Not to good for the blood pressure but great for the spectators was the conclusion after Sundays tough encounter with Speldhurst. We knew that this was going to be one of the toughest of our remaining fixtures against a good, physical team that had not lost this year on a very small pitch at Rusthall.
The opening to the game was fairly frenetic with a lot of strong challenges flying in from our opponents. Nevertheless we remained composed and did not allow ourselves to be intimidated. We were rewarded on ten minutes when Danny McGahan curled a corner right under the bar which their keeper, under pressure, flapped at allowing the ball to pass him directly into the net. This appeared to relieve us of some pressure and despite the confined space we started to play some neat football in their third of the pitch. This enabled two really good openings to be created and both Alun Evans and Mark Lester had good one on one chances to increase the lead which were not taken. The Chimp almost produced an equaliser when he too decided to flap at a cross but his slight touch directed the ball onto the bar. He did, however, atone for the error shortly after with a magnificent block at close quarters when it seemed that an equaliser was certain. Evans, however, steadied the ship and made up for his earlier chance when on thirty two minutes he latched onto a ball over the top and calmly lobbed the advancing keeper to secure a two nil lead at half time. It had been a good half. Defensively we were well organised, the midfield was industrious and up front we had good movement and determination. Due to the size of the pitch Speldhurst were always a threat, but only from the long throws and corners which they were able to launch into our box against which we generally coped well.
We proceeded to control the first twenty minutes of the second half, attempting to take some pace out of the game and look to grab a third. However, it was Speldhurst who pulled themselves back into the game when for once we failed to clear another long throw and they scored from close in at the near post. This gave them a lift and they continued to throw men forward for the remainder of the half in search of the equaliser. It was us though that had more chances and Liam Gent, who had come on from the bench, had three good chances in the space of five to secure the win but each was blocked with some good last ditch defending. It looked as though we had hung on for the all important win when in fifth minute of stoppage time another set play was launched into our box and the ball fell to a Speldhurst player who rifled home from five yards out. As Speldhurst celebrated you could see the dejection as we knew we had let our cushion at the top disappear. Little did we know what was to follow. From the kick-off we pushed on, played the ball into their box and under pressure the ball struck a Speldhurst arm. The referee to his credit didn't bottle the decision and despite furious Speldhurst protests awarded the penalty. After the pandemonium had settled, it was dead silent as Paul Emblem stepped up to cooly send the keeper the wrong way and secure a vital victory.
This was a good win which might just prove to be decisive. The benefits of a good squad was evident as the whole fifteen played their part (yes - you too Brownie) and if character wins leagues then we proved that we had that on Sunday. Everyone should be pleased with their contribution - we now need another four games of the same - without though the heart stopping finale!
Team:
L.Baker
M.Millins
S.Hunter
A.Lindsey
I.Ward
P.Bukovec
M.Lester
G.Manser
D.McGahan
A.Evans
P.Emblem.
Subs:
R.Perkins (for Millins)
L.Gent (for Bukovec)
M.Lawrence (for Lester)
M.Brown