Kentish Football 
Woodstock Sports 0-1 Erith Town - This tie isn't over, says Erith Town boss Tony Russell
Wednesday 18th January 2012
WOODSTOCK SPORTS 0-1 ERITH TOWNMacron Kent League Cup Quarter-Final First Leg
Wednesday 18th January 2012
Mike Green reports from Broadoak Road
A stunning goal from Adam Williams six minutes after half time means that Erith Town will start the second leg of this Macron Kent Premier Division Cup Quarter Final as favourites to progress into the last four, and leaves Woodstock Sports left rueing a disappointing evening at Woodstock Park which saw them finish with ten men following Lynden Rowland’s sending off.
Erith Town boss Tony Russell, a naturally happy man with the result, was still keen to emphasise that the tie is still very much in the balance.
He said: "We told the boys that if we want to win things we have to come to places like this and learn how to win games. I thought it was a nice professional performance from us tonight - I don’t remember our keeper having a shot to save.
“But make no mistake - this isn't over; it is just half time. They are a good side with some decent players but if we play our football on our pitch we must be favourites now.”
But for Scott Appleton, Woodstock Sports’ number two (in charge as boss Ben Taylor was stuck at work) it was an unhappy and frustrating night.
He said: "It was very disappointing tonight. When we played them up there a fortnight ago, they played some really, really good football, and we struggled to come to terms with it.
“Tonight I thought we played the football in the first half whilst they played the conditions and us better than we did. They were knocking the balls down the channels and turning us, and their two boys up front were good players and our two centre half’s had to be good tonight and they were outstanding.
“But 1-0 is possibly fair enough maybe - on another day we might have got away with a 0-0, but their keepers had what just two shots to save in the first half and if you don’t shoot you don’t score goals and you don’t win football matches!"
And there basically lies the tale of this Quarter Final. Woodstock created few chances and those that they did were comfortably dealt with by Erith keeper Kevin Fewell whilst his opposite number Jack Rankin, particularly in the second half produced two absolutely top draw saves and could do nothing about Williams' goal.
The first half was an enjoyable spectacle even if it didn't really get going. Robert Welling drove straight at Fewell as the home side pressed first, before Williams too drove straight at the keeper after being released by Tyrus Gordon.
Williams then took advantage of defensive hesitation on the half hour - getting in behind the defence to poke the ball over Rankin but wide of the left post.
Rankin though produced a fine save when Louis Valencia wriggled through on the goal line wide on the right. He was able to force his way into the box and was able to get a shot off which Rankin cleared with his right boot.
The second half began with the move of the match. Gordon was released down the right, and the strikers pace left two defenders in his wake. Gordon still had a lot to do though but his ball into the box was magnificent - as was the finish from Williams his strike partner as he swept the ball beyond Rankin and into the bottom corner, leaving his manager full of admiration
"We spoke to the front players about curving their runs down the channels, and I think for the goal that’s what happened,” said Russell.
“Ty's done so well down the right, but whilst the ball was good, it still needed to be finished and didn't Adam take it well."
The game boiled over on 63 minutes when Rowland challenged for the ball with the Erith defence, and appeared to have been fouled. The referee saw nothing wrong with the decision, and as he waved play on, Rowland verbally disagreed with the decision. Now whether the comments were directed at the official is open to question, but what is clear is that the match official took them to be directed at him rather than just a display of frustration and showed the Woodstock number ten a red card.
Things almost got worse for the home side on 71 minutes when followed a mazy run from Peter Smith, Erith were awarded a penalty after Smith's run was unceremoniously stopped in his tracks. No complaints about the spot kick, but sadly for Erith, Liam Burgess' penalty not only beat Hawkins but it also beat the home keepers right post by some distance.
Ten minutes from time, the home side almost committed suicide and presented Erith with a crucial second and would have done but for two breathtaking saves from Hawkins.
Lee Hocking played a desperately short back towards his own goal which saw Hawkins' clearance charged down by Burgess and as the ball ran free to substitute Kirt King who rolled the ball towards the empty net and was just turning to acknowledge the goal when Hawkins some how got back to claw the ball away to safety.
From the resulting corner the ball was only half cleared and when Grant Brown's 30 yard piledriver seemed destined for the roof of the net, Hawkins produced a breathtaking save to tip the ball over the bar.
Erith boss Russell was happy that his side weren't put off their stride by Rowland's sending off.
He said: "When we played them last year they had a player sent off and we went and got involved. I don’t know what happened about their sending off as I was too far away (on the other side of the pitch) but you have to have discipline especially when you come to places like this.
“We told them that we had to clear our heads and play the way we play - I told the boys to stand up for themselves by all means but don’t get involved.
“We're unbeaten now in ten or so with most of those being wins. We've got Greenwich Borough on Saturday and we'll go into training and give them the respect that they deserve but obviously we'll be looking to stay in touch and get the three points."
Woodstock Sports: Jack Rankin, John Emmerson, Frazer Rogers, Lee Hockey, Russel Jeffery, Lewis Rivett, Joe Sands (James McDonald 68), Louis Valencia, Robert Welling (Jack Goodger 86), Lynden Rowland, Lewis Taylor (Louis Rankin 63).
Subs: Chris Miller, Josh Davidson
Booked: Russel Jeffrey 17
Sent off: Lynden Rowland 63
Erith Town: Kevin Fewell, Peter Smith, Lee Craig, Nick Davis, Tom Fitzgerald, Dean Morris, Liam Burgess, Grant Brown, Adam Williams (Kirt King 73), Tyrus Gordon (Conor Boon 85), James Hawkins (Chris Walker 60).
Goal: Adam Williams 51
Attendance: 76
Referee: Mr Daniel Bonneywell (Canterbury)
Assistants: Mr J Down (Sittingbourne) & Mr B Woodhouse (Sittingbourne)
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