EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

25th April 2009 - Roselands 1 - 3 EPJFC

 

Starting Lineup

				Nichols
	Tom Revell		Jagelman		Scott		Tony Revell
	Pearson		Lardner		Jennings (1)		Bungay (1)
			Blundell		Matthews (1)

Substitutes Used

Martin Parsons > Tony Revell

Report

A weary looking Juniors travelled to bottom club Roselands knowing that 3 points would guarantee them 4th spot in the league no matter how Tunbridge Wells fared against Hawkenbury.  With injuries and holidays there were starts for Matthews who partnered Blundell upfront and Pearson on the wing.

Despite clearly still feeling the effects of Thursdays cup final triumph, and playing into the incredibly strong wind and sun, Juniors started much the brighter of the two teams and but for a good reflex save could have been in front in the early minutes courtesy of an own goal.  Juniors continued to dominate but it seemed like being one of those days as Bungay saw his effort headed off the line. 

Although all of the early pressure had been from they visitors, the home side were gifted a chance to take the lead around 15 minutes into the game after a clumsy challenge in the box left the ref with no option but to award a penalty.  The Roselands front man took responsibility putting the ball hard and low to Nichols’ right , the keeper dived in vain, but fortunately for Juniors, only for the ball to ricochet off one post before crossing the goal and hitting the other, a let off for the East Peckham outfit.

Rather than let their heads drop, this seemed to kick Roselands into life.

Soon after Juniors took the lead as the ball across the box was smashed into the net at close range by Jennings.

Roselands again tried to up their game and twice in quick succession the same striker wriggled free from Juniors’ back line only for Nichols to make fine one on one saves with his body from both attempts. 

Juniors continued to have the better of the game with Jennings and Lardner controlling midfield but were unable to extend their lead with Jennings lifting a fine lob with the outside of his foot on top of the home team’s crossbar.

At times some of the play from the home team made you question just why they were stuck at the foot of the table and they almost found a way back into the game around the 30 minute mark.  They broke down their right and as the ball was played into the box, they were left with two men against one defender and as the first rolled the ball back to the waiting midfielder, he curled his effort towards goal, but the Juniors keeper had saved his best performance of the season for the last game and dived to his left tipping the ball away at full stretch.

Again Juniors had chances with Tom Revell and Pearson combining well down the right but were unable to find the finishing touch to fine balls into the box.

With the game still at 1-0 it was crucial to get the next goal and Roselands almost did so as the quick striker again found himself free of the last defender but his on going battle with Juniors’ keeper continued and again the East Peckham man came out on top. 

Tom Revell moved to the middle to partner Ollie Scott and the two combined well with Jagelman moving out to the right to partner Pearson.

The visitors were clearly feeling the effects of their midweek outing but did eventually manage to break the home team’s resilience again before the break.  A free kick from Tony Revell was picked up down the left by Bungay who laid the ball off before running into the box to receive the return ball and finishing from close range.

Juniors went in at the break reasonably pleased with their lead considering the strong winds they had been facing and confident of closing the game out.

Parsons replaced Tony Revell at left back, and Juniors reshuffled with Jagelman moving upfront and Matthews onto the wing.
Clearly the home team had different ideas and it wasn’t long before the striker again found himself through on goal but Juniors keeper was quick to the edge of his box and parried away his effort.

Juniors began to play better football, passing the ball surprisingly well on a bobbly pitch but were just unable to find the finishes that much of their play deserved.

Around 15 minutes into the half it seemed as if their profligacy in front of goal may come back to haunt them as the home team scored a contentious goal.  The ball was played back to the thrower who appeared offside but there was no flag from Juniors linesman and the winger’s ball back into the box was missed by the Juniors defence and finished by the so far frustrated Roselands front man.

This seemed only a minor setback for Juniors and again they upped their game, almost extending their lead but for a goal line clearance from a corner.

There were long delays in the game for injuries to Nichols and Blundell so the second half seemed to last an eternity, and all the time the lead was only one goal there was always a chance of Roselands finding a way back in, they almost did so 20 minutes from the end as a shot from outside the box bobbled in front of the keeper but he managed to re-adjust and block the ball with his leg.

Juniors seemed to be closing the game out but again the home team had a chance as the winger broke and seemed likely to cross only to try and beat Nichols at his near post, but again the keeper came out on top.

With only 10 minutes to go, Juniors got their third and final goal as Blundell lifted the ball into the box and Matthews rose to meet it at the far post.  3-1 and Juniors had secured 4th spot in the league, confirming another fine season having won 3 trophies in 2 years.

EPFC!