Newenden Nomads 2 - 2 GWHC2S

Newenden Nomads 2 - 2 GWHC2S

Gravesham and Wellcome 2s arrived in Cranbrook fully prepared to face a team they'd heard plenty about but never had an opportunity to play.

Newenden had spent the past few seasons hammering any and all opposition before them, until the previous week where stories of a weather induced nightmare had got around and they lost to Folkestone.

The team recognised a previous defeat could mean we might be on the end of a rebound as Newenden hoped to bounce back. So the overriding message was to be one of being extremely vocal and to be completely focused with urgency. Other than that the team were reminded of the ethos for a passing game.

From the start it was evident Newenden were another level of ability to most of what GW were used to playing against. And yet, as each minute ticked by they would grow into the game with confidence. There were the occasional spells when Newenden seemed to hem the GW defence in but they remained calm, broke out and got rid. There were spells of exciting attacking play from the Gravesham side.

Despite the hard work Newenden managed to breakthrough and via a backstick found the GW backboard.
With the admission from Newenden coming about the backstick everyone was expecting a 16. Except the umpires, who despite protestations would be unmoved from awarding a goal. 1-0, would that allow the floodgates to open?

The goal served to drive GW to work even harder. Up the other end the wizardry of their attack earning a couple of short corners. Stoutly defended by Newenden GW spotted an opportunity to get around their shape by slipping left for Brayden Warner. He in turn lifted a tremendous sweep towards goal, but it hit the net just above the backboard and was disallowed.

Then another chance, great link up from the midfield allowed Vice Captain Si Bradley to find Captain Aaron Elliott in the D who turned away from the defence and got a hit towards goal but it was ably saved by the keeper.

Time before the half time whistle for even more drama. Link up from Oli Atkinson and Zak Rowland preceded a short run by Amit Ubhi who found Elliott for a deflected/sweeping shot at goal, saved, and then a rebound but sadly it went millimetres wide of the post.

Half time, feeling a little aggrieved but positive for getting a result from the game. More of the same but just a little more urgency.

The second half was to be Gravesham and Wellcomes.
Far from settled the possession in the game was being shared by both teams but the Gravesham side feeling more dangerous.
Stu Marnham with a driving run was infringed as he'd entered the Newenden D, but no short corner awarded. Straight up the other end and a short corner was awarded to Newenden. Nobody except the umpires knew why, apparently for a stick tackle. The watching crowd were incensed.

That short corner… would lead to Newendens second goal. Gravesham were furious.

Then, something amazing would happen. Rowland linked up with Owen Excell who was able pass the ball into the corner of the goal, finally beating their incredible keeper. Then moments later Alex Spurgeon linked up with Warner to earn a free hit.
On taking the free hit Warner brought the ball into the D and looked to cross the ball to back post, but on its way the ball deflected up off a Newenden stick and looped over defenders and the keeper landing in the goal 2-2!

Newenden looked destroyed and Gravesham and Wellcome were buoyant. This was it, here to the end most of the threat was now from GW. Eren Basch high on the right and Nav Tung high on the left as the team smelled victory. Excellent linkup from Elliott and Warner would see a chance fall to Warner who swung and missed. Then another from Atkinson finding Elliott in the D who's sweeping effort also got the slightest of deflections from a Newenden stick, which was enough to prevent it finding the top left of the net.

At the final whistle, Newenden were relieved and GWHC were delighted, if not thinking a little “what if?”.

It was without doubt up there as contender for performance of the season. Just the right balance of running and passing, excellent linking up in the final third and an assured defensive display. A marvellous lesson for the youngsters in the team and a confidence the whole team can take into their next games.

Goals scorers Owen Excell and Brayden Warner.
Man of the match Brayden Warner.