Although the last time these two teams met, Eastry inflicted the Hope Inn’s worst ever defeat with a 0-10 thrashing, the Hope, with 2 straight wins and 2 clean sheets, were in confident mood before this tricky away fixture.
On the Sunday morning the Hope Inn returned to an old away fixture protocol by meeting in the Hope Inn car park to travel together to the match. With the players in good spirits before the game this carried on to the pitch as the Hope’s confident passing game gave Eastry plenty of problems. Despite this the Hope had few clear cut chances one to Steve Smith and then Tom Dodd who just headed wide. Eastry created some opportunities from set plays, but Kevin and Ben were once again resolute at the back, which meant they could encourage their full backs to push forward. The Hope Inn’s positive first half attitude was encapsulated with Kevin’s shout to the Hope’s left back as he ran the ball towards the opponents defender; “ Go on Bri you can beat him, he’s gash!”.
The deadlock was finally broken by a superb 25 yard dipping volley from Dean “Deadly” Edmonds, having adopted a ‘crane’ like kicking action the legendary Mr Miyagi would have been proud of. The Hope Inn therefore went in at half time one nil up although their possession and play deserved more.
In the second half Eastry applied the early pressure and came close on a couple of occasions before finally getting the goal, after Ally was unable to prevent a high ball into the box dropping in just under the bar. The Hope thought there was a foul on the keeper but without a proper referee, it was unlikely ever to be given. After the goal the Hope Inn’s nerves set in and their neat, cool first half passing seemed a distant memory. The weather had also taken a turn for the worst as the rain pelted down, dampening the Hope Inn’s belief of ever getting a result at Eastry.
Eastry went ahead as the Hope Inn keeper, still struggling from a previous knock, was unable to hold on to a long free kick into the six yard box. The ball spilled kindly to an Eastry forward who slotted it into the net. Shortly afterwards Ally was carried off after the Eastry forward slid in on the keeper, catching his studs on Ally’s knee, as he came to collect a through ball. The ever-versatile Steve Smith replaced Ally in goal and was soon called into action, tipping a low drive round the post. As the weather improved going into the last 15 minutes, so did the Hope Inn with the now slick wet pitch suiting their passing game.
However despite their late efforts the result finished up 2-1 to Eastry. The Hope Inn played well and certainly their first half performance (and their dedicated fans) deserved at least a point from this game.
Man of Match
Brian Fielding
(Even though he still didn’t beat that “gash” defender.)
