Match Reports
14/04/07
Eastbourne 1-8 Men's 4th XI
Andy C’s men coast into the final
Brighton 4th XI 8 - 1 Eastbourne 4th XI
Goal scorers
Williams 2
Cunningham
Morgan
Read
Smales
Taylor
Lord Lucan/Shergar/Brooksy
Having prepared for a day of round robin matches against Chichester, South Saxons and Eastbourne Brighton had assembled a large squad to cope with the spring heat wave. Sadly Chichester and Saxons could not muster squads and so it was left to Eastbourne and Brighton to battle it out for a place in the Sussex Cup Final.
While Brighton were two leagues above their opponents their respective seasons could not have contrasted more. Eastbourne had comfortably won their league and but for a last day drawn versus St Francis Brighton could have been playing them next season in Division 1. The Brighton boys knew this had all the makings of an upset and were prepared to work hard to avoid a disaster.
Brighton started well and the bustling pace of Ben W and Davros up front immediately caused some problems for Eastbourne’s ageing back line. Some good work on the wing created an early chance only for Duncan to miss an open goal at the back post. An encouraging start though. Eastbourne showed that they were not here for the day out and knew where the goal was. They imposed some pressure and luckily a mixture of Brooksy’s arm and Shef’s stick meant that Eastbourne would not be the first to score. Luckily for us Mr Williams would have that honour as he creamed one into the corner to settle some nerves. He deservedly doubled the lead shortly after and Brighton could sense a day out in Worthing beckoning. Skipper Andy C popped up towards the end of the first half and finished beautifully (followed by a small celebratory jump) to ensure that Brighton would go in at half time a comfortable 3-0 up. It was here that Mr Williams senior arrived and had sadly missed his son’s first half performance.
Brighton had enjoyed the majority of the play in the first half with only Eastbourne’s “wobbling” midfielder causing some problems and attracting some atrocious tackles from the likes of Shef and Dave T. This was despite the cries of “don’t dive!!” echoing around the pitch.
Brighton while confident were wary of conceding a goal early and letting Eastbourne back into it. Shame that the wariness did prevent some defensive doziness at a free hit outside the D which was converted at the back post. Nerves needed to be settled and Duncan (contender for man of the match) latched on to one to maintain the three goal cushion. The game was really over as a contest from this point and apart from a comedy fall from Thompo and then the mighty Ready the goals flowed easily. Sleaze, who had been moved up to the front line, was actually running and reaping the benefits as he caused the Eastbourne defence no end of trouble. Wappy was able to finally convert a short corner routine (with a little help from the goalie) shortly after Ready had done what comes naturally to him and buried one in the corner. Ready could have had another when he displayed some silky dribbling skills in the D but could only “do a Wappy” and shoved it into the ‘keepers pads.
Dave T’s voice also seemed to break as he screamed for the pass which allowed him to complete the rout.
Eastbourne to their credit played the game in great spirit, apart form one Sleaze wannabe who used an expletive every other word.
The only controversy occurred in the bar after the match when we discovered that the score was 8-1 not 7 as previously believed. No one knows who scored the extra goal, perhaps we all blacked out from the amazing sight of Wappy scoring or Sleaze running. If you were the scorer of the ghostly goal please make yourself known via the message board.
Andy C also commented that he was “happy to avoid what could have been a nasty banana skin.”
All that was left were for the awards to be voted for in the beautiful afternoon sun.
Ready won the teapot for his Wappy-esque effort on goal.
Thompo took away the Homer for taking a tumble from a 12 year old tourettes sufferer (echoes of the Mullens here)
Sleaze won the handbag for excessive whinging (quelle surprise)