In a game that shouldn’t be remembered for the amount of times the right back got nut-megged in the first half, or the pitch being dryer than a nun’s c…. The new look Shenfield AFC team produced a solid display against an short but organised Burnham Ramblers reserve team away from home.
Shenners with a fantastic showing of support from the rest of the squad, thought luck was on their side in the opening twenty minutes when two 30 yard screamers smashed against the cross bar and into safety. However despite battling hard they were undone by a corner whipped in from the right that got taken in by the wind and cruelly over the new keepers head.
Not shaken by this Paul Bolton’s blue army picked themselves up and started taking the game to the home side and with some good play down the left hand side, saw a number of crosses attacking the Burnham penalty box. Continuing the short spell of dominance before the break Shenfield were unlucky to go in 1 down as they had a number of chances around the area, only for the Burnham defence to continuingly close down the space and prevent Denham, Frost, Texeria and Hammond from getting a yard for a clear effort on goal.
The second half saw a few changes made most notably the newly instated first team captain Gregg English, moving into the middle of the park and given the freedom to drive on producing some strong runs. What you want from your captain is commitment and Gregg didn’t disappoint when he took a right hook Ricky Hatton would have been proud of to the face, only for Paul Dewhurst to miss with the follow up header sent wide with an empty net glaring back at him for 4 yards out.
As the second half went on Burnham were beginning to look dangerous with lots of space in midfield letting them spray passes around, but it was Shenners that finally converted a chance and got back into the game with some sloppy defending from Burnham gifted texeria the ball on the edge of the area which was slotted home with ease. The Boys in Blue then went on to level out the statistics with a few efforts hitting the woodwork which further highlighted the need for shooting practise ahead of the new season.
Sensing the game getting away from them the Burnham team started looking for other questionable means of attacking with some strong challenges, with Ryan McCarthy taking the worst with a high kick from the centre forward going dangerously near his temple. However, looking like Gerard Butler from 300, Ryan was unmoved while his would be assailant was hurled to the floor. The new shenner’s keeper then wanted to display a level of commitment on par with the new captain by saving a good shot with his boat race from close range.
Overall Shenfield can be happy with their performance against a team that were never superior to their lower league opponents. These early displays are good indicators of how successful this group of players are to be as the season goes on, and sure enough we will at some point obtain the answers to the questions on everyone lips; Is Kyle ever going to find a Shenfield player with a pass? Is Ben Raven actually ever going to Australia? Just how many girlfriends is Jack Denham going to Steel from team mates this year? We can only wait and see…..
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