Men's 1s score last gasp winner to beat Barnes

Reigate Priory 1 vs Barnes 1

The Men’s recorded their first win of 2016 in a competitive fixture against Barnes 1s at Dukes Meadow. The team showed great bouncebackability after what can only be described as a drubbing against a ruthless Epsom the previous week.

Reigate started the brighter of the two teams, finding their rhythm early with some bright attacking play down the right hand side through Steve Beel and Jonny Perkins. It wasn’t long before Reigate took the lead, with Matt Heskey-Rankin calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, showing a mature finish well beyond his years.

From here Reigate continue to turn the screw, and push for a second, which comes shortly after through Chris Podd. 20 minutes in and Reigate are looking strong for the game.

Ill-discipline now starts to take control of the game from both sides, as both umpires go trigger happy on the cards. Truth be told it wasn’t a grudge game and neither side did themselves any favours.

Just before half time Barnes pull a goal back through an excellent short corner routine, with the deflection finding the roof of the net. This certainly makes things interesting but Reigate could be pleased with the first half.

Barnes then come out the blocks all guns blazing. Immediately putting pressure on the centre back pairing of Arran Wood and Matt Alexander, and it isn’t long until Barnes are back on level terms, after a rare defensive error from player-coach Simon Owen, gifts Barnes the equalising goal.

From here it’s back to the wall stuff, with Reigate defence digging in deep; a few good saves from keeper Henry Williams, and some heroics on the line from Alexander keep things all square. As is often the way, the side without the lion’s share of possession then end up scoring next, as a quick Reigate counter results in a short corner. Unfortunately, at this point both Tom Pickersgill and James Chesterton, our short corner specialists, are on the subs bench; not to worry though as up steps Podd to work an excellent routine to allow Beel to tap in from close range, anyone would have thought it was planned!

Still plenty of time for some more excitement, as keeper Williams “gets away with one” from a short corner, saved only by the umpire spotting that the ball never left the D. This decision seems to rile Barnes, and it wasn’t long before Barnes were back level making it 3-3.

With mere seconds remaining on the clock, midfield stallion James Brooker pushes forward and intercepts a lose Barnes pass. Brooker moves the ball on quickly to Pickersgill, who threads a pin-point pass to Barnes old boy Perkins, who taps in from close range to make the score 4-3. There is barely enough time for Barnes to restart before the final whistle goes, meaning Reigate take all three points back.
This weekend the side faces Havant at RGS, 11am push back. Support would be most welcome for what promises to be a tough test.

Squad:
Williams, Wood, Alexander, Morris, Chadwick, Brooker, Owen, Beel, Goulding, Pickersgill, Chesterton, Podd, Perkins, Heskey-Rankin