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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.