Hadlow United Vrs Dormansland Rockets Res.

4th April 2004 (WKSL)

And so to the final game of the season, Dormansland Rockets Reserves away. Cook gave the team a shake up and left Wood and Excell on the bench, with Harvey rested and Leach deputising in goal Hadlow settled into a rythem suprisingly quickly. Donnelly looked a constant threat down the right flank and it was surely just a matter of time until he unlocked the defence until he was cynically chopped down and had to leave the field and was replaced by Wood. Midway through the half Wood played a great ball inside the defence for Race to chase onto and his unselfish cross found Phil Betts sliding into bundle the ball over the line.

Hadlow continued to push but Dormansland came close twice once with a volley that cannoned off the top of the crossbar and another that was blasted high and wide.

After the break Cook introduced Excell on for Phil Betts who had struck up a good partnership with Race. Within five nutes Bridges had fed Wood and his cross was met by a diving header from the unmarked Excell and it crept into the bottom corner to give United daylight.

Dormansland pulled one back before Cook brought himself on in goal and Leach came on for Walsh.

United regained the two goal lead when Goldsmith neatly controlled a cross on his chest and rammed home a volley from 20 yards, Excell missed a glorious chance to extend the lead even further after being put clean though he could have squared to Race but selfishly chose to shoot and the keeper pushed his effort around the post.

Goldsmith who, had a great game in the centre of midfield and also linked up well down the flank when Leach came out of goal, it was his ball that put Excell through and after taking the ball wide back heeled for the onrushing Race and his finish showed great composure.

Dormansland did pull another one back with a tasty volley that gave Cook no chance before Goldsmith again split the defence with a killer pass to Excell and this time, one on one, made no mistake.

United could have had six after Leach and Goldsmith combined down the right and pulled a cross to the back stick where Wood leapt like a salmon and finished like a trout with no eyes.  Miss of the season....... you bet ya!

The defence looked solid, but with the departure of Shimell inevitable in the summer the right back slot is up for grabs in a very well marshalled back four. United established themselves well after a two division leap and must look to push on from there next season.

Team: Leach, Shimell, M.Betts, Carlton, Bridges, Walsh (Cook), Cooper, Donnelly (Wood), Goldsmith (1), Race, P.Betts (1) (Excell (2)