A cup semi final against the old enemy and a great chance for the mighty B&A to get to a cup final and grab some silverware since winning the Tunbridge Wells cup in 2001. (unless you count the Junction Inn trophy or the inbred cup in Devon). The squad was big and bar Gammon being away skiing and Shatman being cup tied everyone was available.
After a tense game of bowls in the centre circle and a lengthy warm up the game eventually kicked off in cold windy conditions at the Goldsmiths Arena. At first it looked like the B&A would need some time to settle in to the game as Hathaway gave the ball away almost straight from the kick but Gozzy settled the nerves pouncing on some slack defending in the second minute to slot the ball past poor old Yorky. This settled everyone down and the boys began to play some excellent football. Hathaway was the king of the air once again and Slug and Lettuce were bossing it upfront. The Slug doing a particularly good job of winding up the Wells centre back, who I have to say was a bit of an arse face. (Not you Younger!)
The chances started to come thick and fast, Baggo blazed one surprisingly over the cross bar and Yorky had to be in fine form to deny Gozzy on a couple of occasions.
Around 30 minutes in Wells counter attacked and scored an undeserved equaliser despite the Ref failing to give a free kick when Gandhi had his legs kicked from under him. 1-1.
It wasn't long before we were back in front, a well worked move down the left and a lovely cross from Gozzy was tucked away nicely by Robbie AKA The Slug
The second half produced more of the same. Countless Blackham attacks. Again Yorky was doing is best to keep us out and even Gozzy helped him out by generously shanking his shot wide after effortlessly rounding the keeper with an empty net staring him in the face. Mitch was having a great game out wide on the right and jinking round the Wells boys as if they weren't there, his shooting however was pony as he snatched at the shots that came his way. The third goal was imminent and came courtesy of a sublime 35 yard through ball from Hathaway, splitting the Wells back four in two and picking out Gozzy's run perfectly. His finish was equally impressive and only needed one touch to find the net. This sent the crowd crazy and took the boys one step closer to Wembley.
Minutes later the Huff was replaced by Shaggy who came in and held the midfield steady whilst Ferg continued to dazzle the crow with his crazy skills. Ferg did get upset however and stated that 'If you want the ball off me you've really got to SCREAM for it'. Big Nancy
Shaggy missed a couple of chances to score his first Balckham goal for over 6 years but he shot over from close range after good work from Eugene down the left and then put a header just wide.
Hobbit came on for Slug with plenty of time to make a difference. His best contribution was a lovely knock down for Gozzy straight from a Wells goal kick.
Wells pulled one back late on but it was too little too late for silly boys with no brains from the Big Scary Town.
The final whistle went and we now have a day at Wembley (or Longmead) to look forward to where we'll face Hawkenbury who dispatched Brenchley in the other semi 9-1!!!!
