Hassocks Fatboys 2-3 Pink Flamingos A

Sussex Sunday League Division Five
Sunday 2nd September 2012
Waterhall

 

The fixture Gods had given every Hassocks Fatboys fan what they wanted for the club’s first ever competitive game: a Sussex Sunday Division Five meeting with local rivals Pink Flamingos A. Unfortunately, the capacity crowd of seven who turned out at a wet and windy Waterhall saw the Fatboys slip to a 3-2 defeat.

Things hadn’t got off to the best of starts when news broke on the morning of the game that Christian Jones had failed a late fitness test on a hangover. That necessitated the half-fit management team of Daniel Lawrence and Scott McCarthy having to name themselves on the bench.

Even more concerning than Jones’ absence was Ron Pennicard’s choice of footwear. Despite the fact that the pitch was wetter than an otter’s pocket, the Fatboys captain took to the field wearing a pair of astros. This it turned out was because he hasn’t owned a pair of football boots for 20 years.

Pennicard eventually succumbed to the slippery conditions at the break, sticking a pair of borrowed studs on for the first time since 1992, although it must be said he had done very well to stay upright for most of the first half.

The Fatboys dominated the opening 30 minutes and were rewarded when Stuart Ridley gave them the lead on the half hour mark. Jason Pennicard and Rob Lloyd linked up well down the left with Lloyd launching several balls deep into the Flamingos’ box.

It was from one of these crosses that the opener arrived. Most of those on the terraces and even the Fatboys management thought that Lloyd’s delivery was a lost cause but not midfielder Ridley, who flung himself into the air like a human cannonball to connect with a left footed volley which left the Flamingos goalkeeper with no chance chance.

Pennicard limped off shortly afterwards to be replaced by Phil ‘The Greek’ Standen but not even the loss of their inspirational striker could affect the Fatboys who continued to be on top. On the rare occasions that Flamingos did get through, Kevin Ward’s handling was excellent in the greasy conditions.

That made the manner of the equaliser difficult to take, coming as it did with the last kick of the half. No Fatboys player could react quick enough to shut down a Flamingos midfielder and he hit a shot from the edge of the box that just beat the outstretched hand of Ward to fly into the top corner.

Playing against a young team who appeared to have an average of around 12 led to concerns about how the Fatboys’ fitness levels would stand up to their pre-pubescent counterparts. To be fair to the Fatboys, they managed to slug it out with their sprightly opponents right up until the end – neither of the Flamingos further two goals came as a result of tiredness.

It was from another shot from the edge of the box with which the Flamingos took the lead. Ward appeared to have done well to get a firm hand on it, but that still wasn’t enough to keep it out. Shortly after and Andy Funnell became the latest Fatboy to be hit by injury as he limped off with Just Toussaint coming on. Mark Potter also replaced Rhys Kearvill in a double change.

Potter took up the holding midfield role with Martin switching to the right. The new arrival didn’t need long to make an impact, putting in a firm challenge on the edge of the Flamingos box. The loose ball fell to Standen who played a clever one-two with Hunter which was followed by a placed finish leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Martyn Buxton had given the Flamingos a real headache all morning when bombing on from left back in cavalier fashion and he nearly gave the Fatboys the lead as the game entered the final 10 minutes, flashing a distance effort just wide.

The game could have gone either way at the point. Ultimately, it was a defensive lapse which caused the Fatboys dear. They switched off momentarily from a quick throw and before you could say Bob’s your uncle, the Flamingos had worked a chance for their forward to lift an effort over the helpless Ward and into the top corner.

Ward pulled off one superb save minutes later when left one-on-one after a slip from Andy Rumble and Rumble thanked his goalkeeper by giving him the television magazine from his copy of The Sunday Times in the Club afterwards. Martin then squandered a glorious chance for an equaliser, defying his 4’3 stature to meet an excellent Ridley cross from the byline with a header at the back post which was just off target.

Flamingos could have added what would have been an undeserved fourth in the last minute but Lloyd somehow cleared the ball off the line before the final whistle blew. The biggest regret afterwards was no doubt that the Fatboys failed to sufficiently test the Flamingos goalkeeper, something they’ll hope to put right against Hove Athletic next week.

 

Hassocks Fatboys (4-1-3-2)

Kevin Ward
His handling in difficult conditions was spot on. One superb save late on and he was a little unlucky with the Flamingos’ second.
Andy Funnell
Gave another good performance at right back before a rib injury saw him withdrawn. Self-diagnosed himself with a cracked rib afterwards but that might just have been the six pints talking.
Andy Rumble
Difficult conditions for the centre back but he did well against a lively front two – especially as his defensive partner didn’t have any studs for 45 minutes.
Ron Pennicard
Decision to start the game in astros was extremely questionable. After putting on a set of studs for the first time since John Major was PM, he gave a solid display.
Martyn Buxton
A brave and bold performance at left back from where he nearly notched a goal. Delivered some excellent crosses into the box.
Chris Martin
Started in the holding role where he put his range of passing to good use. Finished wide on the right, making a ghosting run to nearly snatch an equaliser with an off target header.
Rhys Kearvill
His first ever game of adult 11-a-side football and he displayed couple of good touches from the right of the advance midfield three. Also kicked a man in the head.
Stuart Ridley
Energetic debut for the midfielder who was only signed in midweek. Capped an impressive morning of work with a stunning flying volley, the first competitive goal in Fatboys history.
Rob Lloyd
Worked hard out on the left. He proved his worth at both ends, putting in the cross which led to Ridley’s opener and then clearing one off Ward’s line at the death.
Jason Pennicard
Linked up well with Hunter before his hamstring gave up with half an hour played. Had he remained on, then it could easily have been a different game.
Stuart Hunter
His partnership with Pennicard again looked promising in the brief time they were on the pitch together. Continued that with Standen, who he set up for the second with a nice one-two.

 

Subs

Phil Standen
Held the ball up well as a target man following his introduction. A cool, calm and collected finish for a debut goal. He only moaned at the referee on seven different occasions too.
Mark Potter
Broke up play and dictated things from the holding role in the last 30 minutes. His ball winning ability resulted in the Fatboys’s second.
Justin Toussaint
The central defender was asked to take over from Funnell at right back. He looked at home there, losing neither a header nor a ball on the floor.
Daniel Lawrence
Unused
Scott McCarthy
Unused

 

Goals

30′ Ridley, assist Lloyd
77′ Standen, assist Hunter

 

Man-of-the-Match

Stuart Ridley excelled in the midfield engine room and scored a deserved debut goal with a flying volley in the first half.