Men's 1s do Camberley double

Saturday saw Reigate take on Camberley in Part 1 of the double header for the weekend, with the two teams facing each other in the first round of the Surrey Cup on the Sunday. Camberley sat 3rd in the league coming into the game, having dropped points to Sunbury & Walton Hawks, the side Reigate convincingly beat the previous week.

Reigate welcomed James Brooker and Tom Crees back to the side; both making a difference, with Brooker finding space down the right hand side, and Crees coming back into his familiar central defence role. Reigate faired the better of the opening exchanges, absorbing pressure from an energetic Camberley press well and creating some good chances themselves. Reigate found themselves ahead through the familiar goal scorer as Tom Pickersgill netting to give Reigate a 1-0 deserved lead. 5 minutes later, more of the same to extend the lead to 2-0 through Pickersgill.

Reigate then went close to making it 3, when Dave Short majestically lobbed the advancing Camberley keeper, however this was correctly disallowed because of a Reigate foot. Short was gutted and described the finish as “the best goal he will never score” after the game.

Reigate were then pegged back after a quick Camberley break resulted in Owen Morris being the bad-boy making a desperate last gasp tackle, only to give away a penalty flick which was dispatched to send Reigate keeper Henry Williams the wrong way. Camberley then hit Reigate again in quick succession to slot a second to level things.

Fortunately for Reigate this all happened in quick succession, and somewhat out of nothing. Reigate regrouped and slotted in a third before the break with James Chesterton slotting the ball in fine fashion. This steadied Reigate nerves before half time and ensured that the

Reigate turned the screw in the second half and further goals from Chesterton and Pickersgill. Camberley did score a late goal, but it was little more than a consolation goal. A final score of 5-3 meant Reigate run out deserving winners to maintain their 100% record.

Player-coach Simon Owen was pleased with the result, however noted that there is still work to be done. “Camberley were the best side that we have faced this season to date, and made us work hard for the points. Some generous defending allowed them a way back into the game and we need to work on being stingier in defence.”

The following day the two sides met again, this time in Reigate, for the first round of the Surrey Cup. Reigate came through the preliminary rounds comfortably, sweeping aside all 3 teams in their group. The game gave the team an opportunity to give run-outs to some of the clubs promising youth, with James Murphy and Will Dowling earning their competitive debuts for the 1st team.

Goals from Tom Pickersgill, George Akerman saw Reigate into a commanding lead. Jez Gray then popped up with a thunderbolt strike that nearly broke the net! Reigate came out 5-2 winners this time, with the team conceding a few sloppy goals as legs tired and hangovers took effect!

The results sees Reigate advance to the next round of the cup competition, with their opponents to be confirmed once the draw has been made.