The Bell Vrs Hadlow United

14th September 2003 (WKSFL)

Jim Cook returned to steady the United ship and found himself between the sticks for the visit to The Bell.  With no regular goalkeeper available Cook rearranged the midfield fomation and put himself in goal, Shimell was also missing as well as the injured Goldsmith and work tied Smith-Foreman.

United started in confident mood and the new midfield quartet found time and space to pop the ball around with ease.  The Bell were stretched and opened up on a regular basis before Betts swung in a great cross from the left for the unmarked Garside to open his account for the season with a bullet header.  The lead was doubled after a pinpoint freekick from Excell found Webb who made no mistake.  The lead was 3-0 at half time when Webb added another after some some great individual skill and he scored at the second attempt.

Hadlow took their foot off the gas in second half but still played the game mainly in The Bell's half.  Webb and Harvey combined down the right and when Harvey supplied a perfect left foot cross Phil Betts was on hand to direct a downward header past the 'keeper for 4-0.  Webb completed his hat-trick half way through the second half and United were well and truly back on track.

Leach was a revelation in his anchor midfield role and was given the freedom to carry the ball at every available oppurtunity.  Wood made a return to team and was faultless at left back with Walsh probing down the right.  The Betts/Carlton pairing at the heart of the defence is also improving with every game they play together.  

The first 3 points of the season and indeed the first clean sheet were very much welcomed by the team who were in bouyant mood after the match. 

Team: Cook, Walsh, Carlton, M.Betts, Wood, Harvey, Leach, Excell, Garside(1) (Muir), P.Betts(1) (Race), Webb (3)