EAST PECKHAM JUNIORS

15th November 2008 - Tunbridge Wells 3 - 1 East Peckham Juniors

 

Starting Lineup

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

Substitutes Used

Liam Payne > Dean Hayes, Tom Heath > Brett Howell, Callum Matthews > Jordan Willett

Report

After a week’s break Juniors travelled to Tunbridge Wells hopeful of continuing in the form they showed in their previous match at home to Brenchley.

On a heavy pitch both teams found the going tough from the outset with the ball skidding off some areas but holding up in others.

Juniors had practically a full squad to choose from missing only Pearson due to work commitments and Jagelman due to recovery from his injury.

The game started fairly evenly as both sides went looking for the opening goal, but it was the home side who took the lead on the 10 minute mark.  The Wells attacker picked up the ball just inside Juniors half and was given time to run towards the edge of the box before hitting a skidding shot which Nichols could only parry leaving the simple tap in for any one of two Tunbridge Wells players, despite both being flagged offside the ref still gave the goal and the home side were in front.

Juniors’ attacks weren’t frequent, but on a number of occasions they did force corners, none of which came to anything with the Wells keeper comfortably claiming most without even jumping.

Around the 25 minute mark, the home side extended their lead, the Wells attacker worked patiently down the right hand side, and eventually wriggled free of his marker before squaring the ball across the goal with 3 team mates waiting to apply the finishing touch, as the Juniors’ keeper flung himself across the goal to his right, the attacker bode his time and drilled the ball down the centre and the ball hit the back of the net.

Juniors were continuing to search for a reply, but to no avail, on a couple of occasions the Wells keeper was almost caught out by the conditions, but both times managed to atone.

With around 10 minutes of the half remaining, the home side stretched their lead further, this time the dangerous front man worked free down the Wells right before closing in on goal and drilling the ball into the far corner past the despairing dive of Nichols.

The East Peckham side started the stronger of the two teams in the second half with the keeper becoming more and more of a spectator as they searched for the vital goals they required.

Changes were made with Hayes and Howell making way for Heath and Payne.

As Wells again began to fight back the game was fairly even, but Juniors’ back line was holding firm.  Wells had a chance to extend their lead as the ball played in the box seemed destined for the striker’s head at the far post but Tom Revell did well to head behind under pressure.

Around 15 minutes into the half Juniors found a way back into the game, with Ryder launching a long throw into the box and Jennings flicking the ball into the far corner with his head. 

With the score at 3-1 Juniors were beginning to look better, but as so often this year were unable to find the finishing touch that they needed.  Wells came close to a fourth with a free kick on the edge of the box curling just over.

Matthews was sent on as the final throw of the Juniors dice, replacing Willett.

Wells could and perhaps should have finished with 4 goals as Nichols’ got down to save a shot and the rebound fell to the Wells striker, but the keeper managed to get back to his feet and divert the ball wide with his shoulder.

The East Peckham side continued to search for goals but found the Tunbridge Wells defence tricky to break down, leaving the game disappointed with the result.

EPFC!