Sands United 1-4 Hassocks Fatboys Reserves

Sussex Sunday League Junior Invitational Cup Quarter Final
Sunday 5th January 2020
 

There was Cup Fever in Hassocks this week as the Fatboys Reserves took on their most recent league opponents, Sands United, in the quarter final of the ‘Sunday Invitational Bottom Leagues Keep the Season Going on Longer Cup’.

Although this was technically a home game for Sands, interest from spectators was at such a high level after an entertaining league clash in mid-December that the game was moved to the neutral ground Culver Road, Lancing; Headquarters of the Sussex County FA and a stadium with the necessary technology to to cater for the demands of Kazakhstani TV.

Kick off had also been moved to the slightly later time of 8pm, just the nine-and-a-half hours later than when we normally play. This evening start left the Fatboys players and supporters confused as to what to do with their free Sunday morning, Some opted to take the wife shopping, others went for a walk, others went to watch the first team and some spent eight hours on the sofa watching the cricket and football on Sky. Maybe these 8pm starts aren’t that bad after all.

After eventually gaining access to a changing room, Reece announced the starting 11 for this eagerly-anticipated game. Kevin Ticehurst and Nick Davie were cup tied as the Sussex Sunday League now deemed them first team players after they’d been given a combined total of 12 minutes for the fronts in a different cup competition earlier in the season and Des Balderdash was delayed on his journey to the ground from northern France. This left the Fatboys with only 12 players to choose from, far from ideal for the first post-Christmas game on the biggest pitch in the county.

Promising youth team player 22-year-old Nick Jones started the game in goal. Ali Jenkins and Bruce Bignell were the two centre backs with the reliable duo of Stuart Young and Sam Harding playing in the left and right back positions respectively. The central midfield three consisted of Reece Wickwar, Mark Potter and Luke Vic with Ando Knott and Gregg Chappell providing the width. El Bod took up his usual position in the lone forward role. The evergreen Jules Clay started on the bench as the Fatboys’ only sub with Des joining him at half time, fresh from a nine-hour journey on the Eurostar.

As this match was designated a charity game raising funds for the Sands United charity, there was a minutes silence held before kick-off in memory of all the young lives which have been tragically lost. Hopefully, there was a good amount raised for the cause.

As you would expect from two teams keen to get one over on a divisional rival, the game started at 100mph with the designated ‘home’ team moving the ball quickly and looking for an early breakthrough. This put the ‘away’ defence under the cosh in the early exchanges while a series of rather questionable free kicks awarded to the ‘home’ team didn’t help the Fatboys cause.

It was from one of these free kicks that Sands had the first chance of the game with the ball flying a few inches over the bar. Given that the Sands bench celebrated this more wildly than most teams do an actual goal, it must have been their closest effort of the season to date. They didn’t just reserve this reaction for off target free kicks either, but every header and 10 yard pass played too.

A few minutes later and another free kick gave the game its first shot on target. It also allowed young Jones in the Fatboys’ goal to show why he is such a hot property at the moment. A fizzing, powerful free kick from the ‘home’ central midfielder looked to be flying into the top corner, only for Jones to fly across his goal and tip the ball over the bar with one of the best saves of the season so far.

That stop from their captain seemed to galvanise the Fatboys and they began to get a grip on the tie. Having not played for three weeks, the Fatboys needed to slow proceedings down, otherwise they were going to be knackered before the game had even reached the 30 minute mark. Bruce and his superior fitness levels of course had other ideas and it took a shout from Ali of, “Slow the fuck down Bruce, you’re going to kill me!” to reign his centre back partner in. It had the desired effect though and with that, the Fatboys were able to get the ball down and pass it around, giving them more control on the game.

This worked out perfectly. Following some neat central midfield play from Wickwar, the player-manager slipped a pass into the path of Knott who found himself one-on-one with the keeper. As the keeper rushed out there was only one thing on Knott’s mind and he slid the ball past the goalie and into the back of the net. Sands may have felt that falling behind was harsh on them given the way that they had dominated the early exchanges, but it was nothing more than the Fatboys deserved after surviving the onslaught with some tough and resolute defending.

The Fatboys back four continued to hold firm with both Stu and Sam doing well to keep their tricky wingers under control. Sam in particular was having one of his best games in the Fatboys green. Bruce and Ali meanwhile were clearing anything that came through the middle of the pitch and dealing with the crosses well.

The opener gave the Faboys some breathing space and they began to relax a little, which in turn allowed them to spend more time in the final third. A number of corners and free kicks were whipped into the box by Vic, Wickwar and Jenkins and this started to put some pressure on the Sands’ defence.

It wasn’t long before that pressure told and after some brilliant wide play from Gregg on the right hand side, the rugby playing winger found Wickwar on the edge of the box who rifled a superb shot into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

The goal gave Reece confidence to try his luck from long range and moments later, he was only prevented from scoring one of the goals of the season by a fantastic save from the ‘home’ keeper. Receiving the ball 35 yards out, Reece looked up and hit a first time shot that started off heading towards Sompting, but such was the quality in the strike (and possibly helped a little by the wind), it curled back towards goal and looked for sure to be heading right into the postage stamp, only for the keeper came flying across the goal and tipped it out for a corner. Applause all round for both the shooter and stopper.

There was further drama to come from the resulting corner, which was flicked on beyond the far post to where Potter was lurking with intent. As the ball dropped out of the sky, Potter set himself, pulled his leg back and connected sweetly with the ball. Unfortunately, this shot did end up in Sompting rather than the back of the net, causing many laughs from the rest of the Fatboys team.

At 2-0, you would be forgiven for thinking that things were looking good for the Fatboys. However anyone who has followed our results know that this is far from the case. Late in the first half Sands had a corner on the right hand side. This time, instead of putting the ball out for a goal kick like the previous four corners the ‘home’ side had from that side, the ball was delivered with pinpoint accuracy to the head of one of the giant Sands defenders. He flicked it towards the back post where the ‘home’ captain was left unmarked to guide the ball into the net to make it 2-1. It was a disappointing way to end the half for the Fatboys, but probably not totally undeserved giving the amount of pressure that Sands had exerted on the ‘away’ defence.

The half time team talk from Reece was brief. Partly because he made the team walk all the way to the opposite side of the pitch to access the changing rooms, and partly because he needed to make an emergency evacuation in the changing room toilets. “Keep calm, play the game we know we can and exploit the wide areas” was the message from the manager before he soiled himself and with that, it was back onto the pitch for the second half.

It began as the first had ended, with both teams having plenty of possession but with neither goalkeeper having to make a save. Des had arrived on the stroke of half time from his cross-continental journey and Reece didn’t hesitate to take advantage of that, deciding to give himself a breather and introducing Des into central midfield, where he added some steel.

Sands made a couple of changes of their own, and much to the Fatboys’ delight it was one of the ‘home’ team’s better players who was hauled. I am sure this was part of a tactical brainwave from the Sands manager, although it was confusing what it was exactly.

Sands had the lions share of possession again but the Fatboys defence continued to earn their wages as they restricted the ‘home’ outfit to long shots and corners. The ‘away’ side meanwhile were looking dangerous on the counter whenever they got the chance to break, thanks to the willing running of Gregg and Ando.

One such driving run from Gregg gave the Fatboys a golden chance to extend their lead midway through the first half. There appeared little way that Sands could stop Gregg without fouling him and that was exactly what happened as he drew the defender into performing a slide tackle in the box which ultimately brought Gregg to the ground. Bod stepped up to take the spit kick but his effort was saved by the keeper who guessed correctly and saved low to his right hand side.

This spurred Sands on and again they set up camp in the Fatboys’ half. But again, they were forced to settle for distance efforts, corners and one softly awarded free kick after Gregg and the Sands win went in for a 50-50. Upon the referee’s whistle, nobody seemed to know who the free kick was for or why it had been given in the first half. Thankfully, it came to nothing.

Both sides felt there was one more goal in this game and it would be crucial. If it went Sands way, it would make it 2-3 and set up a very nervy final few minutes. If it went the Fatboys way, then a BIG SEMI for Wickwar’s men for the third consecutive season would be all but secured.

To the disappointment of the ‘home’ crowd, it was the Fatboys who got it. A long goal kick from Jones was flicked into the path of Gregg by Bod. Gregg’s pace and directness was no match for his marker and he powered away from the Sands defence before slotting past the goalkeeper. The relief among the ‘away’ support was clear and they celebrated what proved to be the winner nearly as wildly as Sands had that earlier 10 yard pass.

With only 12 players all of whom were by now very tired, the final 10 minutes turned into a right slog for the Fatboys. It was very much backs-against-the-wall stuff with every outfield player having to do their bit for the cause. Bod led the way in that regard. Having ploughed a lonely furrow up front all evening, he still found the desire to chase back 50 yards into his own box and make a brilliant tackle in his own box to prevent what would have been a very good chance for Sands.

There were handshakes and hugs afterwards after a thoroughly entertaining clash played in the right spirit. Speaking to Qazaqstan, Balapan, Shalkar Radiosy and the Mid Sussex Times afterwards, Fatboys Chairman Potter said, “It’s always nice to progress in any cup competition and I hope we can carry the momentum from tonight’s result into the bread and butter of the league. All credit to Sands United and their supporters, who certainly acted as their twelfth man at times. I hope tonight’s match raised some money for a worthy cause.”

 

Hassocks Fatboys Reserves (4-5-1)

Nick Jones
Some superb saves in both halves to keep the Fats in the game. Deservedly claimed a ‘pre-assist’ for the third goal with a long goal kick. Nick touchingly dedicated his performance to Nick Davie.
Sam Harding
One of Sam’s best games in a Fatboys shirt. Deservedly voted Man-of-the-Match after putting in a solid performance and kept the Sands captain well under control.
Bruce Bignell
His work rate and fitness was essential to the team on a pitch this size. Settled into the game during the first half and was an important part of the Fatboys defence.
Ali Jenkins
Made a couple of big challenges early in the game to keep the Sands attackers at bay. Solid in a paring with Bruce and ensured that the defence and midfield kept their discipline.
Stuart Young
As you would expect from Mr Dependable, it was another solid game from the best left back in the league. Kept the pacy right winger under control and even managed to out-do Jones with the amount of balls kicked out of play.
Luke Vick
For someone who was playing his second game on this pitch within 24 hours, Luke showed little sign of fatigue to keep the midfield ticking with his usual work rate. Acted as a vital link between the back four and forwards.
Mark Potter
Solid display from the Chairman, who did well to stop the Sands attacks with some important interceptions and tackles. Tried his luck with a powerful shot in the first half which sailed just over… the house behind the goal.
Reece Wickwar
One brilliant goal and almost another Goal of the Season contender to go with it added some gloss to two good spells in the centre of midfield for Reece. The other side of his game was lots of running with the ball and driving the Fatboys up the pitch.
Ando Knott
Scored the first and was a tricky customer in general out on the left wing for the rest of the game. Linked well with Wickwar and Bod throughout.
Chris Clayton
Did well to hold the ball up and keep the central defenders busy all evening. Unlucky to miss the penalty, but made up for it with an assist and some excellent tracking back late in the game.
Gregg Chappell
A goal capped off a superb performance from Gregg. Constantly causing the Sands defencee issues with his runs forward while his tracking back and ability to put in a challenge in defence was welcomed. Pushed Harding close for Man-of-the-Match.

 

Subs

Des Balderdash
For someone who had spent nine hours on a train to make the game, Des looked surprisingly energetic when he came on. Added some much needed steel in midfield when the opposition were on top.
Jules Clay
Not an easy task to replace Man-of-the-Match Harding, but Jules slotted seamlessly into the right back slot.

 

Goals

Knott, assist Wickwar
Wickwar, assist Chappell
Chappell, assist Clayton

 

Man-of-the-Match

Sam Harding