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The Met Police were our first visitors this month, obviously having got over the sight of WFC fans in forensic suits up at Imber Court. Shaun Grice made his WFC debut at the expense of Chris Hibberd while Mark Knee was left out in favour of Gavin Geddes who had signed from Horsham. Another new signing, Clinton Moore, took his place on the bench. A very easy 4-1 win ensued, with goals from SAM FRANCIS (2), BEN CARRINGTON and GAVIN GEDDES.
A considerably harder trip to Leatherhead the following Tuesday occurred and with an unchanged starting XI (one of only two occasions that this happened over the season), a really good game that could have gone either way was settled with a late PAUL ROGERS header to pick up the three points. This game also saw Ben reborn into “the best right back in the league”.
FA Cup fever continued as Walton Casuals visited Woodside Road and they did really well and could have considered themselves hard done by with the 4-1 scoreline as SAM FRANCIS (2) and GAVIN GEDDES (2) shared the goals. The substitution of Chris Hibberd in this game was to prove important – he walked out of Woodside Road soon after as he wasn’t enjoying his football any more and went on to sign for East Preston in the Sussex County League.
The following Saturday saw us make the trip to Marlow. I’d moved house so wasn’t there but those that were enjoyed another goal fest as we ended up 5-0 victors with goals coming from CHRIS DICKER, PAUL ROGERS, GAVIN GEDDES (2) and substitute CLINTON MOORE.
Tuesday night saw the visit of Croydon Athletic and an inspired performance from their goalkeeper. Just as it looked as if we were going to drop vital points at home, BEN CARRINGTON popped up to hammer a shot home from 20 yards to give us the 1-0 win.
We were on the road to Heybridge in the FA Cup the following Saturday where we earned a great 3-3 draw having been 1-0 down at half time and with Heybridge missing a penalty. Goals from SAM FRANCIS (2) and MARK KNEE ensured that Heybridge would travel down to Sussex the following Tuesday. A really great second half atmosphere contributed to the result and it was here that the now-notorious “Disco Shoes” song was first aired albeit Aftershock-assisted! It has to be said that Swift’s ‘keeper Darren Placid also contributed to the result with an uncertain performance and the rather smug attitude of some of the Heybridge fans (“Is your ground any good?”) meant that the lads would be well up for the replay. Interestingly, The Argus based their whole match report around Pooky’s “Disco Shoes” and Gavin Geddes remarked on them to a reporter. I wonder whether Pooky made a mental note about that for later in the season?
Gavin Geddes came in for Shaun Grice and we took a first half lead when GAVIN GEDDES slotted home after an error by Placid. In front of a crowd of 452, we doubled our lead in the second half with a spectacular 25 yard strike from OWEN HILL – his first goal in Worthing colours. There was still enough time for Placid to bring down Francis just outside the box and receive a red card. Not his best four days work and it wasn’t long before he was in goal for Leyton in front of the proverbial one man and his dog. And so the Rebels marched on in the FA Cup.
League Record so far – P 8, W 6, D 1, L 1, F 16, A 3, GD +13
Players In – Gavin Geddes (Horsham),
John Standing, Florian Mateos, Shaun Grice (all Withdean 2000)
Players Out – Peter Brackley (Worthing United),
Chris Hibberd (East Preston – eventually)
The “We want Lloyd Back” Grumbleometer from the bus stop rating – 6/10
7th Feb 2004