Oakwood vs Sidlesham
Tinsley Lane
SCFL Division One
January 23
Attendance 50
“You can’t see the wood for all the trees”. It’s one of those English proverbs oft muttered but rarely understood. A little like “never look a gift horse in the mouth” or “birds of a feather stick together”. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would never stand front on to a hairy mammal. And I don’t think much of Lesley Joseph.
Anyway, the point is all are odd sayings which Englishers learn with anticipation and foreigners lap up as some form of eccentricity. But after a trip to Oakwood, I sort of, finally, understand the tree one.
Nomad’s normally pretty good at getting around. But Oakwood was one of those rare places which required the assistance of a Google search. It’s located on the edge of Crawley, right by the M23 spur road, so much so that when you pull off you can see the club’s floodlights from the dual carriageway. The problem was reaching the promised land.
Even with the aid of a sat nav, the journey of less than a mile proved torturous. The first roundabout Nomad went round twice before finding the right turning. Then after a deliberate u-turn at the next crossing the slip road was missed. So it was back on to the original roundabout to try again. Successfully locating the slip road, the journey took Nomad through an industrial park onwards to quite a nice leafy road like suburban America.
After half a mile of rubber-necking, a large painted sign stood on the side of the road. “Oakwood”. It pointed up a narrow tarmac track between two houses. It went on and on and on and on – Nomad thought it could have been a wind up. Then, after what felt like a lifetime (but was probably just 2 minutes), there was a club official ready to welcome visitors, gather their five quid entry fee, hand over a free programme then point people to the car park. Phew.
Abandoning the wagon behind the goal, Nomad said a quick prayer that the two team’s strikers were not potshot charlies. It was then across the muddy car park onto the concrete path, past the strategically placed cones, through the “main stand” of picnic chairs and stools and in to the clubhouse to grab a spot of lunch before the big game. Only there was no hot food, nor even a sandwich. “Sorry love, we’ve only got crisps or chocolate”. My belly grumbled but my face just smiled: “I’ll have a twix thank you”. Combined with a handful or six of dry roasted nuts on the bar top, the immediate hunger was satisfied. I then had time to sit down, leaf through the modest programme and wonder where the hell I’d come to. I didn’t have long to find out.
With a lime and soda in hand, I walked out for game time to see the host of padded leather bar stools under a covered area. I bet if all those heading to the Emirates saw them, there would be immense jealousy. But Nomad is far from steady when it comes to heights. So instead it was on to perch on a group of benches which flanked the player’s tunnel and a disused caravan. It wasn’t the comfiest I’ve ever been. But then as the players came out, all of that was quickly forgotten.
On to the match itself and the home side continued this theme playing some smart football. Sitting in fourth towards the top end of the table, the results were obviously good. But it was how they went about winning games that was impressive, keeping the ball on the deck and pulling defences from side to side netting an average of more than three goals a game in the process. As for their opponents, well the green and yellows of Sidlesham are at the other end of the table. And while their defence has been solid it’s going forward where they struggle. Given the long journey over from Chichester, I was expecting them to continue their sluggish streak.
But looking at the first half and you’d struggle to tell that the sides were so far apart in terms of geography and in the table. The opening 15 minutes saw plenty of crisp passing with the visitors probably having the best of it. But then Oakwood’s clinical side shone through. After building pressure in the Sidlesham area, the ball broke to the 18 yard line and Clive Piller slotted the ball home.
As it was, it stayed 1-0 till half time when Nomad retreated back to the bar and resumed his quest to get through the remaining nuts on the bar top which began to taste like they’d been there since Christmas. The weird taste in the mouth and feeling that Nomad was beginning to resemble Rick Waller’s chubby cousin was made up by a nice warm feeling inside as officials from both sides mingled around to talk about the game, and also the mad end to the nine-goal thriller between Norwich and Liverpool.
It was no surprise then when the home side doubled their lead, a quick break seeing the ever-dangerous Kieron Purkis slotting home.
The yellow and greens from out west continued on working, continued fighting and slowly took control of the midfield. With 20 minutes to go the tide had swung completely their way. Cross after cross was pushed into the area. And then five minutes from time, they got their just reward with substitute Read bundling a low ball home.
Nomad shook off the mud on this shoes and made a note to himself. It may not have been the prettiest of grounds, the most satisfactory to visit nor the easiest to find. But looking past this and there’s a club that go about their business the right way. It’s only when you step back from the trees can you see the true beauty of Oakwood.THE ESSENTIALS
Oakwood FC,
Tinsley Lane
Crawley
RH10 8AT
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oakwood
@oakwoodfc
Given the fact the club is not the easiest to get to, this was a nicely done. It was big, loads of seating around a big dance floor, a decent bar with some friendly faces behind it and some complimentary snacks on the counter. Sadly Nomad’s John Travolta days are behind him and all my focus now is on food – so it was a shame there was no hot stuff available. But the response came with a genuine apology. At half time someone walked in with some balloons so I imagine it does quite well with the local party bookings. The covered area out the front also gave shelter for watching the game although I wasn’t too sure on the bar stools.
The plus point was that it was in colour included within the entrance fee. The negative was there wasn’t much to read with only eight pages and very little editorial.MATCH FACTS
Oakwood 3
Clive Piller (16);
Kieron Purkis (47);
Marlon Maxwell (90+2)
Sidlesham 1
Dean Reed (85)
Attendance 50
Oakwood
1. Jesse Grimstone
2. Charlie Adsett
3. Mark Bevan
4. Gerald Manville
5. Marlon Maxwell
6. Grant Miller
7. Clive Piller
8. Jack Nourse
9. Kieron Purkis
10. Jamie Wanstall
11. Aiden Cawte
Subs
Mark Gilbert
George Smith
Liam Buchan
Sidlesham
1. Matthew Cohen
2. Stephen Williams
3. Connor Kelly
4. Joe Leggatt
5. Andy Carrigher
6. Thomas Jefkins
7. Joe Jefkins
8. Daniel Millins
9. Tom Bayley
10. John Phillips
11. Dan Bassil
Subs
James Smith
Paul Grantham
Dean Reed
Scouting report
Sitting towards the top end of Division One of the combi, Oakwood clearly have a lot going for them. They are a tight unit that work hard for each other. At the back, the defence is marshalled well by Gerald Manville. But it’s at the other end where they look most dangerous where the attack led by the nimble and quick-thinking Keiron Purkis will always make sure they get goals.
The only worry is weather they lack the resolve to eek out enough wins in a league which has some very good teams.
As for Sidlesham and it was hard to see why they are struggling so much. They are well organised and play some good football in the middle third. But their big problem is up front. And it said it all that when they took off their backward-looking number nine, it was only then that they started looking more dangerous. There should be enough there though to avoid the drop.
Littlehampton Town vs Shoreham
But there is one place in Sussex you can go which literally has it all – Littlehampton. In fact, not only are there golden sands, but there are also the Marigolds.
Littlehampton Town FC should be a club that’s on the up. Last season for only the second time in their history they won the County League title. But the manager who led them to that historic title, Mark Bennett, left just hours after lifting the trophy citing a fall out with the chairman. His replacement is 24-year-old striker George Gaskin, who’s been at the club since youth level. It was a slow start but finally, the Golds’ swagger which saw them come good in 2014/15 is returning.
The setting for the clash was the football pitch tucked in around the corner from the cricket. Given the amount of rain it was a minor miracle that the game got the go ahead in the first place. It was so muddy that Nomad nearly took a tumble on the walk round to the three rickety stands that line one side of the pitch. It was a good job it wasn’t in the stand itself as towards the back of the main one, there were bits of wood with nails poking out stashed on the back few rows – enough to liven up any dull game.
Fortunately the match itself was far from dull. One, because the football played was high-tempo with both teams looking to attack at any possible moment. And two, because both sides had a habit of SHOUTING VERY LOUD. Apart from letting the neighbours know there was a game on, it didn’t do much to bolster either defence as both looked very shaky. Town were the team to capitalise, scoring four in the first half to Shoreham’s one. As the defending got worse, the shouting got louder. In fact the chants were so loud, it overshadowed the stadium announcer and his antiquated speaker – which was such a throwback, it made Nomad think of bread and dripping washed down with Bovril.
Sadly, the tea shack did not have this combo on the menu. But they did pretty much everything else, with an extensive menu of hot food, cold snacks and drinks. It was a good job really as the large member-only signs and steep steps up to the clubhouse – called The Sportsman – made it far from inviting for any guests. In fact, the same could be said for some of the grumpy old home fans queuing for a half time cup of tea who were needlessly mouthy. They gave the impression that if you had not been around since the Golds first league win in 1991, then you weren’t worth the time of day. It may have only been a small group. But given there were about 20 people watching, it made for a far from comfortable experience. Which was a bit of shame, but you can’t have it all.
On to the second half and the game petered out a bit. The Golds’ excellent front line continued to harry the Shoreham defence with clever running along the visitors’ high back line before pouncing on through balls. But they could only add two more to their first half tally. At the other end, the Musselmen had plenty of possession but the bobbly pitch, lack of control and poor finishing saw too many of their efforts spooned high and wide. Full time came and the announcer reminded Nomad it finished 6-1.
So it was back in the car to warm up. A decent match with the better team coming out on top. But, as much as Nomad hates criticising anyone that keeps these clubs going, there were so many little things that made it a sub-par visiting experience.
Littlehampton Town
From the west, travel through Arundel leaving the A27 at Crossbush towards Littlehampton.Travel through Wick then turn left onto the A259. At the nest roundabout turn right onto St Flora’s Road. Directions are the same as above from there.
Below the Sportsman was the tea shack which despite operating from humble surroundings with a sliding hatch and a kitchen where you could swing a cat, there was an extensive menu. Judging from the eagerness with which people were chomping down the burgers and chips it seemed like decent fare. Hot drinks were reasonably priced and the service was friendly. Shame a couple of the locals queueing were so mouthy.
Littlehampton Town 6
6. Josh Bates
Subs.
Little Common 5
Nearly six months into the quest of visiting every single club in the newly-formed Southern Combination Football League, I can honestly say that I was totally wrong and wholly misguided. Because it’s only when you spend an extended amount of time around these clubs that you see the amount of work that these completely selfless individuals put in. The list of weekly jobs is endless but the enthusiasm never fails.
Ken was a one of a kind. Without him and the football club based on the north side of Bexhill would not exist. It was back in 1966 that the club was founded. Back then they were called Albion United. The club consisted of two youth teams playing in the local Hastings League. Changing facilities were non-existent.
In the 1980s there was a name change to Little Common Albion and then just Little Common. And then in 2002 a sports pavilion was built after the football club joined up with the local council and cricket club and were awarded a £262,000 lottery grant from Sport England.
It’s not the easiest ground to get to, especially on a cold Tuesday night in January. As one of the most easterly teams in the league any trip here will be a long one. But as long as you allow plenty of time and ignore the sat nav, once you drive through the yellow gate into the ample sized car park you’ll be sure of a warm welcome – even if temperatures are below zero.
After a minute’s silence the game kicked off and, despite a glimmer of frost on the long grass, the home side clearly had fire their belly. They harried and hurried their opponents. Arundel, known as the Mullets, did try to take the sting out of the tail by playing keep ball. But the uneven surface and pressing from the maroon shirted Commoners meant they kept on being dispossessed. Common’s tactic was then to play direct, with their pacey and able attackers running onto through balls expertly weighted in behind. And it paid off, with the home side scoring three times in the first 25 minutes. The only blemish was a penalty given away which Asa Nicholson converted for the visitors.
Half time came and it was only then that Nomad realised how cold it was. Despite three jumper and two pairs of socks there was a shiver down the spine and an inability to walk. A quick look at the thermometer showed the temperature had dropped to minus three. So after taking five minutes to waddle over to the clubhouse, the cup of hot chocolate and a £1 cheese roll went down a treat.
The man pulling the strings was skipper-player-manager Russell Eldridge. With his languid style, nice touch and shaved head, he resembled Atillo Lombard. He led the team by example and, when a penalty came early in the second half, he stepped up to put it away. He marked the goal not by sprinting to the left to celebrate in front of a rather neat stand with a dozen people packed in. Instead he turned to the right hand side of the goal where a simple tribute of a scarf, shirt and flowers to Ken Cherry had been made. Ken was not only his chairman, he was was also his granddad.
The rest of the game proved to be entertaining but not memorable.Common scored again and then spent the rest of the half keeping Arundel quiet, giving them space out wide and then clearing any crosses well clear.
Little Common FC
Nearest station: Cooden Beach (25 minutes walk)
Food and drink
Little Common 5
7. Jared Lusted
Subs
As for Arundel and this was just a bad day at the office. Whether it was cold or the long journey, they were caught napping early on as the Commoners punished them repeatedly for a high line. James Fernandes in goal had a poor game by his high standards. The whole team too seem to have issue with the bobbly surface. While they must be admired for playing from the back, time and time again passes went astray as the ground through a spanner in the works.There was also too much emphasis on going wide and not going forward. Tomorrow is another day.
Selsey 0
I’ve always wanted to venture out on to the Manhood. And so it was with great relish that the lottery of the January fixture list offered up a trip to Selsey, a town that sits right on the tip of the bit that sticks out.
It’s at this point that Nomad should offer a cautionary word. Any wanting to visit Selsey, whether it’s for the football or for the beach or birdspotting should be warned – it’s a bloomin long way.
Inside the ground was a nice stand on the far side with seating and standing under cover. And on the near side was a compact clubhouse with adjoining tea shack. It was a nice set up with plenty of cover on both sides. And boy, was it needed as the coastal wind was strong and the rain plenty. Quite how the team at Selsey got the game on and the pitch looking so good, Nomad had no idea. (I later found out the club have won groundsman of the year in the past – top job!)
Off the pitch though it’s clear they have plenty of things right. Being a long way from anywhere has its benefits as it means there’s a real strong community vibe. The players have few alternatives but to form a strong bond with the club from early years through to senior football. But that can’t be done unless the set up was good – and for that, the committee must be praised.
Into the second half and despite the chilling wind and driving rain – cold enough to chill a cup of soup in a matter of minutes – the confidence from the visitors started to tell. By the end of 90 they had bagged a further four goals, which was not fair on the home side but showed the youngsters what ruthlessness looked like.
From the A27 Chichester bypass, take the B2145 clearly signposted to Selsey. Follow the road all the way through Hunston and Sidlesham. Entering Selsey go straight over roundabout and straight over to mini-roundabout to traffic lights. Turn sharp right at lights into the car park for the Budgens supermarket. The car park to ground is on the far right hand side.
While there was no one serving behind the bar, there were two very smiley people in the tea shack out near the front of the clubhouse. Serving all the usual, it was decent stuff. The price was a little high but given the reduced entry and programme price, you couldn’t complain.
MATCH STATS
4. Jake Lintott
4. Iain Jarvie
They do have potential though and have potential to spring a surprise or two.
Bexhill United 1
Much like Worthing and Eastbourne, Bexhill is one of those places which is struggling to shrug off the tag of being a retirement village. On arrival at the train station in the heart of the town you can sort of see why. The runway up from the platform is full of pictures such as smiling 60 year olds walking in the countryside – the type of images you’d expect to see in a care home magazine.
My destination though was The Polegrove, a large expansive sports ground in the heart of the town. Two-thirds of the green space was taken over by the cricket pitch but the remaining section was the home of the Pirates.
I say Surrey as that’s where Bexhill’s opponents for the day had come down from – the red and yellow’s of Lingfield. Given the lengthy journey, it seemed like they were relieved that the ref waived concerns about frost and heavy rain to declare the pitch fit after a lunchtime inspection.
Before Nomad goes into detail, it should be said that both sides played with great energy, enthusiasm and integrity. Despite the bobbly pitch, both sides tried to play from the back and attack in numbers. The problems was that the defenders for home and away were well drilled, sniffing out any potential danger.
On to the second half and five minutes in Nomad had a moment – the visitors only had ten players. It turns out that one of Lingers’ centre half’s had been given his marching orders for a second yellow about five minutes before the break. Now, Nomad had seen the challenge – and the player walking away – but missed the first caution for kicking the ball away. If anyone finds my marbles, please send them back.
A good job too for the home side. As despite being a man down, Lingers never looked in danger in the second half. They defended like Spartans with Bexhill lacking the quality to break them down. Then as time neared, the Pirates’ player manager popped up to nod in the winner while the visitors asked for what looked like an obvious offside flag.
Bexhill United FC
From the west take the A259 coast road. At the Little Common roundabout take
Not much to look at but the Polegrove Lounge had a really nice feel. On walking in, the first thing you notice is the big screen at one end with Sky Sports on. There are plenty of chairs with nice views out onto the pitch, a darts board and at the top is a bar area which serves cold and hot drinks, as well as food. This was a bit tight, especially during the half time rush. But the service was great which made the wait worth it.
With no separate tea shack everything – from sausage rolls to sambuca – went through the bar. Nomad thought this was going to create problems, not least because space was limited. But, once navigating past the bar stools, it was clear everything was well thought out. For those drinking tea, there was a tea bag bin and milk on the bar top for people to sort themselves out. And hot food, such as pasties and sausage rolls, was cooked in the kitchen before being put in a hot cabinet. It was a good offering and you didn’t mind queueing as the staff were very attentive.
Bexhill United 1
7. Aaron Tudor
11. Matthew Burroughs
For the home side, player manager Marc Munday not only grabbed the winner but he marshalled the side throughout from the back. The other stand out was the skipper Josh Elliot-Neye, who was comfortable on the ball and combative off it. And wile Aaron Tudor showed some nice touches, the feeling I got was they a little more.
Carry on up the Combi 