WOMEN'S 1'S:
Women's 1's travelled to play Lewes at the University of Brighton for their first league match of the season, Lewes started strongly with Crowborough finding themselves 2:0 down in the first ten minutes. Shoring up the centre, the team dug deep having some lovey counter attacks and some well worked team moves, however the score still remained 2:0 to Lewes at half time. Crowborough entered the 2nd half with new energy and got a goal back through Jess Jolley after the initial shot from Alice Webb lifted high off the goalie. In a much more even second half the team were only undone by two well worked short corner routines by Lewes. Crowborough pressed and probed until the end but the game finished in a 4:1 defeat. Player of the Match went to Tilly Ryder-Richardson for her awesome play throughout the game not only in defence but also when pressing forward.
WOMEN'S 2'S:
Women's 2's travelled to Burgess Hill for their first league game of the season. With quite an abrupt start -due to no parking- the team only managed a very quick two minute warm up, then the whistle blew for the start of the game. Forwards Jen B, Josie M, Anna W and Lucy K attacked beautifully throughout with plenty of shots on target but sadly no goal. Midfielders Jennie T, Vicky D and Emma C held the ball and managed some incredible passes wide, whilst helping the forwards to drive the ball up to the goal. Wingbacks Sophia D and Becky I played some awesome hockey helping to defend and attack. The defenders Claire N, Ali Y and Michelle H were also on top form on Saturday, with a special shoutout to Michelle who defended the goal with bravery and led the defensive unit beautifully. However Crowborough's Women's 2's owed much to Jane F their goalkeeper, and what a goalie she is! Jane saved goals left, right and centre. She was on incredible form and the team awarded her Player of the Match. The final score was 1:0 to Burgess Hill and even though the Women's 2's didn't get the result they wanted they all gave 110% and thoroughly enjoyed the game.
WOMEN'S 3'S:
Women's 3's played Crawley at home in the sun on Saturday and they were joined by four fabulous new players returning to hockey. It was a strong attacking start from the Crows; there were multiple determined runs forward with Charley and Amber getting the ball into the D for Eve to score and go a goal up. Crawley came back at them but the strong defence kept them out until a well worked short corner saw Crowborough going in at a 1:1 draw at half time. The second half saw both teams have shots on goal and some stunning saves from Sam in goal meant Crowborough still believed they could get a last minute winning goal. However an unfortunate foot on the line from Crowborough meant that Crawley where awarded a penalty flick in the last few minutes of the game which they only marginally put past super Sam in goal. Despite the whole team pulling together for the final attacks the game finished in a close 2:1 loss.
WOMEN'S 4'S:
Crowborough Women's 4's travelled to Brighton for their first ever league game as a newly formed team. The weather was horrendous for them in the warm up and throughout the game with hail and sideways rain, but nothing could stop them, the team dug deep and went 1:0 up after a deflected short corner in the first half which just boosted their confidence. The second half saw another goal from a well drilled short corner routine and two further tap ins from great crosses across goal for the Women's 4's. The goal scorers were Fiona V-H who got a hat trick and Poppy R got one. It was a great team effort and brilliant to have points on the board already.
MEN'S 1'S:
Men's 1's had their first league game of the season against South Saxons' this Saturday, it was a fast-paced, intense game with both sides bringing their absolute best. The opposition pushed high which meant Crowborough couldn't find the easy passes and kept them on their toes. Once Crowborough settled into the game they were able to use their pace to cut out South Saxons' passes and use the wingers to get shots on goal and win short corners, this led to four goals for Men's 1's in the first half. Going into the second half Crowborough's stamina from the first half could not be maintained, which created an even second half. South Saxons' had a couple of chances at goal but only managed to get one past Mikey the goalie who kept Crowborough in the game. The Men's 1's came back from conceding a goal and responded by scoring their 5th and final goal of the match. Hamish Marr scored an insane reverse hit goal into the top corner from a short corner and Dan Credland bagged himself two goals. The other two goals were scored by Jake Simmons who had a great performance which was the main factor alongside his brace of goals in the teams decision in awarding him Player of the Match.
MEN'S 2'S:
Hailsham came to Crowborough looking to improve upon last year's game against the hosts but with a number of new players in the squad it was the hosts who started strongly. Freddie L scored a fantastic reverse hit from the top left of the D into the far right side of the goal within the first 10 minutes of the game and Crowborough stayed in control. This was due to the strong performance from Player of the match Ashley F who helped to keep any advanced that Hailsham had thwarted alongside his fellow defenders Phil N, Josh H and Steve B. The hosts continued in the same manner in the second half but a breakaway from Hailsham resulted in a penalty flick to level the scores. Crowborough really stepped up after conceding and it was through fantastic work from the midfield of Ethan B, Will S, Darren P with the wide players Sam A and Olly S creating chances and gaining a number of short corners that the winning goal was scored. It was a classic 1-2 of Phil N and Darren P which resulted in Crowborough regaining the lead that they held with strength until the final whistle. The final score was 2:1 to Crowborough and it was a great all-round team performance for the first league match for a very new team.
MEN'S 3'S:
Men's 3's hosted a very strong Middleton 2's side on another very warm Saturday morning. With five new players in the squad the Crows very quickly found themselves quite a few goals down. However over the game the Men's 3's fought back and with some great passing managed to put 3 goals past Middleton, 2 of which were fine finishes from James L and a super strike from Nate Potter. However Middleton were just to strong with the final score being a 9:3 loss. Player of the Match for some great creative play and a special finish to bag his first goal for the Men's 3's went to Nate Potter.
BOY'S DEVELOPMENT:
The new--look Boys Development side travelled to Worth School to take on an experienced St Francis side. With four players making their 11-A-Side debut, the side needed time to gel. The first half proved a difficult one, with the opposition going four goals up. However in the second half the central play of Eddie D and defensive strength of Henry S shone through and the Crows took hold of the game. Eddie M's pace began to stretch the St Francis defence, George was a great target up front and Will used his trickery to claw one back for the Crows. All the debutants hit their stride growing as the game continued. The side showed much promise for the future.
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