Pembury 2 vs 7 Artois
Sunday saw Pembury entertain Artois Utd at Woodside in another West Kent Sunday League Division One fixture. The home team had major selection problems with no natural defenders available for selection due to injury and other commitments. Therefore they lined up with a back four of Fermor, Millins, Wyles and Gent. Naturally it took some time for personnel to adjust to their new positions and they found themselves one down after 5 minutes. When Pembury had the ball they looked dangerous going forward and created several good chances themselves but they were made to pay on the break when losing the ball high up the pitch. The home team went into half time 5-0 down and could have easily given up but the second half saw a very different game. Millins swopped positions with Wilson in the centre of the park and that seemed to give the team a better structure all round. Some good play from Hendley and Mearing down the right saw Millins square the ball to debutant Ed Clark who finished with a good chip over the on-rushing goal keeper. Some more pressure from the home team from successive corners saw them score again when a deep cross was headed back by Clark to Wyles who flicked the ball backwards with his head and into the corner of the goal.
With both sides tiring a bit the game was stretched and the visitors carved out several good chances but Larkin was in inspirational form and made save after save which gave him the man if the match award. Marouani replaced Mearing and linked well with other debutants Luke Turner and Keiran James who both showed promise with good touches and some excellent movement. The game finished 7-2 with the home team giving a fantastic second half performance with plenty of people playing out of position.
Team:
J.Larkin (c)
L.Gent (c)
M.Millins
M.Wyles
R.Hendley
P.Wilson
L.Turner
E.Clark
C.Mearing
K.James
Subs
Y.Marouani for C.Mearing
M.Lester not used
