Despite the scoreline this was a hard-fought game on a warm afternoon in the beautiful leafy surroundings of Fernhurst.....a world away from the 'good' old days in the Pompey League!! We started well. The dynamic midfield partnership of Bran and Geoff were re-united this week, and with Ollie and Jez, made some good chances for Lee and Alan (making his Coalie Debut) upfront. Fernhurst did have a couple of good breaks, but Sam (on his West Sussex League debut, and untested goalie) stood up well and keep them out.
The first goal was a brilliant diving header from Fernhurst...unfortunately for them they scored it in the wrong goal....1 v 0 to the Coalie! Just to prove that wasn't a fluke Jez chipped the goalie from 45 yards (or more maybe 65!!) for a brilliant second. Fernhurst pulled one back just before half time despite the galant efforts of 'Man-of-the-Match' Sam 'David James' Wedderburn in goal.
The first twenty minutes of the second half was all Coalie, but we couldn't find the finish that would seal the three points for good. Fernhurst came back into the game, but the old Harold Terrace partnership, Scholesy and Chalkie, supported by Simon and Brian (who came on for the Gaffer at half-time), kept them at bay.
The last ten minutes saw the Coalie turn on the style and blast three goals past the hapless Fernhurst keeper (was he playing upfront for Chiltington last week?) The first was a penalty, earned and despatched by Lee J. Then a crackin finish from Bran and the fifth was a second for Lee J.
Great performance. Nice to get the first points on the board. Next week we are at home (well Barton's Green) to Witterings. Up the Coalie!!
The Coal Exchange opened their account this season with some brilliant passing football, some stunning 45 yard finishing, but ultimately a dissappointing result. The Coalie dominated the first half of the match on a very hot day in West Chiltington. Some great passing between the midfield quartet of Jez, Bran and returned prodigies Jamie and Ollie. They tore the Chils defence to peices. But despite producing great chances for themelves and for strikers Keith and Lee that first goal proved elusive. Maybe Keith was thinking of his 'big' day next week!
At half time the boys were convinced that the break-through would come in the second half, but despite throwing everything at the increasingly desperate Chils defence we just could not score. Then, midway through the second half it looked like the big man up in the clouds had smiled down on us (no not Geoff). Simon ran at a ball on the half way line, leathered it with his size 4s and saw the ball sail 45 yards into the top corner of the Chils goal. Simon thought the greatest moment of his career had arrived...BUT NO....the ref (mark 1 out of 10) ruled it off-side. He has obviously not read the new rule book. For a few minutes our out-standing defense : Scholesy (stand-in keeper), Andy, Chris, Brian and the weeping Mr Oiller, went to sleep and the Chils striker 'Billy Bunter' stole in to put them one nil up. There was no way back for the galant Coalie, but if we play like that all season we will definately be in the hunt for silverware come the Spring.
A couple of firsts...this is the first time the Coalie have failed to score in their opening game of the season (even in our very first season we lost 8v2). Also this is the first game that we have ever had two players booked (Bran and Keith) in one game (b###### Ref!)
Next week we are away at Fernhurst....KO 4.15pm.