EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

7th March 2009 - East Peckham Juniors 3 - 2 Platt Utd Reserves (aet)

 

Starting Lineup

				Nichols
	Tom Revell		Scott		Ryder		Tony Revell
	Hayes (1)		Lardner		Jennings		Willett (1)
			Jagelman		Howell (1)

Substitutes Used

Callum Matthews > Matt Jagelman, Liam Payne > Tom Revell, Dave Blundell > Brett Howell

Report

Juniors kept basically the same line up as last week’s victory at Blackham, with only a couple of enforced changes being made, with Bungay ineligible Jennings returned in midfield, and with Pearson working Scott came back into defence.

From the outset it was clear that Juniors were playing a very good side in Platt Reserves, they were very physical and had a useful looking front line.

The early exchanges were fairly even, but it was the East Peckham outfit that eventually took the lead around the 15 minute mark, a long ball upfield by Platt left their front man running through on goal, but the Juniors’ goalkeeper rushed from his box to tackle the attacker, a clearance which lead to the ball being passed to Hayes wide on the right, who drove towards goal before hitting an unstoppable shot into the far bottom corner.

Juniors lead lasted barely 2 minutes as the home side conceded a free kick around the half way line, the back four were holding their line on the edge of the box prior to the ball being kicked, and confusion set in as the ball was played, leaving the Platt captain through on goal as he connected with his head, Nichols got a hand to the ball to take the pace off, but Tom Revell was just unable to clear from the line.

Then, within 5 minutes of leading the game, Juniors found themselves behind, again it was more due to defensive errors rather than good play, although it was a top finish from the Platt front man.  There seemed to be no danger as Platt played the ball forward, but a missed header and a missed tackle left the striker through on goal and he made no mistake smashing the ball into the far corner.

As the half progressed it was a very even game with Juniors matching their opponents all the way, and with around 10 minutes of the half remaining Juniors found a deserved equaliser, the ball into the box was finished well by Howell beating the defender and the keeper to the ball and slotting home.

As half time came, Juniors were positive about their performance and sensed that they would get the result they wanted. 

With the wind in their favour Juniors were on the front foot from the outset and whenever Platt had an attack it soon became Juniors’ advantage with Nichols’ usually long kicks being assisted by the wind and causing the Platt defence issues.

Again the game was fairly even, with the home side just about shading it.  Having run himself ragged Howell was replace by Blundell up front.

Platt seemed almost happy to head towards the 30 minute period of extra time but Juniors kept pushing for the winner.  It was the final 20 minutes of the match when the visiting ‘keeper distinguished himself as the best player on the pitch, pulling off a number of top saves to keep the away side in the match.

The full time whistle blew with Juniors wondering just how they hadn’t been able to finish off their chances in normal time.  Extra time began in the same vein with Juniors again looking for the winning strike but the visiting keeper again keeping Platt in the game.  Matthews came on to replace Jagleman and Payne on to replace Tom Revell.

With the performance the visiting ‘keeper was putting in the game seemed destined to go the distance and finish with penalties, however Juniors weren’t quite done and late on in the piece Blundell played the ball across the box and Willett was left with the simplest of finishes.

Juniors will now face Eden Rangers in the final at Culverden and are still in contention in the league.  A great turnaround from a poor start to the season.

EPFC!