Match Reports
04/11/06
Sussex Police 1st XI 3-2 Men's 4th XI
Another close and hugely disappointing defeat for the Super 4s this week.
The 4s were happy and surprised to welcome back the defensive colossus Vincent van Reedy after his horror ear injury earlier in the season. How was he let out the front door with his hockey stick ??!! (It was in Thompo’s car ! - Ed.)
Skipper Andy C whipped his troops into a frenzy at the team talk, concerned that we would be pushed off the park by the Police’s aggressive style. Brighton were quickly into their stride and began imposing themselves on the game and played some excellent hockey with Joe and Duncan playing wide in midfield linking up with the striking triumvirate of Andy C, Pilsbury and Davros. The defence was looking solid with Lees marking well and Reedy mopping up at the back.
Brighton took a deserved lead midway through the first half through another great flowing move by the team saw Duncan steal in at the top of the D and under severe pressure finish expertly.
Pilsbury conspired to miss the proverbial barn door with his banjo. However, Davros was on hand to get the finishing touch following a goal mouth scramble to extend Brighton’s lead. Brighton missed a glorious chance to close the game shortly after when Davros elected to shoot, when Duncan was on for a open goal to his left. The shot screamed past the right hand upright with the Dough Boy failing to get the all important touch.
Sussex had nothing in reply and a few breakaways were snaffled by the back four and some great tackling by Ready and Thompo. (Are you sure !!!!!???? - Ed.)
Late in the first half Sussex Police were given a life line after Brighton conceded a penalty flick. However, the resulting effort was well saved by Brooksy diving to his right.
Brighton went in at half time confident that the game was theirs for the taking.
Sussex Police were not about to roll over and give in and came out all guns blazing. Brighton seemed to be weathering the storm of attacks and short corners when a dubious penalty flick was awarded after their star striker took a tumble at the top of the D. This time Brooksy was not up to the challenge and Sussex Police were back in it. The continued pressure eventually brought them level after a scrambled effort. Another doubtful short corner later, successfully converted past a statuesque Thompo on the post, and Sussex Police were in the lead.
Heads began to drop and defeat seemed to be staring Brighton in the face. And a couple of little internal spats developed amongst the team, the most notable was the Thompo/Wappy bust up in a Pardew/Wenger style after Thompo had creamed the ball into Wappy’s foot from 5 yards ! (Well Wappy you do go on and on about ball speed ! - Ed.) Wappy then took exception to the suggestion that he would cheat and the ever chatty Lees managed to continue to rub the umpire up the wrong way and was lucky not to blemish his recently blemished “11 years without a card” even further !
With ten minutes to go Brighton began to get a foothold in what remained of the game and played like they had done in the first half. Unfortunately it was too little too late and Brighton lost by one goal, again!
Special mention should be made for a great display by young Joe showing good poise and battling qualities at right half and, late on, at left back.
Unfortunately as some players wanted to watch the 1s the kangaroo court will have to reconvene at the next match.
Thompo will have to be a contender for Dancing Homer after creaming the ball into Wappy’s foot from all of three yards (surely it should be Wappy for displaying Thompo like reactions !? - Ed. ) and Wappy for the handbag for his argument with the umpire. (How about Cunningham and Lees !!!! - Ed.)
Any other nominations Mr Editor? (yes these do get read before they get posted, you wouldn’t know it for the number of typos and grammatical errors that sneak through, sorry Tim)