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Manager: Mark Horobin (2ndteammanager@nutfieldfc.com)

16.12.00 REDHILL DIV 2 � NUTFIELD 4 HOLLAND SPORTS 5

  Nutfield eventually lost out by the odd goal in 9 in this roller coaster game against a 10 man Holland Sports. Nutfield began playing some excellent stuff taking full advantage of the extra man and were rewarded at the end of an opening 5 minutes in which Holland barely touched the ball. Having already created several chances another sweeping move was rounded off when Andy Parsons stabbed in a cross from the left.

The remainder of the half then proceeded to bear no resemblance to the opening 5 minutes as Holland knocked in 4 goals and created many other chances. Holland�s constant runs from deep positions proved the main undoing for Nutfield.

The second half began in much the same vein and several times Holland had 2 or 3 players through free on goal. However a combination of dithering finishing and some excellent stand up one on one goalkeeping from Mickey Evans kept the score at 4-1. With about 25 minutes left Nutfield began to launch some serious attacks and were soon rewarded when an Andy Beer drilled a shot into the bottom corner from just inside the box with 20 minutes left. 4-2 soon became 4-3 when the ball broke to Kai Elliot 15 yards out who composed himself and rocketed a shot into the top left corner. Miraculously the score became 4-4 with 10 minutes still on the clock when Beer poked in his second from 6 yards into the same corner as his opener.

The win was most assuredly on until a penalty dashed Nutfield�s hopes 5 minutes from time. With the ball running harmlessly over the touchline the Holland forward suddenly decided to run in the opposite direction to the ball across Tim Bellars path and achieved his desired result when he caught Bellars stride. The referee in some way saw this as a deliberate foul ignoring the curious changing of direction away from the ball.

Nutfield were deflated and the game was effectively over. It was a great fight back which deserved more but Nutfield should never have been 4-1 behind having let themselves down with the basics of communication and covering runners off the ball. It was a game they clearly had the ability to win against admittedly a decent team even with 10 men. Still it was an entertaining game for any passing neutral spectators and their dogs.

Men of the Match: Mick Evans and Andy Beer. Couldn�t separate them. Evans kept Nutfield in the game early in the second half with some outstanding stand up one on one goalkeeping. Beer gained his share of the award not only for scoring 2 goals from wingback. He was a constant thorn in the opposition's side and his goals were interspersed with throwing up on the pitch and asking to be subbed because he could not carry on even though all 3 changes had been made. Safe to say I didn�t let him come off.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: With only 2 games across both November and December the decision has been made to roll these in with January�s award.

18.11.00 � Redhill Division 2: Westcott 1 Nutfield 3

Nutfield produced their best performance of the season to win on the hills of Westcott after a three-week layoff and against in form opposition who were looking for their 4th successive win following an 11-0 victory the previous week. Kicking against the slope in the first half Nutfield started strongly closing down Westcott and defending aggressively. Nutfield produced a number of swift, incisive attacks throughout the half and were rewarded when they took the lead midway through the half. Whatling broke from deep inside his own half, played an inch perfect ball through to Andy Parsons who ran on to slide the ball precisely into the corner.

Westcott came back strongly and tied the game with a header, which had been a consistent threat from a tall, powerful side. Nutfield�s lead was soon restored when Del Wilson�s cross from the right drifted into the far corner of the net to secure a 2-1 half time lead.

Kicking downhill Nutfield started the second half strongly penning Westcott in their half. They made it 3-1 when Wilson slotted home hard and low from 25 yards after Parsons run through on goal and shot was well foiled by the advancing keeper. Westcott fought hard to bring themselves back into the game but some solid defending by the whole team and several saves from keeper Dungate closed out the victory.

  Man of the Match: Darren Whatling � Played a major part in many of the best moves and tackled strongly in the middle of the park.

 

28.10.00 � County Cup Rd 2: Nutfield 1 Reigate Priory 6

 

Nutfield crashed out of the County Cup with this comfortable victory for their Surrey South Eastern Combination Junior Division 4 opponents. Playing against a strong wind in the first half Nutfield found themselves camped in their own half against a lively opposition. Throughout the half Nutfield were unable to play the ball out of defense against the wind and as a result were constantly under pressure as the ball came straight back from their attempted clearances.

Although initially defending stoutly the deadlock was broken midway through the half when the opposition player was not closed down on the edge of the box and his cross shot was only cleared directly into the path of the Priory striker who slotted home. A second was soon added when from a Nutfield corner Priory broke quickly finding an unmarked forward who ran 30 yards unmolested and finished well. At 2-0 there was still a possibility to come back with the wind in the 2nd half. However 2 late Priory goals again from players not closed down quickly enough effectively finished the game with a 4-0 half time scoreline.

Nutfield applied some early pressure after the break and brought it back to 4-1 when Dan Collins pounced on a loose ball following a scramble in the penalty area. However the player reaction suggested this was no more than a consolation and this was proved to be the case. Nutfield failed to dominate possession and territory in the same way their opponents had in the first half with the wind and Priory rounded off a comprehensive victory with 2 more goals.

 

Man of the Match: Jeff Dungate � effectively kept the score down with a solid goalkeeping display.

 

OCTOBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH           

Jeff Dungate

Ever present and dealt with 

the difficult task of swapping between 

centre half and keeper.

 

14.10.00 - Redhill Division 2: Godstone 2 Nutfield 3 

Nutfield Reserves emerged victorious in a tight local derby at Godstone Green. Nutfield made all the early running and had several chances to open the scoring including a shot against the post from Whatling. However against the run of play Godstone took the lead when keeper Dungate spilled a shot into the path of an onrushing forward completing a catalogue of defensive errors during the build up.

Nutfield came back with 3 goals before half time to give a fairer reflection to the half time score. The first goal went to Hunt who crashed the ball in from a tight angle when the ball broke to him in the penalty area. Bellars added a second with a coolly taken left footed effort. Whatling completed the first half scoring slotting home Hunts pull back.

The second half saw Godstone come back strongly after a bright first 5 minutes from Nutfield. Kicking downhill Nutfield played to many long balls and gave away possession too cheaply. Godstone took advantage and spent most of the second period in the Nutfield half. They were rewarded after 30 minutes with a goal putting them right back in the game having hit the woodwork twice in the build up. However Nutfield defended well throughout the half to close out the victory.

7.10.00 - Redhill Division 2: Nutfield 3 Walton Heath 7

Nutfield crashed to their second successive defeat against an average Walton Heath side. The game began evenly with both teams having chances in the early stages. However it was Walton Heath who took the lead. Nutfield soon responded when Whatling's long range effort from a wide position rebounded off the cross bar for Pete Griffin playing at centre forward to poach an equalizer. The first half then collapsed for Nufield with a mad 10 minutes allowing Walton Heath to go in 4-1 up. All the goals exposed the poor defending which was in evidence for much of the half from Nutfield who were too often dragged out of position and lost their basic shape.

Nutfield started strongly after half time and pulled back 2 quick goals to bring them right back into the game. The first came from Kai Elliot who slotted home after his initial effort was blocked. Tim Bellars then crashed home a penalty after a handball decision went against Walton Heath. Nutfield continued to have the edge in possession and territory throughout the half but could not make the advantage count and the game was effectively over when Walton Heath made it 5-3. Nutfield continued to chase the game but Walton Heath added 2 more on the break to round out the victory.

30.9.00 - Redhill Division 2: Paris Garden 4 Nutfield 1

Nutfield suffered a quick reverse against a good Paris Garden side having beaten them the previous week. Sporting a full side Paris Garden dominated the game and showed they will be one of the better sides in Division 2 this season.

Setting up camp in the Nutfield half they eventually broke through some stout defending midway through the first half when Crame unfortunately put the ball into his own net with an attempted sliding clearance. They soon added a second as they continued to dominate a subdued Nutfield. In the last couple of minutes of the half Nutfield finally mounted some significant attacks and almost got back in the game when Griessel shot just wide.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Nutfield still unable to string any number of passes together and Paris Garden soon added a third. Nutfield then threatened to get back in the game with a five minutes spell including an excellent swerving 25 yards effort from Whatling to bring the score to 3-1. However the bubble was soon burst when Paris Garden broke from a Nutfield corner to complete the scoring and a victory which did not flatter them.

23.9.00 - Redhill Division 2: Nutfield 3 Paris Garden 1

Nutfield Reserves started their campaign with a hard fought victory over promoted Paris Garden. Nutfield started strongly against a 10-man opposition with some excellent passing and movement. They were rewarded after 10 minutes when Bellars completed a crisp one�two with Whatling to slide the ball home from 12 yards. Nutfield then promptly switched off and seemed to believe the game was already won. Paris Garden worked hard and were on top for most of the remainder of the half, deservedly scrambling an equalizer to go in at 1-1.

  After a forceful half time team talk and several organizational changes by manager Mark Horobin Nutfield slowly improved throughout the 2nd half without ever hitting top gear in the humid conditions. Midway through the half Nutfield got the breakthrough with a slice of luck. Belchers floated free kick found Whatling's head whose looping header was palmed into the goal by the keeper.

Nutfield didn't look in serious danger after that and completed the scoring when Hunts superb left footed effort from 20 yards dipped went in off the base of the post. Despite a below par performance Nutfield emerged victorious but face a tough return against Paris Garden next week.

Friendly: Saturday 16th September � Nutfield 2 Woodmansterne B 0

  Nutfield finally clicked into gear ready for the new season with an excellent team display and comfortable win. In a fast paced first half Nutfield consistently held the upper hand playing some flowing football and spurning several chances. Whilst the visitors occasionally threatened on the break they were largely restricted to long range efforts by a solid performance from the central defensive trio of Crame, Belcher and Dungate. However despite the 1st half performance the game remained deadlocked at 0-0.Despite a poor first 10 minutes, with keeper Evans tipping over several long range efforts, Nutfield gained a deserved lead early in the in the 2nd half. An inspired half time substitution from the management team of Horobin and Beq paid off when Dave Wade playing as a forward coolly slotted home after good work by Atkinson and Pedrick.The second half continued in much the same vain as the first after that and another substitution produced the second goal with Kai Elliot sliding in at the far post to meet Wade�s cross. Despite a couple of late scares Nutfield held firm to secure a confidence boosting victory to set things up nicely for next weeks tough opener at home to Paris Garden. Manager Mark Horobin was extremely pleased with the performance in the post match interview. He expressed delight that the undoubted potential was showing signs of fulfillment. The overall team performance, levels of communication, improved display of fitness and the disciplined way that everyone in the team performed there designated jobs bode well for future games.

Friendly: Saturday 9th September � Nutfield 3 Brockham 6

Nutfield suffered their second friendly defeat of the pre-season campaign at the hands of 1st division Brockham. Despite missing several players Nutfield opened extremely brightly and played with confidence and poise. This was soon rewarded when Hunt�s flick on found Andy Parsons who deftly lifted the ball over the keeper. Despite being probably the better team for most of the first half Nutfield found themselves 3-1 down after 3 defensive errors revolving around a lack of communication, were capitalized on by Brockham. The second half started brightly with Parsons netting a second after persistence by Hunt to win the ball. Brockham soon replied through a ferocious shot from the edge of the box after a penalty area scramble. Nutfield responded again soon afterwards as Pete Griffin slid in at the far post to meet Andy Beers cross. However fitness levels began to tell soon afterwards and Brockham dominated the last 20 minutes to ease home 6-3.Manager Mark Horobin was happier with the overall performance for the first hour compared to midweek despite the defensive errors but urged his team to work on their fitness levels between now and the start of the season.

Friendly: Wednesday 6th September � Nutfield 1 Meath Green 2

Nutfield opened their pre-season campaign with a defeat against a strong Meath Green side, not least in the area of Nutfield connections. The Meath Green side contained Mick Evans, Mark and Steve Butler plus making guest appearances due to player shortages Paul Butler and Darren Whatling. Meath Green started very strongly with the pace of Steve Butler and his East Grinstead strike partner causing constant problems. Only some poor finishing and a string of fine saves form guest keeper from Alan �Gus� Gymer kept Nutfield in the game. Eventually however Meath Green got their reward and took a 1-0 lead. Nutfield began to threaten towards the end of the half and were awarded a clear penalty when Beer was felled, which Ben Hunt calmly stroked home sending Evans the wrong way. Nutfield also had another clear penalty turned down shortly afterwards leaving it 1-1 at half time. This was more than Nutfield deserved after looking largely unfit and disjointed during the half with little movement off the ball and almost no chat on the pitch.

The second half saw a much stronger performance from Nutfield. The movement off the ball and communication were much stronger. Throughout the half Nutfield more than matched Meath Green and created more of the chances. However all the chances were spurned, including 2 one on ones by Parsons. Meath Green grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time to complete the victory.