REDHILL RESERVES (1) 1      REIGATE PRIORY (1)

                                                                                                            Reid 1.

On a wet evening at Redhill FC Priory put in a spirited performance against Redhills Reserve Team. Roll on Roll off substitutions attained a new meaning as Redhill pooled from a squad of 25 players. However it was a great challenge to come up against one of the boroughs top clubs. Priory started well and pressed their local rivals . Crossley upfront pressed continuously with Balcombe, putting pressure on Redhills defence. Both had opportunities to score in the first thirty minutes with efforts going narrowly wide. Reid on the right was a constant threat with his pacey meandering runs and had an early effort that just went over the bar. It was on such a run that Reid cutting in from the right unleashed an unstoppable left foot strike into the top corner of the net. Redhill responded and themselves came more into the game. However , Morley in defence was superb and with Chapman , Hogg and Branton defending well , Redhill were being limited on clear cut chances. Redhill achieved their equaliser when Priory failed to clear and their striker converted easily.

With Priory rotating their 15 man squad in 30 minute intervals , they maintained their workrate and adjusted well. Marshall getting back to form was strong in midfield. Shear and Mottram worked hard to move the ball and bring in wide players.

Goalkeepers Shearman and Lawrence did well in difficult skiddy conditions. Jowett , Mclaughlin & Lidbury coming on maintained a good team ethic and made significant contributions to the evenings result.

In the second half Redhill came out with almost a totally different squad and for 15 mins pressed Priory to the edge. During this point they were moving the ball around and Priory survived some close shaves with Shearman often required to smother at players feet. Having resisted this early onslaught Priory came back into the game with Reid and Crossley getting some good goal coring chances. A further chance fell to Branton with only keeper to beat , only to see shot smothered by keeper.

For Priory this was a good result against a team from a higher level and some dissapointment that the win was not achieved. Chairman Ray Connolly said after the game '' The boys did the club proud''

Priorys next friendly fixture is this saturday against John Fisher OB.