12th December 2004. Kick-off 10:30am
Tom Rose
Tom Hooper (Josh Brooks) Dan
Stone Tom Sheehan Dan
Curtis
Evan Thomas
Justin Skinner
Harry Pople Jack Baber (Ryan Davies)
Dan Buley Jake Payne (John Cotgreave)
Fry’s knew that they had to get a result from this bottom of the table clash to stop Bromley Heath leap-frogging above them in the league. This hadn’t appeared to have sunk in as they started off very hesitantly and gave away an early goal in the third minute when Bromleys number 6 went storming through the Fry’s defence to slot the ball into the back of the net. Fry’s battled well but seemed reluctant to shoot when clear chances arose.
In the 15th minute, Bromley gave away a
penalty when one of their defenders handled the ball on their goalline. Up stepped the trusty right boot of Danny Curtis
to bring the scores level. This seemed to push Fry’s up a gear and they pushed
forward on numerous occasions. In the 20th minute, after battling
his way into the box Dan Buley put the ball over the Bromley keeper to put
Fry’s 2-1 up.
Over the next 10 minutes leading to half time,
Fry’s played the ball around well which paid off in the 29th minute
when Justin connected with a shot from outside the area (second week running)
which rifled into the top corner.
The second half started well for Fry’s with 2 early goals coming from Harry and Jake. Both came from good through balls and persistence. 5-1 up, the crowd felt that Fry’s had this game in the bag, but the boys thought different. 36th minute after a desperate challenge in the Fry’s area, a penalty is give which brings Bromley back to 5-2. Over the next 6 minutes Fry’s went to sleep at the back and unbelievably conceded another 3 goals which brought Bromley level at 5-5.
But, in true Fry’s spirit the boys never stopped
battling and this deservedly paid off when Harry Pople
netted another 2 to get his well-deserved hatrick.
The match ended with Fry’s winning 7-5, and
hopefully learning a crucial lesson that when 5-1, up you can’t turn off, but
have to keep going for the full 60 minutes.