Herstmonceux U23'S bounce back in style

Match day again and today Herstmonceux u23 travelled to Icklesham Casuals in a game they looked to bounce back with a big performance.

Jack Tutty in charge for his 4th game set the team up strongly, being able to add a couple of first team players to his team this week to add even more strength.

Tutty had been busy during the week securing new signing Sam Purvis Who would prove to be instrumental in the league push for the U23.

The game kicked off and Herstmonceux looked strong from the off, the defensive line keeping shape and working together with Purvis commanding his area and keeping things disciplined, As the first half pushed on the game turned scrappy, both teams unable get a foot on the ball, but Herstmonceux pushed on and with Mark Stillwell putting the ball through to Curtis Eyres who pounced and slotted the ball home for 1-0. Herstmonceux were up but instantly from the kick off a silly foul was conceded near the halfway line and nothing was thought of it until it was struck and goal bound, Purvis was unfortunate getting caught out and unable to get to the ball as it sailed it over his head. From being one up a minute earlier it was now level, For the rest of the first half it was a battle in the middle of the park with Russull Blewitt again putting in another great shift in front of the defence and Artur Mendes being strong and composed on the ball when we needed it, The first half dragged out neither side being able to get the next goal as the half time whistle blew HT 1-1.

Tutty brought the players in and revamped them giving out instructions and reminding the boys to play our football, with an almighty noise, the u23 went back onto the pitch. This is where we would show our true class..

So the second half began and herstmonceux U23 went straight from the off with Mark Stillwell leading from the front, closing the ball down early with eyres supporting from midfield. Herstmonceux sat deep for the first 15 and found themselves controlling possession and getting stuck in, before giving away a free kick on the edge of the area. Icklesham hit it well forcing a save from Purvis who shot up to save the rebound keeping icklesham out with a fantastic double save. Then the u23's began to put there foot on the ball with some lovely football being played from the back and with 20 mins gone Russell Blewitt picked the ball up in deep midfield and made a surging run into there half slotting the ball to Curtis Eyres who, although he still had a lot to do, took on his defender and found himself one on one with the keeper, Around he went leaving the keeper lying on the ground before slotting the ball home for 2-1 and his second of the game. Now the U23's were in full swing and decided that this was it the big push. With 20 mins remaining changes had been made with Jack Sutton making way for Woodrow willis and Mark Stillwell making way for debutant Leonard Fuller. The u23's looked comfortable with Curtis Eyres controlling that ball knowing Artur and Russ were behind him in support, and it was Eyres who would slot the ball to one of Herstmonceux’s youngsters Harry Glenister, who with his pace and determination, drove into the box and slotted the ball past the gk to make it 3-1. The U23's knew they had killed the game off but did not stop and closed down every ball and it was Mendes who would pick the ball up and find Leonard Fuller who was through on goal with the gk rushing at him. It was with complete composure and confidence that Fuller would chip the gk with a exquisite finish making it 4-1 and game over. Curtis Eyres had something else for the Icklesham team to worry about as he picked the ball up in midfield and glided past defenders and made a beeline towards goal looking for his hat trick, but unselfishly Curtis played the ball to Kyle Welfare another promising youngster, who couldn’t quite connect properly but showed determination to keep the ball and play it back to Curtis Eyres who this time banged it home to secure his hat trick. The rest was history as the u23's bounced back with a bang!

A great performance from the defence putting bodies in the way but a special shout out to Marc Soane who did not lose a single ball in the air and made some vital sliding challenges to keep the Icklesham strikers at bay which put him in contention for MoM and gave Tutty a hard choice.

Tutty would like to say that “this was a tough battle and every player on that pitch gave it everything and showed true ability and teamwork.”

It was a tough choice for Tutty as the whole team played fanatically but MoM went to Curtis Eyres for his work rate composure and of course the hat trick; Well done Curtis!

The u23 look to push on and go to Robertsbridge next week looking to secure another 3 points. #UPTHECEUX