Match Reports
15/10/05
Halisham 1s 2-3 Men's 4th XI
Brighton 4s 3 - Hailsham 1s 2
Scorers : Auke Posthumus, Graeme Roberston-Johnstone, James Rickards
The 15th of October 2005 saw the Super 4’s take on Hailsham arguably of the favourite sides for the league this year. As such we were grateful for a strong defence comprising of Thompo, Reedy, LJ, Richard Hein, Tom Rigby and keeper David Brooks. However, it was the midfield element comprising of Alan McGuiness, James Rickards and Auke that made the first impact on the game.
After a very lively start saw Rickards make a breakthrough and take the ball dexterously to the top of the D. However, rather than risk an aberrant shot Auke let forth a bellow and was accordingly slipped the ball which he dispatched to the right side of the goal at express pace.
Hailsham were visibly shocked by this fluid and clinical piece of attacking play and wasted no time in showing why they are one of the stronger teams in the league. Their midfield was particularly strong especially the hirsute central player who sporting a low cut top and shorts combo dribbled the ball with precision. However, Richard and Reedy played well in suppressing the attacks but unfortunately the pressure told and by half time the score had been retuned to parity.
Having been pepped up by Wappy, aka Ali G, with a sterling analysis viz “you are all useless” the second half began. Although the midfield worked very hard supported by the forwards Hailsham began to dominate. LJ who had played with culture sadly had to retire due to cramp (The Captain also tried to excuse himself but was told by Wappy to “ignore” the pain.). The pressure was then really on with 10 men and the zealous umpire awarded a number of short corners one of which was converted.
Things were looking bleak at this stage but the Super 4’s relish such conditions and showed their claws with an “unconventional” goal some 15 minutes from time. I wish dear reader that I could comment on the exact passage play but nobody knew what happened except Graeme Johnstone-Robertson who made it honours even.
Hailsham rocked in the first half were now on the ropes and like cornered animals they came out fighting. Alan and I then came up with an inspired plan. Should there be any Hailsham player with the ball outside our 25 they were to be tackled robustly immediately thus giving Brighton a chance to regroup. Alan threw himself, literally, into the challenge and Hailsham began to lose focus.
It was then that Mr Cunningham struck like a seasoned cobra. Receiving the ball from an awesome defence splitting pass from skipper Thompo down the right, he swiftly beat several players. Then having entered the D he slipped the ball back to Rickards who with an executioner’s grace drilled the ball past the diving keeper. Brighton were ahead with a mere 6 minutes to go.
Thompo made sure that everyone knew the situation and sagely advised that we shouldn’t concede. With this in mind and the general policy of interventionist play we survived until the final whistle. The crowd went wild and Brighton contentedly withdrew from the field. It may not have been pretty but it was effective. J.R.