NEVER IN DOW(T)

If the Old Trafford faithful are staying away and boo'ing LVG for their lack of attacking play, then they are more than welcome at BOE 2's matches, one thing we are not is boring. A 9 goal thriller in the wind and rain was served up for the watching crowd as we came away from Ashford with a really valuable 3 points. Ball lane is not an easy place to go, it's not like Stamford Bridge, it's hard work, there are no easy wins, the home side always work hard and they had a manager on pitch side. Jose would probably give anything for a 5-4 win these days, or any win for that matter but the 2's have now scored 10 goals in their last 2 outings and it looks like they will continue to score more. Either way, this was a good win and a good performance.

BOE started brightly, there was a real flow to their game, but, we looked a fraction open in defence. That stemmed from the forwards not working hard enough and the midfield and defence being too flat, 2 passes was enough to beat the entire BOE team and, with an overhead pass, Ashford would take the lead. We were caught napping, and allowed the ball through 1 on 1 and the home side were ahead. BOE were not concerned as we had had the best of the play and we're looking dangerous going forward and, with a swift move down the right, Josh Self would find the 'flying Doctor' and, fresh from his early morning rounds at the hospital, Andy Slack would slot the equaliser via the keepers stick, 1-1. The 2nd goal was a thing of beauty, BOE would deservedly take the lead with a slick move that involved several players, including a sublime pass from Henry Baines that found Prem Mawaha, should would use the training ground tactics to locate Edd Thorogood who, in turn, would swivel and smash the ball past the unsuspecting keeper, 2-1 and in control.

However we do like to make thing a bit tough for ourselves and, with half time looming an arrowhead pass forward from Tom Shephard was admired by the midfield and attack but not latched onto. The resulting cut out by Ashford put them towards the D and after a couple of bobbles, the free Ashford forward in the area smashed it home, 2-2 and plenty to do. The half time team talk was fairly simple from the skipper, we were not leaving middle Kent without 3 points and we were not going to surrender the lead again. Safe to say, both were achieved, but not without a few heart stopping moments.

The second half could not have started any better. Withing 30 seconds we had robbed the ball, entered the D and won a short. The short corners were starting to look better, and as we slipped it right to Josh, he was closed down, he gathered the rebound, struck it true, Jake got the goal bound deflection and then just for good measure the Ashford post man smashed it into the back of the net, 3-2. 1 minute later, we would really take charge. Ed Bull and Jake Lamplough had shut down the Ashford right hand side all day, again they combined to set Jake on his way, down the wing and along the base line. He would torment his defender with 3D skills and wizardry before putting the ball on a plate for Thorogood to slot at the far post, 4-2 and totally in control.

BOE continued to attack with wave after wave, you could practically hear the Man U fans chant 'attack, attack, attack!' As another boring day at Old Trafford unfolded. This was great to watch and BOE had the game fully under control, but that was way to boring for Scott Dow, he wanted excitement, a classic, a real ding dong for the fans at the Ashford arena. Having calmly run the ball to the baseline and checked out his options, Scotty thought better of a line ball or a short 5 metre pass inside or a transfer round the back, this was sexy hockey, we were going large. Loaded to the hilt with confidence and panache, the ever reliable Scott attempted the magical, untested diagonal pass from right back to left wing, fair to say it was not one we will be trying again, he knew, we didn't need to say anything, but this moment would have nestled nicely into Titus Brambles top 10 gaffs.

Needless to say we were not done and went straight back up the other end to take a two goal lead again. Archie was put through, he showed awesome pace and skill to round the keeper, his shot was goal bound only to strike a defender on the line. Stroke, and up stepped the coolest man in the house. Tom Shepherd is pretty laid back 100% of the time and he wasted no energy what so ever slotting the ball high into the roof of the net, 5-3 and surly we would hang on from here.

Nope, we were not done, we wanted more excitement and a nervy finish if at all possible. It wasn't just the defence, the Skipper was keen for a good game too as Thorogood reverse flicked the ball wide when it was easier to hit the target. The same culprit would drag a shot wide from the edge of the D and Dr Slack would also rifle the ball past the near post in an effort to really put the game to bed, there was time for another Ashford goal as we slept at the back again and at 5-4 we needed to see the game out. Just to make it extra exciting we decided to concede a short corner after the final whistle. James Craigmyle saw that his net was not breached again and we would emerge victorious.

Attack, attack, attack, that's us, we will score more than you and all that. This was a hugely entertaining game mixed in with some wonderful play, but also some silly stuff, when we get both ends of the pitch in order we will absolutely roast someone, perhaps that's reserved for the Xmas Turkey. This game kept everyone on the edge of their seat, except for Gman, he probably needed to stand up!!!!!!!

Man of the match: Ed Bull (incredible work in defence and irresistible in attack)

2 good
The 2nd goal
Jakes Skill
Sheps flick
Alex's work rate
Slacky coming direct from hospital

2 bad
Ed's green
Scott's pass
Scott nearly killing someone (goal shot to the head)
Edd's miss