12 Aug. 2007 GroundHoppers 2 – 1 Beckenham Town

In recent years Beckenham Town have become a local derby side to GroundHoppers. The two clubs have shared presentation night over the last couple of years; the banter has been flying, between the two teams.

This game was played in the spirit required of an early pre-season game to get the most out of it, before starting in their respective divisions. Beckenham started the game, determined to get on the score sheet early, getting players forward quickly, but couldn’t break down the Hoppers rear guard and when a chance did present itself; they struggled to get the ball on target.

Hoppers got their passing game going early and carved out numerous chances, but quality of their finishing, left a lot to be desired, which kept Beckenham in the game. The second half, Hoppers not playing as fluently as in the first half, scored the opening goal, Daniel Lloyd-Bennett, breaking through the Beckenham defence, sold the keeper a dummy, before slotting the ball home. Beckenham equalised shortly after, capitalising on an error in the Hoppers back line, to also slot home. The game was won by GroundHoppers, when Oluka Takan, forced his way into the Beckenham penalty area, before driving the ball home for the winner, with three minutes on the clock.

A useful game for both sides, lots learned to take into their next fixture.

TEAM: Greig, Eames, Hinchion, Wright, Patten, Huggins, Hooley, Rose, Brown, Takan, Searle, Gadsdon, Lloyd-Bennett, Jeffreys.