BRAGGING RIGHTS STAY WHERE THEY ARE

Having beaten them on our home ground earlier in the season, we made the exceedingly short trip to Woodstock Park for the return fixture against Chatham Town hoping to keep the local bragging rights in our pocket. To the amazement of everyone, it was both sunny and dry, though the breeze was enough to ensure plenty of hats and gloves were in evidence. Mind you, the football on show made some spectators ponder about their folly of standing in the cold wind such was its slumbering effect early on. Neither team could string three passes together; neither Chatham nor ourselves could control the ball, and both sides couldn’t keep it on the ground long enough. It was a mess and an insomnia sufferer’s joy.

The only action of any note in the opening twenty minutes was a snap shot from a Town forward that Dannea did well to get a hand to, eventually gathering the loose ball. However, they had a quick tricky centre forward but throughout the game their front line kept running into dead ends as Stephen S, Ryan, Jake and Jamie did their jobs without fuss. The back four may have been working well but, as someone announced to the surprise of all within earshot, “There’s no cohesion” - mainly because we didn't know he knew such big words. And he was correct. There wasn’t much happening between the two lines of defence and a few of our onlookers began to wonder if anything was going to happen. It did, but it wasn’t a goal. Having taken a corner from one side that ran out of puff before reaching the danger zone, William had a chance to redeem himself from the opposite side. How it happened will remain one of football’s mysteries, but to loud guffaws the corner flag ended up going further than the ball.

Hooray! With fifteen minutes to go to the break, we suddenly had something to cheer. Jordan won a challenge on the half way line and played the ball in behind their defence. Ashley latched onto it, drew their ‘keeper and lofted the ball over him. It was going in but Tom got there first to get his name in the paper. Five minutes later, Luke, in his third appearance since returning from a broken ankle, stymied a threat down the right and moved up field, moving the ball into the area. It was cleared as far as Dan lurking eighteen yards out who dispatched it into the far corner. We nearly scored a third when Jason got on the end of a delightful cross from the left but his jumping volley went inches over.

The two-nil score at half time may have warmed the away contingent but they were rubbing their hands together when we added to our tally shortly after the turnaround. Luke gained possession and fed William. The latter sent Ashley on his way and after carrying the ball into the Chatham penalty area, he gave the opposing goalie no chance with his finish. Three up and we were looking comfortable until an opponent tried his luck from twenty-five yards to give the home side a glimmer of hope. They then began to get more into the game and Dannea got down well as a red shirted player broke free to shoot across the goal. On as a substitute, Liam tricked his way past a couple of challenges allowing Tom to take over; unfortunately his left foot shot drifted the wrong side of a post. Both Jason and Jordan then had their rear guard worried only to have any concerns alleviated as they both shot wide of the target.

Stephen S thwarted their most dangerous player with a well-timed tackle as he neared our own danger zone and Nathan did likewise when he shepherded the Town right-winger into a corner where he came away with the ball. Though they got as far to the edge of our box a number of times, Ryan, Nathan, Jamie and Jake stood firm to ensure they proceeded no further. The times they had a sight of goal, the chances were wasted and the ball had to be retrieved from the trees. To settle things, Liam and Dan combined well and Ashley raced through to give us the points, leaving a defender sprawling with an old-fashioned shoulder charge. With the game safe, Stephen M came on for a five-minute cameo whilst Oliver played no part in the match as he was injured. As he is a member of the squad, his name appears in this report.

Due to other results, the three points meant we remained in third place but are still handily placed for our best ever Kent League finish. It also means the boys’ have no need to be embarrassed when meeting today’s adversaries in school.

Naughty Step
After a record breaking sixteen consecutive weeks on the ‘Step’, Kerry is to be allowed to get her coat and leave - but only because it’s her birthday. (In return for a large slice of cake, the Committee has agreed to keep the year in question secret.)

Comparison
2008/09 Chatham Town 0-3 Real 60
2007/08 Chatham Town 1-2 Real 60

2009/10 P12 W7 D2 L3 GF48 GA22 GD26 Pts23 Pos3/13
2008/09 P12 W9 D1 L2 GF42 GA16 GD26 Pts28 Pos2/12
2007-08 P12 W5 D2 L5 GF26 GA28 GD-2 Pts17 Pos5/11