Only two days after Super Sunday the 50s were back in league action against Sheppey Warriors away. The game saw us on the front foot from the off. The pitch was big but we made it seem even larger by keeping our shape and playing as wide as we could. Sheppey were not expecting us to utilise the flanks and we made good progress down both sides. Gareth had our first chance with a speculative shot being parried over the bar by their keeper. Within minutes though we had the lead. From a throw in down our right the ball was played across by Jonathan to Paul who arrived late and took a touch before burying the ball in the roof of the net giving their keeper no chance,
Our movement had Sheppey struggling to mark us and Gareth was dragging their defence from one side to the other. The ball to his feet was always available with Andy and Jonathan supporting from either wing. Equally Gareth's ability to turn and move left the Sheppey defenders struggling. A ball through the middle from ball and another swift turn and strike from Gareth and we were two up with their keeper left flat footed.
Sheppey now appeared to wake up and they were having a little more possession. They were playing through their centre midfielder and down their left. We defended well and high limiting them to long range shots with several key blocks being made by Phil, Linden and Paul and Steve mopped up anything that got through and on target. They started to push up and possibly felt they were getting on top. Paul sat on their playmaker and the ball was seen to often go square or back rather than them getting much penetration and when the ball did come forward Phil and Linden were there to break up the attack. One such interception had the ball picked up by Paul who set Gareth away passed their last defender and he saw his initial shot blocked by their keeper but Gareth's quick thinking saw him recovery the rebound and shoot low and hard from an acute angle. We were back in control at 0-3.
The Sheppey keeper had already made several good saves from us going forward with Paul shooting just wide and seeing a further shot glance the post. Gareth bought out a string of saves with Andy B and Jonathan also keeping their goalie busy. We again had the momentum and appeared the stronger team as we approached half time. An unfortunate injury to the Sheppey playmaker right on the stroke of half time saw a brief stoppage in play and a few changes made by them.
We went in 3 goals to the good and the discussion was to keep going as we had been, holding the width, maintaining our shape and continue to communicate and assist each other.
The half time break seemed to benefit Sheppey more than us. They changed their personnel around but maintained the same formation but they appeared to have learned a little from how we played in the first half. They started off quickly and were utilising a ball straight up the middle. They then had supporting players arriving. within the first few minutes they had got a goal back following some good, quick interaction with 3 front players and a strong strike past Steve.
We close down the central channel and Paul sat in front of our defence again man marking their play maker. Whilst Sheppey were enjoying some possession we were comfortable with pressure they were applying. We held them up and regained the ball but the difference between the sides was the speed in which we took the ball forward in transition. Paul was always looking for Gareth and Andy was a willing outlet up our left. A swift ball out of defence and a ball through from Gareth found Andy in space and his low shot went under their keeper and our 3 goal lead was restored.
Sheppey were now starting to tire despite them making further substitutions. Our energy levels, however, remained high and we continued to move up and back as a unit with the ball moving quickly between players. A swift interaction between Jonathan and Gareth followed by another swift turn and shot saw Gareth get his hattrick.
Sheppey did still try to come forward but we held them at arms length and limited them to the odd shot from distance. The space was opening up in the middle and Paul was finding time and room to carry the ball forward. The movement of Gareth, Andy and Jonathan was pulling their defence apart and they were sitting deeper and deeper. We, on the other hand pressed them on the edge of their box and waited to intercept a stray pass of for a mistake to be made. we were further rewarded when Paul intercepted an attempted ball out and set Jonathan away. Quick one touch passes between Paul, Jonathan , Andy and Gareth saw the ball swiftly moved from inside to out and then back finally ending up with Gareth in front of goal and the keeper had no chance.
We were now pushing so high our defensive line was on on the halfway line. Sheppey were now playing with 6 defenders but we were still pushing hard for more. Phil picked the ball up from Steve and carried it forward. A quick one two with Paul had Phil now in the outside left position with some more swift footwork by Jonathan and Gareth saw the ball back with Phil and his low shot beat their keeper at the near post and we had seven.
This was virtually the last kick of the game with there being just enough time for Sheppey to kick back off. We had won 1 - 7 and to be fair it could have been much more if it wasn't for the heroics of their goalkeeper.
Every player gave their all as ever leaving every ounce of energy as well as blood, sweat and tears on the pitch. I couldn't have asked for more from anyone. We maintained our shape, our discipline, communicated well and worked for each other from the first to the last whistle. Having only had 7 players available we knew we would all be needed from start to finish and we showed we had the energy to do, despite several players coming in and carrying injuries with special mention to Linden who played through the pain and even tweaked his already injured thigh early in the first half.
The POTM was Gareth for his four goals.
