Unlucky defeat for Herstmonceux

Herstmonceux were narrowly defeated in the ESFL Premier Travel Challenge Cup at Lime Cross on Saturday.

Ryan Reid chose to use a 4-2-3-1 formation with Josh Sheldon as the lone striker. Sam Purvis made a return to the 1st team for the first time this season, as the Manager was able to field an almost full strength squad.

The pitch was not conducive to flowing football, but both sides looked to knock the ball around and the first 15 minutes were fairly even with no real opportunities for either side. But, as is often the case in these close matches, a error in the midfield led to the opening goal as the ball was allowed to bounce in the final third instead of being headed clear.

Herstmonceux were not deterred however, and stuck to the task, with renewed vigour. Archie Guest had another impressive game at left back, and linked up well with Jack Brooks, who made several foraging runs on the left of midfield. Mark Stillwell was at times frustrated when his telling flicks were held up by a very soggy surface, but he worked tirelessly for 90 minutes, supported by the central defensive pairing of Whittlesey and Molyneux who helped the midfield by keeping their shape for the whole of the game.

As the first half wore on, it was clear that 'ceux were beginning to come into the game more, and with Ollie Brook running the Robertsbridge left back ragged on the flank it seemed only a matter of time before the home side scored. But credit to the visitors: they stuck to their task, although it took a flying save from their keeper to turn a goal bound header round the post for a corner just before the break.

The second half began like the first, with a firmly driven 25 yard shot beating Purvis in the air to make the score 2-0 early on, but from then on it was all Herstmonceux.

Above: Russell Blewitt, who had another good game at the heart of the defence.

Middleton and Liron began to link up and offer the home side more attacking options, and it was a fine run from Connor Liron culminating in a pinpoint cross, that allowed Sheldon to soar above the defence and head the ball into the net. 2-1 with 20 minutes still to play.

The Robertsbridge side were visibly shaken and it was a much different Herstmonceux side who believed that they could win the game. The opposition midfield began to argue with each other, and late challenges resulted in a yellow card for the visitors, which soon became two when they showed dissent at refereeing decisions. Now Herstmonceux's powerhouse midfield began to motor and some of the one touch football was a joy to watch. Sheldon's pace had the back 4 rattled, and the introduction of Hobden added fresh pace to the left hand side of the midfield, but although Herstmonceux mounted attack after attack the well-drilled Robertsbridge back 4 were able to break them down by throwing bodies in the way of the ball.

Above: Liron's overlapping run and cross led to the Herstmonceux's goal

The last 5 minutes saw Herstmonceux lay siege to the Robertsbridge goal but they were unable to level the scores, and a breakaway goal in the final seconds saw the visitors advance to the next round of the competition, with a scoreline which flattered them.

Manager Reid was pleased with both the application and nature of the performance. A defeat to Premiership opposition was not the end of the world, but it revealed that this squad of players are beginning to work together as a unit. Next week we visit Wadhurst, in a game that will be a measure of how far we have progressed since Ryan has taken over, and the Manager has demanded 100% commitment from the whole squad, both at training and by being available. This season still has a long way to run, and with the 2nd round of the County Cup the week after, the players will be raring to go again on Saturday.