After days of rain and Paul Holtom forgetting to shut the roof over the pitch, there was doubt if this game would be on. But after some great work from the groundsmen the pitch was just about playable.
The absence of the collussus that is Matt "truncheon" Thompson (who didnt want to get muddy) was felt by all the team as the team sheet was announced, especially Mark "babyface" Carruthers, who was caught with a tear in his eye throughout the game. But the backine was strengthened by Josh Merritt and Matt Pateman, a strong side was fielded by Slinfold Reserves and a good vibe filled the dressing room. The stands were full at a sold out Cherry Tree Farm and they were buzzing. Could this be our first win?
The game started slowly, with the pitch making it tough to play, passes went astray from both sides and Slinfold Reserves didnt look their razor sharp self. The guile of James Drinkwater spreading himself all over the pitch caused Petworth Reserves problems, but the counter attcking of the away team was causing us problemns with people out of position. A rare touch of class from Desmond "the oz" Kefford almost saw the home team take the lead as he volleyed at goal with his left foot, but the effort was to go just over. We tried to push forward, but with every attack we were caught short at the back and Petworth Reserves took the lead with a cheeky header backwards that crept in at the far post. The break came and we were 1-0 down and not a happy team.
At half time Professor Thompson tinkered with the formation, changing to a 4-5-1 trying to shut out the midfield and help us keep our shape, we caught up wth Professor Thompson after the game and he gave us this rare interview "in hindsight i should of pushed them forward more rather than inviting more pressure, but you live and learn from your mistakes. Moving Drinky more central helped us out, but i feel we shoulda gone for it a bit more than we did"
After a flat first half Slinfold came out after the break with a spring in their step, not feeling we deserved to be behind we pushed forward and got the equaliser through a strike from James Drinkwater who was popping up everywhere. the pitch was cutting up and conditions were getting tougher, the team showed character and battled for each other like Spartan warriors. Lee "poofinger" Holtom was covered head to toe in mud, and was battling in midfield, Alex Syverson put in a good perfomance playing in three different positons and covering most of the pitch. Despite hitting the woodwork and a thunderous drive from Lee "poofinger" Holtom, we went behind again as a dodgy decision went against us, as a Petworth player went through on goal, clearly offside and slotted past Simon "kill you with my eyes" Muggeridge. Some defensive heroics clearing goalward bound shots off the line kept us in the game, with Josh Merritt and Tom "aled" Patterson throwing themselves at everything. We fought and fought, fresh legs were bought on for tired legs as the pitch took its toll, Gareth Syverson came on and caused problems down the right wing, yet still we were behind, but in the last minute up popped James Drinkwater with a wonder goal from outside the area, this was pretty much the last attack of the game and when the ref blew his whistle, this seemed a fair result under difficult conditons.
