3 May 2009

Paul Birch FC 1 Hatcham FC 5

Paul Birch ended the 2008/2009 season with a respectable defeat against high flyers Hatcham FC.

After what has been a difficult transititional season for the first team, PB put in a tireless performance but in the end Hatcham's extra bit of quality shone through. It is important to remember that Hatcham have so far won the Kent Junior Trophy and were narrowly beaten by FC Bickley in the final of the Paul Picard Cup. They also still have an amazing six league games remaining including two against table toppers Eden Park Rangers therefore they could finish up champions of the league.

So it was always going to be a tough task for Paul Birch FC and it was not helped by a number of players being unavailable including manager Steve Birch. In his absence, assistant John Wawrzewski took the reigns. In from the reserves came manager Paul Partridge, Steve Aldridge, Wayne Cowling andJoram Nelson.

For twenty minutes in the first half they matched Hatcham but it was not long before Hatcham drew first blood with a fine strike. 1-0 Hatcham

Then they scored again but in contraversial circumstances. A shot was deflected into the path of Wawrzewski who appeared to prevent the ball going over the line but the Assistant referee ruled it had gone over much to the dismay of the Paul Birch players. 2-0 Hatcham

Into the second half and Hatcham stepped up and scored a third which really took the wind out of the home side and they knew they could not get back from there. They scored a fourth and fifth before Dean Finn got a consolation.

In all honesty with the depeleted side that PB had it was always going to be difficult but all credit to the players as they all worked tirelessly and were certainly not humilliated by a Hatcham side that looks destined for the Senior division next season.

That defeat leaves PB second bottom of the Premier Divison with relegation a near certainty. Bottom side Eltham Progress lost today 5-1 to Midway but if they beat Leabridge in their final game they could finish above PB but both looked sure for First Division football next season.

We now have to look to next season and we all hope it will be a more succesful year. We now have a nucleus of players and will hope to add two or three quality individuals in the summer to ensure we will compete next season whatever Division we are in.

Roll on next season and I hope to see you all at the Paul Birch FC Presentation on Saturday 9 May 2009 at Footscray Rugby Club, 7.30pm start.

Mike Smith
Club Secretary

Man of the match: Michael Cook - Worded hard throughout

Team:

Wawrzewski (c), Cowling, Beale, Tarrant, Finn, Robinson, Cook, Selby (Nelson 45), Aldridge, Gard, Partridge


Goal Scorers: Finn

Bookings: None

Subs not used: None

Referee: Adam Bakalarz; Assistants: John Stone and Paul Harding