Big anticipation about today’s game against Ockley, a game we really needed to win to make that push for second place in the league, Ockley themselves spend most of the season in second place only relinquishing it in recent weeks, with their last 2 games being defeats.

For sure Ockley did not want to lose this one too and so the game had the potential of being a real tough one for us.
Ockley’s pitch was also going to be a challenge with a huge slope running from goal to goal.

We kicked off and was playing downhill in the first half, we started brightly moving the ball well, using the full width of the large pitch, Benjie made some good intelligent early passes and was linking up really well with Adam, it was also evident early on that the slope on the pitch was going to be a real issue, a couple of early near chances were only missed because of the ball running ahead of play, our early efforts were rewarded after 8 minutes when Alex B fired a nice shot in only to be stopped by the keeper but the impressive Benjie was there to thump the ball home and to put Saint Hill 1-0 up.

As the half progress we created lots more and dominated play, Jack on the right side of the centre midfielders was also having a very good game and always seemed to be there to break up Ockley’s game and invariably finding Josh on the wing with his Passes. Adam on the left wing, as ever was strong and showed great determination to get the ball forward, we came close so many times, but we just could not add to the early goal and so went in at halftime 1-0 up.

The lads seemed pretty deflated to be only 1-0 up after all their efforts, I had to remind them of an earlier game in the season when they played an a similar sloping pitch that their best football came playing uphill, also I made them aware of what to expect from the opposition in the second half, Ockley had only lost one game at home this season and with their local knowledge I expected a lot of balls to be pumped forward, looking to go over the top of our defence for their forwards to run on to.
The half kicked off, and as expected Ockley started strong, the long balls over the top came, but our defence stood strong, timing their jumps or kicks to perfection and if the ball did break through Toby was there to collect the ball.

We defended strongly whilst on the back foot for that opening 10 minutes of the half, Max keep the back line well organised and Jack was also back there to help assist.
After that initial onslaught we slowly began to take control again, the triangle of Ben De T, Adam and Will on the left side were finding lots of space passing through the opposition and opportunities were coming, Freddie came close on a couple of occasions and it was on the left side from where the second goal came, Adam fired in the cross with pace and the ball was knocked in by one of the opposition although both Feddie and Josh were there to tap if it had not found the net, 2-0.

Not long after that goal another move up the left side saw Freddie receive the ball who in turn hit a cracker of a shot which unfortunately for us hit the bar.
So still 2-0, we continued to defend well and Toby was there on a couple of occasions bravely diving and the feet of their attackers.
There was still time for another goal, this time saw great individual skill from Adam to get the ball forward and then to pass to Ben De T who slotted home a well taken shot.
The game finished 3-0 to Saint Hill.

Today our defence played really well again keeping yet another clean sheet, that is 6 out of 7 this year and the only match we conceded in was when we only had 10 players, so great effort boy’s.

Toby in conjunction with the defence was solid and as mentioned above he was showing great bravery diving on the ball to prevent their players scoring.

Our Midfield today was much improved from the week before and made good use of the wingers, all 6 on the of the boy’s involved today had great individuals moments during the game, Adam’s drive and determination, Will great second half, taking the ball past players on many occasions, Benjie he got us off to a great start and his vision is superb, Alex B it was his great effort which led to the first goal, Jack great energy level breaking up so much of the oppositions game and finding the pass many times and Josh his ability to knock the ball past the opposition and move forward.

Finally Freddie, chances came his way and was very unlucky not to score, he showed great strength in holding up the ball, played some good layoffs too and was heavily involved in the second goal.

My man of the match today goes to, Ben De Turis, great work Ben and a good goal too.

This game was always going to be a toughie but it was important for us to get the win, we still sit in 3rd position in the league but are in a much stronger position, Ockley are now 4 points behind us and played one game more. Storrington Vipers won again keeping their 2nd place, they sit one point ahead of us but have played 2 games more. Both Storrington and Ockley still have to play Forest Row.
 

Goals:
Benjie

HT 1-0

Adam
Ben De T

FT 3-0