Men's 1s come up short against league leaders

Reigate took the long away trip down to the delightful Bournemouth to sample a taste of what the league leaders had to offer. Buoyed by a recent fine run of form, Reigate entered the game hoping to put pressure on the table and show credentials that will make for an exciting second half of the season.

The game had a some-what disjointed start, with conditions far from ideal for both players and umpires alike; you know it’s windy when you can’t hear the umpires whistle – add the sound of jet engines in too and you’re always going to struggle!

Reigate started well, containing the pacey Bournemouth attack who looked to be full of energy with Tom Crees and Matt Alexander showcasing strength and composure round the back to dominate their opponents, whilst James Brooker, Matt Yates and Simon Owen formed a solid platform in midfield for the side to build on.

Bournemouth eventually found a way through the Reigate defence scoring from a short corner – the initial effort saved but not cleared sufficiently, allowing a Bournemouth player to square to an unmarked teammate who finished well. Panic not though – plenty of time for Reigate to reply. A run of short corners eventually dispatched by talisman Tom Pickersgill to make the score 1-1. A well taken finish from the league’s joint-top scorer.

Unfortunately for Reigate though, the half wasn’t quite done there, and Bournemouth found time to score off a short corner just before half time. This time the drag from the top getting enough of a deflection to beat keeper Henry Williams.

At half time player-coach Simon Owen demanded more from Reigate players, which showed in the opening exchanges of the second half, with Reigate really on top as the forward line of James Chesterton, Chris Podd, Matt Heskey-Rankin and Tom Pickersgill all forged out good chances, but the Bournemouth keeper stood stern. This Bournemouth side don’t concede many goals and by this stage it is becoming apparent why.

15 minutes into the second half, and with the score still at 2-1, Reigate start to lose their way, first with Arran Wood unlucky to receive a yellow for a “slide tackle”, followed by Owen Morris deciding that Arran looked lonely on the side-line and gave away a needless yellow to join him on the bench for 10 minutes.

Bournemouth added to the scoresheet in this time with yet another goal from a short corner, this time a straight drag flick from the top which was simply too powerful for Williams.

Reigate showed a great strength of character to continue to push right to the end. It says a lot about the squad that they came away from the game disappointed with the loss. On a day where it appeared to be the battle of short corner routines, Bournemouth came out on top, but the score line could easily have been reversed. Positive against the top team in the league, but games like this are won on tight margins and execution of the game plan is key.

This weekend Reigate face Chichester, who sit one place above them, at RGS. Push back is 1.30 – support would be most appreciated.

Reigate: Williams, Wood, Alexander, Morris, Crees, Chadwick, Brooker, Owen, Yates, Pickersgill, Chesterton, Podd, Heskey-Rankin