Week 17 - Match Reports

WOMEN'S 1'S:

Crowborough Women's 1's suffered a 2:1 defeat away at East Grinstead on Saturday. The Crow's performance was certainly not reflected in the scoreline. The team collectively produced some fantastic hockey, they had a solid defence underpressure who faced consecutive short corners in the 1st half, they had a midfield who constantly closed down the opposition and they also had a forward line who waited for the perfect moment to make the run to smoothly connect each lines hard work together. The game sat at 1:0 to the home team for most of the 1st half, and unfortunately a beautiful touch by Alice W guiding the ball around the keeper was a levelling score but not given. The 2nd half, Crowborough continued to bring the fight to the opposition. Kate B converted a wonder Tomahawk to bring the scores level. East Grinstead responded with a well drilled attack to gain the lead once more celebrating like they had won the league! Crowborough stepped up a gear yet again, fighting for every ball and creating chances. A missed call by the umpire and yet another goal disallowed left the score at 2:1 to the opposition. Crowborough look to next week to bring the same determination when they face Worthing at home.

WOMEN'S 3'S:

Crowborough Women's 3’s  played away at Lewes on Saturday. Lewes Legends lived up to their names by winning a short corner which was converted into a great goal in the 1st 2 minutes of the game, then came 2 more goals in quick consession by their Captain. Crowborough had to adapt quickly to the oppositions speed and experience. Without some stunning saves by Player of the match keeper Alice D and the solid defence of the backline many more could have been conceded. Crowborough settled and started linking some great play to start attacking Lewes. Caroline W, Charlie O and Vicky D worked as a strong partnership in the centre of midfield to start giving the Lewes defence something to do but by half time Lewes were 5:0 up.  A change of tactics at half time meant Captain marked Captain reducing Lewes options. Jess I and Jen B made some breaks through for Bethany B to finish off and get a goal back. Jenny T was all over the pitch stopping the Lewes attack and redistributing to the forward line for Amber V to get a 2nd goal for the Crows.  The 6:2 score line did not reflect the match and every Crowborough player gave their all.

WOMEN'S 4'S:

Crowborough Women's 4's took on promotion rivals Crawley 2's on Saturday. Crowborough where strong from pushback with Fiona v-H scoring within the 1st 10 minutes. What followed then was a string of goals created by team effort and trust in each other. Further goals came from Poppy C, Libby H, Meg S, Flo F and another for Captain Fiona v-H The ladies held their heads and frustrated Crawley with their speed and agility all over the pitch. Player of the match went to Libby H for some great play and an amazing goal.

MEN'S 2'S:

Crowborough’s Men's 2's hosted 3rd placed Brighton 7’s on Saturday and knew with key personnel missing that it was going to be a tough game. This proved the case from the 1st whistle with the midfield of both teams holding strong under pressure but it was the visitors who took the lead before Freddie L drove in from the top of the D and scoring for the Crows going into half time. The 2nd half continued in the same way and when Brighton took the lead it was down to captain Ian E to level the scores. However when Brighton hit the net with 5 minutes to go they thought they’d won the match but it was to be disallowed for being too high and the game finished with the scores level in a 2:2 draw with both teams feeling that it was a fair result.

MEN'S 3'S:

The Men’s 3’s traveled to Brighton to play Brighton & Hove 9’s on the back of a 3-2 home win to Brightons 10’s side last week. With a few players unavailable, the 3’s were forced to start with just 10 men, conceding 2 early goals before Alex W-T arrived. With no subs, fatigue set in, passes went array and more goals were conceded. Always the fighting team, the 3’s still pushed to get a goal of their own with Harvey H netting his 1st ever goal for the Men’s 3’s. The final score was a 6:1 defeat.