Going in to this match we knew it would be difficult, Ovendean came second in the league last season as they took Hair razors to the last game of the season.
Two changes were forced this week, with Jay and Kinny were both away that meant a call up for the lively Adam Rowden and Liam (my shirt is too tight) Nash.
Again Royal hove started slowly and didn’t have much possession but grew as the game developed.
Ovendean didn’t really cause Royal Hove any real problems and were reduce to swinging in hopeful crosses and hitting long shots, neither of which ever looked like causing Nick, Jamie B or Martyn any trouble.
As Royal Hove got more in to the game Reece, Bash and Jamie P caused a lot of trouble for the Ovendean defence with their direct running and quick interplay once royal hove got going and it looked like we would be a sure bet for a couple of goals but they didn’t materialise in the first half.
The only goal of the first half was a harshly awarded penalty 30 minuets in.
Handball form less then a yard, the decision was so bad not even the Ovendean players shouted for it.
As the remaining 15 minuets ran out Ross pulled his hamstring and Nash joined the game in Centre midfield. The rest was pretty uneventful and we came off feeling like we were more then capable of scoring and winning the game.
As the first half started Royal hove took the game to Ovendean and showed how good we can play, the passing and moving was excellent and we kept the ball as well as we have done all season.
Philippe came on 50 minuets for Jamie P to give us a bit more presents upfront and mad an immediate impact. Phil’s power forced Ovendean to play deeper and deeper allowing Royal Hove to controlled the game with the help of Nash’s energy.
In the end the royal hove goal came from an unlikely combination. Following an characteristic nice/lucky touch from Jamie B, he dug a toe poke of a cross for Philippe to score a header bravely at the near post after 55 minuets.
10 minuets later Royal Hove could have been 2-1 up as Nath broke through the centre of the field after an Ovendean corner but he didn’t see Bash thought the channel and elected to keep the ball.
Ovendean also had their chances all be it few and far between, and were reduced to diving and rolling about on the like a skank on freshers night. And Reece picked up a booking for a fine tackle on the edge of our area due to these antics.
15 minuets form time Terry was clattered in the neck wining a header and was replaced by Adam Rowden. Adam looked lively and tried to get on the ball as much as possible but didn’t have as much time to make an impact as we would have liked.
In the final knocking of the match about 81 minuets Ovendean whipped in a very good corner and it was missed by the normally infallible Martyn and cannoned off a Ovendean shoulder for the goal and win.
Very unlucky lads, but a well played against good opposition.
Big cup game next week, we have to bounce back again as we did after our first defeat.
