Selsdon Rangers 0  Tonbridge Invicta Hurricanes 1       Sunday 14^th October 2007

First league win of the season.  First clean sheet of the season.  All was well as Hurricanes took all the points in this closely-fought encounter.

Winter seemed to have arrived as the supporters gathered on the sidelines in the mist, with coats, gloves, black and white fluffy scarves…and just the one optimist in shorts! The misty conditions seemed to bemuse the Hurricanes a little initially; in the first five minutes Selsdon looked the stronger side and were winning most of the 50-50s.  They weren’t winning the ball in the air though; this is becoming a real strength of the Hurricanes side – Gabe Russell and Ryan Hine in midfield and Luke Bohanan and Will Clark at the back made a number of fine clearing headers early on.  And it was from headers that Hurricanes’ first chance was created: Luke’s headed clearance was headed on by Tom Mair, playing right midfield, into the path of Kane Joseph, whose dangerous run into the box was only just cut out in time.  Play swung back to the other end and a Selsdon left wing cross looped up dangerously off a defender’s boot forcing a brave save from Stanley Hill.  A minute later a Selsdon break on the right wing resulted in a fantastic point blank save from Stanley when the forward looked certain to score.  At the other end a Sam Greehy clearance was headed by Ryan beautifully to George Jones, playing up front, but he was well closed-down by defenders. 

Midway through the first half and the chances were now falling steadily to Hurricanes.  A shot from Ryan from the edge of the box ended up in the net but a tight, but accurate, offside decision ruled the goal out.   Moments later, a beautiful through ball saw Kane sprinting from 5 yards inside his own half, leaving the Selsdon defence in his wake before, bizarrely, being given offside.  You win some, you lose some.  The Hurricanes battled on.   Kane was putting the Selsdon defence under real pressure; one right wing attack resulted in Kane robbing the keeper and sending in a cross which Tom latched onto and sent goalward for George to head fiercely but just wide of the post.  Two minutes later Hurricanes went even closer.  A Ryan shot from the edge of the area was blocked but the ball broke to Gabe whose fierce shot thudded against the cross bar, rebounding down and to safety. 

Henry Partridge was having a fine game at left back, cutting out attacks and distributing well up the left wing.  Sam and Will were looking comfortable too in the centre of defence.  Will one minute set up a Kane break with a neat punt forward and then the next minute did a fantastic slide tackle to prevent a Selsdon break.  With the minutes ticking away  Gabe chested the ball under control and lobbed the ball through for Kane to run onto.  He got in a good shot but the keeper turned it round the post.  The next attack came from the left wing. Henry curled the ball dangerously into the box, the defence hesitated, Kane didn’t and managed to knock the ball across the area for the unmarked George to fire home from close range.  A deserved one nil lead at half time.

The manager was ready with his words of wisdom for the half time team talk, but… where were the Hurricanes?  All watching the rugby match on the next pitch!  Was this the focus we were looking for?!  The second half began with an early scare; Hurricanes were on the attack when an interception sent the ball seemingly flying towards three unmarked Selsdon players for a run on goal; but at the last minute Sam flew in from nowhere to head confidently to safety.  There were few other scares after this, mainly due to fine tackling from the defence and fine judgement from Stanley in goal.  There was less goal mouth action this half but Hurricanes again had the edge.  Harry Hine was tackling well and creating openings up the left wing and Kieron Matthews was working hard on the right side of midfield.  Early on, a looping cross/shot from Kieron put the keeper under pressure and George was almost first to the spilled catch.  Ryan had two good shots, one wide right and the second wide left and Elliot Checkley made several useful forays into the Selsdon area without quite managing to get in the telling strike.  The ball was still bouncing dangerously around the Selsdon area when the final whistle went with Hurricanes still on top. Just the one goal to show for it,  but all the points.  A fine performance.

Man of the Match, as voted by the supporters:  for a ball-winning, wonder display in the centre of the park: Gabriel Russell