Pembury 1 v 0 Blackham and Ashurst
We faced a tough game this week against a Blackham and Ashurst side that were unbeaten in the league and had beaten last year’s champions 2 weeks previously. We once again had the luxury of a squad of 14 players to choose from and we chose a pretty consistent line up with Liam replacing Wyles up front and Jake making his first start of the season at right midfield the only changes from last weeks cup win.
We started brightly and Ollie had found himself one on one with the keeper unfortunately only to pull his shot past the far post. We were still looking threatening going forward when Jake drove at their full back and fired in a low cross which nutmegged their two defenders but Liam couldn’t react quick enough and the ball deflected off his shin into the keepers arms. Blackham then settled and looked very threatening through their outlet on the right hand side of midfield, it was evident that Harry and Stef were going to need to put in a disciplined performance if they were going to keep him at bay for the afternoon. We were working hard and pressing in the midfield and the defence were outstanding, they were getting opportunities however and we were lucky that poor finishing enabled us to stay on level terms until the break.
At half time we had looked at the positives but also that we needed to give each other more information on the ball and use possession better whilst keeping up our work rate. We had switched to a 4-5-1 to try and get a greater foothold in the game and it certainly made us more combative in the middle with Blakham though having the more clear cut chances and again managing not to take advantage. Then the moment our hard work had called for came as the ball came to Funnell about 25/30 yards out where he creamed a drive so hard the ball moved both ways in the air before hurtling over the keepers head into the roof of the net, admittedly it was our first real effort on target but it was worth waiting for and now we had something to protect. We made some changes with new signing Tom Pearson coming on for Harry and performing well, looking relaxed and confident in possession. With 15 to play Jake made way for Wyles and shortly after the Gent brothers replaced eachother with Tommy coming on to see out the game from the left hand side and unfortunately managing to see a header drift over the bar which would have settled the nerves with 5 to play. We managed to see out the game, despite a few scares.
It was a great team performance where everyone stuck to their task and worked hard for eachother. The defence were fantastic, they hassled, didn’t give their forwards a moment on the ball and stayed focused for the full 90 minutes. Sammy in goal produced some great saves and the midfield 4 and their replacements put in the effort that the result will prove just reward for. We are on a nice little run of not having lost in 4 now and find ourselves 2 points off second in the league. If we produce team performances like this then we will continue to be competitive this season but we will have to do it against the top teams as well as the others to be successful. Kent Cup action next week before we return to league action against fellow Black Horse residents Hadlow Harrow.
Well done boys - great result.
Team:
S.Balcombe
N.Edwards
C.Duncan
C.Fletcher
S.Palermo
H.Web
C.Veli
L.Turner
J.Miller
O.Funnell
L.Gent
Subs:
M.Wyles
T.Gent
T.Pearson
