ETHELBERT WANDERERS 60s 2 vs 2 CANTERBURY MARINERS WALKIN

This was had a real feel of a 6 point game as the winner would finish a most respectable 4th in the league with us sitting in the box seat having a two point advantage over our opponents. The game was anything but cagey with both teams going for it from the off. There was some good approach play with either team looking to create early chances but both defences seemed comfortable and neither team managed to carve out and real clear chances and being limited to long range shots.

Sean and John R eventually started to find space and both came close to opening the scoring but their keeper was equal to everything hit at him. Equally Andy C in our goal started to be called into action and needed to pull off a couple of smart saves to keep the scores level. What was evident as the first half progressed was that Ethelberts were looking to play fast, often too fast, and they were soon on 3 non walking offences as well as giving away free kicks for contact offences whereas we held our discipline and gave very little away.

We were having joy down the flanks and on one such occasion, a ball from Rob down the right which was collected by Shaun turned their defence. Shaun cut in towards goal and as he was about to pull the ball across to John R, an Ethelbert defender strayed into their goal area and the penalty was awarded. In the absence of Mike, Shaun was given the honours and he duly dispatched the spot kick low to the keepers right.

Unfortunately, our lead lasted less than two minutes. Ethelberts came forward virtually straight from the kick off and their striker found space on our right. He cut inside with us being caught a little ball watching and he hit a low shot which beat Andy C to his left.

The rest of the half saw the game returning to a very open rhythm but being played out in the midfield with both teams probing but struggling to get any real penetration. The defences were certainly on top and we went in a half time all square at 1 - 1.

The second half started again very open despite the fact that Ethelberts were in jeopardy of giving away a running penalty. It looked as though they only knew of one way to play and their hope was to score more than the number of penalties they gave away. It was only about 5 minutes in when a ball was played down our left which was being well marshalled by Den but was chased by an over exuberant attacker and the non walking offence was called with us being awarded a second penalty.

Shaun placed the ball and chose to go to the same side as he had with his first spot kick but this produced the same result.

This time, however, we held the lead for a matter of seconds. They played the ball up through the middle and a quick turn and shot saw the ball fly passed Andy and into the top corner. A great strike, to be fair and virtually unstoppable.

Both teams continued to attack with chances being had at both ends. The goalkeepers were both being kept busy and Andy C pulled off a string of saves to keep us in it. Ethelberts continued to give away free kicks and get called for running, they were soon back up to 3 non walking offences and the threat of giving us a third penalty was hanging firmly above them, We, on the other had, had held our discipline throughout and were yet to give away our first non walking offence.

With time running out, both teams pushed for a winner but Ethelberts didn't want to give us a further spot kick and we were happy to sit and control the ball to the game's conclusion. At the final whistle, the score was Ethelberts 2 - 2 Canterbury, which all in all was a fair result with both teams being very equally matched.

My thanks to the effort given by the players who held their discipline and looked dangerous with each attack. It was hard without any substitutes but they never stopped from start to finish.

My special thanks to the members that turned up to support, including the injured squad players that offered encouragement throughout and to Jon P who was up and down the touchline driving us on.

Despite the two penalties by Shaun, for his heroics in goal, the Player of the Match was Andy C.

We finish this season a very respectable fourth, two pints behind Herne Bay in third.

Paul