Bromley and Beckenham vs Hampstead (2-7)
Depleted but not Defeated!
The build up to this match accurately resembled the current economic state of affairs. Loads of uncertainty, the failure of some keystone players to stand up and be counted and generally complete and utter chaos.
Eventually we scrambled a side together with the help of a student, a Scotsman and a British chap with a French name. Although this fixture has been our bogey fixture for the best part of 3 years we did annihilate them at home this season with a 13-0 destruction. Let's be honest, a loss like that would leave even the strongest with suicidal tendencies. However we weren't going to underestimate their desire for some form of revenge.
Having found our way to one of the most depressing and desolate places in suburbial London, LSR took us through an exceptionally strenuous warmup... and so with adrenaline pumping we started the game.
We immediately exerted pressure on the oppositions defense but could not find a way through. This usually leads to the odd counter attack... 1-0 B&B.
Nevertheless it was clear from the first quarter of the match that Hampstead were the stronger side with an all international midfield. The pressure soon told and we pulled level. Not long after that we took the lead through some beautiful interchanges and everything was pointing to another demolition. However, a lack of communication on a dead ball situation just outside the D brought Bromley back on terms before half time.
GD's presence at the half time huddle was inspirational. We all had a good look at his pinkie and immediately knew that we had to win this game for the little fella. Bromley were doomed. With a common goal Hampstead took their opposition appart in the second half. Within 5 minutes of the restart it was 3-2 to the visitors. This demanded B&B press forward for an equaliser and in turn opened up spaces for the midfield wonder trio to exploit the Bromley back lines. Running downhill on a flatter pitch than the one in Barbados Hampstead scored 5 unanswered second half goals and the Troyans, big and small ended with 3 and 2 respectively.
It could and probably should have been a lot more but we figured an agregate score of 20-2 was enough for one season. A special thanks should go to our stand-in defensive unit of Ferghal and Steve who easily put in the 2 best performances of the day.
With Southgate also winning this weekend we are still trailing but in the hunt and need to keep winning.
Next week at home to Wimbledon...
Nevertheless it was clear from the first quarter of the match that Hampstead were the stronger side with an all international midfield. The pressure soon told and we pulled level. Not long after that we took the lead through some beautiful interchanges and everything was pointing to another demolition. However, a lack of communication on a dead ball situation just outside the D brought Bromley back on terms before half time.
GD's presence at the half time huddle was inspirational. We all had a good look at his pinkie and immediately knew that we had to win this game for the little fella. Bromley were doomed. With a common goal Hampstead took their opposition appart in the second half. Within 5 minutes of the restart it was 3-2 to the visitors. This demanded B&B press forward for an equaliser and in turn opened up spaces for the midfield wonder trio to exploit the Bromley back lines. Running downhill on a flatter pitch than the one in Barbados Hampstead scored 5 unanswered second half goals and the Troyans, big and small ended with 3 and 2 respectively.
It could and probably should have been a lot more but we figured an agregate score of 20-2 was enough for one season. A special thanks should go to our stand-in defensive unit of Ferghal and Steve who easily put in the 2 best performances of the day.
With Southgate also winning this weekend we are still trailing but in the hunt and need to keep winning.
Next week at home to Wimbledon...
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