EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

21st February 2009 - Hawkenbury Reserves 0 - 3 EPJFC

 

Starting Lineup

				Nichols
	Pearson		Ryder (1)		Scott		Tony Revell
			Lardner	Bungay	Jennings
			Blundell	Jagelman	Willett

Substitutes Used

Callum Matthews > Jordan Willett, Brett Howell > Liam Jennings, Tom Revell > Rob Pearson

Report

Juniors travelled to Bayham to play 3rd placed Hawkenbury Reserves with a squad of 16 and knowing that if results went their way they could end up replacing their opponents in the top 3 of the league.

The away team started with an unfamiliar formation with 3 across the middle and 3 up top, with the wide men dropping back to make 5 across he middle when needed.

Juniors showed their intentions and were on the front foot from the outset. Around 10 minutes into the match, the East Peckham outfit had the first real chance of the game, as Blundell was played through on goal but the keeper made a fine plunging save low to his left hand side.

The away team continued to press with Nichols and the back four being virtual spectators with the midfield 3 in impressive form, with Bungay looking particularly impressive. 

As the half progressed, the nearest the hosts came to troubling Juniors’ goal was a couple of corners that came to nothing.

Juniors continued to dominate the game but without being able to beat the home team’s keeper with him saving well from Blundell on a number of occasions.  Towards the end of the half, Juniors almost broke the deadlock as Pearson played the ball from right back through to Willett on the left wing but the youngster perhaps shot a shade too early and the keeper was able to save.

Half time came with Juniors confident of their ability to go out and continue their domination and find the goals that were needed to win.  Tom Revell replaced Pearson who felt a twinge towards the end of the first half.

The second half continued in the same vain for Juniors as they began even more dominant that they had been in the first half, with Hawkenbury being boxed in their own half for long periods of time.  Again it was the home team’s keeper who was almost keeping Juniors at bay single handedly and made his finest save of the game around 10 minutes into the half, with a full stretch one handed save from a Blundell volley. 

Juniors were continuing to dominate but should perhaps have found themselves behind as from a corner Hawkenbury’s centre back had a free header around 6 yards from goal and put the ball over the bar.  Just after this, the home side had another chance but the striker lifted the ball high and wide as he was closed by Nichols and Ryder.

Bungay’s long throws were always a source of panic for the home side, but Juniors could not take advantage.  With around 20 minutes to go, as it was looking like it was going to be one of those games for Juniors, Howell replaced Jennings and Matthews replaced Willett.  Within minutes the changes paid dividends as Jagelman reached the byline and crossed the ball in to Howell who headed the ball back across the keeper into the far corner of the net. 

Barely 5 minutes after taking the lead, Junior’s advantage was doubled as Ryder picked the ball up in his own half and ran the full length of the field before finding the far corner of the net.
Minutes later Matthews tackled on the half way line and played a fine ball through to Howell who smashed the ball home on the half volley. 

The whistle was blown and Juniors knew that they had moved up to, at the worst 4th in the table, making next week’s trip to Blackham and Ashurst really important

EPFC!