6th May 2008 - East Peckham Juniors 2 - 1 Hawkenbury III
Starting Lineup
Nichols |
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Tom Revell |
Meager |
Philpott (1) |
Ryder |
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Willett |
Lardner |
Scott |
Tony Revell |
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Howell |
Jennings (1) |
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Substitutes Used
Matt Jagelman > Tony Revell, Dean Hayes > Brett Howell, Callum Matthews > Ollie Scott
Report
Having claimed the league title, Juniors went into their match against Hawkenbury III at Culverden with the chance of winning the double in their first season. The game started at quite a pace with both teams knowing what was at stake. The game was destined to be hard fought with the two finalists having finished 1st and 2nd in the league, and was played in very good spirit.
Both teams were looking dangerous on the ball in front of the many travelling East Peckham supporters, with Juniors perhaps shading the early exchanges.
Juniors were seeing a lot of the ball but without any real final product, the front pair were beginning to come into the game more and more, with Jennings pulling out onto the wing to try and instigate Juniors attacks, twice coming close after cutting into the box. In Brett Howell, Juniors had the youngest player on the pitch, but this didn’t prevent him from chasing many a lost cause and putting in strong challenges forcing attacking throws for Juniors.
Although Juniors were having the lion share of the possession, they were well aware that Hawkenbury were able to break quickly and on a number of occasions long balls up field were either dealt with by the defence of Philpott, Meager, Tom Revell and Ryder or were gathered by Nichols.
Around half an hour into the game, Hawkenbury took the lead against the run of play, with Ollie Scott having just gone close with a left foot effort for Juniors. Another long ball up field was flicked on by Hawkenbury’s Luke Bacon who found player manager Mick Streeter who was left one on one with Nichols and made no mistake, finishing well from close range.
Although the game had been close Juniors were unlucky to find themselves behind. Juniors began to play their football again and drew level 5 minutes later, thanks in no small part to the pace and trickery of Jordon Willett. Having already made a number of fine runs down the right hand side, Willett picked the ball up in the middle of the park and ran at the defence, he knicked the ball past the defender who was just slightly too slow with the challenge and bought the young winger down on the edge of the box. Having already scored from set plays this season Jennings was perhaps the favourite for the kick, but captain Philpott stepped up and curled a low left foot strike into the net with the aid of the post.
Hawkenbury were still looking dangerous on the break down the right but Ryder and Tony Revell were combining well with their defensive duties.
Before the half time whistle was blown Juniors had one more chance of note, the front pairing of Jennings and Howell combining before the later almost finished well on the half volley, hitting his shot just wide.
The teams went in at the break all square, and perhaps this was just about a fair reflection on the first half.
Both teams came out after the break knowing that the next goal would be crucial, and although Hawkenbury were able to break well, again perhaps it was Juniors who had the better of the chances with Lardner and Jennings both going close. Willett was in inspired form and his runs were causing the Hawkenbury full back problems. Around the hour mark, the breakthrough came, Juniors earnt a corner which was curled to the near post by Tony Revell and Jennings met the ball with a flicked header that found the opposite corner of the net.
Having fallen behind Hawkenbury took the game to Juniors, and for a period of around 10 minutes, Juniors’ goal lead a charmed life with Hawkenbury hitting the post on two occasions. The first was either a brilliant shot or a mishit cross from Luke Bacon which eluded everyone before striking the far post, and the second was from the same player, finding himself one on one with Nichols but only managing to find the outside of the post. Bacon almost found himself in again after a mishit shot made its way towards him but Nichols collected the ball at the attacker’s feet.
Hawkenbury continued to attack with the long ball but Philpott and Meager were winning everything in the air at the back with assistance from Tom Revell and Dave Ryder against the Hawkenbury wingers who in previous games against Juniors have looked very dangerous.
Howell and Tony Revell were replaced by Jagelman and Hayes and Juniors looked to use fresh legs, but again it was Willett who was the focus of most of Juniors attacks, now from the left wing.
Juniors had chances to add to the lead, but Hawkenbury were defending resolutely.
With around 15 minutes to play Callum Matthews entered the fray to replace the cramp ridden Scott. Matthews found himself involved straight away helping Tom Revell with his defensive duties.
The game was on a knife edge as it entered the last 10 minutes with both sides cancelling each other out, as Juniors hung on to claim the double in their first season after a hard fought victory over a strong Hawkenbury side. All neutrals would agree that both teams contributed to a brilliant match which was a first-class advert for the Second Division. EPFC!
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