The Ghosts were able to name seven men for the first time for the clash with The Grand. With debutants Kris Southby and John Marshall included in the squad alongside the returning Tom Stewart it meant that despite the loss of mercurial goalkeeper Rob Gill, the Ghosts would have the luxury of a two substitutes. Going into this relegation dogfight there was little between to two teams, both glued to the bottom of the table without a point to their name. Indeed for the first few minutes there was little to separate the two teams.
As the sun set over the Stanley ArenA, both sides took a while to find their rhythm and get into the contest, played at a high intensity owing to the Mediterranean conditions.
The game was not without its chances and the Ghosts created a few half chances. However, after sloppy defending, The Grand snuck in to go 1-0 up. These were not the Ghosts of old, however, and the reply was almost instant, with Crossingham smashing his sixth goal of the season home to make it 1-1.
Before long it was 2-1 to the Ghosts after a good finish from Civello. Could they be about to record their first victory? The immediate answer seemed to be no, with a quick goal from The Grand making it 2-2.
We were not going to see our heroes cruise to victory and as if to underline the point, it was soon 3-2 to The Grand. This game was more like a basketball match with both sides having a whole host of chances.
With half-time approaching the Ghosts drew level at 3-3 with a slick finish from debutant Kris Southby. The defence was also doing its bit and Filipino housewife Stewart inspired confidence in his defence.
Moments from half-time, the Ghosts' answer to Mario Jardel - the free scoring Crossingham added another goal to his sizable collection to give the Ghosts a 4-3 lead as the sides changed ends.
The Ghosts had made it to half way with a lead intact and things looked good for our unholy heroes. The poltergeists could even be heard singing the names, albeit quietly, of Miller, Southby and Civello - their usual boo-boys.
It wasn't to last, and The Grand restored parity after a Ghoulish mix up in the defence, ending in a deflection off goalkeeper Stewart made it 4-4.
The complacent and tiring Ghosts spurned a number of chances with Edmonds going closest, spraying it just wide from a one-on-one. However, as the Unholy Ghosts marauded forward, The Grand were able to capitalise on a misplaced pass to take the lead at 5-4.
With time running out, the Illusionistas could see a famous victory slipping away, but they are made of sterner stuff than they were against Red Snapper and Unreal Madrid earlier in the season. After great persistence, Crossingham equalised to make it 5-5 and complete his hat-trick.
The Ghosts made a few changes to see out the draw, but a hastily brought-on Civello, re-introduced to shore up the defence, contributed stunningly at the other end. He rose, salmon-like at the back post to head home Southby's finely floated cross.... 6-5 to the Ghosts with seconds to go! Excitement at the Stanley ArenA was at boiling point. The Poltergeists and the substitutes were willing the Ghosts to hold on for a famous victory.
The Ghosts had to hold out for one last chance. From their centre, The Grand brought the ball quickly through the middle of the Ghosts and the striker had time to look up and catch a glimpse of Stewart's goal. With mere seconds on the clock, he drew the trigger....
Miller dived across to block the goal-bound shot, the ball hitting his thigh. However, the defection spun cruelly past the already diving Stewart who couldn't adjust in time. The ball spun against the post and trickled across the line to make it 6-6.
As the Ghosts launched forward, it wasn't enough, as a freekick for a foul on Southby came too late, the referee bringing the Ghosts' greatest game to an end.
The last minute equaliser was a knock-out blow for the brave Ghosts. Stewart was despondant at the end. "We played well, and that was the most dramatic end to a game I've ever played in". Southby was heard saying "that game had every thing". Although Marshall was heard contradicting his manager, saying "neither side played that well".
Although they now have their first point, it feels more like two points lost. Next week the potential Hauntees are Dudley's Breakfast.
Ghost line-up:
Stewart; Civello, Marshall; Edmonds; Crossingham
Roll-on roll-off subs:
Southby, Miller
Goalscorers:
Crossingham 3
Civello 2
Southby 1
Other results:
RS2 2-1 Unreal Madrid
Brighton Arthritic 3-4 Dudley's Breakfast
FC Red Snapper 4-1 Varndean Academicals
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