Gravesham & Wellcome 2s 2 – 1 Newenden Nomads

The home side welcomed league leaders Newenden Nomads off the back of a 2 week break and looking to continue their recent excellent form to play their part in what could be an excellent match.

The league leaders Newenden had only lost one match all season and under apparently spurious circumstances to second placed Folkestone. The previous fixture between these sides had ended 2-2 with Newenden relieved to secure that point.

The Captain stressed the importance of high intensity and urgency for the level that the opposition would be playing at and the need to both keep things simple and earn short corners where possible.
The home side did not disappoint.

Steve Caulfield pulling strings in the middle of the park allowed break aways from forwards Zak Rowland and Captain Aaron Elliott – 6 minutes in with Rowland earning a short corner.
The decided play: Caulfield to drag flick.
…and with players running in he put a beauty of a ball high into the net to give the home side the perfect start.

Newenden were shaken; GW not quite in full control but certainly having the better of things as Jon Booth and Reuben Morphew kept them at bay in the middle and Si Bradley led the clear up at the back. GK Keaton Gates wasn’t having much in the way of shots to save but easily clearing things that did come through.

More attacking play would see the home side extend their lead as Alex Spurgeon muscled his way through and got a shot off, for Rowland to cause them trouble in trying to get the clearance and helping ensure the ball crossed the line. 2-0!

End to end stuff and Rowland was put through for a 1-on-1 situation but the goalkeeper did well and he was unable to convert.
The rain was pouring down and Newenden were struggling to get a foot in the game with some quality play but as they approached the D efforts simply slipping away in the wet.
Then a momentary loss of concentration allowed an opposition attacker to sneak in around the back and deflect a pass/shot that was going wayward into the goal, 2-1. Newenden showing why they were league leaders.

Half time and the team were in good spirits, reflecting on an excellent performance and stressing the importance of focus throughout the second half.

That second half got off as expected – title chasers Newenden on the front foot trying to break down the Gravesham side – but with the occasional scare going up the other end. They were on top at the moment, but not quite dominant. As time went on Gravesham would wrestle with the game to regain some shared control, a couple of short corners going close.

Then a yellow card for Newenden dangerous play as a defender came through elbows raised into the back of youngster Rowland. And with that, the game tipped back very much towards Gravesham.

A couple more chances, a short corner tipped onto the post by Elliott with a few minutes left. And the game ended. Newenden humble in defeat and both teams savouring what had been a brilliant spectacle of a game.

GWHC2s are the only team to have taken 4 points off Newenden.

GWHC2s feeling like they still have an outside chance of promotion and looking forward to travel to Folkestone next week.
Man of the match: Jon Booth.