60s Away To Woodnesborough Bees

Whilst having changed a couple of players from the squad that had won two days earlier, we started with the same formation. Woodnesborough started the stronger and we took time to settle which allowed them to push forward and create early chances. Fortunately these mainly went high or wide and anything on target was dealt with by Steve E.

Den and Mike soon started to gel and we looked more comfortable at the back. Steve R in the midfield was dropping looking for ball and him and John R started to dominate the midfield. We were pushing Woodnesborough back and pinning them in their own half but not really creating many chances. Shaun was seeing the ball through the middle but we were slow in getting up to support. Our moves were breaking down when we tried to play quick ball but we looked more comfortable when we the ball at feet and were playing it around between us.

This interplay improved as the half progressed and we were now more assured going forward. Shaun was holding the ball up and John R and Steve R were joining and getting early strikes off. Andy too created space down our right but his speculative shots flew wide.

We now looked the better side but we were still sitting quite deep and this invited Woodnesborough forward to counter-attack. Defensively we held strong and Shaun was a regular out ball. His lay offs to Steve R and John who were finding space and getting into good positions but then were frustrated as the end product missed the target.

Woodnesborough were now being limited to long range attempts many of which didn't trouble Steve E and we got to Half Time with the sides level at nil nil.

The focus of our chat was to hold the ball better and concentrate on getting our passing more accurate. We looked best when we moved the opposition around but, at times, we had taken too long to get moving, especially at restarts and we wanted to improve on getting the ball in play before Woodnesborough could get back into shape.

We started the second half strongly. Shaun was finding space and quick interchanges with him, John R and Steve R created chances. We picked the ball up at the back and a ball out wide to Andy. His shot from range was deflected into the path of Shaun who shot low, passed their keeper and into the corner. We had the lead.

We now settled and enjoyed a period of control. The midfield were maintaining the ball and swift one touch passes were creating space going forward. Woodnesborough made changes and started to push to get back on terms. We looked solid in defence and a constant threat going forward.

Some slick passing between Steve R, John R and Shaun had their defence chasing shadows. John broke forward from our left and cut inside before releasing Shaun who again despatch the ball low and hard into the corner and we had doubled our lead.

The aim was now to manage the end of the game. Fresh legs were introduced with Steve P replacing Andy C, who had taken a couple of knocks, but the shape remained unchanged. We still saw plenty of the ball but Woodnesborough wanted to get something from this game and were forcing us to sit deeper. Unfortunately, we sat too deep and a defensive transgression into our own goal area saw Woodnesborough awarded a penalty. The spot kick went to Steve E right but he managed to get a strong left hand to it and palm it away to safety.

Both teams had further chances to score as the match approached its conclusion but these were all from range and neither goalkeeper was tested. The game finished Woodnesborough Bees 0 - 2 Canterbury.

This was another solid, well disciplined performance by the team and my thanks go out to everyone who gave their all throughout. Nothing was left in reserve.

For his hold up play and 2 goals the Player Of The Match was Shaun.

Paul