The Ghosts claimed their first ever victory this evening after a fantastic team performance. The Illusionistas put a bad week behind them for a mature and disciplined 'demolition job' against Brighton Arthritic.
The historic game began brightly for the Ghosts with fast-paced dynamic moves and good structured play. Their opponents were no wilting violets, however, and came close on several occasions. The first effort came from a dangerous Arthritic counter-attack which required a good save from Rob Gill.
However, the Ghosts were soon controlling possession, and the pressure was clearly telling on a mentally weak Arthritic team. Good Ghostly work down the left wing gave the Illusionistas a great opportunity. A good cross from Alex Civello struck the hand of an Arthritic defender who smashed the ball across three pitches in frustration. When the referee questioned this indiscipline, he was served up a barrage of expletives by the aggressive defender. The abusive language did the defender no favours and a clearly incensed referee sin-binned the Arthritic player for 5 minutes.
The extra man gave the Ghosts an opportunity to dominate possession, which they did. Coming close several times. They were, however, unable to make their domination count and after 5 minutes with 4 men, Arthritic welcomed their defender back to the field with the scoreboard still empty.
The Ghosts were not put off though, and soon took the lead. An inaccurate ball over the top of the Arthritic defence looked a lost cause, until Crossingham used his physical presence to overpower the keeper. The ball ran lose, but the clash with the opposition's custodian had left Crossingham facing the other way. Fans and substitutes sensed the chance had gone. They needn't have worried... Crossingham cooly back-heeled the ball into the empty net for his ninth goal of the season. 1-0 to the Ghosts.
The Ghosts continued to press but the final touch was just lacking. Miller's slotted shot veered wide, Southby and Civello also came close.
The Ghoulish defence was on fire and kept Brighton Arthritic at bay. There seemed a greater structure to the play and John Marshall, Ralph Miller and Alex Civello all took turns to play sweeper across the back, while Rob Edmonds, Kris Southby and Brett Crossingham defended valiantly from the front. Rob Gill was an assured presence in goal. However, after a few quick substitutions, some of the structure and cohesion was lost. With defensive stalwart Civello off the field, a quick passing move by Brighton Arthritic undid the defence giving them the chance capitalise on a lack of communication between keeper and defence to level the scores. It was against the run of play and a big disappointment, but the Ghosts, who have mentally collapsed after similar goals in recent games, soon regrouped and continued to dominate possession until half time.
At the interval, the Ghosts were level, but they knew their performance merited more. It was a Ghoulishly confident side that came out for the second half, knowing they could haunt their Arthritic victims.
It became obvious that the Ghosts were winning the mental battle, when tight man-marking and phanter (physical banter) from Ralph Miller on Arthritic's star striker unsettled the talisman. He couldn't get past Miller, who followed his every move about the pitch. The striker's constant complaining began to annoy the strict referee who called the two players over to threaten them with the dreaded sin bin. It was at this moment that the psychological gulf between the teams became evident. Miller politely listened to the referee and apologised while the Arthritic striker continued to sulk.
The Ghosts were dominating play and finally achieved their breakthrough when fans favourite Rob Edmonds played a brilliant curved ball through the Arthritic defence. As the ball spun away from the defenders, gasps were heard around the ground... it seemed every thing was moving in slow motion. Everything that was, except Alex Civello, who ran in to slot the ball home with ease. 2-1 to the Ghosts with 7 minutes to go!
Moments later the duo who had combined so beautifully for the Ghosts' second goal created another fantastic chance. Civello's low slotted cross beating the defence and keeper to fall to Rob Edmonds, who, not being one to break with tradition, slotted just over. It was a difficult chance and surely Edmonds' first goal is a matter of when and not if.
Without the two-goal cushion the Ghosts unwisely continued to stream forward in search of a third. They were very nearly punished when a swift Arthritic attack fell to their star striker on the edge of the area. His powerful shot seemed destined for the top corner, but Rob Gill knew better, he jumped as if to punch it over, only to maneuver himself out of the way as a good effort whistled over the bar without so much as a corner conceded.
This was the warning shot the Ghosts needed and the defensive A-team streamed on to the pitch with attackers Southby and Crossingham sacrificed for their more defensive minded contemporaries. The Ghosts saw out the last minute of the game with few problems and as John Marshall rounded an attacker to play a lofted ball to Miller, the whistle everyone had been waiting for finally came. The Ghosts had won.
Joy filled the ground and Alex Civello said "I was proud to be a Ghost", but there was one person who wasn't there to enjoy the moment. The Ghosts' mercurial former manager had missed the Ghosts' greatest game. If any type of being was to remember colleagues who are no longer with them it would be Ghosts and in the post-match photocall, the team unanimously dedicated their victory to their fallen comrade Tom Stewart.
Miller said "It is like a building project. While it's going on it's ugly and it's hard work. Those who put the most in never get the recognition, but when the building is built those who completed it are lapped with praise. We must not forget that Tom Stewart laid the foundation stone in this particular architectural project".
The Ghosts Line-up:
Rob Gill; John Marshall, Alex Civello; Kris Southby; Brett Crossingham
Roll-on substitutes:
Rob Edmonds, Ralph Miller
Scorers:
Brett Crossingham - 1
Alex Civello - 1
Other results:
RS2 3-0 The Grand
Varndean Academicals 2-2 Dudley's Breakfast
Unreal Madrid 3-1 FC Red Snapper
League table going into last game
Team P W D L Pts
1. RS2 6 6 0 0 18
2. Dudley's 6 4 1 1 13
3. Red Snap 6 4 0 2 12
4. Unreal M 6 3 1 2 10
5. B'ton Arth 6 2 0 4 6
6. Varn Acad 6 1 1 4 4
7. The Ghosts 6 1 1 4 4
8. The Grand 6 0 2 4 2
If the Ghosts beat Varndean Academicals they will survive relegation.
