Today's fixture was of immense importance, 3rd place Pembury entertained 1st place Southborough, it was a six-pointer! The away side have only been beaten once this year, and have been tipped for the title. However, both Pembury & Biggin Hill have numerous games in hand which could yet decide the fate of the Division Two title race.
Pembury had every reason to be confident going into today's game, they have scored freely in the last month or so & it is fair to say that Southborough were very lucky to get a point on the opening day of the season against Pembury. However, Pembury were missing key players including Leete, Colbran, Marshall & Macmillan which was a slight concern.
Straight from kick-off Pembury put Southborough on the back foot, and started the game very strongly. It was a well contested first half, with both sides having an equal amount of possession & chances. Although, Pembury were probably the more disappointed going into half-time with the scores still at 0-0.
The second half was similar to the first, evenly matched but with Southborough looking the more likely to score. However, after five minutes of constant pressure from Pembury a defender accidentally handled in the box giving the referee no option but to award a penalty. Not for the first-time this season Evans converted, despite the experienced keeper getting a hand to his shot.
Unfortunately, the lead did not last for long, as within five minutes of the restart Southborough were celebrating a soft equaliser. Up until this point Pembury had defended like lions, but a lack of concentration on a corner kick allowed one of the smaller Southborough players to win a header, leaving Hymers with no chance as the ball deflected off his foot & into the net.
Southborough continued to push, knowing that a win would nudge them one step closer to the title. With Pembury running out of steam, it was only the heroics from Ramsgill that kept the home side in the game! The three points were eventually decided in the last 10 minutes when Hymers hit a free-kick into the box & Gale side footed past the keeper. Pembury 2, Southborough 1. With Pembury's last fixture of the season away to Biggin Hill the title could literally go down to the last kick.
Fantastic game, well matched & has truly opened the Division Two title race.
Carlton Palmer Clanger: Poor defending on the corner to give Southborough a soft equaliser
Magic Moment: Gale - winning goal in the last 10 minutes
Reporter's Roy of the Rovers: Ramsgill - confident shot stopper with a bright future ahead
Squad
J.Ramsgill
T.Bowyer (cpt)
S.Waterman
J.Gale
L.Washer
B.Brooker
D.Hymers
P.Marsh
C.Ells
S.Evans
C.Mearing
Subs:
S.Adams (for Washer)
A.Mearing (for Marsh)
J.McMasters (for Brooker)
M.Rice-Tucker
S.Lindsey