The countdown to the new season was finally over and all eyes turned to a Shenners team taking the field against a Stambridge side that haven’t conceded more than 2 goals in a single game in over 2 years and achieving back to back promotions along the way. This therefore was always going to a tricky start to the season and with Shenfield also having a revamped side, a good opportunity to see how well prepared they are for the new campaign….not very as it turns out with the opening 30 minutes showing that the boys in blue still need time to gel.
Some players started quicker than others however, and an early ball from the left was met by Kyle at the near post and the left back picked out the top corner with a fierce header past the goal keeper. Unfortunately the goal keeper was in the Shenfield goal and Paul Bolton found his team one down early on.
One soon became two with some tracking back David Ginola would be proud of by Jack Denham, left Kyle exposed down the left and a low cross was met by the Stambridge forward who’s miss hit found the roof of the net.
As the first half continued Shenfield started to find their feet and began forcing their way back into the game, no one more so than Kyle trying to make amends for the early own goal. He took a speculative shot from a free kick just inside the Stambridge half, and the medley of people running in front of the keeper causing him taking his eye off the ball and it bouncing in off the post. Shenfield went in at half time 2-1 down.
Some inspiring words from the management team including Robin Lynn’s tactic of going out and “f*cking them,” meant that Anthony Harrington seemed really up the second half.
And the half didn’t disappoint as some sloppy defending lead to goals flying in at both ends. Stambridge were kept frustrated as they looked to secure the 3 points, a hopeful dive from an over run one on one chance by Bill Tex, and some masterful trickery on the edge of the box from Ben Raven, gifted Shenfield two penalties. Both were slotted home with ease by the former Shenners captain cancelling out the two goals scored by Stamfbridge in the second half keeping them in the game.
However, the referee couldn’t keep rescuing the blue army with more penalties as Stamford began to really turn it on up top. More goals from their front men lead to the final score ending 6 – 3 to the home side. A disappointing day out for Shenfield as they lost their first competitive game of the season against a hillbilly team consisting of more relatives than Ben raven has posters of JLS.
Despite the result some positives can be taken from game including a battling performance from Tom in the middle of the park (just don’t let him shoot), Kyle loves a near post header, Billy Tex clearly showing he knows how to take a spot kick, and Jack Denham has stolen Cristiano Ronaldo’s boots.
Shenfield now have to look to next week’s game against Newham untied who finished in sixth place last year, and the fans are hoping Greg English is back in action so Ben Raven isn’t handed the captain’s armband again.
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