Hassocks Fatboys Reserves 0-1 The View
A game following an evening of heavy drinking is never a good for the Fatboys of Hassocks and Sunday proved to be no different.
Pre-match things did not get off to the best start, with Nick Davie working on JMT (Jonesy Mean Time) and being half an hour late along with passengers Cheeky Ando Knot, Sami Alves, 22-year-old Nick Jones and, most importantly, the kit. Manager Reece Wickwar was very understanding regarding the matter “Don’t treat each other like c**ts” rang around the changing rooms pre-game.
The Fatboys welcomed back El Bod and Pete West from retirement and Mark Potter to the squad, with the latter making his 100th appearance for the club. An event Potter has been going on about for weeks, so much so that Wickwar felt obliged to give him the captains armband. He won the toss.
The Greens began brightly, carving out a couple of half chances with Bod, Stevie Stockwell and Cheeky Ando proving to be an effective front three and forcing the keeper into a couple of saves. Bod was unlucky not to put his side one up as his header, from a Wickwar free kick, went just wide of the post.
Cheeky Ando was next to miss a gilt edge chance, firing at the keeper following good work from Stockwell. The Portslade Barber was in fine form, picking out some superb passes, controlling some delightful long balls and opening up The View’s defence like
The midfield of Potter, Wickwar and Mike Meckiff were strong and stable with the defence remaining largely untroubled for the first half. Wilson and 22-year-old Jones attempted their best Chuckle Brothers routine, with a standard ushering back from Wilson was misjudged by 22-year-old Jones, who the slipped over on the penalty spot, fortunately Sexy Stuart Young was there to clean things up.
One player who captured the selfless work of a defender on Sunday was Pete West, he had some what a of renaissance at centre half. “West has always had a very defined personality,” said Fatboys supremo Wickwar. “He shows solidarity and that has made him stand out the group and it has rubbed off on them too.”
All square at half time, Wickwar called for the Fatboys to get that all important goal. Young Nick Davie was still suffering from his dreadful hangover and still offering no apology for his lateness.
As ever, the Fatboys started slowly in the second half, with The View dominating possession. Jones was forced into a stunning save, tipping the wingers goal bound effort on to the post but aside from that, the 22-year-old’s goal led a relatively untroubled existence with the defence of Davie, Wilson, West and Young staying strong.
The Fatboys still created a couple of chances, with Bod heading over, Bod heading the ball to the keeper and Bod heading just wide.
Then, disaster struck as The View broke the deadlock. Davie was caught out of position and left the winger to pull back to the striker who fired in from close range despite the despairing dives of Young and Jones.
Sam Harding and Kevin Ticehurst were brought on for Stockwell and Mike Meckiff. Kev’s first contribution was to attempt his now customary 35-yard first time volley which just went over Jack and Jill. Hungover and unapologetic Davie was hauled off for best selling author Jules Clay,who took what seemed like an eternity to get ready, having to remove over eleven layers to find his kit.
Potter turned into Lionel Messi for 30 seconds as he skipped past three challenges in the middle of the park and then nutmegged a guy to find Bod in the box who
Full time and a one nil defeat, but the result was somewhat meaningless, as today was all about Potter (as per usual). He received a rousing round of applause as he left the pitch by The View.
The midfielder/chairman told the Mid Sussex Times after the game “Thank you for having me for such a long time. I know that’s not easy. This is more than just playing football, it’s a way of life. It’s caring about the beautiful game, about the values we cherish, and as well, that something that goes for all our bodies in every cell of our bodies. We care, we worry, we are desperate, but when you come here, the theatre of dreams we realise what it means.”
“I would like as well to thank everyone at the club who makes it so special, I would invite you, really push, support these players and the staff, these group of players has a special quality. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch.”
Fatboys
Nick Jones
Nick Davie
Sam Wilson
Pete West
Stuart Young
Reece Wickwar
Mark Potter
Mike Meckiff
Ando Knott
Chris Clayton
Stevie Stockwell
SUBS
Sam Harding
Kevin Ticehurst
Jules Clay
MAN OF THE MATCH
Game number 100?