Tough Introduction For Roffey - Roffey vs. Selsey

Roffey looking for their first senior goal

After a couple of weeks of pre season games it was good to get back to competitive football. Roffey finished third last season in Division Two of The Southern Combination League and with Rustington and Copthorne lacking the required facilities, Roffey were promoted following an appeal. Floodlights are soon to be installed at Bartholomew Way and with one stand already in place it is a great looking ground. Their first opponents in senior football were Selsey who I visited quite a few years ago now for a match with Southwick which completed an enjoyable afternoon on the Manhood Peninsula - the name apparently means 'a common woodland'.    

Roffey begin life in senior football

Things don't start well for Roffey. A Selsey ball over the top sees the forward played in who is then taken out by the onrushing Roffey keeper which sees Selsey awarded a very early penalty that is put away for the opening goal. Roffey have a half chance on the break before Selsey really should get a second when a rebound falls kindly for the attacker but he somehow misses. They do get the second as the winger is allowed to cut inside before his shot across the keeper finds the back of the net. It very soon becomes three when Selsey ruthlessly punish a weak clearance. Roffey have the final chance of the half and they are unfortunate to see a good effort thud against the post.

Selsey looking to extend their lead

Roffey start the second well with the best chance coming from a chest down that allows a shot that goes just over the bar. Selsey continue the harsh lessons as they score again when the forward is played in and he slots the ball past the keeper. Roffey keep on pushing and a header at the back post goes just wide. They get their first senior goal with a penalty that is given when the referee sees some pushing at a corner. Selsey add two late goals to end a tough afternoon for Roffey.

Penalty to Roffey

The closest station to Bartholomew Way is Littlehaven which just over an hour from London Bridge. There isn't an awful lot near the station so on the outbound journey I stayed on the train to Horsham and visited the exceptional Anchor Tap which had a great selection of beers. I had intended to break the walk to the ground by visiting the Chapeau Brewery but this was closed and the walk took about forty minutes from Horsham to Bartholomew Way. From Littlehaven it is only quarter of an hour. The clubhouse was very friendly and allows you to watch the early kick off while having a can from the bar. As I said in the opening paragraph, it really is an attractive ground and it is good to see the effort made by the volunteers paying off.

Decent crowd for Roffey's first senior game