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THURSDAY 1st APRIL 2004
Ryman League Division One South
BANSTEAD ATHLETIC (0) 1 (Fontana)
WORTHING
(0) 1 (Knee)
Attendance ??? (But loads more than last time!)
Just what is it about Merland Rise? It is always cold. There’s never anyone there. I’m never sure if Tadworth or Tattenham Corner station is nearest. And now it seems there’s something in the air up at Banstead that turns match officials into absolute buffoons. After the farcical, but typically arrogant performance of Andy Legg three weeks ago, tonight’s official quite simply gave incompetence a bad name, missing two obvious handball penalty decisions, disallowing two legitimate goals and baffling both sets of players with his decision making. Oh, yes and I forgot the backpass decision – the worst single decision I have ever seen on a football field, and the booking for Chris Dicker for telling the truth – “You’ve given us nothing ref”. Maybe the referee should have shown some respect to a genuine man of the law?
Before the game we were treated to the most expensive cheeseburger in the league. At £2.70 I was expecting it to be cooked by Nigella Lawson but was to be disappointed. We chatted with some very amiable AFC Wimbledon fans (yes, they are looking after Ross Standen) and the rather less amiable Swiss Family Fontana who were intent on running Lewes and Worthing down (after Luke’s ultimately unsuccessful spells with both Sussex sides) in front of those who dared to question his record this season amongst themselves.
Worthing’s gruelling schedule continued with the squad rotation system being used to full effect – Hill for Edwards, Beech for Guile, Grice for Carr, Francis for Jones and Knee for Pulling the changes from Tuesday. Those that remained looked absolutely knackered and you could see how Banstead had pulled off some shock victories (6-1 at home to Lewes, for example) as they completely bypassed midfield and relied on some of the longest throws I have ever seen – put it this way, Ross Johnson was looking on enviously. Their route one approach was in complete contrast to Worthing’s passing game and to be fair to Banstead it was always well within the laws of the game.
The first half saw few clear-cut chances but much discussion on the performance of the referee who did manage to disallow a perfectly good goal (a Francis header from a Knee cross) and miss two handballs (“I didn’t see it” – twice!).
After the interval, Worthing had the ball in the net within three minutes, Mark Knee driving the ball across the goalkeeper and most satisfyingly, into the corner of the net. Worthing dominated and should have equalised when Mark Knee headed home but his effort was ruled out for offside in a decision that can only be described as “extremely debatable”. Nko was put through on goal and a defender got back to play the ball into Tony Webb’s hands but amazingly the referee waved play on, to the astonishment of both teams. The disappointing Ekoku was replaced by Gavin Jones who could have considered himself very unlucky to lose his place after his goal on Tuedsay at Egham.
As Worthing tried to consolidate victory they tired, allowing Banstead to get back into the game. With shattered players in midfield unable to put their foot on the ball and keep possession for the last five minutes it was almost inevitable that something would happen and who should pop-up but Fontana to tap the ball in from close range in the 90th minute - the only cheers being from the Banstead bench and his family. What an embarrassing contrast to the (relatively) big crowds at Lewes, Worthing and Eastbourne Borough.
I said that seven points out of nine would be a satisfactory return and that looks like what it will be although the Met Police should not be underestimated, as Windsor will testify. As a wise man pointed out to me on the way, could it be we live to regret the two points dropped at Windsor on the very first day of the season?
But let’s face facts. Barring a major catastrophe, we will finish top six and are in the final of the Sussex Senior Cup. Anything more than that will be a bonus. And for those of you disappointed that twelfth place will not be ours this season, rest easy and look at our position in the Ladbrokes Fair Play award for our division. Can you guess where we are?
TEAM – Will Packham 7, Owen Hill 6, Chris Dicker 6, Andrew Beech 7, Clay Lamont 8, Stuart Holmes 7, Shaun Grice 6, Paul Rogers 7, Sam Francis 7, Nko Ekoku 5 (Sub Gavin Jones 6), Mark Knee 7 SUBS NOT USED Sean Edwards, Ross Johnson, Roy Pook, Paul Brown
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Clay Lamont, determined, strong and a player that genuinely enjoys winning the ball. And this from a player who wasn’t even first choice for a County League side two months ago and is now potentially a Ryman League Div 1 South Champion and Sussex Senior Cup winner. Amazing.
7th Feb 2004