Royal Military Academy Sandhurst 1 – 1 Army Crusaders First XI

(Goalscorer: Steve Pugh, penalty)

Sat 14 Nov 09 at RMAS

Match Report by Simon Langham

The Sandhurst fixture was in doubt over the preceding few days due to the poor weather forecast; South-westerly storms expected to engulf the UK throughout the morning. The Crusaders players, undeterred by Michael Fish's gloomy outlook, were ecstatic to receive the manager's confirmatory email that “the game is on”. That morning, the team were roused even further when they received a text reminder that “the game is on”. By now overjoyed at the prospect of playing in one of the Crusaders prestige fixtures, the players' fears of postponement were allayed when it was confirmed again by text that…!

Aspin was able to name a virtually unchanged team from the victory earlier in the week, conscious not to upset the harmony that is developing in the core group of players, and not influenced at all by the unavailability of any other players. The major enhancement to the team was the recruitment of Spence and we are grateful for the loan from neighbouring club The Crusaders Veterans.

Despite the familiar team and very confident defensive line up, the Crusaders got off to a shaky start, lacking vocal and physical presence, and sluggish in response to the sprightly movement of the young Officer Cadets.

A canny substitution settled the side; the manager brought on McBirnie after only 10 minutes and it gave the Crusaders a more balanced look, bolstering the attack by nearly 100%. Crusaders produced several chances and put some pressure on the opposition when the ball was played into feet, although frustratingly we were slow to learn this lesson and too often lofted the ball into the fierce wind.

The grey gloom of the day (and equally the game) was lifted for a short while when McBirnie, hanging deep in the corner of the pitch, a mere 25 yards off the Sandhurst back-four and hence clear through on goal, hollered at Aspin for the ball from a Crusaders free-kick. Despite his insistence, possession was given up when the referee awarded a free kick… for offside!

The Crusaders break-through came from a corner during a strong run of play just before the break. With the wind holding the ball in mid-air, Langham leapt high to meet it but was disturbed by a blatant shove in the back and the referee was quick to award a penalty. Steve ‘the cucumber' Pugh side-footed the ball into the bottom right of the net with ease.

Half time: Crusaders in the lead, 0-1.

A democratic half-time team talk determined that Crusaders needed to get back into their playing ways; on the ground and to feet . The second half started in a more confident and positive manner although frustration was now turning against the referee who was very keen with his awards, every nudge or tussle attracting a free-kick. He even stopped the game to deliver a lesson on throw-ins following Pugh's dispute over a chest pass by the Sandhurst left back. Indeed, their goal followed immediately after the lecturette, a free-kick awarded for a menacing glare by Moss outside the penalty area. The set play came to nothing but a strong follow up and excellent turn afforded a nimble striker space to shoot, and he let rip with a magnificent cross-field 20 yard shot that dipped against the wind into the top right of the net.

With the cross-wind playing it's part in the lack of action down the left flank for much of the second half, Aspin switched wingers to bring the Crew's silky skills into the game and inject some pace down the right. It worked too, energising the attacking force, and the Crusaders pressure increased as the end drew near. Surprisingly the final whistle brought about sighs from the Crusaders who were eager to gain something for their late dominance.

Sandhurst hosted us very well with drinks and curry in the King Hussain sporting pavilion. Both managers were enthusiastic to acknowledge that the fixture continues to be one of the best and most important in the season, and all were grateful for the well-spirited game. Again, whilst there was no official Man of the Match voted, the opposing manager was quick to praise Langham; one assumes for his rock steady performance, good looks and hilarious banter.

“Quick” - after 30 seconds and 12 more touches of the ball in attack by Sandhurst.

No preferential judgement has been brought into this completely fair assumption.