Pound Hill 3-3 Hassocks Fatboys Reserves
The 12 days of Christmas may have come and gone, but Hassocks Fatboys Reserves were still in the mood for producing a Christmas miracle as they came from nowhere to grab a deserved point with a 3-3 draw away at Pound Hill in their first game of 2019.
It had been three weeks since the last game of 2018, a spirited showing not quite enough in a 1-0 defeat against The View. Despite the long break to get everyone fit and ready, Fatboys boss Reece Wickwar was still missing a few key players for this trip to Crawley.
22-year-old Nick Jones continued in goal despite rumours that a potential loan move is being lined up to give the young goalkeeper some experience of first team football. Best selling author Jules Clay was given a rare start at right back with Ali Jenkins returning at centre back alongside Sam Wilson and Stuart Young continuing at left back.
Jules in particular was clearly delighted to have been named in Wickwar’s starting XI and took a mere 20 seconds from the team being announced to point our to several players that he in fact felt his 50-plus years of experience would be of better use in a more attacking role. Wickwar seemed to consider this for all of two seconds before dismissing it, leaving Jules to turn his attention to talking about the success of his latest book instead.
Justin Parker returned to the reserves after a few weeks away with the first team and he was part of a midfield three alongside Mark Potter on his 101st appearance for the club and Wickwar. The front three consisted of Nick Davie, Ian Simpson and Simon O’Brien.
It was the Fatboys who started off the better of the two sides and they looked particularly dangerous attacking down the flanks with Simpson managing to find some space out wide before crossing perfectly to Wickwar but the player manager’s header blew just wide of the post.
Simon O’Brien had missed the last few games before Christmas and something strange must have happened in that time as he led the Fatboys attack with menace here by actually closing people down to cause panic in the Pound Hill defence and then more shockingly, he won a 50-50 tackle before playing the ball to Davie who, with limited options in the area, decided to take a shot on which was comfortably saved by the keeper.
Pound Hill came into the tie after that with their number 10 in particular causing all manner of problems, including a dangerous cross into the box which found the right winger whose shot forced a smart save from 22-year-old Jones.
A couple of corners for the hosts followed but nothing came of them as Jenkins organised the defence superbly, even managing to hit O’Brien on the counter attack. O’Brien had clearly been given some pace for Christmas by Santa as he ran clear and managed to win a free kick on the edge of the area. Jenkins came striding forward to take it but his effort hit the outside of the post.
Pound Hill broke the deadlock shortly after and it was no surprise to see the number 10 scoring. He eased his way through the Fatboys midfield before smashing home from long range past a helpless Jones for 1-0. It didn’t take long for the same player to double the hosts lead. This time, a clever pass forward from the number seven was laid off to the number 10 who hit a shot which, although it looked comfortable for Jones, somehow went through the young goalkeepers hands.
A moment of individual brilliance from Wickwar nearly pulled one back before half time as he weaved into some space but his excellent shot was met by an even better save from the Pound Hill goalkeeper.
Wickwar made a double change at the break as Stevie Stockwell and Mike Meckiff replaced O’Brien and Potter and that helped raise the Fatboys energy levels at the start of the second half. Davie and Wickwar linked up well down the right with the latter delivering a cross that was met by Simpson but his sliding shot went just wide.
Wickwar again turned to his bench, this time introducing Kevin Ticehurst and Sam Harding for Davie and Clay and the substitution had an instant impact. From the next Fatboys attack, Stockwell played a brilliant ball forward which sent Wickwar away and he rounded the goalkeeper before unselfishly squaring to Harding who had time and space to produce a controlled finish to score with his first touch. That continues Harding’s excellent run of form in front of goal with Wickwar also getting a great deal of praise for his tactical acumen. Something he certainly didn’t learn from former boss Jamie Stratton.
Jones was then forced into another good save from an acute angle before the Fatboys scored a brilliant goal on the counter. It all started when Meckiff made a vital, game-changing headed clearance two yards away from the Fatboys goal. Parker picked up the loose ball and played a splendid pass to the feet of Simpson who flicked it into the path of Wickwar. Wickwar still had plenty to do but he used his pace to great effect before cutting inside and keeping the coolest head in Crawley to smash his side level.
That set up a tense last 15 minutes which was too much for certain players to handle, namely Jones and Potter. The 22-year-old goalkeeper was furious that Potter, now running the line, was a mere couple of yards behind play, and vented frustration at him. Potter in return shouted “Well why don’t you come and f**king run the line instead?” in the latest installment of their lovers tiff. Stockwell was also feeling the pain after running himself into the ground and he came off for the final 10 minutes, allowing O’Brien to reenter proceedings.
Disaster then struck as the Fatboys failed to clear a Pound Hill attack with the ball falling to their central midfielder who hit a long range effort that flew into the top corner to put the hosts back into the lead. After all the Fatboys efforts to get back into the tie, it looked like they would be left heartbroken with nothing to show for it.
A couple of months ago that would have been the case but Wickwar has injected more belief and steel into the side since his appointment. The Fatboys kept their heads up and maintained their tempo and were rewarded when Wickwar played a fantastic ball to Simpson who sprung the offside trap and his lovely ball across goal was met by the veteran O’Brien for a well-deserved equaliser.
That was despite the best efforts of the Pound Hill linesman, who tried to have the final say by belatedly flagging the goal for offside. The referee was in no mood for a discussion about it, simply saying, “I’ll have a chat with you, but it’s still a goal”.
FATBOYS RESERVES (4-3-3)
Nick Jones
At fault for the second goal but he made some superb saves throughout the game to provide the platform for the comeback. Young keepers make mistakes, it happens.
Jules Clay
Very sportingly, he eventually agreed with Wickwar’s decision to play him at the back. This was just as well as he made a lot of tackles as well as playing some nice balls forward for Davie.
Sam Wilson
No matter who he plays alongside, he seems to strike an instant understanding with them with Jenkins being his latest partner. Took the advice of Wickwar before the game of not playing out from the back on board by being “no nonsense” a little too literally!
Ali Jenkins
Commanded the defence superbly and was quick to rally the troops when the third goal was conceded. Unlucky not to score a free kick as well.
Stuart Young
Defended soundly out on the left and he even managed to whip in a few lovely crosses when he had the licence to get forward.
Justin Parker
Great to have him back after a couple of weeks with the first team. He played some lovely passes at times from both the centre of midfield were he started the game and right back were he was moved early in the second half.
Mark Potter
Helped the defence out very well and put in some lovely blocks. He was always on his toes to close down the opposition when attacking.
Reece Wickwar
One of three strong candidates for man of the match. He said before the game he didn’t want to do much running and for others to try and do it for him, so naturally he did the most running out of everyone. Took his goal extremely well.
Nick Davie
Looked just as surprised as everyone when he was told he would be starting on the right wing. Even more surprisingly, he seems to have learnt a bit of skill which confused Pund Hill’s left back and allowed him to get past him on more than one occasion. Christmas told in the end.
Ian Simpson
Two assists, the man-of-the-match award and an Adidas aftershave present completed a successful Sunday for him. Was a real handful all game for the Pound Hill defence.
Simon O’Brien
A joy to have him back in the side. He actually did some hard work by putting people under pressure, getting stuck in and most importantly, he found himself in the right place to snatch the equaliser.
SUBS
Mike Meckiff
Added a lot of bite into the midfield when he was introduced, winning plenty of tackles and supporting the defence well. He’s improving with each game since his arrival from Hove Lawns and becoming more confident with the ball as well.
Stevie Stockwell
Had a superb moment of rage when he came on and the ball was blasted into his face. Calmed down and caused Pound Hill a lot of problems, including a lovely ball for Wickwar which helped create the Fatboys first.
Sam Harding
An instant impact by coming on and scoring with his first touch. But there was much more than that as he got up and down the flank like a man possessed. The defensive duties he carried out became vital towards the end.
Kevin Ticehurst
Helped the defence massively when he was introduced, always being quick to close down the dangerous number 10. Made a few vital clearances as well.
GOALS
Harding, assist Wickwar
Wickwar, assist Simpson
O’Brien, assist Simpson
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ian Simpson