Match Report – Cranleigh Reserves 4–4 Lightwater United Reserves
Snoxhall, Saturday 20th April
It was a rollercoaster of a Saturday at Snoxhall as Cranleigh Reserves came from behind twice to draw 4–4 with Lightwater United Reserves in a breathless final league fixture of the season.
The first half was one to forget for the Cranes. Lacking composure, cohesion, and any real bite, they couldn’t string passes together and paid the price for a sluggish start. Clumsy errors and a lack of urgency allowed Lightwater to take full control and go into the break with a well-earned 2–0 lead. In truth, it was no less than they deserved.
Cue the half-time hairdryer from Manager Ben Horne. Whether it was the words, the volume, or just a collective wake-up call, the response was instant. The team came out for the second half fired up and transformed, and at the centre of it all was Rylan Shickell.
Shickell sparked the comeback with a blistering hat-trick, all three goals coming from explosive breaks and finished with a level of composure beyond his years. His pace stretched the Lightwater defence time and again, and within a whirlwind spell, Cranleigh had flipped the game on its head to lead 3–2.
But the drama didn’t stop there. Lightwater hit back with a well-worked equaliser, bringing it to 3–3. Yet Cranleigh weren’t done. A looping free kick into the box found Jake Collins at the back post, who rose above the crowd and somehow bundled the ball over the line to restore the lead at 4–3; cue celebrations on the Snoxhall touchline.
Then, with the final kick of the game, heartbreak. A Lightwater free kick was initially parried brilliantly by keeper Perry, only for the rebound to fall to a clearly offside attacker who tapped home. Despite protestations and a raised flag from the assistant, the referee failed to consult; goal given, and the final whistle blew moments later. Even Lightwater’s own players admitted they’d been fortunate.
Despite the frustration, it was a thrilling game to close out the league season. Manager Ben Horne didn’t mince his words: “The first half was simply not good enough. We didn’t show any fight, couldn’t keep the ball, and let them dictate the tempo. But credit to the lads, the response in the second half was immense. Rylan was electric, the whole team showed real character, and to take the lead the way we did was a testament to our spirit.
“We’re gutted not to get the win, especially with the circumstances of that last goal, but we’ll take the positives and move on. All eyes now on Thursday night at Westfield for SCILW Reserves Challenge Cup Final. Let’s get over there and bring that same energy. Your support last year was unreal and we need it again.”
A tale of two halves, a storming comeback, and a controversial finish, but a performance to build on heading into cup final week.
For those travelling to Woking to the Reserves Challenge Cup Final on Thursday, 24th April, please head to the following address: Westfield FC, Woking Park, Woking, GU22 9BA.
FT: Cranleigh Reserves 4–4 Lightwater United Reserves
Goals: Shickell (3), Collins
MOTM: Rylan Shickell
