Match Report

What a game and what an all round performance by the Guild’s Vets. This is the first time in 9 seasons that I have experienced a goalless draw playing for the Vets and it wasn’t for lack of chances at both ends. I would say this is one of the best performances we have put in as a team particularly when you take into account the quality of the opposition and our recent track record against them – our last 3 fixtures have seen us concede 22 goals and in reply we have only managed to score 4. It was therefore a bit disconcerting to find out on Sunday morning that the 16 strong squad had reduced to a mere 12 for our trip to the Beaverwood Lodge ground on a bright sunny day.

Thanks to the addition of quality players this season we were still able to field a strong team although we knew it was going to be tough playing against a fit, skilful team that Cudham are on an excellent large pitch in glorious sunshine with only one player in reserve. As it was we lined up as follows:
Gary Rosslee (GK)
Chris Bourlet (RB)
Pat Mongelard (CB)
Matt Wright (CB)
Roger French (LB)
Paul Tanton (RM)
Paul Storkey (CM)*
Chris Webb (CM)
Colin Ebdon (LM)
Paul Smith (CF)
Pete Harvey (CF)
Sub:
Trevor Stewart*
Support:
Toby Harlow
Toby Manchip – mysterious knee injury that appears to be affecting his groin as the rumours go.

Whilst this pitch is one of the best of the away venues it has to be said that they have the shabbiest of changing rooms for the away team. A pokey green portacabin with the door literally hanging off its frame which can barely provide space for 12 players is not what we have come to expect. Anyway to the game itself. We kicked off and immediately took the game to Cudham with fast flowing passes coming down both wings providing both Paul Smith and Pete Harvey with a regular service. Pete, who was playing against one of his previous teams, came in for some fairly hefty treatment at times but still managed to put in a lot of running and has forged a good understanding with Smithy up front. Midfield saw the introduction of Paul Tanton and the switching of Chris Webb from centre back to centre midfield and both combined well with “20 a day” Storkey and Colin “Roadrunner” Ebdon in covering the vast open spaces. The defensive line-up saw the introduction of Matt Wright who provided plenty of excellent tackles and lots of tracking back and marshalled the back four very well with the help of Patrice Mongelard who switched back to his previous role of centre back/sweeper putting in some big saving tackles and Chris Bourlet who played a blinder down the right. The game was played at a high tempo which for a bunch of old gits was very impressive and was real end to end stuff. We restricted Cudham to a number of long range shots that were comfortably handled by Gary in goal whilst creating a number of good scoring opportunities that were well saved by the Cudham keeper. Indeed it was a big surprise that half-time came without either team having scored.

We knew it was going to get tougher in the second half with no sign of the blistering heat abating and without the advantage of the full substitutes bench as suggested earlier in the week but we carried on with the pursuit of a goal as did Cudham. Both Paul and Pete continued to create good chances and Cudham’s keeper was up to the challenge by making very good saves to keep out 2 or 3 goal bound efforts. As ever with Cudham they just did not let up and created a number of chances themselves only to find the ever reliable Pat and Matt blocking their way and failing this Gary was on hand to provide a very solid performance. As we approached the last 10 minutes of the game fatigue was setting in and Cudham gained the upper hand and we survived a number of close calls due to a bit of luck – the ball bouncing virtually on the goal line and over the crossbar in one instance and another where it hit Matt and was heading for the back of the net until it hit the inside of the post and bounced out into the grateful arms of Gary. Gary followed this up with the save of the game when one of the Cudham attackers launched a pile driver from the edge of the box which was destined for the top left corner until Gary flung himself across the goal and tipped the ball over the bar. A comment from the side lines along the lines of “you really need to keep hold of those Gary” was heard from the “injured” Toby Manchip and as I pointed out to Gary it was OK as I had it covered on the line! The final flurry of action saw us create another excellent chance but it was Cudham who finished the game with a powerful header that luckily for us went inches wide of the left post.

As I said at the start of this report what a game with everybody contributing 100% to provide a very entertaining fair match. Not sure if the MOM votes were taken but it would have been a difficult decision. However, in my opinion I would say that Matt Wright would clearly be in the running followed by Pat, Chris B and Pete. All I can say I am well pleased to have played a part in this entertaining game.