Match Reports
28/10/06
Newhaven 1st XI 2-1 Men's 4th XI
Rafa Benitez eat your heart out. A changed 4th XI for the 223rd game on the trot and with the master tinkerman Thompo was restored to the helm with the absence of Andy C and the re-introduction of an old face in Dave T and Davros.
Newhaven 1s are a settled side, as you would expect from a town’s first team, and they quickly asserted themselves on the game and had Brighton pegged back into their half. Some resolute defending meant that they didn’t get many shots on goal and their own last ball let them down time and again. I’d like to think that this was because of some well organised defensive work from the Brighton back four but I think that Brighton 4’s have a well organised defence so I would ignore what I say.
Chris continued the curse of the defender and managed to block a shot not with his head but with his hand. He silently hit the deck with not a whimper and lay prone for a few seconds. Without any further fuss he got up and legged it off the pitch. Fortunately Brighton are used to reorganising after the loss of a centre back and seamlessly continued with Wappy sweeping and Pilsbury once more called upon to marshal the centre of midfield. (Why don’t we just start like this and miss out the “someone getting injured” bit I’ll never know.)
As usual it was Brighton’s reaction speed from a free hit that nearly did them in mid way through the first half. A call from Sheff wide on the right arrived by telegram to Lees who shuffled round the ball in a manner that can only be described as slowly. This gave the Newhaven striker the time to receive a text advising him of the intended pass, walk in front of it and cut it out on the top of the D. Luckily Brooksy was alert (yes, alert) and managed to put enough pressure on the striker to make him fluff the shot. Close shave, but still an award winning error from Lees.
Newhaven seemed to know their strengths and used some nippy wingers to get round the back and try and earn a short corner. The reason for this was clear as their first short corner was dispatched with such speed that all Brooksy could do was step slightly the wrong way (?!?!). Wappy recognising their only real strength called on all players to “not give away short corners.” It’s a shame when good advice goes unheeded and Lees’ size 17s managed to get to the ball first again and another short corner was awarded as half time approached. This time the shot speed was the same but this time Brooksy managed to get a foot to it. Had Brighton nullified Newhaven’s only strength?
In the second half Brighton began to force their way back into the game and score from an interesting short corner routine that ended in a scrambled push over the line from Lees.. We enjoyed more possession but couldn’t seem to co-ordinate defence and attack and too often the move would breakdown.
Newhaven seemed to be finding space on the break but Brooksy was equal to them on a coupe of occasions. An excellent double save kept things alive for Brighton. This was also followed by a smart save from a flicked short corner strike.
The introduction of an unwell Thompo prompted a short argument between the odd couple. These moments of entertainment do make the whole thing worthwhile. However, Thompo’s cameo was short-lived as his illness meant he was quickly removed from the fray.
Disaster struck late on as the Newhaven goal scorer was given the sort of time attackers love (and luckily Brighton love to give) to slowly tee up a reverse stick scoop past the unsighted Brooksy.
With the time running out Davros had a one on one effort beaten down by the ‘keeper but defeat was staring Brighton in the face. There was time for Brooksy to make a cracking diving save to deny the Newhaven striker of his hat-trick from a short corner. There was talk that it was going above the back board but Brooksy was not given the call.
A battling Brighton went down 2-1 for the second game running against well organised opposition.
Thanks to 4s alumnus member Shinty for umpiring and the Josh fan club supporting from the sidelines. Two girls, one bloke!? He must be doing something right.
Awards
Thompo getting the handbag and dancing Homer and Lees the teapot. There seems to be a pattern developing here.
DB