This week saw us extend our unbeaten run to three games, with an easy win against our Maidstone League (Division 2) opponents.
Once again we began the game well, dominating the early exchanges, although failing to test their keeper during this period. It appeared that during this early period of the game we were too anxious to open the scoring, often pushing on too many players and leaving us vulnerable to their counter-attacks. It was from such a counter-attack that MPE opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. Rob Cornish was caught in possession, which resulted in MPE having men over as they broke over the half-way line. Then quite unexpectedly the MPE player on the ball drilled a shot from just inside our half, over the head of stand-in keeper Kevin Waterman and into the top corner. The team didn't panic and continued to play their football, which quickly led to an equaliser when Mark Wyles finished from close range, dispatching an excellent cross from Ben Brooker. Our second goal was one of the best we have scored all season. The ball being rolled out from the keeper's hands and a smart series of inter-changes between several players led to Ben Brooker tapping in from close range. From this position we should have gone on to close out the game before half-time, but time and time again the team made poor choices when on the ball.
The second half continued in much the same fashion as the first. Mid-way through the half a deflected clearance saw Kevin Waterman scrambling backwards frantically, before making an excellent save to tip the ball onto his crossbar. Pembury's third followed shortly after, with Ben Brooker grabbing his second with a clinical finish from the edge of the box. The opposition then went down to ten men following an injury, however the game was already over at this point. Chances continued to come our way and Ben completed his hat-trick with another smart finish. Defensively we were sound easily repelling any attacks the opposition mustered. Right at the end of the game a great run from Lewis Drury resulted in him being tripped in the area for a certain penalty. Inevitably the referee blew. However to everyone's surprise and Lewis' disappointment, the referee had blown for full time.
All in all a very comfortable victory. We now need to retain the confidence that is growing in the side and continue our great run of results next week against Langton Green.
Team:
K.Waterman
C.Davies
T.Bowyer
G.Knight
R.Cornish
M.Rice-Tucker
T.Gent
A.Turner
B.Brooker
L.Drury
M.Wyles
Subs:
S.Waterman (for M.Rice-Tucker)