Under cloudy skies and strong gusts of wind, Predators played their third match of the season, this time away to Storrington at their very fine ground with its surprisingly good facilities. The travelling spectators appreciated the under-cover seating area (not to mention the small shop and café nearby).
The team was minus Curtis who had injured his ankle earlier in the weak. Massimo took over the captaincy for this fixture. Isaac and Noah were (not-so) fresh from walking 56 arduous kilometres in the New Forest for their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award expedition this weekend, so could be forgiven for being a little tired and footsore, not that Isaac showed any signs.
First Half
Predators won the toss and decided to change sides. After an early ten minutes of promising energetic attacking from the Predators, Storrington dominated the first half overall, the ball mainly staying in Predators’ half of the field. ‘Work-rates’ in both teams stayed high until well into this half, with fine saves from Ryan and some close misses when Storrington’s shots hit the woodwork.
Harley suffered a thigh injury and limped off, replaced by Kallen. When the whistle blew for half time, the score had stayed 0 – 0.
Half Time : 0-0
Second Half
A change of referee and a change of Storrington’s goalkeeper. Storrington kept on pressing and, within six minutes of this half beginning, they had opened up the score with a fine goal.
1 – 0
Predators seemed to tire after that, their midfield showing too much space at times. It was not long before Storrington had scored their second goal, this time from a corner driven in from the left flag by their number 6. The wind helped the ball into the net and Ryan appeared to have little chance of reaching it.
2 – 0
Still, heads did not fall, and Predators were making some exciting attacks for a chunk of the game after that. It was obvious that they had learnt from the recent past that falling behind did not necessarily mean the game was up. Jacob took a ball hard into his face and went down. Steve helped him off the field and Callan was back on for him.
Predators clawed one back. A counter-attack led to Massimo dribbling and scrambling the ball into Storrington’s net.
2 – 1. Game on!
Storrington’s replacement goalkeeper made an excellent save shortly after that, from an equally excellent header from his own defender, to deny Predators an equaliser.
Shortly after that, against the flow of the game some would say, Storrington in the seventieth minute managed to score their third goal, again from a left-hand corner kick. Ten minutes to go, and Predators had some serious catching up to go.
3 – 1
With Callan off with an injury, an injured Harley back on, and tired legs in midfield, Predators only showed sporadic moments of attacking promise. A fourth goal scored by Storrington, from a free-kick near the half-way line, was thankfully ruled off-side.
In the closing moments of the game, Massimo unleashed a shot at goal from a free kick which the goalkeeper spilled, allowing Alex an opportunity to quickly rush in. Only a quick recovery from the goalkeeper denied him the goal.
Full Time : Storrington 3, Predators 1
Scorer: Massimo
