Despite the absentees of Nathan Cook, Karl Boffey, Veenaye Munsuram, Lewis Summers and Sammy Dudek the ‘Slade were able to field what looked like a very strong side, welcoming back Matt Collins from Injury, Tom Ryan from work and Liam Reyland, stepping up from the reserves for his first team debut.

Conditions were less than ideal, strong winds gusting from one end to the other, and by kick off, some torrential rain fall, which saw all those on the side lines contemplating an early trip to the pub!!! Despite the down pour and the rain earlier in the week the Theatre of Wet Dreams remained in excellent condition.

The first key moment of the game came prior to kick off with skipper Sean Trend, winning the toss, and opting to play against the elements for the first 45.

Despite Crawley’s less than favourable position in the league, they have been on the wrong end of some very close games, this is a competitive league from top to bottom, this, coupled with the conditions, meant nothing could be taken for granted.

It was clear, with just a few minutes on the clock, that the game would be contested between two sides with very differing styles. While the hosts looked to build patiently from the back the visitors certainly wasted no time in trying to hit their front two, a strike partnership that looked like it could provide some threat with good early movement and what appeared to be a good understanding between them.

The early stages of the half actually displayed some excellent possession football from the home side, working the ball well in and out of the midfield and from side to side with ease on numerous occasions, with every player looking comfortable on the ball. With the back four holding an excellent line and Paul Westgate sweeping up anything in behind, the away side were given little or no encouragement in the final third (except when the otherwise excellent Tom Ryan, occasionally thought we were playing in red!!)

The only concern as the half went on was not providing the goal to cap the play off. Some excellent play in wide areas, with full backs and wingers linking up on either side, to produce a number of good balls into the box was particularly pleasing. These moments along with some excellent set piece deliveries from John Boddy, looked like the most likely way to break the dead lock. Yet it never quite came and it was that man JB that then wasted possibly the best chance of the game on the stroke of half time, again from a good ball in from the left, putting an awkward volley off target with the crowd ready to erupt!

The referee, having had little else to do, blew for half time. 0-0. Refreshments were taken inside the warmth of the changing rooms. There was a feeling that the hard work had been done seeing off the elements whilst still offering a decent threat in front of goal. It was an excellent performance for 45 minutes but all were reminded that it counts for little until the final whistle. A request was made to speed up the passing in the middle third, keep an eye on the movement of their forwards and above all else be more ruthless in front of goal……

The referee got the second half underway, but to be fair, the contest had already been and gone, Crawley’s direct approach becoming redundant against a stiff breeze that saw the visitors make only the briefest of ventures into our half let alone our goal mouth, it was as one sided as could be.

The only question left was whether we could make the break through, a flurry of corners ensued with each one looking dangerous, particularly with the visitors keeper looking less than comfortable under the high ball. One excellent spell of play from back to front including some lovely one touch passing saw Liam release the marauding Marc Sutton, his first touch just giving their stopper the chance to smother from 10 yards.

It was soon back to the corners, and finally, in the 56th minute, the break through, JB delivering deep to the far post from the right, as the ball sailed over the usual suspects it looped invitingly onto the head of the 4ft2 giant, Jacob Everett, and with a good connection he sent the ball back over the keepers head and into the far corner. A fine finish. 1-0, joy and, more noticeably, relief!!

The goal did nothing to change the pattern of the game, with Crawley unable to get the ball out their own half. The second was not long coming, this time a more direct approach saw Westy use the considerable wind and his even more considerable thigh, to punt down field, with the back four evaded it left JB bearing down on goal, a cool finish resulted and a well earned second goal in the two games since his return. 2-0.

Substitutes followed with man of the match, Matt Collins, replaced by Jamel Hanson, and Ben Foster replacing the half way line wall that was Neil Shelley. Again, no disruption to the game as the hosts continued to press, although a slight hint of over indulgence was beginning to frustrate.

A third was added in the last 15 minutes, with the very impressive Liam Reyland working tirelessly to retrieve a ball that looked dead and cleverly cut back for the advancing Everett, his awfully struck finish somehow managing to find the bottom corner for his second of the game. 3-0, if the game wasn’t already over it was now!!

An excellent debut from Reyland came to end when replaced by Nick Samuels, who as ever continued to add running and nuisance factor to the ‘Slade front line. Sadly, the slight hint of over indulgence was now becoming less a frustration and more an infuriating habit! (The managers’ hat would have taken a pounding had he been wearing one!)

The final whistle sounded with no further damage to the scoreboard, a clean sheet to be proud of considering the conditions, some magnificent football played, particularly in the first half, and another 3 goals scored. BUT, numerous opportunities wasted and a chance to boost the goal difference gone….(perhaps this might be mentioned before our next fixture…..)

Well done to MOM Matt Collins, solid in defence and an excellent outlet in attack. Special mentions to Liam who’s excellent debut will give the manager headaches, to the rest of the back four, Jack, Tom and Goff who were all faultless and to Sean Trend who linked up the play expertly. In truth every player is worthy a special mention. So well done all.

Portslade Athletic FC

Victoria Rec

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