B Town Reserves 2-3 Hassocks Fatboys

Sussex Sunday League Division Four
Sunday 8th March 2020

 

With the weather across Sussex and indeed most of the country still causing a huge problem for grassroots football, Hassocks Fatboys Reserves found themselves in a rather unique situation this weekend. We were playing ‘away’ to B Town Reserves and yet the game was taking place at our home ground of Clayton Rec.

Brighton Council pitches had been declared a washout on Thursday and so some quick thinking from the Fatboys Committee saw them offer up Clayton instead. The pitch was in pretty bad condition especially as it had been played on the day before, but both sides were just grateful to be playing some football – B Town so much so that they allowed the Fatboys to prepare in the usual home changing room. They were even happy to put the nets up themselves (Once Jenkins had chucked them on the pitch next to the goals).

Manager Reece Wickwar was away this week and so 22-year-old Nick Jones was given the responsibiity of running the team, becoming the youngest manager in Sussex Sunday League history in the process. The good news for Jones was that he couldn’t do any worse than last time Reece missed a game, when we suffered an embarrassing Vic Bettney Memorial Trophy exit to 10 man EG Club de Futbol Blues.

Jones lined up in goal with a back four of Nick Davie, Ali Jenkins, Glen Clayton and Stuart Young. The midfield three consisted of Bruce Bignell, Ross Joannides and Andy Brown with a front three of Alejandro Knott, Chris Clayton and Gregg Chappell. There was a strong bench with five subs named – Sam Wilson, Jules Clay, Miles Collins, Simon Old’Brien and Kevin Ticehurst. Just the three full backs there for Jones to try and find a way to include.

The first half saw the Fatboys defending the very wet half of the pitch. It became clear quite quickly that the wide areas were in much better condition, to the point that you might have thought we’d had a dry winter. B Town knocked the ball about well, finding space on the wings but with two very fit central midfielders in Joannides and Bignell, the Fatboys were able to shut down space and prevent any chances of note from being created.

Unsurprisingly, the first opportunity came from some wing play from B Town as they broke down the left hand side. It looked like the striker was about to get a shot away until a superb tackle from Jenkins. From the resulting corner, the ball swung in thanks to the wind and a post came to the Fatboys’ rescue. Jones would be tested throughout the first half from set pieces, doing well to tip or punch the ball away on most occasions.

With Brown beginning to drive the Fatboys forward, the ‘away’ team began to muster up some chances themselves. The club captain played a lovely pass to release Chappell who worked the ball into the area. Chris Clayton couldn’t quite get a shot way but the ball fell to Knott who was unfortunate to see his lovely effort denied by the inside of the post.

Having come close from a number of in-swinging corners, B Town surprised everyone by trying a new tactic which led to the deadlock being broken. Instead of testing Jones with another aerial delivery, the B Town winger drilled a corner along the ground to the central midfielder who met it with ease to fire the ‘home’ side 1-0 ahead.

The Fatboys responded by trying to find space of their own out wide. Brown slipped in Davie who came charging forward from full back to cut in from the right but his shot sailed over the bar. While B Town may have been getting great joy from their set pieces, the Fatboys weren’t as the pitch continued to cause Jenkins significant issues. At least six times he was presented with the chance to send the ball into the box, but on each occasion a slip or a shank due to the heavy surface saw the ball either go straight to B Town or out for a throw.

B Town soon doubled their advantage and once again it came from a corner. Not only that, but it was a carbon copy of the first goal as another low cross was drilled into the box which led to another free shot on goal. Jones had no chance and the ‘home’ side found themselves 2-0 ahead and cruising to victory in front of their own fans. Things could have got worse for the Fatboys shortly after as B Town used possession well to work the ball out to the left winger. He fancied his luck from range, forcing Jones into a a smart save over the bar.

The Fatboys managed to pull one back with a crucial goal right on the stroke of half time. A nice team move saw the ball worked to Chappell out wide. He found the feet of Chris Clayton whose attempts to move the ball on were prevented by a B Town hand. “HANDBALL” and “COME ON REFFFFFFFF” were the screams from the ‘away’ team but Brown paid no attention and played to the whistle, latching onto the loose ball and smashing home from a tight angle.

Clayton was quick to have a joke with the referee about the strong appeals and much to Clayton’s surprise, he got an apology from the official who said he was about to give the spot kick before Brown fired home. Nobody was complaining as it turned out to be an excellent piece of refereeing leading to an excellent goal which meant that the Fatboys went into half time only one behind.

B Town made the brighter start to the second half with their right winger in particular giving Stuart Young one or two things to be wary off. On one such occasion, the winer cut inside but thankfully his dangerous cross evaded everyone and rolled out for a goal kick.

It was against the run of play a little when the Fatboys found an equaliser. Davie sent Chappell away down the right and he linked up well with Brown who was brought down in a promising position. Jenkins came barrelling forward with his sights set on another free kick and although plenty of his teammates queried if this was a good idea, he sent in a perfect delivery which Chris Clayton gobbled up for 2-2.

Jones turned to his bench after that, introducing the veteran Old’Brien in place of Knott. Old’Brien didn’t have long to wait to make an impact as he played a lovely pass for Brown to run onto. Brown tricked his way into the area before laying off to his brother-in-law Chappell who finished well. The Fatboys were now ahead for the first time.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of B Town and the Fatboys should have made the game safe. Bignell created some chances with a high energy spell in midfield, gifting Brown an excellent chance which blew just wide of the post. Jones then made further changes which were greeted with very positive reactions from the outgoing players, Chris Clayton making way for Collins and Davie going off for Wilson.

B Town rediscovered their composure a little and caused a few scares to the Fatboys defence. A long ball was launched into the area which wasn’t cleared. When the B Town striker got a shot away, he rattled the bar. Jones reacted to this by making more substitutions as Ticehurst and Clay came on for Joannides and Young.

Two of the substitutes linked up in the closing stages to nearly give the Fatboys a fourth. Collins hit a cracking pass to set Old’Brien clear. Everyone on the sidelines wrote Old’Brien off, including the only man present who was older than Old’Brien, Steve Spies, who said, “He’s got too much time there.” Sadly, the doubters were proved right as Old’Brien’s shot was well saved by the B Town goalkeeper.

There was one final chance left and it fell to B Town. There seemed minimal danger when a cross was put into the area but the ‘home’ striker wasn’t about to give up and he somehow produced a remarkable overhead kick. Luckily for the Fatboys, Jones was able to produce an equally remarkable save.

The intervention of the interim manager proved vital as the final whistle blew shortly after, capping a superb comeback victory. The Fatboys are now unbeaten in nine and second spot in the table remains very much a possibility for Wickwar’s men.

 

Hassocks Fatboys Reserves (4-3-3)

Nick Jones
The interim manager made the save of the season towards the end to secure the win. Nothing he could have done about the goals and was subject to some really respectful reactions from the players he substituted.
Nick Davie
Playing his first game since January 12th, and he hasn’t missed a beat it seems. Won lots of tackles and got forward to support Chappell. Strange decision to down size his football boots from a size 12 to 11.
Ali Jenkins
The stand in skipper made some lovely sliding tackles throughout. Set pieces were very questionable in the first half. All of that was forgiven though with his outstanding free kick for Clayton’s goal.
Glen Clayton
His great pairing with Jenkins continues. Battled well throughout the game, especially in the first half mud. Made some vital clearances.
Stuart Young
Was up against a tricky winger but kept him quiet, especially in the second half. Like Davie, he wasn’t able to get forward too much but on the rare occasions that he did, he aided Knott and Old’Brien.
Bruce Bignell
The driving force in midfield was a real Man-of-the-Match contender. Covered every blade of grass, shielding the defence one minute and then bursting forward to support Clayton seconds later.
Ross Joannides
Another Man-of-the-Match contender alongside his fellow centre-back-turned-centre-midfield Joannides. Adapted to the tough conditions well, winning lots of headers and tackles in the middle of the park.
Andy Brown
Another successful outing for the reserves yielded one goal and one assist. The days when his rare appearances for the second string were an unmitigated disaster are long gone.
Gregg Chappell
Took his goal very well. Tracked back to help Davie and caused his full back all sorts of issues.
Chris Clayton
Gobbled up his header superbly. He was a constant nightmare for the B Town defence. Most importantly, he took his substitution with grace and dignity.
Alejandro Knott
A rare quiet display from the Spaniard. Some might say it was the tough British winter pitch causing issues for a cultured European. Others might say it was the fact he was spotted leaving Buddies five hours before kick off. You decide.

 

Subs

Simon O’Brien
The veteran striker tormented his full back when he came on with lots of energy when tracking back. The only disappointment was missing his one-on-one chance.
Miles Collins
Manager Jones couldn’t believe his eyes when young Collins won a header shortly after his introduction. Worked extremely hard for the team and slipped in some nice passes.
Sam Wilson
Picked up where Davie left off. He was first to every ball and very strong in his tackles. Almost killed an innocent spectator after launching a ball which he had retrieved from a bush into the air.
Kevin Ticehurst
Superb bit of time wasting towards the end. Some flair moments, most notably when miss-controlling a pass, losing his footing and remarkably managing to get away from his man.
Jules Clay
His experience was vital in seeing out the win. Kept things simple, and like Wilson was first to every ball.

 

Goals

A Brown, assist C Clayton
C Clayton, assist Jenkins
Chappell, assist A Brown

 

Man-of-the-Match

Plenty of contenders again this week with the midfield three in particular standing out. But it goes to Bruce Bignell for a superb performance in which he covered every blade of grass and all the mud too.