Crowborough Athletic 1 v 1 Shoreham

Tuesday 10th September 2013
Sussex County League Division One
Alderbrook Recreation Ground, Crowborough
Admission including Programme: £6.00
Attendance: 69
Match Rating: 3

(This game really did take place on Tuesday 10th September - not sure why the programme stated Saturday 31st August!)

Even though England were involved in a crucial World Cup clash away in Ukraine this evening, a tie that they could not afford to lose, the temptation to catch my third game of the season at the Alderbrook, to watch again the young and improving Crowborough team, dragged me away from the television set.

Both sides have had reasonable starts to their seasons, Crowborough having won two and lost once of their opening three games, and Shoreham winning one and losing the other of their two games. They have also progressed in two rounds of the FA Cup, beating Isthmian League club Walton Casuals last time, as well as progressing in their first game in the FA Vase this season.

After enjoying warm early evening sunshine on my previous two visits to the Alderbrook this season, this evening was chilly with continual drizzle. The game was very competitive, Shoreham probably always looking the more threatening, playing the better football with their players working well at making space for themselves, whilst Crowborough battled hard and generally relied more of long balls forward. Crowborough took the lead on 32 minutes when top scorer Sam Carrington dribbled towards the edge of the penalty area before hitting a fabulous shot which looked goalbound but the keeper did well to palm the ball away, only for Scott Treleaven to hit the ball home from a fairly tight angle. 

Their lead was to only last four minutes though, with a very avoidable goal from Crowborough’s point of view.  Michael Demario crossed the ball low from the right wing and a couple of defenders hesitated when they looked favourite to clear the ball, which eventually fell  to the feet of Robert O’Toole, who controlled the ball before firing low across the keeper and into the net.

The pace of the game upped a notch in the second half, becoming end to end although with not too many glaring chances to score for either side. Those that were fell to Crowborough, in particular Callum Ridley striking the ball straight at the keeper, who also pulled off a terrific save to keep out a Jack Turner header from a free-kick.  On the balance of play though, a point apiece was the right result.