A game too far.
After Tuesday, the last thing the Crowborough Athletic players wanted to see when they arrived at the home of Hollands & Blair, was the sun beating down at full radiation levels and therefore, making the temperature around 30 degrees out on the pitch.
Quite a few of the 63 people watching the game decided to find whatever shade they could, I went to the stand where there was at least a slight cooling breeze, even if the seats were not the most comfortable for the larger framed body that I have.
The pitch itself looked in good condition, although there is a marked slope from one side to the other, which is at least better than one going from end to end, however, with the team having played 120 minutes on Tuesday, it was another downside for tired legs and minds.
When the team came out for their warm-up, if they needed one, it was obvious to the Crows fans that there were quite a few walking wounded from the effort they put in against Chessington & Hook United in their Emirates FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round replay.
The home side started very brightly, not surprisingly, with a tricky left winger, Fewsdale, receiving the ball at the bottom of the slope, at every opportunity. He was definitely giving Boddy a tough time during the first half and anything inventive was coming from him, in the first half at least.
Hollands last game was on Tuesday 11th August therefore, it was hardly surprising to anyone that they were fitter, quicker to the ball and sharper throughout the first half in general, compared to the Crows.
As with all our games so far this season, the referees seem to be awarding too many free kicks and talking to players far too often for my liking, rather than doing anything about a foul or abusive language by perhaps branding a yellow card.
It took 24 minutes before the first corner was awarded to Hollands & Blair, our first one came along in the 31st minute, and the first real chance to score fell to Denness, the home side's number 10, however, after rounding 'keeper Hampson and with the open goal in front of him, he shot it wide and the score remained 0-0.
The best chance the Crows had during the first period went to Funnell who, after being put through by Ridley, beat their goalkeeper to the ball and lobbed it over him, only to see his effort drift just wide of the far upright.
However, barely a few minutes later, he made a tackle in the penalty box whilst helping out the defence and brought down the Hollands attacker for a stonewall penalty. This gave the home side's left back, Greenfield, whose non-stop moaning throughout the 90 minutes should have been dealt with, coolly slotted the ball home with 5 minutes of the half remaining.
The home side deserved their lead and it was going to be a tough ask for the Crows to get back in to the game considering the heat, injuries and tiredness they were obviously feeling.
Things got worse for the Crows very early on in the second half, Carrington having to go off injured and he was replaced by Biddlecombe, who at least looked fitter and sharper than others.
Then in the 57th minute Jagger, another injury, had to be replaced by Ransome, this resulted in Boddy going next to Everest and Ransome slotting in at right back.
The Crows made their final substitution in the 67th minute, Taylor coming off and being replaced by Death in a last throw of the dice in an effort to get back in to the match and snatch an equaliser.
In the end though, it was the home side that looked more dangerous and as the full-time whistle was about to blow, Everest brought down the Hollands forward right on the edge of the area as he bore down on Hampson in the Crows goal.
The referee initially awarded the home side a second penalty, after showing Everest a red card, and with Greenfield in position to take his second penalty kick, the assistant referee flagged to get the officials attention, which he did, and then it turned out to be a free kick on the edge of the area, rather than a penalty, all very confusing for the spectators.
Therefore, it finished 1-0 to Hollands and it was a win they deserved overall, they are a physical side, compact and effective, which relies on getting the ball forward as quick as possible, so their forwards can chase the defence down or compete aerially for every ball.
After Tuesday, we didn't need a team who had not played the Saturday or in mid-week prior to playing us, the cards were stacked against us it seemed from the start and our period of bad luck will surely turn soon, hopefully, on Tuesday night when we play Beckenham Town at home.