Match Reports
14/01/06
Mid Sussex 2-1 Men's Veterans XI
Bouyed by a good win the previous week ay Horsham and the prospect of an entertaining evening ahead of them the Veterans approached the local derby with Mid Sussex in good spirits. Man of the match Andy Wood donned the pads and it was clear from the warm up that he would be an extremely competent stand in.
From the whistle Mid Sussex set at Brighton en masse playing a form of "total hockey" not seen since watching a schoolboy match. The home side showed admirable discipline and, coupled with excellent saves by the 'keeper, managed to repel the waves of attacks. As the first half progressed Brighton started to take control of the game and by half time were very much the better team, although admittedly, fortunate not to be trailing.
The high level of discipline continued during a scrappier second half and this was rewarded when, nine minutes from time, Tim Ireland's quickly taken free hit was well worked by David Martin for Adrian Adams to hammer home for his umpteenth goal of the season.
Mid Sussex came back but the Brighton defence seemed resolute until a moment of hesitation gifted the visitors an equaliser. Suddenly it was like the Nou Camp in 1999 and everybody began to realise what Bayern Munich must have felt like as Mid Sussex somehow managed to take the lead. Brighton almost equalised at the end but it was not to be.
Hockey, bloody hell.