In a true clash of top versus bottom, CHC Men’s 1’s made their longest trip of the season down to Eastbourne knowing that it was going to be a tough day in the office. In fact, the battle had started before the weekend had even arrived with Captain Cowelly doggedly pulling an XI together. Deep dark Sussex at 3pm proved to be unpopular with some but a battle hardened group of Cliftonville legends was diligently pulled together which meant a 5-0 walkover was avoided and the 1 point deduction that would have followed. Special note to 2’s regulars Mungo and Jack for making the journey, doing themselves proud and to our travelling fan Steve for the continued support.
On to the game. All 16 Eastbourne players warmed up thoroughly with drills, multiple coaches and Taylor Swift blaring from their boom box. Meanwhile CHC ventured off an a Meesy cross country warm up through car parks and football fields. As pointed out by Captain Cowelly in pre match talk, CHC love being the underdog, we know our style and we had our game plan.
The first half was a tight game. Eastbourne took the lead ten minutes in and that could have marked the start of the end. But it didn’t. The mighty CHC stood strong. Remarkable effort across the pitch from to back to front kept the team in the game. Eastbourne were well drilled with a very clear game plan. They would let CHC have the ball around the back and then pin point with pace any encroachment beyond the Ville 23 yard line, in particular the wide backs. That suited Ville as with the exception of a handful of ventures into the opposition half, Ville’s back three of slappers were happy to keep the ball with ease. The game drifted into half time with the score still 1-0.
The second would be a different test. It would be a battle of fitness and endurance. The first 15mins were a carbon copy of the last fifteen of the first half. Provins, Cox and Newse, CHC’s back three but could also be the name of a local solicitors firm, distributed well. Cowell, Vinson, Mees, Hooper and Palmer were disciplined and tenacious through the middle of the park while Sweeney-MacQueen and Morgan up top ran like the spring chickens they were within the team.
At 55 minutes the defensive showed its first signs of cracking with Eastbourne grabbing a goal from a well taken reverse strike. In quick succession Ville were caught in possession resulting in a further two goals being scored. Ullyett between the sticks pulled off some great saves in particular a diving stick save to his right deflecting the ball on to the post. The true brilliance of the save only realised when the Eastbourne drone pilot shared the footage post game. Unfortunately our drone pilot hadn’t captured the goal as he remained in Thanet alongside our substitutes, coach, team manager and physio. One further goal completed the scoring and Eastbourne took the spoils and were very good for it too. Great team play, some individual brilliance and fitness definitely on their side.
Today was never going to be Ville’s day when it came to the result but it did in fact turn out to be a brilliant day for the team morale as the fight, tenacity and will power to travel to Sussex with a bare XI against top of the league and hold our own for 70% of the game was a moral win.
We go again next week against Canterbury in a home clash that represents a good opportunity for the mighty CHC men’s 1st XI to bag their first win.
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