St Lawrence v Wilderpark

Saints returned to action after an extended winter break with a hard fought victory over Wilderpark.
Fortress Bitchet was still feeling the affects of an overindulgent festive period and so the game was played on Wrotham's 3G pitch. The winter break also took its toll on availability and Saints were forced to call on former marksman Tom Wright and shot stopper Adam Porter.
True to form, the home side began the game looking like they hadn't seen each other for 5 weeks and quickly found themselves a goal behind. A simple ball over the back four saw the winger ghost in and slot home while coach Herbert was still in the changing room. Not to be deterred however, Saints dusted themselves off and soon begun to move the ball about with the silk like ease that has started to make the Gaffer purr in his old age.
A re-jigged centre midfield saw Dave Ravenscroft (fresh from 60 minutes for the reserves earlier in the afternoon) take up the holding role to allow the janitor to partner Mike Smith further up the field. It was this freedom that led to Saints equaliser on the half hour mark as good work down the right saw Daniels release Nick Rawlinson on the edge of the area. The diminutive winger made no mistake as he cooly slotted past the onrushing keeper to ensure the sides went in all square at half time.
Into the second half and Saints picked up where they left off, controlling the football and watching the opposition become increasingly frustrated as they took it in turns to chase shadows. This pressure paid off just before the hour as a defensive mix up saw Wright capitalise and poke home at the second time of asking. 
What followed next had all the hallmarks of a classic St Lawrence moral victory, as, despite superior possession, the home side seemed incapable of putting the game to bed. Wrighty showed that half a season of playing on 3G has not changed the habit of a life time as he found the fencing to the side of the goal with remarkable ease. Not to be outdone, Rawlinson also decided it better to provide the 'keeper with shooting practice as the pair combined to miss half a dozen good chances. There was event chance for Tunnell to go down in the area when it looked simpler to score.
Saints finally decided to end the game as a contest with 15 minutes remaining when a quick throw from Graeme Jones allowed the janitor to sweep the ball up on the byline, swivel and lay the ball off to Legge Beale. Released from the shackles of goalkeeping duty, the Eggy Seale showed prowess groomed when walking the Weald 10K in 2012 as he wandered in to tap home at the back post and add the all important third.
With seasoned enforcer Matt Campion on for the last 5 minutes, Saints shut up shop and played out the remainder of the half with relative ease to record a well deserved three points.