Another home game against a team with improved form recently left The Sheaf not really knowing what to expect as they met The Claremont for the first time this season. Would they field the county league players at their disposal or would it be a mix of the inbreds and reprobates that normally frequent the pub??The Sheaf were struggling to field a team - Shacks dropping out with a cold and Gav Sutton with an ankle injury (although Sheiks-itus seemed more likely). To add to this Villa failed to shrug off an ankle injury playing for his 12th different saturday team of the season the day before.With only 11 players this meant that Villa would have to start in goal with Eddie up front - far from ideal!! An emergency phone call was put in to the veteran Raggy who thankfully said he would come ASAP.The game kicked off and with a make shift team The Sheaf struggled to impose themselves. Chances were few and far between. The Claremont although lacking in quality looked organised at the back. Raggy turned up about 15 minutes into the game, Villa coming off - Eddie back in goal - Raggy in an unfamiliar role on the right handside of midfield as Russ Chandler pushed up front. The shape of the team looking much better The Sheaf gradually began to improve. Rich Sherwell having a couple of good chances to put them ahead. The Claremont managed to hold out and at half time there was no score.The 2nd half began with The Sheaf on top - chances came and went and it was looking like one of those days for the home team. Finally the breakthrough came - a great corner from Lee Baldwin saw Russ meeting it with his world famous "pogo" technique gliding between defenders to nod home. It looked a good header but Russ was later to admit he punched the ball in - ah well it counts!! Unbelievably The Claremont equalised pretty much straight away. A solid tackle from Shane Sutton was given as a foul on the edge of the box. As the free kick was taken Shane defending in the wall jumped with his arm covering his face - the ball struck it - penalty!!.A good firm strike beet Eddie "The Cat" - 1-1. The Sheaf knew they had to win to keep up the pressure on Angmering at the top of the table. They responded well - a free kick whipped in by the skipper Benny Whiffin caught the diving head of a defender and flew past his keeper - 2-1. It was soon 3-1 as another ball from Baldwin again found Russ who scored with a solid header. It was all The Sheaf now as the confidence flowed. The last goal was the goal of the game - a surge through midfield saw him break free of the defence the keeper rushed out to narrow the angle - everyone expected Shane to square it but he produced a great looping shot over the keeper and in to the net. The crowd went wild as Shane rushed over to celebrate with them.It could have been more but the game finished 4-1 - a pleasing win with a makeshift team and The Sheaf kept their unbeaten run going.
Eddie 7 (not much to do - clearly not a striker)
Scott T 7 (never really troubled)
Birch 7 (seen him play much better)
Scott A 7 (another solid peformance)
Bill 7 (calm and assured)
Lee 7.5 (couple of assists)
Benny 7 (led the team well)
Shane 7.5 (great work rate - great goal)
Villa 7 (just for playing through the pain)
Russ 8 (deadly in the air - good movement)
MOMSherwell 7 (low on confidence - needs a goal)
Raggy 7 (worked hard - good to see him back)
Thanks again to Steve Lewis for running the line - much appreciated.
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