From the ridiculous to the sublime! After last week's debacle the Saturday Reserves returned to winning ways in style, thoroughly outclassing Horsmonden.
We started the game quickly and were a goal up inside the first 5 minutes when Mark Wyles finished from close range. Mark then doubled his and our tally 5 minutes later with another close range finish. Horsmonden didn't know what had hit them and our lead was extended when Ben Brooker fired home when the ball dropped in the box at a corner. A Horsmonden defender desperately tried to save the ball on the line, but Kevin Waterman drilled the ball home to eliminate any 1966 discussions as to whether the ball crossed the line or not. Pembury were dominating the game with their sharp passing and looked like scoring from every attack. Any opportunities coming their way were dealt with by the excellent Lee Thompson in goal. A mazy run from Tom Bowyer (yes Tom Bowyer!) resulted in a penalty when he was brought down. Ross Taylor risked the wrath of the Managers' penalty taker of choice, Garry Knight, by calmly smashing the penalty into the top corner. We then took our foot of the gas and Horsmonden came back into the game. The referee awarded them a soft penalty, penalising Garry Knight for a shoulder charge. Lee made a great save diving low to his left and deflected the rebound wide for a corner. Unfortunately slack defending at the corner provided Horsmonden with a lifeline. Right on half-time the referee then had a Graham Poll moment and awarded another penalty for pushing in the box. This time the penalty taker put the ball in the opposite corner to leave the score 4-2 at half-time.
The team were disappointed at half-time, as the second penalty episode marred what had otherwise been an excellent half for us. With the half-time interval to clear their heads the team went out in the second half and continued where they had left off. Ben Brooker finished well to make it 5-2 and claim his second of the game. The game was now a non-event with Pembury continuing to pass the ball well and dealing with any pressure Horsmonden tried to exert. As with the first half, whenever the defence was breached Lee was on hand to preserve our lead. With the game coming to a close Tom Gent finished off a great move by effortlessly slotting the ball into the top corner, beyond the onrushing keeper.
Team:
L.Thompson
L.Drury
T.Bowyer
G.Knight
R.Cornish
O.Allman
T.Gent
K.Waterman
R.Taylor
B.Brooker
M.Wyles
Subs:
J.Bush (for O.Allman)
A.Turner (for K.Waterman)
J.Austin (for L.Drury)