‘The Edge’ - Away vs Hailsham A May 9, 2008
Posted by editor in : Matches , add a commentSome say, he’s named Borris and has a new job, others say he’ll play a big part in who wins the Premier League, all we know is that he provides anonymous match reports and calls himself ‘The Edge’…
Well here we are with the final ramblings of the season. Hailsham was a nothing match as all the league placings had been decided before the kick off, these are always harder to motivate yourself for and based on the performance this was clear to see. This was therefore an opportunity to give all those little souls who’d stood freezing for many an hour on many a touchline a good old run out, but the gamesmaster had other things on his mind. Frustrated that an earlier game of snakes and ladders with Billy had gone the way Townsley the Younger, Rich was out to exact his revenge, and he had Hailsham in his sights, and boy would he make them and the spectators suffer.
In keeping with tradition the conditions were what we’ve come to expect this season, extreme. So long was the grass that had Regan not spiked his hair up before the match he would have been completely concealed in the undergrowth. It took a ball with an inserted bell to ensure that players were aware of where it was when passed along the floor.
With all the rain that had fallen in the preceding days it meant that the extremities were added to and a croc watch was set up amongst spectators in the more swampy areas of the pitch. It was the same for both teams of course so this doesn’t excuse the performance as Hailsham were much the better side at times and deserved their lead in the first half, at least the spectators had the interest of a game of marsh soccer to ponder over.
It was probably the first occasion this season when there’s been a pitch invasion and not just any old pitch invasion at that, the invader was no less than the famous Ethel Manning, the octogenarian invader of many a sporting event. Indeed Ethel started her incursions onto the fields’ of play as early as 1933 and has continued to disrupt events on a regular basis ever since. With a patent on her special green camouflaged and hooded anorak she’s become well used to being wrestled to the ground and carried off by a burly steward. However on this occasion Ethel was somewhat disappointed with no reaction other than one of puzzlement and fear from the boys on the pitch and great amusement of those on the touchlines. And so, slightly dejected, she wandered off to plan her next solo pitch invasion with the hope of a more feisty reaction from the Under 15’s game on the pitch next to us.
Anyway as I’ve said the game did not mean much as the league had effectively been decided when we lost to Tonbridge 4-3, but the boys equipped themselves well and rode out worthy winners. It was an end to end start with another goal from Toby, who had a prolific finish to the season, putting us in front in the 5th minute. Hailsham responded immediately with a break through the middle and shot which went just outside the post, more was to come. Another direct run through the middle was finished off with a nice chip over Henry, it was a good finish and rightly put Hailsham level, more chances followed for both teams in a scrappy game with Jarvis just firing over the bar after 12 minutes. Again Hailsham struck back and went ahead but only for two minutes, Toby hit the bar and the rebound fell back to Tommy to shoot through a number of legs to put us level. 2-2 and as we began to think of half time up popped Ethel with her pitch invasion to close out the half.
Freddie put us ahead in the 35th minute only to be followed by another pitch invasion, this time from a pit bull terrier! A slightly nervous team continued with Henry keeping out Hailsham with great diving save, shortly followed by some excellent defending by Brandon who tracked back to make a covering tackle for Regan who’d slipped and become burried in the long grass. And so the season came to a close when with 2 minutes to go Jarvis, who’s had a prolific season, scored again, 4-2 and the season closed with a win.
For the final time this season the nets came down, the flags came up and a grateful farmer could finally get onto the pitch and cut the silage that he had been growing for many months.
As I’ve stated in my last couple of reports the boys really have done well this season, finishing in the top two is an achievement and one that can hopefully be built upon. We saw a few times what this team is fully capable when they really play as a team, getting this more consistent is the key to future success.
Many thanks must go to the Coaches, the parents who come so frequently and lend their support in all weathers, and to the boys who have provided so much entertainment. A very big thank you to you all, and a special thank you to you all for tolerating the ramblings of a madman, taking the time to read them and for the editor for allowing them to be posted.
One final thing, I’ve put the clown suit on mothballs, but hopefully it will get an airing in the near future. To give you an incentive if you lift a trophy at a tournament over the summer I’ll wear it to the first home game of the new season.
Have a great summer and look forward to you hearing from me in September.
‘The Edge’