Match Report - Woodnesborough BEES 60+ - 18 Jan 2026

The second half of the league season started for our 60s on 18 January when we hosted Woodnesborough Bees at The Langton. Having had a training session the week before confidence was high as we went into this game.

The match started with both teams seeing plenty of the ball. We kept the opposition at arms length but some sloppy passing saw us giving the ball away quite easily. We were getting sucked in to a very narrow setup and wanted to use the width but Woodnesborough held their shape and frustrated us.

We were tracking our players well and looked comfortably in control of the game. Steve R, Shaun and Rob all came close to opening the scoring and we struck the woodwork twice but it Woodnesborough who scored first. They attacked down their right and we looked to have marshalled their players well and kept the ball wide but a speculative cross came in and unfortunately a defender strayed into our box and they were awarded the penalty. The spot kick was despatched well to the top corner and we were behind.

We restarted the game and immediately pushed to get back on terms. Our passing improved and we started to zip the ball around creating space and opportunities. We came close on several occasions with the ball shaving the woodwork or going just wide.

Eventually our pressure paid dividends and Steve R found Shaun in space on our left. He cut inside and got his strike off. It would have gone low into the corner to the goalkeeper's left but it caught the leg of a defender and was deflected to the other side of the goal, flat footing the keeper and finding the net off the post.

The half time whistle sounded within seconds of the restart and we went to the break all square. The discussions we had were about concentrating on using the width and stretching Woodnesborough. We wanted to be slick in our passing and needed to be more vocal as we were quiet for much of the first half.

The second half started as the first had finished. We looked comfortable in possession and defended high when we lost the ball. Again we were creating chances and all of our players had opportunities to score. Shaun and Steve R came closest with their keeper pulling off some great saves especially clawing out a rising shot from Steve that looked destined for the top corner.

Woodnesborough still thought they could win the game and as the half progressed they pushed higher and higher. We bought on fresh legs to try and give us a final impetus but the two defences held strong. We came closest and to getting a winner, hitting the woodwork twice more before we ran out of time and match came to an end. Final score Canterbury Mariners 1 - 1 Woodnesborough Bees..

My thanks to all 8 players who gave their all but came away frustrated that we couldn't fashion a victory.

My special thanks go to the supporters who came to give the team encouragement from the side lines.

For his control at the back and energy in getting forward to support the attacks, the Play Of The Match was Den O'Brien.

Paul