GWHC2s 1 – 0 Old Willie’s

After the previous season’s ‘promotion-fight’ this game was going to be a bit of a grudge match. From the start Old Williamsonians were strong and experienced throughout, just as predicted and the game was a hard contest to get to grips with in the early stages.

To make things more difficult, both teams were suffering from poor passing that meant possession for either team was awkward to maintain and the rhythm of the game struggled to get going.

Early pressure from GWs was unable to produce any meaningful chances aside from a couple of short corners that went unusually wayward. Up the other end Old Willie’s mustered a cracking effort at goal that will go down as a contender for save of the season. A lifted ball towards the far net had goalkeeper Keaton “Massimo” Gates diving last moment with his right arm bent behind him to prevent the ball crossing the line and force it wide. The save drew gasps from players and spectators alike from what looked a cert goal.

At half time the team rallied for the improvements they knew could come and indicated they expected the older players in the Old Willie’s team meant they would probably tire as the game went on – the Gravesham side would simply need to maintain the pressure.

As the second half progressed this proved to be the case as the away side began to set out almost for counter-attacking hockey, having most players behind the ball with just 2 youngsters left high at all times. This played into GWs hands with their defence led by man-of-the-match Richard Atwood and supported ably by Nav Tung and Eren Basch (who would get equal votes for man-of-the-match) superbly dealing with things. Try as they might though the deadlock was proving hard to break with one save nearly (but not quite) as good as Gates’s earlier in the match from what looked like a certain goal by Captain Aaron Elliott.

The game was heating up as Old Willie’s had a player sin-binned for knocking the ball away at a whistle to prevent an attack. Short corners started to come in but each time the Gravesham side would have different players on the pitch and regular routines were hard to muster. The Captain asked for the far-post deflection which was on but a couple of attempts would either go too close to goal or behind the runner.

Then we had a break-through.
Amit Ubhi causing a nuisance in the middle of the park would earn a short corner for one of the oppositions ‘dodgy’ challenges. With Stu Marnham and Alex Spurgeon off the pitch in the moment it was left to Vice-Captain Si Bradley to step up and make that pass. A sweet ball perfectly placed was expertly dispatched across the goal to the backpost for the Captain to direct home, hitting a defenders body on the line and spinning into the goal. Less than 2 minutes to go – game over?

Winning the ball back from the restart GWs took the ball to the side in an effort to wind the clock down, and the final whistle went. It was a hard-fought win and a true measure of the team’s perseverance and determination to get a result when not quite playing at their best.

Man of the match: Richard Atwood
Goalscorer: Aaron Elliott