JOINT TOP OF THE LEAGUE

Blackheath & Elthamians Highwaymen 2 Ashford Crusaders 1 at Avery Hill

[i](Report by Matt Robinson, posted by Tim Walters).

The Highwaymen opened their league campaign with an exciting victory over visiting Ashford. The 2-1 score line to the home team reversed the result when Ashford visited Avery Hill last season.

The home team had a small squad of 12. Early exchanges had Blackheath on top with Ravi Wickramasuriya prominent in midfield. It was Ravi who set up the early opening goal: a trademark long-pass to the edge of the D, where Matthew Robinson controlled and reverse flicked the ball past the oncoming ‘keeper into the far corner of the goal. So far, so good.

Further chances went just wide with the Ashford ‘keeper using all his nous to avoid conceding any further goals. In defence for the HWM Richard Cleall was prominent and the fullbacks, Chris Barnard and Ed Smyth, had storming games.

A rare defensive lapse midway through the first half saw Ashford equalise: 1-1 at the break.

Half-time saw Ben Wickramasuriya take over from an overworked Tom Conway. Ben made several fine saves in the second half and was deservedly man of the match for his 35 minutes work.

Ashford had more of the second half possession and more short corners. The HWM had further chances from open play but fluffed several short corners. Happily the home team finally conjured up the winning goal on 60 minutes. Another bullet pass from Ravi to Pat Gainey whose reverse stick pass to Sammy Channa was put away nicely. The final score 2-1.

After one game the home team share top spot in the league with five others.

Thanks go to our guest players, Nim and Raj, who both showed all their attacking and defensive skills in midfield.

Man-of-the-match: Ben Wickramasuriya

TEAM: Tom Conway, Ben Wickramasuriya, Chris Barnard, Richard Cleall, Matt Southgate, Ed Smyth, Phil Bunker, Nim Kalsi, Ravi Wickramasuriya, Raj Sphull, Sammy Channa, Pat Gainey and Matthew Robinson.

UMPIRES: Neil Campbell and Paul Whitney – both made sure the game was played in the right spirit.