BackSat 25 Jan 2025 ·  South East Area Men's Division 8 Invicta
Mens 5th XIMaidstone 5
9
1
Maidstone return match
Mark Bratt
Payback
With a victory for Ashford the previous week but yet, a revisit to opponents who had inexplicably managed a 5-2 win last time, the air was rich with anticipation to make reparations. With a healthy squad we started the game, something of a false start as only 10 players came on the pitch. With genteel coaxing and cajoling, (ahem), one more player was enticed off the bench.
Ashford were very quickly in control of the game with very few passes going astray. Very soon we were 2-0 up thanks to Roger and Ru, but we didn't take this for granted.
A spate of three successive PCs caused some niggles but no real trouble and we reacted with two more goals. JB seemed to be having trouble finding the target despite some great efforts, but got off the mark with a knock off the keeper from his first shot and a determined stretch to catch the ball and round it into the goal. 5-0 at half time and a comment from Ferg about not having touched the ball yet!
Half time had a really constructive discussion and great observations about our passing and possession and cutting out long balls, which were all working. Paul here was intercepting many passes and initiating movements for attacking midfielders.
The second half started with the team on the defensive but no PCs given and play turned around to attack, despite the sun in our face this time. An unusual goal occurred where Roger "The Lob" Lightfoot performed his signature manoeuvre only to have the keeper paw the ball away, but to the side. Two defenders scrambled performing more like curling actions as sticks swished fresh air and the ball rolled over the line. More goals from Ru and JB getting a hatrick took us to 8-0.
In the last 5 minutes, JB had done his duty so came off for Darren to try his hand up front. After a few attempts he bagged his goal for the 5s and only a goal from a conceded PC could take the shine off the victory but not the gloss. 9-1 reflected the most cohesive team game this season and everyone struggled to choose MoM, which eventually went to one of our newcomers - for assists, link up play and a goal - Oscar.
Looking forward to beers from JB.
Ashford were very quickly in control of the game with very few passes going astray. Very soon we were 2-0 up thanks to Roger and Ru, but we didn't take this for granted.
A spate of three successive PCs caused some niggles but no real trouble and we reacted with two more goals. JB seemed to be having trouble finding the target despite some great efforts, but got off the mark with a knock off the keeper from his first shot and a determined stretch to catch the ball and round it into the goal. 5-0 at half time and a comment from Ferg about not having touched the ball yet!
Half time had a really constructive discussion and great observations about our passing and possession and cutting out long balls, which were all working. Paul here was intercepting many passes and initiating movements for attacking midfielders.
The second half started with the team on the defensive but no PCs given and play turned around to attack, despite the sun in our face this time. An unusual goal occurred where Roger "The Lob" Lightfoot performed his signature manoeuvre only to have the keeper paw the ball away, but to the side. Two defenders scrambled performing more like curling actions as sticks swished fresh air and the ball rolled over the line. More goals from Ru and JB getting a hatrick took us to 8-0.
In the last 5 minutes, JB had done his duty so came off for Darren to try his hand up front. After a few attempts he bagged his goal for the 5s and only a goal from a conceded PC could take the shine off the victory but not the gloss. 9-1 reflected the most cohesive team game this season and everyone struggled to choose MoM, which eventually went to one of our newcomers - for assists, link up play and a goal - Oscar.
Looking forward to beers from JB.
Further reading