Match Report - SHEPPEY WARRIORS 50S - 22 Apr 2025

We started the game strongly pressing high and pushing Sheppey back. We were controlling the ball well with some good swift passing seeing us creating chances early on. We could have been several up in the first 5 minutes but for their keeper who made a string of good saves to keep the game level.

Eventually our pressure paid off and interchange between Gareth and Jason saw Jason scoring the first of his four goals. One soon became two when we intercepted the ball almost from the kick off and Gareth was found in space and he dispatch a low shot passed the keeper.

We were in complete control with Phil and Paul able to bring the ball out of defence and finding passes to either of the wide players or up the middle to Jason. We stretched the play and made the pitch wide which Sheppey struggled with.

We created chance after chance but their keeper managed to keep the majority out with more good saves. Jason and Gareth were just too strong for their defence and our movement was constantly exposing their back line. Both scored again in quick succession with us pressing high and not allowing them time on the ball or the ability to get out. When they did manage to beat our press they were confined to long range shooting that Jan was equal to or that went high and / or wide.

On the stroke of half time Gareth completed his hattrick with another quick interchange with Jason and we went in 5 Nil up. The half time talk was to just keep going and change nothing.

We started the second half as we had finished the first. We pressed from the front and pinned them back. We freshened things out wide but maintained the same shape and intensity.

However, with us looking completely comfortable, we went to sleep for one of their free kicks and allowed them to take it quickly and square with no defending or tracking and they had a goal back.

From the kick off we moved the ball straight up to Jason and he completed his hattrick and restored our 5 goal lead.

Our biggest issue was our non walking and we gifted Sheppey a second goal from the penalty spot when we were guilty of committing our fourth team offence.

Again straight from the kick off we went forward and Gareth scored again within seconds of the restart.

Sheppey made substitutions but were now getting visibly tired. We were still playing at a high tempo which they struggled to handle. Jason and Gareth each scored again and we had 9. The scoring, however, was not over and Sheppey had the final word. Their midfielder hit a low long range shot that curled into the bottom corner passed Jan virtually as the last kick of the game.

Final score Canterbury 9 - 3 Sheppey.

My thanks to Mike and Andy who were unused substitutes.

Additionally, my thanks for the support we got from everyone who turned out to watch this game.

Congratulations to Gareth who was the Player of the Match for his 5 goals and control of the midfield.

Paul