Hadlow United Vrs Imperial

5th December 2004 (WKSL)

After a week off Hadlow travelled to Tonbridge Farm to play Imperial who had yet to earn a point in the league and the gulf in class was evident from the beginning with Hadlow racing into a 4-0 lead in the first 20 minutes.

The first three goals came from right wing crosses by Webb and were finished by Grundy (on his first start), Leach and Wood. Grundy added his second after a fine run by Leach to make it 4 and the game was effectively over. Imperial then had a spell where they had a few chances created by long balls over the Hadlow defence but with Cooper's pace now at the back these did not cause too much concern. Webb scored after Grundy's unselfish cross to make the half-time score 5-0.

Early in the second-half Grundy completed his hat-trick from a great Harvey free-kick, this enabled Cook to rest Wood and Excell who had worked tirelessly in midfield, Excell having just been on the receiving end of two aggressive fouls after a good pieces of skill. Hadlow also adjusted their formation to 3-5-2 in bringing on Phil Betts and Garside, this together with the non-competitive nature of the scoreline, lead to Hadlow not firing on all cylinders for the remaining 30 minutes but there were still some more goals in the game. Harvey scored from close range from a Leach in swinging corner before Grundy and Garside wasted opportunities. On the few occasions when Imperial did attack Walsh and Matt Betts, who was having by far his best game of the season, swept up the danger. Bridges was enjoying his greater license to attack from left wing-back but it was Phil Betts from the other flank who created the final goal of the match as a result of his now trademark tenaciousness before crossing for Webb to score from 8 yards.

Team: Cook, Walsh, Cooper, M. Betts, Bridges, Harvey (1), Excell (Garside), Leach (1), Wood (1) (P. Betts), Grundy (3), Webb (2)