Men's 1s win 7 goal thriller

Keen to get back to winning ways, Reigate Priory Men’s 1s faced a tough test against Chichester 2s. The luxury of a home fixture meant Reigate boasted bumper availability with Messer’s Beel, Short and Perkins all returning to the side.

A cagey opening 10 minutes with neither team really able to forge out any clear cut changes. Reigate, for their part, having the better of the exchanges, with a few balls fizzing past the far post, but no real clear cut chances, while Chichester always threatened on the counter. After 10 minutes Reigate’s midfield started to dominate with James Brooker, Simon Owen, Matt Yates and Dave Short finding their flow. Up front both James Chesterton and Matt Heskey-Rankin were proving full of running, being a constant thorn in the side of the Chichester defence.

As if often the way though, Reigate failed to make their possession count and it was Chichester who took the lead with a scuffed shot finding the corner, past the stranded Henry Williams, to put them 1-0 up at half-time. Given the half though, there was plenty to be positive about at half time, and still a long way to go in the game.

The second half started with a bang! Tom Pickersgill majestically finding Jonny Perkins, who applied a first time finish, demonstrating the same skill that has seen him notch up countless runs for Reigate Priory Cricket Club over the years! 1-1 and suddenly we have a game on our hands – celebrations for the goal were a touch wild, but it’s good to see passion!!

From here Reigate are able to press on and continue to show the dominance, with Arran Wood and Matt Alexander forming a sturdy base for wingbacks Owen Morris and Tom Crees to build on. Possession starting to show, with Reigate forcing a short corner, which Tom Pickersgill duly scores from, nutmegging the Chichester keeper in the process.

Reigate follow this up with some Heskey-Rankin magic, breaking forward at pace before squaring the ball to Chris Podd to slot into an empty net. The 2 goal cushion calming Reigate nerves. At this point Chichester begin to get frustrated, cue handbags and a sin-bin for their experienced number 10.
We are a sporting team though and like to make things interesting. This time Reigate’s Matt Yates committing a cardable foul for an agricultural tackle; not wanting to be outdone, Pickersgill then commits an equally village tackle to put Reigate down to 9 men.

Chichester pull a goal back to take the score within a goal of each other, only for Matt Yates to return to the field of play and duly flick low to beat the keeper and restore a 2 goal advantage. Fair play to Chichester who continue to push for the goal. As the game opens up they score a well worked finish on the counter, but it is all too little too late, with the final score at 4-3, in what was a great game for the spectators. On balance Reigate were good for the win, but made hard work of it against a talented Chichester side who will be right up there come the end of the season.

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