u 12 Match Reports 2009/10

14th March 2010 v Hove Park Colts 4-2
We asked for a big performance and a good win and thats exactly what we got. Max got us off to a great start with a close range effort after 5 mins. They equalised after 12 minutes after we let them run through us without a challenge. Both teams had chances and we held out well with their long ball game down the slope. Jack made a couple of good clearances and held a difficult swirling cross. Max, Tom and James were linking up well and Thomas was making some timely challenges. Louis and Bradley were solid at central defence and Ben made some good tackles. We went to sleep with our marking at a corner and they scored at the far post after 27 minutes. The sign of any good side is to bounce straight back and Tom equalised after 29 mins to get us in level at half time. We brought Henry on for Todd at half time and went five across the middle to win some midfield battles. Following some great inter play from James and tom a shot rebounded to Billy who put us back ahead after 35 minutes. We dominated the second half and hit the bar 3 times amd made the keeper make some saves low down on a few occasions. Michael came on for George with 15 mins left and we reverted to 4 4 2. Another good long kick from Jack sent Henry through to calmly score with 6 minutes remaining. Matt replaced Ben soon after. A great team performance in our last game of the season today and Max just shaded the man of the match award. We will not know for a few weeks if this was enough to come 3rd in the league but overall it has been a really good season for us in a very competitive Division 1.

21st February 2010 v Patcham 0-1
Switching venues away from Patchams' waterlogged pitch should have suited us but we again showed we don't like playing in the rain and cold. Jack failed a last minute fitness test and Matt deputised in goal. The first half we just weren't firing on all cylinders and despite creating a few chances we couldn't break down a resolute defence. The passion and efforts of the past few weeks were missing with too many players off their game. It took a great last ditch tackle/block by Thomas to keep the scores level, but soon after we conceded after Ben tried dribbling through a sticky pitch and lost possession, the ball fell kindly to their player on the edge of the box and the resulting shot looped over Matt into the top corner. Changes in the second half were made frequently to try and keep the boys warm which was an impossiblity. Matt made a great save in the second half but we couldnt break them down and get an equaliser. Patcham defended well and showed great spirit with only 10 men in the second half and deserved the points. Henry just shaded man of the match this week.

14th February 2010 Eastbourne Boro 2-3
Another great performance from the boys saw us take the lead after 6 mins with a mazy dribble by Billy who laid it to Bradley on to George who laid Tom in to score one of our best goals of the season. Tom was unlucky not to put us 2 up after he scored a cracker only for the linesman to flag for a dubious handball. Tom then cut down the right and pulled the ball back for James to make the keeper make a good save. Defensively we looked sound and Matt had little to do apart from saving well from a one on one. At half time we fully deserved our lead. We kept the same team on at the start of the second half but we conceded after a couple of minutes. Both teams were quite equal for sometime with good football being played. After 40 minutes Michael and Todd were replaced by Tyler and Jack. After 53 minutes they took the lead which then set up a crazy finale. Jack played the ball forwards for James to run on and score the equaliser from a deflected clearance with a minute to play. This led to great celebration scenes only for those to be crushed straight from kick off when they broke down the right and crossed for a header to beat Matt. The ref blew as soon as we kicked off. A very cruel way to lose but games are not over until final whistle and concentration must be for the 60 mins. The boys played their hearts out and deserved more, in the past two weeks they have played the top two and more than matched them football wise on the pitch. I could not single one player out for man of the match with Max, Louis, Billy and Tom outstanding throughout. You all should be very proud today and heads held high in defeat - sometimes it isn't the best team on the day that wins!

7th February 2010 v Lindfield 0-1
We started brightly and again got the ball down and played great football - they upped the physical side and Henry was on the end of a horrendous tackle followed by two more. The tackles were flying in and we stood up and continued to play good football. Tom had our best chance but shot wide after being put through. We then had a bad few minutes after our poorly taken free kick was given away and they broke away which ended with Ben scoring an own goal blasting the ball into the top corner (good goal Ben but wrong end!). We pushed for an equaliser but couldn't get the point we deserved. Henry was man of the match for his hard work and tackling. Overall a great performance from everyone today and I am delighted with how we are playing.

7th February 2010 v Lindfield 1-0
We played some of the best football we have played all season against a very tough physical side. Keeping possession and passing and moving with precision. Chances were few but we kept our heads and played ourselves out of trouble when needed. We looked very dangerous on the break but we needed Jack to pull off a great save when he was on a one on one to keep the scores level. With 5 minutes left we were awarded a penalty after Henry was fouled in the box, James scored and won us 3 valuable points. Jack was man of the match for his brilliant save.

31st January 2010 v Sedlescombe Rangers 3-1
Kick off was delayed half an hour to allow the frozen pitch to thaw a bit more and once we got under way some of our football was superb on a hard slippery pitch. Playing one touch pass and move at times was outstanding and we played our way out of trouble with great confidence. Michael scored his and our first after 15 minutes following Tom lobbing the keeper after a through ball from James. They equalised after 21 minutes after a long ball was not dealt with by the defenders and Jack was left with no chance with the shot. On 29 minutes Max took a free kick which found its way across the box and Bradley was there to put in the finishing touch. We controlled most of the second half and had a few chances to increase the lead with Louis blasting over from close range, James hitting the ball straight at the keeper and Tom also going close. Finally the game was put out of reach with Max scoring from close range with 5 minutes to go. Matt then came on for Michael, who had a really good game, for the last few minutes. I was delighted that all the goals came from midfield players today. Man of the Match went to Tom who was always a threat with his attacking play but again there were a few contenders.

24th January 2010 Hastings Town Youth 0-0
Another nightmare away trip with traffic delays at Lewes causing us to arrive late and not be as prepared prematch as usual. A good game of football from both teams was spoilt by a very poor "home team" referee. A blatant penalty decision not given in the last minute stopped us getting all the points. Very pleased with how we defended today with the back four and two central midfield players being exceptional and very competitive. Jack kept our first clean sheet of the season and although chances were few and far between we kept possession of the ball today as well as we have this season. Ben just shaded the man of the match.

17th January 2010 v Eastbourne Borough 0-5
Playing a 5-3- 2 formation we started well pressuring them early and winning tackles and getting bodies behind the ball, but only held out for 10 minutes before they scored. Matt making his first start in goal pulled off a great diving save to stop us going further behind after 20 minutes. A lack of concentration allowed them to run through for the second after 25 minutes and we fell further behind after 28 minutes when we were not marking tightly enough at a corner. We went in at half time 3 down but not disgraced by any means. Changes were made early in the second half and we went back to our usual 4 4 2 to try and get back in the game but soon after the change they scored after 37 minutes. We continued to battle hard and some great runs from Tom should have won us a penalty but a poor referee who was not up with play for most of the game failed to us give the decision. A fifth goal was conceded after 50 minutes and the game was well over. As well as Matt who could not have done anything about any of the goals there were good performances from Thomas, Ben and George but the man of the match was between Max and Tom. Max got the final decision. We were beaten by a very good team and probably favourites to win the league but I was very happy with our battling, tackling and effort throughout.

3rd January 2010 v Old Town Youth 4-2
On a bright and sunny but bitterly cold day we managed to get the game on with a later than usual kick off which meant the frozen pitch had a chance to thaw. We started slowly and fell behind to a 6th minute goal after the defence failed to clear. We battled back and after Tom won a header from their goal kick he put James in who scored after 20 minutes with a long range shot. However two minutes later we fell behind again after a mix up in defence failed to see us deal with a good cross. A great run down the line from Billy deserved more than the corner he won. At half time we said we had given them too much time on the ball and far too much respect and we had to win first and second balls and compete. We produced a great second half performance and the boys responded well to everything said at half time. Todd came on for Kai after 40 minutes. James put Tom through after 45 minutes to get the equaliser. Then Tom reciprocated to James to tap in a 3rd after 50 minutes. Tom won us a penalty which the keeper saved from James, but we kept posession from the kick and Tom worked hard to get us the 4th after 54 minutes. Jack then needed to be at his best to make a great save tipping a low shot around the post. There was also good performances from Ben, Billy and Max today but man of the match went to Thomas who was strong and committed throughout.

6th December v Rottingdean Village 1-1
The game was played in very windy conditions but at least under blue skies. They had the better of the first half scoring from a deflected shot from a corner which we didn't clear well enough. Only the crossbar stopped the second goal coming in from a thunderous shot from outside the box. We tried to play in parts but not up to our standards. The second half we had the wind behind and their goalkeeper pulled off some great saves from Michael, James and Tom before we finally got the equaliser scored by Tom. We pressed for the winner but with luck on their side today we ran out of time so had to settle for a point. Bradley was voted man of match for his second half performance but there were good performances from Max and Michael on his first start of the season.

22nd November v Patcham Utd 2-2
This was a game of 2 halves with the first half dominated by us and the second half Patcham being the stronger side. We scored from a 5th minute penalty from James following Tyler being taken out by their keeper. We had some good possession and played good football in gale force winds which at times was quite hard to do especially defensively.

We started sloppily in the second half and after 33 minutes they scored from a corner after we failed to mark tightly in the box. On 45 minutes we were behind when we gave away possession from a poor corner from them, they regained possession and scored from a shot from long range which Jack couldn't quite hold on to. Jack then pulled off a great save to keep us in the game. We dug in deep and after a great run from Tom the ball fell to James on the edge of the box who shot and scored. Although we scored a third with a minute to go it was ruled out for obstruction, a draw was probably a fair result overall. The game finished in torrential rain similar to the conditions of the first abandoned match but we acquitted ourselves much better today. There were good performances from the team with the Man of the Match going to Ben.

25th October v Rottingdean White 3-2
A very scrappy game on a tight pitch saw us come out winners 3-2 where we should have put the game well out of sight at 3-0 up. We started with 4 3 3 but changed back to our usual 4 4 2 formation quite quickly after we didnt seem up for it and started really slowly. A penalty converted by James on 10 mins following a foul on Bradley was followed by a well worked second from Bradley 8 minutes later. Good work by Max found Billy who played the ball in for Bradley to score. At half time we spoke about getting the ball down and playing our game and not dropping to their long ball game. 5 minutes into the second half Bradley played James through who scored with a left foot shot into the far corner. We then pressed for the next 10 minutes but chances from Ben, George, Max all went wide or straight to the keeper. For some reason we then had a total collapse in concentration and they scored 2 goals in 2 minutes on 45 and 47minutes. We then had to hold on in a game we should have won easily. Man of the Match went to Bradley.

18th October v Hove Park Colts 2-3
Two well matched sides today provided a contrasting game with our good football again being met by a physically stronger team. An early penalty after Tom was clearly fouled in the box was converted by James in 3 minutes, to put us ahead. We played some good football in the first part of the half. They equalised when we let a player run at us without getting a tackle in and scored a good solo goal after 15 minutes. On 25 minutes James scored our second with a shot from the edge of the box following a mix up and bad clearence in their defence. Being 2-1 up at half time was a deserved scoreline. We started the second half slowly and got caught out in 35th minute when a ball came across our box without any reaction only for it to fall to one of their strikers who scored. We had some good possession but still at times gave the ball away unecessarily. George and Thomas were replaced by Louis and Kai after 40 minutes and on 50 minutes Todd came on for Bradley who got a nasty kick on the shin. Not long after reshuffling the positions they scored their 3rd goal and although we threw some players forward we couldn't create any clear chances. Overall we probably deserved a draw but lack of chances and some defensive errors contributed to us losing. Tyler was voted Man of the Match.

11th October v Lindfield FC 2-6
We talked about how physical a side they were before the game and our boys felt they had been through a battle at the end of the game. Some of our football at times was brilliant but we couldn't match their physical strength. They had hardly a touch in the first 5 minutes as we started brightly but got caught out on a break and they scored early on. Louis had to come off after 7 minutes after receiving a nasty kick on the head. James equalised on 15 mins with a great direct free kick and Tom put us 2-1 up 2 minutes later with a good finish. Unfortunately we couldn't hold out until half time and in the 30th and a couple of minutes into injury time they scored 2 quick goals to lead 3-2. We had limited chances in the second half and they made it 2-4 after 38 minutes with a header after we failed to clear our lines. They scored two more goals from rebounds on 52 and 60 minutes which wrapped up the final score of 2-6. Max and Ben had to come off injured and the squad was fully stretched during the game. Ben was chosen as man of the match and again there were some good performance throughout despite the result.

4th October County Cup 1st Round v Eastbourne Borough 0-4
Although the final score flattered them a bit we never got going for much of the game and they were deserved winners. We created about 8 good chances but the bar, post and other shots did not go in and it was the first time we have not scored in 11 a side football. Their two quick goals on 17 minutes and 20 minutes put us on the backfoot and we never recovered. At half time the talk was about how important the next goal would be and to try and get back in the game and into extra time. Unfortunately it fell to them after 38 minutes and there was no way back. They scored the 4th with only a minute left.. Jack kept the scoring down with some fine saves and we couldn't put our chances away but overall their passing and movement was better than ours on the day. Tyler was voted man of the match.

27th September Knockout Cup 1 v Patcham United Amber 2-1 aet
We came out deserved winners eventually in a very tight cup match on a small pitch. The boys worked ever so hard in hot sunshine and when we got into the lead with James's goal we should have gone on to see out the game. They scored after their no 7 ran through and scored with 7 minutes remaining. Extra time beckoned and even though we had chances to put ourselves through we had to wait for Billy's winner with 2 minutes remaining for us to enjoy some great celebrations. Some very good performances throughout the team and especially in the middle of midfield where Max and Henry controlled a lot of the game. The pass and movement was at times superb with Tom chasing everthing laid off to him. We coped with their long ball strategy and defensively at times we looked sound. Jack was confident and dealt with any balls over the top. Man of the Match went to Billy but as in the past three weeks it was a complete team performance.

20th September 2009 v Sedlescombe Rangers 5-2
Another superb first half display of attacking fast paced football with James and Tom putting us 2 up inside 10 minutes. They pulled one back from a free header from a corner but we replied straight away within a minute with Tom's second. James chipped the keeper for the fourth after 20 minutes and Max scored our 5th on 29 minutes after a clever flick from James. 5-1 at half time allowed us to give everyone a run out and with a few knocks at various times we had to interchange the boys in different postions. This highlighted how adaptable the squad is in their positions and some of their ability to play anywhere needed. Highlight of the second half was Thomas's strike from outside the box which brought a great save from their keeper. They scored a second with 5 minutes left again from a header from a corner. Man of the Match went to Louis for his solid defensive display but once again all the credit went to the whole team and not individuals.

13th September 2009 v Hastings Town 7-1
We asked the boys to have a quick start, step up the performance from last week and they delivered with a fantastic first half performance. Goals were scored by James in the 3rd and 5th minutes Tom after 15mins, an OG after 20, Ben with a header after 25. We conceded a goal on 27 minutes but a pen from James on 29 mins put us 6-1 up at half time. We could have had another when James hit the bar with a free kick from Max's back heel. Some of the pass and movement from Billy, Max , Henry and Tyler across the midfield was exceptional. the defence of Ben, Bradley, Louis and Todd played as a unit and looked very comfortable. Jack was rarely troubled throughout.
The second half was never going to be as good and we made it 7-1 with a penalty from Tom after 57 minutes. Henry was injured with a twisted hip and replaced by Kai and run outs at the end were given to Ollie and Michael. James was voted man of the match but it was a complete team performance today.

6th September 2009 v Old Town Youth Yellow 1-3
A tough opening fixture against a team unbeaten in their league last season. We should have had a clear penalty in the first minute when Tom was brought down following a mazy run. They scored after 8 minutes following a through ball and went in at half time 1 up, with Jack making two great saves to keep the score down. The second half started promising but again two sloppy defensive errors put them 3 up in the 50th and 53rd minutes leaving us a mountain to climb. We scored a consolation goal, a couple of minutes later, with a good header from Tom following a well worked free kick. Jack was voted man of match. This match showed how tough this league will be and all players need to be on their game every week.