Sunday 09 Apr (H) Won 3-2 vs Bethersden League Match
Troggs snatch victory and lay cup final ghosts to rest.
By Paul Newman
Sunday saw a top of the table clash with Troggs hosting Betherseden. The Troggs started with Sam Leggis and Ben Gibbs in a 5-3-2 formation and were quickly on the back foot playing up the hill in the first half.
Although Troggs endeavoured to play their passing style the visitors aggressive tackling stifled them and it was indeed Bethersden who took the lead through number 5 on 26 minutes. Troggs rallied and fought but to no avail, although the visitors keeper was tested by a long range Andrew Adamson effort.
After a stern half time talk from player/manager, Paul Newman and veteran libero player Dean Burden, the Troggs returned to the field, bit between their teeth and enjoyed much of the early possession in the second half. Then on 58 minutes, and against the run of pay Tom Ripley latched onto a loose cross and slotted low to the right of the helpless Rob Payne. 2-0!
The Troggs could count them selves unlucky but were straight back on the attack forcing a number of corners. Then on 65 minutes, midfielder George Dyke lept, salmon like, to glance an Adamson corner into the net from 5 yards. GOAL!! 2-1 with 25 minutes to play.
Troggs continued to pile on the pressure but had to wait until the 80th minute for the equalizer. Marcus Pearce played a defence splitting, 35-yard, cross-field pass to find Paul Newman in space the left. The player/manager cut inside shrugging the defender and unleashed an 18-yard right foot shot which soared in the top left corner of the goal. 2-2!! But had the Troggs left the revival too late?
Then with just four minutes left on the clock and the Troggs really pushing for the winner Pearce miss controlled and the ball drop to second half substitute and club servant Matthew 'little bill' Smith who, from 20 yards fired a rocket first time into the top right corner leaving the entire Bethersden outfit stunned! Smith was then bundled and buried under a pile of jubilant Troggs players who could hardy believe their title hopes were still alive.
The last few minutes seemed to take an eternity but when the whistle came so did the roars from the 25 strong home crowd and the home players.
This result leaves the Troggs still in control of the promotion destiny and the last two games will decide whether the Smarden side will be playing Division 1 football next year. As for the cup final? A distant memory!
TROGGS (3-5-2): Rob, Cartey (Pepper 70), Chris, Josh, Log (Deano 70), Dyke, Chunk, Moon, Gibbs (Smith 75), Marcus, Admason.
Goals: Dyke 65, P. Newman 80, Lil Bill 86
Assists: Adamson, Marcus 2.
