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.
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.
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