Drew 1-1
Scorers: Spencer Smith
MoM: Andrew Dunn
DoD: Aaron Hudson
With thanks to team sponsor M2 http://www.fluidity.uk.com
The Men’s 2s arrived in Caterham a little undercooked from their last two performances. In the return since Christmas the 2s are yet to get into fifth gear, but have managed to remain competitive despite remaining in third gear.
An enthusiastic team talk from Dunny, backed up by some wise words from self elected vice captain, Luke, allowed for the 2s to have a buoyant start to the first half. A compact defensive performance kept Canterbury in the game. Oxted had the better of the possession, but Canterbury remained calm and pragmatic. Some what against the grain of play, but no less deserved, Canterbury took the lead through Spenny. Michael Farrer rolled back the years with some fancy footwork along the Oxted baseline, before pulling the ball back to Spencer Smith, who found himself with time and space to slot the ball in the net with a cool first time finish.
The first half finished with dismay and confusion, as the glimpses of what ended up being one of the most bizarre (shocking) umpiring performances began to unfold. Oxted were awarded a PC after an Oxted player had played a through ball off his laces. Dunny expertly saved the ball off the line from the resulting corner only for it to be pulled back for a rewarded corner due to an OXTED infringement……you tell me?! The rearward was converted by Oxted making the half time scoreline 1-1.
The second half saw Canterbury absorb much of the same pressure incredibly well, limiting Oxted to half chances. This was made all the more difficult with a number of Canterbury players finding themselves having to sit on the sideline as a result of cards. The most hard done by of them all was notably give to Aaron ‘Messi’ Hudson. The now out of control umpire (who’s was fortunately being assessed) deemed his footwork to be deliberate brandishing a green card. After 20 seconds of bemusement and not a word from Hudson (very rare), the green was upgrade to a yellow. Bizarre.
The second half continued with Canterbury defending and frustrating Oxted well, as well as both teams close to tears wishing that they’d self officiated. None the less, there was still time for Canterbury to snatch the game. An overhead from Hudson located Farrer 1v1 on the Oxted 25. His first touch eliminated the defender with ease, leaving him now 1v1 with the goalkeeper. In the last minute of the game, would Farrer take it around the keeper, left, right, slip to Spenny, no! He opted for the nutmeg that failed miserably. Keeper saves. End of game. Final result 1-1.
On the journey home the team reflected that it was a valuable point on the road. Farrer still asking the question of “why didn’t I go around the keeper”, and the readers wondering why it isn’t Faz writing this report.
Come and support the 2s next weekend at home to Sevenoaks.