Match Reports
27/01/07
Middleton & Bognor 1s 3-3 Men's 4th XI
Middleton & Bognor 1XI 3 - 3 Brighton and Hove 4XI
The Super 4s battled to a hard fought draw with M&B, both teams joint on points nestled in mid-table.
M&B started like a freight train and were all over the confused and bemused Brighton defence. It had looked like we had ridden the wave with a couple of chances going begging but their striker stepped up and finished low and hard into the bottom left hand corner and M&B were one up.
This wake up call prompted Brighton into action and they began to get some space and work their way back into the game. Never was the phrase “Forwards get something on target !” so apt as Ben Williams topped a Ramzyesque bobbler towards goal. The goalie did a great impression of the Highland Fling as he jumped over the ball to give Brighton a well deserved equaliser. M&B still maintained a grip on the game and won a short corner which was dispatched into the corner to regain the ascendancy. Not even new postman Reedy could stop it with neither feet nor stick.
Half time 2-1 down, some honest opinions were aired, including Thompo’s early attempt for the teapot by describing in detail how his complacency on the half way line led to the second M&B goal. Brighton rallied themselves and decided a bit more fight was needed to get anything from the game. But, as seems to be the way this season, the second half was much better. Ben Williams’ hustling and bustling attacking runs were beginning to cause some trouble and chances began to break our way. Duncan and Tosh were working well in midfield. This ultimately led to a crucial short corner where new short corner specialist Reedy was rumbled up the pitch. After scoring last week for the first time in donkey’s years Reedy did it again with an accurately struck effort straight down the middle of the goal with the M&B ‘keeper taking the time to do the can-can over the ball. The phrase “Dodgy Keeper” started to come to mind ….
Thoughts began to drift to possible victory but disaster struck when from a well worked short corner M&B again took the lead with a shot past the statuesque Brooksy. Luckily Reedy had the chance to salvage pride from the game following the awarding of a short corner. As he wandered up to the opposing D I’m sure I could hear Bing Crosby on the breeze…. Sure enough, regular as clock work, Reedy arrowed it straight down the middle and the 4s had earned their deserved draw. Things got a bit close at the end and we nearly snuck a last minute victory but it was not to be.
Despite the 6 goals and Reedy’s run of form continuing there was still time for Thompo to miss the opportunity to score after a rare foray into the oppo’s D, but god knows what would have happened had Reedy and Thompo scored in the same game. He also had a McEnroe style tantrum when the “ball was on the line!!”. Wappy also had another award winning strop picking the ball up after being fouled and pointing at the player “that was unnecessary!”. It wasn’t clear whether he was going to launch it at the offending player or walk off with it in a huff. Brooksy showed his calmness under pressure when an M&B breakaway threatened the goal. Rather than defending it he decided to take a leisurely slide along the ground, nowhere near that dangerous ball. Although he did save one with his face in the dying moments.
The team retired to the local pub for some good food and a pint of Geordie Pride ! Change of venue I hear you ask ! Well, it transpired that the 1st XI captain was banned from the normal clubhouse for cycling through it ! Gosh these Middleton people are real killjoys ! Wouldn’t happen at Preston Park !
Thanks to Zoë for travelling to Bognor to umpire for us, she did have the honour of our company at the curry that night so I’m sure it was worth it.
Teapot - Brooksie
Handbag - Wappy
Homer - ???