A much improved performance this week with a good shift put in by all 13 players.
Despite being behind from the first leg we decided to really give it a go and for the opening 20 minutes dominated play going forward.
We had pace up front for the first time this season with Whittaker and Taylor and they were giving the away defence early problems.
With 15 minutes played Taylor outpaced his marker chasing a Moore through ball and cut inside only to see his right footed shot parried by the keeper, the ball rebounded back to him and this time his left footed shot was kept out by a mixture of keeper and defender. We were on top now and Whittaker then turned well on the six yard line but as the ball rolled from under him he managed to toe poke the ball goal wards only for it to be scrambled off the line, Ware then fired the ball across where it found it’s way to Taylor on the edge of the box and his chest down and half volley narrowly cleared the crossbar. Pushing forward to chase back a first leg deficit we would always leave ourselves vulnerable to the counter attack and as the half progressed Molesey took advantage of this hitting us on the counter attack several times. The new look defence of Lilley, Richards, Martin and Woolley were coping well though but there was nothing that could be done when after 35 mins following another break an away forward finished brilliantly from the edge of the box.
0-1 halftime.
The second half saw us for the first time this season against suburban standard opposition not tire and infact win a second half!
We lost Woolley at halftime to fatigue and Lilley quickly to injury, but Baldwin and Cook dropping from midfield slotted in well to defence. Taylor (junior) dropped back into midfield with Taylor (senior!) coming on upfront.
The change saw us begin to take control with Taylor and the impressive Nicholson controlling the middle of the pitch and wide men Ware and especially Moore getting in behind the fullbacks.
After an hour Taylor senior won the ball in the opposition area and the ball broke for Ware to grab an equaliser, coolly side footing home on his first start for the club. Upfront we were giving them problems forcing them into a change with their centre half being withdrawn.
The final 30 minutes was a good competitive match with good attacking football by both teams, Molesey went back in front from a cross shot finding its way in when we gave away possession but Whittaker who hadn’t stopped making runs all game got his and our reward with 7 mins left when he won the ball in the area, drove through a couple of challenges, before neatly finishing low into the corner for 2-2.
As against Three Bridges we began brightly with new signing Jenden pulling the strings in midfield. Chipsted scored slightly against the run of play when young keeper Lardent hesitated when coming off his line which made it easier for the home forward to score. Minutes later Jenden went down following a challenge and limped to the side of the pitch. Whilst being treated and assessing whether he would need replacing we conceded 2 goals in the minutes we were down to 10. The first was a spectacular volley following a clearing header from a corner and the third a carbon copy of the first with a similar error. Jenden couldn't continue and was infact taken to hospital by ambulance.
This 5 minute period killed us and the players lost all shape, bickering and looking far from what is expected. We conceded another before half time and went in 4-0 down to the league leaders after some shocking defending as a team.
To be fair in the second half we put in a performance much improved. We looked a team and missed a couple of golden chances to get back to 4-1 maybe 4-2. It took a debatable free kick 15 mins from time to break the second half deadlock and another as we waited for the final whistle. There was though time for Austen to score a penalty with the last kick 6-1.
We brought 3 in today but during the week lost another 4 regulars to injury and illness meaning in all we had 5 missing that would have started making a much stronger squad as we have found the bench is so vital both in replacing tiring players and sending a signal to those on the pitch. It’s difficult for the players to get to know each other in the dressing room before the game and when you are at the bottom things go against you as we found when Morgan got injured today.
Despite the score-line this was a much more competitive match than suggested. Three Bridges ran out comfortable winners but as their team sheet showed only 4 regular reserve players and included first teamers Brake, Byrne, Grant and Faber they were expected too and we did well to compete.
For the first 20 mins we more than matched the home team with Billy Abrahart who had spent his entire youth team football at 3 bridges returning to football after 18 months out with a back injury controlling the midfield alongside debutant Edleston and Hearn.
As the half progressed the home side though took control of possession and were denied by a post and a couple of amazing saves from former QPR squad keeper Matt Ramsey. We then had an Austen goal disallowed for offside. In first half stoppage time Ramsey was finally beaten leaving us 1-0 down at half time.
We felt we were still well in the game but knew fitness would be our downfall and so it proved as in the 2nd half, we lost Abrahart with his back problem and gradually sat deeper and deeper as fatigue set in. ‘Rambo’ in goal though was still pulling off some top class saves and it took two great strikes both from the home team captain who scored from the edge of the box into the top corners following 2 set pieces. 3-0.
A looping header made it 4-0 before 2 terrible refereeing decisions went against us, first Tom Beckingham was fouled and the ref played advantage but the ball was loose and they scored??? Then as we made a forced substitution due to injury the linesman was caught hopelessly out of position and failed to spot a blatant offside player tap the ball in on the line. The ref acknowledged he blew for the restart too quickly but that didn’t help us.
We finally got a deserved consolation goal in injury time when Austen finished well when put through.
A tough encounter on a terribly sloping bobbly hard pitch which suited the home team.
We got off to a good start when Brier scored his first for the club after 10 mins following a good move down the right. Lowe almost made it 2 after 20 mins when his long range shot was tipped over by the keeper.
Old Town rarely threatened and when they did it was dealt with comfortably by Lardent in goal.
In the second half the home team turned the game into a physical encounter and launched long balls deep into our half. They equalised after 55 mins following a goalmouth scramble.
We quickly showed we were the better footballing team though scoring 2 more in 5 minutes. First Hart smashed the ball home following a corner before Brier got his second from a half volley on the edge of the box when put through.
The home team pulled one back with ten minutes to go and upped the physical side of things even more in an effort to intimidate our young side which included one of their management team running onto the pitch. But we held firm to win 3-2. Despite having Austen dismissed for retaliation late on.
Following last week’s miserable result we showed good character to come through a tricky tie. Craig in goal was excellent and Alex and James Rhodes had their best games so far. I’d also like to thank Dale who played 90 mins despite being very unwell.
An excellent game of football, which was tight with both teams putting in 100%.
We are now starting to look a team and more than matched our opponents in every department.
We controlled the early play and should have gone 1-0 up when Lowe was put though by a Moore flick on, he had almost too much time though and as he went around the keeper to the right his goalbound shot was blocked by the covering centreback who hadn’t given up the chase. Hart then had a shot from the right side of the box which was saved low to the keepers right.
This seemed to shake the opposition into life and they enjoyed a good period of possession without ever troubling the keeper.
Again we then took control back and bossed the last 15 mins of the half. Another chance came to go ahead when Taylor skinned the fullback and drilled a cross low across the 6 yard box where it was met by Moore who swivelled well but put it over.
At halftime we should’ve been ahead but despite the 2 opportunities not taken our strikers were still playing well and showing excellent movement.
The second half was an even contest with both teams defending well in numbers when they had too. Our 4 in midfield gave excellent screening to our back 4 who were rarely troubled. The only threats were from deflected crosses and from a corner where we lost concentration briefly allowing a volley which Musa saved comfortably.
Again we looked the most likely to snatch it when with the game heading to injury time Beckingham eluded at least 3 tackles in the box but unluckily found the keeper with his shot, if the chance had come earlier it could’ve been a different result but the boys put in a brilliant amount of work and effort .
So different from Saturday, an excellent performance against a team who 3 days earlier had held high flying Uxbridge 2-2.
Our last 2 league games have seen us lose unluckily 2-3 to Corinthians and now get our first point.
We showed great discipline in our play with the average age of the starting 11 just 21 and of the 13 players used 8 were 19 or under!!
Probably the most disappointing performance of the season so far.
With another 4 debutants the ever presents needed to perform and a night on the tiles for the core of the team the night before put paid to any chance of a decent result.
Of the 12 that played the bulk of the match, it says it all that the top performances came from the 2 oldest players on the pitch in Michael Sterling and Michael Dunmore who count Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge Angels amongst their former clubs. Both are nearing the end of their careers but their levels of effort put their younger team mates to shame. Khader in goal also had a good match and Woolley alongside Dunmore dug deep.
The frustration was that this match was a great opportunity to get a result. Despite Molesey enjoying a lot of possession we kept them at bay and when we decided we'd string a few passes together we created some chances.
Yet again at half time we were in the game at 0-0!
A blast at half time seemed to get a response in the dressing room but several players' energy levels couldn’t be raised no matter how much they tried. Lowe was replaced at halftime by Brier but the pattern of play was pretty much as the first half. We quickly found ourselves 2-0 behind and then for a brief 15 minute spell showed that we can play. First Perry Hart won the ball in midfield and carried the ball into the opponents half before hitting a spectacular shot into the top corner to half the arrears. Then in quick succession Dale Taylor hit a 25 yard screamer which looked a goal all the way until the home keeper dived at full stretch to get the slightest touch to divert the ball around the post, and from the resultant corner the ball was scrambled off the line before being cleared to Hart who as before connected sweetly with his shot but again the keeper excelled and dived to tip the ball around the post.
That double save seemed to end our interest though as again fatigue ran through the team with players getting cramp and being unable to last the 90 minutes.
Molesley took advantage and scored with 20 minutes left and then again in the closing stages.
Both Mark Taylor and Dan Hill knew with important players missing due to holiday and injury it would be tricky and we will be glad to have all 3 back on Tuesday. Again we had 3 out of 4 new defenders at the back.
Our midfield in the first period especially performed way below what they have previously shown they are capable of and it soon came to light that their preparation for the game was not acceptable. If players are to succeed at this level Friday evenings need to be sensible. Lessons were learnt and they held their hands up. They and a few others know they owe us some big performances in 2 crucial games coming up.
A game where what could go wrong in the immediate build up did. Confusion regarding the kick off time by the referee saw him arrive for a 3pm k.o. whilst the players were all ready for a 2pm start. Left back David Ottley then failed to arrive having broken down on the M25 which ruled him out, this was quickly followed by right back Nathan Martin who pulled a muscle in the warm-up! A rejig saw midfielder Dale Taylor move to right back, Ashley Brier a forward fill in at left-back and co-manager Mark Taylor take to the field up front. Fellow manager Dan Hills had to take a flag which left nobody on the touchline to manage the team.
Forest Row appeared geared up for an FA Cup tie and took advantage of our situation by making all the early running. They went close on a few occasions before against the run of play a speculative Harry Lowe shot from distance was fumbled by the keeper and trickled over the line to put us 1-0 up. The lead was held for 10 minutes before another keeper error this time by Jos Iles saw him miss-kick a clearance which fell straight to the home centre forward who scored the first of his 5 goals.
Ashley Brier then received a nasty tackle which resulted in a Yellow card and meant Ashley would be limping for the rest of the tie.
Gradually we grew into the game and scored 2 goals in 5 minutes, both from Tom Beckingham. The first after half an hour, a thumping header from a corner, the second a cool finish from close range.
We looked in control but before half time Dale Taylor suffered a dead leg and Alex Moore a groin pull which saw us with just 8 fit players (of whom one was in his 43rd year!!!) and 3 virtual passengers. Forest row also hadn’t given up and a great solo effort saw them pull it back to 3-2.
The second half was bizarre, Phil Austen who had given Forest row plenty of trouble scored a penalty to put us 4-2 up following a foul on Beckingham, Row quickly made it 4-3 before a clinical Austen 2nd, and a superb 25 yarder from Harry Lowe looked to have secured the game at 6-3. As a team we were tiring though with the keeper and centre halves exposed due to the injured players around them, the home team pulled another one back 4-6. They then had a player dismissed although having 3 fresh subs legs to put on compared to our situation this didn’t seem to hinder them and fair play they went for it and with 8 minutes left they put themselves just one behind.
With the away team praying for the final whistle, disaster, as the home team levelled, 6-6 seconds before the end.
Extra time saw a battle with both teams having just the one chance. Firstly in the 115th minute Perry Hart was put through in the box but a tired first touch saw him miss the chance as the keeper smothered. Then in the last minute of extra time the home teams MOM with 5 goals to his name found himself all alone on the 6 yard line with just Iles to beat. He somehow managed to hit a post when it was surely easier to score, a real let off.
In the shootout we scored all our spot kicks that we took.
Austen 1-0.
Iles then made a great save from their first but as their player trooped back to the halfway he got a reprieve as the linesman provided by the home team said he had moved too early and the referee ordered a retake! Our linesman had been asked to stand in the centre circle.
They then scored from re-take 1-1.
Alex Moore, Harry Lowe and Perry Hart all converted their spot kicks, Iles saved another and it was left to the Forest Row centre half to scuff his effort wide to seal the win 4-2 on penalties!
A great performance by the reserves who were unlucky not to earn a point if not all three against the league leaders. With 8 changes from the starting 11 of the previous week, the new line up bonded immediately though with much higher commitment levels and ability.
The opening exchanges were even but it was the opponents that went ahead in the first half after 30 mins. Following the breakdown of a free kick to Grinstead deep in the Corinthian half the away team broke at pace and Wasps found themselves 2 v 4 at the back. The very quick forwards took full advantage and took a 1-0 lead.
Wasps rallied and some excellent football saw them get behind the visitors' fullbacks twice quickly in succession but with the ball flashing across the 6 yard line they couldn’t find the final touch.
At half time the boys were in determined mood and the feeling was the equaliser would come.
Disaster though from the restart. Corinthians took the centre and punted the ball forward. Nathan Martin on his debut at fullback had had a magnificent first half but he could only watch in horror as his cushioned header passed the out rushing Musa Khader in goal for a freak second within 10 seconds of the 2nd half. Khader held his hands up to the error.
Undeterred, infact spurred on, Grinstead took the game to the leaders. On the hour mark a fantastic cross field ball by Dale Taylor landed at the feet of Alex Moore and his quick feet enabled him to drive in a cross which was met by Phil Austin who gave the keeper no chance with a great finish on the volley off the outside of the boot. 1-2.
Wasps then pushed on for the equalizer which would inevitably leave a few gaps and just 5 minutes later found themselves 2 behind again as despite getting a hand on the ball Khader saw the ball just creep in to the goal off a post from a drive just inside the box.
He was called into action again moments later when he made up for his earlier error diving full length to palm a goal bound shot past the post. In defence Martin, Woolley, Rhodes and Ottley gave him excellent protection and Ottley’s attacking play was also giving Corinthians problems. It was from one of these surges forward that he brought Grinstead back into the game. The hard working Harry Lowe who had impressed all game linked well with the fullback and the midfield and a low cross was bundled in on the line by Ottley.2-3 with 15 mins left.
By this time though the lack of fitness was beginning to tell after so much hard work and effort, with the superb midfield of Taylor, Beckingham, Hart and Moore suffering in particular, this saw Moore and Beckingham having to be replaced late on with fresh legs after some terrific hard graft. Austin up front also cramped up after pressing all game and had to be replaced.
The subs continued where the others had finished working hard, but as Wasps tired as a team the last few minutes saw them come close to an equaliser but also having to dig deep in defence to not concede again.
Mark Taylor said: "From a manager's point of view to lose is always disappointing especially when one goal was a ‘freebie’ but in both the dressing room and on the pitch the lads were fantastic with MOM performances from the lot of them, I hope this continues and we can build around this young side.
Team: Musa Khader, Nathan Martin, James Rhodes, Scott Woolley(cpt), David Ottley, Dale Taylor, Perry Hart, Tom Beckingham, Alex Moore, Harry Lowe, Phil Austen, subs: Chris Baldwin, Ashley Brier, Chris Presland.
