Tuesday 4 October 2016
Monday 8 February 2016
BOUNDARY ESTATE OF MIND
Boundary Estate 4-0 Eastway Olympia
Double's double helps return Boundary to winning ways
After a sorry run of form, Boundary Estate bounced back in style on Sunday with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Eastway Olympia.
Discarding the 4-5-1 system that has provided a strong defensive base, if limited goal threat this season, Boundary gaffer Stefan Swift elected to play a more offensive 4-4-2 and was rewarded from the off with some encouraging attacking football.
Combining the captaining nous of Alistair Cook with the coin winning ability of a scouse pickpocket, Toby Grainger secured a first half wind advantage and Boundary responded with more shots in the first 10 minutes than they had mustered in the previous five games.
Exotic new French signing Jeremy the French lad, George Corden and Zoolander Bridger all went close early on, while Welsh international Ben Harrison was on the receiving end of a classic "how the fuck did he save that?!" Sunday League keeper moment.
Despite their dominance, Boundary could not breach Eastway's defence and had it not been for an impressive save from Tom Bennett midway through the first half, the Adam and Evers (see if this sticks as a nickname) could have gone into the break a goal down.
Just as frustration seemed to be rising, Boundary broke the deadlock via a set piece. The famously impressive dead ball delivery of George Corden, combined with the swirly Hackney gale, wreaked havoc in the Eastway box allowing Double to nod home at the back post. Despite claims that it was nigh on impossible to miss, about six inches out and may have been going in anyway, this reporter will remember it as a towering header from approximately 18 yards out that almost broke the net.
With Double's thunderbolt alleviating the growing pressure, Boundary pushed home their advantage almost instantly. Tidy work from Harrison and Jeremy the French lad saw Corden find room in the box. His cultured right foot finish looked destined for the bottom corner before a deflection took it into the top corner via a post.
Leading 2-0 at half time, Boundary took the unprecedented step of turning up for the second half after a decent first half performance. With a defence marshalled superbly by Grainger and the ever unflappable Dan Bowmar, Boundary felt confident enough to push home their advantage playing into the wind.
With an average squad height of around 5"8 and a Hackney hurricane swirling, Boundary rightly committed to an attractive passing game. Corden and Double controlled the midfield, Harrison and Bridger provided attacking verve and Jeremy the French lad provided a certain je ne sais pas throughout.
However, it was Max "free role" Benjamin that added the third. Playing in a position that has not yet been invented, Benjamin was put through again by the talismanic Harrison. His toe poke finish was harder to let in than it was to save, but benefitted from a classic "how the fuck did that go in?!" Sunday League keeper moment to make it 3-0.
From that point on, the game was all but over as a contest. Swift and Sharma, much to the horror of Bowmar, joined attack after attack as Boundary looked to improve their goal difference.
The final goal saw Corden and Double link up again, as a slide tackle and slide rule pass from the latter was latched upon by the former, who was then agriculturally brought down in the box.
Capitalising on the fact that Corden was down injured and Harrison didn't quite have the pace to beat him to the ball, Double took the penalty and converted with a shuffle and consummate ease.
Speaking in the Adam and Eve, Swift's post - match interview struck a grounded tone:
After a sorry run of form, Boundary Estate bounced back in style on Sunday with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Eastway Olympia.
Discarding the 4-5-1 system that has provided a strong defensive base, if limited goal threat this season, Boundary gaffer Stefan Swift elected to play a more offensive 4-4-2 and was rewarded from the off with some encouraging attacking football.
Combining the captaining nous of Alistair Cook with the coin winning ability of a scouse pickpocket, Toby Grainger secured a first half wind advantage and Boundary responded with more shots in the first 10 minutes than they had mustered in the previous five games.
Exotic new French signing Jeremy the French lad, George Corden and Zoolander Bridger all went close early on, while Welsh international Ben Harrison was on the receiving end of a classic "how the fuck did he save that?!" Sunday League keeper moment.
Despite their dominance, Boundary could not breach Eastway's defence and had it not been for an impressive save from Tom Bennett midway through the first half, the Adam and Evers (see if this sticks as a nickname) could have gone into the break a goal down.
Just as frustration seemed to be rising, Boundary broke the deadlock via a set piece. The famously impressive dead ball delivery of George Corden, combined with the swirly Hackney gale, wreaked havoc in the Eastway box allowing Double to nod home at the back post. Despite claims that it was nigh on impossible to miss, about six inches out and may have been going in anyway, this reporter will remember it as a towering header from approximately 18 yards out that almost broke the net.
With Double's thunderbolt alleviating the growing pressure, Boundary pushed home their advantage almost instantly. Tidy work from Harrison and Jeremy the French lad saw Corden find room in the box. His cultured right foot finish looked destined for the bottom corner before a deflection took it into the top corner via a post.
Leading 2-0 at half time, Boundary took the unprecedented step of turning up for the second half after a decent first half performance. With a defence marshalled superbly by Grainger and the ever unflappable Dan Bowmar, Boundary felt confident enough to push home their advantage playing into the wind.
With an average squad height of around 5"8 and a Hackney hurricane swirling, Boundary rightly committed to an attractive passing game. Corden and Double controlled the midfield, Harrison and Bridger provided attacking verve and Jeremy the French lad provided a certain je ne sais pas throughout.
However, it was Max "free role" Benjamin that added the third. Playing in a position that has not yet been invented, Benjamin was put through again by the talismanic Harrison. His toe poke finish was harder to let in than it was to save, but benefitted from a classic "how the fuck did that go in?!" Sunday League keeper moment to make it 3-0.
From that point on, the game was all but over as a contest. Swift and Sharma, much to the horror of Bowmar, joined attack after attack as Boundary looked to improve their goal difference.
The final goal saw Corden and Double link up again, as a slide tackle and slide rule pass from the latter was latched upon by the former, who was then agriculturally brought down in the box.
Capitalising on the fact that Corden was down injured and Harrison didn't quite have the pace to beat him to the ball, Double took the penalty and converted with a shuffle and consummate ease.
Speaking in the Adam and Eve, Swift's post - match interview struck a grounded tone:
"Let's
not get it twisted, they were shit. That said, we're occasionally shit
so it was nice to be the least shit team out there today.
"In all seriousness, it looks like our decision to focus on the league ahead of the cup is paying dividends and, if we play like that every week, we will beat opposition better than these clowns."
"In all seriousness, it looks like our decision to focus on the league ahead of the cup is paying dividends and, if we play like that every week, we will beat opposition better than these clowns."
Monday 18 January 2016
CLUB STATEMENT: SOCIAL MEDIA
The club is delighted to announce the launch of the official Boundary Estate Instagram account.
In addition to providing live coverage of Boundary Estate games, the
account will also take regular trips down memory lane for both #ThrowBackThursday and #WayBackWednesday.
Also keep an eye out for the occasional slightly homoerotic #ManCrushMonday - keep your eyes peeled for our first ever one later on today.
A club spokesman said earlier: "As the Boundary Estate brand continues to grow worldwide, it's
important that the club can communicate with literally tens of fans
across the globe.
"Our Instagram account will enable those fans, former
players and well wishers to interact with the club in a brand new way -
and also allow them to gain some key insight into what makes the
Boundary Estate boys tick.
"We will be looking to build on the success of
our official Twitter channel, and may even look to sync the two up when
we can remember what the Twitter password is."
Nos Vincere
Tuesday 17 November 2015
EASTWAY OLYMPIA 0-2 BOUNDARY ESTATE
This week's match reporting effort comes courtesy of @TobyGrainger
Carlo Ancelotti once said "Football is the most important of the less important things in life" and, on a weekend that will be long remembered for reasons other than football, Boundary Estate travelled to the North Marshes to take on Eastway Olympia, looking to build on last week's resounding 5-1 victory.
Lining up in a rough 4-2-3-1 formation, Captain Jack Pegg emerged victorious from the toss and the Los Colchoneros (look it up) gradually settled in the game playing with the wind in fairly breezy conditions.
After a scrappy opening fifteen minutes Sam Kidby came closest to opening the scoring with a deft flicked header from a lovely Joe Burdon cross, the ball agonisingly kissing the crossbar before landing safely in the keepers arms.
Boundary did eventually get the goal their superiority deserved as defensive midfielder Grainger, on long (or more realistically, medium) throw duty in Stuart Cooper's continued absence, saw one of his chucks headed back to him on the right flank. His left footed cross-cum-shot (shot according to him, cross according to 90% of his teammates) evaded the Eastway keeper whose cry of 'KEEPERS…..oh shit' gave the goal a lovely Sunday league vibe.
The rest of the first 45 saw plenty of Boundary possession but passed mainly without incident; despite some slick interplay between Boundary’s new look attacking quartet of Ben Watson, Burdon, Anthony Bridger and Greg Hall.
Facing the wind in the second half, the Boundary back four knew they would be tested aerially. But, led by the magnificently bearded Pegg and the Mascherano to his Pique, Daniel Bowmar, they coped admirably with the expected aerial onslaught. The versatile Sam Kidby at right back (who may have well have nailed down this position as his own with an assured display) and new signing, Louis Collin, at left back dominated Eastway's wingers.
It gave the Boundary defensive midfield pivot of Double and Grainger the perfect platform to feed the ball to AMC Joe Burdon, Boundary’s chief creator on the day. One surge from Burdon, coupled with a Marseille roulette, drew comparisons with a young Zidane, whilst centre forward Hall was a constant menace, deserving a goal for his powerful all round display.
When Boundary’s second goal did arrive, it came via a sumptuous right footed finish from Substitute Nick Harvey, smashing home Hall’s precise layoff. From a fairly acute angle, Harvey took one touch before lashing the shot across the keeper’s body. It was a finish that will live long in the memory.
By this point Boundary had made all three allotted substitutions, with the aforementioned Harvey, Andrew Knapp and Connor Hardy adding fresh legs and boundless enthusiasm to replace the tireless running of Collin, Bridger and Watson, all of whom had impressed with good shifts.
Knapp and Hardy combined instantly down the left flank, the former bombing forward at every opportunity but a third goal just wouldn’t arrive.
There was still time for a superb tactical foul from Double (for which he somehow evaded a booking) as well as some classic Sunday league handbags after Burdon lashed out slightly at an Eastway defender.
Keeper Tom Bennett was calm throughout, dealing with any danger with his customary coolness, and making one world class save near the end to ensure Bowmar, Pegg, Kidby and co got the clean sheet their defensive performance warranted.
Overall it was an excellent Boundary display, with the two nil scoreline against decent opposition no more than they deserved for a solid and fluid performance. Carlo Ancelotti would have approved.
Monday 2 November 2015
EAST LONDON 1-5 BOUNDARY ESTATE
Boundary Estate bounced back from their cup disappointment with what
turned out to be a comfortable victory against bottom of the table East
London in Hackney and Leyton Sunday Football League Division 4.
A mist had descended over Hackney Marshes - surely a hangover from Halloween - as Boundary travelled to the North Marsh for this away league fixture.
The mist brought with it a slippery surface and both sides struggled to win balls in the air due to poor visibility. It took some time for Boundary to settle but, once they acclimatised to the conditions, they showed their superiority.
Greg Double and Joe Burdon were sitting at the base of a midfield five, and East London struggled to cope with their short sharp passing interplay.
It was Ben 'the bullet' Watson who thunderously headed the away side into a deserved lead 15 minutes into the first half. Watto headed majestically past the opposition goalkeeper, after great work from Luke Benjamin and Carl Halewood down the left wing.
A mist had descended over Hackney Marshes - surely a hangover from Halloween - as Boundary travelled to the North Marsh for this away league fixture.
The mist brought with it a slippery surface and both sides struggled to win balls in the air due to poor visibility. It took some time for Boundary to settle but, once they acclimatised to the conditions, they showed their superiority.
Greg Double and Joe Burdon were sitting at the base of a midfield five, and East London struggled to cope with their short sharp passing interplay.
It was Ben 'the bullet' Watson who thunderously headed the away side into a deserved lead 15 minutes into the first half. Watto headed majestically past the opposition goalkeeper, after great work from Luke Benjamin and Carl Halewood down the left wing.
It looked like Estate would take
complete control of the game from that point on, but they conceded a free kick in the opposing
half on 20 minutes, allowing East London to throw bodies forward.
Their long deep ball got lost in the mist, and somehow skidded off the head of club captain, Jack Pegg, and beyond the stranded 'keeper, Tom Bennett. The usually calm Pegg reacted to an East London player in the aftermath of the goal and his kick out was perhaps lucky to only warrant a yellow card.
Boundary dominated for the rest of the first half but were thwarted by some last ditch defending, and poor finishing, as they have for much of the season so far. The sides went down the tunnel for the half time break with the scores level.
The second half began in much of the same ilk, with Boundary dominating possession but failing to convert that dominance into goals. Benjamin had a decent early chance, but couldn't quite get the ball out of his feet and shot wide.
East London had been time wasting for much of the game since their equaliser and continued to do so throughout the second half. Boundary were committing players forward and, against a better side, may well have been susceptible on the break.
But they needn't have worried as more great work down the right by Benjamin led to a simple tap in from Watson again. East London crumbled thereafter, and shipped another three before the final whistle.
Another ball in from the right caused another bout of confusion in the box. This time the goalkeeper pretty much fell over himself before passing it into the path of Double who cooly slotted home to make it 3-1. Carl Halewood did his best to stop it from going in, but it definitely, definitely didn't hit him. Or his hand.
Boundary's fourth came from more Luke Benjamin inspired trauma down the right hand side. His cross found the 'keeper in no-man's land, and he pulled it back to Double who looked to dink a dangerous ball into the mixer. The definitely on target cross, which had not one jot of backspin on it, looked to be destined for the top corner before their defender slightly deflected it home. A Double for Double for sure.
MOTM: Luke Benjamin - they tried but couldn't even foul the tricky right winger
Their long deep ball got lost in the mist, and somehow skidded off the head of club captain, Jack Pegg, and beyond the stranded 'keeper, Tom Bennett. The usually calm Pegg reacted to an East London player in the aftermath of the goal and his kick out was perhaps lucky to only warrant a yellow card.
Boundary dominated for the rest of the first half but were thwarted by some last ditch defending, and poor finishing, as they have for much of the season so far. The sides went down the tunnel for the half time break with the scores level.
The second half began in much of the same ilk, with Boundary dominating possession but failing to convert that dominance into goals. Benjamin had a decent early chance, but couldn't quite get the ball out of his feet and shot wide.
East London had been time wasting for much of the game since their equaliser and continued to do so throughout the second half. Boundary were committing players forward and, against a better side, may well have been susceptible on the break.
But they needn't have worried as more great work down the right by Benjamin led to a simple tap in from Watson again. East London crumbled thereafter, and shipped another three before the final whistle.
Another ball in from the right caused another bout of confusion in the box. This time the goalkeeper pretty much fell over himself before passing it into the path of Double who cooly slotted home to make it 3-1. Carl Halewood did his best to stop it from going in, but it definitely, definitely didn't hit him. Or his hand.
Boundary's fourth came from more Luke Benjamin inspired trauma down the right hand side. His cross found the 'keeper in no-man's land, and he pulled it back to Double who looked to dink a dangerous ball into the mixer. The definitely on target cross, which had not one jot of backspin on it, looked to be destined for the top corner before their defender slightly deflected it home. A Double for Double for sure.
And Max Benjamin made absolutely sure of the points with minutes to go. Ignoring calls from four separate players screaming at him to
pass, he beat two men before sending a rocket of a shot past the keeper.
MOTM: Luke Benjamin - they tried but couldn't even foul the tricky right winger
Tuesday 27 October 2015
BOSTON CELTICS 5-1 BOUNDARY ESTATE
Like Agincourt exactly 600 years ago to the day, Boundary Estate were a few men down as they made their debut in the Preliminary Round of the Dickie Davies Cup.
Unlike at Agincourt, Boundary Estate couldn't hold on to a 1-0 lead against the Division 3 league leaders, Boston Celtics, eventually losing 5-1.
The cup - described by the Hackney and Leyton Sunday League as their most prestigious cup - is named after the late Dickie Davies, a former registration secretary of the league.
The Dickie Davies Cup dates back to 1981 and is the league's equivalent to the FA Cup.
Despite having a 12-strong squad on the Friday before this match up, only nine Boundary players arrived in the changing rooms on the morning of this cup tie.
It meant Boundary, who last made a cup final in March 2011, played the unorthodox 4-3-1 formation.
Despite the two man disadvantage, Boundary started the game rather well, with Nick Harvey playing superbly both on the left of midfield and alone (very alone) up front.
Whilst Boston Celtics had much of the ball, they were thwarted throughout the opening 20 minutes at every turn from a committed defence led by the irreplaceable Dan Bowmar.
Things got even better for Boundary on 25 minutes when great work down the left wing meant Harvey found himself through on goal. The midfielder has spent much of the season so far claiming he can do a job up front, and so it proved as he calmly slotted home. The giantkilling was on.
But Boston Celtics are top of Division 3 - and the goal only inspired them to work harder.
The home side were, however, a tad fortunate to find themselves level after 35 minutes. A through ball pierced the Boundary defence and landed at the feet of a Celtics striker who had surely wandered into a deep offside position. But the referee allowed the goal to stand, to the disbelief of stand in centre back, Lewis Clayton, who berated the official in his usual way.
Boundary were still feeling confident, especially with the thought of a tenth man arriving at any time, but the confidence was shattered minutes before the half time break.
The slightly podgy but skilful Celtics striker found himself with just Bowmar and Boundary 'keeper, Tom Bennett in between him and the lead.
A sumptuous piece of skill took the ball past Bowmar and he calmly slotted home.
All Boundary players worked their socks off in the second half, but it wasn't to be as Celtics marked their superiority with three more goals to make it 5-1 in the end.
Club Secretary Stefan Swift said: "The commitment and effort shown by our nine men against a team who are top of the division above was absolutely incredible. I am extremely proud of every single one of them.
"Every single Boston Celtics player I shook hands with at the final whistle was full of admiration. At least three of them suggested that - had we fielded 11 players - we would have given them one hell of a game."
Saturday 1 August 2015
CLUB VOTES TO MOVE LEAGUE
Following a vote by the club's Board, it has been unanimously decided that Boundary Estate will ply their trade in the Hackney and Leyton Sunday Football League from the 2015/16 season.
Boundary has been for many years played in the Camden Sunday Football League, based at the dilapidated North changing rooms at Hackney Marshes.
A combination of more teams, nicer changing rooms, and the way the league is run, has contributed to the team moving to the new league.
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