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Ryman League Division One South
WORTHING (1) 3 (Rogers, Ekoku, Pulling)
TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED (1) 2
Attendance 505
2.00 and the class get the news from headmaster Mr DC Stevens–
“Right, listen everybody, that includes you Grice
– are we all here?”
“No Sir, Darren’s not here, he’s been away for a while
AND his mum hasn’t sent in a note. And Pulling’s out on the
school field practising his corners again”
“Well for those of you that are here, Mr Pook’s not going
to be in today…” (The class cheers). “…Mr Bloor
will be looking after you today.” (Cue a louder cheer).
“We like Mr Bloor, he’s not as strict as Mr Pook and he wears
better clothes…”
“Silence! He’ll be doing probability with you and then bookmaking
– I presume that’s some type of art activity. Make sure you
all behave yourselves as I’ll be telling Mr Pook if any of you get
into trouble and he won’t be happy if any of you are kept behind
at the end of the day”
Well, that’s how I kind of imagined what happened when they heard that Alan wouldn’t be at the game. I was just worried that we were facing a decent side with a “supply” manager in charge and that it just seemed that we might just slip up. But then I remembered that Danny Bloor is in fact a County League Championship-winning manager and a more than able deputy. A strange game ensued, we were under par for most of it, surrendered a lead twice and had a man sent off, yet we still won. This can be summed up best in one word - “Battlingness” (Sorry Helen)
Despite being threatened with the bench for his antics against Bracknell, Nko kept his place up front and with long-term absentees Carrington, Lopez and Virgo on the sidelines, Beech at boot-camp Withdean, Lamont and Dobbyn in the sick bay and Freeman, who knows where (If anyone finds him, can they please hand him in?) it was a depleted squad with only four on the bench. Owen Hill came in for the Sean Edwards in the only change from Tuesday night. This meant we went 3-5-2 with Lutwyche, Guile and Dicker at the back; Holmes, Hill, Rogers, Grice and Knee across midfield with Sam and Nko up front.
Now, we didn’t get going for a while although Sam quite clearly had the measure of their defence and was terrorising them almost at will. Nko’s unorthodox style was causing confusion (for both teams), yet we never really clicked with wingbacks Holmes and Knee restricted on both flanks. We still managed to open the scoring when Sam beat a defender, looked up and spotting Nko in the box, passed the ball to Paul Rogers instead, who wrong-footed Tooting’s geriatric goalkeeper as he slotted home a goal on his 50th Worthing appearance.
Tooting were a horrible side – cynical, snide, thuggish and unattractive with their manager doing his best to wind everyone up. Nko and Sam were getting regular digs in the ribs and an over fussy referee was happy to ignore the big decisions while punishing the trivial, seemingly always in favour of the visitors. Despite this, Tooting did have a few fans that made some noise and for all these negatives, the one positive they did have was that they never gave up. They equalised when some shocking defensive play left one of their attackers in acres of space to turn and score.
Within five minutes of the re-start we were ahead again. A great cross from the right by Francis, headed in by Ekoku to restore the lead. But then, characteristically, we didn’t quite know whether to defend the 2-1 or go for a third goal and ended up doing neither as Tooting equalised again. Substitutions were made - Hill replaced by Pulling and Jones on for Ekoku as the Rebels pressed for three points and just as on Tuesday it seemed we would share the spoils, up popped man-of-the-moment Mark Pulling to follow up a Sam Francis shot that was parried by the goalkeeper 3-2. There was still time for Shaun Grice and one of their players to be sent off for an off the ball punch-up and for Roy Pook to enjoy some more pitch time before the final whistle was blown. 3-2 to the Rebels, three points and only two casualties – Andy Lutwyche’s hamstring injury may rule him out for the rest of the season while Shaun Grice will miss the home game against Walton & Hersham through suspension.
With almost all the top sides winning (except Lewes and Windsor) it was vital that we picked up maximum points as the top seven have pulled away from the closing pack. It is also often said that it is better to be a lucky manager than a good manager and if you’re in Danny’s line of business then that quality is almost a pre-requisite. So, onwards and upwards as we travel to Egham on Tuesday, Banstead on Thursday and Met Police on Saturday with 7 points out of 9 surely a satisfactory return. One thing is for certain; the squad's collective “Battlingness” will be stretched to its limit this week.
NB – On a serious note, we have heard that Alan’s daughter is ill and in hospital. I am sure I speak for all Worthing fans in sending her our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.
TEAM – Will Packham 7, Andy Lutwyche 7, Chris Dicker 7, Owen Hill 6 (Sub Mark Pulling 7), Des Guile 8, Stewart Holmes 7, Shaun Grice 6, Paul Rogers 8, Sam Francis 9 (Sub Roy Pook 6), Mark Knee 6, Nko Ekoku 7 (Sub Gavin Jones 7) SUB NOT USED Ross Johnson
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Sam Francis, “Stop him scoring and you stop Worthing” said one eedjit. More like “Stop him scoring and watch him set them up instead”.
7th Feb 2004