February Summary

Women's 1's February Match Summaries:

7th February - Women's 1's travelled to Eastbourne to play their 2's in a must win game. Both side started brightly with Eastbourne using big hit outs from their defence to try to pierce the Crows defence. Lucy Smith covered the midfield expertly with Flo Fuller and the returning Jess Jolley upfront running tirelessly, setting the tone for the game. The deadlock was broken about 20 minutes in when Amanda Catling took a quick free hit, finding Poppy Cureton to lay it off to Kate Baxter who slotted it home, making it 1:0 at half time. Crowborough started the second half brightly and punched early with a fantastic hit into the D from Nikki Churchward for Cureton to nip in front of her defender and put it past the off balance keeper. The team weren't finished and Churchward smashed home the third. The fourth followed not long after with Baxter laying the ball across the goal from the backline for Cureton to grab her second. The fifth came with Churchward again bursting into the circle to smash it past the goalie. While the attacker were rampant special mention should be made to the Sandra Hepple, Kati Innes, Millie Rymer-Gough, Clare Bennett, Grace Mercer and captain Sam Williams who held brilliantly as a defensive unit. Player of the match went to the young talent Poppy Cureton.

14th February - No game

21st February - Women's 1's travelled to play 3rd in the league Brighton and Hove 3's on a windy Saturday morning. Playing with a flat 11, the team changed up the formation to keep gaps plugged and support speedy attacks. From the off the team worked as a unit, the front pairing of Meg Shaw and Jess Jolley hassled and chased setting the tone from the top of the pitch. The defensive unit of Sandra Hepple, Grace Mercer, Dani Newitt, Millie Rymer-Gough, Clare Bennet and Captain Sam Williams worked together, covering and communicating with calmness and clarity, guiding the midfield of Nikki Churchward, Amanda Catling and Lucy Smith who chased and pressured throughout the game. With the game 0:0 at half time the Crows continued in the second half with the same pace and intensity, defending together and breaking as a team. With just under 10 minutes to go a free hit was awarded on the right hand side. Amanda Catling drove forward with the ball, drilling it into the D to find Nikki Churchward who slammed it home. Maintaining focus the team kept the work rate high to get the well earned victory over the line. Player of the match was awarded to the whole team.

28th February - Women's 1's hosted the travelling Middleton 1's in what is always a fun but physical encounter. Middleton started brightly but in the first Crow attack a brilliant bobbling through ball from Captain Sam Williams found forward Kate Baxter who rounded the keeper to make it 1:0. Middleton struck back within minutes to make it 1:1 at half time. The team entered the second half with determination and belief. Working hard for each other with a never say die attitude and were rewarded when the ball made it's way through to Baxter who slotted home cooly for her second of the day. The game continued end to end with some excellent tackling from Millie Rymer-Gough and Kati Innes and some top drawer saves from Sandra Hepple meaning the game finished 2:1 to the home team. The game was played at high intensity with every member of the team giving everything. A well earned win to make it 6 wins out of 7 since Christmas! Player of the match was shared by Millie Rymer-Gough and Poppy Cureton

Women's 2's February Match Summaries:

7th February - The Ladies 2's travelled to Hastings to face South Saxons Ladies 2's. The first half saw Libby Hamill score an incredible opening goal, giving the Crows an early boost. Unfortunately, Saxons soon found an equaliser and began to apply sustained pressure. They went on to score again, breaking past centre back Emily Holman, who put in a determined defensive effort throughout. The second half saw Saxons extend their lead with two further goals. Although this rattled the Crows, the final 15 minutes showed real grit and determination as every player fought hard until the final whistle. Hamill grabbed her second goal late on, but despite the strong finish, the match ended in a 2:4 loss for the Crows. A tough result, but plenty of heart and effort shown right to the end.

14th February - No game

21st February - Ladies 2's claimed a hard-fought 3:2 victory at home to Horsham 5's in a much-needed win. The Crows started strongly, with Josie Mitchell opening the scoring after excellent midfield work from Caroline Cardozo, Hannah Walker and Olivia Springer. The second goal soon followed, as Hannah Walker skilfully beat her defender and slipped the ball through for Mitchell to finish calmly, making it 2:0. Defensively, Emma Chrismas, Meg Bissett and Michelle Hulse were solid throughout, with Claire North stepping into centre-back seamlessly. Wing-backs Meg Johnson, Ali Youlton and Annie Wood worked tirelessly up and down the flanks, while Emily Holman impressed in an unfamiliar midfield role. Up front, Matilda Whitney’s energy and intelligent running created space and opportunities for the team. As fatigue set in during the second half, Horsham pulled two goals back. However, Springer restored the lead with a superb reverse-stick finish, lifting the ball over the defenders stick and around the goalkeeper to secure the win. After a determined team performance, the Ladies 2's remain top of the league and look ahead to facing Crawley Ladies 1's next week. Player of the match was awarded to the team.

28th February - Ladies 2's travelled to Crawley to play their ladies 1's. From the get go, the ladies were on the back foot from the umpiring, with constant stop starts to play which meant the ladies could never move forward. Crawley broke the deadlock in the last 30 minutes of the 1st half after a quick break from their forward. The 2nd half only brought more drama for the Crows, with not one but 4 players being off the pitch for cards. This gave Crawley their 2nd opportunity to score. The umpire then awarded a p flick against goalie Tilly Singleton, we still haven’t figured out why - unfortunately this got past Singleton, however she railed on and fought hard for her team. Meg Shaw managed to find the back board and slammed a goal home for the ladies, however with the constant criticism and backwards play it was a match the ladies were never going to win.

Women's 3's February Match Summaries:

7th February - No game.

14th February - No game.

21st February - No game.

28th February - 5:1 win, no match report provided.

Women's 4's February Match Summaries:

7th February - The Women's 4's faced a tough match against Hailsham 3's, who are currently second in the league. They started strong, dominating possession for the first 15 minutes with several promising attacks. However, Hailsham managed to score on their first real chance, and unfortunately, that set the tone for the rest of the game. Their subsequent goals came from well-executed plays and penalty corners, with one penalty flick as well. Despite the 6-0 loss and dodgy umpiring, it was a valuable learning experience for the team, with plenty to take away and improve upon. Willow Cureton was awarded Player of the Match for her outstanding performance at wingback.

14th February - No game.

21st February - 4:0 loss, no match report provided.

28th February - 2:2 draw (5:0 walkover loss as it had to be played as a friendly), no match report provided.

Men's 1's February Match Summaries:

7th February - Introducing a new formation and an aggressive press, Crowborough set the tone from the first whistle, suffocating Crawley’s build-up play and forcing mistakes all over the pitch. The pressure paid off early and never really let up. Cameron McCabe led the charge with a ruthless hat trick from short corners with two flicks and a reverse strike, Harry Turner added the moment of the match, unleashing an absolute screamer that left the goalkeeper rooted and underlined Crowborough’s confidence on the day. With the defence and midfield led by Angus Donaldson, Mitch Hawksbee and Jake Flynn digging deep to link up it led to, Olly Yeoman converting two crucial goals, arriving at exactly the right moments to keep the momentum firmly with the home side, while Sam Chick also got his name on the scoresheet to cap off a well-rounded attacking display. Despite Crawley managing a consolation goal, Crowborough’s intensity, structure, and relentless press proved far too much. The new system clicked immediately, and the result reflected a side playing with clarity, energy, and real intent, onto a massive game against third in the league Worthing. Player of the match went to Harry Turner

14th February - No game.

21st February - Crowborough hosted Worthing 2's who sat below them in third, an important game to extend the gap and keep East Grinstead within reaching distance. The Crows started well scoring 4 goals in the first half, 2 from Cameron McCabe and 2 from Angus Donaldson. Second half saw Worthing press harder with tired Crow legs, Sam chick got on the score sheet thanks to a Olly Yeoman assist. In the last play of the match Worthing scored a penalty corner which left the score 5:1

28th February - Men’s 1's traveled to South Saxons (the worst away day of the season) First half Saw Borough have possession in Saxons half pressing hard and peppering the keeper. With 11 men defending in their own D Borough could only find the way through twice in the first half. Only going with 12 players the second half showed tired legs which only led to 2 more goals in the second half. Player of the match went to Harry Turner.

Men's 2's February Match Summaries:

7th February - Men’s 2's played East Grinstead in a competitive, end-to-end game with chances at both ends. Both teams moved the ball well and created opportunities, resulting in a closely fought contest throughout. Men’s 2s defended solidly and looked to break quickly, while East Grinstead applied pressure and tested the defence at regular intervals. The game remained evenly balanced for most of the match, with neither side able to take control. 9 seconds after a short corner which East Grinstead managed to to put away, Hamish Marr scored a great open field goal built up by some great play, however the final two minutes, East Grinstead were awarded a short corner which they converted to decide the game. Men’s 2's were left disappointed after a strong overall performance. Player of the match went to Rufus Jones for his exceptional saves.

14th February - Men’s 2's hosted 3rd in the league Brighton & Hove for a must win game to keep chasing East Grinstead. The first half was very slow and scrappy and borough never really got the rhythm of the game under control , despite this borough opened up the scoring with a well placed goal from Hamish Marr. The first half ended 2-1 with Olly Yeoman also finding the net. Borough changed there formation for the second half and that’s when the game really started to become there’s with great passing round the back and constant transfers on there opposing half way line built to many more chances and a penalty flick was won and scored by Rohan Milne, Rohan also then upped the score to 4:1 with another open field goal. Brighton then scored a last play short corner to end the game at 4:2.

21st February - 10:0 win, no match report provided.

28th February - Men’s 2's hosted Lewes 4's for another must win game to secure promotion. The game started off strong with borough setting tempo throughout the whole performance. Lewes never got the chance to get a grip on the game and this was evident through out . The Crows went 2:0 up in the first half with an open play goal and a penalty stroke expertly taken by Hamish Marr. The second half followed suit with over all control forcing Lewes into a half court press. The team took advantage of this transferring round the back waiting for gaps to open and taking opportunities when they did. Defender Charlie Ralph also got on the score sheet with an excellent run and strike from top of the D to beat the keeper. The game closed with a 6:0 win with great performances by everyone. Player of the match went to Jude fuller.

Men's 3's February Match Summaries:

7th February - 5:0 walkover win.

14th February - Men's 3’s travelled to Lewes to take on there 6’s Crowborough started strong moving the ball well from the defense to the attack but lacked quality in the final third. Although dominating the first ten minutes the 3’s failed to capitalise. Momentum swang the other way with lewes applying a lot of pressure with Henry Stubbings and Dan Sudworth providing some last ditch tackles. Lewes gained the advantage scoring a goal from a short, and then 5 minutes later catching borough on the counter quickly going 2:0 up. This woke the 3’s up, before half time the Fuller brothers linked up well with Elijah playing a lovely through ball into Jude, who then played a beautiful ball to the top of the D where Alfie Hook stood to slot home his first goal for Borough before the break. Crowborough dominated the second half with Steve Burns and Lucas Dennett controlling the middle, Alfie hook came close to scoring a second, but the 3’s finally got an equaliser from a well work short when John Fuller recieved the ball and slipped it to Sammy Shearn for his first goal aswell. Crowborough pushed for a winner but couldn’t convert with Nate potter putting the ball narrowly over, special mention to Harvey Holman who made some vital saves in goal. Final score 2:2 and Player of the match went to Alfie Hook.

21st February - Men’s 3’s battled to a 1:1 stalemate with Crawley 4’s. Crowborough started out the blocks strong, seeming to adapt well to a new formation. From front to back the 3’s were extremely disciplined but struggled to create chances in the first 20 minutes, Crawley squandered a good chance after Mark Fulham made a good save, failing to capitalise on the rebound. Crawley mounted on the pressure towards the end of the half but an assured display at the back as always from Henry Stubbings with some brilliant interceptions and silky passes when playing out from the back, next to him the returning Alex Purcell winning every duel that came his way. A brillant ball from Steve Burns who picked out Harvey Holman who played a slick one two with Sammy Shearn before producing a fine finish to finding the bottom right corner to give Crowborough the lead going into half time. The second half started similarly to the first half with Borough having chances early on. First from a short corner which the team had been working on in training, where some slick passing saw Elijah Fuller find Harvey Holman at the P-spot who failed to direct the ball goal wards. A few minutes later Fuller found Holman again who would have scored if not an excellent save from the keeper. Soon after this Crawley equalised with an unstoppable shot that no keeper could have saved. The 3’s kept there heads up and pushed for a winner, Eddie Dennet provided a much needed spark alongside Austin Hopper whose position and runs out wide caused constant problems for the Crawley defence. Isaac Philpott linked up well with George Lawson to provide a constant threat down the right hand side. Matt Burns made his return and was a constant thorn in Crawleys side, playing some lovely balls into the D, in the last minute one found Fuller on the post who failed to put it in the net. The game ended 1:1 with lots of positives to take away. Player of the match went to Alex Purcell who provided a dominant display at the back. Special mention to Fraser Milne who was voted Dick of the day by trying to produce a tactical foul and ended up injuring himself

28th February - 6:0 loss, no match report provided.