Forest Hill disappointed with cup defeat at the hands of match official....

Ladywell Arena was the stage set for the Charity cup first round competition between Forest Hill & Stansfeld. Before the match kicked off, all at the ground took part in an impeccable one minute silence out of respect of the French, notably as FHP has it's own Parisian contingents within the squad.

Onto the action......The rain was relentless since the 10.00 am pitch inspection, not heavy but a steady continual drizzle, which made the playing conditions difficult but still playable. From the outset, it was clear that the visitors tried to get the ball down & play, by moving the ball on the greasy surface quite well.... Good to see. No doubt, and as often, Forest Hill took control and imposed themselves on the game, with good fluid passing and movement from back to front, with all players comfortable in possession and dominated the game in first half, creating a few goal scoring opportunities but didn't deliver the required finishing to warrant the good build up play. The visitors defended well and soaked up a lot of pressure, but they themselves didn't really create many opportunities of note during open play, but still, the game was in the balance.

H-T 0-0

The second period starting in the same vain, with both teams still trying to play in the tough difficult conditions. Early in the second half Stansfeld gained a free kick, wide left 40 yards out. A great delivery was met by an unmarked player and with fine header put his side into the lead. FHP had lost concentration momentarily and got punished for the privilege.

With the visitors taking the lead it seemed to kick start Forest Hills drive to equalise. Canturk had made a couple of substitutions and tweaked his tactics to enable the attacking threat from the hosts, it surely seemed to work, the visitors backs were against the wall, as FHP were determined to make their pressure count. They created chances, but failed to execute by the means of good defensive work from Stansfeld and poor finishing. Even though FHP were looking good for the equaliser, they were susceptible to the counter attack which the visitors benefitted from on occasion, but were also guilty of poor finishing.

With five minutes remaining, the FHP pressure proved beneficial as Jem Kangave linked up well to feed Thierry Fotso in the box, with an excellent strike, the well deserved equaliser nestled in the back of the net.

1-1

Stansfeld were beginning to tire, as FHPs fitness appeared to be superior. As extra time was looming it would probably favour FHP.
Three minutes later Forest Hill went on the attack and created another goal scoring opportunity, as Jem found himself in the box, to turn the defender and score the winner.......? The referee gave the goal, but then noticed the linesman flag raised for off-side!.. The referee then changed his mind.....

Forest Hill goal not given.... Still 1-1.

Stansfeld counter attacked with a quick long ball to the left winger, as he drove towards the box, with the FHP defender at least a metre behind, and another covering FHP player coming from the side, the player gambled as he blatantly dived in the box.

This is where a good match was spoilt by an extremely poor decision by the referee. On three counts,

1- the linesman had kept up with play and did not award a penalty,

2- the referee did not keep up with play and awarded the penalty claim from the vocally loud visitors from the half way line.

3- This in turn quite rightly upset the Forest Hill Players and management team, as to how the appointed referee could make such a poor decision.

The awarded penalty stood, as the Stansfeld penalty taker kept his cool and slotted well.

1-2

Literally the last kick of the match....

F-T

Forest HIll 1-2 Stansfeld

Great game of football, played in the right spirit in difficult conditions, spoilt by an unfortunate disappointing key decision by the referee.

The alleged fouled Stansfeld player was honest enough after the match to admit his acting skills were developed at RADA and has since been studying Tom Daleys diving techniques....

Good luck Stansfeld for the rest of the competition.

..... On a serious note as much as the Forest Hill management and players endorse the respect campaign for referees and officials, respect must be earned .....

Next match

21st November 2015

At home - Ladywell Arena

3pm kick off

Kent Invicta Cup

Vs Sutton Athletic