Premier Division
Bearsted 2 Crockenhill 2
Saturday, 11 September 2004
Champions Crockenhill were alerted about of things to come after only a minute when Martin McKenzies pace took him through the whole of their defence forcing a save from Dean Redpath. Unfortunately the resulting corner saw Richard Kennedy having to leave the field with a nose injury and it was during this period that the away side found enough space to allow Tony Atkins to score to rebound after Dave Richardson had saved from Steve Belsham. Bearsted would have levelled immediately after had it not been for the headed intervention of defender Tom Martin. Following this it was Jason Dunk who came close sending a shot narrowly over after some great work by Roberto Corbishly. Although it was the home side who continued to apply all the pressure they still had to be wary of being caught on the break This almost happened on two occasions first when Jordon Assender shot wide and then when Richardson was asked to make a smart save from Joe Diggins. However Bearsted did find an equaliser 5 minutes from half time when a right wing corner from Mckenzie was cleared only as far as Dave Minis to fire home the sweetest of drives low to the keepers left.
Within a minute of the restart Jason Dunk found himself clear through only to see his effort turned away by Redpath. Immediately after the keeper was in action again this time turning around another effort from McKenzie for a corner. As the game went on the away sides defence continued to be stretch to the limited. However it was Crockenhill who took the lead 25 minutes from time, following a defensive lapse which allowed Jeff Parker in to run on and thrash a lopping shot past Richardson from 20 yards. Rising to the challenge the Bears threw everything forward with Corbishleys runs looking particularly dangerous, one of which resulting in him hitting the foot of the post. With Crocks goal under siege and requiring some desperate defending, Bearsteds reward came 15 minutes from time when Steve Benton put in Carl Porter to run on and shoot the ball past the advancing Redpath. At this stage a winner looked inevitable, with Dunk unlucky only to hit the crossbar with his curling effort and Jasons Batts great wing play causing all sorts of goaline havoc. However this was not to be. Although it is fair to say that Crockenhill were fortunate to come away with a point, things could have been worse had it not been for a particularly timely intervention by Bearsted defender Tom Davey with only minutes remaining.
From Bearsted FC
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