AFC VARNDEANIANS PROVIDING FOOTBALL TO THE BRIGHTON COMMUNITY SINCE 1929
News…
The V’s lose 4-0 to a quality Petersfield Town team
This was always going to be a tough game but after beating Haywards heath a couple of weeks ago we went into the game with tentative optimism however Petersfield Town had other ideas and after 21 minutes were 2-0 up and dominating the match.
You couldn’t fault the effort of the V’s players but sometime you have to hold your hand up and say we were beaten by the better team on the day. What was impressive about Petersfield was not only their work rate but the style of football they played and clinical finishing.
Manager Law Edwards did change things up second half, and after conceding an early pen which was converted for 3-0, we were more in the game and began to have more possession however a fourth goal in the 83rd minute by stand out player Asad Ssemwogerere made it a 4-0 loss.
14/12/2024
The V’s beat Lingfield 4-1 in one of the few grass games played in Sussex
The pitch at Withdean is quite robust and after some work in both goal mouths the match went ahead and saw us beat Lingfield FC 4-1 in a solid and convincing performance. The game was in fact mean to be an away fixture for us but switched to Withdean Stadium while Lingfield secure their pitch at Whytleafe FC.
We went ahead early with a deft glancing header from Tommy Boyle at the near post after a good run and cross from Theo Maryon but Lingfield qualised through a well taken volley. The V’s were the dominant team and quickly retook the lead with a solid header from Omar Bukleb following a corner for a 2-1 lead at half time.
Charlie Farmer and Shay Tobin both finish well in the second half securing us all the 3 points. It was great to see Charlie Farmer back on the pitch and his performance warranted his MOM award.
To watch match highlights click here.
7/12/2024
League upset as the V’s beat 2nd place Haywards Heath 2-1 at the Withdean
Haywards Heath FC came to the V’s flying high in the league in 2nd place with only one defeat and 3 draws and 13 wins to their name and were looking to add another victory under new manager Kev Green. The V’s however had other ideas and against a very good Heath side kept their shape and played counter attacking football with Damien Theodore scoring just before half time with a wonderful pass from Alfie Mitchell to Damien on the left who from his own half ran into the Heath box and despatched a clinical finish for 1-0 at Half time.
The Heath came out second half and quickly equalised through a penalty but then failed to capitilise on this and despite having plenty of possession only had one other serious shot on goal which Sonnie Nealgrove did well to save.
And so to the final moments of the game and after good work by Damien down the left, a cross field pass by Ross Smith and cushion header by Owen benfell up popped George Mitchell-Phillips for a diving header winner. Scenes!! MOM for debutant Elliott Bresciani
To view game click here
30/11/2024
V’s win 5-0 v Little Common and go to 10th place in the SCFL Prem
The V’s had the better of the first half against a stubborn Little Common defence and went in at half time 0-0, but this all changed just after half time as a deflected Damian Theodore corner went in to open the scoring, followed by a neat finish from Tommy Boyle, a sublime shot by Ezra Roeg, a well placed header from George Mitchell-Phillips and a near post clinical goal by Scott Packer to round up the goals. Our Hills Sound & Vision MOM was Shay Tobin who had an industrious match linking up play in midfield effectively.
To watch the match highlights Click Here
The V’s turn the game on it’s head and win 3-2 v Saltdean United in added time
It’s fair to say that football can be a harsh game and for Saltdean United, who looked to be cruising to 3 points after 75 minutes, it was a gut renching day. They had pressed, harried, fought and taken their chances to go 2-0 up in a disjointed game. However, matches can turn on an event and oddly enough it was when Alfie Proto-Gates got sin binned. Manager Law Edwards brought on George Mitchell-Phillips, Theo Maryon, Sam Rogers, Sam Forbes-Parker and Taylor Edwards, and Saltdean decided to sit deep to protect their lead against 10 men, and the subs had a game changing impact.
Theo caused the Saltdean defence a problem down the right and combined with Damien Theodore on the left, the Tigers gradually folded under wave after wave of attack, with goals from Theo Maryon and a vital brace from George Mitchell-Phillips to bag three extraordinary points.
Hills Sound & Vision MOM - George!
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An amazing night at Withdean as we welcomed back the Seagulls
The crowd of 900 spectators enjoyed a trip down memory lane as Brighton and Hove Albion U21’s beat AFC Varndeanians 1-0. A resilient performance by the V’s was rewarded with a tight contest, despite the Albions dominance, and indeed we stayed in the game and had a chance at the end of the match. But the real winner tonight was football, as everyone involved enjoyed a close game and the atmosphere was quite special.
The Albion fanzine Dogma wrote a wonderful piece about the match which is worth a read. Read more
To watch match highlights click here
