Staplehurst Monarchs (1) 6 Ashton 4,70 Terry 48, Simpson 52,72, Anderson 90+3
Erith 147 Sports (0) 1 Scored on 51 (#5)
Headcount 15
Entrance: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 1/6,579
New Ground: 276
The reservations that I had regarding a dip into Step 7 was that the football was going to be akin to the standard that I played in my time, which wasn't very good, and that because of that, it wouldn't be enjoyed. On both counts I need not have worried. The standard was much better than I played (that wasn't difficult) and consequently the afternoon was most enjoyable.
With no entrance fee and no programme, I felt compelled to ask the luminaries of groundhopping whether I could count this as a ground visited or even a game (despite the fact that I don't consider myself a groundhopper). The posters of Tony Kempster's Forum and my three friends who, like myself, sadly care about these trivialities gave me the all clear!
It was a lovely afternoon that was pleasantly warm until the sun dipped behind the menacing black clouds as Erith 147 Sports took to the field with their captain exclaiming to his troops, "let's have some stretches, lads". As he undertook his routine, his pleas fell on deaf ears, and he continued alone.
Erith started the game much the brighter side and a first minute header narrowly cleared the crossbar before in the fourth minute the Staplehurst goalkeeper made a good parrying save after which his defence managed to smother a couple of efforts as the ball bobbed around the six-yard box.
Staplehurst grew into the game and hit the post, for the first of half-a-dozen occasions, after 13 minutes when, with only name-calling to go by, Nathan (nicknamed Irish) fired in a low shot. With the benefit of Twitter, I was later to glean that I am referring to Nathan Simpson.
The home side took the lead three minutes later when a cross to the far post was converted by Danny Ashton who took a blow to the head for his trouble.
Erith's stand-out player, a left winger called Arthur, was a constant thorn in the side to Staplehurst with the his jinking runs and also to the referee who took the odd bit of verbal as the visitors felt that the home side were getting the majority of the official's decisions.
The Erith goalkeeper was getting rather irritated by the lack of communication. "It's not difficult, man on, time, etc." However, when he got the communication he requested it was a volley of abuse between those at the front and those at the back. Not great for team spirit.
As the whistle blew for half-time I wandered across to a game that was being played on an adjoining pitch and, to my surprise, it involved my home village club, Marden. When I quizzed one of the Marden substitutes as to why they were playing a home match in Staplehurst, he explained that the council had failed to mow the pitch or clear dog's mess, so for their final game they decided to play at Jubilee Fields. If ever there was a confirmation that money from the obscene Premier League TV deal needs to trickle down to grassroots then that is one. For the records, the game finished 3-3 with the visitors Lenham Wanderers.
An early second half goal set Monarchs on the goal to a convincing victory. A very well engineered move eventually found the ball at the feet of Joe Terry who drove it into the net from 6 yards.
That breathing space was not to last long as a cross in the box was only partially cleared and the Erith No. 5 (who played mostly upfront), powerfully shot into the net from 12 yards.
A third goal in four minutes restored Staplehurst's two goal advantage when Irish headed home a cross from the right and after 70 minutes was extended with a good finish from Ashton.
A couple of minutes later and a superb finish from Irish brought Monarchs' fifth and his immediate substitution. "He ain't going to do that again, Irish off you come!" came from the bench!
There was time for Staplehurst to hit the post for the umpteenth time before, in time added, the impressive Jakob Anderson fired home a sixth after being set up by a substitute.
As said, the game produced a good standard and these two clubs are only positioned in the middle of the table, so I am left to contemplate how good are Metrogas who won the league by a street.
So this could be the end of season 2014-15. My cupboard is bare regarding Saturday fixtures, no doubt the missus is going to get frustrated with me under her feet until early July. There are a couple of midweek games that might become available if the FA and the Ryman League can sort out the Prmeier League play-off chaos and Tonbridge's Shield Final against Metropolitan Police.
Until then, keep logging in, this summer's "Summertime Blues" will follow the close-season comings and goings (of which some have already happened) at the clubs normally followed by this blog.
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