WIVELSFIELD GREEN 2 IFIELD RESERVES 0
Shane Burgess, Matt Kingston
The curse of the absentee manager struck again and Malcolm Stillwell would have been relieved to miss this sorry display. It was not the football that disappointed but the attitude shown by several young players who have a great deal to learn. In Malcolm's absence injured keeper Luke King took the reins and was treated with disrespect by the loud-mouthed element. That the bulk of this squad played Youth football last term was plain to see.A win was always on the cards. Wivelsfield Green were a game bunch of battlers who only had a couple of players of real class. We not only could, but certainly should, have beaten them as we had plenty of chances. Craig Lewis had the first pop, cleverly dispossessing a player and belting in a 35 yarder.
Ben Gillett released the combative Luke Byrne and then Danny Fuller but neither finished well. Danny saw one chance saved before Richard Short was called into serious action for the first time midway through the half. We were still on top and looking the better side when they scored after 32 minutes.Joe Stillwell was caught out of position as Wivelsfield Green broke on the left and sent in a cross from the byline. Their lumbering front-runner SHANE BURGESS was foolhardy enough to try and get between Richard and Lee Fitzhenry but he did and got his header in as well. Now our attacking play became less positive and two minutes before the break they struck again with another run into the space where the right back should have been. Richard parried a fierce shot but MATT KINGSTON followed up to make it two nil. The argy bargy in the dressing room led to the calming influence of Lee Robson being replaced by the more attacking play of Paul Morgan who really should have been in the starting line up. We attacked earnestly but the front men just did not know enough to unlock Green's experienced rearguard. Danny was late arriving at the far post when Jason Edridge beat the defence with a great diagonal pass but mostly the final ball let us down. Chris Moynes replaced Danny Cocks to raise the impetus and I have to admit I cannot understand why the midfield should revolve around two players as one-paced as Danny and Robbo.Joe redeemed himself somewhat with some surging wing play and he struck the angle of post and bar with a stinging 25-yard shot. Finally Danny departed having already upset the referee, the opposition and most of his teammates. If his skills let him down his immaturity makes him a luxury this team can ill afford. By contrast Fitz was made Man of the Match not just for his great defending but also because he inspired throughout with a positive and sporting approach to the game. Others would do well to watch him and learn.
10/10/01