Kent Sunday Junior Trophy
Valley Rovers Reserves 1-3 New Russellers
Ben Dos Santos (2)
Serkan Ozdemir
First Half:
Turning up and looking at the pitch, the state of it was something we were dreading. More brown than green outlines how boggy this swamp was. It seems as if Valley Rovers Reserves were used to this, as within the first minute of the match, a cross was swung into the box for their striker to loop a header over Grant Tugwell. A nightmare start from the away side, who seem to have taken Valley Rovers for granted.
However, in usual fashion, Russellers always come out on top. Quick moving of the ball led to a great first touch from Ben Dos Santos, who matched it equally with his second, with a nicely placed shot past a statue of a goalkeeper, unable to move to the ball. New Russellers were straight back into this game to continue the all important #MagicOfTheCup.
Back and forth the play went, with Valley Rovers proving their league position doesn't reflect them fairly, sitting bottom with one win. The impressive Tom Kerby had their left back in knots with some cheeky turns and a nutmeg to top it off. The wings seemed like the best avenue as the middle of the park was in a mess. The ball found the feet of Ben Cross wide, who produced a magnificent cross into the box, looping over Oliver Brown but Ben Dos Santos was at the back stick, leaping majestically to place what can only be described as a casual header into the postage stamp of the goal. The away side now had the lead they so very deserved.
Serkan Ozdemir surged through at one point to be clipped outside the box, having used the advantage to progress into the box, to be swiped at once more, but the referee felt that it was less of a challenge than the first and awarded a corner.
Second Half:
This was a tough score to ride out at half time. If New Russellers scored, the game would all but be out of sight. If Valley Rovers scored, the game was in their hands. Tempers flared as a fair challenge from Tom Kerby resulted in the home side player lashing out, shoving him as if he had killed one of his family. A rare chance for the home side saw Grant Tugwell go flying to prevent a top corner strike going in, once again impressing all with the acrobatics.
The away side, as they have been all game, pressed immediately, despite some ridiculously weak free kicks being awarded to the home side, but one was met with an audacious cry of "ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE" from Michael Barnshaw moments after everyone had made their points. If anyone needed a chuckle, it was that moment, which showed a true reflection into his career choice as a teacher being put into practice.
But it was New Russellers that had the last laugh, as man of the match Ben Dos Santos floated in a corner after one of his trademark 'take an hour to run up to a corner' which was met by the bearded maestro Serkan Ozdemir to nod home for the third. Staking a strong claim for that top goalscorers slot if he keeps his form up.
A debut run out for Dowdall as well who impressed with a few runs and a shot which was comfortably saved but all in all adding something else to the squad. Into the next round we go, it may not be the quarter finals after all but we have a good chance of reaching them!
The long awaited #MagicOfTheCup part 3/4 merged into one is to be added soon!
