Summary
Two wins out of two and this resounding victory has been coming for a while. A tactical change of formation, plus a more positive attitude has seen our game improve over the last five matches. The momentum has been increasing steadily, despite not getting the results we deserved, until we earned a good win last week. But sooner or later we knew someone would have to pay for all the missed chances and, unfortunately for them, Ditton Minors bore the brunt of our ruthless finishing. Charlie Caine was man-of-the match for his well-taken two goals and all-round contribution as he worked hard up front. Playing just behind Charlie, Dan D’Rosario had another excellent game and also grabbed a brace for himself. Connaire Rees tapped in his first goal for the Club, on his return after missing last week’s victory.
All over the pitch there were magnificent contributions. Brad Lonergan came to our rescue several times, as he has done for most of the season. The back four – comprising the excellent Scott Brown and Matt George at full backs, with Harley Hines alongside Connaire in the middle – kept a clean sheet for the first time this season, to show their increasing confidence and maturity. Aran Heer made his debut as the holding midfielder, with Jack Hughes on the left and Jack Hine once again fantastic on the right. The front trio of Charlie, Dan and Sam Royden-Ryell caused the Ditton defence problems all through the afternoon.
Substitute Tom Whiting steadied the ship in the centre of midfield when he came on, just as Ditton threatened to get back into the game. Andrew Skivington also got straight into the pace of the game quickly when he was called up to replace the injured Scott Brown. The only disappointment on the day was the ankle injury sustained by Matt O’Donnell after he also came on as a sub. We can only hope that it is not too serious and that he returns quickly.
The win has seen us spring off the bottom of the table, overtaking Ditton and Penenden Heath, to be level on points with Park Regis who we play in two weeks’ time. Next up though, we go to second-placed Roseacre Raiders, and in our current vein of form who knows what might happen there. We will certainly go there with plenty of confidence.

Match Highlights
1 min – Right from the start we are on the attack and Charlie Caine goes down in the penalty area under a heavy challenge but nothing is given
2 mins – GOAL. DAN D’ROSARIO. Scott Brown and Jack Hine work a clever throw-in. Scott drives in a brilliant cross that eludes everyone in a packed area, except Dan who follows-up on the far post and pokes the ball over the line. 1 – 0
5 mins – Ditton threaten a few times and find themselves getting through our defensive line quite easily. Brad Lonergan is quick to save, with one particularly outstanding stop when one-on-one
7 mins – GOAL. CONNAIRE REES. Ditton fail to clear Dan’s corner from the left, and Connaire taps in from the far post for his first goal in 33 appearances for the Club. 2 – 0
15 mins – Confidence is high now that we have a two-goal cushion. Dan is producing some excellent work, linking up with Jack Hughes and Matt George on the left and trying to thread passes through to Charlie. On the right, Scott and Jack Hine are also linking well
20 mins – GOAL. DAN D’ROSARIO. Dan picks up the ball 30 yards from goal and jinks past a couple of players before hitting a 25-yard shot over the stranded Ditton keeper, who he spotted off his line. 3 – 0
23 mins – Scott gives away a needless foul but we are lucky that the resultant freekick is over the bar
39 mins – Ditton have not given up and continue to press, with a header over the bar. We have to be careful not to let them get back into the game
42 mins – The normally reliable Harley Hines is unable to get the ball out of his feet quickly enough next to his own penalty spot, but the resulting shot is poked just past the post. Another let-off!
44 mins – GOAL. CHARLIE CAINE. A long clearance from Brad is cleverly judged by Charlie who turns his defender way too easily and finishes well past the keeper coming out. It should be game over. 4 – 0
45 mins – The last action of the half sees a Ditton header bounce off the top of our bar from a corner
HALF TIME 4 – 0
48 mins – No changes for us but the good football continues with some neat passing triangles between Scott, Jack Hine, Aran and Sam on the right; then Dan, Matt George, and Jack Hughes on the left
52 mins – Matt George plays a great ball down the line for Jack Hughes to chase, but his cross finds nobody in the area to get on the end of it
59 mins – GOAL. CHARLIE CAINE. Charlie’s persistence and pressure pays off. Good work from Dan who plays ball to Charlie on the edge of the penalty area. Charlie curls in a superb shot. 5 – 0
60 mins – SUBSTITUTION. ARAN HEER OFF. TOM WHITING ON. A good debut from Aran but Tom’s ball-winning aggression and clever distribution is required in a straight swap
70 mins – SUBSTITUTION. JACK HUGHES OFF. MATT O’DONNELL ON. A chance for Matt to get another run out. Dan drops to left midfield, so Matt can play alongside Sam, behind Charlie
80 mins – SUBSTITUTION. SCOTT BROWN OFF. ANDREW SKIVINGTON ON. Scott starts to feel a strain on his groin, so he limps off as a precaution. Dan moves to right back, Matt George goes to left midfield and Andy takes over at left-back.
85 mins – Matt O’Donnell goes down clutching his ankle painfully after a collision including one of his own players. Clearly in pain, Matt battles on bravely for the remaining few minutes
88 mins – Matt George’s energy in midfield sees him flying down the left wing and sending in some decent crosses but, unfortunately, we are unable to convert them into more goals
FINAL SCORE 5 – 0

Man of the Match: Charlie Caine
For the second game in succession Charlie scores two goals but it is his work-rate that is admirable as well as his finishing. Though tempted to chase every ball across the front line, Charlie is getting used to the discipline of staying put as a central target man. He is also realising the importance of holding the ball up and laying it off, so that we can develop meaningful attacks. Charlie has benefited from good team play behind him and an improved finishing touch.