“Remember Deal” was the warning from the Captain as the team prepared to get back to winning against a visiting Tunbridge Wells side who were propping up the league table. Aggrieved at the result the previous week the home side were keen to shake that off and avoid “doing a Maidstone” who had seen the wheels come off their league campaign in recent weeks.
From the outset the warnings appeared completely justified as the Gravesham side dealt with heavy pressure led by the impressive T-Wells 93 being the pivot man in the middle. Immediately before the start whistle the danger had been spotted – “keep an eye on him” was the call to the blockers – he kind of had that look about him.
In and around 93 T-Wells had one or two other guys who seemed handy on the ball and a youngster up-front who had skill and ability well beyond his years. Much of the unwelcome pressure would come down the home sides right giving Eren Basch a particularly hard time in what felt like an unrelenting opening 15 minutes. Only the occasional break away would see GW threaten up the other end but it would only lead to stretched half-chances too awkward to do much with.
Andy “Simmo” Simpson chasing one of those hopeful balls would touch it on and try to beat the defender but was penalised for his attempt to get around somebody who looked half his age – and he saw a green card for his troubles.
Rich Atwood and Nav Tung worked hard to shut out the route to goal with Dan Stapley performing well in goal to eject anything that did make it through. Despite the efforts a couple of short corners were awarded to Tunbridge Wells and one landed tantalisingly for 93 to take aim at goal – but he somehow sent it wide of the far side netting!
On the sideline Tom Simcock must have waited 20 minutes before coming on – such was the difficulty in recognising who might be a good candidate to bring off. The game was delicately poised and he didn’t want to upset that balance.
A couple of chances would fall to GWHC through both Steve Caulfield and excellent work from Chris “Cheesy” Owen but each time they thought they’d broken through the keeper was excellent in response.
Half time and at 0-0 the team felt optimistic that having held on to the early pressure this game was now theirs for the taking.
Captain Aaron Elliott had some words of encouragement to try to change the psychology of his players. “We look scared, we need to push forward and trust each other, we need to be more observant and more aware of where each other are. Get a handle of the game in the middle (where the only danger is 93) and we will find attacking chances becoming far easier.”
Where the team were used to one-touch interplay from their middle 3 – number 93 was hovering and seemed to be picking all these balls off them.
In the second half – something changed. Caulfield went in as second blocker with Tom Simcock the ACM – and suddenly it was like they’d found the formula to win. Caulfield with the skill and vision to intercept and spread the play from the rear and Simcock set loose like an attack dog – getting in their faces and forcing the play into the T-Wells half.
Enjoying a personal duel, Caulfield from inside the Gravesham half wrestled the ball from 93 before launching an aerial for the ever-dangerous Simmo to chase – taking out 3 players with another 2 still to beat. Spotting Elliott running he put in a defence splitting pass that also took out the early advancing goalkeeper and left the Captain with an open goal to tap-in. Having been one-touch hockey up to that moment he knew the importance of this goal and visibly took 2 touches to set himself before making sure just before the defenders arrived rushing back in desperation.
It was a hammer blow to the visiting team and the Gravesham side never really looked in danger there after. Jon Booth and Si Bradley taking turns to block out anything T-Wells had to offer before Bradley slotted in at right-back for the final 10 minutes as Basch had to leave the field for his Saturday job.
Jesse “Duracell” Bradley managed to play the entire 70 minutes causing havoc down the Gravesham left while double-teaming at the back with Tung when any hint of danger came up. Ollie Simpson put in some of the best work rate he has shown this season and was instrumental in one or two further chances coming GWs way – one or two for Caulfield and Simcock but unable to breach the top-quality goalkeeper.
The game would end 1-0 and for the victors it was summarised later as being one of their best performances of the season. They withstood early pressure, figured out what they needed to do to win, made the win happen, and then managed the game towards the end.
Bottom of the league? Not with that goalkeeper and 93. But thank you, Tunbridge Wells, for giving GWHC a thoroughly enjoyable, character building, challenge. Now a Christmas break before a similar challenge awaits – a much-improved Canterbury!
Man of the match: Vice Captain Si Bradley