Artois 1 vs 2 Pembury
After a couple of weekends off due to the weather Pembury were back in action with an away trip to league leaders Artois. With a slightly more experienced line up Pembury started confidently and knocked the ball around well, building slowly but retaining possession well. Artois also tried to build from the back but good pressure from the away side, when they reached the half way line, forced them to give back the ball to Pembury.
Chances were few and far between as both defences dominated. As the half neared its end Pembury had to make a change and Hendley replaced Clark who had an ankle injury. He was straight into the action and through some good self endeavour managed to squeeze through the defence and at the second attempt put the ball in the net to give the visitors the lead right on the stroke of half time.
The second half saw Artois enjoy sustained periods of possession as they tried to get back on level terms but the defence of McGahan, Coxon, Chapman and Wood stood firm. Lindsey and Hymers were warriors in spoiling Artois play but also initiated some fast breaks which gave Pembury the opportunity had the final ball been a bit more accurate. Chances fell for Hendley, Marouani and Millins but they were unable to add to their tally. The tireless Gent then had probably one of the best opportunities when winning a towering header on the 6 yard box but it just went over.
A rare corner for Artois with 8 minutes to go saw the ball swung into a crowd of players and a hopeful swing at the ball resulted in the ball trickling through to go in the bottom corner - only their second shot in the match.
Pembury lifted themselves to push for the win and Hymers nearly got them back in the lead when a towering header at the back post was only just cleared off the line. Millins was tiring but a burst down the right opened up the Artois defence, he cut into the area dancing round the ball with the goal keeper coming out and the goal at his mercy but he couldn't quite dig the ball out to shoot or pass it to Hendley who was wide open. The keeper could not grab it and the ball spilt to a Pembury player on the edge of the area, their shot was goalward bound but was blocked illegally on the line by an outfield player so the referee had little option but to give the penalty and send off the offender. Millins stepped up to dispatch the spot kick with ease and give Pembury the points.
Team:
J.Larkin
A.Chapman (c)
N.Coxon
D.McGahan
M.Wood
L.Gent
S.Lindsey
D.Hymers
Y.Marouani
E.Clark
M.Millins
Subs
R.Hendley for E.Clark
