Report - 5th May 2007
Dormansland Rockets vs Keymer & Hassocks
Division 4 Playoff Final
After the battering they took in the Somerville Cup Final Keymer & Hassocks sent a patched up squad on the long journey to East Grinstead for the Division 4 play off against Dormansland.As expected the home support far outnumbered the K & H fans.However the local crowd soon noticed from the match programme that the referee was from Keymer causing some amusing asides to be voiced throughout the game.
Both teams having already played each other twice were familiar with each others styles of play and this made for a fascinating and keenly contested affair with both sides giving their all.
Surprisingly K & H started the brighter and James Emmens put them ahead from close range after some good work by Jo Davey.Dormansland came straight back getting behind the K & H defence when their forward cleverly shielded the ball making a tackle by covering defender Troy Raftery impossible before he coolly finished.
Emmens tried to reply by firing in a number of teasing crosses but the excellent home keeper's handling was impeccable.
Dormansland then enjoyed the best of the action winning a number of aerial battles.Neil Smith had to pull off two fine saves and the K & H defence were forced to fight a rearguard action to keep matters level but could easily have been 1 or 2 down at the break.
Both sides were a little less lively at the restart although Dormansland had an effort cleared off the line by K & H MOM Ian Smith and Troy Raftery had to make a perfectly timed tackle to deny a run on goal.But K & H then started to pick up and in the last 30 minutes,the defence found they had more time and the midfield really got its passing game going finally weaving their way into the box where Gregor Ross flicked on to sub Toby Raftery who picked his spot before firing home.
Gregor Ross completed the scoring when he was tripped in the box,hitting the resulting penalty kick firmly into the roof of the net.
Although the day ultimately proved to be K & H's and Dormansland were disappointed to finish runners up they were quick to offer congratulations and the K & H players reciprocated by thanking their hosts for a splendid contest.
So a long rain interrupted campaign came to a close. The extremely bitter experience concerning the manner and circumstances of the defeat in the Somerville Cup will rankle for all time but against this - K & H clinched their third championship in three years without losing a game and also picked up the Stubbins Cup making it the best season in their short history.
