• Fixtures This Week
• Latest Results
• Match Archive
• Our Teams
• Local Weather Forecast
• London Underground Status Check

Saturday 10th August

Dilly ding, dilly dong

Old Parmiterians Reserve XI had issues scoring consitently despite some great approach play last season. This weekend's game against Latymer FC 1st XI, along with their three goals against EBOG FC last weekend, are evidence that they may be putting that behind them. The other end of the pitch however, left a little more to be desired, even with manager Brendan Kelly having to deputise for Steven Kennedy-Clarke in goal. Ali Konga, back from a terrible injury last term, picked up where he left off before he was struck down, poaching a goal from close range after a Chris Scherer free-kick found him at the back post just two minutes in. It wasn't long before parity was restored though, as a mix up between Chris Kane and Nawab Ahmed allowed Latymer's best player to poke a loose ball between them and past a poorly positioned Kelly in goal. Old Parms kept their composure though, and continued to play the ball out from the back, with Kane and William Lahti both looking assured in possession, while Nat Newman stepped into the midfield in place of Atiba Jackson well to slot in alongside Ahmed. There were in fact eight changes to the starting line up from last week, but the style and application were precisely the same, showing the effort the reserve XI have been putting in on the training ground. Newman helped to force a second after he robbed the ball in midfield and put Konga through to calmly round the keeper and score to restore the lead. Thereafter Parms asserted their control, with good possession at the back releasing captain Scherer at left back, whose mazey dribble ended with a shot that beat the keeper at his near post. Charlie Heath and Konga both had some one-on-ones to extend the lead that were spurned, before Heath fired a free-kick in via a deflection from the wall. The 4-1 scoreline at half-time was not flattering. Another problem that Parms had last season was starting second halves poorly, which seemed to rear its head here, as two quick fire Latymer goals, the second of which came after a couple of errors in defence allowed them back into it. Parms struggled to control the game as they had done in the first half, as the elements hailed down on the game. It was then that Adem Bekir and Scherer began to step up, with the former finding the later on the left several times on the run. Scherer hit the post with one chance from range, but soon after he went one better. Firstly the skipper picked up the ball on the left, dancing around his opposite full back, before driving inside and unleashing a shot at the near post to create some distance between the two teams again at 5-3. Chey Ramsay had the opportunity to get his Parms account off the mark, but fired straight at the keeper, with Heath also coming close on a couple of occasions. There was still enough time for Latymer to grab another goal back, but Parms finished strongly to deny any opportunities for an equaliser. Another impressive result, but there are improvements to be found.