25th February 2012
St Francis Rangers vs Keymer & Hassocks
Div 1
After several withdrawals K & H finally managed to assemble a squad of 13 for the game away to St Francis Rangers.The starting eleven included Gregor Ross for his first full game back after over 12 months out through injury and Jon Ruffle who was making only his 2nd start this season.Both had very good first halves as did the team who took an early lead after a fine passing move ended with Dan Goodrum finding the far corner.The pitch was very bumpy however with several of the K & H players finding the ball sticking under their feet as they tried to play forward.It was the surface that contributed to the equaliser as K & H lost the ball just outside their area-St F still had work to do but with the defence caught on the back foot they finished with a firm strike into the roof of the net.Ross then probably had the best chance of the half but headed over from close range
K & H felt quite confident about getting a result during the break but what followed was one of the worst performances in the history of the Club-tiredness played a part-and with only Adam Ewens as sub-he a reserve team player-options were limited.They gave the ball away at every opportunity such that St F did not have to win the ball rather wait till it was given to them.The K & H defence were therefore subjected to constant pressure but looked capable of holding out for the draw until they were undone by a free kick which beat keeper Crag Jackson only to crash against the bar and rebound off his head straight to a St F forward who was never going to miss from 1 yard out.K & H had one scoring opportunity (just about the only one of the whole half) when Troy Raftery ran the length of the pitch, the ball ending up with Rob Kift but he missed the target.The only bright spot was when sub and MOM Adam Ewens came on near the end and showed some classy touches-who knows if he had come on sooner maybe something could have been salvaged. As it was St F fully deserved the win
