Against Old Vardenians in our first game of the season, the fact everyone was buzzing and up for the game was one of the key factors in us winning. However, similarly to last week against Buxted, it seemed that as a squad we were lacking motivation prior to the game, and this meant we struggled to get out the blocks quickly against a decent Horsted Keynes side. It may have been the distraction of Jody modelling one of our plush new warm-up tops, or it may just need something like a recall for today’s absentee (and resident piece of tiger-bread) – Mrs Ivey – to make sure everyone’s blood is pumping before the game, but I think we need to try and replicate the pre-match atmosphere we had against Old Vardenians every game in order to get the most out of this season.
We were the weaker side in the first 15 or so minutes but began to come back into the game as the half wore on. We were on top, and warranted out first goal when we got it, as George spread the play to Will, who linked up with Noles before Lusky thumped a rebound into the top corner. We defended a few corners well before the half and would’ve taken a deserved 1-0 lead in at the break, had Nolan not gifted Horsted Keynes a penalty with a ghastly, career-threatening lunge just inside the area. Despite Chris employing an innovative slide-tackle save attempt, the penalty was converted and after 45 we went in level.
After a chat at half-time, we managed to smooth a few kinks in our game from the first half and it started to come together early in the second half as we began to dominate. We took the lead when George pinged another cross-field ball, this time to Lusky, who advanced on goal, before executing a delicate chip over the keeper into the far bottom corner. Shortly afterwards, Ben Lusk 2 became Ben Lusk 3 as he beat a defender before rolling the ball into the far bottom corner. Before he could become Ben Lusk 4, a clash of heads sent Ben off to the hospital to get glued up. He was obviously feeling groggy later on as he assured Bert on the phone that his second goal WASN’T actually just a sliced cross... Nolesy also got on the score sheet with a downward header from a corner not long after Lusky's 3rd, putting us 4-1 up. Job done.
Well not quite… As we did against OV’s, we chivalrously gave the opposition a goal back 30 seconds after the restart inviting them back into the game. 5 minutes later, a header from a corner and it was 4-3 with all still to play for. We fought back once more, and Nolesy nodded his second header of the match home after a flick on by Shorty to restore a 2 goal margin.
We still had time to concede one more and set up a nervous last 5 minutes before we came away with the 3 points, but it was a reasonably good performance on the whole. If we can sharpen up in the first 15 and final 20 minutes, getting 3 points each week is going to become as commonplace as someone taking the piss out of Holman’s haircut.
Finally, congratulations to Dave Sarling on his marriage, and in all fairness Lusky, quality goal.
MoM goes to Lusky for a great hat-trick performance, get bandaged up and fit again for next week! Come on the Town! |
