Forest Row aim to continue their 100% record in this year’s current campaign but with the visitors Uckfield Colts, they knew it wouldn’t be easy. Before the match there was doubt in the caretakers eyes that the game should be played with the ground being frozen like a rock. However with a lot of consideration and debating, the game was scheduled to be played. It didn’t start well for Forest Row with their leading striker not turning up for unknown reasons and left the coaching staff to think of an emergency change around of the formation and the team. This meant Liam Wright had to step up to the plate and lead Forest Rows attack force. With pace demon George Pleon sitting just behind and in form goal machine Fergus Twigg supporting the attack on the left and the consistent Ollie Martin on the right. The game started reasonably well for Forest Row with Fergus Twigg demoralising Uckfields right back with his trickery but couldn’t give Liam Wright or George Pleon the final ball to create a goal scoring opportunity. Uckfield were filled with confidence going into this game knowing that they are the only team to defeat Forest Row this season. The first half was a very tight affair with both teams struggling to make any chances. Ollie Martin and Fergus Twigg were creating the only half chances of the half with crosses and cutting inside. However with Forest Row piling on the pressure George Pleon forced Uckfields goalkeeper into a costly error in which his clearance went straight to Pleon’s feet who took a touch and just slid it into the net with great composure. A bit of a relief for the Forest Row players and supporters to clinch the early lead. 1-0.
The teams went in at half time with the score at 1-0 but the game was still very much in the balance. The rock solid defence of Forest Row kept the league’s 4th top goal scorer Max Stapley at bay with ease and the striker was becoming frustrated with composure and strength of the best defence in the league. With support from Luke Hollidge and Tom Hawkins guarding the defence, Uckfield were struggling to get near Forest Rows goal. A few half chances from tight angles by Uckfield but Frow’s number 1 Dan Wright had his head in the game and pulled of some intelligent saves to help his team maintain a clean sheet throughout the first half.
A tactical substitution was made for the second half with Baldeep Chahal replacing Luke Hollidge in the centre of the park. The second half had begun and Forest Row were desperate to get that two goal cushion early on to try and see out the game and make it very difficult for Uckfield to find any way back. However, with Uckfield being 6th in the table they knew they needed to come to The Croft and take points from Forest Row. They pushed hard at the beginning of the half and Forest Row were finding it difficult to display their usual style of play with pace and momentum. Uckfield managed to get themselves back into the game with another long shot being misjudged by Frows number 1 Dan Wright who had been superb all game. He went for the one handed save but just converted it the wrong way and it trickled over the line to reward Uckfield their equaliser. All the cup memories were flowing through the Frow players’ minds as they were on the back foot and shooting uphill at this point. Character and determination was needed from the Frow army to come back from this set back. Forest Row had stepped up a gear after the goal was conceded and started getting themselves back into the game with great runs from Liam Wright and George Pleon ripping apart the Uckfield defence with their pace but were still unlucky to create a clear cut opportunity for the Greens. With Uckfield getting tired, Forest Rows excellent fitness was giving them a huge advantage, with the pace of Frows attack sucking the energy out of the whole Uckfield team, Frow could really push for the winner. With full backs Jonny Dench and Frank Morgan-Rowe making themselves known up the field with great attacking runs to support the endless Frow attacks, Uckfield were really struggling to keep them out. Corners were flying Forest Rows way with Frank Morgan-Rowe getting frustrated none were getting put away.
Jonny Dench was becoming the star man towards the end of the game with blistering runs past Uckfields left side winning free kicks in which Forest Row still couldn’t capitalise from. with the game still level and needing a goal if the Deers were going to go 3 points in front of rivals Cranbrook and be top of the league unbeaten by Christmas.
With about 10 minutes plus stoppage time of the game to go, Forest Row win a corner on the right hand side, Frank Morgan-Rowe steps up and whips in a delightful corner in which he has done all season and Tom Hawkins runs in at the back post and leaps like a salmon out of water over the defender to get his head onto the ball and fire the ball into the back of the net like he has been doing all season. The Forest Row players go crazy with delight as they know how much this win means to them.
Uckfield really push for an equaliser now and going full out attack, but Forest Rows defence and midfield stayed solid and had great awareness and positioning to see out the last 5-10 minutes of the game and stayed strong like they have done all season. With Connor Thornley-Gibson and Nick Nichols not letting anything through the middle Uckfield had nothing left in their locker. The final whilstle blows and a great cheers from the Forest Row players and following supporters roared around The Croft as Forest Row maintain their 100% winning record and get revenge on Uckfield.
A great day for the Deers and a vital three points to give them the advantage in the tital race. A great end to 2014 for Forest Row and thoroughly deserved. They all look forward to games after Christmas and to continue their fantastic form.
