Premier Division
Old Roan 0 Bearsted 3
Saturday, 18 September 2004
Old Roan were first to settle as Bearsted had to quickly come to terms defensively with having goalkeeper Aaron Davey coming in at short notice and who subsequently became one of the heroes of the afternoon. However it took only 5 minutes for them to open the scoring when Toby Webb was allowed to run dun the right to cut in and fire past goalkeeper Peter Mcauliffe. Soon after Doug Loft found himself in space with the opportunity of increasing the score, but this time the keeper was well positioned to cope with his shot on goal. With Roan throwing in a wave of attacks in search of an equaliser there were two notable chances, firstly when John Maloney headed over meeting a deep cross from Ben Young and then when Harbing Grant slotted the ball wide when clear through. At the other end the Bears were also beginning to put there own game together with one notable effort coming after a run and cross from Roberto Corbishly. Just before half time following two rash challenges by Grant and a stern challenge by Richard Kennedy the game threatened to get out of hand and it was the sensible action of referee Taiwo Bakare that managed to calm things down, booking both players and leaving the sides time to go in for the break and once more think about their football.
After half time Bearsted found it difficult to get back into the same pattern of play which they had during the first half, giving the ball away too easily and not delivering the telling crosses that were required. Although at times the home side did enjoy much of the possession they were unable to capitalise on this with chances being restricted, the main ones being a header by Maloney being headed over following a Dean Bray corner and then when Jimmy Townsend sent in a free kick from 25 yards which narrowly cleared the cross bar. Having soaked up much of the pressure the away side gradually began to once more create their own chances, firstly when Corbishly headed wide and then when Martin Mckenzies low cross found the incoming Carl Porter who clipped the post with his outstretched leg. This was to be Porters final contribution to the afternoon as he was immediately substituted with Jason Batt with 15 minutes remaining. Looking to try to hang for the win the whole game turned around 5 minutes from time when Batt picked up the ball from Corbishly, ran into the box and sent a low drive across Mcauliffe into the bottom corner of the net. Three minutes later Batt produced almost an identical goal to secure all three points. There was even time for more action following the restart when skipper Maloney could not contain his frustration by using his elbow on Graeme Andrews directly in view of the referee, who had no alternative but to show him the red card to complete Old Roans misery.
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