Match Report

We played really well today. When you consider how poor the pitch and the fact that it was so windy it is amazing that we played so much good football. We created loads of chances and really should have been home and dry with half an hour to go. As it was we missed most of our chances so the game remained alive as a contest longer than it should have. Our team was:

Edwards(GK)
Benningfield (LB)
Fullone (CB)
Simmons (CB)
Tapsfield (LB)
Evans (RM) (Captain)
Pragnell (CM)
Piper (CM)
Morton (LM)
Head (CF)
Tanton (CF)

Subs:
Roots

We went 1-0 down after 25 minutes. We gave the ball away in midfield and their striker was able to bear down on goal and squeeze the ball beyond Mark. It was pleasing that we didn’t panic and continued to play good football. We were rewarded soon afterwards when Tant broke down the right and squared the ball to me at the far post for an easy tap in. This was the least we deserved and we nearly went 2-1 up a few minutes later when Giorgio hit a rasping shot from 30 yards which the keeper just managed to push round the post. We didn’t have to wait long for our second goal though. Adam drilled a low, hard cross into the box from the right wing. The ball found its way to Tant who finished excellently to put us 2-1 up.

In the last 15 minutes of the first half we had a bit of a ropey spell and completely stopped communicating with each other. We all know how annoying it is when you have the ball and no-one gives you commands or instructions and we must work harder to support our team mates. It is thanks to our back four and goalkeeper, who were all excellent, that we didn’t concede a goal during this period. Everyone concentrated and did their jobs, particularly from all those corners, and we deserved to finish the half with our noses in front.

We started the second half determined to put the game beyond doubt. We played some excellent football and carved Chislehurst open for fun. This was the reward for all that hard work at the end of the first half and we really should have put the game beyond their reach at this point. Unfortunately we squandered some great opportunities and as the half progressed we started to lose our way. Around this period Lee Roots made his debut at right back and Taps moved into right midfield. I went up front and Tant was taken off.

Chislehurst drew level from the penalty spot after we lost the ball in midfield and their striker was brought down. Once again it was great to see that we didn’t panic and the goal seemed to galvanise us. All of a sudden we started pinging the ball about again and we retook the lead with a wonderful goal. Lee played the ball to Taps in right midfield and he moved forward. Taps played a one-two with me before delivering great cross into the box. Dan rose and headed the ball powerfully into the goal. This was exactly what we deserved and we held on to win 3-2.

I think some of us were frustrated because we had missed so many chances which in many respects is fair enough. Focussing on the positives though, we played some great football and it is obviously better to be creating chances and missing them than not creating at all. Johnny deserved to win man of the match after another classy performance.

Looking towards next weekend the game with Seven Acre Sports is massive. When a team is near the top of the league its players are really motivated for every game because there is something to play for. Saturday is a great opportunity to put ourselves right up near the top where we deserve to be. In a practical sense we must focus on the game on Saturday and do ourselves justice. We will definitely create chances and if we take them then we will win. Bring it on.

Man of the match: Johnny Piper