The gentlemanly Ghosts were somewhat thrown by the empty goal and complete lack of opposition, but decided not to take an unsporting advantage, instead they passed the ball amongst themselves as, one-by-one, the Academicals flooded onto the playing field.
Once the game got going properly, new signing Kieran Hill and top scorer Brett Crossingham began to rekindle the successful partnership they had shared when together at Wembley Maccas. They combined well to force some early chances and put the Academical defence under pressure.
It wasn't long before they had forced a goal. Good work from Hill gave him a sight on goal. His low shot was saved by the diving keeper, but Crossingham's follow-up wasn't. He smashed home for his 10th goal of the season. 1-0 to the Ghosts.
That was the way it stayed for much of the first half. Although they created some great chances, the Academicals were unable to find a finishing touch. It was only as the half drew to an end that the Ghosts began to tire. Making a substitution whilst defending a corner is never recommended and as Miller trotted off he regretted the decision. With the marking responsibilities unclear the Academicals took advantage to equalise.
Varndean then took their turn to dominate and showed their experience by exploiting every chance they got, with a little help from Tom Stewart who slammed home an excellent low shot into his own net. The talismanic defender was so frustrated at his own goal, he again showed his shooting prowess by smashing a nearby water bottle against the metal shed behind the posts. By the time the half time whistle was blown, the Ghosts were 4-1 down.
After the change of ends, the Ghosts were able to regain some composure and they kept the pressure on. It wasn't all one way, however, and Gill was forced into making a number of saves. Indeed as the game wore on Gill saw more and more of the ball, making mazy runs and coming close a number of times. Miller also saw two shots saved and hit the post after messing up a front post volley.
Edmonds played well down the right and at one point took the ball passed his man and another before his shot was saved. Poltergeists willed Edmonds to score, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. In fact that was as good as it got for the Ghosts. Before long it was 6-1. If you'll excuse the rather apt pun, it seemed that they had 'given up the ghost'.
Kieran Hill made sure he had something to take home with him, however, after he scored late on to restore a shred of dignity to the scoreline. The game finished 6-2. Overall though, it was a poor performance by the Ghosts and a disappointing end to the season.
The Ghosts are now relegated after finishing in 7th place and Dermot O'Leary was heard loudly calling for Ralph Miller's head at the final whistle. Rob Edmonds said "That was definately our worst performance". He quickly corrected himself after being reminded of the Dudley's Breakfast debacle. "Well our second worst performance".
Ralph Miller said "it's been a tough old season. We've had our ups and our downs... mainly downs. Actually pretty much exclusively downs, but we've had fun and we've lit up the pitch invasion Monday Late Division One like it has never been before. The Ghosts will never haunt again, but they wont be forgotten".
Team:
Gill; Miller; Edmonds; Hill, Crossingham
Roll on sub:
Stewart
Scorers:
Crossingham - 1
Hill - 1
Other results:
Brighton Arthritic 3-3 Unreal Madrid
Dudley's Breakfast 3-0 The Grand
Red Snapper 2-0 RS2
Final positions:
1. RS2 18
2. Dudley's Breakfast 16
3. Red Snapper 15
4. Unreal Madrid 11
5. Varndean Academicals 7
6. Brighton Arthritic 7
7. The Ghosts 4
8. The Grand 2
The Ghosts scored 17 goals and conceded 38.
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