Lost 0-2
MoM: Pete ‘Ratty’ Ratcliffe
DoD: Hendo
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
Having been taken to the cleaners 9-2 by 2nd in the table Holcombe last week we weren’t too optimistic playing League leaders Folkestone however a good shift was put in. Our normal defence were all absent – Barton & Ricketts injured whilst Philpott was ensuring we all had cauliflowers on our dinner tables. However the “new” defence of Dowling, Hurlow, Harris & Aikin the latter normally in the other D along with Pete Ratcliffe as GK did wonders with Aikin saying he had loads more action than normal!
For most of the 1st half it was even with our Christ Church contingent (Cooke, Harris, Coda East, Lomas & Reilly) giving us legs that we don’t normally have. Our midfield gave the opposition a good contest with especially Lucas & Will covering acres of ground. However 5 minutes before half time a dubious goal “off a blue foot” according to the virtual Manager’s brother saw the opposition ahead.
Playing down hill in the 2nd half was quite an advantage for the older Friars and the play was even. However a fierce shot saw Folkestone increase their lead & whilst there was a definite chance for The Friars that was how the score remained.
Pete (see pic) played heroically in goal (& without him there would have been no match) then sped to Marden in 60 minutes to play outfield for his team The Millers. It’s amazing what Treasurers of the Club do to ensure that 12 match fees were thus paid! He deservedly got MoM but Highly Mentioned in Despatches were Lucas and Will for their gazelle-like running and Guy Dowling deserves special mention for being a limpet, closing down their play maker (which made him very crotchety) and man-marking him for the whole game.
Hendo couldn’t drink the IPA beer (which was awful) that was served up so really should be given the DoD award because Friars don’t leave Ale behind.
Down to 8th in the League but having played 3 of the teams at the top of the table in the 2nd half of the season already we can hopefully collect a few points in coming weeks.
Squad: John Aikin, Lucas Coda-East, Will Cook, Guy Dowling, Jamie Harris, Geordie Hayward, Chris Hendy, Brian Hurlow, Tony Jones (C), Harry Lomas, Pete Ratcliffe (GK), Conor Reilly. Manager was AWOL
