Match Reports - Week 11 & 12

WEEK 11:

WOMEN’S 1’S:

Women's 1's travelled for an early push back against Burgess Hill. With some last minute players struck down with illness the team entered the pitch determined to give their all. Burgess Hill started quickly with some slick passing but the centre back partnership of Mille R-G and Kati I held down the fort. The Crows started to find their rhythm and they unlucky not to score during a well worked short corner routine. Burgess Hill continue to press and were rewarded going 1:0 up before half time. Regrouping at half time and focusing on pressing and hassling the opposition Boro worked hard as a team but could not find the breakthrough. Clare B never stopped and was amazing in defence and going forward, being hit several times with both stick and ball. With around 10 minutes to go Burgess Hill scored again and despite giving everything the final result was 2:0. Player of the match went to Millie R-G.

WOMEN’S 2’S:

Women's 2's travelled to Burgess Hill to play their ladies 3rd team. The Crows dominated the game from the first whistle, with multiple attacks at goal it wasn’t long till the first goal was scored. Centre backs Emma C and Bethy C played with ease, with any attempts from Burgess Hill being stopped within seconds, clearing the ball with power. Our first game this season where goalie Tilly S didn’t have to touch the ball! Player of the match Hannah W had an incredible game, always in the right spot at the right time enabling Eve T to add two more goals to her score sheet. The second player of the match was awarded to Olivia S who had an outstanding game, making the level of hockey she was playing look easy. A clear asset to the 2's team. Fiona v-H joined the score board, along with a super goal from Lottie C. The final score was 4:0 to the Crows, completely worth the late push back and the horrible rain!

WOMEN’S 3’S:

Women's 3's had a home match against an experienced South Downs side. The team started brightly and were dominant from the off. They were rewarded for their hard work when Josie M scored with a fine finish. Not stopping there the team continued to press and Meg S slotted home a second meaning the team went in 2:0 up at half time. The second half saw Crowborough start as they finished with Meg S scoring again. This galvanised South Downs come out with more determination scoring 2 goals in reply. There was some great defensive work the centre back duo of Meg B and Emily H, flanked on the wings by Alison Y and Annie W to keep the new rejuvenated South Downs as bay. The midfield trio of Isla P, Caroline C and Charlie O worked tirelessly as did Bethany B and Jemima P who chased down every ball. The victory was sealed when Sally B made a wonderful solo run down half the length of the pitch to slot it past the keeper Final score 4:2 win..

MEN’S 1’S:

Men's 1's played Mid Sussex 2's at home. After a big win last week against Lewes the team were keen to keep their winning streak going. The boys started strong causing Mid Sussex problems with loads of chances and on another day would have been a higher end score however credit to the oppositions defence on keeping some of the Crows shots out. Mid Sussex didn’t get much of a sniff and Borough managed to go 2:0 up in the first half by Olly Y and James P finding the net. The secound half saw Mid Sussex create a lot more chances and caused a lot of threat. Then borough gained a P flick which Harry T converted cooly. Mid Sussex were awarded a P flick of their own but was no match for keeper Rufus J who saved it. Not our best performance but another three points and a clean sheet to keep it tight at the top. Player of the match went to Angus D.

MEN’S 2’S:

Crowborough 2's delivered a dominant performance beating Southwick 2's 8:1. From the opening whistle, Crowborough controlled possession and tempo, moving the ball confidently through midfield and creating chances at will. The breakthrough came early, and the goals continued to flow throughout the match. Crowborough’s scoring tally was shared across the team, with well-taken finishes from Rowan M, James L, Ian E, Josh H, and Will H, showcasing the squad’s depth and attacking threat. Southwick battled hard and managed to pull one goal back, but Crowborough’s organisation and relentless pressure kept them on the back foot for most of the game. A standout performance came from Jude F, whose tireless midfield work earned him Player of the match. His energy, composure on the ball, and ability to break up play were central to Crowborough’s dominance and fluid attacking play. An excellent all-round display from Crowborough 2's, who walk away with a well-deserved three points.

MEN’S 3’S:

Mens 3' s lost to South Saxons 4's 4:0. A full Crowborough squad turn out was in form, with opening pressure heaped on the opposition close and accurate passing helped the side put the ball in the last quarter of the pitch but no backboard could be found. Regular subbing kept the pressure on with new captain Elijah F commanding the side from the centre. Unfortunately defensive errors led to the first goal. And the experience of the opposition capitalised to elevate the score to 2:0 at half time. The team rallied at the break but despite cracking shots on target could not find the goal.

WEEK 12:

WOMEN’S 1:

Women's 1's played a determined Worthing team last Saturday who piled on the early pressure and were rewarded with a goal struck from a tight angle at the top of the circle. The team started to gel and worked hard and were rewarded with 2 goals off short corners from Nikki C and Lucy S making the score 2:1 to the Crows at half time in horrible conditions, which included the goal blowing off its line. Worthing scored off a penalty corner with 15 minutes to go and despite the teams best efforts Worthing scored again with 5 minutes to go. The final score was a very close 2:3 loss

WOMEN’S 3’S:

Women's 3's travelled to Eastbourne to play their ladies 3s team. Eastbourne broke the score with a short corner which slipped past goalie Tilly S. This rattled the ladies and Josie M quickly claimed a goal back. Flo F and Isla P held their on in the middle, breaking play and ensuring the ball was quickly passed back to the forwards to make the all important goals. Eastbourne claimed a 2nd goal after a battle between defender Daisy H and their forward, which unfortunately clipped over her stick. A 2nd goal came from Josie M, after Flo F linked beautifully with her, floating the ball directly to her, which was slammed in past the goalie. Half time it was 2:2. The Crows knew it was going to be a hard second half after Flo F took an injury, leaving the Crows with 1 sub. They battled hard and were rewarded with a third goal after some fantastic play from forwards Libby H and Lottie C. Unfortunately Eastbourne levelled and then found the all important 4th goal, making the final score 3:4 to Eastbourne.

WOMEN’S 4’S:

Women’s 4’s faced a strong Southwick side in the relentless rain. Southwick started hard and Bethy C and Meg B were immediately called into action. Despite Sam W best efforts in goal a scrappy goal was scored. Amelia T, Holly S and Henrietta L continued to work hard to clear the ball up to Bethany B and Caroline W in mid field. But Southwick scored 3 more. At halftime a captains chat and the Crows came out battling. Amber V had an excellent return to the pitch and was unlucky not to score a fantastic reverse strike which just hit the post. There were more chances in the second half but sadly Crowborough could not convert and the game finished in a 0:4 loss.

MIXED:

After a chaotic start with serval players running late, Crowborough weathered an early storm from a Mid Sussex onslaught and soon found a more attacking rhythm. However the deadlock was broken when Mid Sussex struck from a tight angle. Undeterred Borough pressed forward with Sam W expertly slotting the ball past the oppositions keeper making it 1:1 at half time. Borough conceded a penalty flick after a string of questionable challenges but Kez L's mere presence was enough to ensure the Mid Sussex striker put it wide. Going into the second half the Crows were a sub down meaning they had to dig deep. The team played some lovely flowing hockey but where undone when Mid Sussex stole the ball and where able to capitalise in the last 10 minutes. Despite Borough giving it there all they just couldn’t push forward for the final goal meaning the game finished in a 2:1 loss. Player of the match went to Jethro H for his awesome defending and Bex K for her continuous energy tackling and passing.