Manager: Darren Sharp

NUTFIELD 0 AIR UTD. 2

Sunday 14th January

Nutfield’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end in this 3^rd round County Cup tie. The game started at a lively pace and Nutfield looked to have the beating of their London opponents. With Dan Kolb pulling the strings in midfield Nuts created several clear chances only for both Steve Robson and Ben Hunt to lose their footing at the vital moments. As the game wore on Air started to create more chances themselves and were denied a lead by a string of fine saves from Nuts keeper James Lewis. The pressure told eventually though when a schoolboy error by Andy Parsons gave Air an easy chance, and a desperate lunge by Stuart Cross, who had a much-improved game, only served to wrong foot keeper Lewis and he was beaten. As Nuts midfield began to creak, another fine save from Lewis resulted in an injury to brother Stuart, all it was, was a bit of wind but he rolled about like a baby much to the amusement of defensive partner Flutey. Half time came and went and Nuts gross ineptitude in front of goal continued, as the game progressed. As chance after chance went begging the game began to open up and only a string of fine one on one saves from keeper Lewis kept the score at 1-0. The sucker punch came for Nutfield with half an hour to go when the glaring sun caused the hapless Flute Parsons to lose sight of the ball from a left wing cross, as his attempted clearance failed when the ball struck him in the nuts and dropped invitingly to their striker who fired home from 8 yards, tempers began to fray as Nuts failed to breakdown the opposition back line. The final whistle blew and Nuts players must have been wondering how they were so comprehensively beaten by such a mediocre team. The positive side was improved individual performances from youngsters Chris King and Stuart Cross, and of course it was another game played. The disruptions this season is threatening to ruin what could be a successful campaign for promotion.

Player ratings

James Lewis 9, Stuart Cross 7, Stuart Lewis 8, Darren Sharp 7, Chris King 7, Lee Robson 5, Flute Parsons 7, Daniel Kolb 7, Andy Parsons 6, Ben Hunt 6, Steve Robson 5,

Substitute: Tim Dibben 5.

Star Man JAMES LEWIS 9, His best performance in a Nutfield shirt, Lewis did his best to keep Nuts in the game and definitely didn’t deserve to finish on the losing side.

NUTFIELD FC 4 CHARLWOOD VILLAGE 3

SUNDAY 17^TH DECEMBER

The long awaited return of Nutfield Sunday side finally came about on Sunday in the form of a 2^nd round county cup-tie with fierce rivals Charlwood. After months of rain the bottom pitch looked more suitable for an episode of the swamp thing, than a game of football, but then I guess that is what the cup is all about. The signs were not good for NFC with half the team turning up smelling like a brewery and looking like an advert for alcoholics anonymous, and the other half having forgotten how to play, or certainly how to win (from their Saturday Games). Alarm bells were ringing.

Once the game kicked off though, Nutfield settled into their rhythm nicely and looked in control, until "pissed bastard keeper" lost the plot at a near post corner, completely missed the ball and presented a 1-0 lead to Charlwood. This rocked Nuts for a short while until a surging run from midfield dynamo Paul Faulker ended with him being bought down by the Charlwood keeper, as players stood waiting for the red card and the penalty, the Ref (a loose description in my opinion) waved play on. Things threatened to turn nasty after that and Mick Nichols was cautioned, after being kicked in the air by a Charlwood thug. Nuts were soon level though, after some neat work down the right by the ginger prince Daniel Kolb and Ben Hunt, who set up Mick Nic for a close range finish. The game picked up pace after that as Nuts had a further blatant penalty appeal turned down before again falling behind due to some woeful defending. Jimmy Lewis produced a wonderful point blank save but his defence stood around like statues and the simple tap in was duly dispatched.

The arrival of Flute “python” Parsons gave the defence a more solid feel and after the break Nuts soon drew level with another fine finish from Mick Nic. The pitch began to take its toll on the players and it was Nuts who looked the likely winners, until 15 minutes to go when confusion with the offside trap allowed Charlwood a run on goal. Keeper Lewis made the initial save, but as action man Sharpy became unaction man he stood watching the follow up. Nuts found themselves regretting all those wasted chances and facing defeat. With the clock ticking away, Nuts were rescued when Mick “the goal scoring machine” Nicholls produced a fine finish to level the match. With skipper Stuart Lewis driving the lads on and Fulkes and Kolb running the midfield. Nuts suddenly looked like winners and sure enough Faulker burst through the middle to fire home a late winner. As the ageing ref finally blew his whistle, sadly not on his own career. Nutfield were left to celebrate a superb comeback. The spirit and commitment within in the team was a superb accolade for the club, and afterwards we all went down the pub to watch Liverpool win at Old Trafford. What a day.

How The Players Rated.

JAMES LEWIS: a shaky starts whilst still pissed but solid after and unlucky on two of the goals 7

STUART LEWIS The “poofters choice” had a super first half and played a real captains performance. Kept the defence solid when Charlwood threatened to over-run Nutfield early on. 8

STUART CROSS hadn't kicked a bin in anger in over two months and in all honesty a wheelie bin would have probably produced a better performance, injured after 20 minutes which saved his, and probably Nutfield's Bacon, we all know he can do better. 2

ACTION MAN SHARP: A no nonsense performance from player manger Darren, he even managed to only get upset once as well, perhaps at fault with the third goal but no harm done. 7

ANTHONY ARCHIBALD: Slotted in nicely at left wing back and produced his most solid performance of the season. 7

BAZ GRISELL: Dependable as ever Baz gave nothing away, and managed to get up and down a lot considering the farmers field conditions. 7

LEE ROBSON; A solid performance in the middle of the park from Lee he maybe needs to focus more on his performance though, instead of worrying about others.6

DAN KOLB: The ginger prince gave a dazzling display of footwork if only he had the finish to match. Guilty along with many others of not being able to hit a barn door from a yard, no mistaking the quality though, Kolby is the driving force of this Nuts midfield. And he carries a python 8

PAUL FULKER; Superb performance from Nuts answer to Roy Keane scored the winner and should have had at least one penalty, the engine room of this Nutfield Side. 8

BEN HUNT: Another cracking performance from the youngster, was a constant threat upfront perhaps should have found the net at least once though. 7

MICK NICHOLLS: What more can you say the Nutfield scoring machine rolls on and on The Charlwood back line just didn’t have the ability to cope with his movement and ariel menace, Nutfield always look like scoring when Mick is about and his hatrick won the match. 9 STAR MAN*******

Subs

FLUTE PARSONS; Came off the bench midway through the first half and instantly gave the back line a more solid look, managed to go the whole game without a mistake as well, vital driving from the back. 7

ANDY PARSONS: came on midway through the second half and slotted in nicely gave 7

Friendly

Sunday 3rd Sept.

Nutfield 1 Intercity 4

10/09/00 FRIENDLY   V CHARLWOOD VILLAGE RESIDENTS
                  SCORE NUTFIELD 3    CHARLWOOD VILLAGE RESIDENTS   2

17/09/00 LEAGUE   V CLOCKHOUSE ATHLETIC
                   SCORE NUTFIELD   3     CLOCKHOUSE ATHLETIC     2

NUTFIELD 4 COUGAR ROYALS 2