MATCH REPORT: RESERVES VS BARCOMBE

The scene had been set on dry and sunny day in Rotherfield, as they welcomed league leaders Barcombe, where a win for either side would confirm top-spot to close the year out .

The side has learned a lot from their previous meeting with Barcombe, and manager Bowen had set the side up to counter the wide-threats of the away side, only to find that neither of those players had made the league leaders squad!

Rotherfield initially started the brighter, retaining the ball across the back 3 of Clibbens, Ridley and Sutton, tiring the sole no.9 of Barcombe, and causing a threat in behind with long raking balls into the willing running of Michael. P leading the line.

The new shape of Rotherfield had inadvertently allowed the opposition fullbacks to get on the ball, and alongside some intelligent midfield rotation, the away side took control of possession, albeit without ever really threatening the goal.

A change of shape to conventional back 4 had given Rotherfield mid-way through the half, with the introduction of the energetic Brazier for the injured (and returning) Bristow has wrestled some control back for the greens.  Whilst neither side had any real clear-cut chances throughout the first half,  the home side were definitely the happier going into the break at 0-0.

A halftime change for Rotherfield, with the introduction of Birthday Boy Connor Evans and midfield reshuffle into a combative trio of Michael. P, Alexander. W and Harry. C resulting in the best spell of play Rotherfield had managed so far.

This dominance from the home side had resulted in a number of dangerous crosses and set pieces from the left-foot-wand of Sutton - with a delicious corner from the right finding the feet of Clibbens, whose effort ricocheting between him and Barcombe keeper before trickling into the net.

Rotherfield now had something to defend, and sat into their well-accustomed low-block, bringing on the more defensive Lelliot for the tiring (and returning) Bobbie Ridley.  Further defensive substitutions were made to solidify their low-block, with the youthful Jack Draper coming on to support Richard Holman on the right, who had managed to keep his legs closed so far - much to the chagrin of the Barcombe widemen.

The away side’s domination required the very best from the home goalkeeper Gurney, who had spent most of the 2nd half spamming the Ctrl+S function, saving dangerous efforts and a wide array of documents alike.

The greens had worked hard for much of the game, with the hard-working Fothergill entering the fray late on, but with 2 minutes to go Barcombe finally equalised, a just-reward for their sustained pressure.  A well-struck effort from their dangerous winger cutting in from the left eluded the grasp of the excellent Gurney, before trickling into the  corner of the net.

A shell-shocked Rotherfield rallied for the final few minutes and secured a well-fought point against a side that are favoured for the league title - a result that the away side wouldn’t have taken at the start of the game, but definitely would have taken in the final stages of the game.

A good result to cap-off a great start to the season for the greens, who under new management have exceeded expectations after promotion and find themselves in the top 3 going into the festive break.