Match Reports
06/12/08
Brighton 5s 0-3 Men's 4th XI
When Brooksy's not there, things generally don't go that well;
1. Our only defeat against the EG clones.
2. The deluge with added Penguins.
3. A comprehensive runaround from an inspired 5s.
So, come back Brooksy. Romance isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Maybe it was playing in unfamiliar white, maybe it was the sun, maybe it was Chris Perry's hangover, maybe it was the cliche free team talk but the 4s weren't at the races all afternoon.
An attacking formation consisting of the Wills and JC struggled with a dearth of service as the midfield and defence struggled to deal with a motivated and energetic 5s.
Wappy, selected at left back to deal with sonic the hedgehog like thrusts from Ramzy, wasn't the only change to what has been a consistent defence in the last few games. Phil 'vanilla ice' Orriss took Brooksy's place between posts and was kept busy in the first half. Wappy's thumb got in the way of a Vanilla clearance which he took in good grace until Ramzy offered a substandard icepack. Throughout the first half, the 4s were unnerved by the assertive 5s tackling with Ready suffering a bump on the thumb from a Ramzy goal attempt which he made a bit of a meal of.
Will D scored - I've no idea what happened! (Doesn’t seem that anyone can remember.) Although he doesn't re-take the top spot in the goal scorers stakes, no matter how he did it.
After taking the lead, the 4s failed to capitalise on a couple inch perfect balls across the D and the game settled into a pattern of decent possession for the 4s without really being able to breakdown a resolute 5s defence marshalled by Swampy and breaks upfield from the 5s.
As the game wore on, it opened up and the 5s sensed something. From a spell of 5s pressure, Vanilla made a clearance (whilst moaning about being unsighted - now that's multitasking!) to Will D on the halfway line leading to a one on one for Will Selby which he slotted past the impressive Matt Squires. The two goal lead didn't give the 4s the confidence it should have and it wasn't until just before the final whistle when Bondy (not having a spat with Swampy) expertly deflected Dan's (not being tormented by Josh) shot into the top corner and only then could the 4s relax.
All in all, a hard fought 3 points. A special mention goes to Wappy's hit all the way along the left touchline, the handshake between Davros and Matt Squires after a Matt had upended Davros and the support (Sleaze is a superfan).
Also with the inquest into the victory continuing, I'd hate to see what would happen if we ever actually lose!
Team: Vanilla, Ready, Wappy, Perry, Wrighty, Dan S, Will S, Will D, Bondy, JC, Davros.
Ready