The Saturday Reserves having been relegated from the Tonbridge Premier Division last season, kicked off this season in style with a convincing victory.
The management team sent out an attacking formation and asked the side to start quickly against what we believed would be inferior opposition. This is exactly what happened with Pembury dominating possession, with most of the game spent in the opposition's half. Despite plenty of possession, very few chances came our way. On 25 minutes Steve Waterman met a Michael Leithead cross, only to see his header harshly disallowed for offside. This only delayed the inevitable, as a few minutes later a 25 yard shot from Mark Wyles eluded their keeper to put Pembury one up. A second for Wyles followed before half time, when he met a superb cross from Ross Taylor, by powering in a far post header from close range. At this point Pembury were cruising towards half time, only for a speculative 20 yarder from the United centre forward, hit the crossbar, before rebounding into the net off of Andy Whittaker's head.
Pembury started the second half in exactly the same fashion as the first and restored their 2 goal advantage within the first 5 minutes. Great approach work from Mark Wyles was rewarded when his far post cross was dispatched on the half-volley by Ross Taylor. Pembury then made use of all three of their substitutes, with one of them, Olly Allman scoring on his senior debut, with a great strike into the bottom corner. Pembury were now dominating and playing some great passing football. At regular intervals the back three of Tom Bowyer, Tony Crouch and Kevin Waterman were joining in the attacking play higher up the pitch, such was our dominance. We were attacking in such numbers that there were always plenty of options for the final ball. Some times it could be said too many, which led to Oz Tasker crying out "Why won't anyone pass to me in the box?" All that was left to round off a very encouraging first game was for Mark Wyles to complete his hat-trick. This was completed following a mazy run from Tom Gent, with another far post header. Mark has obviously not scored many hat-tricks, as he didn't have enough money on him to buy the customary hat-trick jug.
We need to show the same attitude and application next week, as it is unlikely that we out next opponents Mack United will allow us the time and space afforded to us today.
Team:
A.Whittaker
T.Bowyer
T.Crouch
S.Waterman
T.Gent
M.Leithead
A.Tasker
J.Austin
R.Taylor
L.Drury
M.Wyles
Subs:
I.Crouch (for M.Leithead)
K.Waterman (for L.Drury)
O.Allman (for J.Austin)