Bedford 1 V 3 Pembury Sunday Reserves
After two weeks of inactivity, it was important that we bounced back from the defeat at Dormansland and got our the title challenge back on track. That we did with a win at Bedford on a sticky pitch and against a side whose efforts defied their lowly league position.
We stressed the need for a quick start to impose ourselves on the game and hopefully take the sting out of a Bedford side who in our earlier meeting had shown that they had plenty of character. The players responded well and we got off to a flyer opening the scoring on six minutes when Olly Bryant broke out from defence and played in Matt R-T who finished well. We doubled the advantage five minutes later when we forced their keeper into a good save and Tom Gent followed up to score. Instead though of this finishing Bedford off it actually spurred them into raising their game and for the remainder of the half although we had the better possession they were a strong threat going forward.
At half time we spoke about keeping the ball better, pressing harder all round the pitch and most importantly getting some better shape into our defending. We felt that a third goal was necessary to finish the game off and we thought we had done so when five minutes into the half Rob Curd played in Kevin Smith to finish from close in. Unfortunately we conceded ourselves shortly after to keep them in the game and ensure that there was no stroll to the finish line. Although Bedford did create some further opportunities we generally had the better of the game from thereon in but didn't take our chances and the game closed out 3-1.
Whilst we were not at our best we will have benefited from a good workout and the three points were what we needed. We now only have five cup finals in the league to go and four wins will see us home although none of those games will be easy. Next week will be tough against a Cranbrook side that impressed when we beat them in the opening game of the season. We will certainly need to retain our competitiveness and creativity against them whilst tightening up throughout the team defensively if we are to get the result we need.
Team:
M.Bolton
T.Lowe
J.Roxborough
O.Bryant
J.Campbell
P.Poliski
S.Bent
T.Gent
R.Curd
M. Rice-Tucker
K.Smith
Subs
T.Cobb (for Curd)
M.Jermin (for Roxborough)
S-L.Balcombe (dnp)
