EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

Having beaten the league leaders in their previous outing, Juniors were hopeful of getting another good result against promotion chasing Hawkenbury Reserves.  Juniors’ chances took a knock when they were left with a bare 11, including emergency signing Atkins who started upfront with Howell.  Hayes dropped back from upfront to fill in at right back.

Despite only having the bare 11, Juniors started strongly, and perhaps slightly shaded the opening stages of the match with the visiting keeper being the busier of the 2, making a number of routine saves. 

Even though Juniors were playing well, they were unable to convert their possession into clear cut efforts on goal, and as such only really had half chances throughout the first half. 

As the half progressed, Hawkenbury were coming more and more into the match and were looking dangerous down the wings and on more than one occasion were able to play good balls into the box but were unable to find the finishing touch.

Around 30 minutes into the game, the away team almost took the lead as their right winger cut inside and looked likely to cross, however he took on the shot to the near post and despite going the wrong way, Nichols got his hand up to block the shot and repel the attack.

Juniors were looking impressive on the attack with Lardner and Jennings controlling the middle of the park but again were unable to find the finishing touch for any of the moves with the Hawkenbury defence playing well and using their size advantage to their benefit.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadline minutes before the half time break as a corner found an unmarked man at the far post, who really should have done better yards from goal, seeing his header ricochet off the outside of the post.

The teams went in at half time with the scores level after a competitive first 45 minutes.  Juniors felt that they could take something from the game and began the second half strongly.

It was, however, the away team that came close again, with a shot from the left edge of the box whistling inches past the post.

Around 15 minutes into the half, the home team took the lead in controversial circumstances as Ryder’s header came back off the bar, Howell’s rebound was brilliantly saved by the keeper, and Hayes followed up to score and become the club’s leading scorer.  The flag was raised for offside but the goal was given.

Juniors continued to press forward and created chances but failed to convert them.  The game was still fairly even when around 15 minutes from the end of the match, Juniors extended their lead with what looked to be an offside goal.  Blundell fed Howell, the linesman flagged, the defence stood still but there was no whistle and Howell continued in on the goalkeeper and finished well into the bottom corner.

With the score at 2-0 Hawkenbury had a chance to get back into the match with 10 minutes to go.  Again an offside was missed as the ball was played through the Juniors’ defence to the striker who was yards clear of the last man, but the whistle was not forthcoming and the striker found himself one on one with Nichols who rushed out to make a fine save spreading himself and blocking the shot.

The game was not over yet however, as Juniors seemed to turn off with 5 minutes to go and the smallest man on the pitch met a cross with his head and found the back of the net, with the Juniors keeper feeling he should perhaps have done better. 

It was not to cost the home team though, who went on to record their 4th match unbeaten, having taken 7 points from the top 3 teams in their last 3 league matches.