MATCH REPORTS 2003-2004

Recreativo 1-0 Hackney Marshans 4.4.04

There's much talk about the biggest derbies in the world; Celtic vs Rangers, Barca vs Madrid, Inter vs Milan, Boca vs River Plate, Recreativo vs Hackney Marshans, the debate continues. Like a lot of local clashes, this was a much scrappy affair. Points and pride meant a lot more than style and finess today. We wanted the points badly. We began to think the other lot were having second thoughts as we ran through our warm up, still waiting for them to show up. When the game finally started we took it to them early on. Cutting through their defence time and time again, we beagn to get frustrated as we looked for that opening goal. It eventually came in the shape of a through ball that Jel Gregory latched onto, chasing towards the keeper who lost out in the tackle and left the goal open for an easy tap in. We panicked in the second half and although we were the better team, we got more edgy as time ticked by. Jimmie Gregory got stuck in in midfield, urging on the team and Mario Pisano had another great game at right back - cool, calm, collected. A late scare was safely delt with by rookie keeper Dan Mauger. We were delighted with the points, but not the nervy performance. We retired to the pub to watch Millwall get into Europe. God help Europe! So that's it, season over. We still wait to see how the Marshans get on with their remaining three games and obviously won't be sending them our best wishes. Whatever the final outcome, this game belonged to us - the best team in Hackney, probably.

Team: Dan Mauger, Mario Pisano, Matt Jeary, Shane O'prey, Mike Tarnoky (Steve Jones), Tony Wood, Emil Lime, Jimmie Gregory, Adam Bradbury, Jerome Gregory, Yusef Ibrahim, Godfred Sagoe.

Recreativo 3-1 Battersea Southsiders 28.3.04

The first home victory of the season, in front of a record home crowd of eight! We took the game by the scruff of the next from the start, putting fear into the Southsiders with a vocal barrage, culminating in Marcus du Sautoy's opening goal. His resulting celebration was reminiscent of a coke-filled Maradona, circa World Cup USA 94, with a tightly clenched fist, let rip a subsonic war cry, that not only frightened the children watching, but also hos 10 teammates, aswell as most of east London. From a Jimmie Gregory corner, it was soon 2-0. Godfred Sagoe put us 3-0, beating the offside trap. After Battersea scored, we ran down the clock, keeping ball up their end. The ref, eager for his sunday roast, blew and 22 hands reached for the sky, hallellujah!


Team: Chris Read, Mario Pisano, Emil Lime, Matt Jeary, Tony Wood (scott Harris), Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Yusef Ibrahim, Asdam Bradbury, Jerome Gregory, Godfred Sagoe.

Shepherds Tuesday 3-3 Recreativo 21.3.04

A last gasp equaliser left us feeling elated and our opposition no doubt gutted after a hard fought 90 minutes. We'd lost 6-1 to this mob earlier in the season, so to us, this was a victory of sorts and epitomised the spirit than runs through this club. A run down the right wing and an inch perfect cross found Jerome Gregory to tap in past the Hugfh Fearnley-Wittingshall look a like keeper. Shepherds equalised, but Godfred Sagoe smashed home another well taken curler to put us back in front. With the wind against us, but with God on our side (!), we made three subs as our players shrugged off injured all over the park. Shepherds got another, then another, but with a minute to go the ball fell kindly to Godfred again, who hit a sweet shot into goal...the most heavenly sound in the world, a beautifully flighted ball lovingly carressed by the net. Magnifique! A well deserved point.

Team: Chris Read, Mario Pisano, Shane O'prey, Matt Jeary (Mike Tarnoky), Emil Lime, Tony Wood (Yusef Ibrahim), Jimmie Gregory (Scott Harris), Marcus du Sautoy, Phil Radford, Godfred Sagoe, Jerome Gregory.

Livingstone Academicals 2-1 Recreativo 7.3.04

Team spirit was high as we drove to the Hampstead ground, a mere bricks throw from the mega mansions of Millionaire's Row. A fast and furious game saw us take the game to them. This was a total turnaround aftyer last week's effort. We were brimming with confidence and had plenty of shots on goal. Marcus du Sautoy's late scrambled shot made it 2-1, a well deserved goal after a tireless performance to win every ball. Debutant, David Webb got stuck in from the first minute. In the end, the result didn't really matter. Some would call it naivety. Isn't football all about winning? We left the field and gave ourselves a round of applause. We had just taken part in something beautiful. This is why we play football.

Team : Chris Read, Emil Lime, Mario Pisano, David Webb, Tony Wood, Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Phil Radford, Yusef Ibrahim, Jerome Gregory, Godfred Sagoe.

Clapham Eagles 7-1 Recreativo 29.2.04

Seven one. Seven bur-lud-ee one! We stared off brightly in this top vs bottom clash. Twenty minutes gone and the Eagles were finding it hard to get into our half. Was this really the team that sat so proudly at the top of our league? Maybe we let things get to our heads, as against the run of play we became as shapeless as a sumo wrestler let loose in Dunkin' Doughnuts! We were all at sea without a boat, without a paddle even and with a gigantic iceberg heading our way! Osama Mansour clawed it back to 3-1, but the Eagle's superiority showed assisted by our comedy of errors, simple mistakes and the ref's interpretation of the new offside law (which you need a geomtry set to understand!). It's difficult to find anything positive in this game. It bloody hurt!

Team : Yusef Ibrahim, Steve Jones (Jimmie Gregory), Emil Lime, Shane O'prey, Mario Pisano, Matt Jeary, Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe, Phil Radford, Jerome Gregory, Osama Mansour.

Recreativo 0-0 Livingstone Academicals 22.2.04

A nil-nil draw, but this game was anything but drab. The Accies took to the field looking mean and lean in their Argentina style kit. Fearing the worst, in an unforgiving swirling wind, we did ourselves proud again, with another really good performance. Chris Read had a solid stint in goal. Terrier like Abdul Koyar gave his opposite 6ft slam dunker a bnloody good run for his money. Recreativo's up and coming youngster Osama Mansour was unfortunate not to bag his first goal. A well deserved point.

Team : Chris Read, Steve Jones (Adul Koyar), Emil Lime, Tony Wood, Shane O'prey, Dan Mauger (Mike Tarnoky), Matt Jeary, Scott Harris (Osama Mansour), Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe, Jerome Gregory.

South Circular 6-4 Recreativo 15.2.04

Down to the exotically named Bel-Air Park in Dulwich. To be honest we didn't really expect much from this game, (after getting slaughtered by them earlier in the season), but were determined to improve on last week's performance. Team spirit was running high after a cosy get-together in the warm dressing room. With the pitch small and cut up, we thought we might have a better chance against this fast passing side. Godfred got us a couple of early goals (this from a man who was going to stay at home and watch Arsenal on the telly!). But South Circular hit back with three easy goals after the break, again after our silly mistakes. It's frustrating leaving the pitch with no points after we'd really battled and put in one of the best performances of our season so far.

Team : Yusef Ibrahim, Mario Pisano, Tony Wood, Dan Mauger, Shane O'prey, Jimmie Gregory (Steve Jones), Marcus du Sautoy, Osama Mabnsour, Chris Read, Scott Harris, Jerome Gregory, Godfred Sagoe.

Recreativo 1-6 Shepherds Tuesday 8.2.04

Desperate for the points that would see us off the bottom of the table, our hopes were dashed with an early Shepherds goal. This game was never going to be pretty in swirling winds. The oppo did play some good football which seem to cut through us at times...six times to be precise! As a team, we simply never got going. We did come close a couple of times, free kicks lofted into their box and at least Adam Bradbury got one back. Anopther disapointing day, though we roll up our sleeves and battle on next week..

Team : Yusef Ibrahim, Mario Pisano, Matt Jeary, Tony Wood, Steve Jones (Tony Andre), Marcus du Sautoy, Scott Harris (Osama Mansour), Chris Read, Adam Bradbury, Godfred Sagoe, Jerome Gregory

Barking Mad 1-1 Recreativo 25.1.04

A well earned draw against a side who beat us 5-2 earlier in the season saw us heading back to north London with smiles on our faces.A well earned away point against a side who beat us 5-2 earlier in the season saw us heading back to North London with smiles on our faces. Despite being 1 - 0 up until 15 minutes from time, we felt this was a fair result, and although eager for the win, would of settled for this before the game. With some key players missing, including goalie/bionic man Steve 'The Cat' Jones, we were going to have to battle hard to get something from this game. Godfred Sagoe's excellent powerful header from a corner 20 minutes into the game, gave the Barking keeper no chance. We held on 'til half time, as each and every one of us gave it our all. Stand in goalie, Yusuf Ibrahim made some outstanding acrobatic saves and was having an absolute blinder. Mike Tarnoky battling hard and always involved on the left, and Dan Mauger in central defence winning everything in the air, and putting on a well fine display, as did captain/sergeant major Matt Jeary. To concede a goal from a corner towards the end of the match was a downer, and Barking Mad piled on the pressure sensing a victory, coming close but squandering a couple of gilt -edged chances. However, with gritted teeth we held on, and were unlucky not to get another goal ourselves. With 16 year old substitute Osama Mansour making a great debut apperance for the 'Tivo, he made an early impact coming close with a wicked strike, the goalie just tipping it past the post. A real gutsy team performance. Recreativo Man Of The Match: Yusuf Ibrahim. Yusuf put in a commanding performance, and kept us in it with an outstanding display. Some acrobatic diving and fingertip saves when the opposition should of scored. Fantastico!

Team: Yusuf Ibrahim, Mark Smith, Matt Jeary, Dan Mauger, Tony Wood, Chris Read, Jimmie Gregory, Scott Harris, Mike Tarnoky (Osama Mansour), Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Hackney Marshans 0-2 Recreativo
The East End local derby was always going to be one we'd be desperate to win, and top of Recreativo's Christmas list were 3 points, which we felt we deserved after being good little boys this year. We were not to be disappointed come the final whistle, after our best performance to date. The pre-match training had great effect, if only to confuse the opponents as they emerged from the dressing room... "what, you're the team who are bottom of the league ?'' With the Recreativo midfield bossing the game, some slick passing moves and surging attacks saw us piling on the pressure in front of the Marshans' goal. How they wished the Mother Ship would come down to exterminate the evil Recreativans! A great through ball from Godfred Sagoe set up Jel Gregory, for a one on one with the keeper. Gooooooooooooal! Ooh, the excitement, this being the first time we'd actually led a game! With a half time team talk given by 11 players all manically talking at once, we took to the pitch for the second half full of confidence and self belief... if a little confused. Our sexy passing game took a dip, but we battled away and after a pinball goalmouth scramble Godfred Sagoe toed in the second goal from all of two inches! A late scare from a rare Marshans attack saw our goalpost skimmed, but stand-in goalie Tony Andre didn't have much to do throughout the game. We had a few more guilt-edged chances which should of seen us win by a much bigger margin, but these went embarrassingly well wide - and brought much hilarity with cries for a penalty because, ''The defender was putting me off!''. The beautiful sound of the final whistle meant we'd got our first points of the season, a fully deserved victory, and it was going to be a very happy Christmas after all.

Recreativo Man Of The Match: Abdul Koyar. Despie being the smallest player on the field, Abs showed no fear when it came to crunching tackles. His tireless running and passion for wanting the ball never waned. Overall though a great team performance, with all giving 100%


Recreativo 2-5 Barking Mad 23.11.03

An early penalty for the opponents from an unfortunate handball, and an own goal from a very sloppily defended corner set the tone for this match. As the rain lashed it down, this was a game we should of taken by the scruff of the neck, and after getting the score back to 2 - 1, we were undone by some slack mistakes which Barking Mad capitalised upon. Repeatedly getting called up for offside in the first half, it was unfortunate that the ref was unprepared to have a little jog, as he may of seen things differently, as we certainly did. A late goal for us came too late, and as we left the field soaked to the skin, we felt like we'd gifted them the 3 points. Overall our inexperience was evident today, but we remain upbeat as always and look forward to the next match.

Recreativo Man Of The Match: Adam Bradbury. The birthday boy battled non-stop, and was chasing every ball in midfield. A real engine. It wouldn't be nice to compare him with Robbie Savage!

Team: Steve Jones, Emil Lime, Dan Mauger, Mario Pisano, Tony Andre (Mike Tarnoky), Scott Harris (Mark Smith), Adam Bradbury, Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Dynamo Landor 4-0 Recreativo 16.11.03

A late kick off deep down and dirty south of the river against the league leaders, did not exactly fill us with too much optimism. After already being well beaten by them earlier in the season, it would be a real test, but we were determined that we weren't going to let them have it all their own way. However, Landor are a well drilled side, (some would say flashy bastards), and unfortunately for us proved too strong. It's a measure of how much we're coming on as a team though, as this last fixture we lost 7-0, with us struggling to get the ball in their half. Whereas this game, we were much more in it. Pat on the back to the man in black, a thoroughly nice chap, who even explained the rules as he trundled around the pitch. After much debate on the drive home (ranging from where it all went wrong .... 'too many leaves on the pitch'... to London's culture... 'The Tate Modern, what a load of fucking rubbish' , stories of glue sniffin' punks on the Kings Rd, circa 79', and the sexual exploits of George Bush, Prince Charles, MI6 and Al- Queda), the gloom was lifted by 5 big bars of red and white delight. Viva Recreativo! Viva Chunky Kit Kats!

Team: Steve Jones, Mark Smith (Yusuf Ibrahim), Emil Lime, Matt Jeary, Dan Mauger, Adam Bradbury, Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Phil Radford (Chris Read), Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Battersea Southsiders 5-3 Recreativo 9.11.03

Another defeat, but another good and improving team performance from the 'Tivo massive. We were in this game from start to the very finish, but once again, lady luck deserted us and whispered sweet nothings into the ears of the South Londoners. We had good spells of attacking play and scored 3 cracking goals, and at 2-2 really thought we might get something out of this game. Some fantastic pin point crossing from the Gaffer led to two of the goals, and with new boy Matt Jeary tightening up the defence both physically and vocally, it's suprising that we conceded 5. Marcus du Sautoy's lovely new expensive kangeroo skin boots saw plenty of action,as he bounced up and down the left wing - his number 17 shirt was by far the most sweat drenched as I put the kit in the washing machine this morning! The last few games have seen us really improve, and we know that those first few points are surely now within our reach. Recreativo Man Of The Match - Matt Jeary. Constantly urging his team mates on, and challenging all and everything. The embodiment of Stuart Pearce..... or psycho as he is sometimes affectionately called by his mum.

Team: Steve Jones, Mario Pisano, Mark Smith, Mike Tarnoky (Chris Read), Matt Jeary, Scott Harris (Yusuf Ibrahim), Adam Bradbury, Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Clapham Sundays 3-0 Recreativo 2.11.03

Thrills, spills, and bellyaches, and some dramatic action in and around the streets of Waterloo as we travelled to Sarf Laaandan for our first away match of the season. With scene's reminiscent of Dad's Army, (Don't panic!), goalie Steve came charging out like a young whippet (with a fag in it's mouth), armed with a bottle of cold water, to put out the glowing embers burning bright from the engine of Emil's team bus. After 3 jump starts, the boys were well warmed up and ready for action despite having to leave the van by the roadside. The scoreline doesn't do us justice (....honest) as we played our little hearts out against a Sundays side who looked bigger and fatter than they did last week! With a nice 'greasy' surface on leafy Wandsworth common there was many a crunching tackle, and fierce debate with a rather gobby referee. With Abdul Koyar doing a great job in midfield and Adam Bradbury closing down all and everything, we built on our attacks but couldn't find that final touch to knock one in. Despite the 3 goals against, we had definitely tightened up at the back and as a whole the team played with renewed confidence and passion. So, played 5, lost 5, but believe me we are really enjoying the experience of this first season playing in a league. Expect scenes of wild jubilation, much flag waving, and a cavalcade of vehicles (minus a bright orange V Dub) hooting their horns throughout the night, in and around North London if we get a point!.....

Team: Steve Jones, Emil Lime, Mark Bradbury, Mario Pisano, Yusuf Ibrahim (Mike Tarnoky), Adam Bradbury, Marcus du Sautoy (Jimmie Gregory), Abdul Koyar, Scott Harris, Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Recreativo 2-5 Clapham Sundays 26.10.03

Oh well, we're still waiting for our first points of the season to write home and tell mum about! Some fine headed goals from the Sundays' lanky bearded front man put paid to our valiant efforts. Our over reliance on chest vapours, deep heat, and asthma inhalers sent some of us into drug-induced sleepy trances, which made things easier for the Sundays who took full advantage, and punished us like naughty schoolboys. Some great one on one saves from goalie and ex-Sex Pistol, Steve Jones, kept our hopes alive, but luck deserted us at the opposite end with some pinball style scrambles at the last, and a powerful volley that narrowly missed and ended up three pitches away! Good to see Godfred Sagoe get on the scoresheet however, with a well taken goal after beating the offside trap, and a coolly taken second half penalty, after he was cruelly taken down by a little kid at the back, who goes under the name of The Butcher of Clapham.

Team: Steve Jones, Mark Bradbury, Emil Lime, Mark Smith (Mike Tarnoky), Tony Wood (Mario Pisano), Jimmie Gregory, Adam Bradbury, Scott Harris (Yusuf Ibrahim), Jel Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe (Salvatore Giulla)

Recreativo 2-3 Clapham Eagles 12.10.03

A fantastic second half comeback from the boys in red and orange was not quite enough to earn our first points of the season. 3 goals down at half time, we refused to think the inevitable, and with pure grit and determination we were unlucky not to have got more from this game. With goals from Jel Gregory and Scott Harris we felt that we deserved more, and dominated the second half, with a barrage of constant pressure on the Eagles' goal in the last half hour. It's a bit of a cliche I know, but we can take loads of positives from this game despite the scoreline. Well done boys, big up yerselfs....

Team: Steve Jones, Mark Bradbury, Emil Lime, Mark Smith (Tony Wood), Scott Harris, Yusuf Ibrahim (Salvatore Giulla), Jimmie Gregory, Adam Bradbury, Marcus du Sautoy, Godfred Sagoe, Jel Gregory.

Recreativo 0-7 Dynamo Landor 28.9.03

A 7 goal thriller!!!, (as in the Michael Jackson video.... we played like Zombies!) Our new fashionable red/orange strip was not enough to dazzle and divert Dynamo's eyes from our goal, which they took a particular liking to throughout the game! And with one of the 'Tivo unfortunately injured with his very first touch of the season, after coming on as sub in the 2nd half, (and now on crutches for a good while), it was not a happy outing for us. However, we are always heartened by the teams' spirit, win or lose, with everyone giving it their all. Get well soon Glyn, we wish you all the best. Forza Recreativo!

Team: Steve Jones, Emil Lime, Mark Smith, Salvatore Giulla, Tony Wood (Glynn Harries - Scott Harris), Jimmie Gregory, Adam Bradbury, Yusuf Ibrahim, Jel Gregory, Godfred Sagoe, Marcus du Sautoy (Mike Tarnoky).

Recreativo 1-6 South Circular 14.9.03

Our opening game in the Super Sunday League saw us suffer a defeat at the hands (and feet) of South Circular FC. On a beautiful sunny day over the marshes, we welcomed the start of the season, and despite the six goals put past us, we remained upbeat 'til the very end. South Circular's manager described their win as their 'best ever performance' ,and unfortunately for us, our ageing and tired legs were no match for their youth and agility. It was remarked that some of us were old enough to be their dads! (At times tho' some of us felt like their grandads!!!) We were 4-0 down at half time, and were unfortunate in the 2nd half with a disallowed goal for offside, and a delicate chip over their keeper, that was denied by the crossbar. The game was played in a great spirit, and we were pleased that we managed to get at least one goal past them after a well worked move from the centre circle. A through ball from kick off, headed on, and met by Jel Gregory's left foot to make it 4-1. 2 more goals for the young guns from South London secured the 3 points for them.Recreativo Man Of The Match - Emil Lime. Emil had a hell of a lot of work to do and was kept busy throughout. Despite this, he never gave in, remained positive, and was still sprinting at the very end... Roberto Carlos, eat ya heart out!

Team: Steve Jones, Emil Lime, Mark Smith, Tony Andre, Salvatore Giulla, Jimmie Gregory, Marcus du Sautoy, Mario Pisano, Scott Harris, (Yusuf Ibrahim), Jel Gregory, Godfred Sagoe.