Match Report

Well done boys, an extremely good result under the circumstances. Without prior knowledge of Johnson & Phillips'' strengths and weaknesses we travelled to an extremely cold and windswept Kidbrooke Park Playing Fields to battle out a result to get us into the Group Final Rounds of the Kent Junior Cup.

After having to change our tops to an unfamiliar blue kit we started the game in exactly the correct attitude required, with everyone up for it, and took the game to them at pace. Maybe their skipper got it wrong by opting to play against the wind in the first half but it was an advantage that we took hold of, and made them pay dearly. Barry Cleaver and Ray Perkins were let loose on numerous occasions within the first 20 minutes and with their pace and firing power really seemed to shake up the J&P defence.

Barry got his much deserved and long awaited goal with Ray following up with a cracker. 2-0 at half time but with the wind now in our faces the second half could have proven tricky. Ben Jones came off to give Aaron Southard a half at centre forward (cheers Ben) and 5 minutes into the second half Joe Oatley came on for Gibbo down the left. After weathering a 5 minute spell of J&P perseverance at our goal, which we knew was coming it being a cup match, we counter-attacked sweetly on numerous occasions and on the fourth break Ray put them to bed. At 3-0 we were now in full control and our passing and movement became excellent with Lee Cleaver and Daragh Nott breaking down the flanks tearing them apart. Judgie kept battling away in the centre of the park, sustaining an elbow in the face for his troubles and Jay Hardy kept picking up any loose balls to put Aaron and Barry through. Halfway through the second half Ray got his much deserved hat-trick, job done. Before Ray got his third, my man of the match was going to Judgie. But then Ray smashed his hat-trick in and took it away from him on merit. Sorry Judgie.

This week we are back at home to Eltham Royals in the league. A game we must win to stabilise our league position. We lose Ray for a week and Greenhough for his second. But IF Village has now sorted out his TV and satellite system, Llewellyn gets back safely from Amsterdam and Kirky returns after a romantic weekend with his bird, we should be firing on all cylinders. It will be just up to Barry to get a hat-trick. No pressure Baz.