Angmering V Wheatsheaf

The Wheatsheaf faniced a very difficult away clash to top of the table Angmering in severe wind. The game as always going to be difficult as Angmering have proven to be the team to beat especially after their 10-1 win against the dangerous Hope, comfortable victors against the Wheatsheaf in a game fondly remembered for the birth of the Hot Tub Trio. Angmering started brightly and showed that they are very good ball players with bags of skills. But they didn't anticipate on the dogged fighting spirting of Shane Sutton and Richard Ragless, who was playing in a very unfamiliar role in the centre of midfield. n fact 'Raggy' ended up playing upfront and right back before the end of the game. All over the pitch the Wheatsheaf showed that they have people willing to get stuck in and mix it with Andy Franklin and Scott Adams at the back showing that no one gets the better than them. A few words in the centre forwards ear here and there and the poor guy looked like he was going to cry. He thought that he was the star attractions but they showed him! But....an early contender for player of season, or at least clubman, has to go to Shane Sutton who played most of the game with a split contact lens!! I'm not joking, the guy has a huge shiner. I can't recall anyone ever putting that much into a game for the team.

So back to the game, Angmering went into halftime 1-0 playing against the extreme wind. but it was the second half when Raggy came into his own. Put through on goal in the box, he managed to make everything seem to happen in slow motion. Moving the ball on to his left foot then realizing that it's not the best option, shuffled around the ball to his right before tapping it in from 6 yards. It was a composed finish when most people would have lashed at it with their weak foot. Birch was put upfront in a swap with Raggy to tighten up at the back but it was in the midle of the pitch that Birch showed his range of skills by performing an usual lying on the floor windmill kick. Never before has this been seen but it waw successful none the less. Angmering regained the lead with a bit slack marking but big Dave threw on young optically challenged Fallick who terrorised the defence and in the closing minutes bagged a deserved goal for the battling Wheatsheaf. If only young Fallick could be bothered to show the same commitment as Shane Sutton then maybe the Wheatsheaf would have gained the 3 points needed to get back into promotion contention.

Eddie Whiffin was man of the match making a brilliant double save and looked composed throughout. Eddie has been a consistent performer in the sticks even saving a penalty the previous week. Considering this isn't Eddie's usual position he might have to rethink what is. Shane Sutton gets a special mention for playing with a horric eye injury but as the other team vote for the man of mathc the award goes to Eddie. Also, let's not forget Raggy, who at 39 and close to retirement 3 times this season being talked out of it by the manager, played in 3 different positions and was on the scoresheet.

The Wheatsheaf go into Sunday's game away to Lavant full of confidence. If they can just eradicate the backchat to one another, put ego's aside and show comittment by turning up on time then they can complete for the league's highest honours.