Match Reports - Week 6 & 7

WEEK 6:

WOMEN’S 1’S:

Women’s 1’s had a tough match against newly promoted Eastbourne 2’s on Saturday. Both sides came out fighting but the opposition capitalised first with an early lead, however Crowborough fought back with a great goal from Kate B. It carried on to be an end to end game but finished with the opposition on top in a 4:2 defeat. The second goal was also scored by Kate B. Player of the match went to Lucy S.

WOMEN’S 2’S:

Women's 2's played South Saxons Women's 2s at home on Saturday. With a full squad of 16 the ladies set off to bag more points to hold their place at the top of the league, which they did! Goals came from Fiona V-H, Caroline C, Matilda W and finally 2 from our speedy centre forward Lottie C. Whilst the forwards managed to score the all important goals, it wasn’t without the effort of the whole team. Olivia S made her first appearance in the twos and wow, what a game she had, so much so, she was awarded player of the match. Emma C played an outstanding game as always, from attacking with the other midfielders to holding the back line with the centre backs. South Saxons didn’t make it easy for the Crows, they battled just as hard and at times lead the game but the Crows didn’t let this faze them, instead they rallied together and came away with a 5:4 win.

WOMEN’S 4’S:

Women’s 4’s hosted Hailsham at home. Hailsham started strong with some high calibre players leaving the Crows a little shell shocked in the first half. Fearsome defence by the Catling family Rachael-may C, Bethy C (on pitch captain) and goalie Amanda C was breeched for 4 quick goals. Many more were stopped. However a change of tatics in the second half led to a much more competitive half. Willow C showed great form in her first adult match with some excellent tackles to start the attack. Charlie O and Caroline W were soon getting the ball down to Bethany B and Jenny B to score. Jenny T Player of the match was outstanding at DCM, repeatedly blocking Hailsham and turning the ball around. A fantastic team effort not reflected in 1:7 score.

MEN’S 1’S:

Men's 1's went away to Crawley. With missing 6 of the first team this week and a debut game for a 2's player Borough knew it was going to be a big shift. The game started and Crawley applied the pressure quickly and gained a short corner which they managed to tuck away. Shortly after Crawley won another short corner which deflected off a Crawley stick (definitely Crawley body) to find it in boroughs net in quick succession. Borough then switched on playing fluidly round the back and through Angus D who led the midfield all game. We applied pressure and won a short corner which Cameron McC slotted in the top right of the Crawley goal. Borough continued to apply pressure cutting out any Crawley attacks and soon broke free. Harry picking the ball up on the wing and finding Cameron McC in the middle who sent a ball into the D which Hamish M picked up and slotted the ball past the Crawley keeper. The second half saw Crawley dominate a lot of the ball with borough going down to 9 men at one point and most of boroughs team playing 70 mins the team held off for a draw with Goalie Mikey O making some fine saves to keep it a draw. Any other day borough would have battered Crawley but they take a point and move onto the next game. Th game ended 2:2. Player of the match Finn Alexander for another solid performance from the wing back.

MEN’S 2’S:

Men’s 2's had a top of the league clash against East Grinstead. With boroughs availability down and East Grinstead knowing they were going to face a strong side based on previous results they turned up in full force. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be for borough going 3:0 down in the first half against a very strong opposition. They made some important changes at half time and took control of the game again changing it from 3:0 to the away side to a 3:2 final score . The boys played their hearts out and any other week we would have claimed the 3 points.

MEN’S 3’S:

Crowborough Men's 3's played Worthing on Saturday. The 3' s travelled to Worthing for this clash between an older and experienced side and a youthful crowborough side. The Crows started well passing and moving into space with both energy and accuracy. The young trio of Nate P, Sam S, and Lucas D linked well to provide opportunities on goal. There were surgical strikes in the first half from Eddie D, George L and Ian E . The team kept up the pressure and were rewarded with 2 goals in the first half followed by 2 more in the second. Some stalwart defending from Nick S, Fraser M, Andy D, and the unstoppable Henry S. Player of the match was shared between Sam S and Albie S on their debuts.

WEEK 7:

MEN'S 2'S:

Men’s 2's traveled away to an early game in Brighton. With Borough and Brighton on even points in the league it was a must win game. The first half was very 50/50 with a well drilled Brighton side cutting out all attacking play for the Crows and unluckily Borough conceded a short corner leaving them 1:0 down. Borough went out in the second half with heads held high and pressed the Brighton side keeping them in there half for the majority of the game . With great transferring and midfield work the ball was moved up the pitch where Ted F managed to bag his second goal of the season bringing it to a 1:1 draw borough kept fighting and a short corner was won. Rohan M was flicker on this and sliced it past the keeper and Borough took the lead . After this with loads of play in there D but nothing being won of it Jude F put himself in great positioning and managed to slot Crowboroughs third away for a 3:1 win.

MEN'S 3'S:

Despite losing 3:2 to Lewes 6's, Crowborough had the bulk of chances, at times peppering the opposition goal. Two strikes from Ian E went whiskers wide and he also put the goalkeeper into further emergency action. Eddie D drew a fine save from a reverse stick strike and Alfie H pivoted well at the top of the D and was unlucky to see his shot blocked. The experienced opposition went two up but George L found space to release a super strike. In the middle Steve B dictated play expertly moving the ball around the pitch, stretching the opposition. In defence Henry S and Lucas D brought pace and agility alongside the experience of Graham C and Andy D and the power of Nick S. In goal Mark F left his line with expert timing to crush opposition attacks. Returning to the fold Elijah F brought a positive energy and determination to the team which played cohesively as a unit. Excellent work by Ian E then set up his own chance positioning the ball expertly past the keeper. Lewes got an unexpected goal on the break as the end approached. The hard working Lewis H and Jacob S dug in to try and get the ball upfield for one last attempt but time beat the Crows. Stand in Captain Andy D said ‘There is a real spirit of unity growing amongst the team with players using the width of the pitch far more than they have in the past with Jacob, Eddie and Lewis proving speedy outlets and our centre mids distributing the play expertly. We were very unlucky to lose to a well organised Lewes side, but we can take a lot of confidence from the way we played.’ George L was player of the match in the unfortunate 3:2 loss.