03/31/07

With the modified division 9 competition league table taking shape, this was flagged up as a game in which Buxted could potentially do quite well. Scaynes Hill however had taken a beating the previous week from “struggling” Heath Rangers and were clearly keen to restore some pride.

Both teams started brightly but, with the wind behind them, it was Scaynes Hill who showed a little more composure and determination to take an early advantage. Although Buxted had a couple of early set-pieces the flow was mainly over the top of an unfamiliar-looking Buxted back-four who appeared decidedly shaky from the off. The lack of communication was quite worrying and it didn’t take long for Hill to exploit the absence of cohesion in front of Harper. After Jorn had gone close to opening the scoring with a header from an out-swinging corner, Scaynes Hill no.6 pounced gratefully on Ricky’s hesitancy in clearing the lines and slotted neatly past Harper for the opener after around 15 minutes. The second came about 5 minutes later when Hill’s corner from the right was met by a free header in the 6-yard box and everyone blamed everyone else for the poor marking. Harper might have got a punch to it?!

At any rate Buxted realised that unless they woke up a bit this game would be beyond them by half-time and the rest of the half was far better for the visitors with Lee, Dougie, and especially Pat making things pretty uncomfortable for Scaynes Hill. All three worked extremely hard to put good balls into the paths of Shane and Mark who both failed to take full advantage of the supply and it was Pat himself who came closest to beating the ‘keeper with a blistering run of his own through the middle of the defence. His shot was blocked at point blank range and thereafter Hill stuttered to half-time with their two-goal cushion in tact, though their midfield was beginning to look decidedly ragged by then. This fact was highlighted during the half-time talk and all Buxted were really asked to do was start the second-half where they had left off.

This they duly did and this reporter has yet to see such a one-sided affair. To say that Scaynes Hill were battered in part two doesn’t come close to describing the amount of possession Buxted retained. To be fair the wind was now with the visitors but the advantage they took of this fact was quite remarkable. Scaynes Hill barely left their own half of the pitch as Buxted forced corner after corner and peppered the goal-mouth. The unfortunate point being that we only managed two goals when we clearly could, and should, have scored more. To Scaynes Hill’s credit they defended with as much passion as they had done in the first-half and showed considerable spirit to concede only twice. Buxted’s 1^st came from a decent shot from Pat which Shane diverted past the wrong-footed ‘keeper. There was some debate as to which part of Shane the ball hit on it’s way, his midriff or his nether region, but (as Shane himself pointed out) his belly is more prominent than his wedding-tackle so that was the most likely cause of the diversion! Either way he claimed the goal. Following an earlier terrific shot from the right that smacked the cross-bar, Dougie Jnr. got the 2^nd with a pile-driver through a packed penalty area. With at least 15 minutes to go it seemed inevitable that the visitor’s would wrap the game up with a winning goal but it just wouldn’t come. Jorn went close again with another headed effort and there could have been no complaints from the front two about the amount of service provided from the left flank throughout the half, but no-one could put the killer touch on the ball. Perhaps Mark and Shane’s confidence might have taken a knock recently, with neither having scored since the rout of Heath Rangers in late January, but this second-half pounding should surely have provided an ideal opportunity to get a couple more on the board.

Pat West’s never-say-die ethic and some super football won him his 3^rd man-of-the-match gong of the season, and he had to be good today as Lee Turner’s performance was probably his best for some time. He kept his head on the game, his language clean and his mood positive; only showing the same frustration that everyone else also felt; about an opportunity missed and two points dropped. A true Captain’s performance.

Of the rest; Jorn didn’t put a foot wrong while the rest of the defence had virtually nothing to do in the second-half, Nigel being replaced by Fridge after about 65 minutes for no other reason than to give Fridge a run-out. Craig hustled and bustled, and it was good to see Steve return at right back (although, according to the referee, he could do with some throw-in practice!) Dougie seemed to enjoy himself and his quality shone through more as the game progressed. He would probably be the first to confess though; that, at this level, players are often allowed far less time on the ball than in higher divisions, and it can come as a bit of a shock until you get used to it.

Unfortunately, Buxted’s (rejuvenated) hope of a top-six finish probably vanished with this draw. With Plumpton, Lindfield, Ardingly and Franklands Village all having over achieved all season, it seems fair to say that only solid overall performances in the 3 remaining games (against Halsford Lions, Heath Rangers and Franklands Village) will keep us out of the bottom-four. The outcome of the first two of these games may appear predictable and it is perhaps against Franklands Village that we need to make amends for the first game of the season. It’s a shame that we aren’t to face Plumpton or Lindfield again this season (as we owe them both a reverse result) so we can only give them a run for their money in the league from now on by fulfilling our own remaining potential, in our group of the division.

Lance Ingram

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