WOODCHURCH 50s 3 vs 3 CANTERBURY MARINERS WALKIN

Over the last few seasons, we have always had close games against this side including the return fixture earlier this season which saw us play out a very competitive 0 - 0 draw, so we expected a close and hard game. Our expectations were met from the off.

Both teams started fast and wanted to get the ball moving. We wanted to play our usual fast paced football and zip the ball around but that is always difficult on the Woodchurch pitch which is small and a caged area with rebounds and the ball almost constantly in play. We struggled to get to grips with the speed of the surface and were soon suffering from non walking as we chased the ball. Woodchurch were obviously more in tune with the pitch and enjoyed the early chances.

Woodchurch are also a physical side and there was a fair bit of contact that was a theme that played out throughout the game.

The initial stages of the game was played out predominantly in the centre of the pitch with the defences of both sides holding strong. We were guilty of not holding our shape at times and Woodchurch were keen to exploit the moments when we left room in behind, often using pace. They took the lead, a little fortuitously, when a ball forward by them would have gone to ball but it clipped off of our defender, slowing the ball down to allow their forward to control it before it entered the keepers area.

We thought we had got back on terms almost immediately when Gareth intercepted a back pass by their defender and buried his shot in the corner. Unfortunately, our celebrations were short lived as Gareth was pulled for running, ruling out the goal and putting us on 3 team offences.

A few minutes later, in an almost carbon copy we were level. Great anticipation by Gareth saw him receive a poor back pass and his low shot went into the corner.

Our non walking indiscipline was certainly an issue and the jeopardy over us was realised before half time. As we tried to get an attack going down our left we were guilty of not walking ad the penalty was awarded. Paul B was already having a great night between the posts and he was again the hero of the hour as he dived low to his left and made a fantastic save.

With only seconds left in the half, Woodchurch did, however, regain the lead. A shot was fantastically saved by Paul but the ball fell to a Woodchurch player who shot first time and found the net.

We went in at half time a little deflated as we were holding our own, apart from the indiscipline in running. We spoke about trying to calm our play down, be slower but to continue to play good football. We needed to be more solid in defence and make sure we followed our players and covered for each other.

The second half, however, did not start well for us. They broke down their right and a speculative shot was hit that clipped Paul J and then Phil and despite these deflections still ended up in the corner leaving Paul B no chance.

Last season in this situation, we may have allowed our heads to drop but here we dug in and fought. We made a tactical change and went on the attack. We had been having joy down our left with Andy B and Gareth working well together. One such foray saw some quick interplay before Gareth hit a shot that flew passed their keeper and went off the underside of the bar.

We had a life line but needed more. Again we pushed hard but time was running out. We were defending stoically whilst trying to get forward to support our attacks. We needed a least one goal but equally, we couldn't afford to concede again. Woodchurch had a couple of free kicks close to our box which they took time over and milked the clock for everything. We kept them out but they tried to pin us in.

With only a couple of minutes left, Paul J picked up a short ball out from Paul B and threaded a ball through the middle, splitting the Woodchurch defence and freeing Gareth through on goal. He made no mistake and we were level.

Woodchurch threw everything at us but we defended in depth. Both teams were on 3 non walking offences and that jeopardy was hanging over everyone. The Woodchurch support were very vocal at suggesting we were running but the referee was having none of it. We appealed for their forward in running but he had done it behind the referee's back and wasn't seen.

The final whistle came and the game finished a draw again, Woodchurch 3 - 3 Canterbury Mariners.

My thanks and praise to everyone that stepped on the pitch last night. We fought from start to finish and never stopped believing we could get something from the game. Nothing was left on the pitch at the end.

My thanks to Rob who travelled but was an unused substitute.

My special thanks to the support we got from the side lines and your comments at half time. Everything was absolutely right and needed.

Congratulations to Paul B who was the Player of the Match for his string of great saves and of course the penalty save that kept us in the game. Special mention though foes out to Gareth for his drive on the pitch and yet another hattrick.

Paul