MATCH REPORT: Lindfield vs RFC Reserves.
A very disappointing result in the first round of the Somerville Cup but there were more positives this week.
In fact for the first 25 minutes Rotherfield were in the ascendency. Cameron Howard was a threat in the wide left channel showing real pace but the final pass was repeatedly cleared. Jacob Prince was finding space between the lines of the home team but the final decision was just not good enough. At the other end of the age spectrum, Richard Fothergill was providing a physical focal point for play having come off the bench after two minutes to replace the injured Ryan Blackstone.
Even the long throws of Aaron Walsh were well dealt with by the home defence including stand in keeper Oskar Furman who once again showed great character to play between the sticks given the absence of 3 keepers.
Then the young Greens became embroiled in the physical battle of the experienced home side, allowing them to get parity initially, then dominance.
However it was still 0-0 at half time.
A further enforced substitution was necessary at half time as Rich Holman succumbed to the effects of a knee to the head, as a precautionary measure.
The second half was even to start with & then as Howard burst beyond the home defence into the penalty area it appeared he was felled from behind. To the chagrin of the Greens the referee waved play on, a decision that baffled even the home players who seemed acceptant of a penalty.
Within five minutes the home side took the lead. A free kick was awarded against Jack D when it appeared he was actually fouled. From 25 yards out the shot flew into the net off the post for an absolute Worldy of a goal.
Rotherfield pressed but were disrupted initially by an enforced change after injury to Prince, then a further change as substitute Sam Provins was flattened having to leave the field with a knee impact injury.
The home side doubled their lead following a corner when the loose ball was forced home from close range. Then a hopeful hook into the goal mouth that bounced off the clouds dropped just under the cross bar. This would have challenged the greatest goalkeeper in history & with Furman under pressure from Walsh the ball fortuitously went into the net.
A disappointing end to a match that started with real promise but if the Greens can continue to improve & try to keep up dominance for longer, plus get some of the many absentees back playing then the lessons they are currently learning will be the catalyst for winning.
Squad: Furman, King, Ridley (c), Draper, Sutton, Alexander, Holman, Howard, Hodges, Prince, Blackstone.
Subs used: Provins, Fothergill, Zabadne, Wiles.
Player of the match: Jack D. Both centre backs were excellent in the face of much physicality but it was 16 year old Jack who received the accolade from his team mates.
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