EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

18th October 2008 - Brenchley 3 - 2 East Peckham Juniors

Starting Lineup

				Nichols
	Tom Revell		Jagelman		Miller		Tony Revell
	Hayes (1)		Lardner		Scott		Willett
			Bellew		Howell (1)

Substitutes Used

Dave Ryder > Keoghan Bellew

Report

Juniors made the short trip to Brenchley with a massively depleted squad, missing no less than 5 players due to work commitments, and injuries.  Bellew helped out by playing, otherwise Juniors would have started with 10 men.

Miller moved to the centre of defence, and he was joined by Jagelman who moved back from centre forward to cover Ryder’s injury.

Within the opening 5 minutes of the game Juniors were denied a blatant penalty as Bellew was cynically tripped, the ref moved his whistle to his mouth and then decided to wave play on with the Juniors’ players incensed.

The home side were aware that Juniors were playing a makeshift side and started brightly, as a ball in from the Brenchley right left a man unmarked through on Nichols, but Juniors’ keeper stood firm and blocked the shot with his leg.  Brenchley sensed they had a chance and were winning every ball.  About 15 minutes in the home side took the lead as Juniors tried to walk the ball out of defence and a wayward pass was easily intercepted by the home side midfielder, who broke through a number of missed tackles before finishing low to Nichols’ right hand side.

Juniors were having chances but were unable to apply the finishing touch which has been a season long problem.

Brenchley doubled their lead around 10 minutes later as the home striker broke free of the Juniors back line and rounded Nichols before rolling the ball home.

This seemed to kick Juniors into action as they began to have more possession and very nearly pulled a goal back as Lardner broke free with support in the middle but instead tried to finish the move himself with the keeper saving his effort.

Minutes later, rather than finding themselves within a goal of the home side, they fell further behind as their tricky right winger beat his man before sending in an excellent cross which was well finished by the striker opening his body and side footing into the far corner.

 

At half time the talk was of the fact that Juniors were second to every ball and to go out there and dominate, despite having a makeshift 11, the away side believed they could get back into the match.  Despite carrying a knock, Ryder replaced Bellew, allowing Jagelman to return to his more familiar position partnering Howell up front.

Juniors started strongly and had Brenchley on the back foot from the whistle.  With Juniors’ goal very rarely coming under threat the away side were in the ascendancy and deservedly pulled a goal back as Hayes finished well to the keeper’s left.

Juniors were having all of the play and dominating affairs, and it was only a matter of time before they got their second goal, excellent work from Hayes down the right before beating the full back all ends up for pace and sending an inviting ball across the face of the goal which was met by Howell for his first goal of the season.

Juniors were still dominating but were unable to finish fine moves on more than one occasion, and their efforts seemed to be in vain.  Juniors were preparing for a final push in the last 10 minutes when the final whistle was blown, 10 minutes early leaving Juniors with nothing in a game in which they deserved at least a point for their dominant second half display.

EPFC!