Promising Signs

2-2, away at Burnt Ash, who started with a fast passing game, threatening us from the start. BOE soon got going with some solid attacking play. We continued like this for the rest of the half, with both sides not really getting any convincing shots on goal. 0-0 at half time.

First goal came from a long corner, when Paul W spotted James F running in from defence, who then slapped it onto Andy Cooke, who dribbled it through the circle. Credit to Andy for not rushing it, but coolly and calmly waiting for the right moment and then lifting it over the keeper, who for some reason was on the ground. Burnt Ash then scored by running through our entire midfield who (from the backs' perspective) stood and watched the performance.

Second goal was to Charlie after one of us (Andy?) smashed the ball into the D on an angle and Charlie deflected it in, with some assistance from Dan.

It looked like BOE had the game all wrapped up and we slowed down a bit. But Burnt Ash got the ball into the circle, and James F managed to kick it. The short corner was all set, our first runner came out and the ball blatantly hit the attacker's foot at the top of the circle, some of us slipped up by relaxing, thinking it must be a free hit to us, but Burnt Ash went on and scored. That left the game equal.

Overall it was a positive performance, with an undermanned squad, against a team in a higher division (and they finished mid-table last year). It looked promising for the coming season, but with plenty of obvious improvements needed.

Thanks to Sam Hannon ("I play goalie and striker") and James Goldsmith Jnr for both putting in solid performances after a match earlier in the day. Thanks to Joni for umpiring a half, and providing a whistle that works. And thanks to Jamie and the jet-setting Toby for volunteering to umpire the next friendly. Man of the Match to Fenno, who did excellent work with Tom and the other defenders by saving us against so many attacks, and preventing what would have been goals, and superb all-round idol-like tackling and sensible and thoughtful play. Burnt Ash were gracious, polite, and a pleasure to play against.