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1 September 2013
We're five matches into the season, and The Alfredians sit in the same spot in the table we occupied at the end of last year's campaign: second, one point off the lead.
We won at Wokingham & Emmbrook, 2-0, on a pair of second half goals from Shaquile Coulthirst. Four nights later, at home against Witney Town, we opened up a 3-0 lead, only to see the Blanketmen fire in two goals in three minutes before time ran out. Coulthirst had another goal, with Sam Wilson and Richard Peniket pitching in the others.
The next day, we finally heard from a player we'd tried to sign two weeks ago: Chris Lester, a promising young winger. The supporters are looking forward to seeing what he can do, and he's talented enough to force his way into our first team, at least part of the time.
On the 17th, we biltzed Ascot Town, 4-1. Clive Pratt scored in the game's opening minute, Nathaniel Jarvis found the net twice, and Darren McQueen completed the scoring. It was a beautiful day, we looked like champions, and the only bad thing about the entire afternoon was Chris Lester wrenching a knee. He'll probably miss another week or two.
On the 18th, we said goodbye to Chris Hall, who had been courted by a couple dozen teams for several weeks. He chose to move up one level by taking an offer from Leatherhead of the Isthmian League 1st Division South.
As good as Chris was for us, I think we might well have traded up by signing American Conor Doyle. He can play AMC or striker; in fact, he's decent almost anywhere in the middle of the park. Conor is extremely fast, a deadly finisher, and a slick passer with the presence of a veteran, at only 21 years of age.
Highworth Town were still undefeated, too, and Kidlington FC had won two and drawn one as we all went into action on the 24th. We were the first of the leaders to lose, falling 0-1 to Thame United in a match we shouldn't have lost. We dictated the tempo of the game and led in every meaningful statistical category...except the one that determines the winner of the match. I do need to give a lot of credit to Thame's back line, who didn't miss a thing all match long.
We got back into the winning habit yesterday, however, with a 2-0 victory away to Slimbridge. Doyle got his first Alfredians goal off a nifty pass from McQueen, and Platt converted a cross from right back Michael Smith. Simon Eastwood got his first clean sheet for Wantage Town.
Highworth Town lost yesterday and Kidlington won, so we've settled in a point in back of Kidlington and ahead of Highworth Town on goal differential. We need to get our injured players back on the pitch--McQueen has been added to that list, with a strained neck--but I like the looks of this year's squad very much so far.
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