Without a doubt this was the best result in South Coast's short history. To come back against a really good well organised team from 2 down in 10 minutes was truly amazing.
South Coast went into the game knowing that it would be tough and the pitch was in need of a cut which meant that that the pitch would hold up the ball not suiting the South Coast quick pass and move game.
Things did not look good at all when Partridge Green scored on 2 minutes from a South Coast defensive mistake and it looked even worse when they went 2 up on 12 minutes.
South Coast did not panic and continued to play their normal game only for the very strong wind to take the ball further than we needed to. Also the opposition linesman obviously did not know the offside rules and Ben and Craig were given offside on 4 occasions when they were clearly not. South Coast kept getting behind their defence but were unable to score.
After the first 20 minutes South Coast started to play their real game and a number of attempts came to nothing but the midfield and forward line for South Coast started to dominate and the defence was superb with Partridge Green not having any attempts on the South Coast Goal.
With the strong wind it was looking difficult for South Coast to score but on 40 minutes Ben scored from a Craig Anderson assist. Sam Adams on the line said to me that we could do with another goal before half time and within a minute South Coast levelled the game in torrential rain. Ben Stonham picked the ball up from 30 yards in line with the penalty spot and chipped the keeper inch perfect and the celebrations were amazing with Ben sliding on the mud. It was a better goal than Sturridge's the week before!
Going into the second half from kick off The South Coast defensive midfield pairing of Jack and George were owning the midfield and Partridge Green had no answer. The long balls and runs from the Partridge Green players were easily cut out by George and Jack and the South Coast defence. Changes were made on 55 with Sam Adams replacing Marky to add some strong defensive ability at centre back against the tall Partridge Green players and was a matter of not conceding and Sam added what was needed at the right time.The attacking midfield of Ben, Nathan and Will worked tirelessly to set up play and South Coast then were able to play their pass and move football. A few more dodgy off sides followed and in the 57th minute a foul in the box produced a penalty for South Coast which Ben gave the keeper no chance with.
South Coast won everything in the air and on the ground and were playing their best football of the season and we then knew that this game could be won quickly.
All the South Coast players had the bit between their teeth now and were first to everything and the Partridge Green players were no match for South Coast. In heavy rain we continued to dominate and Jack Doe scored two in quick succession on 62 and 72 minutes the first being a team move not unlike Arsenal's scored by Wilshire thanks to some great work by Nathan Challis. Craig never gave up running and was continually getting behind the Partridge Green defence and was unlucky on a number of occasions to score.
Credit to Jamie Kuxhaus who took one for the team at 4-2 with a mistimed tackle or was it a clever foul? I think it was a clever foul for the team.
Nathan Challis who had another great game was unlucky not to make it 6 when his shot agonisingly just went past the left post. With 18 to go Jordan Parsons replaced the excellent Will Sillsby and Jordan injected that extra pace to run at the Partridge Green defence who were by this time on their last legs. The game was won with 15 minutes to go and the opposition players were getting very annoyed and were committing fouls whenever they could not to mention a few more dodgy offsides. The sub for Partridge Green was sent off on 80 for swearing at the referee and George got a bit of grief from the Partridge Green captain but gave as good as he got.
On 82 minutes Nathan scored to make it number 6 and then South Coast had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.
A really great performance from each and every one of the South Coast players and all are worthy of a 10 out of ten.
Great defence, great midfield and a great forward line and just goes to prove always remain positive and stay focussed and anything is possible.
You have really set the level now in the league and cups and the quadruple is still a possibility as top of the league if we win our games in hand. Through to one semi final, quarters in another and last 32 in the County Cup.
What a squad of players we have got and a great bunch of lads!!!
Going into November it will be tough as we have got some tough games which will show how are season is shaping up.
See you at training on Tuesday in preparation for the 3rd game in 5 weeks against Bishop and Light at Bevendean.
Cheers lads you made me and Mark Newman really proud and great to receive messages and texts after the game from players still buzzing with the result.
