Normal business resumed today with us back down to the bare bones after 14+ players could not make it, although we were expecting to lose a few at this time of year this was beyond a joke. With late drop outs we managed to recruit 2 new players in Rob Hendley and Dom Andrews who both did us a favour and we are very thankful.
With just 12 players with Nick Edwards making the step up from the reserves we were up against one of the form teams in the division and the only side to beat Canterbury this season, so we were in for a tough game. The average age of this side was about 15, we had 4 players over the age of 20 the rest still need bottle feeding I should be charging their parents for babysitting instead of match fees. The saying&rdsquo; you’ll never win things with kids&rdsquo; might be true but they will give it a good go and will be fearless in doing so.
From kick off it was men against boys, but the roles had switched and it was the boys who were on top. We were first to every ball our passing was slick we were well organised in defence and the lads worked their socks off. We took the lead through Rob Hendley who had been a thorn in the defenders side all day with his pace and intelligent running. During the first half they had a man sent off for a series of fouls and then for punching Tom 3 or 4 times, he questioned why he had been sent off!
After this it was an onslaught for 40 minutes with us breaking and having more opportunities in this game than most teams have in a season, but once again making chances isn’t a problem it’s taking them.
We asked for more of the same in the second half and we got our reward when Rob again picked up on a defensive mistake and won a penalty which was converted by Barry. After this the crowd started to disappear as it looked like the game was over. They were wrong, to Woodstock Park’s credit they kept battling and started working their way back into the game, we still created but did not finish them off which came back to haunt us.
Woodstock managed to score 2 scrappy goals which meant a draw and in all honesty 2 points dropped by us, I cannot fault the players as their inexperience showed, but there were far more positives than negatives in this game and if a few more of the so called seniors players showed this commitment we would be a lot higher in the league because the talent is there.
Every player was outstanding today and although he was rightly upset after the game as it felt like a defeat Barry just edged it as my man of the match for driving a young team forward and playing almost to his capability. If we could have cut out the silly mistakes of giving away free kicks we would have won this game as both of their goals resulted in crosses from free kicks and we weren’t big enough or strong enough to cope with a far more physical side. But as a lot of people have said who watched the game if these players learn from these mistakes we will have a good side for the future.
Team
D.Hymers
M.Rice Tucker
T.Bowyer
G.Hughes
L.Hattle
D.Andrews
B.Leete
M.Wood
O.Allman
R.Hendley
C.Ells
N.Edwards