Crash, Bang, Wallop!!!

It was a beautifully serene drive to Folkestone. Although slightly late on departure and minus one (lost in Cardiff after rugby) we were looking good. Then came "Operation Stack" taking us off the M20 at junction 11 over the roundabout and back on again !!! During this stop start traffic the car behind failed to use his brakes and "CRASH" the captain was the middle of a three car stack. Pleasantries exchanged we were on our way again with the only problem being how to extract the goalie kit from the now inoperable boot !!!

We were warming up only a few minutes late but observed the Folkestone team doing some well-executed drills with balls rattling the net, posts and crossbars!! A slightly nervy team talk ensued

When the game started it was obvious immediately that it was going to be an epic battle. The ball was been moved swiftly from side to side relentlessly by both teams with Folkestone probably having the better of the first 15 minutes, but then came the breakthrough: "BANG" the ball was in the back of the net and BOE were 1-0 UP, Andy C slotting home neatly between the keepers legs. But from the pushback it was classic foot off the gas, a loss of concentration, a mix-up between the centre-backs and it was all level again with the ball literally creeping across the line.
The rest of the first half played out the same with relentless battles across the field.

By the start of the second half all doubt was gone and we knew we could win. Folkestone started flagging but the Fives just kept on running and fighting for every ball. Reward came when Dan received a long ball after a fine run, took it into the right hand edge of the D, drew the keeper and a defender then slipped the ball to the captain who started the day as it begun "WALLOP!" 2-1 BOE. The last fifteen was the same battle with the Fives retaining the upper hand, but nerves were frayed with a short corner with minutes to go. Young Tom (who had already made some fantastic saves) pulled out a blinder.!! Waist high he seemed to catch it in his stick, bounce it and calmly slap it out!!! Much back-slapping ensued !!

So we finished the victors with the whole squad putting in a mammoth shift. Everyone agreed that in terms of commitment, sweat and guts this was the most fantastic game anyone had taken part in. Man of the match was thought to be all but in the end we forced a vote and it was a two horse race, with Tom narrowly losing out to Ben.

Not only did we live up to the club motto but we created a new one

Be Proud.....Be Worthy....... And ultimately...... Be a Five !!!!!!

Fantastic effort all

Match Report by Paul Whitney