Hassocks Fatboys 2-0 Preston Dynamos
It hammered down with rain, there was a 40mph wind and the temperature felt like it was -15°C. You would not want to play 10 minutes of football in the conditions which battered Clayton Rec on Sunday 13th December 2020, let alone the two hours that Hassocks Fatboys and Preston Dynamos had to get through thanks to a Sussex Sunday League Premier Division double header.
With the threat of a new year lockdown hanging over England, the league have rather sensibly decided to try and cram as many games in as possible while teams are allowed to play. That meant that the Dynamos arrived in Mid Sussex with six very precious points up for grabs.
This was win-win from a Fatboys point of view. As Scott told the troops in the pre-game team talk: “If we get six points, we are somehow in the title race. And if we get none, we will probably end up relegated. So whatever happens, we cannot lose.”
Except for in the weather stakes. That was said before anybody realised just how grim this two hours of football was going to be, especially for Scott whose underemployment in goal left him so cold and wet that he was unable to speak by half time of the second match. “He looked like he was going into shock,” was how Stuart described it.
The last time the first team had played a double header had been in March 2019. Two Division One wins over AFC Romans were achieved with a bare 11 which was swelled at the last minute by the plucking of Kevin Ticehurst and bomb disposal expert Mike Meckiff from the reserves.
There was no such need to dip into Reece’s squad on this occasion. In fact, we had so many players available as to be able to name an 18 man squad with Fox and Matt Perry not required until the second game. Looks of jealously were directed at those two when they arrived at 11am having spent the morning warm and dry whilst the rest of the team had been suffering in the wind and the rain.
Everyone bar Jordan and Willow who, on hearing they were on the bench, struck upon the clever idea of driving a car up to the side of the pitch and watching from inside. The reason behind Jordan being a substitute is worth mentioning, the erstwhile striker having only properly read the message about it being a double header with a 10am kick off whilst he was at home lying in bed in Haywards Heath at 9.30am.
The starting line up for the first game read Scott in goal; Gregg, Mike, Spiesy and Dave across the back four; Jack and Max holding; Andy at number 10 and a front three of Duck, Stuart and Wilkesy.
It took just 11 minutes for the Fatboys to take the lead in a first half which was pretty much one-way traffic. Andy danced his way through to tee up Duck who produced a cool finish through the goalkeepers legs, a far cry to the previous shot he had taken at the changing room end of Clayton in the penalty shoot out against BN Dons which was last seen still gaining height on its way over the North Sea.
The Dynamos goalkeeper had already been called into a couple of saves before that, including one hugely impressive block from Stuart. At the other end, Scott was completely untroubled as Mike and Spiesy let nothing through. Dave at left back meanwhile was having one of his most impressive games for some time.
Despite our dominance of the opening 45 minutes 30 minutes, it was still only 1-0 going into the break. Dynamos enjoyed a little spell in which they were on top early in the second half. Every time the ball went forward, a couple of minutes later it ended up back in the Fatboys’ half as we were defending again.
Willow and Jordan were subsequently summoned from their car to try and exert a little more control on proceedings and they helped do that. It looked like it was going to finish 1-0 right up until the final seconds when the Fatboys added a second. Duck swung over a corner, there was a bit of chaos and confusion and eventually Willow hit a crisp volley into the back of the net to ensure that the first game finished 2-0.
Hassocks Fatboys (4-3-3)
Scott McCarthy
A spectator for most of the match. His first clean sheet of the season will not have made up for the fact that he was starting to turn blue with cold by the end of the first hour of football.
Gregg Chappell
Revelling in his new role as a right back. He played an important part in the clean sheet with some sturdy challenges and excellent reading of the game.
Mike McDonald
Another commanding performance at the back. He dealt well with the threat of the dangerous Dynamos centre forward.
Steve Spies
The veteran gave his best performance of the season so far. Nothing got past him as he defended as though his 51-year-life depended on it.
Dave Linehan
An absolute revelation at left back – a position he has rarely played in before – giving a performance good enough to be a clear and obvious man-of-the-match winner.
Jack Lewis
You know it is a dominant Fatboys display when even Jack is popping up with a couple of shots on goal. Used the ball well in midfield.
Max Gill
Another fine display from the youngster. He was here, there and everywhere throughout the hour, causing Dynamos numerous problems.
Andy Brown
His jinking first half run teed up Duck for the opener. Looked like he was going to break the world record for number of slide tackles attempted in 30 minutes of football during the second half.
Dave Keane
A very neat finish through the goalkeeper’s legs paved the way to victory. His set piece deliveries caused problems all morning and ultimately led to Willow doubling the advantage late on.
Stuart Brown
Given an opportunity to lead the line and he responded with a hardworking performance before making way midway through the second half as the Fatboys sought to save him for the second match.
Jamie Wilkes
Started on the left of the front three where he had a lot of joy running at the Dynamos defence. Later dropped into central midfield, helping his side reassert their control on the game.
Subs
Jordan Walsh
He looked a very happy man when arriving at 9.50am to be told he was on the bench as the game kicked off in 10 minutes. A presence up front in the second half who held the ball up and brought others into play.
Adam Williams
Scored a goal in his 20 minutes on the pitch and even managed to get his kit a little dirty by making a tackle.
Karel Kutaa
Unused
Sussex Sunday League Premier Division
Sunday 13th December 2020
Clayton Green
Goals
Dave Keane (18′)
Assist Andy Brown
Adam Williams (59′)
Assist Dave Keane
Man-of-the-Match
Dave Linehan performed like a man possessed at left back, which went a long way towards helping secure the clean sheet
Previous Matches
05/01/20: Fatboys 5-4 Preston Dynamos
13/10/19: Preston Dynamos 2-3 Fatboys
22/09/19: Fatboys 4-3 Preston Dynamos
02/10/16: Preston Dynamos 4-1 Fatboys II
09/11/14: Fatboys 3-5 Preston Dynamos
31/08/14: Preston Dynamos 3-5 Fatboys
30/03/14: Preston Dynamos 3-2 Fatboys
29/09/13: Fatboys 6-4 Preston Dynamos