The late afternoon sun shone brightly over the pitch at Kent College. The sun was warm and provided comfort if it was not for the chilly northerly breeze reminding everyone winter was still lingering. The Hoppers gathered to face off against their opposition from the north, Burnt Ash of Bexley. Their bright yellow against the red of Tunbridge Wells. Like the Hoppers, Burnt Ash fielded a wide mix of ages, it was all setting up to be a close match. Winner takes seventh in the table. In goal Ethan Sutton, defence Kanwal Singh, Mark Barker and Kyle Merrick. Midfield Mark Mason, Dan Smith, Vince Holden and Alex Templer. Attack was made up of Logan Gordon, Michael Hughes and Matthew Hawker. Team Captain David Barnes was nursing a hamstring pull so he coordinated the subs of Rufus Dascombe, John Mitchell and Fred Poulsen.

First Half
The game started at a high tempo; the Hoppers managed to shift the ball from the compact midfield out to the wingers putting pressure on the Burnt Ash defence. Matthew on the right providing many teasing passes to Logan and Michael. Burnt Ash managing to keep their goal clear for the time being. The Hoppers defence was well screened by Alex and many of the Burnt Ash through balls were rendered ineffective. Mark Barker allowing the balls to roll off the base line for an easy restart. With an exchange of passes Dan rolled past his marker in the centre of the field passing out to Mark Mason who found Matthew again available out on the right wing. His cross into the D was chipped up into the air just ahead of the penalty spot inviting Alex, who had overlapped with Dan, to volley a shot on the Burnt Ash goal. The Burnt Ash Keeper deflecting the ball at the last moment. Utilising their younger players Burnt Ash won a short corner. Charging out, Kyle was millimetres from blocking a strong shot on goal, the pace of the ball beat Ethan and first goal went to Burnt Ash. Keen to level up Michael and Logan put together a pass and move routine after being freed up by Vince. Logan taking on the whole of Burnt Ash’s defence rounded their keeper and hit the backboard. Sensing more opportunities Vince won a short corner. Alex injected to Mark Mason and he stuck true and hard. The ball stuck the backboard, and Hoppers went two up to round off the half.

Second Half
With John coming on for Michael, Rufus coming on for Vince and Fred on for Alex, the team shifted into a more energetic style of play. Fred’s inspiring and enthusiastic play on the right kept Burnt Ash second guessing. Rufus showing a level of mature and levelheaded play provided good balance for John and Logan. Most of the half was fairly even until Mark Barker saw green for being a little too forceful in winning the ball back. Weathering the disadvantage in numbers Kanwal subbed with Alex at right back and Logan with Michael at Striker.
With Mark Barker back on the pitch Burnt Ash threw caution to the wind and added more players to their attack. A long corner defence for the Hoppers didn’t help as an awkward looping ball was missed by Alex and his mark volleyed it into the top left corner of Ethan’s goal. At two all the Hoppers collectively feared the worst as many of their defeats where down to last minute goals. Fred on the other hand had not experienced this. Wide out on the right he linked up with Matthew, who ran the base line and teed up Michael who took no invitation in rifling the ball into the back of the net. Now three up had the Hoppers broken the curse? Certainly, by winning a short corner in the dying seconds of the match the game ended three to two.

A great game and enjoyed by all. Returning to the club house the remaining Hoppers enjoyed chilli and rugby.
It’s what Saturday’s are made for!