24th April 2006: Mile Oak 1 – 2 Storrington
The scene was set, Storrington could come anywhere from second down to sixth depending on other results, the pitch was rock hard and bobbly, players were carrying injuries, they hard square goal posts and to cap it off the ref didn’t turn up. With no-one wanting to come back the following week it was agreed between everyone that Nige could ref and he did a pretty good job although he seemed to have a problem using the whistle as every decision was followed by a shout of stop because no-one could hear him.
Anyway to the football, if you ever wanted to see a flowing game of football with some good touches, pin point passes and clinical finishing this was not the game to watch. Storrington drafted back skipper Matt Bridle complete with a fully strapped left ankle to marshal the back line after Geralds calamitous performance at Pagham together with Daz Burton and Chris Johnson who were also carrying injuries. With The Streak promoted to the first team Gavaldo (Gav Bridle) was promoted up front for a performance nothing short of pathetic.
The game was always going to be a bit like a park match with few supporters and only the subs on the bench for both sides, however, The Swans began playing the better football on a difficult surface but the final ball let them down. The game seemed comfortable through the first half with chances falling to Gavaldo, Kris, Deano and Gerald (the bald destroyer) but none of them could convert and the half finished honors even at 0-0.
The second half started much the same with Storrington on top, however knowing that only a win could guarantee second spot the game started to open up, as half chances fell to The Swans strikers, know-one seemed to pick up the illusive Gerald as he baffled both the home and away team with his centre back role in front of the forwards.
With Storrington pushing for the win, Mile Oak sneaked a decisive lead as some slack defending on the back post by Deano gave the home forward a free header to make the score 1-0. Storrington fought back well as Gerald started to play further forward; the bobbly pitch didn’t help the flair players and completing the final pass was proving to be difficult. With 10 minutes to go Kris went down injured with blood pouring from his nose, after 5 minutes treatment for the Mile Oak player caught by his hooter the game continued.
With 5 minutes to go it was Geralds time as a good move put him through on goal but a pulled shot trickled off for a throw in, however he wasn’t to be defeated and on 90 minutes he had made up for his 2 calamitous errors against Pagham with a far post header from a yard off a Spinky cross to make the score 1-1.
The game re-started with 6 additional minutes due to the lengthy injury and Storrington were well on top, with only 30 seconds left on the clock Spinky marked his farewell to Storrington Football with a trade mark finish from the experienced veteran to make the final score 2-1.
This result secured second spot in the Reserve Section West, which capped off a remarkable season for a reserve side that has very rarely seen the top half of the table in the past.
TEAM: Meldrum, C Johnson (C Johnson), M Bridle, McMichael, A Beaumont, Leaver, K Bridle, Burton, Cook (Adam), G Bridle, Spink
17th April 2006: Storrington 0 – 1 Broadbridge Heath
Yet again Nige was praying for a win to help secure second spot. With both teams having first team players available it was hard to see if this was a reserve or first team battle but the away side came through stronger on this breezy bank holiday.
Broadbridge Heath edged the first half which was capped off with a flick from a near post corner which was scrambled over the line to make the score 1-0 to the away side. Storrington came back strong in the second half but failed to make the possession count as a disappointing match ended in defeat and paved the way for an end of season show down at Mile Oak.
TEAM: Gledhill, Davis, M Palmer (Tucker), A Palmer, A Beaumont, Leaver, G Bridle, Pickford, Cook, Witherden, Spink (McMichael
15th April 2006: Pagham 4 – 3 Storrington
With second place in touching distance for the reserves, The Swans visited Pagham knowing that two wins out of three would be enough to cap off a great season. Following a well battled final the previous week the back line was hit hard with three of the regular back line side lined through injury. Nige opted for a mix experience and youth as he drafted in the Bald destroyer, Gerald (also known as Yids) together with Craig Johnson and Marcello from the youth team.
The game started as expected with the rookie defenders all over the place and struggling to find their feet, with the conditions poor the ball was swirling around and difficult to control (atleast that was what Gerald claimed as he kept passing to their centre forward). It didn’t take long for Pagham to open the scoring as a long shot was palmed into the path of the striker who neatly slotted home. Within minutes the home team stretched their lead as a deep cross was misjudged and deflected off the knee of the incoming striker to make it 2-0.
Half time couldn’t come quick enough and some harsh words from Nige seemed to wake everyone up as the second half started much better, however it didn’t take long for the tired looking side to slip back into old ways and start giving the ball away again. It was obvious Gerald had been out for while with a broken toe nail as he continuously wandered out of position; it wasn’t his best day as things started to get worse. With a number of options screaming for the ball in front of him he decided to go on a mazy between two forwards who had other ideas as they calmly tackled him and made it 3-0. With the game looking dead and buried Nige decided to rest Deano and Kris for the game on Monday which seemed to provide some much needed energy into the team as Ross and Adam were thrown into the midfield.
The game started to get interesting as The Streak scored a headed from an inch to make it 3-1, then another moment of madness from Gerald capped off a bad day at the office as a gentle throw in arrived at his feet only for the bald destroyer to give it straight to the home striker who slotted home to make it 4-1. The game looked dead and buried, but from somewhere Storrington managed to pull the score back to 4-3 with goals from Spinky and The Streak. The last 20 minutes were played out with both teams looking tired and score remained 4-3.
TEAM: M Beaumont, Velho, McMichael, C Johnson, A Beaumont, D Leaver (R Leaver), K Bridle (Adam), G Bridle (Meldrum), Cook, Spink, Witherden.
RESERVE CUP SECTION – FINAL
12th April 2006: Shoreham 0 – 1 Storrington (Played at East Preston)
It was a fine evening at East Preston’s Roundstone Recreation Ground when Storrington walked out to face Shoreham in the Reserve Section Cup Final, with Shoreham already securing the league title and two wins over Storrington, The Swans were out for revenge.
With Nige having the luxury of a full reserve squad to choose from, there were decisions to be made that were going to upset players that had been a part of the team all season. The Swans veteran Dave Spink led the complaints after being part of the winning team against Oakwood in the semi final and certainly left his mark as Nige tried to explain his decision. The only forced change was the loss of Chris Johnson after he had turned his ankle whilst having a ‘kick about’ down the park with his mates 2 nights previous, so James Davis stepped in to fill the right back spot.
The game started at a frantic pace with Shoreham edging the possession, both sides were obviously up for the night with some good football being played and the better chances falling to the Shoreham forwards, however the Wookie in goal was up to the challenge pulling off 2 excellent saves. The Swans back line looked solid being marshalled by the skipper Matt Bridle as they gradually worked their way back into the game, Matt had his worked cut out controlling his fellow centre back as Matt Palmer occasionally lost concentration and was caught doing his scary Phil Cool impression in the box.
Image: Matt Palmer as Phil Cool
The Swans best chance of the half fell to the 50p head of Sam ‘the streak’ Witherden, with another streamline hair cut some great movement in the box gave himself a free header from a yard, with the discipline of heading downwards he nearly knocked himself out as the ball shot straight back up and over the bar.
Half time came after an evenly battled 45 minutes, The Swans knew the game was there for the taking and they came out for the second half all guns blazing. It was the start Storrington needed and they managed to gain the upper hand with constant pressure down both flanks with Deano and Cookey providing some great crosses. With Kristian and Chirs Watton (the ever improving youth team captain) running the show in the middle of the park, Storrington were certainly on top and playing some good one touch football.
The break through came with 15minutes to go, Chris Watton and Kristian combined well in midfield, then Chris Watton went on a mazy run passed the first player, outside the second and a nice jink inside the third player to leave the goal at his mercy, with the drop of a shoulder he passed the ball perfectly into the corner of the goal and well out of the keepers reach.
Image: Chris Watton slotting home the winner
The game finished with Shoreham throwing everything forward but Storrington stood firm throughout the park, Nige brought on some experience up front with Dave Spink replacing ‘the Streak’ as The Swans finished the game strongly.
The final whistle went and Storrington Reserves were added to a long list of high profile reserve teams on the Reserve Section Cup. With a number of Storrington players edging the Man of the Match award one player stood out for his outstanding saves in the first half and wild hair doo as the award was given to the Wookie in the Storrington goal. Storrington’s performance highlighted how far they have come from last year and capped off an unbelievably season which could still see them finish second in the Reserve Section West.
Image: Wookie receiving the Man of the Match Award
TEAEM: Gledhill, Davis, M Palmer, M Bridle, A Beaumont, Leaver, K Bridle, Watton, Cook, G Bridle, Witherden (Spink)
24th March 2006: Storrington 2 - 0 Oakwood (Played at Horsham YMCA)
If someone had given Nige a cup semi final place and a top 3 spot in the league at the beginning of the season he would have probably collapse in disbelief, however as the reserves walked out at Gorings Mead against a strong Oakwood side a win was the only thing on the manager’s mind. With the first team playing the season out, the reserves and the third team were left to represent Storrington in cup competitions and with the added bonus of Nige being part of the last reserve side to reach a cup final in 1970 the semi final became quite a sentimental occasion.
With the crowd dominated by Storrington supporters, with the exception of chairman Malcolm McMichael following a lunch time drinking session, the reserves ran out to a huge ovation with many of the first and third team players subsidising the bar takings and certainly getting in the spirit of the evening. (Thanks Peaky, Trev, JJ, Mark, Davis and Tucks)
The teams lined up with Oakwood fielding 3 first team players and a huge height advantage throughout the team. With Nige doing anything to find a centre midfielder to partner Kris in the middle of the park including considering coming out of retirement himself he finally came round to the reality that Gav (formally known as Gavaldo) would have to do, to great disappointment to the rest of the team.
The game kicked off with Storrington starting the stronger, creating a few half chances and keeping good possession of the ball. Some good work down the wings by Cookey and Deano created a chance for Gav to run onto but a mysterious bobble on a flat pitch deceived the make shift midfielder and the ball blazed over the bar. After 20 minutes the deadlock was broken as a shot form the edge of the box struck an Oakwood hand and the ref pointed to the spot, up stepped the skipper Matt Bridle and with a calm head slotted it home to make it 1-0.
Oakwood started to retain possession and pile the pressure on a resilient back line, the wookie in goal had to make a cracking save to keep the Swans lead in tact and from that point on, it was backs to the wall. Following constant pressure Storrington defended well from the front and gave Oakwood little time to settle on the ball and attack after attack led to Oakwood disappointment.
Half time came and Nige’s team talk was one of his best as the team went out to continue to battle through the second 45 minutes. Oakwood came forward with a number of good chances but with the combination of the wookie in goal and some last ditch tackles the score remained 1-0. As Oakwood piled on the pressure there defenders were pushing further forward and the match winning chance fell to Sam ‘the streak’ Witherden, as he raced towards goal all alone a combination of a bobble and a rush of blood saw him place his shot delicately around the netting behind the goal and into no. 15 Gorings Mead back garden.
Finally the game was out of reach as the experienced Spinky raced forward, with ‘the streak’ free in the middle his cross was under hit and the unlucky centre half of Oakwood headed back to his keeper and the ball somehow skidded into the bottom corner to make the score 2-0.
The final 20 minutes was all in the Storrington half and it took some heroic defending throughout the Storrington side and cracking saves from the Wookie to maintain the 2-0 score line.
This was a solid performance straight out of the Nige’s ‘art of defending’ notebook which has put the reserves into the Reserve Section West Cup final against Shoreham on Wednesday 12th April at East Preston.
Thanks to Steve Stacey who came back from Boston (yes in America) for this match, sorry you didn’t get a game but we are at home, 1.45 meet this week if you can make it.
TEAM: Gledhill, Johnson, M Palmer, M Bridle, A Beaumont, Leaver, K Bridle (Fraser), G Bridle, Cook, Spink, Witherden.
11th March 2006: Steyning 0 – 4 Storrington
For all you loyal fans out there Tony ‘Mr BA’ Fraser was given a simple task to report on this local derby however to date we are still waiting. Come on Frazer, pull your finger out!!!!!
4th March 2006: Storrington 0 – 2 Shoreham
Storrington went into this game with a point to prove after a 7-2 demolition at the beginning of the season at Shoreham, however with a depleted squad for the second time in this local derby Nige was struggling to find 11 fit players to grace the recreation ground. The game was as evenly competed battle between two of the top sides in the Resserve Section West but Shoreham came out on top with 2 late goals to take the 3 points.
25th February 2006: Storrington 4 – 1 Hassocks
Cup quarter final was a huge step for this youthful reserve side but with a home tie the Swans were in confident mood, with the first team having a week off a large crowd watched this impressive display as goals from Griffin, Witherden, Leaver and M Bridle gave the home side a comfortable 4-1 victory.
4th February 2006: Midhurst 1-2 Storrington
Another game of two halves took Storrington to joint top of the Reserve Section West Division as their 100% record continued through 2006. With the first team having a week off Nige had a whole club to choose from, however he chose to stick with the faithful reserve squad who had elevated Storrington into the highest reserve league position for years.
With Midhurst defending an unbeaten home record this season the Swans were fully aware that this would be tough encounter as they chose to defend the bottom end of a difficult pitch.
Midhurst kicking down the hill first half put instant pressure on the Swans back four as Storrington defended well. The pressure paid off for the home side as they opened the scoring after 20 minutes, the no.9 skipped a few halfhearted challenges down the left and found himself with the ball at his feet on the edge of the box and a stab shot somehow found itself into the top corner to make the score 1-0. Storringon came back with some good pressure with half chances falling to Sam and Deano but the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Storrington started the second half well and immediately used the hill to their advantage, Midhurst had a couple of long range efforts but the Swans evened the score when Kris broke from the middle of midfield and slid a perfect pass for Craig Streeter to neatly find the bottom corner to make the score 1-1. Half chances fell both ways but it was Storrington who converted when Deano intercepted the ball around the half way line and put Sam through on goal, with the keeper bearing down on him and the bobbly pitch to contend with Sam calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home to make the final score 2-1 to Storrington.
A well earned three points puts Storrington joint top with only 6 games remaining and the prospect of visiting bottom of the league Steyning next week.
28th January: Storrington 3 – 2 Wick
This was certainly a game of two halves as the Swans close the gap on Wick at the top of the table. With Nige welcoming back the ever-graceful Darren ‘workhorse’ Burton from his fatherhood duties, Storrington were looking strong in the middle of the park, with Gavaldo still out injured and Sam keeping the first team bench warm Nige gave Spinky another chance up front to strut his stuff.
Storrington continued on from their previous below par performances throughout a first half that was dogged by mistake after mistake and serious lack of passion. With the Swans defending the boggy end at the recreation ground and the wind blowing into their face it was always going to be difficult but no-one anticipated it going to be this bad.
Wick opened the scoring from a corner, as the ball held up in the wind Mark came through a crowded box and to his dismay didn’t quite get enough on it as it fell to the Wick captain to volley home from a yard. With shots coming in from all angles the Storrington rear guard stood strong to deflect the majority of the Wick pressure. It didn’t take long for their pressure to pay and a bobbly back pass to Matt Bridle on the half way line deceived the usually calm skipper and the Wick striker seized the opportunity to run onto the Swans Keeper and make the score 2-0.
After an X rated halftime team talk from Nige, Storrington went out the second half a completely different side. With tackles flying in from all angles and the home side holding onto the ball it was beginning to be a matter of when, not if, they were going to score and it eventually came from the prolific Deano. Craig Streeter broke through the middle after a defensive slip at the boggy end of the pitch, which left the Peter Crouch look alike striding towards goal, a good save from the keeper wasn’t enough as Deano saw him off his line and he calmly chipped the ball into the empty net to make it 1-2.
The second came from some great work from Spinky down the right hand side, after chasing a lost cause he produced a delicate cross for Deano to score an unlikely diving header for his second of the game. The pressure was all Strorrington and with 10 minutes to go the lively veteran Spinky put pressure on the away keeper and a complete miss-kick gave Spinky a well deserved left foot tap in to make the score 3-2 to the home side.
The last 10 minutes produced a frantic finish to the game with Kris Bridle putting himself about in the middle of the park and somehow avoiding a caution to the away teams dismay. Final score 3-2 to Storrington in a game that could have gone either way.
TEAM: M Beaumont, C Johnson, M Bridle, M Palmer, A Beaumont, Leaver, K bridle, D Burton, Cook, Spink, Streeter.
21st January: Storrington 1 – 0 Steyning
Another 3 points was about the only positive thing that came out of the local derby between Storrington and Steyning at the Recreation Ground on Saturday as The Swans struggled against the bottom of the league. Nige was hit with a depleted squad with experienced members of the squad unavailable, Kris was on toilet watch all Saturday and couldn’t leave his flat, Matt Palmer was working (again!!!) and Sam had been promoted to a position on the first team bench. Luckily for Nige the ever improving youth team provided a central midfield partnership of Craig Johnson and Ian Jarvie who battled continuously throughout the 90 minutes.
With the two teams 19 points adrift at the beginning of the game there should have been only one winner, however the reality was completely different as Steyning upped their game for the local derby. The reds created a number of half chances in the first half but failed to test the Wookie in goal who was returning to the reserves after a turbulent time in the first team. Storrington continued to push but the final ball let them down as the usually telepathic Deano on the left hit one wayward ball after another.
The second half was much the same with Storrington lacking there usual composure on the ball, a few good moves down the flanks fizzled out and the Swans were losing their patience as each attack failed to deliver. With the score at 0-0 Steyning were always in with a chance as they continued to fire in shots from distance but the Wookie was equal to anything thrown at him.
In the last 20 minutes Storrington began to control the game and a great cross from Cookey on the right found Deano unmarked on the left and the least agile player in the club (or even county) managed to stretch out his hamstring just high enough to tip the ball over the oncoming keeper to make the score 1-0 to the home side.
Although 3 points were welcomed by the Swans Manager the performance was way below par and with Wick visiting the Recreation ground next week Nige knows that nothing but a major improvement will do to secure a win against top of the league.
TEAM: Gledhill, C Johnson, M Bridle, Wroe, A Beaumont (Watton), Cook, Jarvie, C Johnson, D Leaver, Streeter, Spink,
14th January: Forest 3 – 5 Storrington
Nige hands out his first club fine as Deano NEARLY hits a hatrick. The Swans arrived at Forest with a full squad for Nige to choose from after welcoming back Matt Palmer from his work commitments. With Sam and Cookey making themselves at home in the reserve squad the team remained relatively the same with the only change being Matt Palmer in for Matt Wroe.
The weather was awful and the reserves had lost their only supporter in Dave Bridle who followed Gav’s promotion by watching the first team against East Grinstead. After losing ground on the front runners Storrington knew they had to put their dodgy spell behind them and try to resurrect the form that propelled them into the top spot early in the season.
The game started disastrously when the Swans were 1-0 down early on, a goal which was gifted to the home side by some slack marking. It didn’t take long for the away side to respond as Storrington began to win tackles and put some passes together and between Deano and Cookey on the wings the game started to liven up. When a low ball was drilled in from the left a slight touch from Sam pushed the ball away from the defender and the inevitable happened as Sam was left sprawled out in the penalty box, up stepped Skipper Matt Bridle and he converted the penalty confidently into the corner.
Forest came straight back and it didn’t take long for them to recapture the lead with a combination of some good football and poor defending as they made it 2-1. The first half was an end to end affair and after creating some half chances the strength of Kris in the middle of the park shone through as he shrugged of the Forest players and picked a glorious pass to set Deano through on goal who unsurprisingly made 2-2. Within minutes some quick thinking from Sam put through Peter Crouch (aka Craig Streeter) with a long throw in who calmly slopped the ball pass the oncoming keeper to making it 2-3 at half time to the away side.
With the slope behind them Storrington began the second half as they finished the first with constant pressure on the Forest back line. The away side were in control with everyone determined to put the defensive performance form the first half behind them. Following a great move down the right between Chis, Cookey and Sam a pin point cross arrived at Deano on the edge of the box and with the greatest of ease he flicked the ball up and volleyed pass the keeper. (2-4 Storrington)
As The Swans were taking their foot off the gas the most controversial moment occurred in the Forest box which has left Kris with a club fine for ungentlemanly conduct. After a cracking move through the middle of the park, Deano was put through on goal with just the Keeper to beat, as before the always calm Deano looked up and delicately chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper, as the ball floated into the empty net he turned away to celebrate his hatrick as Kris stormed in and toe poked the ball over the line from an inch to deny Deano the match ball. Nige was disgusted and immediately slapped a club fine on Kris to wash the kit for the next 4 games.
With minutes to go the second half clean sheet for the Swans disappeared when Forest poached a goal from a corner to make the final score Forest 3 Storrington 5.
TEAM: M Beaumont, C Johnson, M Bridle, M Palmer, A Beaumont, Cook, K Bridle, C Johnson, D Leaver, Streeter (Spink), Witherden (Wroe).
7th January: Redhill 4 – 5 Storrington (aet)
Super Sam scores his first hatrick for The Swans as the reserves march on to the Quarter Finals of the Reserve Section Cup. Nige returned in the New Year with two familiar faces Cookey and Sam returning to the reserves after a lengthy spell in the first team and it didn’t take long for them make their mark on the game. With Gav, the much proclaimed Brazilian like striker who can’t hit a barn door going the other way Nige and the rest of the team seemed incredibly happy with the trade.
The reserves travelled to Redhill with a team which seems to be getting younger by the week, Nige claims it helps having their youth and energy in the side but really he’s just trying to average out the age of the experienced players (Spinky) in the squad.
The weather was cold and the pitch was firm under foot, thankfully the pitch had been rolled and everything was set for the Swans to play their usual passing game. The Swans started well with the pace of Craig (aka Peter Crouch) and Sam up front causing an ageing back line problems, with the old partnership of Deano on the left and Cookey on the right firing crosses in a number chances went begging. It took only 10 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when a loose clearance from the Redhill defence landed at the feet of Sam for him to strike a left foot half volley into the corner of the net. The defence held up well through the first half and Storrington were unlucky not to extend their lead.
Following a cracking half time team talk from the defensive coach and manager Nige, The Swans went out determined to keep a second half clean sheet, unfortunately Redhill had other ideas. After both teams had settled down into the second half Redhill struck with a curling shot from the edge of the box passed Mark in goal who didn’t have a chance making the score 1-1.
Storrington fought back well and within minutes a sublime free kick from the sweet left foot of Deano crashed off the bar and fell nicely to Craig Johnson who got his second in two games with a header from an inch. The Swans then took over and from a great cross from Cookey on the right came a candidate for Goal of the Season from Sam, as he pulled away from the last defender on the edge of the box he struck a text book volley into the roof of the net to make the score 1-3 and The Swans were cruising.
Then came a funny 15 minutes where everything either side hit seemed to go in. Redhill clawed one back to make it 2-3 after a goal mouth scramble, Sam scored a low drive off the post to score his first hatrick for the club to make it 2-4 and then Redhill were given a lifeline when their midfielder had a free head from the six yard box. With minutes to go a Redhill corner was swung in and the resulting clearance was struck from 30 yards, as it bobbled through the crowded penalty box a stranded Mark in goal had no chance as it nestled in the corner of the net.
Extra time loomed, with neither team playing for 3 weeks and the Liverpool game kicking off at 5.15 on TV the thought of playing another 30 minutes plus possible penalties on a cold wet night was a demoralising thought but Storrington came through the victors. Mid way the first half Redhill fouled the ever impressive Kris Bridle who was by this time struggling with cramp, up stepped Deano and his magical left foot and the finish could not have been any better as it curled around the wall and into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance. A fine winner to a game with plenty of great goals and some poor defending, final score Redhill 4 – Storrington 5 (aet).
TEAM: M Beaumont, C Johnson, M Bridle, M Wroe, A Beaumont, Cook, K Bridle, C Johnson (Fraser), D Leaver, Streeter (Javie), Witherden (Spink).
17th December: Storrington 3 – 2 Pagham
After a good kick up the back side by Nige after last weeks last minute collapse, The Swans took to the Recreation Ground for last time in 2005 determined to maintain there unbeaten home record. With the first team travelling to Oakwood with a depleted side it gave Nige the opportunity to bed in a few youth teamers, and they didn’t let him down.
With Chris Watton and Chris Johnson promoted to senior football, Nige brought in Ian Javie on the right side of midfield, Dave George at right back and Craig Johnson in the middle of the park all from the up and coming youth set up, Nige also welcomed Craig Streeter from the third team to partner Gavaldo up front.
The game started at a frantic pace with Storrington taking control early, the midfield were running the game, the forwards looking ever lively and the defence looking solid and it only seemed a matter of time until the deadlock would be broken. From a well taken corner the ball was deflected up and Craig Johnson attacked it on the edge of the six yard box and his looping header crept over the keeper to make the score 1-0.
After a dominant few minutes Storrington soon made it 2 when Craig Streeter outpaced the Pagham fullback down the left and a pin point cross found Gav on the edge of the box who calmly slotted home into an empty net. Within minutes a great run down the Storrington left by Deano created havoc in the Pagham defence and a driven cross deflected in off Ian to make it 3.
The game was very one sided as The Swans created chance after chance as they played Pagham off the park, however just before the half time whistle some sloppy defending on the right side handed Pagham a life line and they took it to make it 3-1 at half time.
The second half was an even affair with Storrington creating the more clear cut chances, with Deano and Gav failing to hit the target the score remained 3-1. In the last 10 minutes of the game Pagham threw on everything they had and the home side struggled to get out there own half.
In the dying minutes the pressure paid off and the Pagham striker converted a well timed run with a neat volley over the oncoming Swans keeper and the Storrington back line prepared themselves for an onslaught. At a time of need you can always rely on experience as Matt Wroe bombed down the left, and with everyone urging him into the corner he crossed the ball into the keepers arms and the away team were back on the attack however storrington stood firm and the game finished at 3-2.
Comment of the week came from Matt Wroe when asked about his cross in the dying minutes; he said “I thought it was 2-2 so I was going for the winner” Quality, a quick reminder for Matt that it is Christmas this week.
TEAM: M Beaumont, George, M Bridle, M Palmer, M Wroe, Javie, K Bridle, Johnson, Leaver (Stacey), G Bridle, Streeter (Spink)
10th December: Storrington 2 – 2 Siddlesham
After a two week break The Swans were eager to return to the Recreation Ground and continue there 100% home record against a depleted Siddlesham side. The side were raring to go and a good warm up showed great promise as the away side gradually turned up with the bare 11 players and a manager who ran the line.
Nige had the opportunity to play John Simson who was returning from injury at the heart of the back line and push the skipper Matt Bridle into a centre midfield role to join the consistent Kris Bridle.
The game started with Storrington having most of the game and creating many chances, the Brazilian like football was too much for Siddlesham but the tricky Gavaldo and veteran Spinky up front failed to convert. It took a great 15 pass move from Matt Wroe on the left through the team and eventually out to the ‘sleepy’ Deano who woke up and put a great cross onto Spinky’s head who headed down to Kris’s feet and he calmly slotted the ball home.
The home side went in at half time 1-0 and in complete control of the game, a few words from Nige sent them back out with a main aim to keep a clean sheet, with all the players intent in obeying Nige’s instructions the forwards forgot to score and felt sorry for the away side as chance after chance was squandered. Siddlesham were never dead and buried at 1-0 and one swift move down the left and low cross to an unmarked forward made the score 1-1.
With a win still in sight for the home side they pushed on hoping to continue their 100% home record, and with 15 minutes to go another great move and some sleek passes between Kris and Gav created an opening for Kris as he found himself one on one with the keeper, as he contemplated squaring the ball back to Gav his cousins 1 in 25 ratio flashed before his eyes and decided to go alone as he scored his second of the game.
The Swans continued to dominate with half chances peppering the away goal; however when the ball fell to the usually reliable left foot of Deano on the penalty spot Nige must have thought the win was inevitable, to his disappointment a well driven shot crept over the bar and the scored remained 2-1.
After a solid defensive performance a lack of concentration throughout the team let a soft cross creep through to the back post in the last 60 seconds of the game and the away striker bobbled the ball in to the bottom corner to make the score 2-2.
A disappointing result against a depleted Siddlesham side.
TEAM: M Beaumont, Watton, Simson, Palmer, A Beaumont (Wroe), Leaver, K Bridle, M Bridle, Johnson, G Bridle, Spink.
26th November: St Francis Rangers 2- 1 Storrington
After a disappointing midweek defeat to an impressive Burgess Hill side Storrington resumed league duties at St Francis Rangers. The atmosphere in the changing room was indifferent as Nige continued with the unluckiest keeper in Storrington history, Mark Beaumont. With a season record of played 2 games, conceded 12 goals and both games finishing with 10 men including one game where Mark was harshly sent off the players were slightly skeptical over what was in store for the Swans this week.
Nige had a few positional decisions to make as a depleted squad turned up to the St Francis ground, with Rob Norris and Rico returning to the first team, Matt Palmer working, The Little Chap injured and Fish choosing to play for the third team the manager took the opportunity to give a debut to Ian from the youth team and promote Craig from the third’s. As Nige announced the team the players slumped in their seats and a huge sigh came from the defence as Gav was given the centre midfield role next to cousin Kris and it was immediately apparent that Storrington were going all out for attack with little thought for defending.
Storrington came out the blocks with some good possession football managing to create all the chances of the first 20 minutes. The youth team’s Ian was given the right midfield role and easily stepped up to the challenge with some excellent touches and good running down the right hand side, the midfield was commanding and it was apparent why Nige had brought in Craig as the ‘Crouch’ lookalike held the ball up well.
Following some excellent possession football the ball fell to Ian on the edge of the box who struck his shot towards the top corner however a deflection wrong footed the keeper and the ball hit the bar and fell nicely for Gav to slot in from a yard. Another chance created by ‘Crouch’ up front gave Gav a trademark one on one and he didn’t let himself down as he continued his ever impressive form of missing the target from about 2 yards.
SFR soon came back into the game and a cross from around the half way line wrong footed the reliable Matt Rowe on the back post and the forward crept in to smash home the equalizer.
The second half was much the same with the majority of the chances falling for the Swans and it seemed a matter of when and not if the second goal was coming. However, SFR had different ideas, with 9 minutes remaining some intricate football on the halfway line between Kris and Matt Bridle broke down and the ball was slotted through to the home team forward, with Kris in hot pursuit a great tackle on the edge of the box fell kindly for the home side and the forward got to his feet and riffled the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 2-1. This was a good performance with a disappointing result which was compounded by the frustrated look on the managers face at the end of the game, and in bar after, and at training on Tuesday.
23rd November: Burgess Hill 5 – 0 Storrington
After a frozen pitch led to a postponed game on Saturday, Storrington were up for their first floodlit clash of the season. Nige had the luxury of playing Rob Norris and Rico from the first team as their push for fitness continued and chose to stick with the same back line as previous weeks.
Burgess Hill, with their few first team fringe players were straight out the blocks and immediately controlled the pace of the game, it took the swans a while but they eventually came to grips with the home side as they began to create a few half chances with the best chance falling to Rico who had a great header cleared off the line twice before being put behind for a corner.
Half way through the first half the ball lobbed up high on the edge of the Storrington box and a clean strike from the Burgess Hill midfielder fortunately deflected off the home forward and into the back of the net to make to score 1-0.
The second half started as the first half ended with the game played at a high pace. Storrington had an early chance as Rico had a one on one but some good keeping kept the ball out. The game settled down until a long punt from Burgess Hill dropped to a free player on the back post to tap in and make the score 2-0. As the game started to drift away from the away team some very dubious decisions by the ref gave Burgess Hill the edge as they took control and scored their 3rd 4th and 5th of the evening.
The night was capped off when a free kick was awarded to Burgess Hill following a blatant push on Matt Bridle inside the home team half, before the ref could explain his decision a quick free kick was taken which left the Burgess Hill forward one on one with Mark Beaumont in the Storrington goal. Without thinking Mark made a great save which the ref alleged had struck his arm, and the inevitable happened as the ref sent him off.
As a down hearted Storrington left the pitch they were fully aware that they were beaten by a better side, however it was unfortunate that the ref helped ruin a good game with some rather one sided decisions. By the way Deano came on in goal.
TEAM: M Beaumont, Watton, M Bridle, M Palmer (Rowe), A Beaumont, Johnson, K Bridle, R Norris (Friend-James), D Leaver, G Bridle, Richardson.
12th November: Selsey 1- 1 Storrington
After the big shirt debate last week Nige’s wardrobe took another hammering as he turned up to this tough fixture looking like a navy seal determined to return The Swans to winning ways in the league.
Following the previous meeting between these sides where the Swans won comfortably 6-0 at home this was a game that on paper seemed a formality; however the reality was completely different. The Selsey first team played on the Friday night which enabled the reserves to be fully gunned up for the return fixture determined to seek revenge.
Storrington lined up with in the familiar 4-4-2 formation with only a couple of changes from last weeks impressive win over Eastbourne Town, the formidable ‘Don’t shoot’ Stacey had work commitments and was replaced by the ‘Little Chap’ returning from a first team call up and the experienced Spinky returned to replace Graham ‘the son of Nige’ up front who was recovering from a chipped bone in his foot.
The game started at a frantic pace with The Swans struggling to handle the movement of the home side’s midfield, luckily the ever improving Storrington defence with the Wookie in goal was working overtime to keep Selsey at bay and restrict them to shooting from outside the box.
As Storrington found their feet and started to compete throughout the park the game became more even and chances were split between both sides. Mid way through the first half the deadlock was broken when a Selsey defender managed to struggle free from a corner and head down towards the feet of the Wookie in goal who made a great initial save, however the ball bounced up and onto the head of the centre forward to nod home from a yard (1-0). The goal was bad enough but to make matters worse the Wookie twisted his knee in the first save and struggled to his feet, with the thought of Deano taking over the gloves the entire team rallied around the injured keeper until he decided to continue through the pain.
It didn’t take long until a long throw from Kris on the right created confusion in the Selsey defence as the keeper and two defenders all went for the ball together and to the delight of Spinky the ball fell nicely for him to cross for Gav who calmly slotted in from an inch. Storrington started to take control of the game and before long they had the best chance of the game when Deano was released down the left and a free run at goal with the keeper to beat, unfortunately he lost all concept of where he was and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper and 20 yards wide of the post.
The second half was much the same with both defences coming out on top, the chances for both sides were limited, however the Swans should have nicked it when half chances fell to Deano, Spinky, Gav and Fish. The second half was a vast improvement on the first with Storrington upping the pace and Kris (Andy O’Brian) influential in sphere heading a midfield revival to win the battle in the middle of the park.
TEAM: Gledhill, Watton, M Bridle, M Palmer, Beaumont, Leaver, K Bridle, Friend-James, Johnson, G Bridle, Spink.
5th November: Storrington 0 – 0 Eastbourne Town (Storrington won on penalties)
The Wookie and Stace save the Bridle blushes. After a commanding performance from the spine of the team the three Bridle’s let The Wookie and ‘Don’t shoot’ Stace take the praise for a cracking win at home against premier opposition.
‘The best 0-0 game we have seen for a long time’, were the comments coming from the sideline after Nige reverted back to a 4-4-2. After a week of contemplating over the formation, the players and what shirt to wear to the evening bash at Storrington football club, Nigel Dyer made a bold decision to stay neutral and wear the pastel blue, which turned out to be the one of his best decisions all day.
The line up was altered to suit the players available as Andy ‘The Little Chap’ was promoted to the bench of the first team, it was also the return of ‘The Fish’ who lined along side Andy O’Brian in the middle of the park.
The game started well for both sides with Storrington creating the more clinical chances without breaking the deadlock, Eastbourne Town were a good footballing side and it was immediately apparent that The Swans had to be on form to compete with this premier division reserve side.
The game was end to end for the full 90 minutes with the better chances falling to the Swans forward pair of ‘Eddie the Eagle’ and ‘The Son of Nige’. The Fish and Andy O’Brian were in command of the middle of the park without making the final ball count, as the pressure grew on the Eastbourne defence the Storrington attacker’s decided to make a game of it and try and walk the ball in to the back of the net instead of shooting, a decision that didn’t go down to well with the back four. The wookie in the Swans goal was ever impressive; however a nasty knock to the head was luckily cushioned by the vast amount of hair and the resulting bump to his head never found and atleast one water bottle lost in his bouffant.
At full time some inspirational parting words from Nige didn’t change a thing as the extra time continued to follow the same pattern as the 90 minutes. The unfortunate Graham (the son of Nige) King was stretchered off with a suspected broken shinpad, and Spinky came on to provide some old but fresh legs up front. The final whistle went with the majority of the chances falling to Storrington, as Eddie, Spink, Deano, Fish and Kris all had half chances to win the game yet failed to convert.
Nige decided on his first 5 penalty takers, Fish, Gav Bridle, Kris Bridle, Matt Bridle and Deano. The outcome was as follows:
Penalty 1- Fish (cracking penalty) 1-1 ET Scored.
Penalty 2- Gav (worst penalty ever/ missed the target) 1-1 ET missed
Penalty 3- Kris (Unlucky/ keeper saved) 1-1 Wookie saved
Penalty 4- Matt (Well struck/ keeper saved) 1-1 Wookie saved
Penalty 5- Deano (Lucky penalty) 2-2 ET Scored
As the Storrington players gathered in the centre circle the Wookie saved ET 6th penalty and subsequently went on his own celebration as he thought he had won it for the home side, until the ref calmly brought him down to earth by telling him that it was 2-2. Then the most nerve racking moment of footballing history at The recreation ground took place as ‘Don’t shoot’ Stace stepped up, as he walked back from the penalty spot he had a big decision to make, most players would be deciding what corner to shoot for, but not Stacey, he was contemplating what foot to use and the right was considered the lesser of two evils. Fortunately it turned out to be the right decision and he slotted it home nicely in the bottom right corner and sent Storrington through to the next round of the Reserve Section cup.
TEAM: Gledhill, Watton, M Bridle, M Palmer, Stacey, Leaver, K Bridle, Friend-James, Johnson, G Bridle, King (Spink)
29th October: Wick 3 – 0 Storrington
Nigel Dyers Swans graced Wick’s ground knowing that a win was the only result that would turn an already disappointing October around. Nige took the opportunity to change the usually full proof 4-4-2 into an attacking 3-5-2 with Deano adopting the free role behind the front two of Gav (Eddie the Eagle) Bridle and Graham (the son of Nige) King a new local signing returning to Storrington after a three year spell in the wilderness.
With the omission of a defender from the already attacking line up Nige tried to add some steel to the midfield with the more defensive Matt Rowe as a holding player in place of the unlucky Fish, a tactic which on paper seemed full proof except that the word midfield translated in Matt Rowe’s mind meant attacking midfielder in front of Deano and shoot from anywhere.
Due to work commitments of Matt Palmer another new face was introduced into the dressing room, Chris Watton was promoted from the youth academy to play in a new look back three.
The game started frantically with both sides having opportunities to break the deadlock, Wick ever lively forwards were impressively moving off the ball and at one point Paul Connors head was evidently spinning through pure confusion of who to mark, however once the game had settled down the Storrington back line took everything thrown at them and coped comfortably.
Storrington became ever more confident as the usually cool Deano latched onto an impressive through ball by Matt Bridle, the keeper stood up well and Deano, influenced by Eddie the Eagle running along side him hit the ball straight at the keeper. Minutes later Deano had a second one on one when Graham (or was it Nige) slotted through a precision pass to Deano on the six yard box and he again hit the ball straight at the keeper who dramatically pushed it onto the post. A third chance came Deano’s way when he raced through 2 on 1, with Gav to his left and the defender not knowing who to mark Deano decided to shoot from 20 yards and over the bar as Gav’s disastrous one on one record flashed before his eyes.
Both teams came out in the second half with a positive attitude to attack, however it was the home side who broke the deadlock when an untimely slip by Paul Connor aloud the attacker a site of goal to make it 1-0. With Storrington pushing for the equaliser some sloppy play at the back for Storrington aloud Wick to pounce on a loose ball and fire home from 25 yards. Nige tried to freshen up the attacking threat by bringing on Fish in the middle of the park and Spinky on the right in place of Chris (The Giraffe) Johnson and Kris (Andy O’Brian) Bridle.
With minutes to go a well worked move from the home side cut the Storrington defence to pieces and a cool finish gave Wick an undeserved and flattering win 3-0.
TEAM: Gledhill, Connor, M Bridle, Watton, Leaver, Rowe, K Bridle (Friend- James), Johnson (Spink), G Bridle, King.
22nd October: Broadbridge Heath 2 – 1 Storrington
After a two week break from league competition Storrington went to Broadbridge Heath hoping to continue their great start to the season against their toughest opposition yet. Storrington had a familiar team with the only change being Paul Connor in for Sam (Yoyo) Witherden who had again returned back to the first team following his impressive performance against Ye Old Manor House, don’t worry Sam I’m sure your be back with us soon.
Storrington started the game at a high pace with early chances falling to Kris through the middle of the park and Gav who failed to convert a one on one (again), it didn’t take long for the balance to turn and BH were soon in the game and creating more chances than the away side. The game heated over when a very dubious penalty was given against the Wookie in goal who apparently brought down the ever lively home striker, the Wookie was not happy (and quite rightly) as he didn’t even touch the forward who rounded him and had a shot. Justice was served as the Wookie saved the spot kick and the incoming penalty taker fired his rebound past the post.
The home side were continuously on the attack and it only seemed a matter of time when the no.10 skipped past three challenges to cross the ball from the by-line and into path of the right winger who made the score 1-0. Storrington came back into the game and played some good football but for once the usual one touch football let them down and the final ball was disappointing. Late in the second half the BH midfield latched onto a loose ball in the middle of the park to release the forwards who squeezed the ball passed two defenders and the Wookie in goal.
Storrington came out the second half with more fight and composure on ball, it didn’t take long for the Swans to create some good chances but the finish let them down. With 10 minutes gone of the second half a blatant pushes in the box and a dying swan routine from Gav gave the away side a penalty, Matt, the most experienced of the three Bridle’s, stepped up to calmly slot the spot kick away to make the score 2-1.
The last 30 minutes was very open with good chances falling to both sides, BH had two half chances which were thankfully hit into the arms of the Wookie and Storrington hit the bar twice in the last 10 minutes but the score remained 2-1 to the home side. A disappointing result and performance for the away side with an even bigger game against top of the table Wick next week.
TEAM: Gledhill, Connor, M BRIDLE, Palmer, Stacey, Lever, K Bridle, Friend-James, Johnson, G Bridle, Spink.
October 15th : Ye Olde Manor House 0 - 5 Storrington
Pitch Condition - Hard and a little bobbly in the middle. Wings - Fine. Goalmouths - Patchy
Weather - Nice and sunny with and awkward breeze
Guest Reporter – Mark Friend-James (The Fish)
After a week of apologies and sleepless nights contemplating the debacle that was served up by the team last Saturday afternoon, this weeks game couldn’t come soon enough for the team to lay the demons to rest. It was always going to be a edgy first few minutes with players eager to get a good touch and settle back in to a rythum of give and go football that has been the main reason for the impressive start to the season . Most of the players did settle back into the swing of things except for FISH who for the first fifteen minutes was at sixes and sevens and didn’t have a clue what was going on around him , he was slow , giving the ball away needlessly and generally being a real nuisance. Fortuanately this was a shortlived experience and as you read on his contribution to the first half battering dished out was gratefully excepted from his team – mates .
It was a slow start by the team but thankfully unlike last week we were far more solid at the back with the manager making a few changes to freshen things up , and to its credit not conceding was down to our defence putting in a no nonsense performance. The opposition to be fair were not a patch on last week and even boasted a player older than SPINKY if that’s possible…!
One thing that that has become very obvious over the first few weeks of the new season is we must play at a high tempo to bring the best out of the team. When we play with pace we murder teams and if we try to slow the game down we more often than not hand the initiative to them to dictate the game.
Welcoming back SAM back into the line up this added gazelle like pace to the right flank and he was instrumental in the teams first half destruction waying in with two very impressive goals and was a constant menace to the oppositions left back who looking approx three score and ten was always going to struggle against an athlete of Olympic proportions. The first strike being a well executed strike from an acute angle after some fine work from DEANO on the left ended with a trademark delivery that gave SAM the chance to score which he duly did. Talking of DEANO’S crossing it is very Bechamesque and if you could wrap them up and have one for Christmas I’d put one down on my christmas list.
So with the game underway and a series of missed chances going begging mainly down to GAV THE CHAV and SPINKY who were more wasteful than Colleen is with Rooneys credit card. There were know real excuses for the misses but rumour has it the soon to be delivered £200 fuel gratuity to pensioners had been playing on SPINKY’S mind. As for THE CHAV perhaps the ten rolls of ducting tape used on his ankles had finally cut off circulation and no feeling in either feet no wonder chance after chance ended up in the David Lloyd squash court….!
To be fair to the dynamic duo with GAV’S wonderful ball control and SPINKY’S experience they caused the opposition defence oodles of problems that culminated in SPINKY bagging a brace from a total distance of four yards and GAV scuffing one in off his ducting tape……! This caused plenty of winging and ranting at each other fro “YE” FC which was most amusing to listen to with the referee’s yellow card in out of his top pocket like a slice of bread in a toaster.
So the first half developed into one-way traffic with chances coming thick and fast. And by half time the score should have been ten nil but we had to settle for five. It helps having a solid defense in which to build upon and with CHRISSY and STACY putting in Ben Hur like performances ( EPICS ) it makes life so much easier for the wingman to push on deep into oppo territory.
The decision to bring back PALMS and BRIDLE SENIOR into the centre of the park and rest MATT and PAUL was a stroke of genius from the GAFFER . PALMS no-nonsense approach was key to keeping the home strikers at bay for long periods of the game and BRIDLE SENIORS constant moaning meant that the “YE FC” strikers weren’t to keen getting within MOANSHOT of the STOZZER rearguard hence their only real chance of the game came in the 54th minute when a searching run from “YE” FC defender ended with CHEWY tipping over a shot from the edge of the box and the home team claiming it dipped in…… a corner was given and wasted HA HA….!
So with the team five nil up and coasting it can’t go without mention of the teams heart. The midfield that pulls the strings and works its magic and offers value for money free of charge every Saturday. A mixture of hi tempo one touch passing leaving opposing players looking as though they’ve played 90 minutes of twister. CHRISTIAN or CB as he is now known offers an intelligent and range of passing that leaves plaudits searching for superlatives . His display after a slow start was crucial to dictating the patterns of play that turned the first half into a procession with to or three players unable to “handle” CB. His performance was made easier by the teams Peter Pan, who after an uncharacsteristic slow start showedonce again why he is the fans captain. Probing, simple, unique passing complimenting all forms of play FISH sets the pace for the team when he performs so does the team.
The second half was a damp squid offering only a couple of moments to mention a missed penalty from the WOOKIE a shocker at that no more for the WOOKMEISTER….! FISH having done the damage in the first 45 was rested for protection for future games and the introduction of PAULO ROSSI or a fat Kevin Peiterson as DAENO his brother described him added a shoot from anywhere policy which was fun to watch but still STOZZER still couldn’t find the onion bag for a 6th time…!
The final whistle blew the ref sent off a fat “YE FC” defender for calling him parrot-face….. harsh but true and STOZZER RESERVES march on to the next round where we meet Burgess Hill Ressies.
TEAM: Gledhill, Johnson, M Bridle, Palmer, Stacey, D Leaver, K Bridle, Friend-James, WITHERDEN(x2), SPINK(x2), G BRIDLE
October 8th: Brighton Electricity 7 - 2 Storrington
Sorry to all you fans out there waiting for the reserve team report but Fish (Guest Reporter) decided that an evening date was more important than putting pen to paper, and he didn’t even play very well!!!
Anyway to the football, Storrington travelled to what can only be described as ‘A Pitch Next to the A23’, once the cows had been moved into the neighbouring field and the players had found 1of 14 changing rooms, the reserves graced the postage stamp of a pitch with probably the worst defensive performance of the Nigal Dyer managerial reign. Although there was no excuse for the dismal display the 6 inch grass, no practice balls, changing of pitches 5 minutes before Kick off and confusion of other teams trying to bargain their pitch against the one we were playing on didn’t help in the preparation.
Storrington started very slow as they immediately went down to an early goal from a dubious free kick inside there own half which was launched into the box and nodded home from a free header. Straight from the re-start a flowing move down the left gave Deano the opportunity to hit a hard low cross into the path of Spinky who made the score 1-1.
The game didn’t settle down as poor marking in the swans back line gave the home team another two tame goals, and before you know it Storrington were 3-1 down. Some good finishing by the unreliable Fish made the score 3-2 and gave the away team a life line going into the half time break, however yet more less convincing defending offered the a fourth opportunity on a plate to Brighton Electricity and they didn’t disappoint the home crowd of one man and a dog to make the score 4-2 at half time.
Storrington came out after the break with a point to prove, however things went from bad to worse when the Brighton Electricity lively striker scored straight from a free kick within minutes of the second half. Nigel Dyer decided to shake the pack and bring on Andy Wilby for Fish to shore up the midfield; however it proved not be Storrington’s afternoon when a well timed run by the away team’s no. 9 left the defense for dead as he calmly slotted the ball past the awaiting wookie in goal.
Nige showed his last card by bringing Matt Palmer off the bench into the centre of defence to partner Matt Bridle who was brought in from out wide, for a few minutes Storrington sustained the pressure, and then from out the blue the away team’s no. 9 turned in his own half and chipped the ball over the wookie who was last seen with flailing arms running back towards his own goal. Final Score 7-2
TEAM: Gledhill, M Bridle, Connor, Rowe, Beaumont, Lever, K Bridle, FRIEND-JAMES, Johnson, G Bridle, SPINK.
1st October: Storrington 2 – 1 St Francis Rangers
Continuing their great start, Storrington had their toughest home challenge yet this season against an inform St Francis Rangers side full of confidence. Meanwhile, The ‘Wookie’ or The ‘RhinosaRoss’ in goal was the difficult decision faced by the Swans Manager Nigel Dyer in the build up to Saturday’s game against the Haywards Heath based side.
Due to good performances over previous weeks the reserves lost both Cookie and Sam to the first team for their trip to top of the table Wealden, which gave Nige the chance to bring back Matt Bridle from injury and Chris Johnson onto the Swans right hand side. Paul Connor was also brought in as centre back in place of Matt Palmer who was working.
Fish was a surprise inclusion in the Swans side after his midweek claim that he had pulled his hamstring and would be out for 4-5 weeks, however the threat of losing his much valued place in the centre of midfield spurned him on to dramatically recover within 4 days.
The game started at a high pace with chances being spread evenly between the two sides, Kris had an early chance down the right hand side following an inch perfect pass by cousin Matt and the low driven cross come shot crept wide. St Francis then had their 15 minutes of the first half when they put the home side under continuous pressure with a string of good moves and a number of half chances bringing a succession of sublime saves by the ‘Wookie’ in goal.
The break through came on 35 minutes when Dave Spink at the ripe old age of 50+ pressurised the St Francis defence into passing the ball straight to Kris on the edge of the box who didn’t hesitate in drilling a hard low shot pass the keeper to make the score 1-0 to the home side.
Storrington came out the second half desperate to maintain their 100% home record, immediately chances were being created for the formally known ‘Gavaldo’, however the St Francis defenders were up to the challenge keeping the score to respectable 1-0. Following some flowing one touch football down the right hand side the second half dead lock was broken with a square pass to Deano who composed himself and neatly posted the ball into the top left corner from 20 yards to make the score 2-0.
Further pressure continued by both sides and the score could have changed dramatically if it wasn’t for the mighty Wookie in goal making some outstanding saves, the most convincing being the one on one with the Andy Martello which maintained the two goal lead. Storrington finally found their feet again and in the last 20 minutes excellent scoring opportunities fell to Fish, Kris, Deano and Chris in the 18 yard box but unfortunately there finishing let them down.
With 5 minutes to go the Two Footed Steve ‘don’t shoot’ Stacey graced the recreation ground which pleased the hundreds of fans who had only come to see this legend pull on the Blue jersey of Storrington FC, and to their delight he didn’t let them down when he made an immediately impact on the game by getting the ball from the bushes following one of his trademark shots wide of the goal.
With 2 minutes to go the Rhino was thrown on up front to scare the St Francis defence into admissions, however it was the away team that finished the game on a high, when Matt Rowe allegedly brought down the St Francis forward which provided them with a lifeline and penalty which was converted to make the score 2-1 with 1 minute to go.
Storrington held on 2-1 to continue their impressive start to the season and maintain their position at the top of the Reserve Division (West).
TEAM: Gledhill, M Bridle, Rowe, Connor, Beaumont, D LEVER, K BRIDLE, Friend James, Johnson, Spink, G Bridle. Subs, Wilby, Stacey, R Lever
24th September : Storrington 6 - 0 Selsey
A great start to the season had pushed Storrington reserves up to the heavy heights of second in the league with 3 wins in 4 games and a massive total of 17 goals scored. Today we welcomed Selsey to the recreation ground who had had a slow start to this seasons campaign with 0 points in there first 3 games. The swans ran out an unchanged midfield and forward line for the 3rd week running with the only changes being Ross Leaver in goal for the injured Wookie and Andy (the little chap) in for Stacey at left back who was away with work commitments.
Storrington began well against an experienced looking Selsey side, with half chances being created at both ends. Following some great football through the middle of the park by the ever impressive Kristian Bridle the ball fell 20 yards out for Sam to hit his trademark shot over the bar and into the neighbours front gardens. A quick glance and chuckle over to the bench showed his frustration at hitting the same house twice in 2 weeks.
After half an hour some flowing football split the Selsey back line as Fish calmly slid the ball between 2 defenders for Cookie to run onto and blast the ball into the roof of the net. It didn’t take long for the Swans take control of the game and just before half time Cookie made it 2 when he pounced on a loose ball and headed over the line from a yard.
The Swans went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead, the defence had rarely been troubled and loud the mouthed Rhinosaross in goal was more or less a spectator. Almost immediately after the break the little chap at left back went off injured to allow another run out for the recovering Matt Bridle, the pattern of play remained as the Swans were dominant in all areas. It didn’t take long for the goal tally to increase as Kristian latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box which he slotted in hard and low to the keepers left hand side.
The swans were rampant and only some dubious decisions from the away team linesman and great saves form the keeper kept the score respectable, with Matt linking up well with Deano on the left, Storrington were creating chance after chance, another great move was finished well by Deano from 12 yards out to make the score 4-0. With 15 minutes to go a number one two’s down the left created a chance for Gav to get his first of the game which he curled in to the far corner from the edge of the box.
Selsey had given up as they were being run ragged all over the pitch by a confident Swans side, the best move of the match involved some great passing and moving off the ball and as Matt’s perfectly timed run between two defenders was calmly converted the young away linesman had a rush of blood and robbed the supporters of a quality 6th goal.
In the dying minutes the not stop running of Sam down the right hand side paid off when he was put through with the keeper to beat from a tight angle, without even considering anybody else sitting unmarked on the edge of the six yard box he lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 6-0.
Another great win, and with Siddlesham having cup commitment, Storrington Reserves secured top spot of the Reserves Section (West).
17th Sept v Forest
‘NOT AGAIN’ were the thoughts going through Nigel Dyers head as Gav Bridle brought his disappointing average of 0 out of 6 one on one’s into this home tie with Forest. With the first team having a full squad to choose from the reserves welcomed Sam Witherden into the reserves for his debut at right back.
As a confident Swans took the field on Saturday with an unchanged midfield and forward line they were immediately chomping at the bit to continue there impressive scoring ratio to the season. The game started with many half chances for the Swans as both Deano and Cookey were continuously outstretching the opposing full backs and putting in good crosses, the debutant Sam was overlapping and rarely required in a defensive position as the new back four easily coped with the opposing attackers.
On 31 minutes Gav had his worst nightmare come true as he was put through for his 7th one on one in 2 weeks and with the keeper rushing out he hesitated on the ball and hit a lame bobbly shot at the keeper, a dejected Gav looked at the bench as Nige asked the subs to get warmed up. To Gav’s relief within minutes a long cross from Sam on the right was chested down by the Forest centre half into Cookey’s path as he calmly slotted the ball home into the corner of the net.
Just before half time a long ball from Forest outwitted the Storrington back four and the centre forwards good first touch sent him towards the Storrington goal with only the swans keeper to beat, as Neil (Chewy) closed down the forward a heavy touch enabled the swans keeper to pounce and keep Forest at bay. Following a quiet 5 minutes Storrington came back strong and soon had another goal through an opportunist Gav Bridle who neatly slotted in a short pass from Dave Spink to make the score 2-0 at half time.
The second half started as the first finished with Storrington on top and Chewy in goal not having a lot to do. Within minutes of the restart and some tactical awareness of Nige telling the wingers to keep the ball on the floor (which obviously went in one ear and out the other) Dave Spink rose to head a great header from 2 yards from a Deano cross. The Swans continued to probe and eventually after 70 minutes Gav Bridle finished a half chance on the far post to make the score 4-0.
Obviously with the home team struggling Nige decided to bring on some experience at the back as Matt Bridle and Paul Connor came on after being out with thigh injuries last week. The ‘one on one’ specialist Gav Bridle was sacrificed along with Matt Palmer who is going to miss the next match due to work commitments. With Sam pushing up to right midfield his energetic enthusiasm was inspirational in the remaining 25 minutes with enough chances to score his first hat trick for the club.
With 15 minutes to go, a well worked corner between Matt and Sam gave him his first opportunity to score his first reserve goal however to his dismay Cookey stole in to hit the bar from a yard and put the home side 5-0. In the dying minutes a long pass from Matt put Sam in for his second chance, a little nudge from the defender put him off balance as his shot cleared the bar (and surrounding mature trees behind the goal), for Sam’s third chance a perfectly timed ball from Fish around the penalty spot put Sam through on goal as he riffled his shot in to the roof of the net to make the final score 6-0 to the home side.
TEAM: Gledhill, Witherden, Rowe, Palmer, Stacey, D Leaver, K Bridle, Friend James, COOKEY (x2) , SPINK, G BRIDLE (x2)
Subs, M Bridle, R Leaver, P Connor
Sept 10th Storrington v Mile Oak
“and Gav must score” was the phrase being heard all around Storrington’s home pitch as Gav Bridle had 5/6 one on one’s during a dominant third game to the season. Meanwhile, at the back Storrington gave a debut to Loxwood’s ever present Matt Rowe who fitted in extremely well at the centre of an otherwise familiar back four.
The Swans had an unusually slow start with half chances being produced at both ends. After 25 minutes Gav had his first of many one on one’s, the ball was completely missed by the Mile Oak back four and the Swans centre forward failed to beat the keeper. After some great movement off the ball and a precise pass from the midfield Gav had a second one on one which he again failed to make count for the home side. Storrington had by this time had the majority of the play and it seemed a matter of when and not if the first goal would come to the home side.
With a back four becoming ever more confident in front of the impressive Neil (Chubacka) Gledhill in the Storrington goal, the game was becoming extremely one sided, albeit the score line still reading 0-0 following some rather lack luster finishing by the usually deadly Gav Bridle. After 35 minutes it took a great move down the right hand side to release Kris from his midfield duties to run onto goal and show cousin Gav how it should be done, with the Mile Oak keeper storming out of his goal Kris squared it to Dean who slid in with the defender and between them scrambled the ball over the line.
Storrington came out for the second half full of confidence and it wasn’t long until Gav had his 4th and 5th one on one of the game without adding to the score line. Although the dominant display from the Swans was very impressive the manager was becoming increasingly nervous over the slim lead.
The Swans were creating chance after chance but failed to make them count; a few words from Nige on the side line during an injury stop transformed the game and produced a cutting edge to the Swans. With 20 minutes to go Gav made up for his many missed chances, Deano interlinked well with Andy Beaumont down the left to fire a hard low cross for Gav to tap into the net to the relief of the Storrington Manager. Within minutes the Swans seem to take their foot off the pace and allowed too much time for the Mile Oak midfielder to pick his spot and make the score 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. The next 5 minutes Storrington were living dangerously, allowing the away team too much time on the ball and struggling to get out their own half.
Finally, with minutes to go the quality shined through and Gav made a difficult chance look easy when he spun the defender on the edge of the box and curled the ball into the top corner. In the dying seconds of the game Deano made a perfectly timed run through the middle of the park to latch onto a Gav Bridle through ball and without even contemplating running the full length of the away teams half he lobbed the ball over the keeper from 35 yards.
Final score 4-1 to Storrington, with players coming back from injury and Gav practicing his one on one’s this team will only get stronger.
TEAM: Gledhill, Johnson, Rowe, Palmer, Beaumont, LEAVER (x2), K Bridle, Friend James, Cook, G BRIDLE (x2), Spink
27th September - Storrington v’s Midhurst
A double header at Storringtons home ground saw both the first and reserves play Midhurst. In the first game of the reserve season the manager, Nigel Dyer was eager to continue the excellent form off the back end of last season which saw the reserves lose only one game since Christmas.
A new season and a very similar team gave league debut’s to Fish (Mark Friend James) promoted from last years successful third team and Dean Lever who had brought himself out of retirement to grace the Swans home pitch once again. Following the first team impressive 3-1 win, the reserves were out to impress, they started off slowly allowing the away side a couple of early half chances until mid way through the first half when a volley from the Midhurst striker on the far post brought an excellent save from Neil Gledhill who pushed the shot on to the forearm of the incoming Matt Bridle from close range. After much debate a penalty was given and the Midhurst player slotted the penalty away low to the keepers left.
Storrington started playing some great football and created many chances without punishing the away side until the impressive Swans striker Gavin Bridle latched onto a pass from midfield and put the home team level. Following some more good work by Kristian Bridle through the middle of the park and a great cross from Chris Johnson on the right the Swans took the lead with a simple header on the far post by Dean Lever. Dean Lever had a further 3 easy chances from around the six yard box however the Midhurst keeper was equal to the challenge. Just before half time a looping cross from the right by Dave Spink was mishandled by the Midhurst keeper who dropped the ball in front of Kristian a yard out who carmly poked it in to make it 3-1.
Storrington came out the second half and took control of the game; a few good chances were wasted by both Gav Bridle and Dave Spink together with the influential left winger Dean Lever who was firing shots in from all angles. Nigel Dyer decided to freshen up the attack by giving Craig (another third team player) his debut and within minutes Gav latched onto a pass across the box to finish neatly in the corner of the net. It was then Gav Bridle’s turn to take a break as Nigel Dyer brought Adam Smith on up front and gave another third team ever present his debut in the reserves. A tactical move which paid off as Adam immediately scored Storrington’s fifth to make it a very pleasing opening day of the season.
3rd September – Shoreham v’s Storrington
Following a great start to the season the reserves were hit with a number of injuries to key players and influential absentees which lowered the expectations of the second game of the season at Shoreham FC. The commanding Neil Gledhill was away and Mark Beaumont deputised in the Storrington Goal, Captain Matt Bridle and fellow Centre half Paul Connor both had pulled thigh muscles but played due a lack of cover at the back, Kristian Bridle played through a hamstring problem and Gav Bridle was out with a twisted ankle.
The game started strong for both sides with the midfield and defenders dominating the game. After 35 minutes a corner to the home side led to the controversial sending off of Dave Cook for Storrington. A good header from the Shoreham Centre half was angled towards to the chest/ upper arm of Dave Cook who was on the line, the ball deflected away from the goal and the ref immediately pointed to the spot, after a lot of goading from the home side the ref also sent Dave off claiming he had not choice. Storrington held out to half time and went in 1-0 down for a tactical run down by manager Nigel Dyer.
Storrington changed tactics and began the second half with 3 at the back, following some good work all round the away side were deflated when a shot from 25 yards from the Shoreham midfielder dipped in to the top corner making it 2-0. Storrington came back strong and within minutes a great cross from the impressive Kristian Bridle found Dave Spink on the back post who headed back to Fish on the six yard box who carmly slotted the ball away to make it 2-1.
Storrington were equal to all that was thrown at them until a driven cross from the Shoreham right winger was met on the far post by a Shoreham head to make it 3-1. Strorrington had given all they had and Matt Bridle came off struggling with a pulled thigh muscle which gave the versatile Steve Stacey a chance to slot in at the back. Shoreham started to dominate the game and used the extra player to good effect and within minutes had made it 4-1 with some poor marking from the away side. Storrington were determined not to give up and came straight back with some good passing and chance for Dean Lever who finished a one on one with Shoreham keeper with ease to make it 4-2. Unfortunately for the Swans they lost their other centre half Paul Connor with a similar pulled thigh muscle which gave Stewart McCay a chance to slot in next to Stacey in a foreign position for him in the middle of defence. Adam Smith was also brought off and Kristian Bridle was pushed up front and a reserve debut was handed to Andy Wilby in the middle of the midfield.
The extra man made all the difference in the dying 15 minutes and together with some slack marking Shoreham scored 3 more tame goals to make the final score 7-2. This was a disappointing result for an impressive looking reserve side, Nigel Dyer the reserves manager always said this would be tough game with a fully fit 11 players so when an injury hit 10 players had to battle through 55 minutes the job was made impossible.
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