2005-6 Season

Brentham 2 Kenchels FC 2

It’s one of the great mysteries of life. Why is it that whenever the ‘Chels face Brentham, we struggle to get a side out? Are all these sicknotes trying to keep their player stats in the black or is it something more sinister?

We may never know the truth. Fortunately for EP, Chief Scouts Bellamy and Greene worked their magic to boost our flagging numbers and bring in much-needed talent. The way it ended, this was one of the best ‘Chels performances against Brentham to date and we could have  – nay should have – beaten them but were sadly held to a toughly-contested draw.

The three newcomers were Sam and Ketch, courtesy of Mr G, and Kev (that’s the TiGi Kev, not Kevin Gallan), courtesy of El Tel. And they played superbly.

I have to confess, I did had some concerns though when I saw the boots that Sam had brought – brilliant white with stylish zippers or somesuch down the side. They are the sort of boots that Stevie B would play in if he had any style whatsoever.

In any case, it was Sam who ultimately brought us back into the game after we conceded two totally stupid goals in the first half.

Those of you who know me will understand that I can’t remember a thing about Brentham’s first goal and as for the second…well all I can remember is me picking the ball up after it crossed the line and Gavin urging me to drop it cos the ref hadn’t seen it go over. Yeah, right.

So we were two-nil down, despite having played our socks off – Rob, Tigi Kev, Alex and Tom B had really stretched them. We had pushed the ball around well but  to be fair, so had Brentham.

In fact they had been sharp enough to put us under pressure from distance at least twice – but they were foiled thanks to the courageous Tommy T. Our chances at their end were also several – but we failed to connect sadly.

At this point, EP brings the boy Sam on. Great boots, great style, great balance. Within a few minutes he had broken through on the edge of their box and struck a low shot under their keeper. G-O-A-L!

So at half time we were 2-1 down but with all to play for. We came on for the second half armed with our other signing Ketchi (hope I spelled that right!), also a bit of a dynamo. Game of two halves – deffo. We lost the first half but we murdered them in the second.

As the half progressed, Brentham found themselves pushed further and further back. They spent most of the 45 minutes defending their goal against a whole series of attacks. Corner after corner came and went and we were always hitting the ball just wide, just a little high or scuffing it. Finally, Kev tucks the equaliser in and suddenly Brentham are really on the back foot (Terry 1 Den 1!!).

Ketchy, Alex, Gav and Sam all had great chances. Gavin smacked a long-distance drive only just wide. We hit the post, the bar etc. We’ve been here before haven’t we?

Five minutes before the end Ketchy found himself with only the keeper to beat and – unfortunately for us – played the square ball to Alex who, having his banjo handy, banged the ball into row Z. Quite an achievement to miss from that distance and something he hasn’t done since…er….last week’s game. Haha.

Seriously, we would have won if we hadn’t conceded those two soft goals in the first half. But I don’t think that should stop us from winding Alex up – dontcha think, boyz?

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