20/08/2022
Match report: AFC Uckfield Town II Vs Ditchling
FT 5-1 Win
The second fixture of the season saw Ditchling travel to Uckfield looking to add to their 3 points from game 1.
Ditchling were nice and compact in their set up, allowing very little out from the back line of Uckfield. The home side resorted to long, diagonal balls, which were pretty unaffective. The rather passive nature of the game was obliterated by Alston who gave Ditchling the lead. He received the ball in the right back position and spun past his man. He drove into the empty space, contemplating the runs of the forward line, but the opposition backed off further and further. He decided to unleash a rasping right footed strike from about 30 yards, which refused to slow down or stop rising. It nestled in the top left stanchion beautifully, the keeper had no chance. 0-1.
Ditchling continued to frustrate Uckfield and were beginning to pick up loose balls in dangerous areas. None more so than Jones, who closed down a hesitant GK on the left wing, only to nutmeg him on the way back inside. He drove into the box, but instead of shooting on goal occupied by covering defenders, he attempted to square to the accompanying Honey. The pass was overhit and Honey struggled to recover the gilt-edged chance. HT
Ditchling began the second half a bit deeper which created more space for Uckfield to play into. However, it also allowed the away side to exploit the now more stretched home side. Ditchling made it two when Jones played a quick one-two with Ellyatt on the left side and was released in behind driving at a single defender. He opted to square it Honey yet again from just outside the box, but this time it proved to be the correct call. Honey received it to the right, 12 yards out and slid it calmly into the near post. 0-2.
Uckfied eventually got some joy playing out from the back. A nice one/two touch move saw them play through the midfield and find their left winger on the edge of the box. He whipped a right footed shot into the near post. 1-2.
Despite clawing a goal back, Ditchling looked like the only team that would go on to score more. And that they did! The introduction of Johnson meant Ditchling added another dimension to their attack. He was quick to add his name to the scoresheet when he drove at the Uckfield defence from wide left. He had options left and right, but decided to go alone, driving past his defender to the right and slotting past the onrushing keeper. 1-3.
This goal seemed to deflate Uckfield and Ditchling smelt blood. They looked fluid in attack and solid in defence - creating many chances and closing the door on any Uckfield reprisal.
They added the fourth when Alston picked out the run of Jones into the centre right channel in behind. The pass perfectly weighted, he took no time in rifling the ball first time across goal, hitting the post and nestling in the opposite corner. 1-4.
The fifth was created by Bendu, making his competitive debut, who turned his man neatly in the middle of the park and promptly picked out the run of Honey in that same centre right channel. He in turn picked out Ellyatt at the back post who turned it in from a couple of yards out. 1-5.
A very professional and impressive performance yet again.
Goals - Alston âš½
Honey âš½
Johnson âš½
Jones âš½
Ellyatt âš½
MoM - Honey. Life in the old dog yet! Goals, assists, expert link up.
