This Site:
Other WFC-related Sites:
Tuesday 6th April 2004
Ryman League Division One South
HORSHAM (1) 1 (Gedling)
WORTHING
(1) 2 (Knee, Pulling)
Attendance - Pretty Poor considering it was local derby!
And the world tour continues as the Rebels rolled into Queen Street in the battle of the landowners. This was a match not just about Horsham FC v Worthing FC, this was Sunley v Gladwish Land Sales and with the Rebels and the Hornets both on long unbeaten runs, it would be a brave person to predict the outcome here. A brilliant rainbow shone above Queen Street before the game – perhaps it led to the site of their long awaited new ground on the A24 with their current ground the proverbial pot of gold?
Horsham put out a side including former Rebels Luke Gedling, Andy Walker and Tom Graves. Worthing were without Wes Lopez, Sean Edwards and Glen Davies but selected from an otherwise full if strength-sapped squad.
We couldn’t have started any worse, a Gary Charman pass found it’s way to Luke Gedling on the edge of the box and his low shot beat the flat-footed/unsighted (delete as appropriate) Will Packham in the Worthing goal. Our response was immediate, a cross from the left parried by Chatfield and followed up and in by Owen Hill. However, our joy was short-lived as the linesman had his flag up for offside, a wrong decision said our man on the sideline who was level. The referee seemed determined not too book anyone but appeared to have no choice when Kirby brought down Ekoku when through on goal. The whistle went but the outcome was not a penalty and red card but a free kick and no card. Dicker blasted the subsequent free kick high and wide. Just before half time, the Rebels equalised – an Ekoku shot followed up by Knee to make it one each.
Alan brought on Paul Rogers for the injured Owen Hill at half time and his controlling influence calmed the Rebels while his winning of three successive 50/50 tackles inspired them further. Not for the first time this season, Sam was running himself into the ground for the cause and was a constant threat. The on looking Lewes boss must have gone away concerned as to how his fragile defence are going to deal with his pace, movement and predatory instinct on Easter Monday. Nko Ekoku was having his most effective game yet in a Rebels shirt and it was his cross from the left that Chatfield flapped at, under a challenge from Francis, enabling golden boy Pulling to slot the ball home in the same goal as the Senior Cup semi final with a similar jubilant celebration.
As ever, we seemed unsure whether to defend the 2-1 or go for the 3-1 and there were a few nervous moments before the referee blew for full time. It was good to see Ben get 20 minutes and the return to form of Shaun Grice after a sticky spell where he hasn’t quite been at his best. Horsham can consider themselves a tad unlucky to end up with nothing but on the balance of play I feel we just edged it. They can take comfort that they now have a competitive side, if not a natural goalscorer. Charman, Carney and French are good players and if they stay and perhaps Geddes re-signs then they will be right up there next season.
We wish them well in the future as they have a significant
role to play in the destiny of the League Championship. Some are installing
us as favourites, and it is a testimony to the sort of football that we
play and how we conduct ourselves that so many of the sides we have played
hope that we go on to win it. But there is a long way to go yet and it
is conceivable that IF we were to win it, we may have only occupied first
place in the final week. It’s unlikely but then stranger things
have happened.
TEAM – Will Packham 7, Owen Hill 6 (sub Paul Rogers
8), Chris Dicker 7, Des Guile 7, Clay Lamont 7, Stewart Holmes 7, Shaun
Grice 7, Mark Pulling 8, Sam Francis 9, Nko Ekoku 8 (sub Ben Carrington
6), Mark Knee 7 SUBS NOT USED Ross Johnson, Gavin Jones, Roy Pook, Ted
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Sam Francis, all round contribution and willingness. He should be a pro. Get down here McGhee with £50k in your back pocket!
7th Feb 2004