Won 3-1
Scorers: Goodman, Anderson, M Boydell
MoM: M Anderson
DoD: S Goodman
With thanks to team sponsor MPil http://www.ideaworks.co.uk
The Pilgrims returned refreshed and rejuvenated from the half term international break. Unbeaten in four games and charging up the league in the search of the sanctity that comes with mid table mediocrity. The next test would be the second installment of this seasons battle of the A28 with local rivals Ashford, who lay in wait at Ball lane. Pilgrims didn’t have a bad side despite some notable absentees including their steadfast Captain Simon Buckingham who had got a call up to the big time and was playing for the 2’s.
Despite losing the toss, Grims started fairly well, with some short sharp passing and some good circle penetrations, eventually taking the lead through a lovely counter attack. Christian Kortlang providing a splendid cross to stand in captain Goodman who after a 1-2 with the post eventually scooped it home. Goodys at the wheel ! 1-0 going into the break.
The second half began with the Pilgrims weekly unexplained ‘funny five minutes.’ i dont think peak Attenborough could explain this natural phenomenon. Why this happens, what causes it or find a cure. It basically manifests itself as period of time when everyone playing for the pilgrims plays like they’ve never held a hockey stick before. The ramifications of this is usually the conceding of one or more goals. In Ashford’s case it was one. They equalized with one of their consistent speculative crash balls into the D reaching it’s intended target. They nearly scored again from a Penalty corner, which the flicker whistled just wide of the post, to a collective OOOOOHHH from the Ashford faithful watching on.
This near miss seemed to wake the Grims up from their trip and they started playing again. Stringing passes together, getting the ball into dangerous areas, winning penalty corners. One of these penalty corners was emphatically dispatched by Anderson nick named Coops or Coombesy ? Very confusing. It probably saved him from being DOD, having arrived an hour early and yet still being late for the meet time.
Grims pressed on and with the game careering to a close Miles Boydell took centre stage showing wisdom beyond his years to quietly and coldly add to his goal tally this season with a back post finish. Final score 3-1 Grims.
Post match there was back slapping, hand shakes and three cheers for the oppo. Ben Hare was heard saying, ‘that was actually quite enjoyable’ Simon rang soon after to hear the good news and we all tucked into sausage chips and beans.