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We began with a league game on New Years Day at Whyteleafe, half-expecting the game to be called off as the pitch is generally a mess up there and they never bother getting a local referee in to have a look in the morning. With Davies and Grice “away”, we ran out 3-1 victors with two late goals. Our scorers were SAM FRANCIS (2) and MARK PULLING. This game also confirmed that Whyteleafe have the slowest tea bar in the world.
Saturday saw us “entertain” Ryman Premier Division side Maidenhead United in the Bryco Cup (don’t miss it!). Darren Freeman put in a man of the match performance as MARK PULLING (with his second in three days) and MARK KNEE scored the goals that put us into the next round.
Midweek, we headed up to The Ladbrokes Stadium (sorry, Imperial Fields) and beat Tooting & Mitcham 2-1 with goals from SAM FRANCIS and DARREN FREEMAN although the Tooting ‘keeper should really be mentioned in dispatches for his two assists.
The following Saturday saw the first WFCSA FC training session AM and the best start to a game all season PM as we beat Taunton Town in the FA Trophy 3-0 with three early goals from MARK KNEE (2) and SAM FRANCIS. Mark’s first goal was outstanding and a contender for goal of the season. The dodgy (on paper) combination of Beech and Lutwyche held firm in the second half as the Rebels Trophy run continued.
Ashford Town were up next and in a very missable game (which I duly did), we drew 1-1 with a penalty from SHAUN GRICE the highlight of a poor game. Ex-Lewes man Ross Venables made his Rebels debut as a late substitute.
Up next, the well-supported Slough Town, who were going through a sticky patch. Early goals from SAM FRANCIS and new signing LUKE FONTANA gave the Rebels the points with Sam’s goal a top class volley. Fontana had signed from local rivals Lewes and despite scoring, looked a bit lightweight. It was hard to see him sticking around and we were proved to be right.
Our chums from Lewes were next in the Sussex Senior Cup and the game was a bit of an anti-climax as both side’s rested key players. Gavin Geddes started for the first time since November in place of hotshot Sam Francis. Lewes took the lead when Junior Kadi curled a delightful free-kick over the wall as the Rebels defence dozed off. This lead was short lived as ROSS JOHNSON equalized soon after with a drilled effort from the edge of the box that went straight through comedy ‘keeper Dominic Jean-Zepherin. The second half saw the Rebels dominate and after a surging run from Ben Carrington, MARK KNEE headed the ball home. This game saw the debut of the new covered west terrace and the atmosphere beneath it was great as the players celebrated with supporters at the final whistle.
The season was promising so much with us gradually creeping up the league and still involved in three cups.
League Record so far – P 25, W 14, D 7, L 4, F 48, A 25, Pts 49, GD +23
Players In – Ross Venables (Croydon
Athletic), Luke Fontana (Lewes), Joe Keehan (Whitehawk)
Players Out – None
The “We want Lloyd Back” Grumbleometer
from the bus stop rating – a reluctantly cheerful 5/10
7th Feb 2004