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WHYTELEAFE 2 - 0 CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC
Saturday 25th April 2009
Ryman League Division 1 South

Whyteleafe ended a disappointing season on a winning note with a comfortable win against already relegated Crowborough.

The match had a very end of season feel about it with the visitors already relegated and playing a very youthful side, and 'Leafe with survival in the Suburban Premier the only target left, started with just two substitutes.

The home side dominated the game from start to finish with Gavin Dilley not called upon to make a save all game. 'Leafe should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when Asher Hudson's cross found Sean Rivers unmarked in the six yard box. But with the goal at his mercy, he scuffed his shot and the ball rolled tamely to keeper Robert Gordon.

Hudson had a shot of his own blocked in the 28th minute and following it up, forced a save from Gordon. Mark Hammond went close in the 40th minute. He beat a defender on the edge of the box, but his shot hit a defender in the face on the line who was well placed but knew little about it.

'Leafe could have gone in at half time ahead, but again Rivers missed from close range when he headed over from a Hammond corner.

They finally took the lead in the 51st minute. Hudson's cross was headed on by Jason Goodchild to Rivers who scored from a narrow angle via the underside of the bar. Three minutes later Rivers had another good chance after Ellis Conroy sent him clear but shot wide.

Hugh Sikaude's curling cross in the 59th minute looked dangerous but Gordon caught it well under the bar.

The game took a nasty turn in the 70th minute. Nicky Greene was brought down by Andrew Crush who kicked him whilst he was on the ground. Greene retaliated, throwing a punch and was sent off while Crush amazingly escaped with a yellow card, despite the kicking incident occurring right in front of the referee and his assistant. Despite being down to ten men, 'Leafe continued to dominate as Crowborough seemed to give more attention to arguing with the home supporters than the game.

Goodchild had a great run in the 79th minute beating three defenders before shooting just wide and he put Sikaude through in the 85th minute, but he was denied by a great saving tackle from Daniel Dunford.

'Leafe finally got the second goal in the 89th minute. Joe Risby also managed to escape the referee's attention with another sending off with a cynical foul bringing down the last man with no attempt to play the ball. Conroy however saw that justice was done when he was found in the box from the free kick and fired the ball into the net.

Whyteleafe: Dilley, Hudson (Sikaude 55), Harney, Reeve, Hammond (Gray 61), Goodchild, Aldous, Greene, Rivers, McKenzie.


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