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Tudor 1-4 Woodhurst
Independent Sunday League
Spring Farm Park, Rainham, Sunday 29th February 04
Woodhurst overcame a spirited Tudor side in a match that will have a huge say in where the league title ends up this season.
Beforehand, a potential gap of three points separated the two sides, meaning that Tudor could have pulled level with the Hurst and set up an exciting climax to the season. However, despite taking an early lead, the experience and strength of the Walthamstow outfit was a bit too much for their young pretenders.
With the return of five players from a week of absence, the Hurst started with an almost full squad, save for Tom Gray who was replaced in goal by striker Jamie Bradbury.
Nick Bashford came straight in at the back, but there were only places on the bench for Tony Taylor, Paul McShea, Alex Alexander and Kofi Owusu, all of whom would usually be first-choice. However, even with this embarrassment of riches, the young lads from Rainham opened the scoring and shocked the visitors who failed to react to a quick throw in.
 But Woodhurst were soon level when a long-range free-kick was slapped goalwards by Steve Hughes and even the balding Geordie was surprised when the 'keeper let it slip through his grasp and in.
Nigel Jordon then put Woodhurst infront. After coming under critisism for his lack of goals in recent games, Jordon certainly made amends today. After collecting a delightful Souleyman through ball, Jordon ghosted past his marker and shot low into the far corner.
Though seeing their lead disappear as quickly as they had found it, Tudor rallied and the speed of their attacks kept Bashford, Hughes, Clifford and Fullerton busy, but all too often the yellow wall was just too much for them. The home side did create one final opening of the half, but an awesome one handed save from Bradbury clawed the ball around the post and prevented Tudor from levelling - and as it would turn out, that was the last save of any note the 'keeper would be called to make.
After the break, Woodhurst continued to soak up the pressure and attack on the counter, while also looking to unsettle the Tudor defence. It was the endeavor of Hurst's influential midfielder Patrick Ladbury, closing down and forcing the last defender into the error, that made the third goal, all but ending Tudor's hopes. Ladbury's charge down set himself free to slot past the 'keeper for his second goal in as many weeks.
Jan Souleyman, again sock-less after running them off for 90 minutes, weighed in with the fourth. Jordon's great work out wide left his marker for dead and allowed time to pick out his cross, which Souleyman met, full pelt and eyes closed, to seal three points for the Hurst and send them six clear.
With four games left, Woodhurst remain unbeaten in the league and look odds-on to claim the title once again. But the players will certainly be aware that the job is far from over and will no doubt echo the sentiments of Manager Roy Lawley after the game: "It was always going to be a tough game today, but we were well equipped for the long-haul," he said.
 "We conceded early, and credit must go to Tudor for fighting all the way, but after missing out on everything last season, the lads are hungry for the silverware to return.
"But the league's not over yet and we have to take the committment from today's game into the match against Drofmor next week."
Lawley added: "Can I have a Guinness with a bit of black in, please."
Team
Jamie Bradbury
Jason Fullerton (Taylor)
Jenssen Clifford (Alexander)
Steve Hughes
Roy Lawley (McShea)
Nick Bashford (c)
Simon Probert
Nigel Jordon
Patrick Ladbury
Andy Sheppard
Jan Souleyman
Subs
Paul McShea
Tony Taylor
Alex Alexander
Kofi Owusu
Jimmy Woodham
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