AFC VARNDEANIANS PROVIDING FOOTBALL TO THE BRIGHTON COMMUNITY SINCE 1929
News…
A couple of wins and two clean sheets makes all the difference for the V’s
On a blustery and torrential night of rain at Culver Road last Wednesday the V’s defeated a spirited Mile Oak 1-0 in a closely fought Sussex Senior Cup fixture followed by a important 1-0 away win at Eastbourne United on Saturday.
Both games were notable for the resilience the team showed, I should say squad as the subs coming on were vital, as it’s fair to say the matches could have gone either way so the determination to keep a clean sheet and hold our nerve was commendable.
The Mile Oak was certainly a battle against not only them but also the elements and it took a goal from new signing and ex-V Jack Landford in the 80th minute to win the game after a sublime cross from Kian Nandhra.
The Eastbourne United win was also a close affair with Morris Dench scoring in the 7th minute followed by a well organised defensive display for the rest of the to limit clear cut opportunities for Eastbourne United and secure a much needed 3 points.
A couple of defeats against Horsham YM and Steyning Town
It’s fair to say we are on a challenging run of results after losing our last three matches to Newhaven FC and Horsham YM in the league and Steyning Town in the Peter Bentley Cup
The two league games were disappointing as we lost both games 3-0 while showing little going forward and looking vunerable in midfield however a formation change against Steyning Town, in the Peter Bentley Cup, led to a more resilient performance which might sound odd as twe lost 5-0 however the goals we conceded were not down to the formation which worked well but some individual errors which we can improve on.
Brad, Jack and Haig have done a remarkable job in such a short space of time from being appointed in June to get a new look squad together as we took a hit with so many players leaving to go to other clubs but that’s the nature of County football, so no complaints but it has meant a rebuild
The work rate desire and application was definitely present in the Steyning game and we just need to sharpen up at key moments to not concede unecesary goals
The V’s deservedly win 3-1 away at Midhurst & Ease
It was important to get get all three points on the board as despite some impressive performances we hadn’t got the return we felt we had deserved. Ironically this wasn’t our best performance but we certainly aren’t complaining.
Midhurst away is never an easy place to get a result and the slope and hardness of the pitch, due to the lack of rain, made for a disjointed game where the midfield was often missed out.
We struggled in the first half hour conceding to a Ciaran Judd opener but Brad recognising we needed a bit more bite in midfield made a tactical early change and brought on Morris Dench. A decision that changed our fortunes.
Alfie Loversidge won and converted a penalty in the 40th minute and then straight after half time Omar Bukleb scored a downward header from a Kian Nandhra corner and Owen Benfell eased our tension with a sublime finish from 20 yards with 5 minutes to go. Jordan Hawkins played his opart in goal with 3 outstanding saves and all the subs were required in a solid squad performance.
Final score 3-1
Goalscorers: Alfie Loversidge 40, Omar Bukleb 48, owen Benfell 88
MOM Morris Dench
Bexhill United take all 3 points with a hard fought 3-2 victory over the V’s
The fixtures between the V’s and Bexhill United always ten to be entertaining and this proved no different with bexhill edging a 3-2 victory and taking all the points.
We were so dissapointed to not come away with any reward after playing some good football and fair to be said creating more chances but it’s all about finishing the ones you get and Jack Shonk hit a strikers hatrick.
We began the game well with Julian Durand heading us in front and managed to contain a dangerous bexhill side in the first half to go in 1-0 up.
The drama began to happen when we missed a penalty in the 60th minute only for Bexhill to equalise with a Shonk freekick followed by a 30 yard lob to go 2-1 up. We hit back to equalise from an opportunist goal from Durand only to immediately concede a penalty which Shonk smashed into the back of our net. Despite this, the lads rallied and won another penalty only for another tame effort to be saved and so denied a deserved point. I think the word gutted is most appropriate.
Final score 2-3
Goalscorers: Julian Durand 30, 72
MOM Sam Rogers
The V’s equalise in the final minutes versus Lingfield
On a sun soaked afternoon we opened our league season away at Lingfield who are playing at Syening while their pitch has drainage repairs.
After a positive start to the game the V’s found themselves 1-0 after 20 mins with a well worked goal between Kian Nandhra and Tommy Boyle tucked, neatly away by Kian.
Lingfield’s began to gain more possession and played quickly to their forward who was proving a handful but we always looked dangerous on the break. Just before half time a under hit pass to Jordan Hawkins resulted in a freekick on the edge of the area, resulting in a stunning finish from Conor Wilford for an equaliser.
Lingfield started the stronger in the second half and got there second after 65 mins from Jack Mcdonnell, however, the V’s showed great resilience and with the introduction of Marley Bigg from the bench we began to make in roads down the right flank which eventually resulted in a welcome equaliser from substitute Fred Midadje from a Tommy Boyle rebound shot.
Final score 2-2
Goalscorers: Kian Nandhra 7, Fred Midadje 89
MOM Kian Nandhra
The V’s lose 2-1 to Tooting and Mitcham in the FA Cup
A new look V’s squad featured some familiar faces and new players Brad has signed to the club and they combined to put in a good performance in this FA Cup extra preliminary fixture played at Newhaven FC.
Tooting and Mitcham had the better of the early exchanges with a excellent save by our goalies Jordan Hawkins keeping us at 0-0. They scored after 21 mins with a tidy finish from Brennan but as the game progressed the V’s began to gain more traction in the match and Tommy Boyle equalised after closing down their keeper. The game ebbed and flowed until ‘The Terrors’ went ahead again, with a neat finish at the far post from Jones.
The second half proved to be goaless with a both teams having chances but. it’s fair to say we edged the half with Boyle creating three clear cut chances to which were so close to an equaliser. The game finished 2-1 to Tooting and Mitcham Utd but despite being out of the Cup the performance was very encouraging for the coming season.
Final score 1-2
Goalscorers: Tommy Boyle 25
MOM Tommy Boyle
