seasons League Cup with a deserved victory over old adversaries Mavericks. On a cold morning at the Recreation Ground, Hayes. Both teams showed mutual respect for each other in the early stages. Both sides had half chances in the first ten minutes of the game with Mavericks coming closest to scoring when a shot from 12 yards came back off the post.

After 20 minutes Rami broke down the right hand side and after very good work crossed to Kieran who finished at the second attempt after a good save by the keeper. Five minutes later Whistlers increased their lead when Phabian's shot was wickedly deflected past the stranded goalkeeper.

So AEW turned around with a 2 - 0 lead. The next goal was going to be important to the outcome of the game and fortunately it came Whistlers way. Sam Rolfe's right wing cross-floated straight across the box, deceiving everyone and straight into the net.

This killed off the game as a contest and the Whistlers defence soaked up everything that was thrown at them, as they had done throughout the game.

Brian Buazon in mid-field and Sam, Mark, Tom and Aidan all put in very solid performances to ensure a clean sheet. Michael also performed well when introduced to the forward line.

As part of the excellent defensive performance and capped with his goal, Sam Rolfe deserves man of the match.

In their first match of the County Cup this season AEW were drawn away to a team from division two of the Cheshunt Youth league. Although both captain Brian Buazon and leading scorer Phabian Charles Scott were both missing from the starting line up, AEW still proved too strong for their hosts, in a game which saw Javan La Bistide make his full debut.

For the third game in a row Kieran "kid" Peters scored a hat trick, and but for the brilliant goalkeeping of the Forty Hill keeper would surely have had a few more. Kieran opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he slotted home from 10 yards.

Although well on top several good changes were squandered. Mark went close with a long range shot after Robert set him up and Jake had a good shot brilliantly saved by the keeper, who again denied Ross shortly afterwards. On 35 minutes, Whistlers increased their lead when Kieran put Jake through on the left. His wicked left foot shot sailed over the keepers head. 2 - 0 was the half time score.

At half time Joe, was seen practicing penalty kicks with Pavlo. Did Joe think we were going to throw away a two goal lead? Obviously not - he must have known we would be awarded a penalty in the second half. Sure enough we were and up stepped guess who (yes Pavlo) to score from the spot. Must have listened during his half time coaching session!

Earlier in the half, Kieran had scored a brilliant individual goal beating two players inside the box and smashing a right footed shot past the keeper. He completed his hat trick just before the end and once again his determination earns him man of the match award.

In an eventful day for the Maloneys, the umpire (sorry Referee) gave senior the flag but didn't let him run the line and junior had two chances to open his scoring account from about 12 yards but didn't!

11th November 2001 - Ealing Shamrocks 1 - 18 AEW (U13's A)

The game was effectively over as a contest as early as the twentieth minute when AEW opened up an early six goal lead. This lead was extended to twelve by half-time.

After a very strange tactical manoeuver at half-time, the Whistler added another six goals eventually running out 18-1 winners.

Kieran and Rami continued their record of scoring in every game this season with man of the match Kieran scoring seven goals and Rami scoring a hat trick. Phabian added four more with Mark, Robert, Jake and Tom adding one each div>

4th November 2001 - Whistlers 14 - 1 AFC Wasps

In front of a capacity crowd at Hillcrest Road, in the sunshine, AEW played new club AFC Wasps in the 2nd round of the League Cup.

After just 6 minutes following a throw in by Sam Rolfe and a pass from Brian Buazon, Rami Dawood shot and scored his first of the day from a difficult angle.

A couple of minutes later Ross Thornton, showboating on the left, sent a timely through ball to Phabeon Charles-Scott, who made it easy for Kieran with a superb cross and he tapped in AEW's second goal.

The trend was set and AEW continued the passing and movement game which saw Phabeon Charles-Scott let fly with his left foot which rattled the post.
Soon after he took a floating corner that landed to Robert Fernandes, waiting at the back, who hit first time and scored our 3rd goal.

AFC Wasps kept fighting and won a penalty when Mark Hodges was adjudged to have pushed a player in the back. Unfortunately for Wasps the penalty was kicked wide.

The next 20 minutes saw Rami Dawood score 3 further goals following good work from Kieran, Brian and Phabeon Charles-Scott.

The second half continued with the introduction of Michael Maloney at corner back. Immediately that man Rami Dawood scored again but minutes later our defence were caught napping and Wasps pulled back a goal. "No challenge from the defence" was heard from Joe (for miles!!).

It was Rami's turn to cross the ball which Kieran put away with a header. Wasps kept going and Pavlo did have shots to save, resulting in corners, which he handled beautifully with his lucky red arm length gloves.

The action continued but it was to be another 9 minutes before we saw another score in a goal mouth scramble with Phabeon Charles-Scott netting. Wasps kept pressing when their right winger ran down the line, fired and shot and forced Pavlo to make a difficult save.

The 10th goal came from Ross Thornton who was causing much trouble on the wing, taken from 6 yards with his left foot.
Brian too was to earn a goal following some sweet passing from Kieran, Phabion and Robert.

Kieran, Robert and Rami finished off the scoring leaving AEW outright winners at 14-1.

It was a day when we saw Kieran "Kid" Peters wearing gloves whilst the sun was splitting the rocks, Manny picnicking on the line and Robert nearly getting booked for dissent.

After the game Pavlo was happy with the performance saying "AEW were the better side, made great crosses and Rami worked hard on and off the ball"

Earlier Pavlo was heard mocking Rami for sending the ball into the woods but Pav failed to mention that goal? To be continued .......?

Well the AEW squad rose above the back-room turmoil where the future of the Kit Manager and Sports Correspondent are in question.

The Kit Manager possibly should be forgiven for forgetting the kit due to lack of sleep, which involved a 14-mile dash around Middlesex to ensure the squad were dressed immaculately, but the Sports Correspondent's loyalty and integrity raised eyebrows.

Mr Goff (who forced Heather & Mr Maloney along with him) opted to travel to Arsenal, ignoring his responsibilities to the team by missing this crucial tie against the unknown Wasps.

At a poll carried out at the game an astounding 96% voted to sack him.
On reflection though it was felt that Arsenal's 4-2 defeat to Charlton is enough punishment for Mr Goff that will haunt him for many years and he has been reinstated as an act of sympathy.

2 - 4 - there is justice in this world after all!!!

Squad:

Konotop, Goff Jnr (The Loyal One), Hodges, McKeever, Rolfe, Thornton (1), Dawod (6), Fernandes (2), Buazon (1), Peters (3), Charles-Scott (1), Maloney for McKeever.

Man of the Match - Rami Dawood

Ref: R Frazer - a walk in the Park for Mr Frazer.

28th October 2001 - Whistlers 7 - 4 Mavericks

In the first game at Hillcrest this season, Mavericks started the better of the two teams in the wet conditions. Their early pressure was stemmed by some good goalkeeping by Pavlo Konotop and one particular last ditch tackle by Ross Thornton.

Although AEW began to find their feet, Mavericks opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Jake White equalised 5 minutes later when the Mavericks keeper let his shot slip through his hands in the wet conditions.

Mavericks once again regained the lead with a good shot from the edge of the area. AEW replied with two goals in a minute when Jake White again finished an excellent corner by Ross Thornton and Kieran Peters intercepted a pass from the resultant restart and broke through to score a lovely individual goal.

However a mix up at the other end led to Mavericks equalising on the stroke of half time from an indirect free kick inside the area.

The 3-3 half time scoreline was a fair reflection of the play. Sam Rolfe was brought on to bolster the AEW defence and together with some excellent defending from Mark Hodges, Aidan Goff and Tom McKeever in particular, together with some fine goalkeeping by Pavlo Konotop, Whistlers gradually took control of the game.

Once again Phabian Charles Scott scored a hat trick this time within 20 minutes of the restrart to give AEW a three goal cushion.

His first goal followed a brilliant through ball from Brian Buazon and his other two were both made by Rami Dawood. One a header from a corner on the left and his third from a cross on the right.

Mavericks pulled one back with 5 minutes remaining but Whistlers weren't finished yet and Rami Dawood scored after Kieran Peters header came back off the post.

A well earned three points for a good battling performance against a team who are always difficult to beat. There were some excellent individual performances but Tom McKeever was excellent at centre back both in the air and on the ground with some timely interceptions.

7th October 2001 - Ruislip Town 4 - 11 A.E.W.

In a very high scoring game A.E.W. eventually ran out comfortable winners against the new boys from Ruislip Town.

Kieran Peters opened the scoring after 5 minutes from a great cross by Fabien Charles Scott from the left. Ruislip equalised soon after when their player scored in a one on one situation.

However A.E.W. were soon back in front when Rami Dawood scored a rebound from his own well saved shot. Fabien then scored the first of his five goals after a lovely flick on by Kieran.

Then 2 goals in 2 minutes, again from Fabien and a class chip by Kieran saw the Whistlers lead 5-1 at half time.

Robert Fernandes finished from a great cross by Rami Dawood before Sam Rolfe thumped a long range shot from his own half past the unfortunate keeper.

After a good build up Fabien completed his hat trick and soon got number four from a corner by Ross Thornton.
Ruislip battled well and despite being 9-1 down continued to take their chances scoring two quick goals before Jake White scored a 25 yard free kick after being fouled himself after going though on a break.

A penalty to Ruislip was followed by Fabiens fifth and final goal again from a corner by Ross.

A.E.W. were convincing and worthy winners and improved on their goal difference. For his five goals "man of the match" must go to Fabien Charles Scott.

30th September 2001 - AEW 2 - 3 Headstone Manor

In an excellent entertaining game played in a very sporting manner, AEW were very unluckly not to get at least a share of the points in the match between the top two teams in last seasons Premier division.

Playing with the conditions in their favour in the first half, AEW dominated the early stages of the game, restricting Headstone to a couple of long range shots.

Ten minutes into the game AEW should have scored. After good work by Robert Fernandes and Rami Dawood, Kieran Peters side footed shot came back of the post and into the keepers hands.

Several other half chances went a begging before the same three players were involved in the opening goal scored by Rami Dawood. However Headstone equalised just before half time to go into the break with their tails up.

Both goalkeepers were finding the increasing wet conditions difficult to deal with and Kieran Peters scored an early goal in the second half from a great cross by Ross Thornton, but the goalkeeper will feel he should have done better.

With fifteen minutes left Headstone equalised with a well taken goal from a poor goal kick and in the closing minutes seemed to get the upper hand. Tom McKeever made a timely interception and Pavlo Konotop a good save under pressure from the centre forward when with less than five minutes remaining, Headstone took the lead for the first time in the game with a brilliant 20 yard shot that sailed into the top of the net.

Headstone took the points but AEW will surely regret the early missed chances. Once again the team showed tremendous fighting spirit and no little skill, with Ross Thornton, Sam Rolfe and Jake White to the fore.

23.09.01 - Wealdstone 0 - 5 Acton Ealing Whistlers

A.E.W. secured their first win of the season against the newly promoted Wealdstone with a great display of flowing football.

A.E.W. had a perfect start after only one minute when Fabien Charles Scott fired home from 14 yards with a wicked left footed shot.

He was unlucky not to double his tally five minutes later when he was adjudged to be marginally offside. However immediately afterwards Rami Dawood scored a second with a well taken goal.

Wealdstone who were obviously shell-shocked rallied, mid-way through the half and Pavlo Konotop saved well to his left hand side and again showed good reactions from the resultant corner.

A.E.W. got their third goal soon afterwards when Fabien latched on to a great throughball from Brian Buazon.

The game was virtually wrapped up five minutes into the second half when Kieran Peters chased a through ball and brilliantly lobbed the keeper to finish.

He could have scored twice again after that before Mark Hodges headed home from a corner, to secure a 5-0 victory.

Robert Fernandes worked tirelessly in midfield in an area that A.E.W. dominated to win 'man of the match'.