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7 May 2008: Grasshoppers 4:0 Pembury May 9, 2008

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It was great going into this game knowing that we had already done enough to win the league.  In the end it turned into a bit of a procession, as

East Hoathly didn’t manage to win either of their last two games, leaving us 5 points clear plus a goal difference which was worth another point.  So we had this game against Pembury to make it our year by 8 points.  It was also a chance for the players to celebrate their achievement and put on a performance for the supporters who were once again out in force.  It was a bit off-putting to see two of the Pembury players taller than Keith, but their wives and kids told us that they were both 12, so I guess they must be.

 

 

 

We started a little hesitantly, but always looked the better side and created the better chances.  With Danny deported and departed to

, Tom went in goal for the first half and then Oskar took over in the second half.  I suppose as he had no chance of scoring Oskar decided to see if he was any better at keeping them out.  Speaking of no chance of scoring, we had three outfield players who had not scored this season, and one of the day’s objectives was to try and get as many of them as possible on the scoresheet.  We scored fairly early on when Cian put Miles through and Miles easily beat the keeper to the ball, took it round him and rolled it into the empty net.  We then did what we have done for most of the season- creating a hatful of chances but not putting them away.  We all know Connor and Miles can miss chances with the best of them, but to see Mikey and even Robert blazing high and wide was a bit worrying.  I hope “Radar’s” disease isn’t catching!

 

 

 

So at half time, though we were comfortable enough, Keith wasn’t best pleased and demanded more effort.  Which he got.  The second goal was as good as anything we have done all season.  The ball was played (not hoofed, played) out of defence into the midfield.  Robert showed for it 40 yards from goal, turned and played the ball into the path of Mikey’s intelligent run down the left wing.  This is where it gets good.  Robert followed up to support and hearing his call, Mike checked back, laid the simplest of balls back and then went for the space on the edge of the box- space made by Miles pulling the defenders away to the back post.  Rob played an equally simple and perfectly weighted first time ball back into Mikey’s path and Mike then provided a brilliant first time finish, curling the ball beyond the keeper and in at the far post.  What a goal.  From end to end in less that 10 seconds and less than 10 touches of the ball.  The ball was always under control, it never left the ground and all involved called for and received simple passes.  I wish I’d got it on video to send to Match of the Day.

 

 

 

Shortly afterwards, Miles provided a typical strong finish after some typically strong play, holding off their entire team, plus their linesman, manager and a few of their supporters.  He really can be hard to dislodge can’t he?

 

 

 

With the game won, Keith changed things round to give Nick, Thomas and Max a run up front.  This was interesting in two ways.  Firstly, we had the sight of Connor and Miles playing at the back, covering ground and letting nothing through, which could be very interesting for next season in the A league.  Secondly, we could admire the touch and movement of the three strikers, all of whom looked for each other, laid balls off well and chased down lost causes.  Max got his reward for a fantastically consistent season, when one slick move put him in and he finished well, beating the keeper.  Both Nick and Thomas came close, but it just wasn’t to be for them.

 

 

 

The players celebrated in fine style at the final whistle, with bottles of bubbly being liberally sprayed over each other and Katie’s chocolate cake disappearing faster than

Man

City managers.  Keith awarded the new Bates MoM trophy to Michael, for yet another fine performance, this time capped with one of the goals of the season.  There were two glaring misses, both of which would be worthy CRAP award winners, but for its sheer rarity value it has to go to Robert, a finisher normally so clinical that no one could quite believe he had missed.

 

 

 

Signing off, I’d just like to sum up my view of each player’s contribution over this fantastic season. 

 

 

 

DANNY BATES

He’s gone so I can be rude about him, except of course, he doesn’t deserve it.  Got steadily better as the season went on, made some great saves at important times and was always positive and vocal.

 

 

 

MAX ALDRED

Consistently excellent performer at right back, but will obviously play up front next season after his debut goal.  Nothing gets passed him and Max will just get better and better. 

Brighton should be already knocking on his door!

 

 

 

HARRISON RATHBORN

Played out of position at left back, but never complained and always tried.  Scored some important goals and went missing regularly.  Always positive and a real team player, except when ignoring his dad!

 

 

 

NICK PARSONS

Another steady performer, who isn’t afraid to go in for a tackle or a header and has the bruises to prove it.  Nick reads the game very well and will continue to improve as he grows and gets even stronger.

 

 

 

THOMAS MILLER

The chalk to Nick’s cheese!  A slip of a lad who isn’t really wide enough to be a stopper, but who makes up for that with pace, a football brain and a tackle to make your hair curl.  Thomas has been excellent at the back this season.

 

 

 

TOM CLIFT

One minute snarling into tackles, the next crying because a big boy kicked him and the next scoring a screamer from outside the box, you get everything with Tom.  The phrase “puts himself about” seems to be appropriate.  Scored some great goals and always pulled his weight.

 

 

 

HARRY McLEOD

One of my three players of the season, Harry has played everywhere except in goal and has made a really important contribution to this team.  Comfortable on the ball and with excellent dead ball delivery, he has anchored the midfield, scored some great goals, set up goals for others and made goal saving tackles at the other end.  Working well with Cian in the midfield, Harry has had a major influence on every game he has played in and has rightly collected a number of MoM awards.

 

 

 

CIAN O’HARA

Another of my players of the season, Cian has brought a whole new meaning to the word consistent.  He covers so much ground in a game and along with Harry, makes more tackles and passes than anyone.  They have developed such an understanding together that between them, they have basically been unbeatable in the centre of midfield, which has been the engine room for the team’s success this season.  Cian epitomises that- rarely flashy but always effective and always gives 100%.  It is not a coincidence that the one game we lost this season was the game Cian missed.

 

 

 

ROBERT MILLER

Robert has been excellent down the left side of midfield.  He gets forward to support the strikers and has scored some brilliant and important goals.  He also has excellent stamina and gets back easily to help out his full back when needed.  Another consistent performer over the course of the season.

 

 

 

MICHAEL SARGEANT

Mike is the third of my players of the season.  At the beginning of the season, it is no secret that he was not one of the stronger players, but through an unfailingly positive attitude and sheer hard work, he has forced his way into the starting line up and produced some fine performances.  He always tries to play the right ball and rarely makes a wrong decision.  What he lacks in technical ability or speed he makes up for with effort and believe me, the technical ability and speed are coming!  I have two abiding memories of Michael this season.  The first is when he stood on the touchline for a game at Raw Skills, frozen and soaked to the skin in weather you wouldn’t send a polar bear out in.  He never got on the pitch, but cheered his teammates on for the whole match.  The second is his MoM performance against Pembury, capped with a goal of real quality which he thoroughly deserved.

 

 

 

CONNOR McCABE

Connor was our top scorer this season, including one haul of 7 in a game.  He impresses and infuriates in equal measure, one minute showing great skill and the next looking like he has never played before.  He showed he is capable of covering a lot of ground and working hard when deployed in midfield and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the step up in class next season- he certainly has the potential to succeed.

 

 

 

OSKAR AINLEY

Oskar has blown hot and cold this season, possibly due to lack of sleep!  He’s a Man United fan, so I won’t be saying anything nice about him, though I vividly remember one piece of brilliant skill, when he collected one of Nick’s “’Ave it!” clearances, bringing the ball down out of the air right on the touchline, before nutmegging the defender and skipping off down the line. 

 

 

 

TAYLOR MITCHELL

Given everything which has gone on in

Taylor ’s life this year, it is easy to overlook his football ability.  In the early part of the season, although struggling physically,

Taylor put in some good performances.  He has a great touch and a good football brain, which means that he rarely gives the ball away and often set up scoring opportunities for others.  He was sadly unavailable for the latter part of the season, but his contribution early on was every bit as important to the ultimate success of the team.

 

 

 

MILES PANPONNE

Miles joined in the Christmas transfer window and has added both an attacking option and defensive possibilities to the team.  He has a good scoring record, with most of his goals resulting from his physical strength and willingness to attack defenders.  He has also shown that he can perform defensive and midfield duties, putting his speed and strength to good use.

 

 

 

I hope you’re all proud of yourselves.  I know I am!

 

 

 

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