Match Reports
19/01/08
Crawley Boos (2s) 0-3 Men's 4th XI
Brighton needed to stop the rot but with Crawley 2s next up confidence wasn’t high after they had given us a drubbing at the corresponding fixture 5-0 earlier in the season.
However, with Ade stepping up to help out and Bondie settling with his new team mates perhaps this would be the day when things would finally go our way.
We also welcomed a foreign import all the way from Lille in sunny Francais (via not so sunny Southend, pronounced Sarf End) Yann “The Man”!
Brighton started the better and were all over Crawley in the early stages. Matt Harding was snuffling for chances but there was nothing doing. That was until a breakaway was stopped by an on form Brooksy for the counter attack to find an unmarked Graham on the top of the D who instinctively slapped it under the advancing ‘keepers body.
Crawley found their stride but the defence was resolute with nothing getting through. And then on came Yann, the super man, to dribble and dazzle his way up and down the right wing.
We also welcomed some supporters to the game with a bunch of urchin’s from some nearby estate started by chucking a golf ball on the pitch and being abusive only to realise we were playing Crawley and began chanting how much they “’ate crawley”, it’s childhood obesity I tell you. They returned in the second half to hurl more abuses, only to scarper upon hearing sirens. Cowards, they ran from some paramedics. I weep for this country I really do.
Back to the game, another short corner was awarded and the goal mouth scramble that ensued found young CJ loitering with intent who clamly finished for his second in two games and then teams second in one half.
Half time came with Brighton coasting at 2-0 up.
As usual it was a different team that came out in the second half and for the first 15 minutes it was a torrid time for all. Generally when we had the ball we looked good, except when we had it in our own 25. Then we turned into some kind of idiots. Passes were poor and possession squandered far too easily, One 16 was too embarrassing for words with some weak wristed push allowing the Crawley striker to intercept. I say intercept, it near enough went straight at him. Thankfully Brooksy was still on good form and the goal remained pure.
College had a customary outburst whilst on close marking duty. College’s enemy got a little too close and trod on his stick, College whipped up the said stick with an almighty flourish with a bellowed cry of “GET OFF MY STICK…. BOY!!!”. He was swiftly calmed down by the frankly excellent Crawley umpire and we could get on with the game.
The next attack and shot brought more confusion as umpire Wappy ran across the pitch doing some kind of crocodile impression with his arms as he ummmed and errrred whether he should award a flick or a short corner. Sadly neither were awarded.
Brighton would not be denied another goal so easily and finally Yann had his chance and weaved his way into the D and beat the onrushing ‘keeper with ease. Lovely stuff.
With the game wrapped up there was still time for some fairly easy chances to go begging and a rasping Yann shot just rise above the crossbar. No harm done though and easy win was ours.
At the time of writing Brighton were still 10th (out of 12) but with only 4 points of 5th, it’s a tight table.
DB