Football

Southwater v Newtown Villa

West Sussex League

Premier Division

Saturday 18th January 2020

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.02

Southwater 5 Newtown Villa 1, attendance 30

11’ 0-1

20’ 1-1

49’ 2-1

64’ 3-1

69’ 4-1

78’ 5-1

@ Southwater Sports Club

Church Lane

Southwater

RH13 9BT

No Admission or Programme.

The last time I saw Southwater play at home, back on 2nd January 2010, they lost 1-3 to Hurstpierpoint in a Mid Sussex Charity Cup 2nd Round match, which was played at Southwater Leisure Centre. This season they have moved into the recently opened Southwater Sports Club, which has a cricket pitch and tennis courts, as well as two football pitches. The club had tweeted on Friday night that “with our amazing new pitches and drainage we have no issues with called off games”. Since moving here they have not had a match postponed, which is hardly surprising, as the two pitches are absolutely superb and despite being halfway through January they remain in immaculate condition. There can’t be many clubs at this level who have access to such good playing surfaces.

Southwater came into this as league leaders, six points clear of second placed The Unicorn Bognor Regis, but having played three games more. Newtown Villa started the day in fifth place, level on points with fourth placed Capel, but having played five games more to amass the same total!

When Newtown Villa took an early lead it was just what the game needed from a neutral point of view and Southwater really turned on the style as they fought hard to get back into it. Despite levelling the scores after twenty minutes, they were unable to get in front before halftime, but not for the want of trying. They hit the crossbar four times and also had a goal disallowed. Southwater edged in front within five minutes of the restart, but the visitors were always in the game and looked dangerous on the break. When the lead was increased to 3-1, just after the hour mark, their resistance was finally broken. Southwater now attacked at will, but despite creating chance after chance, they only managed to add two further goals.