Lost 4 – 3
Scorers: Andrew Hurst, Stewart Kier x 2
MoM: Brad Brown-Lee
DoD: Freddie McMullan
With thanks to team sponsor MPil http://www.ideaworks.co.uk
Coming off the back of a tough defeat against Ashford 1s, the boys were raring to go and get back at Folkestone, setting the score straight following a 4 – 2 loss to them in the first half of the season. Pre-game it was all looking promising, with (most of) the team turning up on time to cheer on the ladies 2s. Following some disarray in the changing rooms with Hursty struggling to find his beloved no.10 shirt, we strode out onto the pitch with the sun heavily beating down on us.
Coming out from the team huddle, a new formation arose, seeing Stewie Kier move from his pivotal role at CM to start off as our CB. Despite this, Folkestone started off strongly, scoring 2 goals within the first 5 minutes. Acting as a wake up call, the grims finally started creating more chances, with a backhand from Kier rippling into the roof of the net from a broken down short corner. Then finally we started to settle into the game, keeping it quiet for most of the half until a lapse from the defence saw Folkestone go up 3 – 1 just before half time.
Determined not to give up that easily, we started the second half strong with a goal from Hursty putting us back in the game. Following a few controversial decisions from the umpires, the game began to get heated, with cards being handed out to both teams. With only 10 on the pitch, Canterbury were put under pressure from the Folkestone forwards, who eventually made it 4 – 2. Not wanting the game to finish like the previous one, we pushed through and Freddie McMullan won a short corner, despite an attempted slide tackle from the Folkestone midfielder. The pressure was on, a goal from this short corner would put the grims back in the game, and of course, Stewie Kier delivered with a drag flick sliding into the bottom left corner. A tense final 5 minutes followed, with Simon Downes having his goal disallowed due to a pre-emptive whistle from the umpire and a shot stopped on the line by Olly Curtiss.
Finally, when the game ended Folkestone came out victorious, another disappointing loss for the grims who look to get back to winning ways at Gore Court next week.
MOM awarded to Brad for some great double saves throughout the game and DOD to Freddie McMullan for letting the ball roll off his stick (amongst other things).