TWGSB Football 1st XI progresses to Kent Cup Semi-Final as sensational performance results in emphatic 8-0 victory at Dover GS.

On Saturday 23rd January 2010 the TWGSB 1st XI made the long journey down to Dover GS for the eagerly awaited U’19 Kent Cup Quarter-Final. This match had previously been postponed on two occasions due to heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch.

An impressive 2 – 0 league victory away at Dover GS in early December meant the team was full of confidence going into this important cup game.

Following a thorough warm up the team started very brightly and quickly gained the upper hand. It was evident that TWGSB were playing the better football and there was great teamwork and maturity about their play. The first goal arrived after 22 minutes. Ashley Bell made a penetrative run down the left and reached the by-line. He left two defenders in his wake before unselfishly cutting the ball back to strike partner Martin Brain who passed the ball into the empty net. The relief from this breakthrough was evident, settling the team and dispelling any remaining nerves.

The second goal arrived after 35 minutes. Captain Harry Thompson, who produced another outstanding display in the centre of midfield, worked hard to close down and dispossess a defender. A neat one-two with Bell allowed him to go clean through 35 yards out from goal. With the keeper narrowing the angle Thompson coolly curled the ball with power over the keeper and into the top right hand corner of the net.

TWGSB were now in total control, in no mood to ease up and producing some exceptional team moves. A third goal was required to finish the game off. This duly arrived just before half time when Bell received the ball and fired a fierce drive past the despairing keeper from 20 yards.

There was no sign of letting up in the second half. On 48 minutes Thompson saw a fierce shot parried away by the keeper. The ball fell into the path of Jamie Shield who stroked the ball into the net from an acute angle.

The fifth goal arrived after some good work down the right by the explosive John Spring. His cross went through a crowd of bodies and was met at the back post by Thompson who tapped the ball into the net for his second goal of the game.

Jamie Shield provided the assist for Bell’s second goal. Bell received his pass 30 yards from goal and then dribbled at pace between two defenders before slotting the ball over the keeper.

The back four of John Spring, Will McAvoy, Ollie Hogben and Mark Simcox were at their miserly best to keep another clean sheet. The midfield of Jamie Shield, Billy Harris, Harry Thompson and Chris Hulm produced a fantastic display both creating numerous scoring opportunities and working tirelessly to help the defence. Goalkeeper Charlie Thompson did not have a single shot to save in 90 minutes.

Mark Simcox and Chris Hulm had linked up very well for the entire game. After 71 minutes Hulm played an exquisite left-footed lofted pass in behind the defence for Brain to run onto. He quickly controlled the ball, rounded the keeper with composure before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Substitutions were made at regular intervals with Harris, Thompson, Hogben and Brain leaving the field of play to be replaced by Bates, Miah, Boyd and Bennett.

The eighth and final goal arrived after 84 minutes when Bell completed his hat-trick with style. Again Hulm provided the assist by passing the ball into Bell’s feet. His clever turn preceded a ferocious 25 yard shot which dipped under the cross bar and into the roof of the net. He made it look effortless but this magnificent goal was appreciated by everyone who witnessed it.

Moreover, this final goal was an apt way to bring to a close what had been a truly sensational team performance. Every one of the 15 players contributed to this emphatic result.

The team now have a semi-final at home against Kelsey Park which is due to be played on Saturday 30th January 2010.

Dover GS 1st XI 0 – 8 TWGSB 1st XI

(HT 0 – 3)
Brain (22)
H. Thompson (35)
Bell (43)
Shield (48)
H. Thompson (52)
Bell (64)
Brain (71)
Bell (84)

Squad: C. Thompson, J. Spring, M. Simcox, W. McAvoy, O. Hogben, W. Harris , J. Shield, H. Thompson (c), A. Bell, M. Brain, C. Hulm,
J. Boyd, R. Bates, C. Bennett, M. Miah.

Coach: D. Menzies