Match Reports
03/12/05
St Francis 1s 1-2 Men's 4th XI
Brighton 4s 2 - St Francis 1s 1
Scorers : James Rickards, Tom Scopes
Brighton came into the game fresh from a battling 3-2 win over Crowborough the week before (yes Penguins we were jammy yet again !), however the team had suffered a major set back as the day before the Irish new boy, shinty Al had broken his wrist in a motorbike accident. With last minute replacements and youngster Josh making his debut, the team definitely had a different air to it which worried Rickards greatly ! However the teams unease was forgotten momentarily by the sight of club captain Kobe Beef scoring 2 goals ….. YES 2 GOALS !!!! for the 6s …. were Eastbourne really that bad ? - Ed.
Perhaps Thompo’s lacklustre mood was contagious as the team started very slowly allowing St Francis to make several early attacks with a very direct approach…. were they managed by Graham Taylor ? Brighton weathered the early storm and managed to create a few good chances although unfortunately Pillsbury had left his radar at home at was well wide of the mark. However the team although playing poorly continued to work hard and show some glimpses of the fine hockey that had taken them to top spot.
A blunt Thompo summed up the performance at half time with one word, “Toilet” which was agreed on by all but unfortunately the team still struggled to get out of second gear until Rickards converted one of the many short corners with a well drilled shot just inside the post. This seemed to settle Brighton for a while until nerves crept in to allow St Francis several chances which were put well wide although keeper Hehir as cocky as ever said he was well in control ! Finally Brighton got a deserved second, from a lot of pressure which seemed to suggest that was it. Tom Scopes doing the honour with a scrambled goal.
How the game wasn’t dead …… a debatable penalty stroke was awarded when Christophe dived into tackle a St Francis forward. Reedy an expert at axeing forwards was convinced that the tackle was fair !! Keeper Hehir had no chance. Although St Francis never really threatened again Brighton were happy to hear the final whistle. Yes perhaps we were jammy this week as well, saving our worst performance of the season for a match against a mid table side. A mention must go to Josh, although he had a nervous debut, he didn't disgrace himself.
Team : Andy Hehir, Thompo, Reedy, Christophe, Tom Scopes, James Rickards, Auke Posthumus, Ade F, Santosh Burrett, Josh Davy, Tom Snow. Russell Murphy
Teapot - Ade “where’s that barn door” Farthing
Dancin' Homer - Thompo
Handbag - Russell …. excessive moaning
Top shopping tip - Rickards … “Thompo there’s no need to get stressed out shopping just go to a good department store and buy everything there…… “ Thompo, …. “Oh like House of Fraser ?” ….. Rickards ……. “Oh please !!!! Selfridges of course !”