Wood Fell Oak - Mile Oak vs. Lordswood

Elevated view at The Mile Oak Rec

It was the latest round of The Vase last weekend and as I hadn't visited a new Sussex League ground yet this season, I opted to travel to Brighton for Mile Oak against Lordswood of the Southern Counties East League. After seeing Wellingborough and Edgware share nine goals in the previous round, I was hoping for another glut of goals. Mile Oak had made a steady start to the season and had only lost one of their three home league games this season. The visitors had made a very good start to their league campaign and were in third place behind Erith Town and newly promoted Hollands and Blair. In the previous round both sides defeated Sussex League opposistion - Mile Oak beat Seaford while Lordswood defeated Southwick.

Kick off at an angle

Early on in the tie, both sides have a set play each but neither delivers a threat to the goal. Lordswood should really take the lead when the Lordswood player is allowed a free header from a corner but the effort goes wide of the post. Lordswood come close again when the attacker powers through the home defence and the Mile Oak goalie makes a good save to keep the scores level. The Mile Oak defence then almost gift Lordswood the opener. A weak back pass is pounced on by the Lordswood forward and the Mile Oak keeper saves the day again when he some how gets back to block the shot on the line. Mile Oak take the lead when a corner to the back post is flapped at by the Lordswood keeper and the ball is put back into the six yard box where it is lashed into the back of the net. Lordswood have a great chance for an equaliser shortly afterwards when a free kick is split but the keeper redeems himself, making a great close range save from the rebound. The Mile Oak keeper is yet again called into action shortly before half time, making a fantastic low save after the Lordswood striker found space in the box.

Lordswood attack in the first half

Lordswood equalise shortly after half time. The Mile Oak defence doesn't fully clear a ball into the area and the forward is then played in and he slots the ball past the keeper to make it one one. Lordswood are then awarded a penalty when the player is chopped down as he takes a shot and despite the goalie getting a hand to the ball, it still finds the back of the net to give the visitors the lead. Lordswood are awarded a second penalty in a short period of time as the Lordswood player is fouled by the Mile Oak keeper after a scramble in the box and the penalty goes the same direction with the same result to make it 3-1. Lordswood make the tie safe when following a ball to the near post, the forward is allowed to turn and he scores the visitors' fourth goal. In the closing stages the Lordswood keeper has to make a sharp save to tip over a drilled effort from the edge of the area before Mile Oak get a late consolation goal.

Mile Oak push for the opener

The closest station to The Mile Oak Rec is Portslade. There is one direct train an hour from Victoria or you can catch a train to Brighton and change there for a train to Portslade. Either way, the journey takes around an hour and a quarter. The ground is then a half hour walk away or the number one bus from close to the station drops you very close to the ground and the service is pretty regular. On the way down to the seafront from the station is The Blue Anchor which is good for a drink if you've been for a walk on the front. Half way between the station and the ground is The St George's Inn which has Sky and BT Sports for the early kick offs. There is no clubhouse at the ground but you can get warm drinks and cold snacks from the school hall next to the ground. The nearby Mile Oak Inn hosts post game drinks and is the best bet for a drink before a game. 

Very impressive programme

Long throw up the line in front of the stand