Match Reports
15/03/08
Middleton & Bognor 1s 6-2 Men's 4th XI
M&B were out for revenge after they only brought ten players for the previous fixture shortly before Christmas. That day a well oiled Brighton machine had set about them.
This time it was to be a different affair with a full strength M&B side up against a weaker than usual Brighton who were missing some of their big names of recent games.
Still it was a young side with plenty of talent and spirits were high as we welcomed Andy Stewart from League 3 champions the Rocks and the two Wills, Wells and Selby, who stepped up from the high flying fives to help us out. Even Matt Harding, a man well known to appreciate the human form, commented on what a “Young and athletic side” we had today….
Brooksy’s easy going culture was on show again as a very laid back warm up was interrupted by Shef taking the lads on a jog and some opening and closing of gates.
The game began in the drizzle with a decidedly chilly breeze and with both teams having equal share of the ball. Some good work from Andy and Dan Benson in midfield suggested that the team miles above us in the league might not have things all their way.
However, a short corner was awarded and Brooksy was able to show his quality by displaying the nimble footwork of a deep sea diver. The reverse stick strike from M&B’s roly-poly centre forward whizzed through the open gap between his legs with his feet well and truly anchored to the ground. Imagine Gulliver (from Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels) goalkeeping just after being tied to the ground by the Lilliputians and you won’t be too far wrong. 1-0.
Brighton continued to press but M&B always looked the more dangerous and the defence politely parted for their winger to ghost into the D and finish neatly. 2-0.
The one way traffic was stemmed slightly when some good work on the break from Dan and a deflected shot rolled to the killer stick of ex-postie Selby to finish neatly and Brighton were still in the game. 2-1.
Things were opening up and the game could nearly be described as end to end but M&B always seemed to have the finishing touch. A powerful short corner from the tallest man in Bognor was half stopped by a brave Chris Perry on the line only for it to spin past him and beyond his diving frame into the goal. 3-1.
M&B extended their after Brooksy had saved well with his testicles only for the rebound to be slotted home. 4-1. Brighton were still showing plenty of fight as Dan and Shef whipped up the lads with some very loud shouting. It paid off as another deflected shot found Matt Harding, who had now stopped daydreaming about his dreamy team mates to finish from 4000 nano-microns and re-stake his claim to the highest goal scorer title. That’s 13 for the season.
Half time and with the score at 4-2 Brighton still felt with a little bit of luck and a fair wind we could get something from this game. However, the curse of the second half would strike again and it would remain barren (from a Brighton perspective).
M&B had the lion’s share of the pressure and, but form some heroics from Brooksy in the Brighton goal, the score line could have run away to resemble a cricket score. M&B were only able to score a couple of scrambled goals, again despite the diving efforts of Chris Perry on the line who enjoyed a triumvirate of injuries to his ankle (twisted) hand (hit) head (butted on post whilst diving). It must be said the lad had a cracking game in the unfamiliar position of sweeper. We were also entertained by some Andy “School of Thompo” Stewart tackling as he stick tackled his way into the umpire’s bad books and then onto the sidelines when he was yellow carded. There was still time for Potter to show his continued quality, bravery and pace over 15 yards to disrupt and block numerous M&B short corners.
We also managed to finish a game against M&B with all the team’s ears where they should, so that has to be a positive.
Brooksy was also able to show his spatial awareness and quickness of thought by struggling with every door on the way to the changing rooms “This is an automatic door isn’t it??” Luckily Alan Grey was on hand to guide Brooksy back to the car.
At the time of writing we still don’t know if we are safe but it looks likely it’s all going to go down to the big last game v St Francis, pretty much a carbon copy of last season (but with more points, tough league this one).
DB