FINAL SCORE:
The Whistlers.........9
AFC Maidstone..............0


A truly awful beginning to each half led to a slightly flaterring score for Whistlers. After AFC came oh so close last time these teams met, they felt they had a chance. The absence of the Charman brothers, however, made the rest of the lads feel that this game was already lost. This showed as after just 40 seconds, The Whistlers took the lead. A lack of marking saw a player with space and time, and he shot through Tom Sarrick's legs. Sarrick is no stranger to thrashings, playing in the lowly SPR team, but he couldn't anticipate what was to come. Within the first 6 minutes, AFC were already 6 goals down. They were 5-0 down by the time James Spencer came on, but his younger brother David Spencer made all the difference. After he came on, the team played more patiently. There was good link-up play between Cope, the Spencers and Cleisham, but a goal wouldn't come. David Spencer had the best chance; he struck a powerful volley through a crowd of players but the keeper was well positioned to save. Half-time: 6-0.
The Stones threw players forward in a vain attempt to get a goal. The lack of defenders led to the 7th, leaving Sarrick with no chance. Another came soon after, but Sarrick remained composed and made 2 superb saves, the best from a one-on-one when he dived low to his right. Cope could have had a couple of goals, but for tight defending. Pilcher could have grabbed his elusive first goal. First, he played a one-two with Cleisham and he shot powerful shot with his right-foot that the keeper was equal to. Moments later he another chance, but he swiped at it with his weaker left foot and it went wide. The rest of the lads had good chances, but just couldn't score. They scored again late in the game, after a 3-on-2 chance which saw a superb powerful right-foot half-volley beat Sarrick. The match ended on an ugly note. Pilcher made a rash challenge on a player running down the right. The player carried on, however, but got similar treatment from Cope. He then clearly elbowed Cope in front of the referee, but the ref just blew for full-time. Many of the players were so incensed by the foul play of the Whistlers that they refused to shake hands at the end - something that most of the players always do. There was murmur at the end that the match would have to be replayed, after the ref noticed 9 players wearing their kits. It transpired, however, that one of those 9 players didn't actually play.


TEAM: Sarrick; Epps (Cope 4), Cleisham, Pilcher (J.Spencer 5); Ward (D.Spencer 8).

SCORERS:


Manager comments:
"We were poor, admittedly, but we played a very physical team with a weakened team. The absense of the Charman brothers was noticed, they are not only very talented but are very influencial. A keepers first game in goal is always difficult; remember Cope and Martin all conceded 9+ on their debuts. We've got one game left to save our season, but it could already be too late by then. On the plus, side David Spencer had a very good debut. We looked a transformed side as soon as he came on, and we only let in 1 or 2 goals in the entire time he was on the pitch. He brought the best out of everyone, especially his brother, and he made some brilliant passes. He was by far our best player. People also forget that, last season, The Whistlers were playing First Division football. While they're not quite as good as Jaffers or Real 30, they showed some good finishes and showed the aggression which would have been essential in the higher division."