The slopy pitch at Halstead FC was finally declared fit to play, after many weeks of non-activity...due to poor pitch drainage.
Nethertheless, a bright, breezy spring afternoon produced a good, competative kent county match between in the villagers of Halstead and the south east Londoners from Forest Hill.
It was FHP that started the brightest in all areas of the field, controlling possession from their technically gifted players, they really should have capitalised and scored one of their goal attempts within the first twenty minutes....but to no avail! Halstead were on the back foot for large spells of the match and didnt really manufacture any real goal threats in open play. However, the hosts were awarded a free kick 25yds out, and from the set play the Halstead midfielder hit an exquisite strike...top corner ..goal bound... only for the FHP keeper to pull off an equally good save onto the post to deny the hosts lead. The remainder of the half levelled out with both sides unable to gain any goal advantage during the first period.

HT-0-0

The second half started and continued in a similar format as the first, with FHP showing far more attacking prowess, the villagers had their work cut out for them, as they struggled with the away sides attacking pace on many occasions . Desperate measures were taken, as the home clubs assistant referee felt it was necessary and his duty to assist his flailing defensive back line, by constantly raising his flag for imaginary off-sides, when for all to see, the FHP attacking players were clearly not in imaginary off-side positions, compounded by the referee agreeing with his bizarre claims..it was embarrassing and extremely unsportly, especially as both sets of players played the match in a good competetive spirit.

Midway through the second half, against the run of play, the host left winger put in a deep cross, a defensive mix up from FHP enabled the host player to finish at the rear.

1-0

With still plenty of time left in this match, FHP pressed and probed in search of the equaliser or even the winner! With a combination of pace, trickery and desire the away side created many more goal scoring opportunies only to be thwarted by some solid last ditch defending and/or the continual efforts of a truly busy home club linesmen ....who surely loves his club...at all costs. The game became extremely passionate at times, as some full blooded challenges were occasionally dished out from players of both teams, which the referee could have monitered and dealt with alot earlier.

On the field of play the inevitable finally happened. After a series of FHP corners, Marco took advantage of one, after a poor half clearance, he hit a well placed shot into the bottom corner. No doubt about the goal, but to his credit the linesman was consistant by even raising his flag for this one! .....The referee -to his credit - overuled him on this occasion.

1-1

In the final stages FHP finished the stronger and really should have won the match, when a stonewall chance fell to the skipper, in the 6 yard box, in what seemed a definate goal....only for him to delay his shot ...and for the hosts to breathe a sigh of relief.

The game ended 1-1..a good football match overall from both sets of honest players....unfortunately marred by a not so honest referees assistant. A fair, level playing field is expected at this level......

MOM...Jean-Jaque