Storrington went into this match looking to continue the improvement in performances we have seen in recent matches. We were up against a very good, unbeaten Chichester side who must be favourites to take the league title this season.
We started with a very young line up with just two players not eligible for next season. We had a debutant in Joe Isaacs starting up front for us and Boni Babel making his first start.
Storrington started very strongly with our midfield taking quick control and creating several half chances for Joe and a very lively Guy Strudwick.
But, 20 minutes in our defence let its marking slip and Chi were able to take the lead with a simple tap in from 6 yards. From the re-start we kept our shape and kept control of the game with good possession and looked the more likely to score.
Then after 30 mins our luck ran out for the second match running – 20 yards out a Chi forward hit a speculative shot which rolled down his shin, looped in the air, took out a couple of seagulls and somehow ended up in the top corner of Tom Hoare’s net. Incredible – on top of the game and 2:0 down.
Again, the lads kept their shape and continued taking the game to Chi. We thought we had got our just reward after 40 mins when Joe Isaacs looked to have scored on his debut only for the ref to rule it offside. Just before the break Chi went 3:0 ahead with a cracking goal from the edge of our box. So we went in 3:0 down.
We reshaped at half time and went back out with a back 4 of Rance, Newbatt, Furminger and Suter, a midfield of Babel, West, Brown and Maynard with Isaacs and Strudwick up front. For the whole of the second half Chi did not have one attempt on target, with Storrington again controlling the midfield with both Shane West and Ryan Brown having great games, with the impressive Guy Strudwick causing havoc up front. But for all the hard work our lads just could not force the breakthrough and the final whistle went with Chi winning 3:0.
But that scoreline does not tell the full story – we had more than matched a very good Chichester team. This was Storrington’s best performance of the season and the mood of the lads has never been better.
Next up is a local derby with Steyning which we are all looking forward to.
Team: Hoare, Rance, Newbatt, Furminger, Suter, Chitty, Babel, Isaacs, West, Brown (Ryan), Strudwick
Subs: Ratchford, Wilson, Maynard, Younger (not used), Ticehurst (not used)
This was a key match for both sides, a win for Storrington would have put us to within 1 point of East Preston, so we were all looking forward to the game and were optimistic after a strong finish last time out against Steyning.
We had two new lads on the bench for us – Boni Babel and Hayden Hunter both of whom are eligible for next season.
We emphasised the need for a strong start – so what happens !! After 5 minutes Jordan Suter tried to head a cross over our own bar and put the ball expertly into the top corner. Such a shame for Jordan who has had a strong season for us. It gets worse – 5 minutes later after a scramble in our box, our keeper Tom Hoare makes a great save, the ball takes two deflections and creeps over the line, so we are 2:0 down after 10 mins. How’s your luck – not great, as 5 minutes later our centre forward George Younger has to go off with a knee problem.
So, 15 minutes in and we are 2 down and have already used a sub.
Hayden Hunter comes on to make his debut for us and makes an immediate impact. He works the EP back line well and causes problems with his pace.
25 minutes in and our midfield are starting to create chances, the best of which falls to Dec Ratchford who put his effort wide.
After that start it would have been easy for heads to drop, but our lads still had the belief we could get something from the game.
The next goal was always going to be crucial and Storrington started the second half on the front foot. Ryan Brown and Shane West started to control midfield and our back 4 looked solid. During the second half we introduced Guy Strudwick onto the left wing and Boni Babel made his debut coming on as a sub at right wing. The lads created several half chances but we just could not convert any of them. Then disaster…….. with 10 mins to go EP hit us on a counter attack, took their chance and went 3:0 up.
Game over, EP won 3:0 and now sit 7 points in front of us.
I cannot fault the effort our lads put in, but coming back from that kind of start was always going to be tough.
What is encouraging is that we had 11 players on duty for us tonight that are eligible for next season.
Team: Hoare, Rance, Newbatt, Furminger, Suter, Chitty, Ticehurst, Younger, West, Brown (Ryan), Ratchford,
Subs: Hunter, Strudwick, Babel, Wilson (not used)
After the Forest performance we needed a response from the lads on Thursday evening at Steyning and I am delighted to say we got it.
In strong winds and on a really heavy pitch, it was a tough evenly contested match from the first whistle. This is a local derby and we had the opportunity to take the lead after 20 minutes when Guy Strudwick was clear on goal, but a last ditch tackle from a Steyning defender denied us the lead. Unfortunately, Steyning broke immediately from that attack, created an opening and went 1:0 ahead.
Steyning had more of the possession for the remainder of the first half and one long range effort pulled out a stunning save from our keeper, Tom Hoare. Our back 4 were holding firm until 5 minutes before the break when Steyning went 2:0 in from what was a cracking 25 yarder into the top left hand corner of Tom’s goal – unstoppable.
We went into half time 2:0 down but with the belief we could take something from the game.
The second half again started very evenly but Storrington started to gain more possession and create more chances. 20 minutes in, against the run of play Steyning grabbed a third goal putting them 3:0 in front. Far from letting there heads drop, our lads pushed forward but just couldn’t take there chances. That is until 10 minutes from time, when Shane West buried a 25 yard free kick. We were back to 3:1 with 10 mins to go and the lads threw everything at Steyning. We had a chance cleared off the line with 5 mins to go – if that had gone in, who knows !
But, we ran out of time and Steyning won the game 3:1.
Great effort lads and a man of the match performance from Tom Newbatt who was making his league debut for us at centre back.
Team: Hoare, Rance, Newbatt, Trigg, Suter, Ticehurst, Jones, West, Brown (Ryan), Ratchford, Strudwick.
Subs: Younger, Maynard, Wilson (not used)
First of all – as usual it was a pleasure to play Forest’s U18 team. The team and management have a great attitude, they deserved to win this game and we would like to wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.
But………for us it was a day to forget. A win today would have been a real boost to our league position, but for the full 90 minutes we never looked like achieving it.
The first 15 minutes were fairly even with both sides working hard, but Forest started to take control midway through the half and went in at half time 2:0 in front. On the bench we felt we could still get back into the match but clearly the first goal of the second half was going to be crucial, and it went to Forest. From the moment we went 3:0 down there was only ever going to be one winner of the game. The game ended 5:0 and to be honest it could have been worse.
The lads know they did not do themselves justice – with a few exceptions. John Tolson worked tirelessly up front for us and deserved better for his efforts. Jordan Suter had his best game of the season for us at right back and our debutant, Luke Maynard who came on as a second half substitute almost scored a 30 yard screamer which bought out the best in the Forest keeper.
We have 6 games left and I expect the lads to start showing the form we know they are capable of, starting with our next game away at Broadbridge Heath.
Team: Hoare, Rance, Chitty, Brown (Tom), Suter, Ticehurst, Jones, Furminger, Brown (Ryan), Ratchford, Tolson.
Subs: Trigg, Strudwick, Maynard, Younger (not used)
The Sidlesham pitch was frozen and in our opinion unplayable. There had been a game on it the previous day and it had cut up and then frozen, so was uneven and in our view dangerous. But the Sidlesham management team disagreed and wanted to play. The reason they gave us was that they didn't want a fixture backlog but declined our offer of postponing until the following Thursday.
The ref arrived at 10:50 for an 11:00 kick off, did his best Basil Fawlty impression up and down the pitch, put his gloves on, thought that his studs were going into the surface (down to weight in our opinion) and passed it fit to play. Of course it was - minus 3 and rock hard - thanks Basil.
So rather than take the fine, we agreed to play.
We only had 11 players for the game due to injuries and illness but all of these lads gave everything for the badge and for each other. We were the better team for the first 15 mins but went 1:0 down midway through the first half. Heads didn't go down and 5 mins later Ryan Brown buried a rebound from a Shane West free kick. 1:1.
We then conceded 2 further goals before half time, the second a cracking volley from the edge of our box. We went in 3:1 down.
The boys were fired up for the 2nd half really believing we could get something out of the game.
Both teams worked hard in the second half and Sidlesham got a 4th goal, but for 30 mins of the 2nd half we were again the better team and but for more composed finishing we would have got at least a draw.
The Sidelsham bench showed a complete lack of respect before and during the game and I am sure they will be glad to know that Steve Ticehurst is OK after the 2 footed challenge that hit him halfway up his shin pad. Thanks Basil for not giving out any card for that (must have been the gloves) and lots of love to all at Sidlesham for there best wishes !! Steve said he can make do with the one leg anyway !
A much improved performance compared to the away game at Rustington. Our keeper Tom Hoare was immense, the back 4 looked solid, the midfield kept it's shape and a big well done to George Younger who made his first start for us. I was so proud of all 11 and they represented Storrington FC the way we would expect in a professional way. Keep the faith lads.
Come and watch the boys next home game - it's never boring!
Team: Hoare, Suter, Rance, Ticehurst, Soal, Chitty, Furminger, T.Brown, Younger, West, R.Brown
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