Hassocks Fatboys Reserves 3-2 Amici Athletic
There are plenty of reasons why we enjoy Sunday League Football. One of the best is the lovely, early morning kick off time which helps to shake a hangover and leave plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day. You can go home (or to the pub) and relax before another stressful week at work.
You can imagine that there was great delight among Hassocks Fatboys Reserves when it was announced that the second round of matches in Sussex Sunday League Division Four would be taking place on a Thursday night with a 6pm kick off. The opponents were local rivals Amici Athletic in the first meeting between the two since the 2018-19 season.
Manager Reece Wickwar had initially been concerned that numbers would be thin as his players have jobs and commutes and things, but in a sign of the depth available to the boss this season, he was in fact oversubscribed.
Which was just as well as the evening did not get off to the best of starts when Gregg Chappell was delayed due to an overrunning dentist appointment (an excuse you cannot get on a Sunday morning) and Josh Bond managed to pull a hamstring in the warm up.
The starting XI was slightly tweaked from the weekend’s crazy 8-4 win over Rioz Rovers. Nick Jones started in goal fresh from his weekend penalty saving heroics with a back four of Nick Davie on his return from injury, Bruce Bignell, Glen Clayton and Alex Williams.
Rob Lloyd was moved from full back into central midfield because of Bond’s injury where he was joined by Kevin Ticehurst and Wickwar himself. The front three was Rob Ellarby, Chris Clayton and Joe Tolhurst.
After four minutes of the Rioz game, the Fatboys had already scored one and shipped two. Clearly, Thursday nights are less dramatic as very little happened other than another injury blow when Lloyd tweaked a muscle playing a forward pass. He was replaced by Chappell who had since arrived following a successful time in the dentist’s chair.
Both sides looked lethargic in the opening stages, almost as if kicking off within an hour of everyone finishing work meant that nobody could be bothered.
The Fatboys eventually had the first chance of the game when nice play from Wickwar released Joe Tolhurst who cut in from the left and saw his shot blow just wide of the post.
Amici themselves began to create some opportunities with their number four in particular causing problems with several driving runs forward. He won a free kick from just outside the area, but thankfully the free kick sailed over the bar and didn’t trouble Jones.
Two long distance efforts brought smart yet comfortable saves from Jones before he tried something unique – a short goal kick across his own goal. Every one was gearing up for the ball to be hit to the right of the pitch (probably out of play if we are honest) but instead, Jones switched to Glen and screamed at him to play it up the line.
The only problem with this was that there was no Fatboy up the line or anywhere near Glen. Manager Wickwar was forced to query what his 22-year-old goalkeeper was up to, eventually putting it down to the inexperience of youth.
Strange things between goalkeeper and defender began happening up the other end when the Amici full back attempted an ambitious back pass. Chappell was now in a foot race with the keeper to see who could get to the ball first and although it was the Fatboys forward who made it, his toe poke fell just wide of the post.
Amici then took the lead in comedy circumstances. A hoof sailed over the top of the Fatboys back four to spark a mad scramble in which an Amici striker caught the ball with his right hand. The referee waved play on and when Bignell then went to clear, he only succeeded in smashing the ball into the striker’s left hand, from where it looped into the top corner.
Just as they had on Sunday, the Fatboys rallied superbly and they were soon back in the game. Chappell released Tolhurst with a delightful pass, leaving the young winger to work some magic by cutting in from the left and unleashing a fierce strike into the roof of the net.
Due to the fact it was set to get dark in Hassocks at 7pm and the game wasn’t due to finish until 7.45pm, both teams were urged to rush through their half time team talks. An old bloke on Underhill Lane clearly hadn’t received the memo as he began shouting over the wall about a yellow car blocking an entrance.
The man wanted the guilty person to come forward immediately but both teams remained quiet, which eventually led to a the blame being moved to a group of musicians who were rehearsing on the cricket pitch.
Once that commotion was dealt with, Wickwar tore into his side for their half-hearted first half. His mood was not improved when he then realised he was going to have to put Simon O’Brien on in place of Ellarby who was struggling with a foot complaint. The veteran O’Brien asking “Reece, how do I play on the right side?” seemed to annoy the manager even further.
Wickwar’s words (and advice to O’Brien) had the desired impact as the Fatboys began stroking the ball around well. O’Brien looked at home on the right and with the help of the overlapping Davie, the home team were asking questions of Amici down both flanks.
Clear cut chances were still hard to come by. Set pieces looked like being the Fatboys’ best route to taking the lead for the first time, especially with Amici panicking about what to do with Bod every time there was a corner or free kick.
Unsurprisingly, it was Bod who made it 2-1 when he gobbled up a long throw from Tolhurst in what was a classic Fatboys goal. Is there any player (other than Davie and Jones) in the reserves who does not possess a long throw?
The goal helped the Fatboys step up a gear. Tolhurst and Wickwar linked up with the player-manager’s distance effort flying into a queue of stationary traffic as the temporary traffic lights on Brighton Road continued to cause havoc.
Bignell then made way for Sam Harding and Josh Evetts replaced Ticehurst before Amici went down to 10 as one of their players entered the sin bin. He had been warned minutes earlier that if he back chatted the referee one more time, he would be off. Bod too gave him a friendly reminder. Lo and behold, he ignored the warning and was then surprised to be sent to the side lines.
The final 10 minutes were played in near-darkness which made things slightly tricky, particularly for the goalkeepers. First up, the Amici number one was caught out by an unexpected distance shot from Tolhurst which he presumably could not see until late, what with the sun having gone down 15 minutes earlier and everything.
Although he managed to get his body behind the ball once he spotted the shot coming towards him, he couldn’t keep it out and the Fatboys had a two-goal lead with the game nearly over.
Jones decided that he wanted to add to the evening’s drama in the minimal amount of time remaining. An Amici counter attack came to an end, leaving the 22-year-old with plenty of time to relax and allow his team to regain their shape.
Instead, Jones decided to ping the ball straight to an Amici midfielder but thankfully, Clayton and Williams were both on red alert and managed to halt the visitors’ advances.
Moments later and Jones was caught out by the night sky when he didn’t spot a whipped cross until it was practically over his heaf, leading him to drop the ball straight to the Amici striker who tucked home.
There was a possible shout for an own goal against Glen who had the final touch when attempting to clear, but the ball was already heading in and Glen was so good on the night that it didn’t seem right to hand him the first OG of the season.
That set up a tense final few minutes as the Fatboys had to weather an Amici storm. Jones soon redeemed himself with a spectacular save, clawing a thumping volley away with the 3-2 win making it six points out of six for the Reserves at the start of the Sussex Sunday Thursday League season.
Hassocks Fatboys Reserves (4-3-3)
Nick Jones
An excellent save at the end to ensure Fatboys came away with the win. Interesting decision making with some of his goal kicks.
Nick Davie
Returned to the starting XI due to the pre-game injury to Bond. Despite carrying a knock himself, he defended well and got forward in the second half to help O’Brien.
Bruce Bignell
Organised the defence very well and made some vital interceptions. Him charging forward in the final seconds to overlap everyone with the Fatboys hanging on at 3-2 caused some pulses to race.
Glen Clayton
Won every header and was an absolute brick wall at the back. A man-of-the-match contender, even as we wait to see if he is awarded the own goal.
Alex Williams
Much improved from his somewhat erratic debut on Sunday as he came close to being man-of-the-match. Calm on the ball and looked at home when slotting in at centre back.
Rob Lloyd
Had a pass completion rate of 100% for the five minutes he was on the pitch before injury struck.
Kevin Ticehurst
Fought well in midfield and did his best to help out the back four. Displayed a nice passing range with some clever knocks out wide.
Reece Wickwar
Linked up very well with Tolhurst and his energy in the midfield was vital. One minute he was attacking, the next he was tracking back to help out.
Rob Ellarby
Sunday’s man-of-the-match performance came at a cost as he picked up a knock in the win over Rioz and never really looked fit here. He battled hard out on the right in the first half.
Chris Clayton
His 50th goal in Fatboys colours could not have been more Bod-like, coming with a header from a long throw. Selfless again upfront, holding it up well and bringing the wide men into play.
Joe Tolhurst
Two goals and an assist from the summer signing as he put Amici to the sword in a man-of-the-match showing.
Subs
Gregg Chappell
Arrived late due to a dental appointment. Entered the action after only five minutes and was everywhere in another hard working performance.
Simon O’Brien
Despite having to ask Reece how you play on the right wing, he had an excellent half in which he caused plenty of problems for the Amici defence. Even did some tracking back.
Josh Evetts
Played in his more natural position on the wing when introduced, and worked extremely hard for the team. Linked up well with fellow sub Harding.
Sam Harding
Heart in mouth moment towards the end, when he collided with an Amci player just inside the penalty area. Thankfully, the referee saw nothing in it and no penalty was given. He made some vital clearances.
Sussex Sunday League Division Four
Thursday 10th September 2020
Clayton Green
Goals
Joe Tolhurst
Assist Reece Wickwar
Chris Clayton
Assist Joel Tolhurst
Joe Tolhurst
Assist Amici goalkeeper
Man-of-the-Match
Whilst any of the defenders could make a claim, it goes to summer signing Joe Tolhurst for his two goals and one assist. Caused Amici problems all evening with his pace and his first goal in particular was taken extremely well.
Previous meetings
14/04/19: Fatboys II 6-1 Amici Athletic
23/09/18: Amici Athletic 6-1 Fatboys II
01/08/18: Fatboys II 4-1 Amici Athletic
12/11/17: Amici Athletic 2-4 Fatboys II
15/10/17: Fatboys II 3-3 Amici Athletic
13/08/17: Fatboys II 6-4 Amici Athletic
01/12/13: Fatboys 6-1 Amici Athletic
22/09/13: Amici 2-4 Fatboys