Match Report

Everyone was buzzing for this one waiting for the new season to get under way. This ground at Mottingham (London Marathon) has got a great surface and was in great condition.

We really went for it from the first whistle and we took the game to them. We looked very dangerous down the flanks with Stevens and Wray running riot causing all sorts of problems.
Webb and Georgeson also were looking spritely. It was not surprise when Wray cut in from the right and finished with a left foot shot to put us 1-0 up after 5 minutes. We added to our tally shortly afterwards with a fine headed goal from Belchamber. Chances came and went, Webb should have got on the scoresheet but for some unfortunate finishing. Half time approached and by this time we should have been at least 4 or 5 goals to the good but we weren’t and were punished when they snatched a goal back just before half time from a corner. Unfortunately for us, Laurent was off the pitch at the time receiving treatment for a nasty headwound. It didn’t stop him returning in the 2nd half though.

The 2nd half got under way and the opposition had got themselves back in the game and were pressing us more now. However Stevens unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the box to give us a 3-1 advantage. Again we looked well placed to go on, but we didn’t capitalise on our new found impetus. They managed to score again from a corner to make it 2-3. During these exchanges we were still playing all the football. Webb, after an ordinary day in front of goal, managed to get on the scoresheet, finishing coolly from a Stevens cross. They played the game with 10 men for the last 15 minutes but it didn’t deter them too much. We conceded another goal with just a few minutes left on the clock after giving away a needless free kick and again we conceded a header from a set play. It finished 3-4 and we saw the game out.

So a win’s a win but there were some areas that could improve. After looking at the opposition I would have said there was no way they were going to score, but they did, three goals ! That, in my opinion, was slack. We got to learn to just kill teams off, whether it means scoring again or just keeping things tight at the back. Three points though and a decent start.

Man of the match was tied between Alex Laurent and Alex Wray.