Away lost 7-1. Home lost 6-1. Away lost 6-0.

The three games against Tonbridge Baptist Church last season highlighted that this Kent Junior Cup tie was always going to be a tough challenge against a good and strong side who will compete for honours in Division Two this year.

On a soft but playable surface, with absolutely perfect white, straight lines, Green made a few changes following the 2-0 defeat away to Wilderpark Reserves last time out.

The starting line up was;

Fennings. Sexton, Slade, CookG, Wood. NitschB, Rayfield, De-Kisshazy, Young. NitschS, Broad ©. Subs were Hopper, Higgins, Brooker and Law.

Green looked to get off on a positive note and ensure they kept TBC at bay for as long as possible, knowing attacking down the slope in the second half would give Green an edge. Despite that outlook Green found themselves 3-0 down within the first 17 minutes.

The first came when some sloppy play gave TBC the ball just inside Green’s half and a quick chipped ball was pounced on by the dangerous TBC forward who tucked the ball into the net pass keeper Fennings. Not a great start and it was more to do with Green’s giving the ball away than any TBC excellence. Literally five minutes later Green were 2-0 down. Yet again it came when Green were looking to pass and build up momentum and up to that point they had their fair share of the ball. A dangerous free kick was partially dealt with and a close range shot was superbly saved by Rob Fennings, but the rebounding ball was hit nicely on the volley from 18 yards and smashed into the net to make it 2-0. A good goal that was a big blow to Green.

Green did have opportunities of their own and it certainly wasn’t one way traffic, but at 2-0 down so early it wasn’t looking good for the Green. So it was disappointing that a stray pass gave TBC the chance to swing in a dangerous cross that was met with a strong run and shot that beat Fennings in his far corner. Despite it being a Green mistake, it was yet again another good finish by TBC.

So after 17 minutes Green were facing a possible ‘rugby score’ according to manager Jon Ward.

The 3-0 scoreline did wake up Green and from there on they started to put more and more pressure on TBC. Each player started to win their individual battles and chances were far more frequent. Front pairing, skipper Jamie Broad and Sam Nitcsh, saw more of the ball and were well supported by wide men Ben Nitsch and Paul Young.

Reaching the halfway mark of the first half Green were back in the game and had also been denied a certain penalty when Jamie Broad was brought down at the edge of the box.

With 15 minutes of the half remaining TBC had an attack down Green’s left flank and as the cross came in, defender Graeme Cook threw himself into a blocking challenge. His momentum took him through but the player he was tackling was moving in the opposite direction. This culminated in a freak accident where Cook’s neck and head were knock and twisted back against the direction of his body. Immediately it was obvious he was in trouble. Laying on the ground writhing in agony those closest to him reacted well and it was apparent that he had injured his neck. In a state of shock and clearly in pain, the prognosis ( made by Borough Green Fire Station’s finest three ) was to keep Graeme motionless and to maintain his C-spine and support his head. An ambulance was called and the game came to a halt.

With a suspected neck or spinal injury, concerns were justified.

As always with this mighty club, when the guys need to chip in for each other, they do without hesitation. Coats and tops were quickly brought over to give him warmth; directions were given to the ambulance crew and people went down to the High Street to help show the ambulance where to go. Not to mention the spirit lifting banter from the players towards Graeme, with Mike Brooker wanting to tag Graeme on Facebook as at Wrotham Rec and ‘On the floor’, and Aaron Hopper keen to get a picture for ‘Photo of the Day’.

When the crew turned up they quickly got to work and fortunately he had suffered no serious spinal injury but had sustained some bruising and therefore some stiffness and pain. Upon getting Graeme slowly and gingerly to his feet, the patient TBC group gave him a round of applause in relief he was up and about and that no serious injury had been sustained. A top effort and a very sportsman like gesture.

The referee did give us the option to abandon the game, citing that ‘ players usually get spooked by these situations and I think it’s best to stop the game’. Given the option to play on or stop, the Green players were adamant they wanted to continue, even at 3-0 down, as they wanted to do it for Graeme!

Cute.

Jacob Law came on to replace Cook at centre back. With the injury, the score line and the lengthy break, it could easily have led Green to go through the motions and let the game drift away. In all fairness, it did seem to spur Green on and the last ten minutes of the half they were easily the dominant team. With three very good chances in those ten minutes the half time score of 3-0 could easily have been better for BGFC. The best chance came when a good ball down the line found Jamie Broad who hit an excellent first time out-swinging cross that was met at the back post by a flying Paul Young, whose diving head was just wide. Had it gone in it would have been a fantastic goal. It was measure of the confidence Green had built up in those last ten minutes.

Knowing the second half would be slightly easier, Green went out with the intent on getting back into the game. Despite the odd half chance by TBC, Green pushed on and on and were so unlucky not to have gained a goal back early on. Danny Rayfield and Pete De-Kisshazy had the measure of the TBC threat and this gave Green’s defence more cover and allowed Green to play out from the back. Wide men Ben Nistch and Paul Young, who would occasionally swap sides, were more and more in the game and were giving the TBC full backs a real test.

All over the pitch Green were better and only a goal was missing. Even with Aaron Hopper, Gareth Higgins and Mike Brooker all coming on, Green just couldn’t find the back of the net and were so unlucky to do so, with good chances from Paul Young, Sam Nitsch and Jamie Broad all going agonisingly close.

Paul Young having a strong game out wide on the right probably had the best chances but nonetheless he did well to create at least three shooting opportunities that were on target and well saved.

The writing was on the wall for Green when Mick Slade missed a penalty to give Green that well deserved goal. Sam Nitsch worked hard to twist and turn his marker, only to be brought down, and this time the ref gave the spot kick. It just wasn’t meant to be and as Slade’s penalty went sailing over, any chance of a comeback by the Green went sailing away too.

The final whistle went and even though it ended 3-0, Green were so unlucky not to have got something out of the game. A silly 17 minutes at the start, including 2 superb finishes was the only difference between the two sides. Green should be proud for their fight back and especially the spirit in the second half. Even the TBC manager highlighted to his side that exact point, they won the game only in the first 15 minutes, and that BGFC were the better side in the second half.

Despite the result, all in the Green camp felt as though a big step had been made, and after some mediocre performances lately, the confidence was back and sets us up lovely for the big local derby cup next week at home to Ightham Reserves.

MOTM? Solid displays by all in the end against a team who will do well again this season. Paul Young did very well out wide on both sides and deserved a goal for sure. Danny Rayfield and Pete De-Kisshazy had very good second halves, as did Mick Slade, who despite his penalty miss, had their main striker in his pocket all second half, not bad for a man who turned 60 the day after the game. Man of the Match this week unanimously goes to Paul Young. A sterling effort in both halves and worked very hard to pick up loose balls. His three or four efforts were well made and had an air of confidence about them. Had his diving header gone in it would have capped off a very good display.