On a sunny Saturday which teased that the Autumn season was approaching, Crowborough hosted Sevenoaks in the Isthmian South East league. An action packed second half saw the hosts win 5-2 winning their second league game of the season.
Both teams began the match playing a similar style of football. With both sides looking to play quickly and directly into the space behind their attackers. It was Sevenoaks who were the first to be successful with this approach. A well timed run by Jeche found himself behind the Crowborough backline and immediately in on goal. Causing Grant to come rushing out of goal to close the space, Jeche with excellent composure, side passed the bouncing ball over the keeper and watched the ball bobble off the post to score the first in the 14th minute.
The home side didn’t create any clear chances in the first half so their opening goal came from nothing. A challenge in the middle of pitch saw the ball fall to the path of Forster, who decided to try this luck and hit the ball with venom from the middle of the pitch. The pace beat the keeper who saw the ball late to give Crowborough their equaliser in the 36th minute.
Despite the goal, Crowborough were not particularly successful with their style of football for the first half with the Sevenoak centre backs Perez and Amgbaduba, having strong opening performances to quieten the Crowborough attack.
In the second half Crowborough looked to play the ball to their wide players feet, rather than in behind, which proved to be a highly effective tactic. Just seven minutes into the second half Chapman received the ball from a wide position, who drove towards the Sevenoak’s full back, then Chapman cut inside to play a ball in behind to Forster who smashed the ball into the top of the net. The pace of the ball from that close to goal gave the keeper little hope.
In the 69th minute, Bloomfield who had an excellent cameo since coming on made an instant impact. Bloomfield brought the ball down with a brilliant first touch, quickly squared the ball to Forster, who using Bloomfield’s movement found the space to play in Chapman for an effective one-two pass, Chapman then saw this deflected shot creep past the keeper.
Sevenoak’s response two minutes later was deserved. The away side produced endless threats with their set pieces and it was no surprise when one finally paid off. A wedged and flat corner kick from Perez teased Grant out of his goal, the deflection fell to Diomande who powered the ball into the back of the net, bringing the exciting game to 3-2.
For the second time in this match, Forster created another goal out of nothing. For his hattrick the ball bounced over towards him outside of the Sevenoak’s box, Forster noticed the keeper was off his line, however the positioning of the keeper didn’t matter when the ball was struck this good. The half volley hit slightly with the outside of his boot, sailed over the keeper’s head to make the game 4-2.
Forster’s fourth and the game’s final goal came in the 90th minute, tired Sevenoak legs gave the ball away cheaply, a quick touch and finish gave Forster his last in what would be an unforgettable afternoon for him.
Relief for the home side who have been far more impressive than what the table shows, the win in the league will be very welcome.
