We came into this game off the back of a seven nil win, albeit three weeks ago. With a strong side available to us, we were confident of getting a result today, even though we were playing one of the stronger sides in the league and the early part of the pre-match team talk centred too strongly around avoiding a stuffing! We stuck to the same 4-5-1 formation that had worked so well against Southborough three weeks ago.
On an excellent playing surface both sides tried to get the ball down and the early exchanges were even. We lost Yacine to a knee injury within the opening 10 minutes and he was replaced at wide right by Alex. After this Andy managed to wind up a couple of their players, who were more interested in trying to set up a fight at half time than actually concentrating on playing football. Once everyone had calmed down the half continued to be end to end, with possession fairly even. We were breaking well down both flanks, with both Matts supporting Mark when we got forward, safe in the knowledge that Kevin was sitting and giving us the protection in front of our back four. The only fault in our game was our failure to work their goalkeeper, with any shots we had either blocked by their defence or sailing harmlessly off target. It also appeared from the touchline that most of the 50/50 decisions were going against us. The first goal was always going to be important and Dom pulled off an excellent save after half an hour, when tipping over a shot from their centre forward to keep it goalless. The opposition were continuing to look dangerous down their right, whenever the quicker of their two forwards was able to isolate Lewis. However on the couple of occasions when they worked an opening, Garry was on hand to put in good blocks. The half finished goalless.
The second half started much the same as the first. Matt Rice-Tucker’s tireless running in support of Mark almost brought the breakthrough we wanted. Gambling on a through ball Matt’s attempted lob didn’t have enough pace on it and their goalkeeper was able to make an easy save. After about fifteen minutes we opened the scoring. A cross from our left was fumbled at the far post by their keeper. Alex, having his best game for the club, picked up the loose ball and with the angle too tight to finish first time, he coolly cut back inside the keeper and slotted the ball through the covering defender’s legs. The Hilberts then had their best spell of the game, but all four defenders were more than equal to the task and Dom was never really troubled. With us beginning to be overrun in midfield we brought Luke Smith on for Kevin, with Matt Edwards now tasked with the holding role. Within five minutes we went two up, when a corner wasn’t cleared. Luke Smith’s initial shot was blocked and Nick Edwards reacted quickest to register his first senior goal for the Saturday side. Two very quickly became three, when from another corner, Luke Smith scored with a fine header. Richard then came on for Luke Hattle, who was suffering from cramp. The opposition then gave up and the last ten minutes were spent with us controlling possession and looking likely to extend our lead. Further chances were created, however we were unable to take any.
This has to be the best performance I have seen from a Pembury Saturday Reserve team in a long time. All fourteen players were excellent. Everyone appears to be very comfortable with the new formation. The three players who were substitutes accepted the managers’ decision and when given the opportunity showed why they should be in the starting eleven. Despite this being a difficult year for both Saturday sides, today clearly showed that when we can put out a strong reserve side, we are a match for teams in this division. However to do this consistently we cannot continue to suffer the high level of absenteeism (by 1st and 2nd team players alike) seen this season. The side we beat today have got a cup final this Saturday against Penshurst, whilst we have a league game away to Leigh. This should provide everyone with the enthusiasm and more importantly desire to build on these recent excellent performances and take them into the final two games this season and into next season.
Team:
D.Lanaway
I.Crouch
N.Edwards
G.Knight
L.Drury
L.Hattle
K.Waterman
M.Edwards
M.Rice-Tucker
Y.Marouani
M.Wyles
Subs:
A.Donaldson (Y.Marouani)
L.Smith (for K.Waterman)
R.Fothergill (for L.Hattle)