In almost perfect weather conditions we entertained Mersham, at the mighty Pound Lees. Mersham managed by Martin Stevens and Matt Stanley both tremendous players back in the day, who played football the correct way. We knew that Mersham would set up trying to stop us play and make it hard for us to play to our stregthens. Mersham play good football and always try and keep the ball on the deck but have had some bad results this season, not picking up any points and scoring only 1 goal in there previous 3 league games.
Our squad was strong, only Dale Davis was away, as he was attending a flower show. Dale is currently a member of the Biddenden flower club and was looking forward to the annual show in Peterborough, and congraulations must go to Dale and his girlfriend, when they finished second. Although his girlfriend was disppointed with finishing runners up she was glad that Dale had come second for a change! The reserve team were short of players, so Warwick Drawbridge volunteered to play for them and scored in the 2-0 victory against Grasshoppers.
We started the game slowly but committed, winning the midfield battle and having the majority of the play but without causing Mersham any real problems, and Mersham would have been the happier from the opening encounters. Although you could see our passion and desire to win, we were not clicking as we know we can. Our final pass was either the wrong option or simply not good enough.
The opening 15 minutes was a very cagey affair and Mersham took the lead from a corner, we have now conceded first in 3 games in a row, which must be something we need to learn from and put right. Our response was good and we equalised 5 minutes later with a great team move. The majority of the team invloved with 2 touch football, releasing Tom Collins down the right and he cut the ball back to Tommy Dawes on the edge of the area. Tommy hit the oncoming pass first time and it rifled into the back of the net.
Moments later Paul Burt was injured making a run into the box and had to be replaced by James Batholomew.
The rest of the first half was very frustrtaing for the lads as we were unable to make the correct decision when it mattered and often found we were giving the ball away far to cheaply against a team that kept the ball extermely well.
At half time, I asked the lads to relax and start to enjoy the football as we were showing the commitment lacking from the week before and I believed we had the players to win the game.
The second half in truth was a continuation of the first half, although we dominated and our work rate first class, our ability to make the correct decision in final third was missing. We had our chances but unfortunately it wasnt falling our way. Tom Collins was unlucky with a header and Darren Warburton forced a great save from a free kick.
It wasnt until the 80th minute that Harry Goddard smashed the ball in from 16 yards after a bit of a scrappy affair in and around the box. Our play maybe didnt deserve it but we were 2-1 up, Mersham did have a chance late on but Billy Rice produced a good save from Luke Stanley.
Our perfomance wasnt that good today, we probably played better football last week, but our attitude, work rate and commitment cannot be questioned. The fact that we had a ref that allowed both teams to try and play football was a massive help. If you work hard you normally get your rewards and we did today.
Tommy Dawes was first class today, his work rate and general play, plus a great finish. Elliott McNeill and Darren Moody obviously disppointed in not starting or getting on, also with a first class attitude. A massive 3 points were gained today and its important that we continue to pick up points when we dont play as well as we know we can.
