A sunny dry morning greeted the players and loyal supporters of Beavers FC at the flat well maintained grounds of Met Police.
This weeks opponents, Welling United FC, while maybe not being in the same class as QPR and Fulham, as another experienced IFA team still provided a stern test. "Sir Matt" starting in goal with a slightly re-arranged defence in front of him that had been instructed to seal up the danger area through the middle. A few changes in the centre of the park, due to enforced absences, saw Danny start in midfield, up front the twin strike force of Lee and Chris.
With 3 of our 4 subs carrying injuries we knew from the outset we would need to be careful with our substitutions.
The first half proved a fairly even affair with several well timed challenges and the usual commitment. The previously dangerous area which saw the opposition cutting through and shooting from the edge of the area had been sealed by the ever improving Elliott capping another man of the match display.
The one area where we would need to be self-critical is on defending corners. Far too often we would have 10 or 11 players back against 8/9 Welling players yet they were still allowed to get players free in the penalty area.

H.T. 0-0

The second half continued in the same vain as the first with "Lovejoy" (Marc) doing well in midfield supported well by Adam at right back. In the centre of defence alongside Elliott, Gibbo put in his best game so far (and a full 90 mins - Oxygen !).
The turning point came approximately 15mins into the second period. We were our own worst enemy as Welling, from another corner, put the ball in the box - this time we cleared the ball from the area. However 5 or 6 players from our side charged upfield, despite us not being in possession. Welling crossed the ball back into the area where we were immediately under pressure due to our lack of defenders and in an amazing onslaught by Welling Sir Matt pulled off six world class saves (I kid you not) from almost point blank range with superb athletisism. In the melee the ball was crashed into the hand of Chrissy P giving him absolutely no chance to avoid it and the ref, who was on the blind side, gave the penalty although I suspect not by seeing it but on the Welling appeals. Sir M, after regaining his breath, diving to his left made contact with the ball but was unable to stop it from crossing the line.
The game progressed with " Young Dave" (David B) coming on at left-mid and battling away hustling guys twice his size and causing one 6 footer to collapse exhausted with cramp!
Wellings second and final goal also came from a corner - and again we have to look at the way we defended it. This time we were so concerned with picking up the forwards in the box we completely ignored the run for a short corner. Therefore the cross came in unchallenged from a different angle and Elliott rose bravely 10 yards out attempting to win a contested header but unfortunately only managed to flick the ball backwards past Sir Matt to see the ball cruelly nestling in the back of our net. A BIG O-G.
The last 10 mins saw the welcome return of Craig, who always manages to look the part, and plays it, despite the severe knee injury sustained earlier in the season. We also had 5 mins of Paul D testing his ankle which seemed to go ok - but maybe the knock he got on his head redirected the pain. We decided not to risk Michael's hamstring from the bench as we have a couple of free weeks for it to recover.
With no further goals being scored the Beavers capped another full blooded display by keeping their shape, doing their job and fighting to the end which will bode us well when we get to meet evenly matched opponents.

Final Score: BEAVERS FC 0 - WELLING UNITED FC 2

Team Line Up
Matt N ; Adam , Jamie H , Elliott , Gibbo ; Danny , Marc , Andrew , Curt ; Chris , Lee.

Subs
David B , Paul D , Craig , Michael P.


Further info on the supporters team at
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/beaversfc/