On the sideline Tuesday evening didn’t provide me with the stress-free watch that I was hoping for, nor the goals that we enjoyed at Alfold, nor the drama and goals in the Forest Row game, but it did bring another 3 points.

It was a gritty performance against a strong, physical, hard-running side that got the ball forward early and men behind the ball when out of possession. It certainly wasn’t one for the purist, but every game throws up a different problem for you to solve.

In the first half, it really was a battle, so much so that at the break, East Preston hadn’t managed a shot on goal, and we had just the one, which Kai finished well. With the game that close, I thought it was in the balance and spoke about how well we had done in matching their physicality and that we needed more of the same in the second half to keep them at bay.

The game followed a similar pattern, probably through to the final 20 minutes, when they threw more men forward and started to get into some dangerous areas, forcing a number of corners and ourselves having 2 or 3 presentable chances to wrap the game up, which we didn’t take.

Because of that, the 8 minutes of stoppage time were nervy, but we managed it really well until the last kick of the game, when they turned defence into attack quickly and created an opening that looked certain to be taken, but for a ridiculous tackle/block on the line by Boe Fowler that kept the 3 points intact.

Not a great watch, but a great battle and 3 points in a game that could have gone either way.

Gaffer Glynn Stephens
First Team Manager