Tough Loss to take away from Home.

The boys were coming into today off the back of two back to back wins and knew that Lindfield were going to be no pushovers as they had also won their first two league games.

Looking at the sloped, bobbly pitch we opted to defend the slope in the first half. Boy teams started strong with TD having to deal with a lot of long balls and passes through to LFJP Striker who was causing a few issues with his strength and size.

After a series of throw ins 10 minutes gone, The ball bounced inthe area and off of Lewis's Arm. The referee blew the whistle stopping the game, ALL of our boys stopped as the ball was dead. However one player on the Lindfield team took a shot and it went over Oliver's head. No goal right as the game had stopped for a penalty. Nope, ref had a mare and changed his mind saying that he blew the whistle for the goal.

No one knew why it was given but they took the lead.

This really rattled the boys and you could see it was starting to get to them.

Not long after the ball bounced again in area and the Lindfield player went for an overhead kick- connected well but a flick off the defender's head lifted it over Oliver and into the back of the net.

0-2 down and so so unlucky. The boys kept driving forward and creating chances with Sam, Kieron and Freddie all coming close. Sam should of had a penalty when he was shoved two handed in the back, but not given. Stephen had a free kick saved and a few loose shots meant we went into the half down.

HT- 2 - LJFP - 0 TDFC

Half time and the boys expressed their dissapointment and confusion from the first half but knew we had the slope in our favour.

We flew out of the blocks and were causing issues down the right and also through the middle.

So unlucky not to get a goal from Sam when he went through and the bobble meant he lifted it just over. Stephen also had a looping effort just miss the far corner. From this effort, the goalkick went out towards Stephen who lost the ball and Lindfield played a long ball over the far side towards Mase. Mase had the ball and was holding the man off and was trying to get the ball out of his feet but was unable to do so due to the player pushing him in the back 3 times with both hands! Again not given and the Attacker put a cross into the middle and a ricochet off the Keeps bounced in off their player. 0-3 and just not going our way at all.

A few minutes after this, The attacker was being shielded out by Dean and as Oliver came out to collect the ball he was caught hard in the head. No foul given but a Stop of play for over 5 minutes as we treated Oliver and made sure he was ok. Unfortunately he was unable to continue and Jack had to step in and go in goal for us. Get well soon Oliver!

From the resume of play Jack sent the ball downfield and we won a corner. Stephen whipped it in over the keeper and Charlie, who had came on just before was there at the back post to meet it with a fantastic low driven volley into the back of the net. Game on.

This got the boys right up for it and we started causing more issues down the left side with Mase and Riley playing little triangles with Kieron and Sam Up top.

The boys got the ball down the left and into a great spot with Mase playing the ball into Sam who flicked it up and over the defender before Stanley Met the ball with a great Effort, Flicking it over the on rushing keeper and over his head! Just over 15 minutes to go, the comeback was on!

Again the boys came forward and from a cross on the right hand side, the Lindfield player got mixed up and jumped and knocked the ball away with his hand! Like a basketball defender however, despite the appeals and the LFJP players turning away as if they knew it was a pen, the ref turned away and ignored the calls and appeals!

Despite the efforts, the ref blew the whistle, nearly 3 minutes early!

Full time
LFJP- 3 - TDFC- 2

Extremely unlucky today, 2 cracking goals from Charlie and Stan! Felt like we were up against 12 men from the start. Boys did themselves proud and fought to the final whistle.

MOTM- JACK FOSTER- Great game today dealing with a lot of tough defensive situations and then stepping up and going in goal for the rest of the game after Oliver's Injury.

We pick ourselves up and go again next week against Fishergate Flyers.