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Ryman League Division One South
WORTHING (1) 4 (Francis, Knee, Freeman 2)
MARLOW (0) 0
Attendance 436
Poor old Marlow. Just what did they ever do to us? We walloped them 5-0 at their place and then, just to rub their noses in it, make 8 changes from that side and beat them 4-0 at Woodside with the current crop. OK, the three or four Marlow fans that were singing “Super Marlow” made it sound like “Soup for Marlow” which was a bit annoying but worthy of angering the mighty Reds to put four past them without reply?
Following the disappointing draw at Epsom, Alan Pook welcomed back Sam Francis, Paul Rogers and Mark Knee back into the team after illness and suspension while, as exclusively revealed on rebelrebels.co.uk last week, the first of the new signings, Des Guille made his Rebels debut. Guille is the current Burgess Hill Town player of the year and was signed for a nominal fee on Thursday while Gavin Geddes has left the club and will sign for another local Ryman League side early this week. We welcome Worthing-based Des to the club and wish Gavin all the best as he leaves for pastures new.
The Rebels started well and were creating large numbers of half-chances, which were not taken. With the west end terrace in good voice, Worthing kept up the pressure despite the valiant efforts of “Alex” in the Marlow defence. Sam was causing panic in the Marlow back line and he went clean through on goal and rounded the ‘keeper before seeing his shot blocked on the line. It wasn’t long until he made amends as he controlled Nko Ekoku’s cross before despatching the ball into the corner of the net with commendable venom.
Half time came and went but it failed to interrupt the Rebels momentum as they continued to pepper the Marlow goal. The second goal was not long in coming, Paul Rogers – seemingly impatient at the lack of quality crosses coming into the box, brushed Nko Ekoku aside (which is easier said than done) to put a perfect ball onto Mark Knee’s head, 2-0. Changes were made, perhaps with Tuesday in mind – Dobbyn replacing the disappointing Grice and Freeman on for the tiring Ekoku. Having scored on Tuesday, Freeman perhaps felt aggrieved to be left out of the starting eleven and emphasised his point with two late goals. A Mark Pulling cross was heading straight for Sam Francis when a random Marlow defender bundled him over. Penalty given and Freeman immediately made a beeline for the ball with regular taker Grice off the field. After some delaying tactics, Freeman rolled the ball into the corner, easy as you like, to make it 3-0. There was still time for a fourth as Daryl “Disco Boots” Plummer, who had an exciting 10 minute cameo, played in Freeman who prodded the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper with Sam Francis shepherding it over the line, the 31 goal striker showing remarkable restraint in not walloping it in himself to make it an easy 32nd. With the game almost over, a horror challenge on Freeman resulted in a booking for the Marlow assailant and perhaps a stricter referee would have shown red to both as Darren’s reaction was hardly gentlemanly but all in all, as easy a win as there can be in this division which makes Tuedsay night’s result all the more frustrating.
With a weekend that featured a 4-0 Worthing win, Lewes and Bognor both losing, Man City walloping their more fashionable neighbours 4-1 and England bowling out the West Indies for a record low score, it was a pretty good weekend. Let’s hope this good run continues on Tuesday as we face the master of the cup shock, Sammy Donnelly and his Three Bridges side in the Sussex Senior Cup Semi-Final. Second place in the league really is up for grabs now with Lewes’ recent slump and although first place is totally improbable, it is not impossible. There is no pressure and nothing to fear. Hold tight and enjoy the ride.
TEAM – Will Packham 7, Andy Lutwyche 7, Chris Dicker 7 (sub Daryl Plummer 7), Clay Lamont 7, Des Guille 7, Mark Pulling 7, Shaun Grice 6 (sub Damian Dobbyn 6), Paul Rogers 9, Sam Francis 8, Mark Knee 7, Nko Ekoku 7 (sub Darren Freeman 8) SUBS NOT USED Andy Ducille, Andrew Beech
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Paul Rogers, at the heart of everything good about our performance.
(Thanks to Ian for this report)
7th Feb 2004