The first reserve team pre-season friendly saw new league rivals Roffey travel south from Horsham to take on a Slade side made up of a combination of reserve team players, debutants and a sprinkling of first team magic. Roffey, a club made up of three sides, with their first team competing in the Sussex Combination League 3, and their second team in the Championship of the Mid-Sussex League, meant that a tough opposition was quite likely.

Despite the match taking place a few miles from the heart of Brighton Pride, the game was essentially unaffected, with the opposition arriving only ever so slightly late. Slade started with Big Bear Westgate in between the sticks, with a solid back 3 of Larkham, Tyrie, and Bendall joined by Cypriot newbie, Cornelius. Slade opting for 3 in midfield, with holding player Ryan joined by new manager and Chairman, Hornsby and Ingham respectively. First teamer Reyland played the solo striker role, as missing for the second first team game due to holidays. Reyland was flanked by Hillier and Samuels, who avoided bench duties by a matter of minutes.

After a bright and controlled start by Roffey, it was the home side that took an unlikely lead against the run of play. Slade forays into the opposition half were limited, but a quick break into the Roffey half saw Hiller pick up a pass on the left hand side of the goal, naturally shaped up a right foot shot which was sweetly struck, just over the keeper and into the top corner, despite the slight fingertip flick by the young stopper. This was shortly followed by the retiring of Ingham in midfield after tweaking long term calf injury. Bennett entered the fray. Roffey were playing the much better, and were dominating possession and territory, so it was not at all surprising that they quickly equalised. Cornelius was being trialled at a full back position due to personnel, but it soon became quite obvious that he was a winger. He’d regularly abandon his defensive duties in an adventurous dart up the pitch, one which would cause cardiac arrest in one Dino Simpson. This unfortunately resulted in an equaliser as play broke down leaving a gap at the back which the Roffey striker took full advantage of, finding the far corner with no chance. Another injury followed as Ryan was replaced by Mark after suffering a thigh twinge.

Shortly after, Slade were 2-1 down, as another break against the run of play, this time resulted in a mix up between Larkham and Westage which resulted in the young striker poking in and putting the ball away. The pressure continued to come, and the scoreline was only preserved when Tyrie managed to excellently clear two efforts off the line. Perhaps a little surprisingly, Slade managed to turn their second effort on goal into an equaliser. Another dynamic break by Slade, fronted by Reyland, resulted in the Essex number 9 half volleying over the keeper into the top corner. Despite the brief reprieve, it would be Roffey who had the last laugh as from a corner, which was not adequately cleared, and from the second phase the ball was sent through a crowd of players and into the goal.

Half time 3-2, and a really good game for the neutral. Unfortunately too many goals conceded and a distinct lack of control on the game. This resulted in serious personnel changes at the break, which immediately strangled control of the game. Jordan Nicholls, who arrived at half time came into defence, with Tyrie entering midfield at the expense of Bennett.

Second half kicked off with Slade getting back level again with arguably move of the game. Slade started stroking the ball around confidently with the visitors doing nothing but chasing shadows. Tyrie sent the ball down the right channel before dashing onto the box, where Cornelius presented an absolute peach of a cross which Tyrie smashed a head past a hapless keeper. It didn’t stop there though as Slade poked their noses ahead, as from a corner, the ball was only half cleared with Cornelius on the left hand side of the box sending a volley into the far corner!

At this point the games momentum was all with Slade, but were dealt yet another blow as big Bear Westgate hobbled off after straining his thigh. Fortunately we were in a position where we had the luxury of a backup keeper in Rider, who was on hand to take over. Unfortunately Roffey played themselves back into the game, although we were looking comfortable, and an excellent solo effort from the left side gave Rider no chance. The last action of note, which would have been a fitting way to win any game as Cornelius, enjoying his more attacking role in the team, picking the ball up around the half way line, jinking in and out, nutmegging two players in the process with some audacious skill, but as he worked his way into the box, only could pull his shot wide. Full time 4-4.

Overall a fair result, Roffey well in top in the first half, perhaps should have been ahead by a greater margin, and Slade dominant in the second half. Some stand out performances, in particular Cornelius when he switched from a defensive role to an attacking one, as well as Bendall and Larkham who brought control and poise to the second half. However the second half’s opening goal, and the switch from defence to midfield in the second half gave the team much more control, meant that Dougal Tyrie was the standout performer.
Lots of positives to take into the start of the season, if you ignore the early injuries, but two more friendlies to go before things get serious.