Squad:

 

 

 

Lawrence

Jim

Grant

Rob

Les

Kevin

George

Chris

Rich

 

 

 

Well what a difference from our last match, don’t get me wrong this was highly competitive, there will always be some contact as these are competitive matches but its the way you go about things that make all the difference. There were no nasty deliberate challenges, kicking out at opponents rather than the football, no constant questioning of decisions or a simple lack of understanding of the set of rules we are meant to play to, but  the simple fact of two teams playing walking football and actually appreciating playing a game which in all honesty many would had thought they could only enjoy now as a supporter.

 

  

 

Our first half performance was right up there as one of our best of the season, both teams started well trying to impose themselves to gain an advantage and make the breakthrough, George was doing a great job holding up possession although at one point he did his best impression of one of his county men as he tried to catch a long through ball, Usain himself would never had caught it and Chris Smith duly put him out of his misery with a quick blast of the whistle. Our first real attempt was from a free kick, George involved yet again as he turned his marker and shot towards goal, surely he has scored only for a brilliant save from Rob in the Ramsgate goal to deny him. The opener though was not far away as we were imposing ourselves on the game denying our opponents space and keeping them under pressure, Grant was the scorer as his well struck effort found the corner. Another free kick was to double the lead, a neat little lay back to Kevin as his expertly placed shot again found the corner, Kev has now scored in his sixth successive match. Strive as we might we just could not get the decisive third goal which could have made us more comfortable.

 

 

 

The second half was to be a much tighter affair as Ramsgate got themselves back in to the encounter, Richard was left with too much time and space and he made no mistake giving Lawrence no chance of making the save. Thankfully this did not knock us out of our stride as we quickly got back our two goal advantage, Grant getting his second goal of the game again with a well placed drive, we did have chances to pull further clear but alas we either found Rob in fine form or narrowly missed the target. Posty very nearly got the goal of the game as his long range effort was finger tipped on to the goal frame by Lawrence to make an excellent save. Our lack of discipline sadly made the last few minutes a bit more edgy than they should have been as we conceded a penalty for four running offences; Phil smacked home the spot kick. We did however manage to see out the remainder of the half without too many scares as we defended our goal well and could even have got the fourth ourselves.

 

 

 

So this was a great advert for walking football played out by two good teams intent on playing the right way and in a good spirit but still with the desire to be victorious, well refereed by Chris Smith as usual.

 

 

 

Big thanks to Ramsgate for their hospitality and sharing a few drinks in the bar after, also to our whole squad, Tony Old and Bob and everyone who supported, we are hopeful that Gordon will be back for the next match as he served his one game touchline ban!