Match Reports
02/02/08
East Grinstead 4s 3-3 Men's 4th XI
Brighton 4s were on a good run of results but were up against one of the league’s stronger teams in age old rivals EG. After being royally whipped by them in the corresponding fixture in the league we knew they would be confident but revenge is a strong motivator.
Brighton were worried by Bondy’s injury from the previous week but he was given the opening moments to prove his fitness, which he did well, before being erroneously substituted.
Anyway, Brighton started the slower and EG’s nippy wingers were giving Chris P and Lees a torrid time. It wasn’t long before EG took the lead from close range and the feeling that this was going to be a long afternoon hung heavy in the atmosphere like a real ale f*rt.
Luckily Brighton welcomed back their Gallic Flyer Yann “The Man” Deveraud who was on blistering form on the right flank and they looked dangerous on the counter attack. It was from one counter attack at that Matt Harding found himself 600 millimetres from the goal line and was able to finish well to restore the parity. Matt Harding’s efforts on goal will soon be measured by atoms passed on their way as usual measurements are just not able to cope with the nano-distances involved. It is almost like he operates as some kind of quantum striker.
EG came again and their skilful and ungainly centre midfield carved his was up the pitch again. One of their shorter strikers unleashed a vicious shot which whistled past Brooksy’s glove to give EG the lead again.
But showing the character that was missing last year Brighton pushed on again Yann this time appearing at the last moment, as if by magic, to rifle in an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner to equalise. Cooorrrr, that lad is on the money!
Brighton were now in the ascendency and as they EG attacks were snuffed out by the solid back four the breaks came think and fast with Graham and Matt stretching the EG back four enough to give Bondy the time and space needed to give Brighton a deserved 3-2 lead. EG were looking rattled and showing some cracks in their armour.
Bu then, as to form, Brighton shot themselves in the foot. A comedy 16 again ended with Ready caught in possession following what can only be described as a hospital pass from Potter and the EG right wing stole the ball and snuck it into the goal to get them back into it.
Half time at 3-3 and Brighton knew they had the beating of these boys.
The second half was an even affair with both sides looking dangerous but neither could break free. Brighton did come close at the end but shots from Yann and Bondy were well saved by the EG ‘keeper. Young Graham Stevens was also left ruing a couple of chances that on another day he would have buried.
There was still time as the seconds ticked away for Shef to try and start a fight with the tallest lad on the pitch. A wayward elbow struck the Shefsters face and he reacted in the usual manner of pushing the offender and swearing. Umpire Wappy seized the opportunity to wield some power and yellow carded both players. They had barely left the pitch before he blew for full time.
A great game but for some comedy defending and some good saves from the EG keeper it could have been a different story.
3 games unbeaten though is a great run for these boys, 7 points for the first 4 games after the break compared favourably to just 3 for the corresponding fixtures in the first half of the year. The change in fortunes has mirrored that of the improvement of young CJ Fowler who has become the legs of the Brighton midfield and, whilst having to rein in some of his attacking instincts, has become an integral part of this team’s improvement.
As you can see from the table it is a tight league and with Sussex Rozzers up next we’ll have to call our brief to make sure we are well represented for the next game, anyone got Rickard’s number?
Pld Pts GD
Worthing 15 38 +51
M&B 15 30 +22
Chi 14 28 +25
EG 14 25 +22
Hailsham 15 22 0
Sussex Peelers 14 20 0
Crowboro 14 20 -4
Lewes 15 19 -11
Crawley 15 17 -8
Brighton 15 17 -14
St Francis 15 12 -16
Horsham 15 7 -67