Fog Fails To Prevent Thriller - Rottingdean Village vs. Alfold

Elevated view at The Rottingdean Sports Center

The weather was kind again this week (although it tried it's best to ruin things at the last minute) so I was able to plan a trip to a ground I have had in mind for long time. I've always enjoyed my trips to coastal grounds such as Newhaven, Saltdean and Mile Oak and so Rottingdean Village really appealed. Looking into the place itself it seemed a really great place to visit in general. Rottingdean play in division two of The Sussex County League and their opponents today were Alfold who were in their second season at this level. The two sides were only two places apart at kick off although Rottingdean were eight points ahead of their opponents. The home side were looking to complete the double over Alfold after winning 5-0 at The Recreation Ground in mid February.

Kick off in the fog that nearly derailed things

After ten minutes or so, Alfold win the ball in the midfield and the attacker is played in on goal. Unfortunately his lobbed effort goes well over the bar. Rottingdean first put pressure on the Alfold goal with a free kick from out wide that the Alfold keeper does well to punch away. Then from the resulting corner, the Rottingdean player is left all alone on the edge of the area and his half volley finds the back of the net. Alfold now try for the equalizer from a free kick in a decent position which goes just over the bar. They do however equalize shortly afterwards. The Rottingdean full back loses the ball and from the resulting cross the man at the back post is able to slot home to level things up. Both sides have half chances in the closing stages before Rottingdean regain the lead just before half time.

The Alfold free kick goes just over the bar

Alfold have an early chance to level but the Rottingdean keeper is equal to the half volley attempt. It is the home side however who score next. A corner from the left goes in off the Rottingdean midfielder to extend their lead. This sparks Alfold to life and it doesn't take too long for them to get back into the game. After a Rottingdean move breaks down, they quickly get down the other of the pitch and the attacker is in the right place to meet the pullback from the byline to get them back to within one goal. The game is now really open and Alfold are unlucky to see a free kick touched just wide. Then Rottingdean should really seal the points as a free header from a cross is put over the bar. It is another break away goal that settles the contest. Rottingdean win the ball back in the middle of the park and the man is found at the back post before he lashes the ball home. Alfold are reduced to ten men in the closing for something that wasn't clear from the side lines to end an entertaining encounter.

Panic in the Alfold box in the first half

To get to Rottingdean is fairly straight forward. You have to catch a train to Brighton from Victoria which takes around an hour. Then you can take one of the numerous buses that travel along the coast to Rottingdean. I took the 12X on the way out and the number 2 right back to the station afterwards. This part of the trip takes no more than quarter of an hour. I was looking forward to seeing Rottingdean but the thick fog which was present when I arrived ruined that but I still went down the sea front. Right next to the sea front is The Coach Horse which had a couple of Sussex beers on offer as well as some of the best music for a pub I've come across. Then a bit further towards the ground is The Olde Black Horse which is very much a gastropub but did have a wide selection of beers. The clubhouse at the ground was very friendly and had the usual drinks. There was also the sports channels and the burgers were among the best tried this season. Then before my bus I popped into the excellent The Queen Victoria  where I tried the Pale Ale from the Sussex based Gun Brewery. An excellent day all round despite the early heavy fog.

Wing play shot showing the rural nature of the ground