Second Team Match Reports

Forest Row II  0  Buxted II 4
Saturday 31st October, Mid Sussex Division 6

For the last match of October Buxted II's trekked to Forest Row, full of confidence after smashing six past local rivals Jarvis Brook the week before.  The squad was again solid, with new inclusions for the season Bertie and Ryan.

The first half was a fairly even battle, Buxted having plenty of good chances, Chris Beeney pinging one off the bar, and Dean Brooker finally netting with a fine left foot strike into the bottom right corner after missing several good chances to put Buxted ahead.  Row were not without threat and their number 9 (Who decided to puke on the pitch!) was strong and quick, giving Oli and John a rough ride but luckily failing to test the Buxted Keeper with any efforts.

Going in at half time 1-0 to the good Buxted came out fighting in the second half, realising that they needed to capitalise on their chances and spread the ball to ensure the win.  It didn't take long for the next goal as when Buxted are up for it they become irresistable and the goal came from a fierce shot wickedly deflected high and over the Forest row keeper who was left flat footed, Beeney being the goal scorer.

As the game progressed Matt Henshaws strength shone through bullying the back line and creating chances for Buxted to extend their lead further.  Goals from Beeney (Provider Adam Smith with a great cross from the right), and Brooker with another typical driven strike, this time right footed off the left hand post!  At 4-0 Bertie was introduced to the game and with his first touch smashed a great shot on target only to be thwarted by the Forest Row keeper. 

A last ditch tackle from Jeffery was the only defensive highlight of the second half as Row seemed to wither under the pressure, allowing the Buxted backline to get forward and pressurise further.  Jeffery found himself in the referees bad books again after losing the plot and deliberately handling the ball on two occasions...Judges verdict is mis-adventure.

Another great 3 points for the lads, great to see Ryan back in the side and looking good, as well as the lively Bertie Hudson who looked the real deal when he got on the pitch but man of the match can only go to Beeney who was all over the pitch and netted twice to move his tally up to 4 for the season.

MOTM Chris Beeney.

Team.
1. A Mogridge, 2. K Smith, 3. J Cox, 4.  O Lotter 5. J Jeffrey, 6. J Muddle, 7. S Richards, 8 C Beeney. , 9. M Henshaw, 10. D Brooker, 11. A Smith.  12.  Bertie Hudson 14. M Johnson 15. R Wyatt
   

Buxted II  6  Jarvis Brook II 1
Saturday 24th October, Mid Sussex Division 6

Off the back of a scary win against Wisdom the lads seemed very positive for the Jarvis game, well aware of the threat the opposition were capable of offering down the wings, and also aware of their suspect back line.  The game started well for Buxted with Matt Whittington taking ages to score his opener, at least 3 minutes in to the game!  This came from good work through the middle setting Adam Smith free on the right to square the ball into the path of the number 9.

Chances came and went in the frist half with the intelligent football of Chris Vincent pulling Jarivs around throughout but with no decisive finishing from the lads up front.  The back line looked much more organised than the previous week, dealing with most attacks well, but with a few hairy moments whenever the Jarvis no.8 decided to go for a run.  Despite a few poor decisions up front Buxted went in at half time 3-0 up, after Brooker scored his first of the day past a wandering keeper, and Karl Smith tapped home from all of two yards, prompting a cartwheel celebration and a sizable dent in the Buxted pitch!!

Despite the warnings at half time the team came out for the second half and barely got going.  Chris Vincent was still pulling the strings in Centre mid, but Buxted were not looking good, and soon were pegged back to 3-1, noticably lifting the spirit of Jarvis Brook.  Changes were quick to follow and with 25 mins left Dan Reardon entered the fray for an injured James Muddle, and Karl Smith replaced by Matt Johnson (Who switched with Cox) to help steady the back line.  These changes seemed to work with Buxted almost immediately looking more balanced and dangerous.  As if to prove the point, Scott Richards decided to take on all comers and smartly finish bottom left from 20 yards (Tut tut keeper!!)  This goal was the killer blow, Jarvis slumped, and Buxted suddenly threatened across the park. 

Dean Brooker scored his second of the day tight on the near post and to wrap up the win the introduction of Henshaw saw him latch on to a terrific cross field ball from Richards, and lob the keeper with aplomb!

This was a great win if you forget the first 20 mins of the second half with the whole team battling for 90 minutes as we have come to expect, but MOTM goes to the lively Scott Richards, to which the opposing manager admitted they simple did not know how to handle.  A noteable mention to James Cox who looked settled at either Left or Right back, and Matt Johnson who proved his capability to slot straight in at left back .

MOTM Scott Richards.

Team.
1. A Mogridge, 2. K Smith, 3. J Cox, 4.  C Beeney 5. J Jeffrey, 6. J Muddle, 7. S Richards, 8. C Vincent, 9. M Whittington, 10. D Brooker, 11. A Smith.  12.  Dan Reardon 14. M Johnson 15. M Henshaw

 

 

Wisdom Sports III  3  Buxted II  4
Saturday 17th October, Mid Sussex Division 6

Buxted travelled to Wisdom on the back of good form but a frustrating result against fellow challengers Balcombe knowing only a win was good enough to keep the pressure on the chasing pack.

The Game started with a bang, Matt Whittington scoring his first goal of the season in 32 seconds of the start!  An opportunistic strike capitalising on clumbsy defending to lob the ball over a flat footed keeper from 25 yards (Or further if you speak to Matt!)  For the remainder of the first half the team were playing good solid football, exploiting the pace of Scott Richards and the guile of Brooker to give Whittington space and time to punish Wisdom at every opportunity.

Three up at the turn care of a Matt Whit Hatrick, the defence had been largely untested and this continued into the second half with Buxted in complete control, and adding to the total to go reach 4-0 coutesy of the industrious James Muddle who didn't give up on the ball when all around him assumed Whittington had popped in his fourth...with the ball rebounding off of the post into his path to slot home from an acute angle.

With the Lead as it was switches were made, the introduction of Henshaw for Whittington, and Lotter for Wilcox and a formation jump from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2.  Somehow this was almost the undoing of the game with the defense unable to adapt to the change of formation, commication broke down and the midfield seemed unable to get hold of the ball.  Within 15 minutes the game was at 3 - 4, and on a knife edge with 10 minutes to go!!!  Luckily Buxted rode their luck, noteably Jeffery would could have seen red on another day, to ride the storm and take away the 3 points...lessons to be learnt from this experience...


MOTM Matt Whittington

Team.

1. A Modgridge 2 2. K Smith, 3. S Wilcox, 4. J Jeffrey, 5. C Beeney, 6. M Johnson, 7.S Richards, 8. J Muddle, 9. M Whittington, 10. D Brooker, 11. A Smith. 12. M Henshaw 14. O Lotter
 

Buxted II  3  Balcombe II 3
Saturday 10th October, Mid Sussex Division 6

On a great afternoon at Buxted rec, the team went about staying at the top of the table.

10mins in and Dean Brooker opened the score with a well placed shot in the box 1.0.
Both teams were fighting hard and a penalty was missed by Balcombe shortly afterwards. This was a wake up call !
Into the dressing room 1.0. up.

2nd half.
Buxted started as they finished the first half and 10 mins in again Dean Brooker slotted home 2.0..
Balcombe pressed really hard and through a defensive error allowed Balcombe back in 2.1.
Balcombe also have a secret weapon in their No 6 who could throw the ball into the box from what seemed anywhere in Buxted’s half.
Another teriible error at the back allowed Balcombe to draw level. 2.2.
However Balcombe returned the favour shortly afterwards with their own defensive howler and conceded an own goal. 3.2.
But the day was not done till yet again Buxted caved in under the pressure towards the end 3.3.
I believe a fair result for both teams and would like to thank Balcombe for staying and having a drink afterwards.
MOTM James Cox.

Team.
1. A Mogridge, 2. K Smith, 3. J Cox, 4. J Jeffrey, 5. O Lotter, 6. C Beeney,
7.S Richards, 8. M Johnson, 9. M Henshaw, 10. D Brooker, 11. A Smith.
12. S Wilcox, 14. D Chaplin, 15. D Selby.

Appologies to bench, subs not used as match was too tight and much at stake to gamble.
Buxted still top !
 

 

Ardingly II  1  Buxted II  2
Saturday 3rd October, Mid Sussex Division 6

Buxted travelled to Ardingly in good spirit on the back of their one nil win against Copthorne the week before.

With pre match research and team talk Buxted went about their business.
Chances were happening for each team, but Buxted soon opened up Ardingly and a fine finish from the much improving Matt Henshaw got his first badly needed goal,
Ardingly’s danger man J Quick (no 9) was causing Buxted problems but fine marking and a brilliant flying save from stand in keeper Chris Beeney denied Ardingly.
Sadly just before half time the No 9 broke through and this time finished well.
1:1 Half Time.

2nd Half.
Good chat in the dressing room, the league leaders showed Ardingly why we are still the league leaders. Some brilliant football was now being distributed on the ground and like the first half Buxted struck early through Dean Brooker.  Ardingly pressed hard but Buxted stood their ground only to frustrate Ardingly.  It is hard to single out any player as it was a massive team performance.  Appologies to the bench as only W Bristow was used for the last 5 minutes.

MOTM Matt Henshaw

Team.

1. C Beeney, 2. K Smith, 3. J Cox, 4. J Jeffrey, 5. O Lotter, 6. B Emmett, 7.S Richards, 8. J Muddle, 9. M Henshaw, 10. D Brooker, 11. A Smith. 12. A Guy, 14. W Bristow, 15. A Marks.