Mens 1st XI v Blackheath

Details	Players
Season: Season 2008-2009 Date: 21.03.2009 Time: 14:30 Team: Mens 1st XI Competition: League Location: Away Opponent: Blackheath Our Score: 2 Opponent Score: 1 Result: Won	No record found.

Match Report(s)

Blackheath 1 v 2 Worthing

Scorers: Sawyer, Ginnaw     Yellow Cards: Clayton

After last weeks vital win against Eastbourne, Worthing turned their attentions to a another tough encounter with title contenders Blackheath. With much of the season being focused upon Eastbourne, Blackheath had put together an impressive run of form since Christmas and placed themselves closley behind the two Sussex clubs for a real chance of becoming champions. After a precise and concise team talk from non travelling manager Tedmo, and the use of Lily's toys demonstrating players, Worthing set off to their trusted Clackett Lane for a coffee and pre-match banter. Indeed the side began to dare and pose the question of whether away matches next year would always take them to the Clackett Services!!! With goal hero and Herald pin up Andy Moore unavailable and Mark Humphries injured, Worthing recalled David 'clanger' Clayton in the hope that his unique approach to right sided play would pose the opposition many questions.... A lovely warm day awaited Worthing in South London, after an impressive batting display by Saywer in the changing rooms and some inspirational words from Burriss.. Worthing were pumped and ready for the off. With captain Ansell requesting a stern and defensive approach to the opening half Worthing started as planned allowing Blackheath to control the game but holding a strong and firm defensive line and attacking at pace on the break. Burriss started in midfield and good play from himself and Warner opened up Blackheath, the keen and energetic running of Ginnaw caused the opponents difficulties, but their full back stood strong and picked off the faster and younger forward, showing that pace and energy also requires brains...something that young Ginnaw is improving upon but requires further work..! After a potential injury scare to the influential Warner during a mixed match last Sunday, the ginger haired midfielder started and was dominating play, however after a nasty clash with an opponent he required time out to fix a broken nail..Enter captain Ansell, looking trim after his illness...it was his vision and execution of pass that put Ginnaw clean through for a 1 on 1 with the keeper, however a good block denied the young forward. Blackheath pressed and created chances and were awarded short corners. They had several in a 5 minute spell, however Binns saved well and the defence held strong. With James Godber playing like a man mountain at the back and the Aussie, Shepherd spraying the ball all over the pitch Worthing began to play themselves into the game. At half time the game was goalless, however this suited Ansell and the Worthing side who looked to be the fitter of the two teams. With Beales and Sciandro offering a sound defensive wall to the left hand side Worthing showed more endeavour in the second half and after good play from Warner, Ansell fired a cross into the 'D'. Like a 'stealth wombat' Sawyer pounced and tucked the ball away from close range. The celebrations showed the passion and the commitment of the team and the knowledge of how important that goal would be. Since joining at Christmas Sawyer has proved to be a valuable asset and has complimented his fellow Aussies in the team. Worthing hit a purple patch for 10 minutes, Clayton looked dangerous down the right and after further good play from Sawyer, Ansell should have done better. Worthing then won short corners via excellent play from Sciandro and then Atkinson. However the Blackheath keeper saved well and then the defensive runner risked life and limb to block a Warner missile. From a further corner it seemed harder for the deflection to not go in, but somehow both players at the far post missed the chance to put the team further ahead. With Massie taking a well earned break, Sciandro moved infield and Burriss operated in the left inner channel, Williams was brought on in the right inner channel to offer a more defensive cover. With Ansell and Massie on the bench (combined age of 70 years) the young Worthing side held firm and after brilliant play from Atkinson down the left flank, Ginnaw finally took his chance. The vice captain collected the ball inside the 'D' slipped past a defender and cheekily slipped the ball reverse stick under the on-coming keeper. 2-0 with 5 minutes to play, the points were safe...... However after fierce play from Clayton down the right the Blackheath player committed an horrific tackle and got a justified sin bin, however due to the nature of the Worthing teams luck this year, somewhat mistifying, so did Clayton and he joined his fellow veteran friends on the bench for the remaining minutes. With minutes to play Blackheath mustered one last attack and their forward finished a first time shot well. 2-1 with the umpires already signalled the 2 minute warning it became tense. Blackheath threw everything forward and were awarded a free hit ouside the 'D' however before they could take it the final whistle was blown and Worthing got the crucial 3 points and remained top of the table. With 2 games left 4 sides can still win the league, Worthing have two tough away fixtures, next week to Old Bords and then on the 18th April away at Folkestone. The team knows that nothing but two wins will do. After many a tough struggle against Blackheath over the years, winning away against them was a fantastic result the team must now focus in on the match next saturday. SQUAD: Binns, Shepherd, Godber, Beales, Williams, Massie, Warner, Burriss, Sciandro, Ginnaw, Sawyer, Atkinson, Clayton, Ansell. STAR MAN: On a day when all 14 squad members played their part, it fell to an Aussie to grab the highlights..His passion, commitment and energy for the game has a positive impact on his fellow team mates and his vital first goal was a mark of a seasoned goal scorer. Grant Sawyer is this weeks 'star man' WOW CONTENDERS: Williams - no socks Clayton - nearly costing us the points with reckless yellow card Shepherd - forgot the tins!!! Burriss - White shoes.