Herstmonceux secure first division status

Man of the Match Jack Nicholas

Herstmoncuex FC were back in action this week against the JC Tackleway. With some promising results of late and looking for a targeted 10 points from the last 4 games, Reid and his team were in a very good position to match that target!

Reid looking to complete a transformation this season eyeing his 3rd consecutive win on the bounce and with various changes to the squad this week. With Purvis between the sticks and retaining his place in the squad playing in fine form in recent weeks he looks to secure another clean sheet, whilst the back 4 of Kyle Whittlesey relishing his new position at RB, young Archie guest at LB and the great experience of Russ Blewitt and CB pairing Jack Nicholas who have very quickly established themselves as a very consistent and reliable rock! Rory Collins and skipper Toby guest start on the wings with James Jarvis and Tom (Makalele) budd in the centre of the midfield. Connor Middleton and Artur Mendes started up top for the ‘Cuex.

The game began slowly in very calm conditions and both teams were avoiding taking risks in the early stages. It was the home side who had the 1st clear cut chance of the game as they broke down the left and managed to cut the ball back to the six yard box with a little scramble.Tackleways no 9 shrugged off challenges to get a shot away before Purvis stood big in the ‘Cuex goal and pulled of a early save to keep the scoreline level!

As the game entered 20mins Toby guest and Rory Collins started seeing a lot of daylight down the wings and then the problems began for Tackleway with the visitors’ midfield and back 4 winning most 1st and 2nd balls. Jarvis and Budd started getting a foothold in the game, releasing both Rory and Toby who were getting the better of the fullbacks, but unfortunately they couldn't quite be clinical or decisive with the final ball and chances went begging!

On 25 mins in the cuex had the first clear cut opportunity to score. James Jarvis broke through and with great feet he beat 2 defenders to drill the ball but the keeper turned it round the post! Good save.

Soon after Artur Mendes and Connor Middleton began linking up with the midfield with Connor breaking through and rounding the keeper, he was clipped but as he got straight back up the ref was hesitant in blowing for a spot kick. Bad call.

33min and the ‘Cuex started turning the screw. There was great link up on the left with Artur and Rory and the a ball was whipped in and Toby Guest was at the far post to loop a header over the keeper into the corner of the goal. 0-1 great team goal.

The game settled and the ‘Cuex had all the ball for the remainder of the half with no more chances this side of half time. 0-1 HT.

Artur and Kyle in action.

The message was clear at half time from Reid and that was put the game to bed as Tackleway were starting to tire.

2nd half and Toby guest was carrying an ongoing knock and started to hobble so Reid decided his day’s work was done and called time with 50mins gone! Mark Stillwell came on and his lively entrance spark some good energy amongst the players with his first involvement giving the tiring Kyle plenty of cover and putting in some great ground work and some big challenges!

Reid now made a change to 4-4-1-1 and dropped Connor Middleton, who was having a quiet game up until now, back into the middle. Now the creativity of Middleton’s vision and battling was an asset and he quickly sprung into life avoiding 3 challenges opening tackleway at the back 4 with a 35yrd through to the onrushing Mark Stillwell who took his touch and drill the ball across goal but Artur could not quite get enough on it to turn it home.

Tackleway started getting some second wind knowing the game was still in reach and started to pepper Purvis’s goal. With the back 4 putting in some massive challenges you could see that keeping their clean sheet was clearly important to Purvis and Reidy as it was everyone else doing damage at the other end!

65min and a debut appearance for Charlie Shearing coming on for Kyle Whittlesey. Immediately he started getting highly involved with the wingers and strikers and his first piece of play was a piece of brilliance. Artur switched the play to Charlie on the right, he saw Rory Collins busting a gut or the far side he swung the ball over there back 4 and with some neat footwork he beat the defender and drill the ball home past the keeper!

The ‘Cuex now knew it was their game to lose and Tom Budd, after marshalling the centre of the park for much of the afternoon, shifted to right back as we look to keep things tight and back to a good shape. Connor and Jarvis ran the show for the next 10 and the ‘cuex were quick to pounce on loose balls. Yet again it was Rory Collins in the thick of things swinging a ball in from the left and Artur Mendes showing calm composure, was able drill home to make the visitors in firm control of this tie! 0-3.

In the final 10 minutes Toby Funnell came on to provide pace and width as Connor made way! Tackleway broke away and the ref gave the hosts a penalty seeing a clip in the box. Purvis done enough to put there striker off as he rattled the post and was unable to turn the rebound home.

The ‘Ceux saw the remainder of the game out with ease and comfortably secured their 3rd win on the bounce. It was a perfect display from all players involved. There were so many players to make a shout out for but the MoM went to Jack Nicholas who was completely resilient and put in two big tackles and interceptions at the back.

On other news, the 1st team top scorer is hotting up with Artur Mendes and Toby Guest slowly running away with it as they are tied on the same goals. Jack Nicholas has an outside chance with 4. There are still two games minimum to secure the award at the end of a brilliant turnaround season!