The regal club names and high score line may lead you to believe that this match up was a high class affair. It was not. A fairly slow-paced and stop-start spectacle was in store for the small local crowd that gathered at Wish Park on that chilly Sunday.
However, it was not without considerable endeavour from both sides, as you would expect in a local derby such as this.
Early pressure from Lord Nelson saw the Lawns side pegged back for the first ten minutes, with a particularly bright opening spell from the newly forged strike partnership of father-to-be target man Darren Martin and the evergreen Arlo Pearson. Despite a succession of corners and territorial advantage the Nelson could not find that early break through they wanted. As the tide began to turn Hove Lawns found the opening goal, a set piece floated into the back post was met with a firm header, 1-0 Hove Lawns. Coach Clitheroe stunned.
After a few brief moments of doubt Lord Nelson were back in the game when forward Arlo Pearson found himself unmarked following a deft yet towering flick on from his strike partner Martin; the 38 year old then obliged by athletically turning in a volley from close range. Back on level terms, 1-1.
It was not however, one of Lord Nelson’s better performances. The team were struggling to find rhythm in their passing and were inviting pressure back on to themselves time and time again. Full back and regular gym goer Samuel Craig had his own answers to stemming the flow of attack down the left which result in a yellow card after an attempted decapitation/tackle. The Elvis-obsessed Craig showed not a glint of remorse as he continued to cleave chunks out of his pocket-sized victim throughout the first half.
At half time the game could only improve and the Nelson were determined to pull the game in their direction.
Half time
The first substitution of three is made; recent signing Ed coming in for a battle-weary Christian Brazier. The midfield ball winners fan base hopeful to see Brazier back to full fitness again soon.
With slightly better organisation to the team, improved performances by both full backs and with Martin remaining a handful up front Lord Nelson felt they deserved a bit of luck in the game to break the deadlock. The opposite happened. A beautiful cross field through ball played by the Hove Lawns right winger found its attacker who miscued his shot, which looped agonisingly over a helpless Sam Cappell for 2-1. Pain etched across the faces of the men in yellow and blue.
It was time for Clitheroe to make his second substitution of the match with around an hour played. The disappointing Ford, struggling with a thigh problem and an inability to play well for sustained periods made way for new signing Gavin O’Neill; a player keen to rebuild his career after an injury ravaged 8 years out of football.
Lord Nelson began to turn the screw, and with around 12 minutes remaining the equaliser came, clever and dynamic play in the midfield between Scott-Smith, Ed and Luke saw the ball fall to the ever-rugged Martin who held up the ball well before sweeping it neatly into the bottom left of the goal from 8 yards. 2-2 and surely the game was theirs for the taking.
With tiring limbs and the game becoming stretched recovering fluid knee sufferer and defensive stalwart Simon Jones was deployed in front of the back four to provide some cohesion as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. With 5 minutes to go it was anybody’s game. Then disaster!
After some midfield pinball a high ball broke in the middle of the Lord Nelson half as one of the Hove Lawns forward line moved towards goal. Despite being closed down competently by ever-present captain Tom Bentley, assisted by Simon Jones, an unexpected early shot was taken on the bounce that flew into the Nelson net from 25 yards. 3-2 Hove Lawns. With heads dropping the yellow and blues were left cursing their luck once again. With fatigue a factor, Lord Nelson looked out of ideas. It was over.
Goals: Pearson (26), Martin (79)
Assists: Martin x2
Yellow Cards: Craig (30)
It’s important to take some positives into the next match:
- Darren Martin with a goal and an assist is looking more and more the finished article up front.
- MOM Simon Coxshaw’s display at left back was excellent.
- Samuel Craig’s second half improvement was very notable.
- New signing Gavin O’Neill showed some encouraging work. Neat and tidy on the ball.
- Arlo Pearson as a central forward looks like it could work. Lethal pace.
So, it wasn’t all bad news… on to the next.
