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TUESDAY 2nd MARCH 2004
Ryman League Division One South
WORTHING (2) 4 (Francis
2, Lamont, Ekoku)
CROYDON (0) 0
Attendance 302
Now let’s get this established right at the beginning – Croydon were terrible and didn’t manage a single shot on goal all night. Also consider that their playing budget is non-existent, that they play their home games in a morgue of a stadium - sorry, an “Arena”, and they’re not even amongst the top two sides in Croydon. A win should really have been routine and not even the most pessimistic of Rebel expected otherwise. But then remember that arguably our best defender (Davies), definitely our best midfielder (Rogers) and our main midfield attacking threats (Carrington and Lopez) as well as the likes of James Virgo, Owen Hill, Darren Freeman and Roy Pook were all out through injury it sums up the level of progress Alan Pook has made since taking over in the summer. Can you imagine who would have been brought in last season to replace players of that stature? OK, Pook’s rotation system is at times confusing and the level of funding is now perhaps twice what it was last season but undoubtedly those good times are back again and it is all down to him. Lloyd is gone, so is the air of gloom at Woodside Road to be replaced by a disco shoe-wearing eccentric with an abundance of enthusiasm, optimism and a “can-do” attitude. Long live the King. And it’s not Steven.
We lined up 4-4-2 with Will Packham in goal, a back four of Sean Edwards, Andy Lutwyche, Clay Lamont and Chris Dicker; Mark Knee, Shaun Grice, Ross Johnson and debut-making Nko Ekoku in midfield with Damian Dobbyn playing as a Scholes-esque split striker with super Sam Francis shining at the top, like the star on top of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. We should have gone ahead after only 5 minutes, the assistant referee ruling that an early effort following a goalmouth scramble had not crossed the line. Rebels regulars behind the goal suggested otherwise but to be fair to the linesman (and not to be Lewes like in our reporting – every week has a “blatant penalty shout” turned down, have a look) he was a long way away. It was clear that Croydon would have difficulty in dealing with the high ball into the box as they were a “vertically-challenged” side with the notable exception of their gargantuan number six. But their one-man gang had no answer to the long throws from Johnson and the height of Ekoku, Lamont and Grice in the box. Mark Knee’s flag kicks were equally impressive and it was clear to see that the time spent on the training ground Saturday had not been wasted, as Shaun Grice flicked his 17th minute corner on at the near post for Francis to nod home his 28th goal of the season from three yards out. The fans under the new covered west end were delighted and sensed there were more goals to come. And it didn’t take long. The aerial bombardment from Johnson’s missile-like throws from both touchlines was causing panic in the Croydon defences and with the ‘keeper unsure whether to stay on his line or come for the ball it was just a matter of time before his decision-making was to be proved suspect. Another Johnson throw. He came, he saw, he faltered – Clay Lamont beating him to the ball in the air. 2-0 Worthing. In the second half the Rebels continued to control the game, Francis put through on goal, brushing new signing Ekoku off the ball as the two Worthing hot-shots beat the offside trap simultaneously and there was never any doubt that firstly the ball would end up in the goal and secondly who Worthing’s top man is – £2,000 fee or otherwise. Pook was able to re-shuffle with out-of-favour Geddes given his customary cameo as well as Ducille and Plummer given useful pitch time. Plummer at last showed his professional pedigree and there was still time for Nko Ekoku to score a debut goal from another Johnson throw. 4-0 the final score in front of 302.
Other results from the evening’s games meant the Rebels moved up two places to 8th and with Windsor and Lewes both dropping points, it is very much “twitchy bottom” time as Sir Alex might say. With the pressure off and two games to play against our country cousins from the east, the very public aim of a top six finish could be seen as being a little conservative. And that statement is far more hush puppy than disco shoe.
TEAM - Will Packham 6, Sean Edwards 6,
Chris Dicker 9, Andy Lutwyche 7, Clay Lamont 8, Ross Johnson 8, Shaun
Grice 7 (sub Andy Ducille 6), Nko Ekoku 7, Sam Francis 8 (sub Daryl Plummer
7), Damien Dobbyn 6 (sub Gavin Geddes 6), Mark Knee 7
SUBS NOT USED Andrew Beech, Mark Pulling
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Chris Dicker, outstanding over the last few weeks and his work-rate and commitment emphasised that winning three points on freezing Tuesday nights against poor sides culminate in end of season success.
(Thanks to Ian for this report)
7th Feb 2004