Southside 3, Effra Academicals 3.

This was much better.
Apart from a 15minute wobble in the second half, Southside played  with composure and discipline.
David made an assured debut in goal, covering for Geoff's absence.
Montel was really unlucky not to open his account for the Mighty Reds.
But for the heroics of Effra's keeper, we could have been 4 or 5 goals up at half time. Instead , the game was still goalless  as we kicked off for the second period.
Scott broke the deadlock and it looked like we had a firm grip on the game, but Effra clawed a goal back and for a while things sarted to unravel.Soon we were 1-3 down.
I was really pleased to see that we pulled things back from the brink.
We regained our shape and our composure. Scott scored two more excellent goals.
In a frenetic last 10 minutes Southside looked the more likely to score. Three all was a fair result. It wasn't a perfect performance from us - there are a few things to put right, but there are plenty of positives to take away from this enjoyable game. Well done lads.

Team: David, Little James, Phil, Owen, Mark B, Reece, Montel, Dane, Nik, Big Paul, Bobby,Malek, Sam D, Scott, Danny.

2012 Fixtures

 Weekly Dome sessions  start up again on Tues 3rd January, 6.15-8pm.

Next 11 a  side match is a friendly vs Effra on Thurs Jan 12th , 8pm.

We've got a Stadium pitch booking pencilled in for Mon 23rd Jan.  This will be either a friendly or possibly the Cup Quarter Final - to be confirmed in early Jan.

Thanks to everyone for making this  a really  good year for Southside FC.

Quarter Finals

We're through to the Quarter finals of the M.I cup.
We've qualified as best runners up, thanks to our fantastic  8-0 victory over Ladywell in November.
The Quarter final matches will be played in Late Jan/Feb 2012.

Southside 0, MRC Ewell 4

We're not out of the cup yet. We could still sneak through on goal difference if a couple of other results go our way.
It was freezing cold and blowing a gale last night. We kicked off , playing into the howling wind and driving rain. In truth we never really got our game together. Despite lots of effort, we didn't keep our shape  and  didn't keep possession. On the rare occasions that we got the ball out to the wings it looked like we could score at will but  these moments were all too rare. I was happy to go in to half time  just 0-1 down. In the second half, the Ewell goal was under siege for 15 minutes as Southside looked set to draw level. Unfortunately we got hit on the break, and slipped to a 4-0 defeat as we tried in vain to take the game to the opposition
We didn't deserve to take anything from the game but the 4-0 the scoreline is a bit hard on us.
For me though, there were lots of positives. We had a really big squad - 17 people arrived in plenty of time for kick off, despite the weather and the lure of Chelsea v Man City.  Charlie and Big James made really positive debuts. In a rare start, Montel impressed on the left wing. It was a really difficult night but i went home feeling happy with the attitute and application  of the whole squad. Not everyone could play as many minutes as they wanted but  no one made a fuss. Special thanks to David , Owen and Alex who  came along to support the squad.
If we do  get into the quarter finals we'll have to improve our football  - we've got more than enough ability to  raise our performace level - but our team spirit and hard work give us a solid foundation to build on.
See you all next Tues in the Dome.

Southside 4, Effra Academicals 6

Ermm.... usual stuff.  2 mins to kick off, not enough players. Trying to borrow players from the oppo.
Start with 2 injured players and no subs. 1-0 down after 2 mins. Equalise a minute later. Lots of effort but not much composure for the first 45 mins. Lucky to go into the break only 3-1 down.
Second half much better. We tried to take the game to Effra but caught on the break by their very quick front line. With 10 mins to go we were were losing 6-2. Could have been even worse but we didn't give up. A free kick from Reece made it 6-3 and a clinical strike from Scott (his third of the night) spread panic in the Effra ranks. At 6-4 Effra were out for the count but were saved by the final whistle.
 We're nearly a really good team  but 5 defeats in our last 6 games tell us that we're not there yet.
We're still in the cup so lets make sure that we get a result against Racing Ewell on Dec 12th to take us into the quarter finals.

Last night's team:
Geoff, Peter, Little James, Phil, Danny,Big Paul, Nik, Reece, Dane,
Scott, Glenn, Big Mark D,  Big Mark B, Yusuf.

This week and next week

Great Dome session this week. 22 players. 3 teams.We've got a really strong squad at the moment.
Next week we're in the dome on Tuesday from 6.30 and then we've got a match against Effra on Thursday, 8.30pm kick off.

Last reminder for kit orders - I've got 1 last yellow shirt available now for £5.
I'm going to make a new order  next week so bring cash to training if you want a red or yellow shirt.
(You can have a blue shirt too if you want one)

We'll pick the team for Thurs after training on Tues. See you then.

Southside 8, Ladywell 0

Great performance, fantastic result.Brilliant Cup tie.
Everyone played their part in  a dramatic return to form for the mighty reds.
Ladywell are a decent team but we controlled the game from start to finish.
Our defence was solid throughout. Geoff barely had a save to make. Bobby and Malek worked together wonderfully in midfield, combining graft and guile in equal measure.
Goals from Reece (2) and Scott earned us a three goal cushion by half time.
Ladywell raised their game for a period in the middle of the game, but Southside were resolute. A fourth goal  deflated Ladywell and from then on it was a case of how many.
Scott's four goals took his tally this year to 30 and Reece's two goals put his total into double figures. Two  excellent second half strikes from Danny White  were the icing on the cake.
Well done to everyone.
Our next cup game is against MRC Ewell on Monday December 12th , on the stadium Pitch at Palace.

Found Footage

I found this footage on You Tube. Click here to see  10 mins of action from our most recent game vs Effra. It doesn't look too bad - much better than i remembered it. Both of our goals  are on the film and only one of theirs.

Dome session , 18th October

Great session this week. 20 people. Really good debut from Haben and  good to see Glenn and Big James starting to attend regularly. Brilliant effort and commitment from everyone involved.

Next Tues 25th is the last Dome session before our first Cup game on 31st.
We'll pick the squad after next Tues.

Please bring in any  plain red Southside shirts - double check that you haven't got any stuck in the back of your wardrobe. We can't play a cup game in bibs!
Bring money for new kit if you want me to order any for you - yellow tops now @£10.
Red  shirts with  name/number  @ £15 short sleeves, £17 long sleeves.

Cup fixture confirmed

Our first Millenium Cup fixture has been confirmed.

Monday October 31st, vs Ladywell FC.
7.30pm Kick off
Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium, grass pitch.

Should be a really good game.

( We also have a stadium pitch booking for Mon 5th December, which will either be for the Cup game against MRC Ewell or for a friendly.)

kit order

Let me know if you need me to order any new kit.
There's not much cash to subsidise shirts at the moment so prices from now on are:

Red shirts (with name , number and badge)  - short sleeve £16 / Long sleeve £19
Yellow shirts ( badge only)       - Short sleeve £12/long sleeve £15

Cash required before i order I'm afraid.

Dome session , 4th Oct.

Good session this week. The Yellows edged it  despite a late comeback from the reds.

Attending: Phil, Alex H, Owen, Thomas, Idris, Shane, Sam, Nik, Reece, James, Mark D, Fabio, Lewis, Cet.

Southside 0, Londrines Sports Club 3

We were a bit of a shambles to be honest.
No goals  and only two shots on target all night. Confusion reigned on the pitch as  Southside players ran round like headless chickens for 90 minutes. Someone should sack the manager!
At half time it was 0-1  and we  felt we were still in the game. Bobby and Jon had worked hard in Midfield, whilst Reece  and Mark B  performed well at centre back. It was great to see Lewis make his comeback after a one year absence and also i really appreciated Reece's offer to cover in goal until Geoff arrived.
After half time things went from bad to worse. The post match inquest  started on about 55minutes and continued on  pitch until the final whistle. Londrines  took advantage and  only Geoff's  heroics in goal  kept the score respectable.
I'm glad we haven't got any more competitive matches for a few weeks - we can relax and enjoy playing at the Dome  for a bit.
Thanks to everyone for all of their hard work , despite the run of disappointing results. Good times are just around the corner.

Dome + new fixtures

 Good news. We've secured our block booking of the Dome for another year. Weekly sessions start next Tues 4th October, 6.45-8pm. £5 per session payable in advance on the night. Everyone welcome but please do confirm attendance by text in advance.
  Also I've booked a re-match against Effra on  Thurs November 17th, 8.30 kick off.
I'm trying to secure the pitch for our cup games against  Ladywell and MRC Ewell. Possible dates are Mon Oct 31st , 7.30 K.O and Mon December 5th, 8pm Kick off. ( to be confirmed)
See you  on Tuesday.

Southside 2, Effra 5.

This was a really good, even contest for an hour.
It was 1-1 at half time. Younes  had levelled the scores with a  coolly taken penalty,  after I'd gifted Effra the lead. After the break Reece put us ahead with a well taken goal and things were looking good. Then Effra scored. Then we lost our shape , our discipline and started bickering with each other. The inevitable followed. Effra took advantage, playing good football to achieve a substantial victory and revenge for the 11-1 defeat we inflicted on them in the summer.
No time to  worry about this game. We're playing a Brazilian team on Monday ,so lets learn some lessons and sort ourselves out for  this exciting challenge.

M.I Cup 2011 Draw

Southside Fc are one of the four seeded  teams in this year's Milenium Invitation Cup.
We have  been drawn in a group with Ladywell FC and with MRC Ewell.
Ewell topped our group last year so it will be a good challenge.
Fixture dates  to be confirmed - hopefully we'll play Ladywell in October and then MRC Ewell in November or December.

Match v Effra this Thurs

 We've got an extra match this week- Against Effra - 8.30pm kick off on Thurs at Palace.
The game will be much tougher than the 11-1 victory in the summer. We'll need to play really well to get anything out of the game against a side who have won five and drawn one of their last seven games.
 Anyone wishing to be included in the squad must text or e-mail their availability in advance.
Anyone who just  turns up on the night will only get a game if we  are short of players.

I'm trying to sort out  the problems with the dome bookings and will let everyone know when the Dome sessions can resume.

See you all on Thursday.

Southside 1, Brixton3

" I would have saved that".. announced Geoff, arriving even more fashionably late than usual , as i picked the ball out of the net.  1-0 to Brixton.  We had been holding out under pressure against a very good visiting side for 20 minutes before  a Brixton attacker curled a shot into the top corner to end the deadlock.
Brixton found the net again soon after - clearly offside, but to general amazement the ref  gave the goal.
Geoff took to the pitch, shortly followed by Big Paul, who plugged a big gap in Midfield.
From this point onwards, Southside  were at least equal to Brixton. Only Southside's strikers will know how they missed a number of excellent chances to score.
At half time, the mood was positive and  Southside went on to dominate the second half. Still we couldn't score, until Mark D surged through midfield  and burst the net with a clinical strike from 20 yards out.
We had chances to level the game , but with the clock running down,  Brixton scored another  disputed goal to make it 3-1.
 Southside probably deserved at least a draw, but in truth we should take  lessons from the way Brixton played. Their well organised , simple passing game offers a template for us to follow.
A second defeat  in a week then, but  a much improved performance and much better team spirit  than was evident on Monday.
 We're at the Dome for the next couple of Tuesdays, before we return to action against a Brazilian team on Monday Septemeber 26th

Southside 3, Grafton 6.

Oops! 3-1 up after 15 minutes, Southside players lit their cigars and put their feet up to ponder  yet another excellent victory. Why wait till full time to celebrate? Grafton, hardly believing their luck poured through the huge gaps left by Southside all over the pitch. Soon the  game was level. Complacency turned into panic  among the Southside ranks; 3-4, 3-5, 3-6. As Grafton's 65  year old striker celebrated his 3rd goal, i knew we had reached a new low.
  It wasn't all bad. A depleted squad  made space for several new players who all worked hard. Nikki  at left back was one of the few players to show composure on the ball.
We haven't become a bad team overnight, and with a bit of hard work,  performances will improve.

Southside 4, Inter Sutton 2.

It was great to kick off the season with a well earned win against a Sutton team who never give up.
We held a narrow 1-0 lead courtesy of Scott , when floodlight failure brought the game to a temporary halt.
When the Palace staff finally managed to turn the lights back on the game resumed and the goals started to flow. Fabio  squeezed home a shot through a crowded penalty area and Perre  scored the first of two to make the scoreline seem comfortable. Sutton fought back  with two goals, and also hit the bar as they battled to bring the scores level. Perre notched his second to  take the game away from Sutton.
The best 'goal' of the game came as Reece ghosted in at the far post to connect with a great cross from Perre. Inexplicably though, the ref chalked the goal off.
We were rusty last night after the summer break,  but there was lots of effort and we played well in patches.
Dome starts again next Tuesday.

Goals: Scott1, Fabio 1, Perre 2.