Match Reports
31/10/09
Middleton & Bognor 1-5 Men's 3rd XI
Brighton rush to second win of season with a flurry of goals.
Players waking up on the Saturday morning found themselves staring out at another cold, wet and miserable day and would have thought not again it was like this last week! However as Brighton 3’s made the journey down the coast to Bognor it was clear the sun was going to shine on Brighton!
With the rain somewhere else and the clouds parting, it looked like it was going to be good playing conditions for a very strong Brighton team. Welcoming debutants Ashley Deller-Merricks, Ravi Patel and Chris Page to a side boasting talent such as Prucey the super sweeper, Delea the skilful dribbler, and Begs the power house forward, Brighton were on the hunt for their second win in as many games.
Having got onto the pitch to begin the extensive 3’s warm up! It looked like the 3’s would be halted in their quest by what some would describe as the most officious umpire known to man. An act of vandalism caused no doubt by the local youths in their quest to find fun in Bognor without having to go to Butlins had seen the large areas of the pitch ripped up. This was a huge cause for concern for the umpires who proceeded to debate the issue with all, argue with the sports centre and thus halt the start of the game.
Whilst the sports centre scurried about to find sand to fill in the holes Brighton kept warm and focused. After what seemed like an age the game was allowed to start and from the off Brighton got stuck in, making sure they were the first to every ball. The passing was crisp, clean and concise not allowing Middleton & Bognor an opportunity to get any possession. When Middleton & Bognor did gain possession and looked to test Brighton’s defence they came up against the brick wall of Prucey who was denying them at every angle. The odd time they did get past Prucey the inform Hehir was pulling out the saves to deny them.
Brighton raced away to a four goal lead with Begs (2), Davros and Bondy all finding themselves on the score sheet as they race to be top scorer for the 3’s this season. With very few chances from Middleton & Bognor to worry about, Ade Farthing came on to score Brighton’s fifth of the game. Ade has now scored in every game this season and is looking in fine form.
Brighton five up and cruising, it looked like we were in for a rare treat and when I say rare, I do mean rare, so rare that one hasn’t been seen for nearly three years. I am of course talking about a Hehir clean sheet. As the clock ran down Hehir was frantically stopping every shot that came his was in a desperate act to achieve his dream! Alas it was not to be, a moment when Brighton allowed Middleton & Bognor’s lanky forward to run (the only thing he’d done all game!!!) across the ‘D’ and produce a reverse stick shot from nowhere into the top corner, with Hehir rooted in position. Hehir then proceeded to imitate the moment in the film ‘Platoon’ where William Dafoe is seen slumping to his knees as he is shot several times! The only thing that could be heard in all of Bognor was Hehir cry of ‘NOOOOOooooooooo’.
Nonetheless Brighton ran out 5-1 winners and was the much better team for 70 minutes. I’m not sure when, maybe not in my life time and maybe only in Hehir’s dream but I am sure he will get his clean sheet some day!
Next Brighton face the table Worthing 2’s what offers to be a real clash.