Scorer: Fletcher.
Just like the Old Es game: a promising first half – AP 1-0 ahead – followed by capitulation in the second. Conceding five was cruel on Scott Kendall who was awesome in goal and AP’s MOM. He had no chance with any of the goals and Lloyds’ last was with the last kick of the game, a lucky tap in.
The bare 11 turned up at Kent CCC: an improvement on last time, but disappointing when you consider we originally had 17 before cry-offs kicked in. I contacted 15 players off the reserve list but only 2-3 responded – all negatively. However, Rob Blade used his noddle to get a game, so well done him. The first half was a belter: end to end stuff with both sides creating chances right from the off. AP in a 4-5-1 formation looked good and knocked the ball around with confidence. The back four was organised, Blade and Coward worked hard in midfield, Reece Kendall was a bag of tricks on the right wing, Fletch was busy up top and Scott made some cracking saves to keep Lloyds out.
After 20 minutes we scored. Darren touched an indirect free kick to Fletch and from 25 yards he pinged a shot over the wall into the top left corner. Great goal. From another inviting Reece cross Fletch headed wide. 2-0 and we would have been in control. Fletch then got injured and was a passenger for the remainder of the half.
After the break, the home team stepped it up and we struggled to contain them. They were stronger than the last time we played them and their new additions made a difference. Lloyds equalised after an hour from an AP mistake then the flood gates opened. Our midfield lost a grip on the game and they scored some good goals to go 4-1 up. Back came AP but Darren and Mounir missed the target inside the six yard box. Despite the result, this was a good game played in the right spirit. Apart from Scott, Norman Alcide and Asim Kashmiri were excellent again.
AP: S. Kendall, Ellacott, Alcide, Bagley, Kashmiri, R. Kendall, Coward, Blade, Fletcher, Tullett, Mounir. Subs: None!
