London Orient v Edmonton Rovers (15.9.24) Highlights

Highlights of a Barnet Sunday League Division Four match between London Orient and Edmonton Rovers.
Played at Bethune Park in Friern Barnet on Sunday 15th September 2024.
This is Edmonton Rovers current group of young players 4th season in adults football in the Barnet Sunday League with the whole squad now being 19-year-olds who will be turning 20 during the course of the season. There are also five other players who are a year younger, but all players are now 18 or over. The decision to bring them in as 16-year-olds in 2021 has been a big success so far and you can follow their journey up the divisions with us here with every match being filmed for this You Tube channel. (Please subscribe !)
Rovers got their season off to a good start last week with a narrow 1-0 win against League newcomers East City, but London Orient are more familiar opponents having won the Division Five title last season while Rovers were finishing Runners-Up.
Rovers were missing a number of defenders for this match with Sam Pritchett, Tobi Charles, Jack Vanvynck and Michael Menzies all unavailable after being in the squad the week before, so midfielder Paddy Baynes had to fill in at Right-Back while Fergus Murray was given a start as a central defender after being an unused substitute last week. Meanwhile, Frankie George returned from holiday to go straight into the starting line-up in an attacking midfield position as Player-Manager Josh Wakeford decided to start the game with players who had paid their subs and had been turning up regularly. Also included amongst the substitutes was new signing Marco Costi, another 19-year-old who Josh has brought along to boost the squad.
London Orient started their season with a 2-2 draw Away to relegated AC Finchley last week despite being without their top scorer from last season Marius Rusu, who is also missing this match before he returns for the rest of the season next week. It is not just his goalscoring that Rusu carries a threat though as he caused Rovers all sorts of problems last season with his long throws as Orient's pitch here at Bethune Park has the touchlines marked out only two yards away from the edge of the penalty area. With the small pitch in mind, Rovers are therefore changing their tactics from the week before by playing the left-footed Frankie George on the right and the right-footed Harry Dorward on the left, meaning they will automatically 'tuck in' to try and smother London Orient in the centre of midfield, while Myreon Keane and Max Melandri will try and occupy Orient's two big centre-backs in attack.
Rovers had two very close games with London Orient last season, losing the first one 5-4 after being 4-1 up and then drawing 2-2 here at Bethune Park later in the season after being 2-0 down.
With both sides featuring a number of players today who didn't play in those two matches last season, this game could go either way.
Match Report Link: www.edmontonro...
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[@ribzed]

Wow. Did not see that result coming after a very difficult opening 20-25 minutes!!
The response was absolutely brilliant. A top class goal from Harry and a magnificent second half performance. Frankie really deserved his goal, was outstanding and Leo’s hold up play was top class for that second goal.
Two wins and two clean sheets following promotion is an amazing start.
One of the best performances during this teams outstanding development over the last few years. The coaches should be very very proud of their efforts.
The most noticeable thing in this game was how hard every player worked running back towards their own goal. Summed up by Harry’s (not so good) free kick at the end of the first half when he sprinted back into his own half with two others to win back possession. And Chris goal saving tackle at the end just sums up how important keeping clean sheets is to him!
Outstanding stuff, well done Rovers! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@hughesvideo]

The players are coaching themselves now. Mainly Josh as Player-Manager and Charlie as Captain deciding on the tactics and formation, but the rest of them are now communicating with each other so much better on the pitch and understanding what is needed.
We have now 'banned' the parents (and grandparents) from shouting out (often angry) instructions from the touchline or doing any team talks. It was needed when the players were under-18's and new to adults football, but not now.
It's making a big difference. The players are a lot happier.

[@spencergrady5501]

I take it Rashawn and Christian showed up late? Would always be starters for me. Leo offers Edmonton a different dimension with his hold-up play. Team looking well balanced. Oppo goalie late for his Sunday Roast at the final whistle?

[@hughesvideo]

I think we can blame Spurs v Arsenal at 2.00 pm for people rushing off the pitch at the end. Several of our players had tickets too and were hoping the Referee kicked off on time...which he did.
Rashawn & Christian were both there on time. All our players were...which makes a nice change !
That's what a win on the first day of the season does for you.
We have always dropped players for not paying their subs whenever we have had the size of squad to be able to do so...like we have now. That is how the club has managed to survive for 48 years when most others at Sunday League level let their players get away with it and they then run out of (sponsorship) money within 2-3 years.
Yes of course we are trying to find sponsorship so that our players don't have to pay subs, but we are nowhere near that SE Dons level yet...and probably never will be.

[@spencergrady5501]

@@hughesvideo haha... cheers for the response, sir