Hadlow United Vrs Boxley

21st September 2003 (Kent Sunday Junior Trophy)

United first outing in the Kent trophy saw them matched against Boxley in this preliminary round draw.  The game was very evenly poised with Hadlow's pre-season hangover showing signs of being a distant memory.  After last weeks' morale boosting victory United remained unchanged at the back and welcomed Miles back in goal.  Webb was absent from the first part of this match which allowed Muir and Phil Betts to strike up an understanding in attack.  The midfield quartet again seemed to gel seamlessly and the understanding is improving game by game.  Hadlow were unlucky to have a goal ruled out for off-side after Wood and Muir combined well on the left.

The second half was again a tight affair but as the pitch began to take it's toll gaps began to appear at both ends. Betts was unlucky with a shot that lobbed over the goalkeeper but just wide of the upright.  Halfway through the second half Leach broke down the left and hooked in a great cross which Harvey beat the 'keeper to and United led 1-0.  10 minutes later a corner from Boxley led to a mix-up between Garside and Miles and the ball was tapped home for 1-1.  Webb arrived as our final substitute after racing back from a wedding and gave our attack more purpose, within five minutes of his arrival the Boxley defence were all at seas and when Leach squared for Shimell, who came on for the injured Carlton, he had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

The lead should have been greater when Webb worked himself into a great position, Excell made a 60 yard run to get on the end of his deflected shot and failed to capitalise with Webb in close support.  That mistake was to prove costly as United again couldn't get the ball away from a corner and Boxley bundled the ball home.  The game went to extra time.

Five minutes in Leach was fed by Webb and he turned and struck a shot past the despairing keeper.  The lead was doubled when Excell fed Webb and after running half the length of the pitch he eventually finished and Boxley looked beaten.  The agony was piled on for Boxley when Leach finished with a superb shot into the top corner in the second half of extra time.

If last week's game was the start of a hangover cure then surely this week's was the Alka Seltzer result everyone at Hadlow United were looking for.

Team: Miles, Walsh (Cook), Carlton (Shimell (1)), M.Betts, Wood, Harvey (1), Leach (2), Excell, Garside, P.Betts, Muir (Webb (1))