Copthorne Reserves 2-1 Hurstpierpoint

Mid Sussex Championship Division (Bottom)
Category
2020-21

A return to grassroots football after the third national lockdown brought an opportunity for a bank holiday doubleheader in the Mid Sussex League.

 

First up was Copthorne Reserves at home to Hurstpierpoint in the bottom half of the split Championship division.

 

This was both teams’ second game in three days after four months off, but the tempo was decent from the start, and both teams tried their hardest to play football despite the pitch being rock hard.

 

Copthorne spent most of the game on top, and looked dangerous without really testing the visiting keeper. It was a bit of a surprise, then, when Hurst had a good chance to take the lead, the referee awarding what looked like a very generous penalty. However, the spot-kick was lifted some way over the bar.

 

Not long after, they had another chance from the spot, and this time Sam Rogers made no mistake, rolling the ball home.

 

But this is where their attacking intent ended, and before the first half was over, Copthorne had turned the game around thanks to a near-post finish Jamie Parkinson and a fine effort from skipper Matthew Blake.

 

Copthorne had the better of the chances in the second half, and were able to keep Hurst away from any dangerous attacks, notching up a deserved victory.

 

This was probably the coldest Easter Monday for some time, and there was a very light snowfall in the first half in a ground which on a warmer spring day, would be a lovely venue for village football