With 7 players out either missing or injured for this fixture, it was an achievement in itself to field 11 players. To come away with a victory was testament to those who appeared on the day, especially when you also consider the grief within the team following the announcement of the death of the actor who played Mr Myagi in the Karate Kid films on the Friday before the match.
Hope, were behind almost before they started when a magnificent lob from the Sandwich Town midfielder, from fully forty yards, put the home side ahead after only 5 minutes. However, Hope responded well and Steve Miller-who had travelled down from Manchester on the morning of the game –scored a mere two minutes later with a fine effort, which the keeper could not hold and Steve celebrated a la Mr Myagi. Aside from a smart turn and shot from David Bladon, it was Sandwich who had the upper hand for most of the first half. Keeper Danny Skinner kept his team in the game on more than one occasion and the St Margarets side were pleased to come in level at half time.
Early into the second half Hope took a surprising lead when a Matt Evans knock down was driven home by manager Dave Fielding. An onslaught then ensued from the home side and their persistent pressure paid off when a one on one opportunity was converted. However Hope again showed admirable resilience and Matt Evans restored the lead almost immediately-coolly lobbing the keeper after a long punt down field from Danny Skinner.
Sandwich Town then laid siege to the Hope Inn goal for the remaining twenty minutes but a mixture of outstanding defending from the new central defensive pairing of Simon and Steve Smith, ably assisted by their full backs Rory Martin and Gavin Oakley coupled with the industry of Jason Oliver and new signing Chris Etherington in midfield meant Hope were able to hold out for a famous victory.
HOPE INN MAN OF THE MATCH
STEVE SMITH
Mr Versatile
