2005-6 Season
Brentham 4 Kenchels FC 2
Another masterful performance from the ‘Chels saw us go two up in the first few minutes against bogey side Brentham, only to collapse in the second half and end up losing 4-2. How exactly does a team manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in such a stylish manner? Read on…
It was a blustery day at Brentham, a howling wind and intermittent rain meant anyone on the bench was in for a miserable morning. Fortunately, we were a bare 12 and it was only a coughing, spluttering New-b-Wan on the touchline for the first half.
Once again, the inimitable Tommy ‘Ukelele’ Taw was between the sticks. Once again, EP was at 32,000ft. Once again, we got off to a flying start. Once again, we were in for a disappointment.
We started crisply and within ten minutes we were a goal up. John Murphy flicked the ball on for Euan to run on and shoot. The keeper blocked it but left Alex to tap in the rebound. No more than five minutes later, Gavin shot from the edge of the box and the keeper had no chance.
As the ball came back to the centre circle, Stevie B rightly shouted a warning about what had happened against British Airways when we went two up and ended up losing 7-2. How very, very right he turned out to be.
We continued to dominate. Our passing was crisp and Brentham was struggling to contain us. Ian Dunn was mopping up everything in the middle of the pitch. Euan and Alex were ripping up their flanks. This was good, very good.
Brentham were still in it though and broke through several times. Gavin pulled off one magnificent tackle on the edge of our box but the ref awarded a free kick, only to see the even more magnificent Tommy Taw push it round the post.
Eventually, a strike from just outside our box got them the goal they had been looking for.
At half-time, New-b-Wan and I swapped places. They made some changes too and started to use the width of the pitch more effectively.
Not long in, they scored their second goal – a header from a corner – and suddenly, their tails were up. It seemed to be a turning point for us. Just when we should have steeled ourselves and upped the pace, we allowed our frustration to show.
There was a good 15 minute spell when we were so busy shouting inanely at each other that our game briefly fell to bits. Instead of playing to the whistle, we were stopping, throwing our hands in the air and appealing for everything.
We were hitting the self-destruct button big time. It was depressing to watch – you could see heads dipping all over the pitch.
It didn’t help when a a goalmouth scramble saw the ball clearly cross their line but the ref didn’t give it. We could also have had a penalty but he didn’t give that either.
Slowly we pulled ourselves back together and regained our rhythm. Alex was weaving in and out around the back, we won several corners and Ian Dunn both had good efforts on goal. At the other end, they too were pumping shots in and also getting crosses in repeatedly.
I can’t remember the details of their two goals but the fourth settled things quite nicely for the home team.
Brentham are a good side who were themselves a little embarassed by the disallowed goal – and so, to his credit, – was the ref who apologised afterwards. But such is life and we can’t expect every game to run exactly to our favour.
Next week, we take on the Dorks in our first home game of the season. Let’s hope the Kenchels glass jaw doesn’t put in another appearance.
The lineup: Tom T, Terry, Wayne, Steve, Den, Gav, Ian, Tom B, Euan, Alex, John Subs: Chris for Den, second half. HT score: 2-1.
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