Match Reports
08/11/08
Crowborough 2s 2-8 Men's 4th XI
Another top of the table clash saw the Brighton boys travel to sunny Crowborough for a game in, at times, torrential weather again. This time the game was able to be completed.
Crowborough were sitting pretty at the top of the league and showed themselves to be worthy of their place in the league but they came across the Super 4s continuing their impressive run of form.
With only 11 men I was pretty worried whether with some guys carrying injuries we’d make it through. Bondy, the biggest worry, had done a fine job with pain killers and strapping. To some the combination of heavy sedatives and tight lycra (latex) could be night out in the more sordid areas of Kemp Town but to Bondy this was just a means of getting through 70 minutes. Although he didn’t venture too far from the middle of the pitch in his new self-titled “creative role”. For those of you who recall mid-80s footballers think Jan Molby. For those of you who can’t, don’t worry about it. You could Google it I suppose.
Davros also continued his renaissance since returning from exile in NZ. He politely informed me, again, that sees himself more of a midfielder now. I pretended I didn’t hear and stuck him upfront. I think I was justified when he scored 3 and should have had 5! Of the two goals he should have had one was an audacious little flick that struck an upright. The other was more controversial. He seems to have developed a drag flick that “flies” along the floor. This confused the oppo’s keeper who missed the ball. A goal awarded and everyone from Brighton is happy. There seemed to be some confusion in the Brighton camp and we managed to talk ourselves out of the goal. League hockey is no time for such charity.
With Brighton 4-1 up at half-time we worked hard to re-focus and make sure complacency didn’t creep in. We started the second half with a great move ended by a brave dive from Yann the man. Not only is he a bit of a fancy Dan he isn’t afraid to get in where it hurts. At 5-1 the game was beyond Crowborough.
The big news of the game is Ready’s place on the score sheet. This is a rarity (except for a couple of seasons ago when he was the short corner king). But this goal was from open play. Yes, Andrew Read scored a goal from open play. He was pretty chuffed and bought a round of drinks in the bar he was so happy. I decided to quiz him to make sure I got the description right for the report. Amazingly he can’t really remember it. And that’s a quote, he said when asked “I can’t really remember it!” I vaguely recall him bounding gazelle like up the pitch. He then seemed to hang around in the D, probably getting in the way, when I think Begs crossed it for him to touch it home. Crazy, a momentous moment forgotten for all time and only someone almost exactly 100 yards away is able to describe it.
This really was an excellent team display and a very assured one in defence for a change. If we can keep the same back four for a few weeks that will help. All in all though a great display, I even managed to save a couple of shots!
This impressive run sees us top of the league with a game in hand over most the teams.
A quick thanks to Mike’s mate Doug who supported us in the rain. Also thanks to the two Crowborough umpires who umpired very well indeed. And also the Crowborough team, who are clearly a decent outfit who could have got frustrated by the result but played fairly and in good spirits throughout.
Goal scorers for the record:
Begs x 1
Davros x 3
Yann x 2
READY!! x 1
Dan x 1
Team: Brooksy, Ready, Smithy, Wrighty, Bondy, Perry, Yann, Begs, Davros, Laurie and Dan.
DB