Town arrived at Ringmer on a hot, sticky day in July to kick off their pre season against SCFL Div 2 side Jarvis Brook side. This was Jude MacDonalds’s first chance to see how well prepared his retained players were as well as have the ability to see how some of Towns most talented youth players match up to the standard. With a promotion playoff available in the SCFL for the first time, Town have the ability to really aim for promotion and Jude and his coaching staff will be hoping these pre season friendlies will give Town the best chance of top 5 success. 

Town began the game by dominating the ball but the poor positioning from Towns Trialist centre back allowed Jarvis Brook a shot on goal, which beat Winterton but thankfully for Town hit the post. Town sent a few early promising crosses into the box in the first 10 however they evaded the head of Sonny Walsh and kept the scores level. Then breakthrough in the 23rd minute as a corner from Greig misses the head of the Walsh but falls to Ollie Davies who slotted it straight into the back of the net. 

Town instantly almost made it 2 just a minute later as a ball was fizzed across the box however no one could get on the end of it. Town began to grow into the game with Leon Greig finding the space to send balls in midfield after being confined to the number 2 position for much of last season. The game then had a lull with Town dominating possession but not having any clear cut chances to show for it. More Academy graduates were subbed on and inevitably no real rhythm was being formed. Jarvis Brook finally made everyone aware of their existence towards the end of the first half with a darting run forcing Towns defence to clatter into their man setting up a dangerous free kick. However the free kick amounted to nothing. A poor pass in their own half from Jarvis Brook then gave the Matty Myall a chance to show Town what he’s worth. He passed the ball to an open Ollie Davies who doubled his goal tally for the weekend. 

They say 2-0 is a scoreline where people stop trying however just 4 minutes after their second goal, Davies was hacked down in the box. Davies had his pen saved but controversially bodied the ball into the net likely off his arm to make it a hatrick and a 3-0 lead for Town. 

Town started the second half where they left off with a dominant possession spell followed by a goal this time from Matty Myall to make it 4-0 to Town. There was then a lengthy stoppage at town youth player,who had looked promising, was forced off with an injury. The striker of Jarvis Brook then did the splits in an impromptu fashion and required medical attention. Meanwhile Town went on the charge however no one could finish the opportunity. The game then once again turned quiet as we approached the drinks break of the second half, the temperatures and humidity didn’t have as large of an effect as imagined but Towns tempo had slowed down. Town then made some half chances and sent crosses into the box against a defeated Jarvis Brook. Town had relaxed and were now firing shots from anywhere satisfied the job had been done. The game ended 4-0 to Town infront of a decently attended Caburn Community ground. 

Town travel to SCFL div one side Seaford on Tuesday ( 7:30pm) before a challenging visit to Isthmian south east side Lancing where former Town player James Hull now plays his football. Kick off at Culver Road is 3pm. 

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photos by: Josh Claxton