Swan, one of the most predictable sides in the division and that basis this was a very hard game to prepare for. Couple that with some key absentees and some of lads possibly being a tab complacent with the news that Southborough battered them 13-0 the week before this one had ‘Banana skin’ written all over it. Adam Jefferies made his first start since early October partnering the Spud in centre mid with Hathaway dropping in to the back four to take the reins from the big man who was on Daddy day care duty. There was also a rare start for Adam Harrison at left back.
On the hottest Saturday of the calendar year so far it was a scrappy affair from off, both sides scrapping for midfield supremacy and chances at a premium. Blackham lacked much of their usual shape and neat football and Swan buoyed by the influx of new players and a large home crowd looked to have the better of the opening stages. They created some half chances and usually reliable Bowlsey had a shaky start, not quite clearing his lines. It was also an off day for the Ginger rat out on right side of midfield, let’s be honest though, he’s never going to do well in the sun with that complexion. It got worse on the half hour mark when Huffers was fouled while carrying the ball out of defence. As he went down he turned his ankle on the hard ground and after trying to run it off for five minutes had to be replaced by Gandhi. Oddly enough this seemed to have a positive effect on the boys as within 10 minutes they were ahead. Thumbelina sized up a free kick from 25 yards out and curled it expertly in to the top right hand corner, it definitely had nothing to do with the keeper being vertically challenged.
So although it wasn’t pretty they went in at half time 1-0 up. You certainly couldn’t fault the effort, it was hot, the ground was hot but everyone was putting it in, none less then Hobbit and Bert up top who ran themselves in to the ground closing down the Swan back four. Fergy was introduced early in the second half to add some more energy to the side. By this time B&A had more of a hold over the game and were creating chances. Baggo was having a field day down the left and looked dangerous every time he had the ball. But it was the flying potato who scored the all important second goal. This time it was he who won a free kick midway in to the Swan half. It was the story of his day, every time he had the ball he either beat his man and laid the ball off or won a free kick. And again with the keepers height in mid he quite rightly decided to try his luck again. And again he picked his spot well, the ball floating in to the top left hand corner out of reach of the Danny Davito lookalike in the Swan sticks. 2-0 and 3 points. A step closer to the prize. 2Gun came on late on for Ghosty to help look after the ball and see the game out. So it wasn’t pretty but the job was done. Pembury next week, time for some sweet revenge………………………………….
