COWHC Men's 2s vs Kenley Men's 2s - 04th Nov 2017

With the winter well and truly here. The mighty Crows, having made there way to top spot in the SOHL Premier Division, were asked to climb mount Warlingham to take on a familiar foe! Kenley, the trolls who usually occupy the foothills, choosing to associate themselves with similarly despised company as Southern Rail has challenged us. Never a group to back down we scaled the mountain and awaited the battle to commence. With the welcome return of the original troll hunter PB18 and the lost member of, the Sons of Anarchy we lined up for the fight ahead.

As the game commenced the sky’s darkened and the heavens opened! This would be a battle on many fronts, namely Torrential rain and local rivalry.

Setting up in an in unfamiliar formation, the Crows attacked! Throwing the initial arrow from archer Alex, Ollie Houghton (who’d go on to win MOM) began to terrorise the defence. With more tricks then Paul Daniels and turns then the magic round about in Swindon, the tone was set. Strong presses lad by the ever energetic PB18 and a midfield pivoting round our own prowling Shere Khan (Dawes) we began to infiltrate the 23. Then it happened. You always look at a player returning to his spiritual home and wonder was it the right move, it was! PB18 with what can only be described as an Insta Dream goal set the Crows on their way! Taking it top D, he takes it strong, then turns reverse, the defender wrong footed, the keeper charges! With a slip to his strong side he lifts the ball nonchalantly over the keeper, defender and a covering desperate dive. The ball nestled into the back of the net and Crows take a deserved 1-0 lead!!

As the half closed kenley could do nothing but undercut Long balls to try and disable the mighty Crows press. With nothing penetrating the midfield and the advancement of the rock solid defence, the Crows ended the half 1-0 up.

A small gathering to take stock, some words of wisdom from the evergreen (ever bronzed) JF sent the Crows out in search of further reward.

The second half started with a different feel. The Crows more accustomed to the new formation began to find space. With probing intertwining runs from the forward line and the skill and guile being provided by the midfield trio the Kenley rear guard were under immense pressure. A surge leads to a short corner. With no Joe the strike option removed and PB18 on the side line up step Alex and #JP17. With a swift injection from #JP17, a strong trap from Henners, Alex steps up and whips it back towards the injector. With the deftest touch #JP17 finds the backboard from behind him 2-0!!

In the blink of an eye it’s 3. This was a quality worked goal. Griff buzzing around on the right, drifts past 2 drops the shoulder and sees Ollie H open on the spot. Having drawn the defenders and keeper he slips the ball square and with an immediate swish of his stick Houghton buried the game!

With the game sewn up, Henners felt left out! After being elbowed, having a short corner decision taken away from him and basically saying every decision Jack had made was wrong, decided he’d hit out as he was again taken out. With a break in play, Jack summoned him and swiftly brandished a green card! A petulant throw of his stick and then forgetting to come back on still didn’t muster enough votes for DOD!!???

With that being the last notable moment of action the battle was over, and victory claimed.

The war still rages but the mighty Crows have gained further ground and now sit proudly 3 points clear at the top of SOHL Premier Division.