MATCH REPORT: VETS VS FURNGATE

Cup Tie – Pease Pottage

The Rotherfield Vets rolled into Pease Pottage for their third game in four weeks with the smallest squad of the season for their SSFL Vets Cup (In memory of Ian Dean).

Brooker and Harkness answered the late SOS call, proving that sometimes heroes don’t wear capes — they just remember where they left their shin pads.

Despite the lean numbers, the Greens put in a quality performance and marched into the next round of the cup.

First Half

The Greens came out flying and really should have been two goals up before Furngate nicked the opener. A long punt upfield caught the defence napping, the sun blinded Robshaw, and the Furngate striker skipped through to slot into an empty net. (Note to self: sunglasses might be added to the kit list next week.)

Furngate stuck to their “kick it long and hope for the best” tactic, but Rotherfield began to bite back. Brooker and Hodges were causing chaos down the wings, while Cullum, Mansford, and Penny closed down the midfield like bouncers outside a nightclub.

Clibbens thought he’d equalised with a towering header, only for the linesman to raise his flag — presumably for crimes against gravity. Moments later, Cullum somehow managed to head over the bar from two yards out, proving that even miracles have limits.

Thankfully, Hodges — in only his second vets game — curled in a beauty to make it 1-1. His first goal for the club, and judging by his celebration, you’d think he’d just won the World Cup.

Rotherfield then took the lead before halftime. A slick counterattack saw Hodges streak through one-on-one and calmly chip the keeper. 1-2 to the Greens at the break, and Riley’s defence looked as solid as a pub dartboard on a Friday night.

Second Half

The restart couldn’t have gone better: within 30 seconds Brooker buried one to make it 1-3. Manager McInnes shuffled the pack, bringing on Ead, Brunger, Harkness, and Tsang, all of whom slotted in seamlessly — like IKEA furniture, but without the missing screws.

From then on, it was one-way traffic. The Greens peppered the Furngate goal, and the game should have been put to bed long before Brooker chased down a loose ball, outpaced the keeper, and squared for Clibbens to tap into an empty net. 1-4, job done, and Furngate well and truly finished.

Final Whistle

A cracking performance from a small but mighty squad. The Greens advance to the next round, where Woodingdean await.

Special shout-out to Hodges — two goals in only his second vets game. At this rate, he’ll be demanding his own chant by Christmas.