Kingston Broadway 1-2 Hassocks Fatboys
Sussex Sunday League Division Five
Sunday 16th September 2012
Braypool
Two sides with contrasting 100% records met at Braypool where Hassocks Fatboys upset the form book to win a competitive game for the first time ever against Kingston Broadway.
Broadway came into the game with two wins from two. The Fatboys meanwhile had lost both their opening fixtures, conceding 12 times along the way. You’d have got long odds on Daniel Lawrence’s side opening their account on this day.
And yet open it they did thanks to some late magic from Mark Potter, who struck from 30 yards with 10 minutes remaining to shock the hosts. It was Potter’s first 11-a-side goal in 16 years of trying and couldn’t have come at a more important moment.
Potter was handed his first start by Lawrence, part of a wave of changes as the Fatboys sought a way to get some points on the board. There was a new 3-5-2 formation and Chris Stacey and Christian Jones both came in for their first starts too. Missing were Ron Pennicard, Jason Pennicard, Stuart Hunter, Rob Lloyd, Phil Standen and Justin Toussaint who pulled out at the eleventh hour.
The Fatboys bossed the opening exchanges, looking much more solid than in recent weeks. Martindale’s positional switch from right back to sweeper allowed him to organise the defensive line and Martyn Buxton and Jones playing as lung backs meant that two of the Fatboys biggest attacking threats were less restricted by defensive duties.
Despite all the Fatboys’ possession, it was Broadway who had the best two chances of the the first 20 minutes. Andy Rumble was called into a goal-saving block when a striker was played in one-on-one and a softly given free kick was well held by Scott McCarthy in goal. That free kick was the first of a number of incredible decisions from the referee, which included him having a central role in Broadway’s opener with just under half an hour player.
Rumble barged into an opponent in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. It was another soft decision and the Fatboys’ feelings of being hard done by were amplified two minutes after Broadway converted when Martin was the subject of an identical foul up the other end which was met with nothing more than a shrug from the match official. Martin then had an effort ruled out for being marginally offside and he then saw an effort cannon off the cross bar as the Fatboys poured forward.
An equaliser was coming and it arrived on 38 minutes. An over hit corner from Martin was retrieved by John Kearvill who delivered a low cross into the box where Stacey was ready and waiting to tap home from two yards. Remarkably, the Broadway linesman began flagging like a madman for offside, despite the fact there were two Broadway players on the posts and the JK had pulled the ball back from the by-line. The linesman was quite correctly told to stop being stupid by the referee, who regained the respect and trust of the Fatboys.
Buxton, thriving with the captain’s armband in the absence of Ron, drove a free-kick into the wall two minutes before half time and the second half began in similar vein with the Fatboys dominating. The father-and-son combo nearly gave the Fatboys the lead after Rhys Kearvill played in JK who went close and then Jones nearly scored a try when fed by Martin. That was to be Jones’ last contribution to the game as his bionic knee gave up the ghost, bringing the curtain down on a superb first start at right lung back.
Rhys had a shot well blocked before Martindale was penalised for ‘deliberate handball’ from less than a yard away. When Martindale questioned how the referee could award a free kick when even Jeremy Beadle would’ve struggled to get his hand out the way, the official told Martindale, “I don’t have to explain all my decisions to you.” Before spending 10 minutes explaining his decision.
The referee’s speech about what could be considered a deliberate handball seemed to inspire the Fatboys. Buxton had an effort saved and JK began the second player for the visitors to crash an effort against the frame of the goal, hitting the post after latching onto an 80 yard put down the field from McCarthy.
Three minutes later and with the woodwork still rattling, the Fatboys had what proved to be the winner. Substitute Lawrence cut in from the right with his dribble ending with the ball at Potter’s feet. There seemed little on, but the midfielder looked up and curled a stunning effort into the top corner from miles out. You could tell that he’d never notched before as he began ‘celebrating’ by running around like a headless chicken shouting “10 MINUTES LEFT” while his teammates tried to congratulate him.
That goal seemed to deflate Broadway and the Fatboys could have made the game safe in the last 10. Stuart Ridley was just off target with an effort and Martin found himself one-on-one but could only hit his effort straight at the goalkeeper with just seconds remaining.
Broadway broke up field from that opportunity and earned another soft free kick in a dangerous position right on the edge of the Fatboys box. McCarthy produced a superb save at full stretch to tip the swerving effort over the bar as the Fatboys held on for their first competitive win. Magic.
Hassocks Fatboys (3-5-2)
Scott McCarthy
Wasn’t happy about having to go in goal, but his superb tip over from a free kick in the last minute to secure the three points justified the decision.
Andy Rumble
Did so well at dealing with the threat posed by ‘Mario’ that the Broadway striker ended up spitting at him.
Matt Martindale
Excellent at sweeper. He mopped up everything that got through and did a superb job at organising the back three around him.
Chris Stacey
A debut goal for the shortest centre back in the Sussex Sunday League. Played a big role in the much improved defensive performance.
Christian Jones
Covered more grass than anyone at right lung back. Nearly notched a deserved goal before his knee decided to go a bit funny.
Rhys Kearvill
Moved into the middle of the park as a result of the formation change and so a lot more of the ball as a result. He used his time in possession well.
Mark Potter
An outstanding performance in the holding midfield role, capped off with a stunning 35 yard goal.
Stuart Ridley
Having Potter holding allowed him to get forward more than he has been able to in recent weeks. Seemed to enjoy the extra freedom.
Martyn Buxton
His trademark cavalier runs from left back were made even more dangerous with a more advanced role as a lung back. Put in some good crosses.
John Kearvill
The veteran striker hit the post with a clever volley. Led the line and linked up well with Martin.
Chris Martin
Knew he should have scored at the death but other than that it was a near-perfect performance. Looked far more dangerous up front than he had as a midfielder in the opening two games.
Subs
Daniel Lawrence
Questions were asked about introducing a man at left lung back who only has a left foot. He answered those by setting up Potter for the winner when cutting inside.
Kevin Ward
Unused
Goals
38′ Stacey, assist J Kearvill
79′ Potter, assist Lawrence
Man-of-the-Match
Mark Potter netted his first 11-a-side goal in 16 years of trying to cap an outstanding performance in the vital midfield holding role.