Representative Game Report

London Legal League 1 (Simon Sly) Arthurian League 3 (Henry Nash 2, David Lederman)

Played on Tuesday 8th November 2005 at Dulwich Hamlet F.C. 

In one of the best performances of recent seasons, and Luke Mines debut as manager, the London Legal League Representative Team lost 3-1 to the Arthurian League with a performance that deserved rather more.

The usual series of injuries, illnesses and work commitments meant the side was still being confirmed hours before kickoff, but come 7.30pm the Legal League had a full complement of players and a manager arrived hotfoot from sunny Newbury. Even the referee David Cross had neglected his traditional tour of south east London and arrived well in advance.

The pace of the game was fast from the start, and the Legal League had the best of the early exchanges without creating any clear cut chances. Os Akkaya and Mike Jolley dominated the centre of midfield and the Legal League looked threatening down both flanks. On the break the Arthurian League looked dangerous and Harry Ramsden twice had to be quick off his line to sweep up and clear away attacks.

Half an hour into the game the Legal League created probably the best chance of the half, but a free header couldn't be directed goalwards and the Arthurian League cleared. Just before half time the Arthurian League won a free kick on the edge of the area and in a "rooted" moment curled the dead ball in for an ill-deserved half time lead.

Half time and a long ten minutes in which to conclude that we weren't doing anything wrong, and were unlucky to be 1-0 down. No blackboard and no subbuteo set and the Legal League looked forward the second half.

Sadly, the twenty minutes that followed were decisive. Defensive mistakes saw the Arthurian League score a second, and with one of the strikers dropping off into midfield the Legal League were overwhelmed. A third goal followed, before the Legal League readjusted their tempo, and once again had the better of the game for the final twenty five minutes.

Numerous half chances came the Legal League's way, with Mike Foster and Jamie Topping shining, and with five minutes to go Simon Sly finally notched a well deserved goal from a personal and a team point of view.

But for twenty minutes of relative lethargy, the London Legal League deserved a result out of this game, and the quality and spirit of the football was some of the best for a few seasons. Dulwich Hamlet did us and the Arthurian League proud, and the man Mines has much promise to build on for the future. The officials had a very good game and we can be delighted we showed the London Legal at its best.

London Legal League:- Matt Ramsden (Linklaters), Will Spencer (Herbert Smith), Charlie Light (Richards Butler), Mike Jolley (KPMG), Sufian Creu (Ashursts), Matt Smith (Slaughter and May), Os Akkaya (Herbert Smith), Mike Foster (Richards Butler), Ed O'Brien (Pegasus), Gareth Jenkins (Richards Butler), Mark Esiri (Richards Butler), Simon Sly (Stephenson Harwood), Steve Black (Linklaters), Jamie Topping (Richards Butler). Manager: Luke Mines.

Officials: David Cross (referee), John Macguire and Curtis Ingram.

Representative Team Page