Report

Cranbrook Town v Peasmarsh and Iden
After the travesty of the Travaux game Cranbrook had a big point to prove in the Robertsbridge cup, and knew that defeat against a side recently promoted to division one would spell the end of their season. The boys had to get to grips with not playing in front of 700 people, and an adjusted line up that saw a few changes from the Travaux defeat. Sam and Josh Smith, Nick Dean and Sam Campbell dropped to the bench and allowed the likes of DK to make his first start for the club after two years. From the off you could tell that the Peasmarsh team were not the most physical and allowed us to knock the ball around a fair bit on the deck which was a luxury compared to recent weeks and allowed Gilly and Aaron Bourne who showed some great footwork and composure on the ball, to dominate their central midfield. Couple with the return of Steve Homewood who did his customary winning of every header going and Cranbrook were outmuscling and outplaying their illustrious opponents!

Tom Fullager worked hard to create a good chance which he rolled narrowly across the face, and then in the defining moment of the first half Gilly spotted their keeper off his line and launched an audacious 40 yard lob which was tipped onto the bar, possibly also crossed the line, but it didn’t matter anyway because Fullager forced it home. However their linesman decided in his infinite wisdom to give offside, a farcical decision, which he only gave once the ball came off the bar and he realised Tom was going to score. When Gilly shot no one was even close to being offside!!

Half time came with the scores then at 0-0 but with a very encouraging half, in which their Eastenders star was completely owned by DK. One change had to be made at half time as the peroxide blonde Dan Jempson had to com e off with concussion, either that or he just fancied a cup of tea!

Cranbrook took the lead not long after the restart where their keepers suspect kicking proved to be fatal. With Tom Smith, a constant menace throughout slotting home. One became two, and I have to be honest I have no idea what the goal was. Tom smith scored it. Changes were made but the domination continued and Tom Smith created some openings which weren’t capitalised on, before Tom Fullagar crossed a ball which bizarrely their keeper pushed into his own net. Tom will want to claim it, and deserved a goal, but it’s definitely one for the dubious goals panel! The game then petered out as Peasmarsh created a few half chances and had a few corners but the result was never in doubt and The Brook are in another semi , this time against local rivals Hawkhurst in what should be a cracking game. Lets win it and get some silverware under our belt!