Referee steals the show in entertaining stalemate

Horsdean Utd   2   v    2  Point-to-Point FC   (2-1)

Line-up: Tom; Kevin (Jamie), Ryan, Joe, Paul B; Matt, Chris S, Chris P (Paddy); Rich (Tom M), Nick B, Paul G

MOM: Paul Goodier (TBC)

   

 Dave Scurr, 4th December, Preston Park

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After losing narrowly in last week's top of the table encounter, Point moved South for a top versus bottom match in the Junior Division 2. While stats supposedly never lie, the handful of spectators in attendance could have thought this was initially a low-key affair between two mid-table teams with little to play for this season.

It turned out to be an exciting game, with first class entertainment provided by an eccentric referee who mistook Sunday League football for a crusade of football theory - a cross between a village pastor and a geek, one who found a platform to preach Blatter's football bible to his precious disciples through countless monologues. He ended the game thanking everyone by their first name (including spectators he'd never met) and opening his briefcase to the football gods; all this after a game which involved some extraordinary decisions including dismissing a player on the touchline and another behind the goal for drinking some Lucozade... and possibly sweating exceedingly. It was theatrical and on the verge of absurd - FIFA would have approved, except the man in question was black.

Now to the. Stop. Football. Start. Point-to-Point, the away team on their home ground, looked out of sorts against Horsdean's local trespassers who felt they had a point to prove and saw here an opportunity to kickstart their season. They were an organised outfit who played football a respectable way, just lacking quality players to make it that bit more efficient. They went 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes, albeit with a stroke of luck - the first goal, a quality long range effort straight into the top corner; the second, a failed cross which rebounded off the cross bar via Horsdean's fortunate forward into the net.

Point created few chances and were unable to get going despite rallying calls from a number of their players. With some regular starters unavailable leading to yet another different midfield three combination, the build-up play was disjointed; when the ball did find the yellow midfield, there was rarely any width provided by the wingers or full-backs as they themselves were eager to come looking for the ball in the same perimeter of 20 metres. This was as compact as condensed milk; the vacant space a welcome ground for two dozen seagulls keen to start their own occupation on the left-bank. Point did manage to pull a goal back though, just on the stroke of half-time. It came from a rare run down the channel from potential man-of-the-match Paul Goodier, who whipped a great ball through on the far post to the incoming Rich who finished superbly from a tough angle. Right to left, and a hint of width.

As predicted during the half-time talk, Horsdean would struggle to hold on to their lead. Suddenly down to 10 men, Point could sense their capitulation; they huffed and puffed and created a host of good chances which should have been enough to win the game. Paul Goodier this time turned converter, picking the ball on the right flank and scoring the equaliser in clinical fashion. Tom the Sleepwalker came on up-front for the final push, as did Jamie at full-back and Paddy in centre-midfield. The hard work in the second half nearly paid off: a replica move for Goodier, the sole outlet on the wing, powered through into the box and was fouled to win a penalty. After much protest and more sermons from the referee, Goodier went for power and smashed the ball against the crossbar. 

A final long stoppage time throw-in fell to Ryan on the far post who was desperately unlucky to see his shot rebound against the valiant Horsdean defence. It stayed 2-2; Horsdean happy, the referee in a trance-like state and the Preston Parkers slightly dazed and confused by this extraordinary match...

Shelbyville outclassed in another Point 5-goal rout

Point-to-Point 5 v Shelbyville 0   (2-0)

Line-up: Tom B; Dave (Paul B), Ryan, Matt, Chris S; Chris P, Mike L, Mike B; Rich (Paddy), Paul G, Tom M (Nick M)

MOM: Paul Goodier

Dave Scurr, 20th November, Preston Park

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After a Remembrance day to forget last Sunday (Point were held to a 0-0 draw against nine men at home), the series of home league games resumed in impressive fashion for the Preston Parkers as they produced their best display yet of the campaign. Persevering with their 4-3-3 formation, the home team scored five and crucially kept a clean sheet against an opposition that had put four past them just a few weeks ago.  It was an overdue performance, full of discipline, composure  and confidence epitomised by the unplayable Paul Goodier who scored three, won two penalties and ran relentlessly to traumatise his bruised opponents. 

Gaffer Weston tinkered some more with the 4-3-3 personnel and must get some of the plaudits for such a fluid display. The midfield three of Philips, Layzell and newcomer Mike worked a treat and provided the platform for the much talked about passing game that is sporadically produced on the training ground but rarely displayed on Sundays. Most of the play went through the midfield as they picked out the runs of the animated front three and controlled proceedings with gusto. The back four kept a tight line and stayed disciplined throughout the home team's many attacks. Few fouls were committed and plenty of communication all across their ranks helped Point grow in confidence against a scrappy Shelbyville. 

When Rich hit the woodwork from the spot, it seemed like another case of 'missed opportunities'; however, Paul Goodier was in clinical mood and scored the first of his three excellent goals with a low diagonal drive from just inside the area. The home team piled on the pressure and rattled their opponents, Goodier winning another penalty in the area this time converted confidently by Layzell.

With a spring in their steps, Point came out in the second half with a determination to pick things up how they left them. From their own penalty area, they countered in compelling fashion, switching from left to right and concluding with the ball in the back of the opposite net.  Another outstanding 'team' goal soon followed, Philips finishing some tiki-takking that started from a left-back throw in with a flourish. The insatiable Goodier fired a fifth from long range to cap a confidence-boosting display and keep the Preston Parkers in contention in the Junior 2. 

Point-to-Point on the up in 5-goal win

Point-to-Point  5 v AFC Brighton & Hove Reserves 1 (1-1)

Line-up: bradford, searle, scurr (barrett 75), weston, steadman, peile, mercer, phillips, mccarron (o'hara 72), blake, goodier (clayton, 70)

MOM: Nick Mercer

Matt Weston, 6th November, Preston Park

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Point-to-Point produced an encouraging performance winning 5-1 against an improved afc brighton & hove. It was an even contest until half-time, the home side having played into the wind. The game hinged on the first twenty minutes of the second-half where Point got stuck in, their opponents kicked off, and the team in red and white stripes scored four goals in quick succession. MOTM nick mercer was everywhere. 

Goals from tom (2 - both neat finishes), Destructo (barnstorming a one on one), Mercer (goal of the season contender delightful chip/ scoop following hoddle-like 50 yard crossfield through ball), nick blake (another g.o.t.s contender - horizontal scissor kick volley from just inside the box - keeper couldn't keep it out).

Back-to-back losses stalls Point-to-Point's campaign

Point-to-Point 2 v 3 Racing Club Varndean  (1-1)

Line-up: Tom; Sam, Matt (Paul B), Ryan, Dave; Chris S (Nick B), Mikey, Joe Millar; Paul Goodier, Tom M, Chris P (Nick M)

MOM: Paul Goodier

Dave Scurr, 30th October, Preston Park

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Point-to-Point were knocked off the top of the table in disheartening fashion, beaten by a physically strong albeit one-dimensional Racing Club Varndean. While this wasn’t quite a horror show, the reality check for a full strength Point-to-Point was leaning on the dark side as their supposedly ‘quickstep’ football was beaten fairly convincingly by the old-fashioned 'route one'.

As always, the home team started confidently knowing that there was plenty of flair and skill in the starting 11 to outplay a physically stronger opposition. Led by a solid and lively midfield trio of Searle, Mikey and Joe, Point were able to pass their way into the opponents half and start pressuring their back four. Tom and Paul showed plenty of movement up-front and Philips played with discipline on the right, giving Dave some license to run the right channel. They deservedly scored the opener when Joe found space on the right and whipped a great ball in for Destructo who finished with a tidy header. This capped a confident start and some tidy spells; in the lead and in control…again.

Varndean responded with a blitz of hopeful long balls which gradually had an impact on the game. Their big ‘Frankenstein’ number 10 started to either flick on most balls thrown at him or hold the play up, frustrating his markers and wining free-kicks. The warning signs were there for the team in stripes; Varndean’s sole weapon was hitting long balls towards the Point back four and targeting their keeper…set-pieces would facilitate that for them. They provoked their opponents with plenty of moaning and gamesmanship which ultimately got the better of the home team. Point started committing unnecessary fouls and inexplicably  playing the long ball game themselves. This killed off any momentum Point gained in the first 20 minutes as they struggled to keep the ball and the defence came under increasing pressure. The equaliser epitomised this as Point failed to play it from the back, instead opting for a hopeful long ball which came straight back at them, under pressure, committed a foul and failed to deal with Varndean’s hopeful cross; Varndean’s number 11 was there to collect Dave’s weak clearance and finish from just outside the area.

Things got worst in the second half for Point as Varndean grew in confidence and intensified both  pressure and gamesmanship. It worked a treat for them; the Point players gradually lost their shape, composure and discipline. Varndean capitalised on another hesitant clearance from a cross and deservedly took the lead. Captain Searle got booked, Point failed to keep hold of the ball and kept conceding too many fouls, playing in the hands of their chatty and frustrating opponents. Pushing for an equaliser, they were left vulnerable at the back. Sam’s gearbox stalled as last man, unable to catch the tall number 11, an unlikely hero scoring his second goal of the game and putting the game to bed. Man-of-the-match Paul Goodier staked his claim up-front by pulling a goal back from a good free-kick just after Point’s strong bench of Nick Blake, Paul Barrett and Mercer came on to spark an unlikely comeback. It wasn’t to be – Varndean pushed up the table delighted with three effective points while Point were left scratching their heads.

 

Point-to-Point fail to convince in sticky stalemate

Point-to-Point 2  v  2 Bevendean Athletic (1-1)

Line-up: Tom; Sam, Ryan (Paul B), Paul, Dave (Rich); Nick M, Chris S (Mike), Matt, Joe, Chris P; Tom 

MOM: tbc 

Dave Scurr, 2nd October, Preston Park

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Point-to-Point's first home game of the season was a forgettable experience and served as a reminder that there is a long way to go if they are to challenge for promotion in an apparently weak division 2. On paper, two teams with two wins out of two, best attack versus best defence and, potentially chunkiest versus slimmest personnel, had the makings of a Sunday League classic - well, until the football started. 

The pre-match rituals has an air of pre-season frolicking; with Captain Searle spotted trying to break into Sports Direct in town 30 minutes before kick-off (his football boots having gone AWOL), the rest of the team had time to complain about various niggles, talk about the weather and cool down before kick-off in semi-naked fashion.

Despite the relaxed vibe associated with a hot sunny Sunday, the home team started brightly letting the ball do the running and Bevendean Athletic do the talking to the referee. In the first 10 minutes, Point probably managed more passes than in the remaining 80 minutes and deservedly took the lead through an absolute thunderbolt from Captain Searle, this time spotted on the pitch donning football socks and boots and all; he latched onto a loose ball from just outside the area and sent it flying into the top left corner. Brilliant strike. The momentum was clearly yellow and blue, Bevendean Athletic failing to cope with the opening exchanges and the new-found triangular shapes showcased by Point's midfield and full-backs. 

Their best chance of the half fell to sweaty Dave, playing as an attacking full back, and failing to convert a chance which would have rivalled Searle's opener as goal of the month; he picked up a clearance from a corner, skipped through a crowd of Bevendean players, only to throw a tame effort at the goalmouth once clear on goal. Bevendean's sole contribution to the game so far was sending out long balls to their Guti-like striker which Ryan, Paul and Sam dealt with comfortably.

Unfortunately for the home side, things soon fell apart from then on as Bevendean won a corner and took advantage of a bad mix up between keeper Tom and Ryan as they failed to clear, slotting home the easiest goal they will score this season. This sparked a sequence of unfortunate events for Point having to reshuffle their line-up on various occasions due to injuries to Searle and Dave coming off in quick succession (and replaced by Mike and Rich respectively). Bevendean grew in confidence and saw more of the play as Point failed to recover from their opportunistic equaliser and they managed to take the lead via the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge from one of Point's defenders. With Point rattled and feeling the heat, they had to rely not for the first time on a couple of acrobatic saves from Tom who gave them a lifeline. Indeed, against the run of play, Bevendean's goalkeeper returned Point's first half favour by gifting them a goal; he failed to deal with an incoming ball and Rich was able to pounce onto it. 

A seemingly Sunday morning stroll in the park became more of a laborious marathon when Ryan also had to come off injured and Rich was forced to play on with a calf injury...despite their misfortunes, three old pros were able to show off their naked torsos in front of Bevendean's wags who were providing most of the morning entertainment on the touchline. Bevendean ended the game as they started, shouting at the referee in unison as their striker was clearly caught offside; Point ended the game scraping a point in lacklustre fashion with a quarter of the team injured. 

Millar nods in as Point-to-Point go Double Dutch in front of goal

AFC Brighton & Hove Res  0   v  1  Point-to-Point   (0-1)

Line-up: Tom; Sam, Ryan, Paul G, Dave; Chris S; Rich (Paddy), Joe Miller, Mike L, Chris P (Matt); Tom (Nick M)

MOM: Joe Millar




Dave Scurr, 25th September 2011, Neville Playing Fields

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Point won an entertaining match 1-0 in the sun-swept Neville playing fields, a ground more known for its summer cricket than Sunday football. After the travails of the cup, it certainly felt like a summer holiday outing back in the domestic league, and had it not been for Point’s overwhelming carelessness in front of goal, it should have ended 170 for 0.

Matt Weston set the precedent in the changing room by stating he was putting out the best Point side in a few moons welcoming back Captain ‘Robocop’ Searle, the Layzell and Destructo in the starting 11. Rumours are that an experimental formation was mentioned in the team talk but the accent on the pitch was Dutch; not Martin Jol’s, nor Steve Mclaren’s mind you, but ‘oh how uw say’, total football denk ik… After a team photo in which a member of the team demonstrated Point’s rare ability to hit the ball on (Sam’s) target from 6 yards, total domination began.

Back in what could have seemed like the Valenciano sun, man-of-the-match Joe Millar set the tone as he pirouetted in the centre circle like a suave Dutch figure skater to leave his opponents chasing shadows. Assisted by the midfield pair of Mike Layzell and Searle holding the fort, Point dictated play and settled in the Brighton and Hove camp. Philips resumed his on-pitch love affair with Dave on the right wing, rested in mid-week to indulge in some Belgian steroids also known as ‘mussels from Brussels’. His leg muscles let him down however when he squandered an Enzo Scifo-esque run down the right via a bit of tiki-taka with Philips, to shoot wide clear on goal. Millar followed suit one-on-one with the keeper to hit the post, with Rich coming close on the rebound. After relentless pressure all over the pitch, Point scored from a corner through Millar heading in from close range. More should have followed; Philips missed a penalty and Rich, Joe and Tom missed a couple of good chances. At the back, Ryan and Destructo were rarely troubled by the sight of the opposition’s number 17 whose trademark trick was to cough out his lungs on the pitch and remind them that there was no need to mark him. There wasn’t – like his lungs, he was shit.

After half-time, Point resumed where they left off with some attractive approach play, epitomised by some quick passing and plenty of movement going forward. It was now Sam’s turn to enjoy some attention on the left linking up well with Mike Layzell whose through balls kept piercing through the opponent’s static defence. Tom came off to be replaced by the Nick Mercer Show, who came on full of verve and agitation, traits which unfortunately complicate things for him in front of goal;  the club doctors confirm that the team’s collection of first half misses traumatised him to the extent that he now gets split-second spasms every time he runs clear on goal and attempts to make contact with the ball. A worrying injury for the Point forward…or is it a condition? Searle capped a fun morning out by hitting the bar after some good work from Matt, then getting sent off for dissent. Point confounded themselves and the spectators by holding on to a mere 1-0 win.

Point-to-Point Blunted in the Cup

Knowles 2 - 1 Point-to-Point (2-0)

Line-Up: Tom B; Sam, Ryan, Dave, Mike Warren; Matt Weston-Super-Mare, Chris P, Nick M, Joe; Tom M, Nick B

MOM: Chris Phillips

Joe Millar, 18th September 2011, Worthing

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Another below par performance from the Preston Parkers on Sunday saw them exit a second cup competition in as many weeks. After a convincing 1-0 victory over the very same opposition in their first league game of the season, confidence was high coming into the contest. Player-Manager Matt Weston had a strong group to choose from and decided to change up the usual 4-5-1 formation, prefering a more orthodox 4-4-2 approach. After a superb warm-up from the unlucky to miss out on a starting spot Rich Clayton, the boys went out to do battle.

The dull grey clouds that loomed ominously over Northbrook Park at the beginning of the game unfortunately had a lasting effect on the style and standard of football on display. Neither side were able to control early posession and take advantage, which forced the contest into a bit of a scrap, with Point comfortably holding their own. As the first half went on, it was Point to Point who looked to be getting the better of things, with the midfield trying to get the starved pairing of Nick Blake and Tom Mac into the game, but just when the players seemed to be settling down and finding their passes they conceded a relatively soft headed goal from a hopeful cross. Within ten minutes the story was repeated, with another header finding its way past the otherwise comfortable Tom Bradford in goal. The away teams heads were visibly down going into the break.

The Half-Time oranges came in the form of four half empty yellow squeezy bottles of West Sussex finest tap water. But unlike the aformentioned water bottles, the attitude and philosophy of the boys was suprisingly more half full. It was clear that they were the better side, regardless of the current scoreline and so the decision was made to revert back to the more familiar 4-5-1 and start again.

What a difference fifteen minutes can make. The away team came out fired up and immediately put pressure on the relaxed Knowles players and forced them back into their own half. A good passage of play from the boys in Red, White and Blue ended with a subtle through ball from Man of the Match Chris Phillips into the path of the marauding Tom McCarron, who sadly bottled it infront of the onrushing Knowles goalkeeper (only joking, he just wasn’t fast enough or alert enough to get his shot in!).

The momentum had clearly shifted. Joe Millar, fresh from a mid-season break to Valencia, tried to force the issue with a blisterning shot from fully 30 yards (may have been less). The sun-kissed midfielder waltzed delicately into a shooting position before letting off a rifle blast which whipped over the floundering keeper only to crash off the Knowles crossbar. (Is this biased?!) Eventually Point were able to make a mark on the scoresheet when that same combination of Phillips and McCarron combined to score. Phillips with the cross, Tom with the bullet header. Thoroughly deserved.

The defensive performance was solid and comfortable throughout the second half, Ryan and Sam communicated well in the centre and dominated the Knowles attack. Point continued to apply pressure in the right areas, unfortunatley without any further success. Nick Blake played well before being replaced by Rich, who along with Paddy tried to inject some fresh ideas into the team after coming on. The continued pressure could have seen the away team score three or four in the second half, but in the end it just wasn’t meant to be.

Lessons can certainly be learnt from the first half display, but take heart faithful readers, the perfomance was eventually a solid one. Now the team can concentrate on the more important matter of the league competition.

Point-to-Point Outclassed by Cup Holders

Point-to-Point  0  v Hillbarn Athletic  3    (0-1) 

Line-up: Tom B; Paul Barrett, Sam, Ryan (Mike Warren), Dave; Chris Searle, Matt; Paddy, Nick Blake, Chris Philips; Tom M

MOM: Dave

Dave Scurr, 11th September 2011, Waterhall

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Point-to-Point produced a spirited display in the first round of the cup, but were outplayed and convincingly beaten amid a wind-swept Waterhall Park. Faced against the holders of the County Cup, a depleted home team had to deal with Sussex’s own hurricane ‘Hillbarn’, taking the shape of an opposition too good to be coined mere ‘Sunday League’ – the movement, passing and speed of this team would have battered most pub outfits and for at least 45 minutes, Point-to-Point competed commendably and bowed out of this bruising battle with heads held high. 

With the gale-force wind behind them, the home team started in a 4-2-3-1 formation full of energy and confidence. The away side struggled to settle down as Point pressured high up on the pitch, preventing them from displaying their tidy passing formula which would subsequently become the difference between the two sides. Dave and Chris Philips attempted to exploit a rare weakness in Hillbarn Athletic on the right-hand channel with some timely interceptions and runs down the flank which unfortunately lead to no more than a handful of quarter-chances, throw ins and corners. In these blustery conditions, Point struggled to capitalise on this good start, failing to get bodies out on the counter attack and not making the most of set pieces and corners – in hindsight, what would become their best chance to threaten the opposite goalmouth.  

Having weathered a rocky start, the away team soon settled down in Point’s half and gradually moved up a gear – despite winning comfortably the aerial battle, they resorted to playing the ball from the back, oozing movement and neat passing. Point defended valiantly from front to back, but lacked the composure and at times confidence to try to keep hold of the ball and emulate the opposition, instead opting to blast long balls into the windy channel, straight back to the opposite keeper. The resulting effect was reminiscent of a lonely game of ping-pong, the ball relentlessly coming back to Point’s back four and anchors who felt increasingly under pressure…and tired. Credit went to the centre-halves Ryan and Sam for keeping a tight, solid line but with one minute to go in the first half, the away team found their opening via a quick passing move which pierced through Point’s midfield and defence – this move would set the precedent for the rest of the game and result in a bitter blow for the home side. 

With the wind dropping a touch, Hurricane ‘Hillbarn’ went into full-flow, passing the ball laterally, moving into space and building play patiently at the expense of the home team’s tiring legs who were soon left chasing shadows. The second goal became the knock-out blow; without the ball, Point could not possibly see a way back into the game. With the long ball option cancelled out by the wind (and Hillbarn’s centre-midfielders), Point had run out of steam and ideas. There was no evacuation from this sort of storm – damage limitation seemed the only thing left to play for the team in red and white stripes (new kit you see). A third goal exposed emerging gaps at the back and Tom kept the outcome respectable with an excellent save from the penalty spot. 

Some sporadic passing play by the home team, galvanised late on by the battling display of debutant Nick Blake in midfield, forced the away team to drop back into their own half as Paddy saw more of the ball, and linked well with Tom up front.  With some fresh legs coming on courtesy of Mike at left-back, Point managed to contain the opposition until the final whistle. It ended 0-3, with Hillbarn Athletic confirming their status of county cup holders, and Point making up in battling spirit what they lacked in possession football.