Crows don't have to shed a Tear in eight-goal blockbuster

CROWBOROUGH 4

HAILSHAM 4

Sussex Open League Division 1

THE Crows entertained a Hailsham side that were in good form coming into the match while the hosts were aiming to rediscover theirs.

The Crows started strongly with the defence of Scott Surridge, Nick Sparks, David Lowries, Mike Lindley and goalkeeper Lawrence McCabe marshalling the midfield and attack while simultaneously preventing the Hailsham forwards from gaining space.

Hailsham did break the deadlock, however, through a combination of good fortune and excellent passing play.

The Crows' response was almost immediate with the midfield of Matt Tear, Harry Turner, Greg Surridge, Nick Waterton and Steve Alcock pressing forward and winning a short corner converted by Tear from a tap-in at the back post.

Hailsham again took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

The start of the second half saw the Crows loosen the shackles and the forward line-up of Luke Edwards, Phil Clark and Merlin Smethurst began to wreak havoc upon the Hailsham defence.

The equaliser came from yet another well-worked short corner, which Waterton blasted in off a post, leaving the Hailsham keeper with no chance of stopping it.

The Crows continued to press and went ahead after an astonishing run from Turner, who beat three players and put an easy tap-in on a plate for Smethurst.

Hailsham once again equalised, but this did not deter the Crows, who took the lead from yet another short corner, which Tear converted.

However, the Crows could not hold on. Hailsham snatched the equaliser and would have won it, had it not been for Tear clearing the ball off the line in the dying seconds.

Man of the match: Matt Tear, for his brace and goal-line save.

CROWBOROUGH II 4

ST FRANCIS 5

Sussex Open League Division 2

IN THEIR first game after the Christmas break, Crowborough found St Francis, a well-drilled outfit who play with a quick, counter-attacking style, storming into an early 2-0 lead.

After captain Guy Lungmuss had returned from his short break on the side lines and Hamish Forbes had taken up position as a sweeper/defender, the match became more even.

Despite good attacks, Crowborough were unable to score, but they were still in the game, although two more counter-attacking goals before half-time made it appear as though the game was over for Crowborough.

At the start of the second half, Crowborough suddenly came to life.

With Hamish Forbes dictating the defensive line and Ian Easton popping up in midfield, the game began to change.

Great pressure from Tom Callingham and Sam George led to a penalty corner, excellently converted by Stuart Clark. Then came another corner, this time despatched by Ian Easton.

St Francis, now in disarray, began to argue among themselves, although they did score another really good counter-attacking goal, which proved to be decisive.

Crowborough continued to impress and Ollie McCrow was on the spot to finish off a well-worked move by Ollie Yeoman.

Meanwhile, Stuart Clark continued his impressive form with a second goal.

With a few minutes left, Crowborough went in search of a well-deserved point, only to run out of time, but still can be proud of their efforts.