WOMEN'S 1'S:
The Women's 1's travelled to play Mid Sussex in game week 4, with last minute changes due to illness the team started strongly against a well drilled opposition. The team worked hard and had some break away attacks but were unable to capitalize In a busy D, Mid Sussex were able to slot the ball home for their team to go 1:0 down. Some heroic defending by Millie R-G and Kati I kept the opposition at bay until a miss hit tomahawk crossed the D and somehow bundled in. Crowborough started the 2nd half with good energy and had a series of short corners with a stroke going just wide of the post from Kate B. In another break away a well worked move was put just past the post by Amanda C. The team continued to defend well with a crucial last ditch interception by Tilly R-R. The game finished in a 2:0 loss but some great performances by the whole team, Player of the match was a 3-way tie between Millie R-G, Kate I and Kate B.
WOMEN'S 2'S:
The Women's 2's played at home against South Downs on Saturday, they managed to start off strong with plenty of attacks at goal from the forwards and midfields. The opposition however managed to get a goal past new goalie Alice meaning the score was 1:0 to the away team going into the 2nd half. After a quick team talk the Crows came back strong, with the defense line which was run by Michelle H battling throughout with some fantastic clearances. However the opposition managed another goal, they then attempted another go at goal but Jess I stopped them in their tracks, she then ran the length of the pitch and passed the ball square to Josie M who took a first time shot which was saved by the keeper but then slotted home for the Crows by Celia F. The final score was a 2:1 loss which was not the score the Crows wanted but all of the team played fantastically well. They also welcomed back Hannah W who was awarded Player of the match for her incredible performance and determination throughout.
WOMEN'S 3'S:
Women's 3's played away on Saturday at he University of Sussex pitch in Falmer against Brighton Rouges. With sickness rife through the team they went to the game with a flat 11 including two girls, Amelia and Hannah moving up from Girl's Development. After an early goal within 7 minutes for the opposition Crowborough rallied on and goalkeeper Charlotte R made some amazing saves to keep the 3's in the game still. Two more goals slipped in for Brighton Rouges in the last 10 minutes of the 1st half which meant Crowborough where going into the 2nd half 3:0 down. The 2nd half was an exemplary performance for the Crows with specifically the defense shining, they where not letting any more goals through and they managed to keep a clean sheet for the 2nd half despite being down to 10 while captain Sarah was off the pitch injured. Despite the final score of 3:0 the Crowborough defense gave their all and where described by the opposition as "a wall" that they could not get through in the 2nd half. The young players who had their debut in the Women's league did themselves and the Club proud this week, Amelia consistently made impressive tackles and Hannah did well in midfield running for the full 70 minutes and creating some great chances. Up front they had Charlie who had her first game as center forward, she chased down the opposition and worked back to defend for her team, adapting well to the game in hand. Player of the match was collectively the defense with special mentions for Lizzie who was once again very brave and solid in defense and Sarah M who gave great leadership to ensure the defense had no gaps.
WOMEN'S 4'S:
The Women's 4's again put up a great fight against a team who played very experienced players this week, despite that they managed to get a point on the table for the team with a 2:2 draw. Captain Fiona congratulated her team specifically on their "awesome defending" against a difficult team. Player of the match went to Emily H with a special mention to Grace.
MEN'S 1'S:
Crowborough Men's 1's faced Lewes Men's 3's on Saturday and welcomed a new player Ethan B who stepped up from the Men's 2's. Lewes started the game off with a fierce approach and a high press looking for some early goals and to get Crowborough's heads down which lea to them scoring the 1st goal of the game from a short corner being deflected in. However Crowborough made a quick comeback with Freddie L scoring a goal off of the keeper to equalize and allowing the Crows to get settled into the game. Before the 1st half was up the Men's 1's were able to capitalize on Lewes' fatigue and move the ball through the midfield and straight to the forwards who worked as a unit to make opportunities, this gameplay lead to a counter attack for the Crows. Finn A made a great tackle to stop Lewes' attack and through some quick passes and slick skills Jake S score Crowborough's 2nd goal. to put them in the lead at half time. Going into the 2nd half the 1's where able to keep up the same gameplay as the first half, Harry H kept throwing ariels which meant Lewes didn't have many opportunities to put pressure on Crowborough's defense. They had lots of shots on goal from Hamish M and Freddie L but it ended up being James P who put two further goals away ending the game in a 4:1 win to Crowborough. Tom J was awarded Player of the match for his firm hold of the midfield and great gameplay.
MEN'S 2'S:
Crowborough Men's 2's started strongly against South Saxons on Saturday with fantastic quick passing through the midfield with Darren P, Will S, Olly S, Harry M and Jethro H creating opportunities for the forwards Ian E and Sam A. Crowborough won a penalty flick when a short corner struck the defenders foot on the line and this was coolly put away by Phil N. No more than 5 minutes later Phil N scored his 2nd penalty flick of the game when the oppositions goalie was sent off for an ill-timed attempt to get the ball. The Men's 2's were then hit on the break but regained their 2 goal lead before half time when Player of the match Nate P slotted a pass from Sam A past the advancing replacement goalkeeper . In the 2nd half Crowbrough took control of the game and Harvey H was involved in a lot of forward movements and Nate P scored his 2nd with some great play down the right side of the pitch. The defense of Alex P, Phil N and Nick S managed the game keeping South Saxons at bay ably managed and directed by Rufus J (GK), before the game finished Crowborough capitalized on 1 last attempt on goal where Ian E picked out Olly S to finish the game in a 5:1 win.
MEN'S 3'S:
A new formation for the Crowborough Men's 3's on Saturday brough out the best in this developing side. From the start the 2's played with a high back line and pressed at every opportunity, in midfield they recycled balls and with smart interplay created a whole host of chnaces in the 1st half. A great strike from Ted F saw Crowborough take a well deserved lead and this took them through till half time. A rallying team talk by Stuart S in terms of upping the energy and pressing further saw the 3's play with composure and skill in the 2ns half. The visitors created a number of chances which Crowborough used to their advantage and counter attacked, James L and Ru M joined in on the goal scoring action and shot from the edges of the D. A special mention goes to Mark for making his debut in goal and saving the only shot of the game, Steve S, Andy D, Graham and Dan for an amazing defensive display and for Tim who had an instant impact setting up 3 of the goals. Player of the match was awarded to the team as this display from the Men's 3's was the definition of a team performance
GIRL'S DEVELOPMENT:
The Girl's Development team played against Burgess Hill on Saturday. Both teams started off slow in the 1st quarter, there was lots of passing but few shots on goal. Tilly R-R played as their adult facilitator in defense and did a great job at controlling the game. As time progressed through the 1st quarter the pace started to pick up and some strong displays where put out by their new players, special mentions to Ana and Amber who where strong in defense and midfield. With a quick pep talk from Fiona the Girl's started the 2nd quarter strong, the team started to use the width of the pitch and had much more attacks on goal from the wings and forwards. Olivia and Catherine controlled the center of the field well meaning the score stayed 0:0 by half time despite a number of close shots from Lottie. Going into the last 2 quarters the team came out fighting, but Burgess Hill put on a strong defense and the Girl's still couldn't find a way past the keeper. In the last quarter the forwards created many opportunities on goal and in the last 7 minutes Lottie managed to slot a goal home for the Crows meaning the match ended in a 1:0 win. Player of the match was shared between Catherine and Olivia for their great defensive play.
Comments