Boff(in) to Goffin

Due to 11am kick off on a Monday there was no surprise that a lot of the players and management were a bit late. With a fate (un)scheduled for Vic Rec pitch 1, we were shuffled over to a rock hard pitch 2.

No defensive pair of Kevin Balcombe and Richard Scott this week, along with Nathan Cook who was last seen tied to the Gaffers bed. In came the 2nd team hero from the weekend Dave Goffin, John Boddy and Veenaye Munsarum in a unfamiliar 4-4-2 (!) formation.

A hurried pre-match preparation didn't even include a team talk from Nozinhio due to time constraints. That didn't seem to hinder the team. If anything it seemed to help as Slade took an early lead on 5 minutes! A tricky run by Jack Larkham ended (Jack later described his goal in a post match press conference as a "telepathic interception from a layoff. Strode forward and rolled a perfectly weighted pass with the outside of the boot." ) with a slipped pass into Veenaye Munsarum. The Magician drilled a shot in with his weaker left-foot which flew past the keeper and low into the net. 1-0 !

The lead was doubled 9 minutes later when John Boddy brought his own swivelling hips to the Portslade party which drew a rash challenge near the byline. The referee pointed to the spot and up stepped the ever reliable Karl Boffey who rolled the ball into the net comfortably. 2-0 !

Slade were looking dominant and it only looked like we would add to the tally. That is until our old nemesis appeared as expected in the 20th minute. Yes, a SET PIECE! This time a corner kick did the damage from our right hand side. The ball was floated in, a scramble ensued before it was hooked into the net. 2-1!

The rest of the half was played out with Buxted having the majority of possession but not causing too much damage. Half-time.

A few minor adjustments regarding shape and sloppiness were discussed at the interval and Portslade went back out with their tails up. That didn't last long as yet again another set-piece did the damage. This time the Buxted number 7 let fly direct from a free kick , 24 yards out that flew through the wall and Rich Smith could only tip into the corner. 2-2 !

With the game pretty even and not much goalmouth incident heading towards the latter part of the game it was thought a single goal could nick it. And thats just was happened. Karl Boffey launched in a 40 yard throw-in and a fantastic Easter weekend for Dave Goffin was capped off with a beautiful half volley into the bottom corner of the net. Excellent technique and believe it or not his first of the season (for either team!). 3-2 !

Slade held onto the win with little resistance to make it our second 3-2 victory of the weekend..

Man of the Match was of course Dave Goffin. A calm and composed performance today, 120 minutes on Saturday, a successful penalty in the shootout and now an excellent finish to win the fixture. Goffin will be sleeping with a smile on his face tonight, unlike Nathan Cook who will be struggling with a ball-gag! Well done Goff. Honourable mentions to John Boddy who looked back on form before his ban, Jacob Everett who played through the pain tirelessly, Karl Boffey who linked play up well all game and Jack Larkham who was solid throughout.

Team: 1. Smith 2. Collins 3. Larkham 4. Weir 5. Goffin 6. Trend 7. Boddy 8. Munsarum 9. Boffey 10. Sutton 11. Everett SUBS 12. Funnell 14. Stubbs