A really good strong Crusaders side were unlucky not to get something out of this game for the first 20-30 minutes they had us penned in our own half but credit where credit is due they could not break us down due to some great defensive displays. It was a pleasure to see Captain Dan Baker returning from Injury and strike up his partnership with Simon Lockwood Again at the back. Harry Pleece putting in another strong display at right back and Adam Kemp dealing well with Rudgwick Panthers HG danger man Bradley Carter on the left. After the initial onslaught we began to come back into the game towards the end of the half. Manager Ian Matthews making regular changes to share out game time to a point had a negative effect on team cohesion but was a necessity in the grand scheme of things. Eventually we succumbed just before the half with a sloppy pass being latched onto by the opposition and some exploiting of the out of shape Rudgwick side the Crusaders Right Mid slotted home past helpless young debutante Harry Powling. The young keeper had made some good stops and was calm and collected when playing out from the back.

We enter the break 1 - 0 down and in all honesty probably deservedly. We were on the right path however and had began to grow into the game and as is still to common we had conceded from our own mistakes in trying to play football the right way. When you play out from the back like we do unfortunately you will give away chances like this.

Enter Matt Suggitt.. The Northerner is heading back to America to fish with Grenades and teach pampered American kids the beautiful game or Soccer as they call it. Weird. Without wanting to turn this into an Ode to him i will just make these two points. We are all going to miss him quality player great banter when translated by his interpreter Simon Lockwood and generally been a pleasure to have at the club. Secondly what an audacious strike to get us our equaliser. looking up from just into the Crusaders half to see there Goalkeeper some way outside his 18 yard box the Lob was on and was finished with aplomb. We were back in the game and at this point we should have been. we had come out in the second half and taken the game to Crusaders. Our midfield on its day is one of the best in the league and they began to turn the screw, Ever present assist merchant Graeme Sosna starting to dictate play and linking well with Dean, Hamish, Joe and Healy to create opportunities further forward. Balls were also beginning to come from deep as we tried to unlock a way past the excellent CB pairing from Crusaders. We finally had our breakthrough from none other than Mark Blick himself who casually slotted home. 2-1 to Rudgwick and another victory to take towards the season.

We also learnt that Bradley Barnett can balance a ball on his nose like a seal and that Jordan Easton really doesn't like pre season lastings just shy of 10 mins. Some men would be proud of that though we are led to believe.

A massive thanks to Crusaders who were strong opposition and in fairness were unlucky to concede so close to the end of the game.

Next Up East Dean Away