'Ceux Solid Crew bounce back with a win

So it was matchday again and the u23 had an early kick off travelling away to bottom of the league Beckley Rangers.

Herstmonceux turned up to the game wanting to put in a big performance after last weeks result at Robertsbridge and stay in the hunt at the top of the table

'Ceux started the game in high tempo pressing high with Lewis Harper keeping the back four organised and strong. The away team were working well as a team: closing down players and being strong, with joe scott and Waylon 'sick note' smith winning the midfield battle during the first 15-20 mins. Despite knocking on the door, they were caught offside several times although they did have several shots at goal in this period. Then after 25 mins 'Ceux countered from a Beckley attack with the ball coming to Richard Dummers feet as he charged down the right flank. Looking up he saw Curtis Eyres striding like a Colossus down the centre of the pitch towards the back post. Dummer struck a measured ball with pin point accuracy and found Eyres with no one but the goalie to beat. Eyres slotted the ball in the right bottom corner to put the u23 1-0 up.

Beckley looked to get themselves back in the game and worked up several chances but lewis harper, tyler greaves, tom crouch and ryan arnott staying strong and kept them penned back to the half way line, only allowing balls over the top or long shots which Sam Purvis could collect all day long. But the pressure from the home team began to show and the u23 give away silly little fouls which would cost us again, as a free kick from 40-50 yards which seemed like a cross caught purvis off guard and hit the back of the net. 1-1 another set piece conceded from.

From kick off the differance from last week showed. This week the team picked up their heads straight away and pressed on creating chance after chance, but could not break the deadlock. The away defence staying strong killing off any chance of a counter and the home team found themselves lucky to be going in at 1-1.

At half time the boys looked ready to go again from the whistle getting fluids on board and getting pumped up for the second half..

The second half began and the u23 pressed on again taking the game to the home side, penning them back in there own half with there only breathing space being when they pumped the ball down field. Lewis and Tyler killed off any counter as a determined Herstmonceux side were determined to take the game to the opposition.

After 15 mins in, the assistee signalled to the bench he needed to be substituted and on came his replacement Len Fuller with Mark Stillwell moving to left wing, a decision which would impact on the game significantly, and after the change ceux threatened even more with Stillwell causing havoc on the left side. However, the home side stayed strong being more resilliant then first expected,

With 40 mins to go tutty made his second change of the game bringing on local player Toby Funnell for den donegon on the right. Toby made an impact from the second he went on winning balls in the air, driving forward delivering the ball into the box. Ceux still could not break the deadlock so the final change of the game came with debutee Tom Crouch, who had jarred his knee, making way for Tom Wickens, another local young talent to take to the field.

The home side started to fight back but still with ceux staying strong they were only able to pump the ball long. Lewis harper and Beckley's number 10 collided head and the ref stopped the watch with 7 mins plus added time to take place. This is where tutty rallied the troops, in one last, desperate team talk: "one final push, we throw everything at this, we leave everything in between these white lines"

With the game commencing again 'ceux pressed and pressed. The time was running out but there were 4 mins to go when Waylon Smith picked the ball up just outside his own box, and seeing mark stillwell in acres of space on the left he pinged an inch perfect 60-70 yard diagonal ball which Stillwell got on the end of, leaping to chest the ball down perfectly before cutting inside the defender, and from outside the box he hit it and the ball flew past the goalkeeper and into the right top corner sending the away side into a frenzy with every player sprinting to congratulte stillwell including the bench, Lino and Manager. What a ball from Waylon Smith, and what a goal from mark Stillwell. 2-1 and finally Herstmonceux had broken that deadlock..

What would be the final kick off was taken, and the home side threw everything at ceux causing them to change to a back five, sitting deep and parking the bus, just to see the game out, but the home side managed to win themselves a corner and with the ball whipped in for what seemed like a certain goal there was tom wickens on the line to keep the score at two one with a brilliant goal line clearance. Seconds later there it was: ceux saw out the game to win 2-1.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch with both sides giving it there all in a high tension and competitive game.

Tutty would like to mention that Beckley are a young side and have a bright future showing great passion and resilience.

Tutty would also like to mention that every player from the starting 11 to the bench were absolutely amazing, showing professionalism, team spirit and determination working hard for there fellow players and seeing the game out to earn three valuable points..

MOM goes to the "sentinel" and debutee Lewis Harper who was outstanding today keeping the defence organised and also not losing out on a single header or 50/50: well done lewis welcome to the team!!

With a display of passion and teamwork the u23 now look on to a tough home game against Sedlescombe next week in a top 4 clash!!

All thats left for me to say is UPTHECEUX!!