This game was
billed by the respective managers as a "6 pointer" with both teams
looking to set there season going with a overdue win. Coxheath
(sponsored by The Mall), took to the field and from the start looked
like a team on a mission.
The constant
attacking threat down the right hand side always looked as if it would
bring about goal yet had it not of been for the solid defensive play of
Heath's, Harry Goode who was immaculate all day MPE would have taken the
lead against the run of play on 2 occasions.
It was obvious
to see that both teams wanted to win but Coxheath seemed to have the
extra incentive and after attacking play down the right forced a corner,
which was taken by Hadley and from a surging run the ball was forced
across the line by Wooldridge (1-0). This seemed to inspire the home
team and within 5 minutes of the restart Thomas Sheldrake found himself
unmarked and calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.
From the restart
MPE tried their best to get back into the game and almost scored had it
not have been for a smart save by Heath's stand in keeper Alex White
diving quickly to his right to turn it round the post.
At the start of
the 2nd half it was Coxheath who had to withstand an
onslaught and twice MPE were unlucky not to score. This seemed to wake
up the home team and slowly but surely the Home side's midfield trio
took control of the game time after time releasing the ball for the
front pair to chase.
In the 35 minute
Heath won a penalty when the MPE defender used a bit to much of the
shoulder in the area. Slowly but surely the ball was placed on the spot
before Phillip Hadley turned and struck the ball low to the goalie's
right to make it 3-0.
Still this did
not deter MPE and they continued to pressure and were unlikely to have a
goal disallowed for a marginally offside. Then in the 40 minute from
probably the best move of the match a quick decisive break saw Coomber
pass to Hazelwood who ran with the ball before releasing Hadley wide on
the right who crossed for Jo Drake to tap in for 4-0.
By now even the
home supporters were getting excited and enjoying the team performance
they had waited so long to see and the type of football that there
Manager new that they were capable of producing. In the 46 minute a
quick one two between Goode and Baker split the MPE defense only for
Goode's goal to be ruled out for offside
However it was
not long before Tim Goode broke free in the 49 minute and used his pace
to hold of the defender before shooting into the net to score only his 2nd
goal of the season and round off the scoring for 5- 0 victory.
At the end of
the game both teams shook hands and congratulated each other and the
Coxheath manger could not hide his delight with his teams performance
and was delighted to be victorious and see his team move off the bottom
of the league and set there season in motion.