The Tide Turns

With an 11.00am push back in Folkestone the fives took to the the road late on thursday night to get there early to warm up !!!!!
Captains orders !!
We looked ready
A professional warm up
Short routines practiced
Here we go.

As usual though, Folkestone always field a strong side, and from the off this was going to be a tough game, for both teams. Folkestone had some good, canny playmakers, who knew exactly hoe to play the game, on and off the ball with subtle elbows and nudges and good quality stickwork. The fiesty fives matched play for play and were unlucky to hit half time 1-0 down after a Folkestone breakaway ended with a bobbled shot catching out logan and bouncing into the net.

Apart from that our poor keeper was left standing around in the cold whilst we went about our business. he probably had to make only three or four saves during the rest of the match.

So we reach half time.
Lets rally the troops.
"They are a good team. But I feel on balance that they are not a match for our superior skill and desire. All things considered I am optimistic that we can gain the upper hand and finish this game the victors"
Ok, that isn't what was said.
"They are a good team but they are not as **$£*** good as us !!!!"
That's what might have been said

Anyway the tide turned. The fives came out of the blocks like raging tigers!!
Folkestone pushed back, defenders asleep, Dan Ridge pounced and the fives almost scored the quickest goal after a re start in history !!
And the scene was set
The fiesty fives were relentless. Intensity and passion back where it should be, Folkestone were swamped and had nothing. Play after play, attack after attack. A goal was imminent. The fives get a short, a well drilled play and the ball clearly hits a defender on the shin, smack in front of the goal. Blackheath arms go up. Folkestone players stop dead knowing it is a short. The umpire was in a bad position and said "I couldnt see anythin". But wait, the captains mobile is ringing on the touchline. he runs over to take the call.
"It's the BBHC umpire in Erith" he calls out.
"he says he saw a foot !!!"
"Sorry says the umpire, i cant see anything"
But meanwhile one player keeps his cool. He takes a long, slow wind up. Keeps his eye on the ball. Gracefully pulls down, using shoulder and hips. Smack, a beautiful connection. Boom the backboard rattles. Young Josh buries the equaliser. Game on. well played young sir !!

And the fiesty fives continued. Relentless pressure. We had 0ne sub, they had seventeen but you would have said it was the other way around. By the end of the game Folkestone were out on their feet, murdered by us - their words. Sadly however our immense pressure couldn't lead to any more goals and we left the field with a 1-1 draw, but elated with our second half performance.

Thanks to Folkestone for providing great opposition for a great match. A big thanks for the two umpires who did a sterling job. We stocked up on food and prepared for the four day journey home !!!

Lets take this intensity and passion forward. Still plenty to play for

MOM - josh - again !!!!!