Sussex Open League Division 2

 

Nice day, good hockey, fair result...
The 5's returned from their first Bognor trip of the season with a hard earned point following a close encounter with the Royals 3rd XI fought out on Arun Leisure Centre's tired surface under the blazing November sun.
 

The day didn't start out in convincing fashion, as the travelling party's lead car's sat nav, possibly making the most of the weather,  decided to take a somewhat scenic route to the south coast, leading to most of the team arriving on the pitch with barely minutes to spare before push back.
 

Once again sporting a number of changes from the previous week, EG took a little time to settle (and warm up), and the home team piled on the early pressure. The EG defenders responded well, and for the most part, restricted Bognor to possession outside the circle.
 

The main action of the game came around half way into the first half, as the latest in a succession of penalty corners finally yielded the hosts a breakthrough goal. From the resulting restart however, Grinstead fought back, first stopping a Bognor attack at their own 25, before Scott Powell's long pass released Steve Edwards to beat the keeper, and slot home the equaliser.
 

For the second half, and their turn to stare into the low sun, EG switched things around, opting for a little more pace up front in the hope of a repeat of the first half's breakaway success. With a little more luck, it might have come, as the defence soaked up attack after attack before releasing the forward line, only for the home defence in turn to deny the chance.
 

Two good late chances on the home goal could have stolen the points, but in a common theme from recent weeks, Grinstead were unable to convert, and the points were shared, although on the balance of the game, this was probably more a case of 2 points lost for Bognor who could count themselves unlucky to have found the visiting backline at the top of its form.
 

Semi return fixture to come next week, as the higher flying Bognor 2nd XI visit Saint Hill with the prospect of a tough game which the 5's realistically need to win to kick-start the season.
 

Scorer: S Edwards