A packed to the rafters Spinney Lane saw The Miners try out a new formation for this game, with debutant Johnny Elliott coming into the centre of midfield alongside Pat Sutcliffe. This bold tactic by Boss Del 'I'll fine you twice for everything' Hyndman allowed Shaun Armstrong the freedom to roam, and wide men Tom 'pick on the fat slow bloke' Armstrong and tax dodger Simon Wallis the freedom to get forward. The formation proved to be a success, as Snowdown dominated posession, and constantly broke down the Swalecliffe defence. Armstrong eventually played in Armstrong, and Armstrong finished with a cooly taken effort to make it 1-0.

After 20 minutes John Elliott eventually made his first pass to another Snowdown player, and Pat Sutcliffe was able to play it through to pie muncher Aaron Clubb, who found a cool finish from 12 yards.

Some decidedly dodgy free kicks allowed Sawlecliffe back into the game. The first, given away by John Elliott, saw shambolic defending in the box, which led to a closing of the gap. The second free kick, given away by John Elliott (a pattern emerges!) was hit directly at Stuart 'the cat (or is it the pussy?)' Harris, who let the feeble strike slip through his hands into the back of the net. £1 into the beer kitty Stu. Good work fella.

This was how things were at the break, and even with sideline banter from former egg chaser Steve Richards, things didn't liven up again in this half.

In the second half Snowdown took up the mantle again, and pushed on, ripping the Swalecliffe defence and midfield to pieces. Substitute Jonathan Townsend would have looked like a great player if only his second touch was as good as his first! They only had two more goals to show for their dominance though, scored again by Armstrong and Clubb.

Two more notable moments occurred in the half however, with Gareth Glover AND Shaun Armstrong both being nutmegged, the latter from 10 yards! £1 each into the beer kitty - cheers lads.

All in all Snowdown played some excellent football, and they dominated the midfileld completely. The back four looked solid thoughout, although playing with 2 Gazzas down the middle bamboozled everyone at times. Gareth Glover is competing with Aaron Clubb for who put the most weight on during the Summer break. Glover has some work to do if he is to regain last year's manager's player of the year award. Who was last year's manager again who made that choice? Oh yeah - he was!!

Onwards and upwards from here then!

 

 

In an encounter ultimately spoiled by contentious refereeing, Snowdown played fast, flowing football that unhinged their opponents throughout the first half. However, their only reward came when the baby faced assasin, Jonathan Townsend raced down the left wing onto a ball that looked like it was going out. He managed to keep the ball in play and was closed down by a set of defenders and the 'keeper. JT kept his head and pulled it back for Jam Rag who touched the ball in to make the defenders' faces as red as his hair.

Snowdown kept up the pressure, and eventually frustration grew and, after some alledged misuse of gutter language by the referee, Garfy saw red for replying in kind.

Snowdown continued to play well with just 10 men, and generally looked comfortable, even if right back Anthony 'uncle Bulgaria' Stevenson proved he can take a holiday in any 90 minute period by disappearing to the midfield on the odd occasion.

On 70 minutes Jam Rag lost his cool as the mist around him became the same colour as the hair on his hed, and the card that followed comleted a red hat trick!

The game finally turned on yet another poor decision as Robbie Robson was fouled in a savage assault that left the young left back with a fractured eyelash. The aggressor carried the ball into the box and pulled it back for a team mate, who was tackeled supremely well by Pat Sutcliffe. The ref saw it differently however and awarded a spot kick. The first effort was well saved by Sturt Harris, but the attacking team were first to the rebound and levelled the scores. Let's be honest though - no-one expected the save so defenders were just not on their toes.

The Snowdown defence capitulated after the goal and eventually the game ended 5-1.

A good run out but a second defeat for the incoming boss.

 

 

Snowdown CWFC travelled away to Westgate on Saturday. Snowdown's youthful side put up s fine display, but ended up 5-4 losers on the day.

The game, which was played in a friendly manner throughout, started to get going after about 20 minutes when a ball through from the midfield was latched on to by tax dodger Simon Wallis to make it 1-0 to the miners.

The lead was short lived and soon the Thanet side had scored an equaliser. Then on about 30 minutes Fraser Monger ran out of his goal to clear, when his defenders had allowed an attacker a clear run on goal, but unfortunately he missed his kick altogether to let the Thanet team take a 2-1 lead. A goal for the Thanet side and the first £1 into the end of season beer kitty!!

It was soon 3-1 following a comedy of errors in the snowdown box, with Tom Armstrong eventually cannoning the ball off the hapless Monger's backside and into the net  - £2 in the kitty from Monger! Just before the end of the first half the Thanet side went 4-1 up after the left winger was allowed time and space to get a cross in. The Snowdown team were looking for their right back - but apparently Anthony ' i can play anywhere except where you put me'  Stevenson had gone on holiday somewhere in the semi-circle. The cross sailed over the flapping Monger and into the far top corner.

Snowdown boss Del Hyndman rang the changes at half time and that perked Snowdown up for the second half. Shaun Armstrong swung his corner into the box on 55 minutes to find the salmon-like Aaron Clubb rising to head home in the 6 yard box. The extra weight he has put on since the end of last season helped him stay over the ball and keep it down!! More pies please.

Sloppy defending from the re-start however led to the Thanet side opening up their 3 goal advantage again, and this time Monger had no chance!

The combination of Armstrong and Clubb proved effective again on 65 minutes as Shauny slung the ball in from the right wing and Clubby found an emphatic finish on the volley from 10 yards.

The score was now 5-3 and the away side were rampant. Space started to open up behind the home sides defence, and eventually Tom Armstron cottoned onto this and snuck on to a through ball from Pat Sutcliffe and finished neatly from a tight angle. We're not sure if he made a run or if he was still up there from the previous attack.

The miners could smell victory, (or maybe it was what was pouring out of Clubby and Carl's mouths on the sidelines), but either way they had their tails up. However there was not enough time for an equaliser, although there was enough time for Robbie Robson to offer his open legs to an opponent and to suffer the first nutmeg of the season - another pound into the beer kitty- cheers Robbie!!

 

All in all it was a good performance for the first run out of the season. Gazza shone on his debut, and would have played more if he didn't fall over Ronaldo-like and scratch his poor little knees! He needs a bit of steak inside him and possibly a few shifts down the pit to toughen him up!

 

With a few more games under their belt and some tactical awareness from the new gaffer things should be looking up fo Snowdown this year. We all look forward to the next game away at Chartham on Saturday.

Man of the match - Pat Sutcliffe