Match Reports
23/02/08
Worthing 3s 3-2 Men's 4th XI
Brighton’s unbeaten run came to a dignified end, as all things must, but in the best way. Fighting tooth and nail to the last, no quarter asked and no quarter given. Resolute and full of spunk!!
Despite the annual defender drought skipper Brooksy had excelled his self and assembled a squad of real quality. That quality was decimated somewhat as the in-form Dan Benson was called up to the 3s when they were caught short. No panic though as Brooksy was proud to give a Brighton debut to a young South African import, Dave Spratt. There was a fourth team debut for our token cockney Jamie Wilson who had impressed for the 5s earlier in the year and was thought to be M.I.A. Brooksy never gives up on a soldier and plucked him back from the horrible limbo that is Saturday’s without a game of hockey.
There was one chink in the armour and that was Tosh. After a hard week on the wards he decided to celebrate the start of the weekend in the time honoured tradition of the hockey player with a few hard earned glasses of the drug we affectionately call booze. This left him in the land of the zeds when the two Alans (both our umpires were called Alan, you couldn’t make it up!) started the game. There was even a delay as Alan number 1 fixed the net like a seasoned fisherman.
So it was a ten man Brighton that started the game and thanks to the defender drought it was Bondy that filled in a left back. He did so in the style, self described, as marauding. Wasn’t far off actually as it was down the left in the opening stages that most of Brighton’s good work came with Dave and Bondy combining well to give the oppo’s right half and right back merry hell.
Brighton, even though limited to ten men, were on mesmerising form and as the game progressed they grew and grew in confidence. JC and CJ, here we go again with some palindromic one twos, worked hard in midfield and Yann was on electrifying form on the wing. After being starved of a game the previous week he really wanted to make up for it. It wasn’t long before the inevitable happened and after a couple of false starts a short corner routine came good and as the ball was returned to the “injector” Matt, he was able to finish from a tight angle and give Brighton a well deserved lead.
League leaders Worthing were no mugs and came back at ten man Brighton and a period of sustained pressure told when the extra man found space in the D and was able to finish well passed Brooksy (who it must be said was nursing an injured knee).
Man down Brighton though did not give up and JC was finding his touch and was winning the personal battle with oppo centre half who had to resort to foul and illegal methods to impede his progress. Chris Perry at right back was also getting involved and Brighton seemed to have the extra man, you wouldn’t have believed they were a man down. Another great run from Yann made some space for debutant Dave to finish coolly over the keeper and Brighton were again in the lead. And no less than they deserved.
Worthing again came and Jamie Wilson, on his fours debut, was having an outstanding game at centre back with a bit of bite and battle plus the ability to pass to a Brighton player. I never knew such a defender existed!! On the stroke of half time, though, the rather irritating Worthing forward latched on to some defensive indecision and touched the ball passed the slow motion Brooksy to restore the parity. A soft soft goal. So soft I named it twice. Not happy.
Brighton, although with only ten men, had probably played the best half of hockey that they have played all year and were probably the better of the two teams at that stage.
They knew that it was going to be a tough half as fitness would count against them but with a midfield quartet of such quality something surely would come good. Sadly the second half, like so many for Brighton this year, was barren of goals. Although there were a few close shaves and a couple of good saves.
Worthing began to find the space, especially on the right where the marauding Bondy had marauded himself into centre mid leaving young Dave to mark two men. However, as Brighton dominated the pressure the breaks came and luckily for Brighton Jamie and Ready were equal to the numerous four on twos, impressive stuff.
Sadly, Tosh turned up and immediately Worthing earned and dispatched a scrambled short corner the airborne ball being thwacked home by the Worthing striker.
There was still plenty of time for more goals but they didn’t come. The final ball was slightly lacking and it was a sad but proud Brighton team that left the pitch beaten.
It must be said it was a great game to be a part of and played in great spirit. It was also very well umpired so thanks to Alan number 1 and Alan number 2.
A great run ended and Brighton are back in the relegation dog fight. Four to go and 5 points off the relegation zone. My bum is squeaking thinking about it.