WOODNESBOROUGH 50S 7 vs 2 CANTERBURY MARINERS WALKIN

This game started with both teams appearing evenly matched. The ball remained mainly in the midfield with both teams probing and getting speculative shots away which didn't really test either goalkeeper. Woodnesborough possibly created the better chances early on but we looked comfortable in and out of possession.

It was Woodnesborough that did eventually take the lead. A kick out from Paul B was intercepted by an opposing midfielder with the ball striking his swinging foot and rebounding into our net. Fortuitous or pure skill is open to interpretation but they had the lead.

The game was already being played at a high tempo but following the goal we seemed to start to move the ball even faster. Woodnesborough were certainly starting to chase us around and we were creating better chances. Jason was holding the ball up well and Andy B and Gareth both came close. Eventually our pressure was rewarded a ball through to Jason was laid off to find Gareth in space and his low shot beat their keeper and found the bottom corner and we were level.

A few minutes later the roles were reversed with Gareth playing in Jason. He rolled his defender and got a low hard shot away, across their keeper and into the corner. We had turned the game around and had the lead.

It was now Woodnesborough's turn to ramp up the tempo. The ball seemed to be fizzing all over the pitch with players appearing from nowhere yet we seemed to be guilty of not walking whereas Woodnesborugh somehow managed to remain inside the law.

With half time swiftly approaching Woodnesborough equalised when a low shot squirmed under Paul B's body and dribbled in.

Despite the late goal, this was probably the best half of football we had played all season. The half time talk was to continue with the same intensity and vigour with the only change being Paul J being tasked to man mark their midfielder to try and stop him making the play for them.

Woodnesborough started the second half the quicker and within minutes they had taken the lead. A ball through the middle found their striker who managed to turn Phil and his strike flew passed Paul B.

We pushed on to get level. Whilst Andy, Gareth and Jason all had half chances we just couldn't create a clear cut chance. We still had the jeopardy of a penalty hanging over us as we remained on 3 non walking offences from the first half. The higher we pushed the more space we were leaving behind us.

They always had an easy out ball to their front man and their fourth was a similar goal to their third. The ball was played up to the striker who rolled Phil and beat Paul B.

We didn't let our heads drop, however, and still believed we could get something from the game. Jason had given everything as our lone striker and we refreshed legs by bringing on Linden and pushing Gareth forward. The Woodnesborough next goal came from the penalty spot after we were deemed to have not walked for a fourth time.

The game was now lost but we continued to fight and battle for everything. We conceded two late goals again from balls up to their striker and the final score probably flattered them somewhat.

This was a full bloodied derby. We pushed them from start to finish and comments after the game by their players included 'that was the hardest game they been in' and 'that we would give anyone in the league a run for their money'.

Final score Woodnesborough 7 - 2 Canterbury Mariners.

My thanks to the effort, blood, sweat and tears given by the entire team who never stopped from the first whistle to the last.

My special thanks to Rob who was an unused substitute but was ready to enter the fray and to the people that turned up to support us and offer encouragement from the sidelines.

Congratulations to Jason as the Player of the Match for his goal and relentless movement up front.