Sussex Sunday Match Reports for 2009 - 2010 Season
Sunday 1st November 2009
Southdown Rovers.5. Marle Place.0.
After an evenly matched first half, Rovers eventually came out on top against their old rivals Marle Place.
The first period was all about which team could miss the target the most, as many chances went begging, Place gave as good as they got and matched Southdown in most of the early exchanges untill Louis Derham's fine lay back set up Michael Holt for a pile driver to open the scoring and reach half time 1-0, which seemed a fair reflection of the play.
Rovers realising not all was going their way, finally got their football together in the second half as they began to boss the game. some great approach work involving Cameron Williams and Luke Fitzgerald led to a fine cross being headed home again by Holt for a second.
Confidence began to flow for Rovers as they started to get on top, Williams far post cross was helped goalwards by Lewis Lesbirel to find Junior Watters lurking to divert home for 3-0.
Williams was again involved in Rovers fourth, this time he took matters into his own hands with a great wide run and finish over the stranded Place keeper.
Although Place never gave up, the game was sewn up when, Harry Worthington fired home a deflected effort for the fifth and final goal
Sunday 4th October 2009
Southdown Rovers. 6. Felpham Colts. 3. [AET]
Rovers finally overcame a stubborn Felpham side who took the game into extra time. Good early possession saw Southdown create some fine early openings including a goalmouth scramble and it was quite a surprise they reached the interval at 0-0.
Further good approach work finally paid of when, Junior Watters clever footwork threw the Felpham defence off guard as he struck a near post finish. Felphams response was immediate and with two quick counter attacks saw them in a surprise lead of 1-2.
Michael Holt then hit the bar as Rovers pushed hard to level, Mathew Smith had a fine effort well saved before, Southdown were awarded a penalty , which was duly dispatched in accurate style by Harry Worthington to take the game into extra time.
Converted striker Gianni Martinkovic side footed home against the now tiring Felpham defence and went on to add his second and a Rovers fourth with a deflected finish.
Further goals followed through the hard working Holt, before, Felpham pulled back a consolation for 6-3
Sunday 13th September 2009
Southdown Rovers. 1. Adur Athletic.1.
For the second week running Rovers again found themselves sharing the points after having the lions share of possession but without the all important lady luck in front of goal.
The first half showed little of clear chances for Southdown as Adurs back line soaked up the early Rovers pressure well. Close to half time Lewis Lesbirel showed good strength in holding off his marker only to slice just wide of the mark.
After the half time team talk , Southdown came out for the second half with good determination, Lesbirel again went close, this time his goal bound effort was agonizingly cleared off the line, then, a likely looking own goal trickled onto the Athletic post and was cleared well by the Adur defender.
Michael Devereuxs fine corner was met well by Cameron Williams head, but unfortunately sailed just over the bar. A cruel blow was then dealt to the otherwise solid line of Rovers defence when, Adur diverted their one and only real chance to open the scoring 0-1.
Southdown heads could of easily dropped, but they reacted in the best possible manner with a thunderous strike from Mathew smith crashing in off the under side of the bar. There was still time for Rovers to again go close with Harry Worthington's shot flying just wide.
Sunday 6th September 2009
Pevensey & West Ham. 1. Southdown Rovers. 1.
Rovers were made to pay for their first half missed opportunities in front of goal when, a most determined Pevensey side would not hear of defeat.
With good early pressure, both Junior Watters and Mathew Smith saw fine efforts well saved by the opposing keeper. The first goal of the new season for Southdown came about through a looping Michael Devereux corner fooling all outfield players and swerving into the top far corner of the net for a deserving 1-0 lead .
Further first half chances went begging firstly through Louie Derham at the far post, then Cameron Williams blasted over after a fine run.
The second half began in similar fashion for Rovers with Smith and Derham both going close, before Pevensey made them pay with a well taken equalizer 1-1.
Southdown tried in vain to up their tempo but Pevensey were relentless in stopping the Rovers forward supply, although Lewis Lesbirel was unfortunate with a fine effort parried on the goal line following a corner and Williams again went close with a thunderous effort.
