Crawley Panthers under 9’s Blue sponsored by Erith and Southern Railway travelled to Worthing and maintained their 100% start
to the season to remain top of the Mid Sussex League despite only having just 6 players available.The long grass, uphill slope and lack of players hindered the team in the first half but the second saw Panthers find their feet and ensured victory when a Mahijith Kumar free kick found the back of the net.
The second game saw Panthers raise the tempo and quickly take the lead when Harrison Taylor passed the ball into an empty goal.
Five minutes later captain Ben Holden added a second from a Harrison Taylor corner.
A lack of attention gifted Worthing a goal but another Mahijith Kumar strike by way of the best move of the match which started from
an inch perfect Owen Buck pass restored the two goal buffer. Keeper Jamie Hay two stunning close range saves and another Harrison Taylor goal made the match safe.
Mahijith Kumar gained his hat trick by way of another superb Owen Buck pass before swapping positions with tough tackling Ryan West. It was Ryan’s tackle and subsequent pass to fellow defender turned winger Ben Holden which set him up for his second and Panthers sixth.
Panthers Blue have now scored 24 goals in their first six games conceding just one!
Team: Jamie Hay, Ben Holden, Ryan West, Owen Buck, Harrison Taylor, Mahijith Kumar
It was a good day all round for the under 9’s as Panthers Red beat Maidenbower Colts 5 -1 and Panthers Yellow beating Lindfield 2 - 0
