Home to Fulbrook Royals

In the latest Green King Division 3 West game the Vets took on Fulbrook Royals in their first home fixture of the season. The Vets riding high at the top of the division with a 100% start were looking to put some space between themselves and the rest. Fulbrook are not a team to be taken lightly and the lads knew they were facing day of tough challenges from fully committed opponents.

With a few players not available, Barry started with 442 and it was quickly apparent that the much improved vets would dominate most of the game. Within ten minutes the vets were one up thanks to Martin Treadway, skillfully chipping the keeper. This was shortly followed by a second thanks to some nice play by Taju down the left wing, cutting in and slotting home from a narrow angle. 2-0, half hour in and Gary in goal was thinking about setting up his deck chair.

Before the break, the ever impressive Taju made it 3 nil with a tap in and the Vets were all set for an easy half time talk.

The vets started the second half in pretty much the same way and The Royals were finding it hard to impose any pressure on the game at all. The Vets defence looked solid all afternoon and it was only towards the end when tired legs kicked in that Fulbrook got a look in from a freekick. With the ball striking the crossbar their forward pounced to make it 3-1. Gary getting a good hand on the ball, but on this occasion was just one inch too short!

It’s hard to see how the game only finished 3-1, with T having three really good chances, Martin missing when usually he would score (we won’t mention the penalty miss, whoops) and Kevin heading straight at the keeper with the whole goal to aim at. Still, the Vets are making many chances and it won’t be long before an opposition falls upon a very sharp and dangerous sword.

Special thanks to Paul Walters for stepping into the breach and great to see Billy Howard getting 15 minutes at the end. Perhaps another injury to worry about when Marlon went down with 30 minutes to go. Hopefully our strength in depth will mean that someone can step into his shoes after some great performances this season.

Man of the match was awarded to H for a really solid performance in an unfamiliar left back role with Kevin Whitworth running a close second. The 100% start continues and a six point gap has already opened up at the top of the league.

Final score Hale End 3 - 1 Fulbrook Royal

Attendance 30.

Team: Gary Doodes (Captain) Halil Hassan, Hilary Francis, Danny Brown, Sean Windeatt, Marlon Wedderburn, Kevin Whitworth, Paul Obinkwo, Suhail Butt, Martin Treadway, Taju Oyedeji. Subs, Tony Graves, Billy Howard, Paul Walters