Robin Hood 1 vs 2 Pembury Sunday
A young Pembury side travelled to the Colebrook Recreation ground to face Robin Hood in a bottom of the table clash with the visitors looking to push on after last weeks win. On a cold and frosty morning kick was delayed as the referee wasn't sure about the players safety as one goal mouth was still frozen solid. The game eventually got underway and Robin Hood soon opened the scoring when a coming together was seen as a trip and the penalty dispatched with ease leaving Larkin no chance.
On a small sloping pitch Pembury grew into the game playing up the hill and some neat interplay from Clark, Lowe and Hendley saw a great cross fall to Curd whose shot just flew over. Pemburys best chance came when a corner failed to be cleared properly and quick feet from Hendley and Wood resulted in the ball being laid back to Curd who's shot went just wide.
Some fericious tackling and some ill discipline saw a few of the Robin Hood players cautioned before half time but the young Pembury side stood firm and continued to try and get the ball down and play football.
The second half saw Pembury dominate early exchanges as they pushed for an equaliser and after sustained pressure the break through came when a quick break down the left saw the ball played from Wood to Curd to Wyles who crossed for Clark to finish well at the near post. Robin Hood made some changes to try and get a foot-hold back in the game by introducing some pace out wide. They were effective on the counter attack but Balcombe and Lowe dealt with most threats they could offer with Beaton and Allman covering when required. Hendley, Wyles and Clark terrorised the Robin Hood defence and only a lacking final pass or good defending keep the scores level. A golden opportunity presented itself when Lester challenged the goal keeper in the air from a Clark cross, the keeper couldn't claim it and Wyles would have had an open goal but his footing gave way and the ball eluded him.
The game seemed to be heading for a draw when Pembury made the breakthrough when a long free kick into the penalty area was claimed by the goal keeper under the crossbar but when he landed he dropped the ball and it trickled into his own net.
Team:
J.Larkin
L.Beaton
O.Allman (c)
S.Balcombe
T.Lowe
M.Lester (c)
M.Wood
E.Clark
R.Curd
M.Wyles
R.Hendley
