Match Reports
11/11/06
Reigate Priory 3-2 Men's Veterans XI
One of the vagaries of the Vets league is that player availability can have a massive impact on the strength of the side. This normally happens at the beginning of the season and shortly after Christmas as the family skiing holidays start. Injuries can also play a part and Brighton lined up against Reigate missing five regular players. Stand-in skipper Guy Nelson marshalled the troops well and inspired by his pre-match chat took a one goal lead when Rob Scrivins (who else) knocked in from the obligatory short range (what else?).
Reigate has been one of the stronger sides in this League for many years and it soon became evident why. Not only did they equalise but they took the lead as Pete Ashdown experienced his busiest game of the season so far. Brighton Vets are not the sort of side to accept defeat easily and Nelson equalised from a well executed short corner.
Brighton continued to absorb Reigate pressure and a draw looked possible. Unfortunately,poor marking let the visitors down and they experienced their first defeat of the season.
With most of the missing players returning for the game against high flying Chichester let's hope the Vets get their league campaign back on track.