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...