The 5th game of the league took us away to old williamsonians for a late 4:30 push back. After a heavy 7-1 loss last week, the ops were keen to bounce back and put in a shift, and that we did. With a lack of players due to injuries and holidays saw a debut for Rowe. Little stone and Hemphrey were also back in the side.

With players having to play out of position, the game got off to a dramatic start with a card in the first 5 minutes for the ops. However folkestone went 1-0 up with a family worked goal assisted by Timmins and tucked away over the keeper from the backhand of Ball.

Shortly after however, after a goal keeping master class from Brenchley, the opposition had to pull of a worldie to beat the wall in goal and a rocket of a drag flick from the opposition captain into the top left corner evened up the game. Folkestone was then put under a lot of pressure and with 5 minutes left of half time and another card for Folkestone, a scrap in the D ended with a tap in at the back post for the opposition. 2-1.

After a rallying half time team talk and a few new pressing tactics, Folkestone started strong and won a p flick after a great tackle and run from gnanny. However the keeper couldn’t be beaten, managing to pick the ball out of the top corner from Doyle and the score stayed at 2-1. Ops put their bodies on the line with ithurs taking hits in the head for the second consecutive week and one on the thumb to keep the ball out and keep ops in the game.

Shaw had a great game off the back and managed to silence the crowd on the sideline with a cracking strike from the back, splitting through everyone and creating an opportunity out of nothing. Rumsey playing out of position at left back made it difficult for him however he dealt with it excellently making some great forward runs and crucial tackles. Furneaux having to step in as captain played a great game inspiring ops to keep fighting, providing a true role model. Awesome legs from Timmins gave ops a bit of hope, holding the ball up high up the pitch and creating a few chances.

Although relentless pressure saw ops concede 2 more easy goals that really didn’t reflect how the game had played out. Ops fought hard until the very end and put up a great battle not making it easy for the opposition but couldn’t quite get the result they set out hoping for. Two weeks off should allow ops to re group and we can go again after the slip week.