MPE SPORTS MPE Sports 4 - 3 Lenham Wanderers FC
03 November 2013. Kicked off at 10:30 AM.

Home friendly match played on 03 November 2013.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM

With a break in the MPE’s league fixtures, all eyes were firmly fixed on a good result against division four leaders Lenham Wanderers FC and let’s face it, after lasts weeks below average performance against Maidstone United Rangers FC a win would mean a massive confidence boost.

First Half

The manager’s selection placed Jacob Williams [GK], Toby Martin, Harry Goodwright, Sam White, Jamie Pye, Connor Simmonds, Josh Ashdown, Billy Tidman, Jack Amos, with Kian Murdin along with Callum [surname unknown at the time of this match report being written] in the wings as the appointed substitutes.

Lenham Wanderers although a division below were at the top of their table and with four wins out of five in the bag; this was by no means going to be an easy game.

An unfortunate defensive error saw the Mighty MPE Sport’s take the lead with an own goal ten minutes into the start of the first half [1-0]

The MPE boys were piling on the pressure moving the ball well in midfield with shots from Jack Amos and Josh Ashdown being denied by the Lenham keeper. I must say that the boys had stepped and were playing more like a team, which in my opinion was nice to see, especially after last week’s performance.

The fear was always going to come from the break and Lenham could break and break with pace, it was the MPE back three of Toby Martin, Harry Goodwright and Sam White that provided defensive cover.

A perfectly times run form Jamie Pye who was unlucky not to find the feet of the ever pacing Jack Amos.

The boys were finding a new level of confidence, passing the ball well in midfield and creating chances.

Lenham Wanderers continued to pile on the pressure with MPE Sports Jacob Williams being tested again. Good defensive blocks from Sam White and Harry Goodwright snubbing out another attack from the visiting team.

MPE were always threatening in the last quarter of the pitch, with Jamie Pye rattling the woodwork [or plastic] from long range shot from perfectly placed Connor Simmonds corner.

However, it was the MPE hit man and soon to be joint [with Jamie Pye] top goal scorer Jack Amos who from a Toby Martin assist provided the home side a two nil advantage some twenty minutes into the first half [2-0]

Again Lenham were on the attack and denied by the back three, Sam White was commanding the back line like a well organised military operation.

The Manager substitutions placed Kian Murdin on for Josh Ashdown

Second Half

A change around placed Kian Murdin in goal, whist Jacob Williams dropped back into left midfield, with Callum [surname unknown] dropping in to replace Toby Martin at left back and Josh Ashdown running the right midfield as only he could.

Lenham Wanderers blasted out of the blocks at the start of the second half, passing the ball well throughout midfield.

The MPE midfield were really working well, with Billy Tidman and Connor Simmonds working well together in the centre.

It was a powerful run from Josh Ashdown finding Jack Amos with an inch perfect diagonal ball. Now Jack very rarely misses from that distance and this was no exception [3-0]

Lenham were starting to dominate the midfield and it was their number 11 who was causing the most trouble. It wasn’t long before the visiting side pulled back a goal, slipping the ball passed the ever diving Kian Murdin [3-1]. The second gaol came almost as quickly as the fist, again from the spritely number 11, taking the away side in reaching distance of a draw of not a win [3-2]

A handball in the area gave the away side the chance to level the score, but it was the fast feet and courageous dive from MPE number two goal keeper that pulled off an amazing save.

Yet another lightening run from Josh Ashdown and Conner Simmonds, whose pace was difficult for the Lenham midfielders to contain.

It was Billy Tidman who hit home the four goal for MPE Sport’s, placing the home side four two up with minutes left on the clock.

Lenham managed to pull back a third goal on the cusp of full time with the final score ending with a four three win to the Mighty MPE Sports [4-3].

Match reporter’s final comment: The boys should be very proud of their performance, especially after a not so good performance against Maidstone. Well done the Mighty MPE and well done the parents, family and friends for getting behind our boys………..

Managers Man of the Match: Sam White

Parents Player of the Match: Billy Tidman