Brighton, Worthing & District League
Saturday 21st January 2023
Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.59
Ovingdean 4 Clarendon Athletic 0, attendance 8
6’ 1-0
23’ 2-0
62’ 3-0
75’ 4-0
@ Portslade Sports Centre, 3G Pitch
Chalky Road
Portslade
BN41 2WS
No Admission or Programme.
Ovingdean normally play at Longhill Sports Centre in Ovingdean itself (which I have yet to visit), but with the grass pitch there being unfit, today’s match was moved to the 3G pitch here in Portslade. Spectator access is along one side, bar the usual sections of higher fencing and a storage unit at the far end.
Ovingdean have been almost unstoppable in the league this season, winning all bar one of their 12 games so far, the only blemish being a 1-1 draw at home to second placed Boys Brigade Old Boys, who along with Queens Head Raiders in third, are the only two challengers for the title, but in truth, the title has already been won.
Clarendon Athletic came into this 5th in the league table, so I was expecting Ovingdean to be tested. They weren’t. It was all over once the first goal went in after just six minutes and it was then a case of how many more goals would there be. Midway through the half it was 2-0, tapping in at the far post, after a cross was headed back across the six yard box. It was nearly three, but a shot from a tight angle hit the near post. Clarendon only threatened once, hitting the outside of the post with a free kick from 25 yards just before the break.
The second half was much the same. It was 3-0 just after the hour mark, poking the ball past the ‘keeper after holding off two defenders. Clarendon came close when they hit the post for a second time, from an almost identical free kick effort to the one in the first half, but never looked like getting back into it. The fourth goal came fifteen minutes from time, chipping over the ‘keeper into the far corner.
So, Ovingdean edge ever so closer to the title. Next up they visit second in the table Boys Brigade Old Boys next Saturday. If the weather is still poor, I may even go to that one, as they play on a 3G pitch at Brighton Blues Rugby Club.
League positions after today…
Ovingdean 37 points (GD +56) with 5 games left, followed by Boys Brigade Old Boys with 23 points (GD +23) with six games left and Queens Head Raiders on 22 points (GD +22) with seven to play.
