Smallfield vs Portslade

[DSMidsussexFan]

Hi All,

I decided to venture down to Smallfield on Monday after recommendations that they would be league favourites.

According to Smallfield supporters, they were missing a number of starting players (GK, DEF, MID, WM) and it showed.

They went 2-0 down to goalkeeping mistakes but Portslade deserved to be up, playing the far better football. Smallfield did however get a goal back before halftime with their first and only real decent attacking play.

Smallfield started the brighter in the second half, pressing the game and putting Portslade on the back foot. But again Smallfield had no creative attacking play from midfield, hitting long high balls up to there front 3 which are all no taller than 5 foot 7.

Portsalde fantastic defensive display was finally broken by a great freekick from the Smallfield captain.

Towards the end of the second half Portslade were unlucky not to claim the victory after hitting the bar and post several times.

The game finished 2-2 and I think Smallfield will feel lucky to have walked away with a draw.

After this display I think Smallfield will need to drastically improve their attacking play if they want to be in with a shout for league champions, The front 3 players looked very lively and quick but unless they get the service they need then it might be a quiet season.

Portslade looked very comfortable on the ball especially in midfield and very defensively organised, If they can keep putting displays like this in then they may be in with a shout come the end of the season.

Popping down to see East Grinstead United this weekend, hopefully will see their good form continue.

[Mike May]

Re. Result

Having seen Smallfields last six games last season in which they toyed with the opposition at times and having thrashed Portslade in the Montgomery Cup last season, one could envisage
they may well have been a bit light on numbers.

Then again missing out on possible promotion by a single point last season, this after successive promotions may well have caused some of the more ambitious players second thoughts about having to do it all over again in the same division.

Wouldn't have thought so as they do appear to be a 'tightly knit family', must nip down and see the right Hon Sec JH!