Match Reports
03/03/07
Richmond 3-2 Men's 1st XI
Brighton went into this game with a full squad for the first time since Christmas and were looking some points to take them away from the looming relegation zone. Craig Carolan and Hugh Salter return to the side after lengthy injuries and were intent on increasing the gap between Brighton, on 20 points, and Eastcote who are in the drop zone on 13, with Portsmouth already resigned to relegation.
Brighton started very strong with several quick attacks on the Richmond D and producing a couple of short corners which unfortunatly went just wide of the post. 10 minutes of good play from Brighton suddenly changed to the dismay of the whole team. Richmond produce some sustained pressure on the Brighton defence and when a loose pass was picked up on the halfway line Richmond passed to the unmarked center forward who rounded Neil Burlinson in the Brighton goal a proceeded to strike a nice reverse stick shot from a tight angle. 1-0 Richmond.
Richmond went 2 up before the break when a spritly youngster got the better of Captain Luke Williams who's resulting desperate tackle would have been text book had it been a rugby game. The short corner was saved but Ricmond were first to pounce on the loose ball.
Brighton heads could have dropped but an inspirational half time talk gave the players a new lease of life and they proceeded to play some lovley passing hockey. Richard Baker ventured up the pitch on a quick break, only to be cruley pulled to the ground by his defensive saftey wire. Brighton were rewarded for their efforts after Sam Rose timed his pass to perfection to the screaming Luke Williams who had wisely detached his defensive saftey cord and calmly chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper and into the top right corner.
Brighton celebrations were cut short when Richmond were awarded a goal after another short corner was saved but the ball was ,in my opinion, illegally forced over the line. Brighton did not give up though and continued to fight back and with 11 minutes remaining scored another wonderful goal through Gareth Lendrum. His ability to strike a ball with the power of greyskull was seen by all (except the Richmond goalie) when he connected from the top of the D and into the top left corner.
The closing stages of the game were intense, with a Richmond player being yellow carded for knocking the ball away, then Hugh Salter being sin binned for not getting his ass out of the way of an oncoming player. With Simon Turner losing his calm at the umpire I was suprised when he wasn't yellowed for his 'colourful language'
Brighton were unlucky not to come away with at least a point and are now starring down the barrel of the relegation gun. A win this week against Portsmouth at home (13:30 Falmer) is a must if they are to avoid a very scary close to the season.
Awards
Man of the Match - Hugh Salter
Thanks For Coming - Dan Hore.