A suggestion by Andre that the club should invest in some sheep was a clear reference to the length of the grass thanks to the inactivity of Brighton Council rather than anything more sinister. That inactivity extended to a failure to even mark out the pitch but up stepped Westy to continue his rehab as temporary groundsman.

Our last meeting was a tight affair that we won narrowly despite dominating for long periods. This was also be tight for the first hour although Ditchling were to pose a greater threat on this occasion.

A pacier front three put us under some pressure early on and this was to turn into an early advantage for the visitors after just seven minutes. A foul on the edge of our box conceded a free kick in a dangerous position and this was well struck, finding the bottom corner.

Our response to this setback was to surge forward and we were level just seven minutes later. JB did well to get to the byeline, look up and unselfishly crossed for Tom Chidgey to bundle in from close range.

While Ditchling continued to threaten, we had tightened up defensively and there was no addition to the score line at half-time. 1-1.

On a bumpy pitch and hampered by the long grass, the game became decidedly scrappy on the re-start. For the opening 20 minutes there was little sign of the drama to unfold.

Ditchling took the lead when a cross from the right found us short at the back and two strikers could hardly miss. Pleas for a flag went unanswered. Sorry, but not even close.
The situation got worse 5 minutes later as we lost some shape in trying to get back into the game and found ourselves further behind. 1-3.

Heads could have dropped at this stage but encouragingly there was a sense on the field that all was not lost even if this may not have been shared by those watching.
We did need a lift and that was provided by the mercurial JB. Having just moments earlier got his legs in a tangle trying one of his trademark stepovers, he picked himself and cut in from the right, advanced towards the Ditchling box and unleashed a fierce drive into the roof of the net.

As we found fresh legs you could see the opposition start to drop back in an effort to preserve their lead. It was all us now as we pressed forward. This was to bring us reward in the form of a penalty.

‘Chidge’ found himself in a little space in the penalty box and an effort to close him down saw him tripped and the ref had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

Liam/El Rey, who had started at left back and later to occupy both left and right wings, stepped up confidently to claim responsibility. His strike some would say was the perfect, others maybe to close for comfort as the ball went in off the inside of the post. 3-3. A watching spectator maybe harshly summed it up as a match that ‘had been dross was now quite exciting’.

At this point there was only one likely winner as we continued to press but time was to run out and the spoils were shared, a result which suited us rather the better.
Still some work to do but more of this spirit should bring further reward.
MOM : JB