Hadlow United Vrs QED

2nd January 2005 (WKSL)

Hadlow visited QED for their first game of 2005 to face an improved team from the one beaten 10-1 earlier in the campaign. Right from the start QED were a physical side, as they were in the previous encounter, Excell taking a heavy knock to the knee in the first 10 minutes that resulted in him and Harvey swapping places. With the low sun in Hadlow's faces and the sticky pitch the first half was quite bitty with few pieces of controlled possession by either side. QED were demonstrating why their results have improved on occasions playing some good stuff but rarely breaking the Hadlow rearguard, with Cooper marking their danger man tightly. With little quality play Hadlow were perhaps fortunate to take the lead after 35 minutes when an attempted pass by Webb to Harvey ended up bouncing and causing the keeper sufficient problems so that he could only parry the ball to Grundy to score easily from close range. This settled Hadlow down and their football improved for the remainder of the half with QED becoming increasingly frustrated and resorting to long balls.

The second half was a completely different story with Hadlow able to play better football now they could see! In the first few minutes Excell and Grundy went close before Wood chased a ball down the left and crossed it just before it went out of play to be met by Grundy at the back post with a header. Hadlow mobbed Wood in recognition of his persistence. Phil Betts replaced Excell whose performance had been hampered by his earlier knock and with Hadlow in complete control proceeded to score 2 goals. His first coming from another left wing knock back, this time by Webb, and his second courtesy of another Wood assist. Hadlow's defence were rarely troubled and were guarded by Leach and Harvey who improved on their first half displays. Harvey was replaced by Magic with Grundy switching to centre midfield. QED were now becoming increasingly desperate in their challenges and after a few sighters from long range free-kicks Cooper scored from a 30 yard shot that the keeper should have perhaps done better with. This was just reward for an imperious display by young Cooper. Walsh took a knock and, with no remaining subs, swapped with Webb to go up front. This enabled him to complete the scoring after good work by Magic down the right and the final score was 6-0.

Overall a very encouraging performance by Hadlow. It is now 3 and a half games since they conceded a goal and the whole team is working hard when not in possession though Cooper's performance this week did stand out. Hadlow are also causing more problems out wide now with Wood in good form and Magic and Phil Betts being unleashed from the bench.

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