The wait was finally over on Sunday as the new season kicked off with a tough encounter against Fulwich Hotel AFC, who had only revenge on their minds for the League Cup A Final defeat back in April. Fulwich coming into the season with good pre-season form after a narrow defeat against Welsh Tavern who are the Dartford Leagues equivalent to The Sun FC from our league.
Our own pre-season had been successful too, 3 wins and a narrow defeat vs Battle of Britain, the highlight was certainly the 2-1 win against Swanscombe Tigers, but against Fulwich we would be without new signing Craig, Ryan, Dan & Plumb for one reason or another !
3 other new signings took to the pitch on Sunday, Midfielder Adam Watkins returning from a 2 year absence from the club, Goalkeeper Rikki Irwin & Midfielder/Defender Dan Mitchell signed from A to Z and Fulwich respectively. All 3 were given their full debuts as Dan lined up against his former club in the very first match.
Gk: Rikki, Def: Dan Mitchell, Jameo, Daren, Mark, Mid: Nath, Eddie, Mo, Sam (c), Adam Fwd: Rich
Starting with a 4-5-1 formation we felt that we could dominate midfield and look to play through there at every occasion with Sam detailed to get quick support to Rich Sav, who would occupy the 2 centre backs, with the wide men pushing on to squeeze Fulwich’s defenders at every opportunity. A tactic that stifled any real threat from Fulwich for the majority of the first half.
Eddie was at the forefront of all our good work scoring the first goal after a quick throw in by the equally impressive Nath, Eddie carrying the ball into the box shooting left footed finding the far corner, we finally had the lead our play deserved, our defence was holding firm, especially from the long throw ins with little or no threat to report.
But within a few minutes the lead had been surrendered in unfortunate circumstances, a lucky deflection rolling straight into the path of the Fulwich forward who then scuffed his shot into the far corner Rikki almost getting to it. The first half petered out, finishing 1-1.
The second half started and a few raids into their box failing to add to our tally and Fulwich getting a grip on the game, Hambo replacing the tiring Adam in our only change, things were definitely beginning to swing Fulwichs way their very dominant centre midfielder took control, heading and passing the ball straight through our centre backs, very route one, but very effective, the pressure began to build and Jameo uncharacteristically dwelt on the ball and was dispossessed, the forward lifting the ball over Rikki as he closed the angle down for 2-1 to Fulwich. Our system immediately changed to 4-4-2 as we went looking for the equaliser, Hambo and Rich and rejuvenated Sam got into the game and found Nath an excellent outlet, this pressure led to our 2nd goal as Nath forced a corner on the right hand side, which he took and delivered the perfect out-swinger straight onto Eddie's head for 2-2 with 15 minutes to play.
The game was evenly balanced as Fulwich had their way of playing which was working and we, as we always do, attempted to get the ball down and play. But the game was lost when Rikki called for the ball but was not heard, Jameo’s clearance just about made it outside the box as the Fulwich forward attempted to score straight back, scuffing his shot, the ball bounced straight to the other forward who put the ball in the net for 3-2. A goal that knocked the stuffing out of us, consigning us to an opening day defeat .
We have a chance of putting this defeat firmly behind us on Sunday as we entertain Milton & Denton at home in an exact replica on last years second game, lets hope we can banish memories of last years 4-3 defeat and certainly look to cut out the silly mistakes that cost us dear on Sunday.
