MATCH REPORT 28.09.25
Bexley & Belvedere 3s v Folkestone Optimists 7s

With last week’s opening game a walkover, the newly promoted Sevens were keen to get out onto the pitch and stretch their legs and stake their claim in Division 7 with their first away fixture at BBHC.

However, their start wasn’t textbook; in fact, their shape and passing left a lot to be desired as it was clear that the summer break still needed to be shaken off and BBHC were quick to capitalise and, despite play that wasn’t especially challenging, the Ops sloppy marking and challenges meant that they found themselves down to a soft goal within the first ten minutes: not the start they were looking for.

However, as they got into gear, the gameplay began to come together and some efficient play from the right through to Borris Nordone in the centre saw the ball through to the ever-dominant Matt Carter to unleash his customary thunderous shot blocked by the keeper, only to see skipper Dan Kennedy on the line to sweep up with a simple tap in to even the score at one apiece: game on.

The Ops now had the bit between their teeth and the gameplay started to flow better: from the stalwart backs of Ingleston and Gosford to some epic persistent play from the half-backs Price and Gordon Senior, there was little to trouble the robust Ops keeper Stuart Peall and young Riley Gordon and substitute Logan Charman – his first run out for the Sevens – were making their presence felt.

A frank half-time talk between the Sevens clearly had the net effect as straight from the whistle, a more determined Ops took the game to the home side. With more flowing play and the ever terrier-like Jon Ghaemian snapping and pushing, it felt like more was in store. And it was: with some pinpoint passing from the centres, it wasn’t long before young Riley Gordon found himself clear in the D and, being slipped a delightful pass from Carter, quickly found the back of the net for 2-1.

From there on, the Ops moved much more confidently, and this was reflected in the gameplay. With the backs consistently breaking down the home team’s play and the centres from Nordone to Simon Baker feeding the forwards saw several near misses and short corners awarded and persistence prevailed as another strong feeder shot parted the home side’s defence for Carter to thump in the next goal and open his book for the season: 3-1.

Similar play saw the ever-persistent Ghaemian through on goal for a moniker tap in for 4-1 and, with the home side now beaten, from there on it was more about how many could the Ops notch up in an important away fixture? With pressure ever-present and the debutant Charman having a superb game hassling and harrying, Carter was unlucky to have a shot deflect off the crossbar down in front of the line and hastily cleared by a relieved BBHC.

Carter clearly wasn’t to be denied a brace and shortly after again saw himself alone in the D and, having been fed a simply delightfully weighted pass was gifted to what is likely to be one of the easiest goals he’ll score this season as he tapped past the keeper. The game wrapped up shortly after at 5-1 to the visitors.

Post match, Skipper Kennedy commented: ‘Today was a good day to get our campaign off and running, but it wasn’t without a somewhat chaotic first fifteen minutes or so where we looked like a team that hadn’t played together before. But, once we’d shaken that off, we started to come together as a team much better. We’re up a league, but with by and large the same squad – although we’re still to welcome back a couple of our regular players from last season – so on paper it was ‘more of the same’ but it took us a little while to remember that.

‘But, once we got into gear, things came together much more as we got into our stride and the lads settled back into familiar roles. With last week’s walkover and today’s strong score, we find ourselves top of the league in these early stages. We’re in a new league with tougher and unknown opposition so we’re taking nothing for granted, but it’s a great start; we just need to build and keep working hard in training to ensure we’re upping the standard and make life as hard as possible for our opposition. Each and every one of the lads gave it 100 percent today and I can’t ask for anymore. Tumble (Price) has his customary scrapes from throwing himself around, Carter with his usual goal prowess and some great work from back to front…I should especially highlight young Logan Charman – what a great debut from the lad – his persistence and confidence was admirable and the only thing missing for him today was a goal…we hope to see him playing many more games for the Sevens…’