A bit harsh in the end perhaps.
No team players, management or supporters should ever go into a game expecting to lose but sometimes you know you are going to have to play well to get anything from the game, will need a bit of luck and more than anything else, concentrate for the full 90 minutes.
Saturday's game away at Phoenix Sports was one of those games that all from Crowborough knew was going to be a tough ask for all concerned. They have a formidable record in the league this season, having not lost a league game and fully justify their position at the top of the table.
On arrival I have to say I was surprised the game was even on, as the pitch was heavily sanded with standing water over most of the pitch but it was the ten yards either side of the half way line that was causing most of the concern.
However, the home side worked very hard on the pitch and the referee deemed the surface was playable and in the end you have to say his decision was justified as we saw a full game and one that was largely entertaining throughout, even if the result did not go our way.
As you'd expect from a team in good form, the home side attacked the Crows from the off and were soon in to their stride, however, our players were closing them down very quickly and looked competitive in all areas.
With the Crows seemingly playing with three at the back, this gave the Phoenix wide players the opportunity to attack the Crows defence from out wide. With the centre of the pitch also not in great condition, it gave the Sports defenders and midfield players the option of hitting balls into the corners and turning the Crows defence.
Number seven, Carnegie, caused the Crows no end of problems during the game, until he was substituted near the end and it was he who set up the first goal as his pace and dribbling ability enabled him to get to the goal line down the Crows left and he put a low cross over which Freeman controlled and with a cheeky back heel, forced the ball over the line and into the net.
Therefore, after 11 minutes the Crows were 1-0 down and most of the crowd were expecting to see more goals follow with regularity.
This view was further enhanced after 17 minutes when Gnahore scored with a free header from a free kick taken out wide on the Crows right hand side, Collick calling for the ball but not getting there in time and the ball duly sailed into the net, to the delight of the home faithful.
The Crows seemed to then go to a back four, which helped to solidify things a bit and they started to get back in to the game but Carnegie, Freeman and Valencia, ably supported by midfielder Bedford, the Phoenix captain, were always a threat when in possession.
For the away side, Barton, playing as a centre back, Waterman, who for me was the Crows man of the match, supported by Ridley in midfield and Carrington up front, tried to get the Crows back in the game but the cause was not helped when Death had to leave the field with a tight hamstring and was replaced by Hinkson, which resulted in another shuffle of the pack for the Crows manager, Muggeridge.
Therefore, half time was reached with the score 2-0 to Phoenix Sports and it seemed at the time that the Crows will only have pride to play for in the second half as the Sports were in confident mood and looked comfortable at the back, with Whibly, an ex Crows player, winning most things in the air.
If Phoenix thought it was going to be "more of the same" they were then disappointed as the Crows came out and took the game to the home side with Ridley and Carrington to the fore again as they passed the ball and held it up better than they had done in the first period.
Corners and chances, the best of which was fashioned by Ridley but the ball just alluded the on rushing Carpenter and was cleared. Barton also had a chance but his shot was high and wide and for the first 30 minutes of the half the Crows were more than in it but the home side still looked dangerous on the break.
With the home side not having everything their own way, tackles and attitudes started to change and Carpenter became the first player cautioned for persistent infringement of the laws in the 63rd minute.
To the relief of the Crows perhaps, Carnegie and Nelson go off in the 64th minute and are replaced by Daramy and Jenner as the home management, visibly not happy with the team's performance, struggle to regain control and Bedford receives the second yellow of the day for a rash tackle.
On 70 minutes Tear, who had worked tirelessly throughout was replaced by Trotter and with the Crows still on top, even if they weren't working the home 'keeper as much as they would have hoped, Carpenter is replaced by Charlton in the 75th minute in an effort to get a goal.
However, in the 77th minute, whilst the Crows were still reorganising, disaster struck as Freeman broke free and calmly finished passed Collick to make it 3-0 to the home side and Butler was also cautioned by the referee to add insult to injury as the goal was harsh on the Crows for their performance in the second period.
Barton then sees yellow in the 80th minute and in the 83rd minute, Bedford is replaced by Gordon as the home side look to hold on to what they have.
To their credit the Crows kept going forward and Funnell fires high and wide when well placed but it was the home side who added to the score in stoppage time when Gnahore matched his strike partner, Freeman, by scoring his second and the Sports fourth by beating the defence and finishing cooly passed Collick.
Whilst the score was a bit harsh on the Crows there was only going to be one winner on the day from the 11th minute, they were physically stronger, well organised, capable and confident on the ball, which is to be expected from a team at the summit of the league.