Men's 2nd XI Vs Southwick Men's 1st XI

Details	Players
Season: Season 2009-2010 Date: 17.10.2009 Time: 11:30 Team: Mens 2nd XI Competition: League Location: Home Opponent: Southwick Men's 1st XI Our Score: 5 Opponent Score: 1 Result: Won	Jack Symons - 0 Goal(s) Luke Helmer - 0 Goal(s) Adam Stephens - 0 Goal(s) Matt Ansell - 0 Goal(s) Arran Barker - 1 Goal(s) Chris Wheeldon - 0 Goal(s) Tim Barter - 0 Goal(s) Mark Minchell - 1 Goal(s) Stuart Barter - 0 Goal(s) James Cook - 0 Goal(s) Ahmed Ramiz - 3 Goal(s) David Edmondson - 0 Goal(s)

Match Report(s)

 

Worthing 2's  5 v 1  Southwick 1's

Scorers: Barker, Ramiz 3, Minchell

 

The 2nd XI made it 5 wins on the spin with a comprehensive victory against a Southwick side with a 100% league record coming into the game. Worthing started with 5 U18's on the pitch, and a further 2 U21's, a youthful line up, somewhat tainted by the ageing skipper, another guest showing from the ageing 1st team skipper, the mercurial Minchell and big Chris in goal.

It was going to be a test for these younger players against a dangeorus Southwick side, however any early concerns were soon eased when Luke Helmer released Arran Barker down the right. He burnt past the ailing Southwick defence, entered the D and showed great composure to take it wide of the excellent keeper and smack it home for his first 2nd XI goal. 1-0 with only a few minutes gone. With Ramiz now waiting on the sideline and Minchell prowling just behind the front man, I did think that we should have goals in the side. How would that youthful defence cope though?

It proved to be an excellent first half display from the backline. Adam Stephens covered in front with great authority and calmness, whilst Tim Barter was excellent in a more central role. Jack Symons coming in at left back was also very assured. These performances were essential to laying the foundation for the win, as Southwick love to throw people forward whilst leaving themselves a little exposed at the back. Their pressure did result in a number of short corners, which were well defended. Chris Wheeldon in goal was also having a typically solid game in goal, which ensured a half time clean sheet.

The only disappointment of the 1st half was our lack of goals. We carved Southwick open time and time again, but some good saves from their keeper, some poor final passes and some woeful finishing meant it stayed 1-0 at the break.

The 2nd half started brightly when Adam Stephens went on a driving run from the back and fed the ball out right. As the ball came across the top of the D, Luke Helmer redirected back to Ramiz at the far post who deflected it first time off the post and in, 2-0. Ramiz bagged a 2nd with a rebound when a shot from Matt Ansell at the top of the D was parried by the keeper. We had our customary dodgy 15 mins spell, where passes went astray, probably looking to go too direct, as Ramiz was finding so much space. We were conceding short corners and eventually Southwick grabbed a goal back with a precise flick just inside the post. We kept coming forward though and Helmer completed a hatrick of assists when he provided Minchell to notch his customary goal.

The scoring was completed when Tedmo slotted a ball through to Ramiz in the inside right channel. Under pressure from the last defender and with the keeper advancing, he was forced a little wider than he would have liked. Tedmo had chugged up in support and was about to reach the top of the D, thinking a cut back might be on, when all of a sudden the ball fizzed past the keeper and clipped the inside of the far post and went around the backboards for 5-1. The most difficult chance Ramiz had in the whole of the game and he absolutely rocketed it home for the hatrick.

Overall a good game, especially the 1st half performance, with some excellent individual displays. The mighty 2nd XI juggernaut rolls on to Middleton & Bognor next week, where another 3 points is needed as it looks very tight at the top of the table. Unfortunately we will be missing Luke Helmer who goes for his hand operation, so the whole squad wishes him a speedy recovery. 

 

Team: Chris Wheeldon, David Edmondson, Tim Barter, Adam Stephens, Jack Symons, Arran Barker, Stuart Barter, Matt Ansell, James Cook, Mark Minchell, Luke Helmer. Sub: Ahmed Ramiz.