The last game in November was the local derby away at Nutley, when our previously goal shy team found their scoring boots as we ran out 7-1 victors.

Sticking with the 5-4-1 formation that had worked so well the previous week at Hassocks, the only changes to the line up were Brian Gow, in for the absent Felstein, and Adam Smith in for Lee Stevens, who has decided to leave the club. We were quickly into our stride and soon found the rhythm and tempo that had been so effective against Hassocks. With just ten minutes on the clock we got the early break through when Pedley put his back post header past the keeper to make it 1-0. We seemed to sit back slightly after taking the lead and Nutley did not let their heads drop. They continued to play their football and were soon back on level terms, scoring direct from a free kick on the edge of the box. We then stepped up the tempo again as we looked to regain the lead and immediately we started to cause Nutley more problems. The lead was duly restored on the half-hour when McPhail rose the highest to glance a header into the back of the net – his first goal for the 1st XI. By halftime the lead had been extended to 3-1 with a goal five minutes before the break from Pedley, his second of the match. A McDougall free kick proved too hot to handle and the keeper could only parry it straight to Pedley who volleyed the ball home off the post from 12 yards. We started the 2nd half as we finished the 1st …on the front foot and completely controlled the game throughout, managing to add a further four goals. Pedley completed a second half hatrick to take his tally to five; the pick of which was an overhead kick from twelve yards. The seventh and final goal came from 2nd half substitute Noodles – played through by Pedley he struck it first time, with the outside of his right foot, past the keeper from 20 yards.

This was an excellent performance and a thoroughly deserved victory that had been coming for a few weeks…more of the same please!

 

1	Matt Clift
2	Kevin McDougall
3	Richard Ambrose
4	Tim Burchett (C)
5	Dale Mayhew
6	Martin Verrall
7	Karl Harrison
8	Brian Gow
9	Andy McPhail
10	Phil Pedley
11	Adam Smith
12	Noodles
14	Matt Harding
15
	Goal Scorers: Phil Pedley (5), Andy McPhail, Noodles