WASTEFUL TWO'S FAIL IN FOLKESTONE

After comfortably winning their first game of the season, BOE were confident of coming away from the coast with all 3 points, despite key players Edd Thorogood and Tristan Lacon-Allin being absent. But as it transpired, this wasn't to be their afternoon.

A frantic opening 5 minutes saw both sides start sloppily, giving the ball away cheaply at both ends, as an early penalty corner from the home side was comfortably saved by Nathan Bullens in the Blackheath goal. This seemed to serve as a catalyst for BOE, as the dynamic South African duo of Mike Benson and Tanner Bottomley began to control the game, breaking down Folkestone's attacks and distributing the ball to the forward line. A devastating through-ball from Bertie Page gave Captain Prem Marwaha a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but his reverse-stick effort could only find the side-board. Occasional long-balls from Folkestone troubled the defence, but Benson and youngster Irvine Turner were solid at the back.

However, BOE were soon to fall behind. A well worked short corner routine put Folkestone ahead, but given the possession that they had enjoyed for most of the first half, the 2s were not to be deterred. Richard 'Archie' Archibald came off the substitutes bench and immediately had an impact, dribbling in to the D to win a short corner. Benson stepped up, but was denied by the excellent Folkestone keeper. Good attacking moves from Rob Henderson and Andy Slack saw BOE win 2 more short corners, but despite his best efforts, Benson couldn't find the back of the net; whilst a half chance for Jake Lamplough was saved at point black range. Bullens was forced to make one more save before the break, but the game didn't have the feel of a defeat just yet.

The half time team-talk was mostly positive. Despite being a goal down, and the heavens opening up, there was an optimism about the 2nd half, and surely we had to put a chance away soon.....

The second half saw Bottomley and Benson turn the screw, as Blackheath enjoyed most of the possession. James Clarke was able to venture forward from defense, whilst Joe Allen began to pick the ball up in good positions around the D. Two more short corners were the reward for BOE, but despite trying some passing variations, the goal still wouldn't come. Then, disaster struck. A mazy run from a Folkestone forward beat 3 rather rash challenges and provided another Folkestone player with a tap-in. The game was slipping away, and Blackheath knew it. Archie was sent off under questionable circumstances after giving 'advice' to Jake, and there was a period of intense Folkestone pressure. As the rain hammered down, there were chances for Fowler, Marwaha and Slack, before BOE were gifted another golden opportunity to score. Slack embarked on a trademark run, beating 3 defenders and drawing the keeper from his goal. At this point Fowler arrived at the back post, but despite being 2 yards out and with no one else around him, he put the ball wide of the goal. It just wasn't our day!

At the final whistle the 2s were understandably downbeat but knew that they only had themselves to blame for squandering a number of chances. An early setback to promotion hopes, but at this stage of the season there is still plenty to play for.

Man of the Match: Tanner Bottomley
DOTD: Chris Fowler