Submitted By: David Edmondson

The relegated 3^rd team started life back in Sussex Div 2 with a tough encounter away at Horsham. On a blisteringly hot day, where fitness would be key, the new look 3^rd XI squad bore a more than passing resemblance to the England & Scotland front rows who had just finished battle in New Zealand! With a slightly fatter keeper than Joe Isaac we would have had longstanding club archivist A. Allan searching the record books!

Despite this obvious handicap we started the game ok, with Alex Watkins looking sprightly down the left and enforcers H Block and Proff running the midfield battle. We were a little bit open at times to the counter and thankful on more than one occasion to our guest keeper, Joe Isaac, who was certainly being nicely warmed for 1^st XI duty afterwards.

Aaron Chapman was starting to cause Horsham problems with his unorthodox style and this pressure led to short corners. Unfortunately the ‘Dan Cole’ of the 3^rd XI, Matt Sephton, managed to spurn 2 such opportunities by failing to get the ball out. We found ourselves 1-0 down when another Horsham break eventually found a way past Joe in goal. The response was good and as half time approached the ball was worked out of defence to Alex Watkins down the left. He cut inside and with several options, picked out H Block making an advance through the inside left channel. H carried well, deep into their half, brushing off challenges as he ploughed his agricultural furrow. Good movement from Arran saw him peel off to the right of the D and H found him with a slipped pass, perhaps pushing him a touch wide. Arran steadied and fired as the keeper came out to narrow the angle. The shot evaded the keeper and looked like it might just be sliding past the post, however an instinctive touch from the last defender saw the ball diverted home.

1-1 at half time, there was all to play for, however the heat and fitness really did take hold in the 2^nd period. As the game became stretched we struggled to move up the pitch together, so our attacks were fragmented. In defence, gaps appeared, and despite MOM Joe Isaac continuing his good form, Horsham started to gain control and ran out 5-1 winners.

Not the best start to the new campaign, but plenty to build on for the weeks ahead with some encouraging performances from Wookey and Watkins.

Team: Joe Isaac, Steve Mills, Rollo Jarrett-Kerr, Sam Wookey, Matt Saward, John Coutes, Simon Holloway, John Herbert, Alex Watkins, Aaron Chapman (1 Goal), Matt Sephton, David Edmondson]]> frenchieatwhc@live.co.uk (Admin) Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:46:13 +0000 http://www.worthinghockey.co.uk/seasons/season-2011-2012/matches/mens-3rd-xi-vs-crowborough-mens-2nd-xi.html#match_report_329 Worthing Men’s 3^rd XI            6           Crowborough 2^nd XI    5

Submitted By: David Edmondson

‘Worthing Late Charge Secures Points At The Fortress’

An eventful game back on the bouncy castle at Durrington eventually saw Worthing triumph and gain a vital 3 points in the dying seconds. This was of great credit to the 10 men, who had been left to battle back from 3-2 down with 20 minutes to go, by the departed Tedmo.

The game started badly for the home side, when a regulation body check was signalled in Worthing’s favour deep inside their own 25 yard area. Crucially though the whistle wasn’t blown and Crowborough played on, and duly scored the opener. Worthing centre back Rollo J-K was left confused and sought clarification from the umpire, which resulted in the first card of the match, a green, 2 minutes in.

Worthing bounced back, with Holloway and Chapman looking especially threatening in attack. Alex Watkins on the right of midfield had a fine opening half. His constant running and stick skills a particular feature of a period in which Worthing dominated and H Block helped himself to 2 well worked goals.

Crowborough were beginning to get to grips with the pitch and a drilled bouncy pass straight down the middle was latched onto in our D, and bang, 2-2. Schoolboy stuff really to allow that open access, Joe Fowler in goal given no chance. Just on the stroke of half-time an obstruction outside the D by Tedmo was penalised with a penalty corner, which was rocketed into the bottom corner for a 3-2 half time lead to the visitors.

Worthing started the 2^nd half brightly and were again on the attack down the right, very unlucky not to be given a short corner for a foot in the D. This was perhaps the pre cursor to an extremely bizarre 5 minutes or so, where I managed to collect 4 cards for dissent [2 green a yellow and a red], and Matt Ansell also collected a yellow for dissent. Not a great example for the younger players in the side, for which I must apologise.

The episode surrounding all these cards obviously caught everyone’s attention, however the lasting impression of the day for me, was the fine form of the Worthing side for that final 20 minutes. They raced into a 4-3 lead, perhaps energised by the previous events. Luke Helmer looked a constant threat, John Herbert was prompting things from the middle, Rob Watkins was immense. The younger players really stepped up, Alex Watkins continued his fine form, Tom Gurney who had really started the 2^nd half fight back through his pressing down our right was excellent and Wookey was looking very assured on the ball. Our 4-3 lead was preserved by a fine point blank save by Joe Fowler in goal.

It looked like victory was heading our way, but then quick as a flash, 2 brutal finishes for Crowborough had them leading 5-4 with 2 minutes to go. After what had gone before, this was a disaster.

From a free hit just inside the 25, Worthing scored a fantastic team goal, the ball being manipulated like a pinball around 4 or 5 players, before a simple finish. Into the final seconds, skipper Holloway sniffed victory and a driving run round the back allowed him to cut back for Helmer to apply the finish. 6-5, final whistle, one side completely deflated on their hands and knees, the other all jumping around all over the place.

A fantastic game, and fantastic effort from the 10 men. Well-done lads.

Thanks to Matt Sephton for umpiring, he blew exceptionally well.

MOM: Alex Watkins

WOW: Tedmo

Team: Joe Fowler, David Edmondson, Rollo Jarrett-Kerr, Rob Watkins, Jamie Mantell, Alex Watkins, Matt Ansell, John Herbert (1 Goal), Luke Helmer (2 Goals), Aaron Chapman (1 Goal), Simon Holloway (2 Goals), Sam Wookey, Tom Gurney]]> frenchieatwhc@live.co.uk (Admin) Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:56:15 +0000