Match Reports

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Worthing Rebels Youth A
Date: 13th Feb 2011   
Result: 4- 0
 
Captain – Zach Dye

Following last weeks win we came into this game third in the league. On paper the match would be tough as Worthing Rebels were one place below us, two points behind us but crucially they had two games in hand on Saints so it was going to be vital for both teams to take all three points to keep their respective pushes for promotion on track.

In the previous game we had won 3-2 but Rebels had been very physical so we picked a very strong line up for the match and went with a plan of closing Rebels down very quickly and winning the 50/50’s strongly so we imposed ourselves on them – the boys knew they all had to show they wanted to win more than their opponents to be sucessful.

We started with Mig in goal with Oliver Cobb and Lewis in the centre of defence, with James and George lining up as right and left backs. Zach and Scott were in the centre of midfield and Matthew and Charlie started as wingers, with Alfie and Jacob as the front two. Max and Jordan were on the bench.

The tension in both team was palpable pre-match but from the whistle Saints flew into every tackle like their very lives depended on it. Within the first minute we created an opportunity but show wide of the Rebels goal. We had the wind in our favour and Mig was using it to lengthen his goal kicks to find the strikers on several occasions early on but neither Jacob or Alfie could convert the opportunities. The plan to win the battle in the middle of the pitch was working well with Zach and Scott putting in tackles quickly, and even if Rebels broke through they were faced with Oliver and Lewis who soon won the ball back and set up another Saints attack. After ten minutes the Rebels manager obviously decided his game plan wasn’t working as he made a treble substitution – much to the surprise of the crowd. On fifteen minutes our pressure paid off when Zach put in a corner which rebounded back out to him, he crossed the ball back in on his left foot, and a Rebels player deflected the ball into his own net under pressure from Jacob who was on his shoulder ready to score.

Saints kept up the effort from the restart and Rebels only held out for another six minutes before we scored again. This time Zach switched from creator to scorer after he cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful shot on the half volley to make it two nil. Rebels were rocked now and straight from the restart Saints won the ball in the centre circle and with two neat passes Alfie ran through on goal. His first shot was well saved by the keeper but Alfie was alert to follow in and tap home the rebound to make it three nil with twenty-two minutes gone. Saints were dominating now but despite several great chances the Rebels keeper kept his side from conceding further with some great saves through to the break.

At half time we substituted Charlie and bought on Max. The wind was against us now and for the first five minutes we had difficulty getting out of our own half and Rebels had several half chances but fortunately Oliver or Lewis put in great tackles to deny clear chances and Mig collected a couple of long range shots well. As the half worn on we played our way back into the match and put more pressure on the Rebels goal. In the twelfth minute Zach put in a corner from the right, Jacob headed goal-wards only to see the ball palmed up onto the bar by the keeper. The ball then got headed across goal and Lewis was on hand to head it home from three yards out to make it four nil. On eighteen minutes we made our final substation, bringing Jordan on for George at left back. Saints enjoyed the majority of the possession, and Jordan nearly scored the goal of the game after Zach whipped in another corner from the right, Jordan leapt well and sent the ball goal-bound with a powerful guided header only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from the Rebels keeper. We had several other chances to score with a couple of goal-mouth comedy scrambles, but we just couldn’t finish the chances. Rebels counter-attacked well, but Oliver was always alert and won every battle against the Rebels forwards to deny them chances to shot on goal.

At the whistle the boys were elated with the manner in which they won the three points and Oliver was awarded Man of the Match from the parents by ten votes to one. When the Rebels forwards go to sleep tonight they will have nightmares about Oliver – he was truly awesome throughout the match.

Match Report: Chichester City Colts B vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 6th Feb 2011     
Result: 2 - 5
Captain – Zach Dye

Following last weeks postponed match against Felpham Colts we came into this game third in the league behind AFC Worthing and Worthing Town Youth B who led the table.

Having put Chichester to the sword 13-3 at our place earlier in the season there was always a possibility that complacency could set in with our players so we spent a lot of time pre-match warning the players their preparation needed to be focussed.

We used the game to rotate the squad a little and we started the game with Sam Good in goal, with Mig and Sam Munro as centre backs. Jordan started at left back and Shaye was on the right side. Zach and Scott started in central midfield with James on the right wing and Charlie on the left side. Jacob and Max started up front with Alfie and Oliver Slater as subs.

From the start Chichester took the game to us and within three minutes we found aourselves trailing after Colts split our defence with a long through ball, Sam came out of goal too slowly and the Colts striker slotted the ball past him for the opener. This stunned us and we found ourselves two down on twelve minutes after Colts pressure in the Saints box as rewarded with a deflected goal. This proved to be the wake up goal we needed and we gradually began to edge back into the tie. On twenty-seven minutes Max slotted a neat pass through to Charlie who took the ball past one Colts defender before shooting at goal. The keep parried the initial shot but Jacob followed up to smash home the loose ball to make it two one. A minute later Saints won a free kick on the edge of the Colts box after Jacob was bought down but Max could only hit the wall with the free kick.

At half time we changed Jordan for Alfie by putting Alfie up front and dropping Max into left back as he as suffering with a blister. Shaye was substituted for Oliver at left back. We began the second half much as ended the first and applied pressure looking for the all important equaliser. On thirteen minutes it came from a corner from Zach. Jacob met the ball and headed home, the ball cannoned down off the cross bar down onto the ground and the referee blew for a goal. This equaliser seemed to suck the life out of Colts and we won a penalty three minutes later after Jacob was tripped in the box. Zach stepped up to take it but did nothing to assuage the nerves of the Saints coaching staff and supporters as he dragged his show wide of the left post. However fortune was now on our side and within a minute Scott picked out Jacob with a throw in from the left side, Jacob turned his marker brilliantly and run into the box and finished superbly by smashing a volley into the top of the goal stanchion to put Saints into the lead for the first time in the tie. There was only going to be one winner now as Colts shape collapsed and Saints piled in the misery by making it four in the twenty sixth minute. James worked the ball out wide and ran down the wing before whipping in a cross/shot that fooled the keeper and forced him to palm up into his own net. Two minutes later it was Alfies turn to get his name on the score sheet as he followed up on a neat move from Jacob to tap home a rebounding ball to end the match 5-2 to Saints.

Mig was awarded Man of the Match for his defensive work and organisation.

Match Report: Lancing Rangers Select vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 23rd Jan 2011   
Result: 0 - 5
Captain – Zach Dye

Following last weeks win we came into this game second in the league and keen to pick up another win to maintain our push for a top-two finish that would see us gain promotion. Our normal keeper Mig had requested an outfield start so he started as left back, and George took over as stand-in keeper for the week. Oliver Cobb and Lewis lined up in central defence, with Sam Good starting at right back. Zach and Scott started in central midfield, with Oliver and Matt on the left and right wings respectively. Jacob and Max completed out line-up in attack. Shaye, Jordan and Marcus travelled with us as substitutes.

Lancings main threat is built around their keepers long goal kicks, and we had briefed the players to defend deeper for these kicks and quickly clear the danger to prevent any knock-downs for their strikers to feed off. Considering the wide margin of victory of our league and cup games earlier in the season this match proved to be very close for the first quarter of the match. We moved the ball around well, particularly with Scott combining down the right wing with Matt but we couldn’t create the opening for the first goal. With Oliver and Lewis so strong in the middle of the pitch dealing very effectively with the keepers long kicks Rangers switched their attention to Saints right flank and Sam had to be particularly organised to keep the Lancing winger in check as he looked to combine with one of the strikers. Our steady pressure increased though and Max eventually breached Rangers defence in the eighteenth minute turning a defender on the edge of the box before firing up a half volley high into the middle of the Lancing net. We kept the pressure on and were rewarded again in the twenty fifth minute. Zach picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch before driving out wide onto the left wing. He beat four players down the touchline before cutting in at the by-line and cutting the ball back across to Jacob who flicked the ball on into the right corner of the Lancing net. We really had Lancing on the back foot now and pushed hard for further goals. In the thirtieth minute the Lancing keeper made a tremendous double save, deflecting a shot from Jacob when he went one on one from a breakaway before leaping to his feet to save a second effort from Saints that was also goal-bound.

After half time we substituted Sam for Marcus and started where we left off in the previous half and took the game to Lancing. The strong wind was with us in the second half which meant the Rangers goal kicks weren’t coming much further than the half way line and this allowed us to keep the home side firmly penned into their own half for much of the second half. Our third goal came in the tenth minute after Zach cut in along the by-line and crossed low for Jacob who was waiting in the sixth yard box. The Rangers keeper dived to cut the cross out but the ball deflected off him into the net for an own goal. In the twelfth minute we substituted Oliver for Jordan. We kept the pressure on our opponents and more chances were soon created. For the first Zach worked the ball well inside the Rangers box and fired a powerful right foot shot that looked a certain goal but the Lancing keeper pulled off a superb save to deny the Saints midfielder. Minutes later it was Jacobs turn, but again the Rangers keeper denied us again. The number of chances kept coming though and in the twentieth minute Mig took a throw-in Jacob who weaved his way through the Lancing box from the left side, juggling the ball brilliantly onto his right foot before firing home from close range just inside Rangers near post. Rangers attacks were dealt with very effectively by the Saints defenders and they only created one dangerous move in the twenty-second minute. Lancing attacked down the right wing on a breakaway after they got in behind Miguel. Oliver Cobb raced across and put in a well timed block-tackle in the box which bought both players down, but the referee then astonished the Saints defender by pointing to the spot. Olivers frustration was further compounded as the referee booked him for kicking the ball away in anger.

Now all the attention was on George who was faced with trying to save the penalty kick. A keen student of Liverpools European Cup successes he followed where Bruce Grobellar and Jersey Dudek had been before and did his best crazy legs routine from the goal line as the Rangers striker stood waiting to take the kick. Whether this spooked the striker or not we’ll never know but justice was done as the Lancing player put his shot wide of Georges left post. Following the penalty we made our final substitution, bring off Max for a well earned rest and putting Shaye on up front as the second striker. For the last ten minutes we put the home side back under the cosh and Zach completed the route in the final minute of the game when he won the ball just inside the Rangers half and went on a superb dribble into the Rangers penalty box, beating five Rangers players before slipping the ball neatly past the Lancing keeper from six yards in a move of pure brilliance that was ended with the whistle for full time. It was a fitting end to a fantastic Saints performance.

Max was awarded Man of the Match by all the parents for his great efforts, capped off with a well-taken goal.

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Whyke Utd
Date: 16th Jan 2011   
Result: 4 - 2
Captain – Zach Dye

This match was eagerly awaiting by Saints as we felt we had been cheated out of a win when we played at Whyke on the second weekend of the season after their Manager refereed the match and awarded his team a penalty in the final minute to nick his side a point.

We lined up with Mig in goal, with Oliver Slater and Oliver Cobb in central defence, and James and Sam Good as right and left backs. Zach and Scott took their usual places in midfield with Jordan on the right wing and Charlie on the left side. Jacob and Alfie were our strikers, with Marcus and George as subs.

The game started quite evenly, with both sides working to try to create a clear opportunity. Saints made a number of passes up to the strikers but each time Jacob or Alfie found themselves flagged offside by the Whyke linesman. In the twenty eighth minute Whyke put in a corner which Saints failed to clear and a striker put a looping shot into our net to take the lead. This stung us into action and two minutes later Scott put in a low corner which bobbled through the defence to Jacob who poked the ball home from close range.

At half time we subbed Sam Good for Marcus and bought George on for Alfie. Saints pushed hard from the whistle looking for a goal to take them into the lead but every time we made a pass the Whyke linesmans flag would go up again. There was a growing feeling amongst the Saints staff and parents that he was favouring his own side and this was confirmed when he blatantly flagged for offside when Alfie was clearly two metres onside moments later. The Saints manager lost patience and questioned the decision and this was met with a volley of abuse in response. In the twelfth minute Jacob wons a penalty which Zach converted – the keeper managed to get a hand onto the ball but the shot was too powerful and the ball went in the net. The linesman had clearly lost his head with proceedings and in the eighteenth minute he stunned the Saints parents as he shouted for one of his own team to deliberately injure one of the Saints strikers in the next tackle. This was too much and Saints management let their feelings known to the linesman and the Whyke manager, who disappointingly made no attempt to intervene himself and calm his linesman down. The match then descended into farce with a number of further incorrect offside decisions flagged which culminated in further exchanges between the Saints manager and the linesman. Following this last outburst the linesman seemed to come to his senses and on twenty five minutes Charlie latched onto a rebounding ball and smashed a 25 yard strike into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 to the home side. In the twenty fifth minute Jacob made the score 4-1 after he knocked home a loose ball after the keeper had fumbled. With the clock running down of a very acrimonious tie Whyke scrambled one home in the final minute but it was nothing more than a consolation.

Oliver Cobb was awarded Man of the Match for excellent work in the centre of defence and the whole team earned praise for the way they conducted themselves on the pitch in front of the most disgraceful officiating of any match official I have personally witnessed in seven seasons of youth football. Whyke have a reputation for this type of flagrant dishonesty and until the Club officials stamp it out their Club will be the poorer for it. 

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. AFC Worthing Youth
Date: 21st Nov 2010   
Result:  - 
Captain – Zach Dye

Last weeks result consolidated 2nd place in the table for us which set us up nicely to welcome AFC Worthing Youth back to Flora, in a tie bought forward from the New Year as neither of us had cup commitments.

AFC had inflicted our heaviest defeat so far in the league, beating us 6-2 in October, though on that day Zach was only 50% fit, and we have since signed Scott and Oliver Cobb which has significantly strengthened our side. Due to having four games in hand over us a win was vital if we were to keep our chances of winning the Division as Champions so we picked the strongest possible squad, with Mig lining up in goal with Oliver Cobb and Lewis in the centre of defence, with James at right back and Sam Munro on the left. In midfield we lined up with Scott and Zach, with Charlie on the left wing and Matt on the right. Jacob and Alfie started up again in attack, with Max, George and Oliver making the bench as subs.

The first chance of the game fell to the AFC in the opening minutes but Sam Munro was alert and covered round behind Mig to clear off the line. After the opening scare we eased ourselves into the tie and had our first chance several minutes later when Max collected the ball, passed to Matt who looped a ball over the defence to Jacob but he couldn’t quite find the goal as the keeper parried his shot. On fifteen minutes AFC broke the deadlock with the opening goal. Almost from the restart Zach lofted a pass to Jacob but the AFC keeper came out smartly to save. A minute later the AFC keeper was called into action again to save a long range shot from Scott from outside the AFC box. In the seventeenth minute Mig was alert to tip a shot around his post after an AFC attacked turned Oliver on the edge of our box. From the resulting corner Scott and Jacob made great double blocks to deny Worthing a goal.

The game was pretty even and Saints struck back in the nineteenth minute for the equaliser. Alfie had an initial shot blocked on the edge of the box but the ball rebounded to him and he pitched a perfect lob over the head of the AFC keeper with the ball just skimming the underside of the bar.

At half time we made no changes. In the fifth minute Saints won a free kick three metres outside of the D from a central position, but Max could only watch as the keeper parried his goal-bound shot downwards and smother the ball at Jacobs feet before the Saints striker could knock the ball in. On ten minutes AFC increased their lead. Mig blocked the first shot on goal but a striker following in put the rebounding ball into our goal. On eleven minutes we subbed Oliver for Matt on the right wing, and four minutes later we switched Max for Charlie on the left. Although we laboured hard to try to get back on terms the AFC defence were very organised and as the game wore on we began to tire and lose our passing rhythm. In the twentieth minute we bought George on in place of James. On thirty minutes we bought Matt back on for Jacob just to try something different as we weren’t getting any change out of the AFC central defenders but it was AFC who scored again in the last minute of the match to take the score to 3-1 after Sam was turned on the edge of the penalty area and the AFC striker put a great strike beyond Mig. For the final minute Max had to go on at left back in place of Sam Munro who had picked up a nosebleed in the run up to the AFC goal.

Matt was awarded Man of the Match for his efforts down the right wing throughout the game.  The match was a lot closer throughout than the fixture at their place 5 weeks before. On this form AFC are a cut above any of the teams in the C Division and look likely to return to Div B as Champions this season

Match Report: Worthing Rebels Youth A vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 14th Nov 2010    
Result: 2 - 3 

Captain – Zach Dye

Last weeks results pushed us up from 4th to 2nd in the table which made this weeks match more important than ever as we travelled to Worthing to take on league leaders Rebels Youth A. With six wins and only one loss to date they had a reputation of being a tough defensive team who gave few goals away, closing out all their league matches so far with clean sheets or only conceding single goals.

Because of the ties significance we travelled with the strongest possible squad, with Mig lining up in goal with Oliver Cobb and Lewis in the centre of defence, with James at right back and George on the left. In midfield we stuck with Scott and Zach, with Charlie on the left wing and Matt on the right. Jacob and Alfie lined up again in attack, with Max, Sam Good and Jordan travelling as subs.

From the start Rebels ominously came straight at us, dispossessing Scott before driving down the middle of the pitch to beat our defence before putting their final shot over the bar. Seconds later Oliver Cobb miss-controlled under pressure from the goal kick and the Rebels striker fired wide of the goal again, this time past the left post. On four minutes we got our first chance of the match after Matt won a throw after a pass from James. From the throw Matt picked out Jacob who ran into the box and got his shot off on the angle but the keeper saved with his knees. A minute later more Saints pressure led to a corner, Zach whipped the ball in and Alfie had a shot blocked, before the ball rebounded out to Zach who took a touch before firing over the crossbar. Steadily we began to exert more pressure. On eight minutes we won a throw which George took quickly, Zack flicked on for Jacob who ran into the box but fired wide of the left post. This pressure continued as we began to see more of the ball and on ten minutes we had our best chance after Jacob got in behind the defence down the left, cut inside from the by line before unleashing a fierce shot on the near post which cannoned out off the keeper, leaving him stunned. On fifteen minutes we had a double chance after Jacob ran through into the box before rifling a shot against the near post, the ball then rebounded back out to Zach who lofted a pass into Alfie who forced the keeper to put the ball out for a corner with a drive from the right side of the Rebels penalty area. From the corner we had a further chance after Charlie got a shot away but Jacob inadvertently blocked the ball close to the Rebels goal line and the danger passed. Rebels were a tough physical side and on twenty two minutes we had to make a change bringing Max on for Scott after a Rebels player kicked Scott in the face as he stooped to head a bouncing ball. The change upset our rhythm and on twenty three minutes Rebels got the opener after Rebels attacked down the left and their striker cleverly turned Oliver in the box to fire low across Mig into the left corner of our goal. Two minutes later Scott had recovered enough to rejoin the play in place of Max. On twenty five minutes Rebels broke through the middle, and with Lewis chasing back Mig came out to meet the Rebels striker and save brilliantly, with the Rebels striker shaping to shoot again Lewis managed to get in a tackle to put the ball out for a corner. On thirty minutes Zach won a penalty after he had his shirt pulled as he cut in along the by line. After a minutes wait he stepped up calmly to smash the ball high to the keepers left into the Rebels net for 1-1. The half continued to be fiercely contested, with Saints trainers coming on to treat Lewis who fell to a crunching Rebels challenge. On thirty five minutes we took the lead after a neat pass on the turn from Matt found Jacob who drove into the penalty area, his initial left foot shot was parried by the keeper but Jacob followed up to smash the rebound in at the left-hand post.

At half time we bought Max on in place of Charlie on the left wing. On four minutes we won a free kick for handball in the right of the pitch, about 30 yards out. Max stepped up to take the kick, but he put his shot wastefully wide of the left post. On twelve minutes we increased our lead further after a pass from Zach found Alfie out wide he beat his defender and cut into the box to find the far corner of the Rebels net with a beautifully taken shot across the keeper. Moments later we had another chance after Zach won the ball in a central position, and lofted a clever pass to Matt who cut into the Rebels penalty area but he could only hit the post with his final shot. The goal had triggered a good phase of pressure for us and Zach, Matt and Jacob combined in a number of attacks down the right to create a real threat for us. Rebels kept to their physical and robust style of play, and on twenty minutes it was Zachs turn to go down as a result of an aggressive challenge, but after a couple of minutes treatment he got to his feet and played on.

On twenty four minutes Rebels managed to pull a goal back with a good attack down the right side, lobbing Mig with the final ball. This set up a nervy last ten minutes with both sides battling hard, Saints weathered a couple of real scares as Rebels forced several saves from Mig but as the clock ran down and Rebels committed players forward in search of the equaliser we managed to find some space in their half. This allowed us to retain the ball, taking the pressure off to the final whistle and to take all three points, cutting the lead to Rebels at the top of the table to a single point. On this performance the final game of the season at Flora on 13th February may well see both teams playing for promotion.

Throughout the match there were a number of fine performances but Scott was awarded Man of the Match for his tireless contribution in midfield – he was utterly brilliant.

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Chichester City Colts B

Date: 7th Nov 2010      
Result: 13 - 3

Captain – Zach Dye

This week saw more transfer activity, with another addition to the growing Saints squad. Oliver Cobb joined us having trained with us the week before. A talented player, who has previously been scouted by Portsmouth, he had been playing for Rustington Park Youth A before they disbanded last season and knew Zach and Alfie. His qualities as a strong, skilful central defender were immediately obvious in the training session, and we are delighted he has chosen to join the team.

Mig lined up in goal with new signing Oliver starting next to Lewis as centre back. George started at right back with Jordan opposite on the left. Scott and Zach were in central midfield with Oliver Slater on the right wing and Charlie out on the left. Alfie and Jacob started up front with Marcus, Max and Shaye as subs.

Saints got off to the best possible start with a goal in the fourth minute. Following pressure we won a corner from the right, Scott whipped the ball in and the Colts defence failed to deal with the bouncing ball and Oliver Slater was on hand to poke the ball home. From the restart we were all over the visitors and we doubled the lead on eight minutes when Charlie poked home a parried ball from an initial shot from Jacob. Saints sensed blood and piled relentless pressure on the visitors and scored their next goal on twelve minutes, again from a corner. Scott put the ball in from the left and Colts failed to clear their lines and Jacob was alert to drive home the bouncing ball from close range to make it 3-0. On seventeen minutes Oliver Cobb was studded in a tackle and had to be substituted for Marcus following a long break in which play was stopped. On twenty four minutes Saints nearly increased the lead when Jacob shot into the side netting after winning the ball off Migs long goal kick. Colts were outplayed in almost every area of the pitch and Jacob made it 4-0 in the thirty seventh minute with a great run down the right to beat a defender and shot low cross goal to the keepers right with a neat finish. Colts got a brief respite in the forty-first minute when they beat Marcus and Lewis down the middle to shoot past Mig but from the restart Jacob returned the favour by running through the centre of the Colts defence and smashing another shot low cross-goal to the keepers right to make it 5-1. A minute after the centre was taken Zach piled on further misery by flicking on Migs goal kick for Jacob who beat the defender and drove low to the keepers right to make it 6-1 at half time.

At the break we bought on Shaye at right back for Jordan and Max on the right wing for Oliver Slater. We also bought Oliver Cobb back on for Marcus to give him some more match time. We pressed from the whistle and within a minute it was business as usual as we won a corner following pressure. Scott whipped in another ball the Colts defence couldn’t deal with and Zach poked home the loose ball to make it 7-1. Two minutes later Colts attacked down our left and looped in a cross/shot that went in under our bar for 7-2. This proved a false dawn for the visitors though as Saints turned up the pressure further. Alfie nearly opened his account in the ninth minute after a great run down the wing but his shot deflected off the near post. A minute later though we struck the first of a run of six goals without response. For the first Jacob received a neat pass flicked through the defence and he ran through to finish low to the keepers left. From the restart Zach won the ball in midfield and took the ball on before unleashing a thirty yard drive that squirmed through the keepers legs to make it 9-2. On nineteen minutes Jacob was on hand again to win the ball and swivel in the Colts box before lashing home a stinging drive low to the keepers left for 10-2. Four minutes later it was Jacob again, this time running through off a great chipped ball to round the keeper and slot the ball into the Colts net. In the twenty third minute we substituted George for Marcus to even up his playing time a little after his first half appearance for Oliver Cobb. Five minutes later Jacob made it 12-2 with shot just inside the right-hand post after good initial work from Zach. Our last goal came from Alfie who neatly controlled a great cross-field pass before running down the right wing, beating a defender and placing an exquisite ball past the beleaguered Colts keeper for 13-2.  By this time Saints had understandably eased up a little and Colts grabbed the final goal of the game in the thirty-first minute after Mig had saved the initial shot and the match finished 13-3. It was a great match in which Saints were markedly superior in every area of the pitch. We worked hard to win back position and the whole team played well to create all the chances. In truth had we finished all the chances we made we would have scored more than twenty goals. 

Alfie won Man of the Match for his tireless work down the wing which finished with the reward of the final well-taken goal.

Match Report: Felpham Colts vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 31st Oct 2010     
Result: 3-4

Captain – Zach Dye

With last weeks game postponed we had seen an addition to the squad, with the welcome return of Scott Willmott, who had left us to join the U14’s after the opening game of the season but decided to return to our squad after several matches.

Mig was back in goal this week, with Lewis and Marcus as central defenders. Jordan started at left back with James opposite on the right. Scott lined back up in midfield, next to Zach. Charlie played on the left wing with Oliver down the right, with Jacob up front with Alfie.

The tie was likely to be close, with both teams separated only by Saints superior goal difference. From the whistle Felpham applied a great deal of pressure and for the opening minutes we had to be on our guard with Lewis and Marcus both making clearances under pressure. In the sixth minute the opener came against the run of play when Jacob made a fine run into the box, only to be bought down by the chasing defender. Zach stepped up to slot the penalty home with a low shot just to the keepers left. On nine minutes Felpham nearly got one back after Charlie failed to clear a goal kick, Jordan then dwelt on the ball and was disposed allowing the Felpham attacker to drive into our box. He unleashed vicious strikes bringing out a brace of tremendous saves from Mig, the second an instinctive one with his knees from barely two metres away, and then Mig scrambled to his feet again to tip the third strike round the post for a corner. We defended the corner and immediately broke up the other end with Jacob shooting into the side netting. In the fifteenth minute Felpham got back on terms with a breakaway down the middle. James came across and got a tackle in but the attacker broke through the challenge and netted low to Migs right hand side. 

On twenty minutes Saints grabbed the lead again after Jacob broke away, got tripped in the area again in a carbon copy of our first goal but this time the ball broke to the right to Alfie who controlled before rifling the ball low to the keepers right. We will still under terrific pressure down the middle though and on twenty three minutes we made an early substitution to deal with Felphams pacy strikers, bringing Sam Munro on into central defence, and shifting Marcus to left back, bringing Jordan off. As we struggled to reorganise Felpham had several further chances with two players putting their shot and header wide from close range when they looked certain to score. On twenty eight minutes we had a chance to increase our lead after an attack down the right from Alfie who cut inside but could only put his final shot wide of the left hand post. On thirty one minutes our efforts paid off after Oliver released Alfie down the right who beat the keeper, but the ball then cannoned off the keepers left hand post and across the goal to Zach who smashed the ball into the net from close range.

At half time George came on at left back for Marcus. For the majority of the second half it was intensely competitive, with neither side giving ground to the other. If anything Felpham edged the play but Scott and Zach were all over the pitch tackling. Charlie in particular had a tough half as Felpham looked to attack our left flank. On thirty five minutes Felpham broke away and lobbed Miguel as he came out in a fine move to make it two all. On thirty six minutes with the clock running down the best move of the game culminated in a goal for Saints after Jacob controlled brilliantly on the turn while under pressure from two Felpham players, and cheekily back heeled the ball into Zachs path who beat one defender and then rounded the keeper before rifling his shot home from an acute angle from the right of the Felpham box. Almost from the restart Felpham struck back to make it three-four but we hung on for the final minute to take all three points.

Mig was rightly awarded Man of the Match for his fantastic saves throughout the game.

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Bognor Regis Town Colts
Date: 17th Oct 2010    
Result: 1-3
 
Captain – Mig Abreu

After last weekends league match we had the distraction of the cup this week, having been drawn against Bognor Regis Town Colts from the A Division. This gave us the chance to make some changes to give other squad players the opportunity to get some match time. After he injured his hand in the week Mig came out into central defence, with Sam Good taking over as keeper for the match. Marcus was alongside Mig, with Shaye at left back. Pablo was due to play at right back but he showed up late for the match and was sent home so James started in his place. Zach and Lewis were in central midfield with Jordan on the left wing and Matt on the right. Max and Alfie were up front. George and Jacob were the substitutes.

 In the second minute Max and Matt combined well down the right wing to find Alfie but the Saints striker curled his shot just wide of the right post. This proved to be the best chance for us early on and we spent the rest of the first quarter of an hour struggling to get out of our own half. We successfully defended more than half a dozen corners during this time, but we organised ourselves well marking up the opposition and we cleared the danger well at each set piece. Marcus and Mig were winning key challenges in the middle to deny Bognor chances, with James and Shaye minimising the crosses from wide. When they did get shots on goal Sam was equal to the task and saved each time. Up to half time we steadily grew in confidence, and began to pressure Bognor higher up the pitch, winning more possession in the middle third.

 We made no changes at half time. On eight minutes Sam pulled off a great save after he rushed out to block from the striker while one on one, the ball fell to Bognor’s number seven but he could only balloon his shot over our bar from close range which proved a let-off for us. In the thirteenth minute Bognor scored the opener. Mig tackled a Bognor player heavily in the box, he could have gone down for a penalty but he stayed on his feet to square the ball from the left to a team mate he tapped home from six yards. A minute later Zach had a chance to equalise but the keeper saved well to keep Bognor in the lead. On eighteen minutes we made a double substitution, bringing George on for Shaye and Jacob on for Jordan, having moved Max back onto the left wing. On thirty three minutes George looked to have got a strong tackle in to win the ball off a Bognor striker but he was adjudged to have fouled the striker and the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors which they converted to double their lead. Saints were not finished yet though and from the restart we won a corner. Zach curled in the corner and Matt rose to flick a header on into the Bognor goal in the thirty fifth minute. For the last minute we pressed hard in a desperate bid for the equaliser to take the tie to extra time but the goal went to the visitors as James got caught under a drop kick and the Bognor striker collected the ball and finished past Mig to make it 3-1 to Bognor.

Sam Good was awarded Man of the Match for a series of saves during the game. 

Match Report: AFC Worthing Youth vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 10th Oct 2010    
Result: 6-2
 
Captain – Zach Dye

Following last weekends fixtures we remained top of the table as we travelled to Worthing to face AFC Worthing Youth. AFC came down from the Division above this season and had games in hand on us so it was vital that we put out a strong team to get something from the tie.

For the match we dropped Lewis into central defence to add some steel in the centre next to Sam Munro. George was at left back with James on the right. Zach was in the midfield with Oliver. Charlie was on the left wing with Matt on the right, with Jacob and Max up front. Alfie, Jordan and Sam Good travelled as subs.

We started brightly, pressing the home team quickly to regain the ball whenever we lost possession. In the first couple of minutes we had several promising attacks but we couldn’t thread the final pass through to Jacob. On five minutes Worthing burst through our defence wide left and crossed the ball but their striker put his shot wide of our left post for the first clear chance of the match. On eight minutes we had to be alert again, Lewis and Sam had an initial misunderstanding but Lewis managed to chase back and dispossess the striker before he could shoot at goal. On ten minutes Mig kicked down field, Matt got a great flick on and Jacob beat two closing defenders in a race for the ball and put a perfect lob at pace over the keeper to open the lead for Saints. Straight from the restart we attacked again and Matt found himself with a great chance to make it two but he put his shot over the bar from close range to give the home side a real let-off. On thirteen minutes Worthing broke through the middle beating tackles from Sam and Lewis. Lewis gave chase but the attacker was too quick. Lewis pulled him back close to the edge of the Highdown penalty area and the referee and linesman adjudged the foul to be inside the box and awarded a penalty. Worthing scored from the spot kick to make it one all. Worthings passing was slick, they had great pace down the middle but Saints were working hard to match AFC in the tie. On eighteen minutes Worthing took the lead after Mig came out to the edge of his box rather than leaving the attacker to James and Matt who were covering and the Worthing striker lobbed him to make it 2-1. From the restart we got back to 2-2 after Matt flicked on a throw in for Jacob who ran into the box to cross for Max who put his shot low to the keepers right. On twenty eight minutes Worthing took the lead again with an attack down the middle. Sam and Lewis both got tackles in but the forward got through and finished with a good shot across Mig. The half finished with both sides competing evenly.

At half time we subbed Charlie for Alfie, dropping Max onto the left wing and put Alfie up front. In the second minute Zach had the first chance turning a defender to create space for a shot but the keeper saved well. On fifteen minutes Zach had another chance after Matt laid back the ball but Zachs curling shot was tipped round the post by the keeper. From the corner Zach whipped a ball in, Alfie had two consecutive shots blocked, then the ball was recycled back out to Max by Zach but Max put his final shot over the bar. On twenty minutes Oliver came off for Sam Good who took Georges place at left back with George moving into central midfield. On twenty three minutes Worthing made it 4-2 with another strong attack down the middle to finish with a shot past Mig. On twenty eight minutes Worthing netted their fifth with a great drive beating Mig with a fifteen yard shot high into the Saints net. On thirty minutes Worthing heaped on more misery by making it 6-2. On thirty two minutes we put Jordan on at right back in place of James for the final minutes of the tie.

Zach was awarded Man of the Match for his tireless work in midfield while not fully fit - having played the whole match carrying a knee injury.

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Worthing Town Youth
Date: 3rd Oct 2010      
Result: 4-4
 
Captain – Zach Dye

This week saw us return to league action with a home tie against Worthing Town Youth. Mig took up his usual position in goal behind a back four of the two Sams in central defence, with George as left back and James on the right. Lewis was back this week to play in central midfield alongside Zach. Charlie played out on the left wing with Matt opposite on the right side. Jacob and Max were up front with Alfie and Jordan as the two subs after Oliver reported for the game with a hip strain.

Due to a first day walkover and a postponement Worthing were somewhat of an unknown quantity leading into the game. From the kick we pressed and Max had the first chance in the opening minute but he fired his shot over the Worthing crossbar. The visitors opening goal on three minutes was a disappointment for us. In the pre-match team talk we identified midfielder Jay Walden as their main threat so it was disappointing to see him collect the ball in the midfield and run through three of our tackles before firing low to Migs left to put the visitors into the lead. A couple of minutes later it was our turn to threaten after Jacob and Matt charged down clearances on the left wing. The ball ultimately fell to Matt who jinked his way into the box beating three defenders along the by-line but he could only hit the left post with his final shot. On fifteen minutes Zach pulled us level with a fine strike from outside the box. Jacob looked to be heading the ball in flight but he ducked out the way and the last moment and this fooled the keeper who dived over the low shot as it went into the goal.

So far the tie had been very even with both sides giving no quarter. Worthings Walden was very busy in the heart of the midfield and Lewis and Zach had to close him down quickly every time he had the ball. Occasionally Worthing would break through but then both the Sams would be on hand to get in a winning tackle or important clearance. On twenty two minutes we edged ahead after Max won a bouncing ball in midfield and dropped a looping pass onto the right wing for Matt to collect. Matt then drove into the box and finished beautifully from a wide angle with a powerful right-foot drive into the top left corner of the Worthing net. On the stroke of half time Max had a chance to make it three but his final shot went just wide of the left-hand post.

At halftime we substituted Max for Alfie. The opening minutes were very even but it was Worthing who scored on eight minutes off a long goal kick down field, Sam Good misjudged the bounce getting caught underneath it and a Worthing attacker ran through to finish well beyond Migs outstretched arm. Two minutes later Worthing regained their lead in the tie with a corner from the right. It was a well-struck corner but Sam Good turned away from it and the ball deflected off his shoulder into the goal with Mig rooted to the spot. On eighteen minutes Worthing extended their lead courtesy of Jay Walden again who picked up the ball 30 yards out. Sam Munro sensed the danger and closed him down quickly but Waldens powerful shot squeezed past Sams diving block to beat Mig and make it 4 – 2. On twenty two minutes James was subbed for Jordan. In the twenty eighth minute Saints found their way back into the tie after a period of sustained pressure. Zach won possession and found Jacob with a great pass that the Saints striker carried through on one of his trademark break-aways before finishing well beyond the Worthing keeper. Saints felt the momentum shifting and with Worthing looking increasingly nervous we kept the visitors penned into their half looking for the goal to bring the tie back to all square. On thirty two minutes Jacob made it four all after he made a strong run into the penalty area, the Worthing keeper got behind his initial shot but he could only parry it back out to Jacob who smashed in his second shot to level the tie. In the final minutes both sides pushed hard for a winner but determined defending at both ends ensured this closely fought-tie finished level.

Sam Munro was awarded Man of the Match for his superb defending throughout the match.

Match Report: Highdown Saints vs. Lancing Rangers Select (Challenge Cup Rnd 1)

Date: 26th Sept 2010   

Result: 8-3

Captain – Zach Dye

This week saw a rest from league action as we lined up in the cup against Lancing, who we had played on the opening day of the season.

Mig was in goal behind Jordan and Sam Good who lined up in central defence, with James at right back and Shaye starting on the left side of our defence. Zach and Oliver were in central midfield, with Matt on the right wing and Charlie on the left side. Max started up front alongside Alfie, with Jacob selected as our substitute.

From the whistle it was clear that we wanted a fast start and in the third minute the earlier pressure resulted in the opener for Saints, with Max cutting in off the left goal line to chip a cross over to the far post for Matt to side-foot the ball home at the far post. From the restart Saints pressured again and on six minutes Alfie made it two for Saints after knocking a low drive to the right of the keeper from inside the Lancing penalty area. From the restart we attacked again with Zach chipping a pass over the top of the defence for Max to run onto but the Saints striker fired just wide of the left post with only the keeper to beat. After the early barrage Lancing began to get a bit more possession in spells, with Jordan and Sam called into action on several occasions to deal with the Rangers nippy captain, who had several attacks of his own down the centre. On twenty two minutes Saints made it three though after Zach whipped in a corner for Matt to head home at the far post. The goal should have seen the end of the visitors threat but Lancing had other ideas and struck back from the restart with their captain who collected the ball and ran through the middle on the break, before slotting his shot home with Jordan and Sam trailing in his wake. The goal gave Lancing fresh incentive and they pulled another goal back two minutes later, with the captain breaking through again off a Lancing throw in this time, before again outpacing our central defence before finishing with a good pass beyond Migs despairing dive.

At half time we substituted Alfie for Jacob up front. In the opening minutes Lancing pushed hard for an equaliser, with Sam and Jordan having to stay focussed to clear the ball away to protect he Saints goal. On eight minutes Rangers captain broke through again as we defended a high line and again we couldn’t catch him before he got his shot away again to beat Mig and level the tie. For the next ten minutes the tie was quite close with both sides having chances but it was Saints who scored next with a controversial goal. Zach passed through the central defence to Jacob who ran on towards the Lancing goal with the Lancing linesman flagging for offside the referee let the play go on for Jacob to score past the Lancing keeper. The visiting coaching staff questioned the referees decision but the goal stood. Just three minutes later Jacob struck again to make it 5-3 to Saints after latching onto a goal kick from Mig to finish coolly past the Rangers keeper. Lancings heads had gone down at this point and on twenty six minutes Jacob scored what turned out to be the best goal of the game from a move that saw Zach played an incisive pass through to Jacob who went one on one with the Rangers keeper before delicately lobbing him to make it 6-3. Two minutes later Jacob turned creator with some great work cutting in off the left goal line before unselfishly squaring the ball to Matt for an easy tap-in in front of goal. On thirty four minutes Jacob was on the score sheet again to complete the rout with a sharp right-foot drive from a central position in the Rangers penalty area to finish the tie 8-3 to Saints.

Jacob was awarded Man of the Match for the impact he had on the game with his four goals in the second half.  

Match Report: Middleton Diamonds C vs. Highdown Saints
Date: 19th Sept 2010   
Result: 4-5
Captain – Zach Dye

During the week leading up to the match we added to our squad by signing Alfie Richardson, who had previously been a striker for Rustington Park Youth’s A team, who had played in the B Division before they disbanded.

The match promised to be a tough test as Middleton had finished one place below us in the table last season, beating us home and away in the process. To combat the threat posed by their tall and skilful centre forward we moved Lewis into centre back, alongside Sam Good, with George lining up at left back with James on the right. Zach retained the Captains armband, taking up the centre of midfield alongside Sam Munro, with Max on the right wing and Charlie starting on the left wing after his fine work there last week. Jacob started in attack alongside Alfie on his debut for the team.

In the opening minutes of the game it was clear it was going to be a tough day at the office for our defence as the Middleton No.10 was the focal point for all their moves, looking lively every time he was on the ball. Lewis and George had to make a series of great tackles and mark him closely to nullify his threat. The first chance of the game fell to George on seven minutes who had moved up for a corner and forced the keeper to make a diving save to his right to tip the shot round the post. Over the next ten minutes it was nip and tuck with both teams having opportunities, including Zach who forced a fine save. The Middleton No.10 was switching over to the left because he couldn’t get through George and Lewis, so Sam and James had to put all their concentration into dealing with him. The breakthrough finally went to Saints on eighteen minutes after Charlie won possession from a period of pressure and netted with a low drive to the keepers left. Two minutes later we made it two after a corner from Zac was initially parried by the keeper but Jacob was alert and poked home the bouncing ball to double our lead. On twenty three minutes Sam Munro was injured in a tackle and had to be replaced by Oliver. Up to this point Saints had created the better of the chances but Middleton were still pressing and got their rewards on twenty five minutes after Sam Good mis-kicked his clearance under pressure from the No.10 who ran on to score low to Migs left. This gave the home side renewed confidence and they got back on terms on thirty two minutes with a move down the centre of the pitch to finish beyond Migs dive to the right.

At half time Marcus came on at right back for James and Matt came on for Max on the right wing. Saints attacked hard from the start and Jacob collected a throw before shooting just wide of the left post. From the resulting goal kick Saints won a free-kick which Zach took, again firing just wide of the left-hand post. On six minutes Middleton grabbed the lead. Sam had gone down winded after blocking an initial shot at goal, but rather than stop the play the ref allowed the game to continue and with Sam lying on the floor playing all the Middleton players onside they attacked again and scored from the second phase to take the lead. After the goal Sam had to come off with James coming back on in the centre of the defence. Both sides pressed hard but it was Saints who got back on terms in the fourteenth minute. Zach won possession in the midfield, evading three challenges before neatly clipping a ball over the top for Jacob to run onto who beat the keeper with a low shot to the keepers left. Four minutes later the next chance fell to Alfie who ran through on goal but as he shaped to shoot the chasing Middleton defender slid in brilliantly to take the ball off his toe as he swung his boot to shoot. A minute later Zach whipped in a corner but Matt rose to head just over the Middleton bar.

On twenty eight minutes Saints grabbed the lead back with some fine play from Jacob, who collected the ball on the right side and drove into the box to evade three challenges and then round the keeper before stretching to flick the ball into the goal with the outside of his right foot. Six minutes later Saints made it five after Oliver won possession in the midfield, before combining with Matt who ran down the wing and crossed a perfect ball for Jacob to rifle into the Middleton net. At this point we were looking to try to keep possession and run the clock down but a minute later Middleton grabbed one back after we failed to clear the ball out of defence. With thirty seconds left from the restart Mig was still forced to pull off another save to ensure the win and with the final nervy seconds ebbing away we took the ball up the other end until the final whistle blew for Saints to win 5-4.

The players all played fantastically in a very hard-fought match. George was awarded Man of the Match by the spectators for his fine efforts in marshalling the defence, and the day was made all the sweeter when the results came in to show Saints moved into top place in the league table.

Sunday 12th Sept 2010