Clements Athletic 3 - 3 Orsett Green

A new season, a new name, a lot of new faces, a new management team, and a lot of new opponents to face.  This was always going to be a tough opening game against an Orsett Green side who amassed a respectable 15 points in the Premier Division last season, and Clements (nee The Oaks) showed good spirit to snatch a point having lost a two goal lead and been one behind with 5 minutes to play.

It's early yet to decide whether the pairing of Alec and Widge will be Fergurson and McClaren or more like Sven and Nancy, and they picked a starting eleven that had a familar look, but included new signings Foggy and Chris who were in for retirees Mikey and Nathan.  Browne also started, and is looking to make the right back shirt his own following the departure of Deano, the club's longest serving member.

Subs: Sharpy, Ben, Alan, Ed

Clements started brightly and had an early chance to take the lead when Ryan found space to shoot in the box, but unfortunately his curling shot went wide.  Ryan was then heavily involved in Clements taking the lead, when his in swinging corner was met by a powerful header at the back post from Bunny: 1-1.

The Oaks extended their lead in the first half, when a goal kick from Rob was won in the air by Ryan, despite him being surrounded by about four Orsett players.  His flick on put Dale clear, who had much too much pace for Orsett's defenders, and he slotted calmly past the keeper to get his goal tally off to another flying start.

Despite pressure from Orsett, Parker was doing a fine job debutising for Conor, and we were able to keep the two goal lead in tact at the break.

The second half started well, but quickly went down hill when two key midfielders were lost through injury.  First Foggy and then Bunny were withdrawn, and despite new signing Ben coming on and getting stuck in, and Sharpy doing what Sharpy does, Orsett took this disruption as an opportunity to pile on the pressure.

St Clement is the patron saint of sailors, and we definitely needed his help as our lead quickly evaporated and we were soon 3-2 down and sinking fast.  Tired legs and a loss of shape were really to blame for the goals we succeeded (although Parker might be questioning the grip on Conor's gloves), and it took a real effort to pick ourselves up in the last 10 minutes and keep fighting.  But fight we did, and when the ball squirmed under the body of the Orsett keeper and clearly over the line following Ryan's well struck shot through a crowded area, I feel that justice was done as the referee awarded the goal.  Every point in this league is going to be hard fought in this league, and we definitely worked hard for this one.

Eye-Ball