Squad:

Peter (GK)
Nigel
Paul
Rob
Chris
Les
George
Nobby

Our penultimate league game of the season saw us defeated by the narrowest of margins, although ultimately a disappointing result the performance was right up there. The defining moment of the game unfortunately was a consequence of our best attacking move of the first half, a sweeping move saw Rob well placed for a strike on goal, a crisply struck effort was well blocked by a home defender ricocheting in to our own half and falling at the feet of probably the most dangerous of our opponents, the small size of the pitch meant we were in serious trouble and conceded the only goal of the game.

Prior to this we had started well, trying out a slightly different formation we were generally in control of proceedings, Paul and Nigel in defence were solid giving up few chances whilst the midfield duo of Chris and Rob worked tirelessly to supply the ammunition for Les and George. After conceding Margate had their best spell of the encounter finishing the half strongly with Peter ably handling anything thrown at him.

The small size of the squad meant only one change at half time, Nobby came on up front as George dropped in to defence, Les in his free role was a constant menace and along with Chris combined well for what would have rivalled a certain goal scored in a tournament all those years ago in Shoreditch.  It can be very difficult to manipulate a chance from a corner, something we never get to practice, however, as Les placed the ball he spotted Chris on the far side of the penalty area, his precise pass was perfect for his teammate, the technique couldn’t have been better as Chris’s fierce volley hurtled towards goal, unfortunately his brilliant strike hit the inside of the post and somehow spun out for a goal kick.  

It must be said that Chris had a fine all round game and arguably our man of the match. Surely an equaliser would come as we dominated territory but alas a rare breakaway seemed to have settled the game as the ball was firmly planted in to the back of our net, but wait, not as controversial as a Champions League semi final but equally as important to us as a very rare piece of favourable luck came our way.  The man with the whistle promptly disallowed the goal and pointed to the penalty spot for a fourth running offence, our chance to deservedly draw level, not to be though as the footballing gods denied us the goal, well actually it was just the Margate keeper who guessed correctly to keep the well struck kick out. Previous to this Rob had an opportunistic effort well saved.

So a good all round team performance for no reward, as we come to the final games of the season we can confidently say that we can give anyone a game, if we can get some training in together over the summer months then we can make those small improvements that can turn these types of games in to positive results.

Big thanks to Margate for their hospitality and to our man in the middle, although being fairly lenient on occasion refereed with fairness to both sides.

Match report by Jim Dobson.