DRAW AT DAWN AS DEFENCE DIG DEEP

A curse upon the house of the fixture secretary Cleall for agreeing a 10a.m pushback at Sevenoaks.

Cold on the road, in the raw cold of that leaden crisis in the four and twenty hours when the vital force of all the noblest and prettiest things that live is at its weakest, BOE Heathens set out stoically.

For despite the early alarm call we appeared free of the expected somnambulant contingent and set to work with an admirable determined vigour. Timely arrival morphed seamlessly into timely and efficient warm up, a testament to absent Lewis D’s efforts throughout the week and present Lewis J the elder’s selfless leadership on the day, foregoing the chance to play in a bid to rally and organise his charges.

The Heathens must be commended for a prodigious defensive effort. Playing a team that have conceded few and scored many the tactics were Mourinhoesque in their cunning and Wellingtonian in their application.

Alas the goal that would serve to ameliorate the tension was not forthcoming.

At times we looked capable of tearing the opposition apart, at others our forward line fell into desuetude but with stertorous respiration, heavy legged and laboured hearts we soldiered on, dealing admirably with the vicissitudes of the umpiring… err, I mean the game.

Our thanks and appreciation to Seneka for, yet again, umpiring our match. His decision to keep all 11 opposition players on the pitch despite a deliberate overhead take down of a ball that would have released a BOE player on goal and to repeat the process again after a BOE player was taken out by the last defender meant the contest stayed even and was probably a better match for it. He was consistent, even handed and remains a beacon of fair play and a symbol of the BOE club ethic.

Our frustrations should be outweighed by the positives. For any kids out there reading this, clean sheets are not just something your mum nags you to put on your bed they are also something you should be striving for on a Saturday afternoon.

A smattering of Person of the Match (this is 2014 after all) nominations were deservedly spread evenly amongst the back 4 of Brett M, Stu M, Goldie (Jnr) & Tom C. Keeper Sam Hannon scooped the award however for an assured performance and a series of fine saves matched only by the opposition keeper. Credit must also go to the midfield who ably assisted the defence in their disciplined display ensuring the Heathens did not succumb to the frailties that were so in evidence elsewhere in the club this weekend.