MATCH REPORT: BALCOMBE FC

Image: Will Hugall

Wayne Clarke's Rotherfield side were involved in a game of two halves on Saturday as they entertained Balcombe.

More changes were required, with a number of injuries and availability issues, the back four had to have another reshuffle, with John Sinclair and Calum Ridley filling in at centre back and James Dunn at right back.

The unfamiliarity of players not in their usual positions may have contributed to the opening goal. The Greens were on the back foot early on as Balcombe had a throw-in inside the Rotherfield final third. The ball was launched into the box and the defensive set up were unable to deal with the throw in effectively and the ball ended up in the net on their opening salvo. 5 minutes in and 0-1 down.

Only a couple of minutes after the restart, a scramble for the ball inside the Greens half was won by the visitors and allowed the Balcombe forward to advance towards the Rotherfield goal. He hit a shot which sailed over James Gurney to make it 0-2.

Despite the 2 goal deficit, Rotherfield didn't panic and were patient out of possession, allowing the visitors to keep the ball in their own half and try an steal it as they approached the halfway line.

The Greens emerged from the half time break with a clear intention and it was only three minutes after the whistle that the game turned when Jack Spampanato hit a wonderful strike from range to make it 1-2.

10 minutes into the second half, Connor Morrow, drove down the left flank and sent a diagonal ball to his opposite flank which Dan Gray managed to get a cross in for Ross Treleaven to head home.

Both sides had opportunities to score more but good goalkeeping, solid defending and wasteful chances prevented the score to change. Most notably Sean Bristow tried a long range lob, which the Balcombe keeper got a hand to and Dan Gray was also denied by the keeper right at the death when his effort was saved.

A good point against a usual strong Balcombe side. Final score 2-2.

Team: Gurney, Dunn, Sinclair, Ridley, Kerslake, Saunders, Peevor, Spampanato, Kent, Treleaven, Morrow.

Subs: Gray, Bristow, Ridley. B, Clarke,

Unused Subs: Watts