We didn't quite reach Nirvana, but it certainly smelt like Team Spirit!

Last Sunday we trekked to Folkstone, our 17 player squad depleted to 12, as a the curse of the wounded knee hit Max, and even the manager, who limped across the mud strewn field. On a surface more reminiscent of the Somme than a football pitch, we knew this wasnt going to be a day for pretty football. Across the battlefield our opponents, last seasons unbeaten Champions. A team that inflicted two massive defeats on us last year, including a 9-1 humbling.
Starting in a 4-5-1, we have Fin M in goal, back 4 of Jonny, Fin W, Calum and Jack. Theo V, Reg and Liam in the middle, Flynn left wing. Sonny right and Felix up front. Fred ready to make an impact from the bench.
The boys were in good spirits following our last outing, but unfortuntely found ourselves behind early on. A second quickly followed and by the time Jack limped off before half time, we were four down, including one from the penalty spot.
Another thumping was on the cards and the team of last year may have capitulated, but this season they have started to grow and belive in their abilities.
Down to 11 fit players, we changed things around, 7 moved position and we switched to a more attacking, 4-4-2, under the instructions of forgetting the scoreline and aiming to nick a goal, not roll over, show some fight and let Folkstone know they were in a game.
A few minutes in and momentum was building with the pacey front pairing of Fred and Felix putting their defence on the back foot. Whilst the rest of the boys all upped their game by 50% they started to win their battles all over the pitch.
We won a corner, Flynn put in a decent ball, superbly met by Fin Ws head to score, a deserved goal. 5 mins later another corner and this time Theo V volleyed home, capping a great display in midfield. Suddenly you could sense the belive building in the team. As we pushed on we won another corner and 3rd assist from Flynn as Fin W got his second. We pushed on searching for the elusive equaliser. Folkstone countered and struck a 5th, but the goals weren't over, as Sonny strode foward from right back to smash in a great 4th for Whitstable!!
Alas time ran out for us and the spirited fightback fell short as it finished 5-4. But we had 'won' the second half 4-1, against reigning Champions, a team that had smashed us last season and we had managed 4 goals in a league game for the first time.
Well played all, coaches and parents were very proud.

“Success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field.”
- Ted Lasso