Lensbury 2 - 2 Old Parkoninas (Southern Amateur League)

Parks lost the chance to gain ground on the leaders as they threw away 3 points in this SAL Division 2 encounter on Saturday. With the sides above them both drawing, Parks could have been equal on points with the top two sides, but for a couple of errors which both led to easy goals for Lensbury.

The home side started very brightly, looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat that Parks inflicted on them earlier this campaign. Parks had no time at all to settle into the passing rhythm that had seen them well so far this season. Cross and Mason suffered some heavy challenges in the first five minutes, and it was clear Lensbury were trying to ruffle their visitors. Parks managed to get the ball down and on 15 minutes created the first chance of the game. Parmenter dragging his shot wide, after a bright exchange with Knapman. With the home side adopting a very defensive 4-5-1 formation, Parks found it hard to breakdown Lensbury's backline.

It was a deep run from centre-half Bernstein, found with a raking pass from Cross that was the next chance for the visitors - the former blasting wide with only the keeper to beat. Knapman and Jamieson created a fine delivery for Mason to skew high and wide from six yards, and as the half approached, Parks were dominating the midfield exchanges, and looked good value for the three points.

Old Parks started the second half in much the same vein, but when Jamieson received the ball in the left hand corner, surrounded by three Lensbury defenders, it looked like the best he could hope for was to win a throw. A sublime piece of skill later, and he was free, and his pinpoint left-footed cross saw Parmenter rise to drill his header past the Lensbury keeper.

Parks defended the next five minutes with ease, until a calamitous 10 minutes saw them go a goal behind. A truly speculative punt into the area saw keeper MacCallum come to claim, but with the November sun at its fiercest, he spilled it into the path of the home centre forward who finished from a yard. Back to level terms, Parks were still the better side, and with half an hour remaining decided to keep the ball, and bide their time. The visitors were controlling possession comfortably, until MacCallum's pass out was intercepted by the same centre-forward, who finished from triple the distance of his previous attempt.

A goal behind, and Parks upped the tempo, to try and draw level. Lensbury were defending very well, and breaking with some speed, and at various stages could have doubled their advantage had their final ball been better. However, ten minutes later and with ten remaining, Parks saved MacCallum's blushes, when a Nicholls free-kick was headed on by Gaughan over the home keeper.

It was no more than Parks deserved, and it ensured a frantic last few minutes, as both sides felt the winner was not beyond them, Parks again went the closest to taking the points. Kemp and Chadwick linked to free Mason down the left, whose fierce 20 yard drive was watched inches wide by the beaten keeper.

So Parks will see these as two points dropped, but the good team performances keep coming - with more difficult opponents to face in coming weeks.

A disappointing day was followed by a very amusing evening out, as the journey home from Teddington to Barkingside took on more twists and turns than a Jamieson run. Early retirements were Parmenter (romantic meal?), Bernstein (commentating on WWF for Talk Sport?) and Gaughan (Guildford only after 6pm?). Thrown out of a pub for no I.D. - superb when five of the nine left are over 30 - we took to the off licence for port and cider. After several spoofs - all lost by MacCallum to compound his day - and a train journey back to Waterloo, the evening got very strange. Next retiree was Chadwick who used the excuse of seeing Jamieson got home OK, as his way out. By this time, however "Time-Lord" Jamieson had become very preoccupied with his watch, and seemed happy to accompany Chadwick. "Billy Elliot" Kemp (that has to stick) and "Rusty" Keogh (that definitely will) - proceeded to snog a couple of 19 year olds - one nice, one nasty (reminiscent of Sticky and Slapper) - while downing a couple of large Jamesons - in the ginger one's honour. Brick Lane followed, and a slapstick moment to rank with the best of them ensued. After chucking up over the end of the table, Kemp proceeded to fall off his chair and into his own vomit - we would have got away with it but it was a wooden floor, a huge thud and we were the only ones in there. I think everyone got home OK, in the end - fortunately it's at home next week.

This Saturday Parks entertain Mill Hill Village in the second round of the AFA Cup - KO 1.30 pm.

Scorers: Parmenter, Gaughan
Man of the Match: Cross
Team: MacCallum, Gaughan, Nicholls, Bernstein, Keogh, Mason, Jamieson, Cross, Knapman, Parmenter, Chadwick. Sub: Kemp.

Report by TC