An away game at Billingshurst who finished 3rd last season in the Horsham and District A League.
On a warm morning and a large pitch Cranleigh started very brightly
An early chance as Ethan Payne played the ball forward to Leo Lord and as Ethan overlapped Leo passed the ball through to Ethan . With the Billingshurst keeper advancing (and he is a massive keeper ) Ethan took a first time shot which narrowly went wide. Cranleigh were much the better team for the first 10 minutes but unfortunately Billingshurst scored withy their first real threatening attack. As Billingshurst pressed into our area a couple of half hearted tackles saw the player shoot . A great save by Isaac Denton -Miller with the ball falling to our defender who could only hit it at the centre forward who controlled and scored. Rough justice on the balance of play but failure to deal with the situation cost us dear. Undaunted we pushed forward with Sullivan Howick winning a free kick out wide.
Sully swung in a curling cross which was met by Ethan with a header which scrapped the outside of the post.
Again Sullivan caused havoc down the wing winning a throw in. Quick thinking by Sully who saw Ethan unmarked . Ethan controlled the ball and turning he beat the defender before shooting from the edge of the area with his weaker left foot only to again see another effort go inches wide.
Cranleigh were playing exceptional football and deserved a reward for their endeavours.
Ethan collected a ball in the midfield and as he swerved laid a defence splitting through ball for Sully to run onto . Again the keeper was quick off his line but Sully curled a first time shot into the top corner 1-1 . Other chances came Cranleighs way with Leo and Jack Rogers coming close.
Billingshurst started to come more into the game in the last 10 minutes as the Cranleigh midfield tired and we were glad to see half time at 1-1.
We had restricted a good attacking team to few efforts with Isaac Holt superb in front of the defence and Harry Dancaster clearing up behind. After a 5 minute rest plenty of water and a quick team talk we were ready to go. The first chance fell to Cranleigh as Jack Rogers put Leo through with a deft flick with the outside of his boot. Leo charged towards goal and his attempt beat the keeper only to see it rebound off the post. With the midfield tiring it was decided to swap Ethan who had run his heart out to fullback and Dylan Bishop to centre mid to give us a bit more energy in the middle.
This chance bore fruit almost immediately as Dylan had an effort saved and also laid on another for leo.
Billingshurst however were playing their part in a very entertaining match with a close range header saved by Izzy and another close miss from a corner.
Dylan again turned provider with a reverse pass to Jack Roger which saw another shot rebound off the post.
With 3 minutes to go Sullivan engineered a superb chance as he beat defenders on the edge of the box. Breaking into the area he smashed an effort which was unbelievably turned over by the keeper ( who plays for the Arsenal Academy and you can see why )
With the last minute of the game the Billingshurst winger broke free from the right and it took a great save by Izzy as he turned the ball around the post.
With the final whistle both sets of players were shattered after giving it everything in a game played in great spirit with respect from both teams.
Cranleigh had out played a quality Billingshurst team from the top echelons of the Horsham and District League with the thickness of a post the only difference 3 times.
Scorer – Sullivan Howick
Men of the match
Sullivan Howick – worked so hard with 1 goal and very very nearly the winner
Buster Boomer – First full game for 2 years due to injury never put a foot wrong at full back or centre half.
