Match reports - February 21, 2009

A mixed day with a well-taken 6-0 win for the 1st XI over Camberley to keep us in second place (Bank of England slipping up with a draw at the bottom side) but the three other matches all ended in defeat. The 2nd XI lost 1-3 at the joyless hole that is Wanderers’ Kennington pitch, the 3rd XI self-destructed against Kenley, squandering a two-goal lead to lose 3-5, while the 4th XI went down 3-4 in a cracker at Horley

Click here for this week's photos


1st XI 6-0 Camberley
At last an even performance with three goals in the first half and three in the second, with four open-play goals and two short corners.

Although it took us a little while to settle down the re appearance of Cato at the back gave us the solidity missing from last week and with Jonny Hunter showing that last week's excellent performance in the middle was not a flash in the pan we started to boss the midfield. Only when we began to be more patient in the build up did the chances come our way. Our first corner enabled Eds to open the scoring with a strike reminiscent of his golden run three years ago and from then on the game was ours. Gavin kept up his good post Christmas scoring run finishing off an excellent and incisive move started by Chris Valentine.

Five minutes later we won our second corner and Jonny Hunter stepped up to drag flick our third - just reward to his efforts in midfield. In between times Camberley did not make the most of the chances they did create squandering some good opportunities, a couple of last ditch tackles by Cato saving the day. CB was his usual efficient and calm self at right back.

The beginning of the second half saw us go through a stodgy patch but breaking with speed and width Gavin claimed his second and Andy Bennett slotted the ball home from the top of the D - his first for the club. Knapp rounded off the scoring when Nick Lewis laid the ball on a plate. Camberley refused to give up and continued to come at us but again did not look confident in the last quarter and made some good chances into difficult half chances when choosing the wrong option.

Our target of four post-Christmas clean sheets is now very much achievable and with six games to go we need to continue to play with the commitment shown for the bulk of today. Selection will be interesting when everyone is available with some tough decisions likely to upset those who lose out - should we ever have everyone available ... David Knapp


Wanderers 3-1 2nd XI
Report to follow.

3rd XI 3-5 Kenley
A match that summed up the season. Burst of excellent play, two stunning goals, some tight defending … but some abysmal distribution, two soft goals conceded, appalling self-discipline and in the end nothing from a game we should have come away from with at least a point.

Armitage’s two first-half goals were as good as you will see all season, lobbed over the keeper and defenders from an outrageous angle, and we went into the break 3-1 up with a good Kenley side visibly rattled. But with half our side praying that they would not be breathalysed on the way home – amazingly one of them was not Christian Davies who, sober, was tetchy and energetic - and a defence waging war against each other and the umpires, the wheels slowly came off. Kenley drew level with 15 minutes to go and from then on there only looked as if there would be one winner. The last five minutes saw two of our players yellow carded for unnecessary yak seconds after a Kenley attacker had gone for exactly the same (at least Jock got one card on his 32nd birthday) and Nigel Hawes capped the day by saving the ball and then, prostrate, cracking it into his own goal.

Relegation is certain, but there is still pride and no end of fun to be had. But some self-discipline would be good.


Horley 4-3 4th XI
Report to follow.