EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

23rd April 2009 - East Peckham Juniors 2 - 1 Eden Rangers

 

Starting Lineup

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

Substitutes Used

Rob Pearson > Brett Howell, Martin Parsons > Tony Revell

Report

Juniors travelled to Culverden for the second time in two years with a chance of winning the third trophy of their relatively short history.

However they were up against the winners of their league Eden Rangers who had taken four points from the East Peckham outfit in their previous meetings this year.

Juniors had almost a full squad to choose from with the exception of the ineligible Bungay and Hayes who is busy sunning himself.

With a coach full of supporters plus those who had made their own way to the game, Juniors certainly outnumbered their opponents but were well aware of what the Edenbridge team were capable of.

With Bungay unavailable, Juniors opted for the physical presence of Jagelman on the left of a midfield four, something that was considered to be very important against such a hard side.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both sides having chances, but it was the league winners who perhaps shaded the early exchanges, producing a number of fine crosses, but unable to find the headers that the balls deserved.

Almost slightly against the run of play Juniors took the lead on the 20 minute mark, as a ball into the box from Blundell left a scramble in the Eden goal mouth which was eventually tapped in by Lardner.  Juniors were beginning to have some joy down the right hand side of midfield with Willett’s surging runs, but were unable to extend their lead, and it was Eden who were unlucky not to equalise around 10 minutes after the opener.  The Eden man had a shot which looped up off of Ryder as the challenge was made, the ref blew his whistle for a free kick to Eden and much to their disappointment the Eden players saw the deflection take the ball into the roof of the net, only for the play to be recalled to the earlier free kick.

Eden continued to hunt for the equaliser and almost did so as the midfielder found himself space but could only find the bar with his finish.  They carried on pressing and were almost rewarded but for a Tom Revell goal line clearance.

The half time whistle blew with Juniors in front and the talk during the break was positive with the players feeling that they could go on to the lift the cup but that they knew that had a battle on their hands as some of the Eden football was of a very high standard.

Both teams knew an early goal would be crucial, and it was the Edenbridge team who got it and drew level and their midfielder was given far too much time on the ball and ran right across the goal before finishing low into the net.

Rather than let their heads drop, Juniors forced a corner almost immediately after the restart, and Dave Ryder rose the highest to plant the ball in the back of the Eden night and put Juniors back in front.

After which Eden began pressing more and more and were almost rewarded as Nichols came out at the striker’s feet but could not hold on to the ball and agonisingly for Eden the ball across the box evaded everyone.

Pearson replaced Howell and Parsons replaced Tony Revell.

Juniors began sitting far too deep and inviting Eden on to them and the league champions were proving themselves to be very capable on the ball.  As the clock ticked down Eden were pressing more and more looking for he vital second equaliser, but Juniors looked to have weathered the storm, until in the very final minutes they created a chance.  The ball was played in and the Eden front man lifted it over the Juniors defence and found himself through on goal, only to be thwarted by the Juniors keeper with a fine save low to his right making up for his earlier fumble.

The final whistle blew and Juniors players were elated, having won the Junior Cup last year and now the Intermediate Cup this year, a fine turnaround for the East Peckham outfit after a poor start to the season, and giving them their third trophy in two years.

EPFC!