Thurnham United 1 Bromley Green 3rds 6 By Dave Homewood
The Kent Cup adventure continues following a brittle but brilliant win over the Maidstone Leaguers at Honey Lane, Otham. The first half was edgy and we held a tenuous 1-0 interval advantage thanks to Jamie Hurst’s free kick. At the break it was clear we were not functioning perfectly with another experimental line-up but I saw no need to panic. Lee McRobert was scythed down in the box and Hurst stepped up to hammer in number two from the penalty spot. But then we did what we usually do and gave a goal away at the other end. Why we still see conceding as the end of the world is beyond me. We need to move on and assert better body language when mistakes are made. I never moan at players for making errors, they don’t do them on purpose, but there is not time in a match for expression of personal angst and woe. Tough, get on with it and win the game! Which we did in admirable fashion.
As usual, we responded as a squad and everyone deserves credit for some terrific football in the last half hour with Mani in unstoppable form. Gradually the goals came and at the end the home team were well and truly stuffed – plus having a player sent off by referee Steve Taylor, who it must be said actually applied commonsense throughout [note Mr Clangerburg].
So Munch grabbed a brace and our tally was completed by Chris Pearson, Aaron Neil, James Sloan and Ewan Stanley. Chris Pearson had his best game for a while but we dug in as a squad today and ended worthy winners. My fellow managers repeatedly emphasise the importance of having a large group of players if we are to be successful, and how right they are. Today was such a good example with 20 minutes to go to have Adam slot in for injured Pedro, Ewan buzzing in midfield and James provide fresh legs up front for the hard working Kieran. All three were excellent and in fact you wouldn’t know we had altered everything around.
Man of the match, it could go to a number [Macca for battling on despite obvious discomfort, Pearson for his fine display, Aaron for always leading by example with his work rate, Mani for touches of sheer brilliance] but I think considering he has had to wait for a proper chance that the accolade goes to Jamie Hurst. Whatever the situation, Munch will die for the Green shirt. That means a lot to me. But as the boys know my ethos is quite simple: we started the season as a squad and we will finish it as a squad … so well done to everyone.
Green: T Moon; P Missing, M Dryland, M Dalby, J Hurst, C Pearson, S Ahmetaj, A Neil, L McRobert, E Awuni, K Hawkins. Subs: J Sloan, E Stanley, A Jeffery, A Possee
