GeorgeDykeScoresGoals
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TROGGS STUN RIVALS BETHERSDENThe mighty Troggs provided a memorable victory for their fans on Sunday with a superb 3-1 win over local rivals Bethersden.
The Troggs were up against it facing Premier Division opposition without 6 'first teamers' in Carlton, Moon, Dyer, Stocks, Leggis and Gibbs.
Loppy called on the remaining players and his young guns to step up to the plate and that they did. Opting for the center midfield partnership of Dyke and Newman proved as crucial for Loppy as it did for Arch the day before. The Gaffa also gave himself a recall to center half alongside Carty pushing Lee hollingsby to right back to deal with the threat of Dave Law. Dyke Jnr and Ryan Hollingsby started wide, Roff and Pearce up top with Bob and Brown one making up the starting XI.
It was always going to be a heated affair and Dave Law knew he was in for some rough and tumble facing his Saturday team mates. It what was perhaps a turning point in the game, 15 minutes in, Dyke caught Law with a late and slightly cynical ankle tap which caused the effervescent winger to fall awkwardly and injure his knee on the hard frosty pitch.
With Law off the pitch the Troggs knew that they had a real chance here and it was Roffey who looked to stake his claim for a first team place slotting home after some neat interchange with striker partner Marcus Pearce.
Bethersden weren't going to lay down easy and found quick reply through Tom Ripley who smashed home a volley from the edge of the box after his initial shot was blocked.
Shortly after Bethersden would have taken the lead were it not for a super save from Aaron Brown, turning a shot onto the bar.
The impressive Roffey put the Troggs ahead once more before half time, finishing a good move with a rifled shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The second half saw the return to action of Adamson, on for Dyke Jnr, and more of a gutsy Troggs performance as they attempted to defend their lead.
They went one better than that and extended the deficit, Dyke Snr stumbling clear of the defence and coolly slotting past the despairing keeper.
Despite heavy pressure, especially in the last ten minutes when tired legs set in, the Troggs held onto 3-1 with notable performances at the back from Carty and a young again Pete Nayden whose aerial dominance was awesome.
The mighty Troggs march on to the Semi Finals of the Bodkin where they will find Cavaliers waiting. The last time the two sides met Troggs ran out 4-3 winners, many will be praying a repeat result will give loppy his first chance at silverware.
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Mighty Morphin
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Well done fellas, good luck in the semis !
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