Match Report - ETHELBERT WANDERERS 50+ - 12 Oct 2025

We started strongly, pressing high and marking tightly. Ethelberts set up in 3 banks of 2 which kept Paul and Phil occupied at the back but allowed us to move the ball across our midfield with an aim of getting up to support Gareth. Andy B was finding space down our left and within a few minutes of the game, he was put into space and his ball square found Gareth. His shot was destined for the corner but it clipped the leg of a defender and the deflection took it passed their wrong footed keeper.

We continued to mark and track well. Ethelberts were allowed to have plenty of the ball but we pushed them laterally and back frustrating them whenever they tried to get forward. We were able to pick up intercepted balls or keep them to long range speculative strikes that either flew high or wide and Paul in our goal was rarely called into action.

Gareth was always an out ball from Paul. We split the field and Ethelberts midfield was pulled wide leaving the ball through the middle open every time. What we struggled to do was get up to support Gareth quickly enough which meant that he was often isolated or we needed to come back to recycle and the momentum was sometimes lost as we ended up moving the ball back towards their retreating midfield.

We did, however, stay solid in formation and everyone was happy to show and have the ball at their feet. We continued to find space and get shots away. Paul was unlucky not to double our lead when he was played in by Gareth and his shot was deflected onto the post and away to safety.

Despite this we pushed forward whilst staying strong defensively and sticking to our shape and tasks. Ethelberts keeper was being kept busy as was their defence but they held resolute and the break came with us a goal to the good.

Our half time chat centred around getting up to support Gareth more. We identified that even though the ball up to him was always on, we could do much more with the wide midfielders starting higher up and able to support better. That aside, we just wanted to continue playing as we had been, hold shape, mark tight and track well but to stop the running.

Ethelberts were going to their bench regularly and ringing the changes with their players and their formation. We stayed with starting 7 and the second period started as the first had.

Ethelberts were looking for a respond and came on the front foot looking for the equaliser. We continued to track tirelessly and again they were limited to long range attempts none of which troubled Paul.

Our indiscipline in the first half had seen us accrue 3 non walking offences and Ethelberts were also soon on 3 with penalty jeopardy looming for both teams. We then gifted them an opportunity. We were making our initial substitution when the playing coming on moved onto the pitch before the player going off had left. The resulting blue card saw us playing short handed for the next 4 minutes.

Our game management during these 4 minutes were probably the best we had shown. We tucked in and played narrow. When we had the ball we knocked it around and frustrated the opposition. We allowed them to come forward but kept them wide.

Gareth was still our out ball and his hold up play allowed us to see out the time whilst still posing a threat. Ethelberts were pushing on and trying to use the man advantage to get forward but this was leaving Gareth one on one with their defender. One such occasion saw a quick ball up to Gareth and his quick turn and sharp shot flew into the corner and we had our second.

With parity restored, we went back into our shape and a further and final substitution brought on fresh legs and a slight tweak in formation but retaining the the same shape. We still looked strong and continued to move the ball well, creating chances whilst remaining resilient in defence.

We managed the game to its completion without creating any drama or offering our opposition any real chances. The final whistle came with us victorious, Canterbury Mariners 2 - 0 Ethelbert Wanderers.

My thanks to every player who stuck religiously to their task, never panicked or lost their head and became part of one of the best performances I have seen from this team.

My thanks also to those who turned up to support us and give us encouragement from start to finish.

The Player Of The Match for his two goals and selfless hold up play was Gareth.

Paul