Saturday 1st May 2010 Mid Sussex Premier Division
Eastbourne Borough III 3 Jarvis Brook 2
It was a tale of what might have been for Jarvis Brook on Saturday afternoon at Priory Lane, looking for another victory in their quest for a top two finish it was a must win game against an Eastbourne Borough side currently in second place.
Manager for the day Phillip Tibbutt’s request for a fast start and to pressurise the home team fell on deaf ears as the Brook found themselves three nil down at half time. In truth the game half was not as one sided as the score line suggests, but three clinical finishes, a lack of bite in the tackle from the Brook and some glaring misses did not help matters.
The hosts dominated possession from the outset and took a deserved lead on fifteen minutes a short corner routine caught the Brook napping and winger Lloyd was able to cut into the area and fire across Berwick into the far corner, a second goal followed soon afterwards and again it was Lloyd who provided a sublime finish shooting low past Berwick from fifteen yards.
The Brook did stir into life and had chances to reduce the deficit, Luke Turner crossed to an unmarked Danny Lawrence who fired wide from six yards. Turner himself was next to miss a golden chance when played in one on one with the keeper by Frampton, his attempted lob was pushed over by the Boro keeper.
The home side then added a third goal just before half time when an unmarked Bongo was able to flick the ball up before volleying past Berwick and into the top corner from twenty five yards.
The half time whistle sounded soon afterwards but manager Tibbutt did not have to say anything to the team, every player was aware of what was required and the team took back to the field almost immediately.
The second half was a different story, the Brook were now dominant in midfield, the time and space that Eastbourne Boro had enjoyed in the first half was now extinct and they struggled to find an answer.
The Brook got themselves a goal back after sixty minutes when master swordsman Luke Turner turned and fired past the keeper from the edge of the box, almost immediately he added a second with an identical strike.
Three two down with twenty minutes to play and the home side were all at six’s and seven’s, Danny Lawrence had a great chance to level matters but his header was pushed wide by the Boro keeper, Luke Turner then went looking for his hat trick but could only slide a shot wide when well placed.
The final ten minutes were played in the Eastbourne penalty area as wave after wave of Brook attacks pounded their rear guard, but try as they might the Brook could not break through.
After the match the team’s disappointment was clearly evident and they were left to rue what might have been had they played the first half as they did the second.
Team
C Berwick, J Pett, T Chapman, D Berwick, C Page, (K Lee 45) R Sinclair, R Anderson, S Vinall,(M Atkinson 77) D Lawrence L Turner, D Scarlett.
Saturday 10th April 2010 Mid Sussex Division Six
Forest Row II 2 Jarvis Brook II 0
“Perhaps just a game too far “Said Ian Black back in the Brook heartland after a disappointing defeat to Forest Row. “ We have had an excellent run in since the turn of December and it would have been nice to have capped it off today “he said
Jarvis Brook did not start too badly and how good it was to see Kevin Lee back in Jarvis Brook blue following his back and leg injuries that has decimated his season. Lee came in for the absent teenager Cameron Brown at right back whilst Ian Black had another turn out in goal with Ian Storer, Doug Patient and man of the match Nick Leftley completing the back five. As is the Brooks way skipper Dan Wright, Andrew Cooper and Paul Wilkins created a midfield trio with the attacking prowess of Adam Short, Nathan Youlton and Craig Harman the attacking force.
This was a tight game that was ultimately decided by pieces of quality in the final third. Adam Short three times and Andrew Cooper all rattled the metalwork, Craig Harman was denied what looked like a call for a penalty as he scampered across the area and Paul Wilkins will bag easier goals as he peppered the home keeper looking to add to his Jarvis Brook tally.
Early in the first half Black was called upon to produce an excellent save with his strong left hand and apart from that had little to do during the first half except pick out the home sides first goal an excellent finish from the Forest Row midfielder as he drove into the penalty area to meet a low cross.
“ I felt we were going through the motions a touch as this was our last game, We needed to sharpen up our play and come to met the ball second half but we were well in the game and could have taken it” said co-manager Paul Neale.
The second half was much as the first. Both tams tried to play football on a bobbly pitch but the Brook could not find the final pass through to create the clear opportunity. After seventy minutes and a long punt from the Forest Row defence saw their striker scamper through, Black needed to stand his ground but stepped backwards to allow the home player to stroke home.
Alan Wellings replaced Andrew Cooper whilst Paul Neale came on for Paul Wilkins to try to force the play but the Brook could not find a consolation goal.
“I want to praise the guys who have turned out for us this season and especially since the end of November where up until we were sure candidates for relegation. I believe Paul (Neale) and I have got a tremendous response from all our squad players and they set themselves high standards in the wins against the likes of Balcombe and Dormansland who were both flying high at the times.
Jarvis Brook reserves are hoping not to let the season slip away so early in April and have lined up a couple of end of season friendlies.
Team
I Black, K Lee, I Storer, D Patient, N Leftley, A Cooper (A Wellings 65), P Wilkins (P Neale 70), D Wright, A Short, N Youlton, C Harman
Jarvis Brook reserves shower committee once again sat ( or should that be stood) and agreed that kicking off at 4:00pm and showering after another team has played and used the changing room and its facilities is not right. Paul Wilkins, co-founder noted the state of the showers, “mud up the wall and in the drain and what’s this, someone’s old pants, It’s not right” he said. “That’s why I love limekiln” Andrew Cooper was heard to retort.
