Saturday we managed to put out a side with 13 players with everyone turning up on time for once for our encounter with Larkfield and New Hythe. From the away game we knew they had one or two very good players and the rest who lacked a little bit of ability more than made up with it with effort and commitment which we needed to match.
Before the game all I asked of the players was to give me a 100% and go out with the right attitude which was the least I felt they owed me after last weeks debacle the noises from the dressing room before the game were positive and the players really seemed up for the game.
This week has been one of the toughest and by Thursday I’d heard plenty of rumours about how myself and Alun had let the club down, we have in some ways but on my half at least (I cannot speak for Alun) it was never my intention and I probably feel worse about it than the majority of people who seem to talk a lot but aren’t willing to actually do anything to help, saying that there has been plenty of encouragement from some of the other managers and officials at the club as well as some current and former players who realise that I was willing to give it a go this season and have tried to do my best - it just hasn’t worked out. Also on a personal note I would like to thank Dave Fairclough the manager of last weeks opponents Canterbury City for his phone call and encouragement it was much appreciated and a timely boost for me for Saturday’s game and I’m looking forward to meeting him next week, just not looking forward to meeting the football team that will be with him. From what I can make out if they get a result against us they will gain promotion, which is a tremendous effort on their part and I wish them all the best for the following week - just not on Saturday. Our players this week need to go out and be brave and show we are a team that can compete at this level.
Back to Saturday’s game we started the game well and seemed to be on top with the away side playing a very flat and high line which our pace going forward started to take advantage of as long as the quality of the passing from midfield was good we looked like we would create a lot of opportunities. Within the first fifteen minutes we could have been two goals up, with Jason Gale missing a header from just outside the box, he may have had too much time to think with the header and ended up putting it just wide, he then was put through again and from a difficult angle pulled his shot just wide.
We took the lead about 10 minutes later with a bit of a bizarre goal, Jason was put through again and with his pace went past the last defender to go one-on-one with the goal keeper, he did the right thing and went around him as he did so the keeper clipped him but Jason stayed on his feet and rolled the ball into an empty net, sorry no he blazed it over the bar. Luckily the referee pulled play back and gave us a free kick at the edge of the box and booked the goalkeeper. Jason stepped up to take the free kick and took all his frustration out on the ball and smashed it past the wall giving the goalkeeper no chance.
We continued to look dangerous on the break although Larkfield had started to get a bit more of a grip of the game of the game and although not too threatening we couldn’t drop off and let them play as this would cost us, we looked fairly solid at the back and Ben and Jason’s pace up front was causing a lot of problems.
Just before half time we had a goal disallowed, after some neat football the ball was played across the six yard box for Ben to slide in and score. The ref blew his whistle and pointed to the centre circle, unbeknown to him the linesman them decided to raise his flag after a bit of encouragement from his players, which the ref although rightfully suspicious had no other option but to give them a free kick for offside.
At half time we said more of the same and from everyone’s point of view including the people watching the game (especially our new lucky mascot Ian Presnell who can be quoted as “don’t worry Brownie there is no way you will lose this game”). Things didn’t quite pan out this way!
Not long after the second half started we could see they had made a couple of changes moving the tall no.8 forward and pushing the smaller no.10 back, this seemed to improve them with the no.8 causing problems for our centre halves. Soon we were on the back foot and a team full of confidence would have maybe seen out this spell but as we seem like we have no confidence we didn’t put up much of a fight (except with each other). They scored two quick goals that were quite easily preventable and this destroyed us we lost all shape and confidence and looked like school kids. Players at this club need to realise they are good enough and that when the chips are down they have to fight for each other, it is the only way we will rectify the problems we have at the moment.
The second half continued in this way and we conceded three more soft goals, credit to Larkfield as they deserved the win but it would have been nice if at least we made them earn it instead of giving it to them. Our first half performance shows we are good enough to compete in this league, the second half shows our attitude not ability is the reason for where we are in the league. We have a tough game this week and we need to show a little bit of the old Pembury spirit from the days when we were just getting into the Kent league and were coming up against teams who were more experienced and have a better base of players and go out and upset their day and give them a game and really go out with a positive attitude. You guys are good enough you just have to believe in yourselves.
From now until the season I’m asking for the players to go out every week and enjoy it, play football give everything and try and win every game. Lets build some team spirit and go out and show everyone who wants to slam us that we are a team, if any of the players have any suggestions on how we can become more of a team - whether it is a team meeting, a night out, a group hug, whatever I’m open to suggestions as I’m doing it for you guys. I can tell you from experience and although some of you might not believe it it’s true - it is better to go out and play football every week and lose 10 - 0 than to not be able to play at all. Being able to play football at whatever level is a privilege one that can be taken from you all too sudden so let’s go out and enjoy the rest of the season and have some fun, play with a smile and you never know we might pick up some points.
Saturday’s game is a bit of a travel, but I’ve been told it is a very welcoming ground with good facilities and it would be nice to take a few fans down there to support our lads. So if anyone is interested let me know and I will get you some directions.
Squad
S Temple
G.Hughes
Tom Bowyer
D.Hymers
L Gunning
R James
S.Lindsey
B Leete
M.Wood
J Gale
B Brooker
L.Smith
Y Mahourani
Brownie could you please put this on the site under last sats match report.
I would just like to say sorry to Brownie for the way i acted on sat. I dont want to say i had a reason cos i didnt, i dont like to lose and i lost my temper.
As club captin i know i should not have and would like to say sorry, Not only to Brownie but the whole team and club.
I want to use the rest of the season to show it wont happen again and i hope the rest of the team want to follow me in this.
We are a very good and young team and we just need to keep together and we can be so much better in the coming year.
I would also like to see people try to help Alun and Brownie more with their avalability because they take a lot of stick for us and people think they can just come and go as they please.
I have been around this club for 5-6 seasons now and this is by far the worst for pepole being commited to turning up.
So I'm asking the whole team now, for the last 6 games or so turn up and lests end this season on a high.
Thanks Dave Hymers