by Syed Hussain

Asianos U12 7
Chadwell Heath U12 0
 East London and Essex League Red Division (Premier Division)

Asianos U12s started this game off tentatively, which was surprising given the extra hour sleep they had with the clocks going back overnight, and did not really get going until well into the first half.

However, they were able to take an early lead through Devonte Young, the in-form striker. After this, Asianos with the wind behind them, dominated the rest the of the half without ever playing to their real potential.

In the early part of the first half, Asianos did not press Chadwell Heath and were not putting in the challenges to put their opponents under pressure.

Shabaaz Ashfaq and Shazada Dilawaiz were exempt from this criticism, the former was constantly harrying the opposition, winning the ball and sparking Asianos attacks.

Shazada Dilawaiz was exceptional at right back, making tackles and playing intelligent football.

It was not until about 15 minutes into the game that the Asianos really came to life as a group, inspired by their skipper Zakaria Rashid, who in the space of 45 seconds made six tackles on six different opponents, showing the hunger and desire that is required.

This led to a period of intense pressure on the Chadwell Heath goal, resulting in four goals, three for Theon Lutchmadoo, which included a sublime goal straight from a corner and one for Young.

Both scored a cracker each, Lutchmadoo after a pacey run down the left wing and a great finish at the end of it and Young with a stunning 25 yard strike after a quick turn beat the tall centre back.

In honesty, Asianos wasted a hatful of chances and should really have had 10 in the first half. By the end of the half, the central midfield trio were playing as well as they have done all season, with Hussain Shah the midfield maestro coming to the party as well and beginning to show his strength, skill and pace with a couple of his typical mazy runs.

The highlight of the first half was a chest controlled volley from Young, 30 yards out, that was saved brilliantly by the Chadwell Heath keeper, who made a string of brilliant saves throughout the game.

Going in at half-time, 5-0 up, the team were honest enough to admit they could do better and started the second half a lot better, playing as a team and passing the ball through their opponents. This was rewarded with the goal of the game, when Qasim Zaidi won a tackle at the back and found Young on the right, who switched the ball to Lutchmadoo on the left, onto Shabaaz Ashfaq inside him, who played it to Zakaria Rashid on the edge of the box, who laid on a perfect pass to Lutchmadoo on the left edge of the box to hammer into the back of the net.

This was exceptional football, finished off by a great strike.

The final goal of the game came from Shazada Dilawaiz, who scored his second ever goal for the Asianos from the penalty spot.

In the last 15 minutes of the game the Asianos changed their formation and threw Zahid Rawat, Qasim Zaidi and Faris Farid up front, and brought Theon Lutchmadoo , Shabaaz Ashfaq and Amin Benkotien into defence.

All of the defenders-cum-attackers came close to adding to the total, but were unable convert their chances.

Theon especially, was exceptional in defence, showing great composure under pressure and playing some delightful passes from defence to set up attacks in the closing period.

The game ended 7-0, but in reality should have been a double figure score after a good Asianos performance, but one that will have to increase in intensity when faced with stiffer opposition and also requiring Asianos to be more clinical in front of goal. This put Asianos second in the league.