After last weeks shaky start to the season, the Hope Inn bounced back with an away win against a quality Jacetts side, and kept a clean sheet.
On a damp pitch in Tilmanstone, the Hope applied the early pressure with some quick attacking play. Steve Miller again worked tirelessly down the right hand side, linking up well with Jason Oliver in centre midfield and Tom Dodd up front. With early chances hitting the post and another just skimming past, the Hope thought lady luck might have deserted them for a second week in a row. However it wasn’t long before their neat passing on right paid off as Dodd was put through on the edge of the area, the approaching keeper forced him out wide to the right, but with the keeper stranded Tom played a low ball across the goal which was turned over the line by a hapless Jacetts defender.
After the goal, the home team came back strong, but the Hope defence, with the new central defensive duo of Bill & Ben, and the ever reliable full backs John and Dave, restricted them to a few long range efforts with which the Hope Inn keeper, Ally Kennedy, easily dealt with in his unique but effective way.
After half time the Hope Inn soaked up a lot of Jacetts pressure, but were still able to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities on the counter attack. Kevin Fielding prowled the midfield breaking down the Jacetts attacks and then looking to quickly release the Hope’s ‘Quick-silver’ forward Dane Luchford at every opportunity. Jacetts changed formation and put five into midfield as they searched for the equaliser. Jason Oliver, who had given his usual 110% for Hope Inn’s cause, made way for Jay Donnelly. Jay was energetic in midfield and ensured the Hope Inn didn’t sit back on their lead with some insightful forward passes. He even helped out at the back, although the referee took exception to his unusual low, headfirst, sliding-tackle on the Jacetts’ bemused right midfielder.
As the game moved into the closing stages both teams came close to grabbing a decisive goal. Jacetts nearly benefited from an uncharacteristic mix up between the Hope Inn defence and keeper. Just before, Steve Miller saw his effort sail agonisingly over the bar. The Hope Inn introduced its striking legend Steve Smith, with 20 minutes to go, again showing that they were in no mood to simply sit back on their narrow one-nil lead.
As the referee blew the full time whistle, the Hope Inn had managed to hold on to their early goal, and overall deserved their had fought victory.
With one win in the bag this early into a campaign, the Hope Inn management already believe that they have the players and squad to improve on last years league position.
Man of the Match: Ally Kennedy
