Balcombe vs First Team

Recap

Reigate Priory First team picked up another draw on the road against opposition above them in the Mid-Sussex Premier Division.

The hosts, Balcombe, took the lead midway through the first half with a move down the right hand side and a very neat flicked finish at the near post. A double substitution at half-time saw Max Bicknell and the returning Joe Elbishlawi take to the field and make an instant impact. Within ten minutes of their arrival, the former was dragged down in the penalty area for the latter to duly convert the resulting spot-kick.

After a spell of Priory pressure, Balcombe composed themselves to re-take the lead. A long throw into the box wreaked havoc and was eventually stabbed in for 2-1. Priory equalised through a moment of brilliance, followed by a moment of calamity as Sam Luard beautifully found Elbishlawi down the left hand side, cutting the ball back for a Balcombe defender to smash an attempted clearance square in the chest of Javi Serrano, which rebounded into the back of the net.

Albeit somewhat fortunate, it was a deserved equaliser for Priory who had tested the Balcombe keeper on various occasions, Priory nearly ran away with all three points when another move down the left hand side saw Max Bicknell accelerate towards goal, cutting back for James Long but his shot was brilliantly blocked on the line.