There's no substitute for scoring goals.
After being unbeaten for so long and losing two cup games in succession, the Crows needed to get back to winning ways in the league as soon as possible and eventually the three points stayed at the Community Stadium after a 2-1 home win against Bearsted FC.
The match itself was not a classic, it probably was never going to be, however, the record books will show we won the game, got the points and went back to the top of the table, how we got the points and the performance itself, will not be recorded, so to everyone else it will be "I see Crowborough Athletic won again".
The squad had to be altered again with Tear, Treleaven and Appiah not available, Muggeridge and Carey were both not fit enough yet to start the match but there was some good news as Trotter was fit again and able to at least have a place on the bench with them. Add to that the signing on a permanent basis of Dan Perry from Lewes FC at least meant that we still had options to switch things around if necessary.
After the rain we've been having of late, the pitch was definitely playable, however, it would still be a difficult surface for the players to play on, especially our players who like to get the ball down on the deck and pass it about but it's the same for both teams and you just have to get on with it.
The visitors definitely came with a game plan to make life difficult for us and they stuck to that philosophy right the way through the match, and why shouldn't they, we can't expect teams to come to play us and let us do what we want, we'll have to fight for every point from now until the end of the season.
The first half was a rather non-descript affair because the visitors had not conceding a goal on their mind whilst we seemed rather tentative and nervous during the first 45 minutes. There weren't many clear cut chances for either team and defences were on top throughout the half.
Bearsted' only shot on target in the first half was good enough to give them a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, Collins with a good left foot drive from the edge of the area which flew past Ellis and in to the corner of the net, against the run of play perhaps but they had what they wanted, a lead to defend and a goal on the breakaway.
Ellis and Williams both saw yellow as they decided to fight for the ball in the goal, Ellis wanting to get the ball to the centre spot as soon as possible and Williams obviously having a different point of view and wanting to delay the restart as much as possible.
To be honest the Crows play during the half was rather slow and ponderous which really played in to the hands of the opposition and all watching thought that there may be some discussion in the home dressing room as the half time whistle blew with the visitors still leading 1-0.
I personally don't know if anything was said between management and players over their cup of tea, all I can say is that the tempo of the Crows play was far better and the difference in overall performance was as marked as the difference between chalk and cheese.
Within the first 5 minutes after the restart, Crabb, Barton and Attwood had chances to get the Crows back on level terms, Barton's probably being the best of those, but at least the fans now had some hope that all was not lost.
Walder, Barton again and Carrington all had efforts during the next 10 minutes before Turner received a yellow card in the 58th minute for a late tackle and so the 60th minute was reached when Crabb had an effort saved by Andrews in the visitors goal and the score line still at 1-0 to Bearsted.
That was Crabb's last involvement in the match as he was replaced by Muggeridge in the 62nd minute. Any time a manager makes a substitution he hopes that the substitute has an impact on the game and sure enough Muggeridge made an instant impact only a minute later, dribbling in to the area before firing a shot goalwards where a slight deflection meant that it flew in to the net for a 1-1 score line.
From this moment on the momentum was with the Crows and the pressure started to mount, so much so that G. Andrews received a yellow card for a rather late tackle on the marauding Clarke, bringing him down in full flight as he headed towards the Bearsted goal.
Walder then saw yellow in the 74th minute and the away side took advantage of the break to take Williams off and bring on Hayes. Time was starting to march on and it looked like it might end with a 1-1 score line however, chances were being created so there was still hope for either side though the Crows looked the more likely team to score the next goal.
In the 83rd minute Bartrum saw yellow and the Crows were awarded a penalty as a result, Vickers, having scored against Coleshill Town, once again took responsibility however, Scott Andrews saved his kick and the ball went out for a corner, still 1-1.
As a result of the penalty miss and a desire still to win the game, the tiring Perry who had worked hard all game was replaced by Pearson in the 85th minute, therefore, giving the forward line some fresh legs and impetus.
Mooney then went off to be replaced by Carcary for the visitors as they looked to hold on to their point. However, in the 89th minute that single point disappeared when a shot from Pearson from the edge of the box was fumbled by Andrews and the ball went in to the net of a post, much to the delight of all concerned with the Crows, 2-1 and only stoppage time to play.
In the end it was enough to secure the win and the Crows had buried the two cup defeats and maintained their long unbeaten league record, long may that continue we all say.