Match Reports
11/02/06
Eastbourne 5 1-6 Men's 6th XI
Scorers: Myles Ford (2), Ollie Arkaah, Howard Harden (Pen) & Josh Davey.
Confident after a solid performance the previous week. The return of Wayne in Goal allowed Howie to play on pitch and gave the Sixes a balanced line up for what proved to be one of the better performances of the season.
From Worthing's push back, Brighton took all of 15 seconds to go ahead. Howie playing a perfectly weighted pass on to Myles' diagonal run, the makeshift centre forward immediately turning inside and shooting through the keepers legs from a narrow angle.
After 5 minutes Brighton made it 2-0, Howie again pulling the strings in midfield, finding Dipak in the D whose square pass found Myles unmarked on the P spot. The resulting finish tucked just inside the post.
After such early dominance, Brighton looked to press home their advantage (although Myles looked like he was trying to avoid the jug). Despite almost complete control and several good Brighton opportunities, the score remained 2-0 at the break.
After a brief spell of Worthing pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, Brighton moved up a gear with a stunning 15 minute spell that produced 4 goals.
The first came when Mindy's short corner strike was stopped on the line by a Worthing defender's foot, Howie dispatching the resultant penalty. Brighton then went 4-0 up when yet again Mork proved deadly from 2 inches out.
The pick of the bunch came 2 minutes later, Mindy breaking from the half way line, out pacing a Worthing defender and running into the space left by great running off the ball by both Howie and Myles. Mindy's goal bound shot was then tapped over the line in true Craig Johnston style by Mork.
Brighton's purple patch finally came to close when Josh put the away side 6-0 up from a short corner. Unaccustomed to such dominance, Brighton then inexplicably descended into what could only be described in politically correct terms as special needs hockey.
First Howie missed a penalty (after Myles ignored Wolfie's calls of jug avoidance)Further comdey moments were provided by Mork's fluff at an open goal, Howie's 'lobb' which didn't leave the ground and dribbled 6 inches and Myles (proving that may be Mork does have some skill) failing to connect from inches out.
Brighton's general rubbishness was then compounded when Worthing scored a consolidation (despite Wayne's excellent initial save from a one on one break,) and Mindy was needlessly Yellowed after being dispossessed.
Despite this dodgy ending, Brighton ran out 6-1 winners with a excellent team performance. Paul, Sam, Wolfie & Ed all solid at the back, Dipak and Will again providing the midfield foundation, Howie orchestrating most of what was good going forward, Myles, Mork and Mindy keeping the Worthing defence stretched all afternoon. As always, Worthing providing sporting opposition and welcoming hosts.