Brenchley 0 v 3 Pembury Sunday Reserves
After the disappointing turnout for the Kent cup game the previous week, we were back to almost a full compliment this week with only a couple of injuries remaining and Wylsey on call out to the first team. Accordingly, we approached the game in a confident but not complacent mood as Brenchley, despite their lowly league position, had given us a very good game at Woodside and we were slightly flattered by the score line that day.
How Brenchley must dislike us as this proved to be a similar morning. Particularly in the first half as we were quite simply not at the races. Our shape, ability to pass to one another and intelligent movement was extremely lacking. Brenchley had at least five good opportunities to take the lead and missed them all - one in particular appeared almost impossible to miss. That said we did dig in and on the occasions when we did manage to do the right thing we showed what we could offer and created a couple of chance ourselves. We contrived to take the lead on the stroke of half time when Robert Curd a placed a good finish beyond their keeper having cut inside from the left.
Although it softened the blow it didn’t detract from strong words at half time and it was made clear that we needed to improve in all aspects of our game. To the teams credit they knew themselves that they hadn’t performed and the second half was much improved. We were more solid in defence, had better shape in midfield and were more alert up front. We saved our best passage of play for the 73rd minute with a great goal. Olly White won the ball in midfield and advanced deep into their half where he played the ball into Matt Rice-Tuckers feet on the edge of the box, a clever back heel from Matt then set up Pavel Poliski whose well placed shot gave their keeper no chance - a well worked move and finish. Seven minutes later we sealed the game when Kevin Smith’s through ball put in Matt who finished well flicking the ball past the on rushing keeper.
So not one of our best days but we showed good improvement in the second half and in the end got the three points. We need to play better than this, however, if we are to continue to challenge at the top particularly this coming Sunday when we face last seasons champions and cup winners Ramsey. If we give them the same opportunities as we did Brenchley before starting to play then we will find ourselves coming back from an impossible position unlike this week.
Team:
M. Bolton
S.Balcombe
J. Roxborough
O.Bryant
T.Lowe
P. Poliski
O. White
S. Bent
R. Curd
M. Rice-Tucker
K. Smith
Subs:
J. Campbell (for Balcombe)
T. Ellis (for Rice-Tucker)
M. Jermin (for Roxborough)
