Close call at Kings Centre

[Mike May]

Mid Sussex County League - Premiership
East Grinstead United ( 1 ) 1 Smallfield ( 0 ) 2
( Unknown 03.) ( Pearson 46, Tennant 50.)

CLOSE CALL AT KINGS

Smallfield held onto their slender Premiership hopes with a narrow win over a gutsy EGU at a well attended Kings Centre.

Falling behind after just 3 mins they then somehow survived three further opportunities to go even further behind but desperate defending allied with profligate finishing kept the homesters at bay, as the game settled into a more even contest with no further score at the break. HT 1-0 EGU.

No doubt harsh words were spoken in the Smallfield dressing room ( or in this case on the field ), as the 'Field kicking down the slope raised their game a few notches and inside 5 further minutes had taken the lead, thus turning the game on its head, on the hour mark the 'Field had what looked to be a legitimate penalty claim turned down by the official after the linesperson had deemed to differ.

However with 15 to go the homesters raised their own game and put the 'Field under great pressure with having to resort to lumping the ball upfield as EGU virtually camped in the oppositions half, but keeper Rice and his fellow defenders somehow survived the mauling.

Smallfield at the death should probably had a third when a rare break upfield led to two 'Field players being faced by the goalkeeper and one defender, the first shot was punched clear only as far as the second attacker whose shot in turn was cleared off the line by the defender to end an enthralling encounter. FT 1-2 Smallfield.

Quite impressed by the play of both sides played on a typical park pitch this time of year, the homesters with four ex Anvil players were quick and fast, whilst Smallfield a taller side with a more physical approach probably just turned the game enough in their favour.

Smallfield now have just five games left to play ( all at home ) with the icing on the cake being the Montgomery Challenge Cup Final against Championship winners Portslade, this game being played at the Green Elephant Stadium Burgess Hill on Saturday 2nd May ko 3pm.