Mens Ones
Mens Ones drop points losing 2-3 after a hard fought match at home to Worthing Twos. Crowborough started confidently controlling much of the ball but Worthing opened the scoring, converting from the penalty spot after a shot was inadvertently blocked by a player on the line. The second half started in the same fashion with Worthing extending their lead scoring from a short corner. Crowborough rallied, taking the game to the visitors pressing high up the pitch. Jake Simmons pulled one back, calmly slipping the ball into the side board from some well work play and Joe Joyce pounced on the end of a James Partridge short corner effort to level the game 2-2. Both teams continued to press but it was Worthing who managed to break the deadlock scoring late in the game to claim three points. Player of the match went to Josh Holman.
Womens Ones
Crowborough Womens Ones produced a sublime performance to topple a confident Worthing side 6-2. Both sides battled early to dominated the game, Crowborough attacking in numbers whilst adjusting to the opposition formation. Worthing made the breakthrough from a swift break out of defence, but Crowborough remained calm and confident keeping the pressure in the attacking half. This paid dividends with Borough ending the half 2-1 up. From here on out it was Crowborough's game. Defence and midfield controlled the middle of the pitch, Sharon McGinley and Rosie Rawlings breaking away as wing backs, linking superbly with the forward line. Crowborough's young contingent of Jess Jolley, Grace Mercer, Zoe Wood, Rosie Rawlings and Annie Marr showed how Borough's future is in good hands. Goals from Jess Jolley (2) Grace Mercer (2) Nikki Churchward (1) and Sam Williams (1). Jess Jolley player of the match for her outstanding performance at centre forward. Massive thanks to Julie and Matt for umpiring.
Mens Twos
Mens Twos had an early morning start in Eastbourne. Crowborough went 1-0 up in the first ten minutes with some great work from Olly Sanday and Alex Seath following a simple finish from Hamish Marr. Their second came ten minutes later when Ollie Hewitt laid the ball off to Hamish Marr who shot the ball into the top corner. Sam Chick fell over. The third was but James Lee who made space for himself and smashed the ball into the net, a class finish! Sam Chick fell over. The fourth was from Alex Seath after some total hockey build up play but Phil Newington (but importantly not Harry Hook) and Olly Sanday as well as Steve Burns who combined for Alex to slot the ball into the net with a class finish. Sam chick fell over. The final goal of the half was again from Alex Seath who found himself free on the edge of the D to power the ball past the helpless (and very chirpy baring in mind he’d let in 4 at this point) keeper. That made the game 5-0 at half time and Sam chick fell over. After a truly inspirational team talk and some haribos Ian Easton scored two quality goals in the space of three minutes. There was only time for Sam Chick to fall over in the middle. Crowborough then controlled the game with the only mistake being from Phil Newington who inexplicably left a pass from Harry hook which in many eyes was worthy of the DoD award. The final goal was reminiscent of a cold rainy night at Stoke as Ian Eason pinged a ball from his own half onto the end of Sam chicks stick who DIDN'T FALL OVER and tucked the ball below the keeper. Final score was 8-1 with Rufus Jones being awarded player of the match.
Womens Twos
Womens Twos played at Lingfield against Worthing. The last time they faced this team they only won 1-0 and so they were determined to get a better result this week. An interesting start with the Worthing goalie forgetting her helmet meant that the game began with the opposition having 11 outfield players on pitch. Thankfully development goalkeeper Tilly lent her helmet to them and the game was back to normal. The Crows immediately went on the offensive and dominated the game throughout. They went into half time winning 3-1 and planned to double their goals in the second half. And so they did! Each line was equally skilled and communication between them was superb. The team passed around the opposition rather than going through them and swarmed the D like they did last week. There were many players who gave so much of themselves to the game that they had some spectacular falls, including Tilly Ryder-Richardson who ran into the fence and fell to the ground in a fit of giggles which earned her DOD. The game ended in a 6-2 win for the Twos, providing them with some more much needed points. Goals came from Fiona Von-Hinten (2), Josie Mitchell (2) and Sophie Holcombe (2). Player of the match was shared between Hannah Walker and Sophie Holcombe.
Mens Threes
Another tough day for the Threes as injuries and the long distance away game took their toll on availability. The team made a promising start and were unlucky not to go one up when an early attack just failed to find the Worthing goal. Unfortunately, shortly after, what seemed like a toothless Worthing attack resulted in a soft goal. Some promising passages of play with some tidy passing showed the standard of hockey that the Threes are capable of, but wastefulness in front of goal was their undoing. A penalty save from Nick helped to keep Crowborough in the game, but Worthing managed to find the net for a second time to end the half 2-0 ahead. Crowborough heads dropped in the second half, and a tactical change to play a more direct, long ball game did not pay off. Despite some tidy goalkeeping from Harry in the second half, Worthing scored twice more to end the game 4-0 winners.
Womens Threes
Womens Threes arrived at Steyning School for their match against South Downs 3s at 9.30am to find the pitch was completely frozen. The opposition offered them the points as compensation for travelling all that way. Fingers crossed for a game next week!
Boys Development Squad
A cold, frosty start with a full squad, only three of the boy's squad not present. The boys started with some vigour but seemed to be firing on half cylinders in the first quarter. A early opposition goal in the second quarter saw Crows heads drop. Passing not finding it's target and lack of running mixed with taking on players saw them enter the last quarter 1-0 down. A little more oomph saw the Crows equalise by passing around the opposition keeper and playing some firm linking hockey. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with player of the match being awarded to Harry Sermon.
Girls Development Squad
Girls Development were faced with a well-drilled Lewes side. Despite being younger and substantially smaller, they battled with great might and super goalkeeping from Tilly Singleton kept the score down to 4-0. On one occasion she stopped five different goal attempts in a row, before a hefty final clearance got rid of the danger. The Crows proved superb on the break with both Matilda Whitney, Lottie Currie and Tabi Cater racing through to take on the keeper one to one. All shot just wide.
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