Week 1 - Match Reports

Women's Section:

As part of the pre season friendlies Crowborough Women travelled to Hailsham and Eastbourne for some extra practice before league games start up again.

At the early pushback in Eastbourne the team worked hard for each other and showed some really strong linking play. They where unlucky to record a 2:0 loss but had great performances across the board, particularly Amelia T who made some awesome tackles and was a strong presence in defense. There where many positives to take away from the game and to build on in training this week in preparation for Saturdays games.

In Hailsham the team gelled very quickly, you couldn't tell that this was a group who hadn't played together before. They built from the back to create some lovely passages of play which resulted in some quality goals. The team played with pace and energy and went into half time leading 5:1. The team continued in the same vein after the break adding 2 more goals to the score line. The goals went to Lucy S x1, Flo F x1, Nikki C x1, Poppy C x1 and the remaining goals went to Meg S who had an outstanding performance.

Men's Section:

Men's 1's:

The Men's 1's delivered an impressive attacking displayin their friendly aggainst Sutton Valence last weekend. The match started with high intensity and it was the visitors who struck first. Harry Turner opened the scoring for Crowborough with a well executed drag flick from a short corner, this set the tone for the what would become a relentless offensive effort. The opposition struggled to settle into the game and their defensive lapses were quickly punished. With constant pressure from the Crows midfield and forward line this paid off, Freddie L doubled the score line after capitalising on a loose clearance, he reacted quickly to the defensive error and calmly slotted the pall past the keeper. Sam C added a third to the score line with a scrappy finish inside the circle, while it was not the cleanest of finished it reflected Crowborough's growing pressure and physical presence in the final third. Soon the opposition found some rhythm and where rewarded with a goal of their own however any hopes of a comeback where short lived. A brilliant defensive recovery by Cameron MC turned into a moment of magic when he tracked back, made a crucial tackle and played the ball up the line to Freddie L. He weaved his way past 2 defenders and coolly slotted in his second of the match claiming him Player of the Match. They capped off the scoring with another scrappy effort from Sam C who was again in the right place at the right time to bunde the ball in after a series of deflections inside the D. Despite the friendly nature of the match, both teams played with purpose, it was a great game for the Crows to build on from with a big away game this weekend.

Men's 2's:

The Men's 2's played Mid Sussex last weekend as there first league game of the season so a win was much needed. The Crows started strong, they confidently transferred the ball around the back with efficiency which opened up pockets within the midfield to feed the ball through. After 8 minutes Matt C dribbled the ball excellently around 2 players in the D and then slotted the ball home for the Crows in the bottom corner. Next to score was Will H with a great link up with Jude F to bring the score to 2:0. The next chance appeared for the Crows when they where down to 10 men and Will H dribbled to the top of the D where he executed a clinical shot to beat the oppositions keeper. After a great short corner from Mid Sussex there was no rest for the Crows as the score was now up to 3:1. After a quick reset Alex S made a run down the left wing linking up for some great quick 1, 2 passes before slotting home the 4th goal for the Crows. In the last few minutes the opposition managed to

Men's 3's:

The Men's 3's has their first league game of the season last weekend which saw them hosting St Francis for an early pushback. The Crows started solidly with a 4-4-2 formation, they where organised and disciplined which saw them in a positive position starting the game. The strong back 4 and keeper Harry M saw off any threat from the visitors and despite a few chances from the Crows the first half ended 0:0. After the break the game stayed pretty level, despite a cracking chance from George L which saw a strike fly just wide of the post. After this the opposition turned up the heat and they had a few close misses on short corners but the Crows continued to defend well. Despite the guys best efforts there tired legs got the better of them and St Francis finally found a way through the Crows defense. The match finished in a 1:0 loss with PLyer of the Match going to Lewis H for his positive attacking play down the right wing. This was a strong and disciplined performance for the team and a great start of the season which they can build on.