Hollands & Blair 1 Canterbury City 1

Match 27/17/1477 - Wednesday, 6th September 2017 - SCEFL Premier

Hollands & Blair (1) 1 McDonald 35
Canterbury City (0) 1 Pulman (pen) 87
Attendance: 101

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 58/1,646

This evening took on the shape of a Brian Moore's Head editorial meeting with its founders and a couple of contributors in attendance (I qualify by virtue of one article published!), so there was plenty of reminiscing and chewing over the latest troubled tales from down the road at Priestfield.

On the field a feisty encounter ensued which culminated in Hollands' Ben Brown being dismissed for a reckless challenge 10 minutes from time. In truth, following some meaty challenges and a few handbags, the referee probably did well to keep his red card in his pocket until that stage. The stage was certainly set in the opening stages when Hollands' Anthony Jeffers found his way into the book after just three minutes.

Canterbury went close twice in the early stages both times by virtue of miscued clearances from Kieran Sharp and Lewis Taylor that were inches from embarrassment.

However, it was the home side that went ahead after 35 minutes when Brown sent James McDonald clear and the striker did what he has been doing for years, clinically tucking the ball past Jack Delo.

The game became very spicy into the second half with both sides keeping the referee on his toes. An agricultural challenge from Sharp set the scene for a flurry of yellows that saw two more from Blair and one for Canterbury's Connor Sanders that wasn't far removed from the offence that Brown was to commit five minutes later.

Following Brown's departure, Blair might have sealed the game when James O'Halloran struck a post.

Three minutes from time, Canterbury were awarded a penalty when Taylor brought down Matt Martin. Ian Pulman converted with a spot kick fired straight down the middle.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Blair might have pinched the points when McDonald forced Delo into a fine save at his near post.