Tuesday night football is running out fast, as is the season. In some respects for someone like me it narrows down the choice a little bit and means I have to make a decision relatively early because it’s quite limited.
Even outside of Sussex, leagues have seemingly managed their midweek fixtures well although most of those having a few more to play are those in the very lower divisions who struggle pitch wise when the weather is at its worst.
This midweek took in one of the most picturesque grounds in the county. Arundel FC is set on the lower grounds with it’s castle high up above overlooking the Mill Road stands and pitch.
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The Mullets are on their best run of form all season and on the edge of the Southern Combination Division One play offs. Coming up against them were a Banstead Athletic side who are fourth from bottom but seemingly safe from relegation despite a poor season.
A beautiful sunny Sussex day morphed into a chilly evening as the teams took to the pitch, the sun disappearing just before kick off and a thought maybe the thick coat should have been in attendance.
The visitors were in front on 11 minutes, Emeka Okakpu opening the scoring on a counter attack. However, they were reduced to ten men not long after as the goalscorer left his studs in on Mullets keeper Maciek Kason, catching the keeper in the head and dismissed from the field of play.
This didn’t deter Banstead though as with plenty of pace on the counter attack the doubled their lead two minutes before half time, Micha Burke rolling the ball into an empty net after Tom Holland who had replaced Kason, didn’t control a back pass leaving the striker with an easy goal.
But just as the visitors thought they had a decent half time lead the Mullets scored in the huge amount of stoppage time added on for a few first half injuries, Daegan Walsh halving the deficit to set up an enthralling second half.
And within just seven minutes they were level, Sam Connolly’s shot bouncing over the top of Louie Stadsi for the equaliser. Both sides had chances, Banstead not quite doing enough to test the stand-in keeper whilst the Mullets kept the ball wide and made the pitch big to draw the visitors out of position but neither side could add to their tally.
Arundel did however finally find the net with seven minutes to play, Conolly lashing home from a few yards out to complete the turnaround. But the game wasn’t done just yet.
A penalty to Banstead late on was converted by Rodrigo Oliveria to seemingly give the visitors a deserved point on the balance of play, yet more drama was to come.
More stoppage time added on and correctly so, this time a penalty to Arundel in the dying moments. Captain Steve Herbert stepped up and converted his spot kick, in off the post and the Mullets back in the lead again.
That was to be the final goal of the game, one that swung one way and then the other throughout the course of the 90 minutes. Given the visitors league position and the hosts current form, the 2-0 lead was a surprise but scoring either before or just after half time always puts a different complexion on things.
Arundel certainly did the right thing using the width of the pitch to stretch the play, ultimately it was what won them the game in the end as the visitors become limited chasing shadows.
Connolly had a great second half, very talented player and really too good for Division One, Harry Russell will wonder how he failed to hit the target in the second half.
Good to catch up with Pete Stone and Steve Watson on the night, plenty of local football chat in amongst Gaz capturing a few good bits for the SNLF socials.
By my reckoning just three more midweek nights before the play offs and then we’re done for the year, seems to have really moved through the gears the last few weeks, certainly be a few ready for the summer break.
