Ding-Dong 4-4 To Start The Season!
GSK Sports and Sompting 1sts played out a full-blooded, ding-dong 4-4 draw to share the spoils in their opening league game of the season.
GSK Sports kicked off their new season amidst an air of optimism in the September sunshine under new management (in the form of Darren Jeffery) against a strong looking Sompting side, who finished 3rd last season behind run-away Ferring 1sts and the ever-strong L&S 1sts.
Early signs were good for GSK. The much changed 1st team from last season were far from overawed and came out of the traps fast with some neat possession football. The back four of Hughes, Penfold, Bone and Baumfield rarely looked troubled in the early stages and some incisive interplay in the middle of the park from Nicholas, Lawrence (Marv) and in particular Keen (Fluff), whose constant assured touches on his competitive debut for the side were to ultimately provide a man-of-the-match performance. This interplay was allowing Lewis (Crathern) to be released down the right for GSK and he was attacking with gusto early doors.
Cox had to be withdrawn after sustaining a knee injury in a clash on 10 mins and was replaced by O'Reilly (Blowlo). This didn't deter GSK. However, having made virtually all the early running and spurning two notable chances from Crathern and Ripper, it was Sompting who took the lead on 15 mins against the run of play with their first meaningful attack of the game. With GSK pushing men up, Sompting countered leaving Hughesy helplessly 2-on-1 on the right. Their attacker skilfully skipped through and planted a drive in the back of the net. 1-0 Sompting and a lesson in finishing for GSK...you would have thought.
Sompting gained obvious confidence from this and started to look more of a threat but, once they'd cleared their heads, GSK began to press again. However the pressure was resulting in either poor efforts on goal or lack of a precise final ball. Once again GSK were to pay the price for their profligacy in front of goal. On the attack and seeking an equaliser, GSK lost possession and a long ball was cleared upfield by Sompting. With Harrison (Wayner) advancing from goal and clear favourite for the ball, there looked to be no danger. However he hit his clearance straight into the delighted on-rushing Sompting forward. Despite being driven wide, the forward managed to pull a cross back for his fellow frontman to stick in a simple tap-in. 2 chances, 2-0. This seemed to rock the confidence of GSK as Sompting’s grew. Sompting indeed should've made it 3 when a nice move resulted in a scramble in the box. The forward managed to get a shot away but his effort came back off the post and was cleared by GSK. Minutes later, Ripper was then released 1-on-1 and should've scored but was unable to put his effort far enough wide of the keeper who, to be fair, saved well. Nicholas put an effort wide with a shot from outside the box, just before halftime. Add to that GSK losing solid left-back Baumfield through injury just before the break (replaced by Usher aka Smokey) maybe you can understand why as the whistle blew GSK cut forlorn figures trudging off as they wondered how they were 2 nil down.
Half-Time: GSK 0-2 Sompting.
After some firm words from Jeffery at halftime (not all bad), GSK had two choices: Sulk about how unlucky they'd been or make some luck happen themselves. They chose the latter. They needed an early goal and fate duly obliged. Nicholas played a through-ball to Lew down the right. He beat his fullback (not for the 1st time) and cut a ball back which was bundled in by Ripper just 3 mins after the break. 1-2. GSK now had to seize their chance.
It was now turning into a hugely competitive encounter with firm (but fair) challenges all over the park, nice spicy banter and some...errr....shall we say "dubious" refereeing decisions to boot. Sompting were playing their part too, and when Penfold cleared a goal-kick, GSK failed to win the 2nd ball. Sompting picked it up and their lad hit a lovely (but speculative) effort from 35 yards, which agonisingly looped over Wayner in goal. 1-3 and GSK had it all to do. Again. A quick reply was needed. The ever probing Fluff put in Lew but he was denied by a last ditch tackle. Then Nicholas sent Lew through again but this time he made no mistake with a low crisp drive giving the keeper no chance. 2-3.
GSK had real momentum now. Lew, looking lively going forward, was continuing to cause problems and Smokey was providing a good outlet on the other flank. Lawrence (Marv) was asked to do a detailed marking job in the 2nd half, which he carried out to good effect and this gave the defence some extra protection, given GSK's very attack-minded team. It was no surprise when GSK equalised with arguably the goal of the game. Smokey produced some trickery on the left and played in Fluff on 70 mins. He still had a lot to do but, with the keeper advancing, he sent a delightful chip over him for a deserved equaliser. Quality finish. 3-3!
Not wanting to rest on their laurels, GSK sought the winner they felt they deserved, especially as Sompting now looked nervy. Continuing to press forward however, GSK still left themselves susceptible to counter-attacks one of which in particular was thwarted by some fine last ditch defending. Leake replaced Ripper on 75 mins with Fluff going up top and GSK sensed blood. With 10 mins to go, they forced a corner. Amidst numerous holidays, injuries and whatever else during the summer, Boner must've been practising headers as from Marv's delivery he towered to head an unstoppable nut into the Sompting net. 4-3 GSK!
An end-to-end final last 10 ensued, as Sompting roused themselves in a final attempt to get an equaliser and legs on both sides got tired. A nice bit of Sompting interplay led to their forward being played through 1-on-1 with Wayner. Despite a coming together with the keeper, play was waved on.
GSK thought they'd seen it out. But in stoppage time a long Sompting throw resulted in a mêlée in the box. Despite best efforts, it was a Sompting defender who rose highest to nod through the crowd past Wayner. 4-4.
Full-Time: GSK 4-4 Sompting.
On hearing the final whistle, GSK still felt hard done by but bearing in mind they were 3-1 down, on reflection a point has got to be seen as a good result. The character shown to come back has to be admired also...but the need to defend as a team as well as attack will have to be addressed else a Keegan's Newcastle-esque "you get 3, we'll get 4" mentality will set in...and as we know it isn't always possible to get that many chances!
