FC Elmstead 4 Staplehurst Monarchs 0

Match 65/22/2072 - Saturday, 21st January 2023 - SCEFL Division One

FC Elmstead (2) 4 Gugas-Cowen 1 Keeble 38,51 Sheridan 86
Staplehurst Monarchs (0) 0
Attendance: 44

Admission: £4
Programme: Included
Mileage: 64/4,552

Postponements elsewhere offered the opportunity of a rare lend of support to my local club, Staplehurst Monarchs, away at FC Elmstead, who groundshare at Sutton Athletic. Unfortunately for the Monarchs, it would have to be an away game as they have suffered more than most with postponements, having not had a home game for seven weeks.

It was another bone chilling afternoon and as the game wore on into its closing stages, the players studs on the hardening surface sounded like the runners and riders going past at Epsom.

Staplehurst could possibly lay claim to being a bit ring rusty having only had a three games in that seven week period and they were certainly caught cold as the home side were ahead in just 28 seconds. The lack of a team sheet for Elmstead means credit can’t be given to anyone other than the goalscorer in a well worked move down the left which ended with the ball being fed to the right hand angle of the six yard box from where Joedon Gugas-Cowan drove the ball into the bottom corner.

Elmstead stayed on the front foot with Steve Lawrence saving after five minutes but Staplehurst immediately mounted their first attack on goal that saw Lorenzo Couzzo test the home goalkeeper.

But that proved to be the only time he was tested in the opening half-hour as Elmstead created and wasted several good chances.

On the half hour, the Monarchs had their best chance of the half, and ultimately the game, as Brad Large sent David Latunde clear but his effort was saved by the legs of the advancing keeper.

Kieron Pallett fired over before Elmstead went two in front with a goal direct from a corner by Callum Keeble that sailed over the head of Lawrence to nestle into the far corner. Due warning of Keeble’s ability to inswing a corner had been given from his previous two such crosses.

On 40 minutes, Pallett saw yellow for a challenge that whilst bookable it highlighted the Elmstead’s bench for their propensity to over reaction. There is little doubt that refereeing at this level could be better, but the constant haranguing of the officials ultimately does no one any favours.

Another yellow card, this time for Sam Swift brought the same reaction with no small indiscretion being an opportunity missed for more abuse of the referee's ears.

A half-time retreat to the warmth of the clubhouse and a cuppa was rewarded with a biscuit to go with the tea, a welcome first!

Unfortunately, Elmstead’s show of charity was reciprocated early in the second period as Lawrence was caught dwelling on the ball which led to the ball being robbed and crossed to give Keeble a tap-in that as good as signalled game over.

When Staplehurst’s Latunde was bundled over when through on goal, the Elmstead bench stayed strangely quiet and the yellow card stayed in the pocket. The free kick, 20 yards out, was driven tamely into the wall.

The home side were in complete control of the game with chances before wrapping up their comfortable victory in the 84th minute when Harry Sheridan converted from around 10 yards after a cross from the bye-line.

As the Monarch’s tweeted after the match, they’ve had better days at the office.