After another week spent chasing around for players, with the last phone call confirming a non appearance being completed twenty minutes before kick off, it looked like we would be in for a long afternoon. The last minute re-shuffle saw us revert to our usual 4-4-2 formation.
Things could have been a lot worse had the opposition kicked off, as we only noticed that Mark Wyles wasn’t on the pitch when he wasn’t there to take the kick off with Jamie. A hasty retreat to the locked changing room by one of the player-managers and we were up to our full compliment of players.
Anyone watching the opening 15 minutes must of thought that this was the first time that all 22 players had seen a football, let alone kicked one. The standard was absolutely appalling. As a result it wasn’t long before we found ourselves one nil down. A cross from the right, led to a looping shot hitting the bar and with us guilty of ball watching, the centre forward knocked the ball into an empty net. Thankfully this proved to be a wake up call as we then proceeded to play some decent football. The back four were using the ball well and both wide midfield players were proving to be good outlets. We had the lion’s share of possession and were creating good chances. The equaliser came on 25 minutes when after another good passing move, the ball found Christian on the edge of the box. He slipped the ball through to Steve, whose scuffed shot sent the keeper the wrong way. (Note: As I said on Saturday I knew the keeper was expecting a far post shot, which was why I aimed at the near post). Right on half time we broke when defending a corner and when Jamie clipped the ball over their keeper, Garry was on hand to smash the ball home from ten yards, having sprinted the entire length of the pitch. What the hell the Leigh player who was tracking him was doing nobody knows! This was the last meaningful act of the half, as the half time whistle was blown within seconds of the restart.
As with any game which is finely poised at half time the next goal is vital. We started the second half slowly and allowed them to dominate proceedings. One attack saw their centre forward dribble his way into our box, before Kevin made what would normally be classed as a forward’s tackle. Trouble is Kevin isn’t a forward, as everyone who didn’t know that already, found out later in the match. Kevin was adamant that he took the ball and continued to argue this point after the game in the changing room and probably at home in a room on his own (where he was completing some urgent DIY). For what it’s worth Kevin, I thought it was a penalty. Like his goal scoring team mates Andy turned back the clock and showed the younger members of the team a glimpse of past glories, by turning the penalty onto the post. Suitably impressed Lewis’ only comment was “it was at a nice height”. Insolence such as this would normally see a player dropped. Lucky for Lewis this is Pembury Saturday’s! From this point on we were in control and a third goal came soon after. A good through ball from Steve, left Jamie one on one with the keeper and he coolly finished for his first of the season. Our fourth came soon after when following good work from Mark, James rounded off a good performance by finishing smartly at the far post. Sam completed the scoring when rounding off another good move from close range. The rest of the game was completed with us beating their awful offside trap time after time. Unfortunately each time we failed to capitalise. The last saw Kevin presented with his opportunity to get in on the old boys former glories act. He was put through with no Leigh defender in site. He had two choices, square the ball so Jamie could roll it into an empty net or go it alone. In a throw back to previous years, Kevin chose a third option unseen by all around him. Do nothing! Whilst he was deciding how he was going to curl the ball into the far corner (his words, not mine), one of the Leigh midfielders ran the better part of forty yards to tackle him. To add insult to injury the ref gave a goal kick.
After the trials and tribulations of the last three weeks I would like to congratulate all eleven players on today’s performance and for being available more often than not. Next week sees a cup quarter final against Blackham and Ashurst. Finally thanks to Robin Turner for running the line once again for us this season.
Team:
A.Wittaker
Lewis Drury
K.Waterman
G.Knight
C.White
S.Crisp
S.Waterman
D.Jaquin
J.Austin
J.Bush
M.Wyles