Team News
The Slade had a reasonably large team selection available for the first time in a while with the only absentees being Barcelona bound bday boy Marques and serial slackers M.Beetlestone and the dissapearing act that is Paul the exam failer Tille. Good luck mate if you're still going. Other than that, the boys travelled to Ramsgate raring to go, although it was evident the game was going to be a struggle in 100mph wind conditions, which can only mean one thing... Callum Rodger will struggle to speak... (a few of you will know what i'm talking about...). With a Quarter Final at stake, it's a big game ahead...
First Half
The wind set the tone for the first half with Walderslade having it in their favour, setting camp in the oppositions half, yet rarely creating too many clear cut chances, although looking dangerous when going forward. So dangerous infact, there were shouts to call the police. Little really happened in the first half, with a free kick from Armour being comfortably handled by the Keeper and the same person scuffing a shot when layed off by Coney. The breakthrough came through the most unlikely of sources, and it was Sharkey who wound his leg back, tensed his massive arse cheeks and released a long ball/clearance/hoof/ that Coney ran onto and lobbed the GK from outside the area. An impressive finish, and apparently, 'sources' say he claimed he had to time the bounce of the ball because of his position, using the wind to his advantage to hit the top corner. All this in a split second. Impressive claim, although very much bullshit - the term hit and hope comes to mind... A dominant half from the Slade, but still with it all to do in the second half.
Second Half
One sub was made at half time, and sicknote Harris, sorry, injured battler Harris replaced himself with Mon-dayo who was looking to make an impression. Impression he made, showing some good handling skills, mis-control and an overall willingness to include a piece of skill in everything he done. Sounds like the shuffler on a good day. But on a serious note Dayo, it takes time to settle into the Slade, just ask open goal Coney... Pressing for the second goal, it was midfield maestro Sammy B who picked an inch perfect through ball for Coney to latch onto and cooly slot the ball Henry like into the bottom corner to double the Slades lead. Unlike Sammy B, not trying to put the ball through someones legs first. Good goal. Westcliff 0-2 Walderslade. Almost immediately though, it was the usual scenario with Sharkey Pierce, although i will let you use your imagination as to what happened next. Piercey recieves the ball in defence, he ______________, loses the ball, _______________, gets skinned, and ______________________. Westcliff 1-2 Walderslade. Incase you didnt get the missing words, something like 'fucks around with it', tries to lunge tackle it back', and 'the slade concede from it' wouldent be far off. 6.9 for the boy. Instead of crumbling, Walderslade kept the foot on the gas and an interception from Rodger saw him advance with the ball, and drill a perfect cross for Coney/the defender, to knock home to increase the Slades lead. Much needed, and killed the game. Full Time. Westcliff 1-3 Walderslade.
Match Analysis
Comfortable victory in difficult conditions, Special mentions to Sammy B for an excellent performance in midfield, although looking a little lost at times. Ticehurst battled well when coming on, and obviously, a lot of praise to the hat-trick hero Coney. Warner had a bright first half, recycling his ronaldo cut back a few hundred times, and OB gets a mention for keeping sharkeys confidence intact after his now funny mistake...Every player on the field put in a shift as Stokesy likes to put it, and as a team we performed very well considering it was the first game back after many heavy nights out for the blue boys. 2 weeks now until derby day... Up the Wanderers.
