Southwater U13 4 - 5 Horsham Crusaders

Luke 3, James

A new season but a result just like last, when we had a very close and entertaining game but came out on the loosing side by a single goal.  The first half was very close although Southwater were always playing catch up, having let Crusaders take a deserved lead.  Southwater got into their stride and Luke soon scored the first of a fine hat trick, and both teams then had to defend well as the attacking play continued at a high level from both teams.  Keeghan continued to be outstanding in goal, pulling off a couple of fine saves, whilst the  Crusaders goalie was also kept busy.

Having finished the first half two all, Southwater lost concentration after half time and let Crusaders take a commanding lead, but as per last year the lads battled back and finished the game the stronger team. 

Although the whole team played very well, Richard stood out and was voted Man of the Match.

East Grinstead 2 - 2  Southwater 'Red'
                               Whiting 2

Congratulation to U13 'Sunday' side for becoming the mid-Sussex Division 'B' Champions !

The league tables are below.

N.B. Even though Lindfield still have a game to play, and they can improve their goal difference, the Championship is decided on head-to-head results.

Southwater U12 4 - 6 Ashington

Reece 2, James 2

With Easter bringing some rather wintry weather, this was more like January, but the lads put in a good performance, apart from a short spell after half time when they went to sleep. 

In the first half the team played really well, battling against a strong wind, occasionally mixed with swirling snow.   Ashington took full advantage of the wind, with most of the play being in the Southwater half, eventually going two goals up.  The lads kept battling and Reece eventually beat the offside trap to score his first goal for the team and soon followed with his second.

We all hoped the lads would come out for the second half and take advantage of the conditions but unfortunately the reverse happened, and Ashington scored three quick goals.  Credit to the lads though, they kept their heads up and continued to battle and they started to string some really good passing moves together, and David, Luke, Callum and James could all have scored.  The pressure eventually told and James grabbed two more goals, but unfortunately Ashington sneaked another before the end. 

Today Man of the Match goes jointly to Richard & Reece

Brockham Badgers 6 - 0 Southwater U12

This was one of those 'games of two halves'.  Southwater didn't really get going in the first half, being a man short against the league leaders and going up the slope.  Brockham made the most of their extra player and a mix of very good play and some good luck saw them go in at half time 4 - 0 ahead.

With the help of the slope and with the icy wind on their backs Southwater were a completely different team in the second half.  Having hardly ventured into the Brockham half before the change, nearly all the second half was played at the Brockham end.  Southwater peppered the Brockham goal, but the finishing was not quite up to the usual standard and the Brockham goalie was in good form. 

Brockham managed two attacks in the second half and their strikers continued their good form, with two more goals.  This gave a very one sided score to what was actually a pretty close and exciting game.  On another day the score might have been a lot closer. 

Man of the Match was given to the whole team for their second half performance.

Zack Chambers made is 100th appearance for Southwater today in an exciting 2-1 win over a quality Lindfield side.

Lindfield took the lead late on in a very even first half.
Southwater levelled after 17 minutes of the second half with a long range strike from Ashley Hutchings just made it under the cross bar. Southwater's Ryan Thomas had a goal disallowed for offside, before getting the winner 5 minutes from time.

Some excellent football from both sides made this a very enjoyable and entertaining match, and the result could have gone either way.

Southwater U13s & U14s are both at home this Sunday.

The U13s are playing at Pevensey Road and the U14s are at Church Lane.

Lingfield Panthers 5 -5 Southwater

                                                       James (2), Luke, David, Fraser

Having lost 5 - 3 at home last week the lads were keen to make amends this week in the return game and were helped when we discovered Lingfield were also short of players, so started at 9-a-side.  Lingfield made the most of the slope of the pitch in the first half, creating the better chances and their pressure was eventually rewarded with the first goal.  Southwater went a player down leading up to half time, but finished at one down.

Luke came back on for the start of the second half, and Southwater started to test the Lingfield defence on regular occasions.  Lingfield scored a second goal, but then Southwater found their attacking form and scored four excellent goals, to completely turn the game round.  Luke, James, Fraser and David all used their pace to score very similar goals, breaking from the half way line, with David and Fraser slotting the ball past the keeper, and Luke and James rounding the goalie and slotting the ball in.  Everyone was particularly pleased for Fraser, scoring his first goal for the team. 

Unfortunately Luke could not finish the half, but Southwater continued to play well, even though they were a player down.  Lingfield pulled back a goal and then scored a fourth that looked offside.  Both sides pressed for the winner and Lingfield scored a fifth, but Southwater kept going, and James broke through again, and in a copy of his previous goal, rounded the goalie and slotted the ball in the net. 

Whilst all the attacking was going on the defence worked tirelessly, with Dan really strong in the middle, and Zack, Tom and Lewis covering the wings, getting in many excellent tackles.  Keeghan put in another strong performance in goal, his handling of the ball in the slippery conditions somewhat better then his more illustious counterpart on Wednesday evening!

Man of the Match - Dan

Twin Oaks  3 - 3  Southwater  AET   4 - 5 Penalties 

Horsham Crusaders 1 - 2 Southwater

                                                               Luke, David

Southwater deserved their victory in this hard fought local derby, against league high fliers Crusaders. 

The team were asked to show their passion and commitment from the start, and although there wasn't much 'pretty' football to watch, the whole team clearly wanted this win.  In the first half Southwater dominated much of the play, defending comfortably, and creating a number of chances.  Luke and David both had a number of chances and could have have scored more than the two.

After half time Crusaders started much more strongly, and quickly pulled a goal back, having found Southwater asleep, leading to a tense second half, particularly for the spectators.   Keeghan put in a performance reminiscent of last season, in particular showing great confidence coming out at attackers feet to collect the ball.   Although having to do more defending Southwater continued to attack and could have scored three or four more goals, but Crusaders nearly grabbed a point with the last kick of the game, but luckily hit the post.

Todays Man of the Match - Keeghan

Southwater  7 - 1  Horsham Sparrows
D Rose 2
M Laker 2
B Holmwood 2
C Masters

Southwater 1 - 4 Copthorne

Luke (pen)

This Cup game was always going to be difficult, playing Copthorne, a team from a higher division, who had scored 21 goals in their last three games.  As it turned out the game was very close with chances for both teams and Southwater played very well.  The big difference was in front of goal, where the Copthorne strikers took their chances when presented, whereas today Southwater had one of those days where nothing looked like going in.

Southwater spent a lot of the game defending, and made good use of the off side trap.  Going forward we created a number of scoring chances, with good build up play but unfortunately we found a goalie in great form, the cross bar and both posts, but not the back of the net.  Despite these frustrations Luke found the net with a confidently struck penalty, after David was pulled back in the area.

The lads found this a frustrating game, but if we keep playing like this, defending well and creating chances we will only get stronger in the league.

Todays Man of the Match - Zack

Steyning Strikers  5 - 2  Southwater Red       
                                                  Hutchings
                                                  Woolford

Southwater 'Red'  4 - 2  Three Bridges
Masson  2
Chambers
Laker

Southwater  5 - 4  Albury Eagles
D Rose 3
M Laker (pen)
B Holmwood

Southwater won a thrilling match against Albury Eagles 5-4. Southwater found themselves two goals down midway through the first half before two goals from Daniel Rose brought Southwater level only for Albury Eagles to score again to go in a goal up at the break.

Southwater then took control in the second half with Daniel completing his hat-trick, a penalty from Matt Laker and a fabulous looping header from Ben Holmwood. Albury then scored a fourth to set up a tense final few minutes but Southwater held firm to secure the points.

New keeper Ed Morley-Smith pulled off a string of vital saves to earn Man of the Match.

Luke 3

Storrington Vipers  1 - 2  Southwater
                                                Chambers
                                                Sutton

There was very little between these two teams.
In the first half, neither side were able to convert their chances and it was 0-0 at the break.

Vipers took the lead 2 minutes after the restart, but Southwater didn't crumble and had drawn level 5 minutes later through Zack Chambers. And it was only another 5 minutes later when Jacob Sutton put Southwater ahead shooting from the edge of the box.

This was a great team effort with the Defence looking solid, the midfield keeping their shape and working hard all game and the strikers did well to cope with a disciplined Storrington defence who held a very straight line high up the pitch.

Once again Elliott Wallace was outstanding at centre-back, and had it not been for another faultless display from 'keeper Jack Aitcheson ,who pulled of some stunning saves, the result could have gone the other way.

Well done lads !!!!

Saint Hill Blues  1 - 10  Southwater
                                                             Laker
                                                             Bothamley  2
                                                             Thomas  2
                                                             Sutton
                                                             Clark
                                                             Hutchings
                                                             Edmonds
                                                             Chambers

We do seem to play on some nice pitches in the mid-Sussex league. This one was no exception (except for the one corner flag that was in the rough). The boys enjoyed themselves, and the opposition never gave up trying. The highlights of the game were a Jacob Sutton free-kick from out side the box finding the top left corner, a goal from Josh Bothamley after a build-up of a dozen passes amongst the team, Rob Clark scoring 2 in 2, and Ross Bryant getting his chance to leave his gloves at the other end of pitch so he could have a run-out up front.

Southwater U11’s travelled to Copthorne today, and what a thrilling match it was! The whole Southwater team played their socks off. They went 1-0 up within the first ten minuets with a goal from Ryan Johnston. A penalty was awarded ten mins later and taken by David King, Copthorne’s keeper made a great save but could not hold onto the ball, David followed it up and scored taking Southwater to 2-0. Copthorne fought back and scored a goal just before half time. In the second half Copthorne came out fighting and soon scored the equaliser. Southwater had to defend for the next 15mins as Copthorne looked for the winner. Southwater did not give up and some great teamwork followed. Kieran Britland scoring a screamer from approx 30yrds against the run of play to take Southwater into the lead again. This was followed with forth goal due to the persistence of striker Ryan Johnston who did not give up and kept battling for the ball.

A huge pat on the back for the whole team they really made us proud. James Skett, Ryan Johnston, Liam Morgan, David King, Ben Chambers, Alex Moore, Sean Richardson, Kieran Britland, Charles Hancock, Jamie Towes, Dan Kenworthy Cameron Muncer.

Kirdford 6 – 2 Southwater Blacks

                       Daniel Pettitt

                                  Jack Gandy

So, were not going to win every match then!

Well done lads, a great effort in a match where all the odds were not in our favour.

Southwater began pretty strongly and displayed some good end to end football. Daniel Pettitt had an excellent early punt at goal from distance and was extremely unlucky not to score at that point. Kirdford however soon responded with a cracking goal that whipped passed our defence. Daniel had another crack at a long distance strike and this time was too fast for the Kirdford keeper. This was quickly followed by a well timed run and well taken goal around the keeper by Jack Gandy (costing his Dad another £2). Southwater were unlucky to concede as many goals as they did and this was not a true reflection of their overall performance – some decisions in our favour from time to time would have helped!

Southdown  1 - 3  Southwater
                                      Bothamley
                                      Laker  2

Southwater came from behind to win this game. The boys played well, but it tokk until 10 minutes from time before Southwater scored the winner with a third coming in the 4th minute of injury time.

Furngate  2 - 4  Southwater
                         Laker
                                 Magnus  2
                                 Rose

Southwater secured their first win of the season away to Furngate.
The team played well, Ellis 'The Cat' played on pitch this week. Now we may struggle to get him back in goal.               

Southwater  0 - 7  Roffey Robins Wanderers

Southwater once again conceded an early goal to Wanderers, but there was a strong suspicion of off-side, however, the other 6 after the first made sure that any possible off-side was immaterial. Southwater did make chances throughout the game, and could have levelled early on, but once Roffey had increased the lead it was an up-hill struggle from there on.

Despite the high scoreline, Southwater's 'keeper Jack Aitcheson and the centre back pairing on Elliott Wallace and Ben Jarvis were outstanding.

Southwater   8 - 0   Oakwood
Shiel
Thomas 4
Bothamley
Woolford
Clark

Horsham Crusaders   4 - 2   Southwater 
                                                    Chambers  2

Horsham Tigers 3 – 14 Southwater Blacks

                                Jack Gale (3)

                                                Matt Hayden

                                                Josh Tobutt (9)

                                                og

Southwater conceded an early goal from the Tigers but the lads soon recovered with a great “over the keeper” goal from Jack Gale. This really lifted the lads and Southwater dominated from that point onwards taking the score to 6 – 2 at the halftime point. The second half was just as exciting and saw Southwater, through excellent team play and positioning, seeing home 7 more goals and an eighth from an unlucky own goal from a Tigers defender.

An obvious special mention should go to Josh Tobutt – quite a feat to score a triple hat trick in a match. Jeff commented that he cannot think of this having been done before! Well done Jack Gale as well for your hat trick. But again I would like to add that it was a great performance from everybody who played.

Official welcome to Matthew Sampford who played in his first match with the Blacks.

A great start to a new season – lets keep up the momentum.

Newsletter attached.

In the end only 3 Southwater boys manage to the Faygate tournament, Ross Bryant, Griffin Shiel and Ben Jarvis were helped out by Jake Perry, Greg Tarran, Griffin's cousin Conor and Conor’s mate Jack!

The tournament started with an unimpressive 0-0 draw v Stanley park (who later with drew after a 7-0 beating by Roffey Robins Wanderers and a 20 minute soaking). Next up saw a 3-0 victory against Maidenbower, followed by a 1-1 draw against Three Bridges  and a 3-1 victory over TD Shipley. Unfortunately, a 2-0 defeat against South Park left us needing to win the final two group matches to progress but after taking the lead against Preston (and Griffin hitting the underside of the bar straight from the second half kick off) we drew 1-1.

The final group game provided a great finale, Evan Millais gave Roffey Robins the lead in the first half  but an inspired display by Ross kept Southwater in the game. Southwater, cheered on by South Park, equalised when Ben Jarvis pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to drive the ball home. A couple of minutes later the turnaround was complete as Griffin drilled home a second goal. More close things, good saves by Ross and near misses at both ends followed but Southwater held on for the 2-1win.

Stanley Park                 D 0-0

Maidenbower               W 3-0   Griffin (3)

Three Bridges               D 1-1     Griffin

TD Shipley                   W 3-1    Conor, Griffin (2)

Preston Strikers            D 1-1      Conor

Roffey Robins   W 2-1    Ben, Griffin

Played 7   W3 –  D 2 –  L1  Goals 10-4

PS Southwater old boys Josh Dickens and George Branford starred for Oakwood in the other group winning all their group games and I suspect the tournament but I left before the end.

Southwater started well with a comfortable win against Maidenbower with Griffin hitting a hat trick. However, we looked to be going out of the tournament when we lost the next game 1-0 to Tandridge league champions Hamsey Rangers and were trailing 1-0 at half time against Selsdon Junior. However, the team showed great battling qualities in the second half; Griffin and Adam set up goals for each other to give Southwater a 2-1 victory. This proved to be the only defeat for a Selsdon team that won all 7 of there other games in winning the tournament.

The remaining 3 group games were played on a newly marked pitch as the first pitch was deemed unplayable after 1½ days of rain. After a long wait the team resumed with a 3-1 victory against Horley Town. 

The crucial victory came in the 5^th group game against Oakwood. Ashley gave Southwater the lead during the first half when Southwater were fortunate that the referee failed to award a penalty after a clear foul. Oakwood came back strongly in a second half to equalise, but Southwater responded, upped the pace and Adam snatched a winner to secure qualification to the semi-finals.

In the final group Furngate led at half time but Southwater came back to lead 2-1. The match finished as a 2-2 draw when Furngate equalised in the dying seconds after Southwater had missed a number of chances to make the game safe.

In the semi-finals, Southwater took the lead against Group A winners Hamsey Rangers ‘A’ when the Hamsey goalkeeper knocked Luke’s throw into his own goal. Southwater failed to keep the lead for long and a closely fought game went into extra time. Hamsey’s winner came in the first half of extra time.  Southwater’s best chance of equalising came after Ashley was brought down in the area after another surging run from midfield, however the goalkeeper made up for his earlier error by pulling off a fine save.

Overall a very good performance by all the team but Southwater’s player of the tournament was Luke who barely put a foot wrong during the whole tournament.