Ifield Youtth 4 : 2 Marle Place Wanderers
No match report
Cuckfield Cosmos United 2 : 1 Marle Place Wanderers 1
No match report
Marle Place Wanderers 5 - 2 Cuckfield Cosmos Athletic
Place returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Athletic. Both teams coped admirably with a strong wind, freezing rain and a heavy pitch to produce a decent game of football, Place taking and early lead after a super cushioned header from Jake Chantler, from an Ethan Bradley cross. Although Athletic threatened on the break, Place doubled their lead through Jamie Nicholson who poked the ball in from close range after Ads Chilcott battled his way through several tackles and slid the ball across the face of the goal. David Sadler was then denied by the otherwise excellent Athletic keeper by being tripped in the box, only for the kepper to redeem himself with a fabulous penalty save. Athletic then pulled a goal back with a cool finish after breaking through the centre, before Iwan Griffiths fed Josh Arnold who skillfully lobbed the keeper to give Place a 3-1 lead at the break. Soon after, Place grabbed a disputed fourth through an own goal, Athletic claiming the ball had gone out for a goal kick before being crossed and finding it's way into the net, and then Chilcott played Griffiths in who finished superbly to make it five. Place then relaxed a bit, and stood off a by-then rare Athletic attack allowing a somewhat speculative shot from distance that eluded Wills Brimacombe in the Place goal. Perhaps making up for earlier disputed goal, Place were then denied a clear goal after the ball crossed the line but was 'cleared' by the Athletic defence. Place MoM Ads Chilcott for a commanding performance in midfield.
TD Shipley 2 : 1 Marle Place Wanderers
Despite having the greater share of possession, Place fell to their second consecutive defeat, this time against a spirited TDS side at a wild and windy Bewbush. Place were almost camped in the TDS half in the early stages, Ethan Bradley in particular looking dangerous from his forward midfield position, but neither side were creating much in the way of clear-cut chances in the difficult conditions. TDS relied mostly on the breakaway and whilst looking occasionally threatening, the Place defence were coping well and rarely looked troubled at this stage. Iwan Griffiths, looking lively on his return to the Place side after more than 6 months out with injury came closest for Place in the first half but saw his shot well saved, and at the other end Place keeper Wills Brimacombe produced a smart double save to ensure the score remained goalless at half time. Place took the lead early in the second half, Man of the Match David Sadler pressurising the home defence before feeding Rowan Osborne who fired the ball home from the left into the far corner. Instead of inspiring them on to close out the game, Place, much to the annoyance of Manager Martin Gillam, dropped their tempo and TDS were soon level, weak defending allowing a run at goal and a strong shot that eluded Brimacombe at his near post. Unable to raise their game, Place then fell to a sucker punch, again standing off the TDS players and allowing a long range speculative lob which cleared Brimacombe to take the points.
Marle Place Wanderers 1 : 2 Ifield Youth
Previously unbeaten Place will be kicking themselves for losing this closely fought contest to their nearest rivals at the top of the table. Place got the perfect start after only a few minutes when Ads Chilcott surged from midfield through several challenges before rounding the keeper and coolly slotting home, and although both teams kept up a somewhat frantic pace throughout the first half, further genuine chances were at a premium as both defences held firm. James Atkins in particular was having a strong game in the centre of defence for Place, and when Ifield did make one of their regular fast breaks they also found keeper Wills Brimacombe in continuing good form. Jamie Nicholson went close just before the break after good work by Nathan Foley but the solitary goal separated the teams at half time. After decent chances at the start of the second half for Nicholson, Foley and Connor Froud, Place contrived to make a total mess of an attacking free kick, gifting possession to Ifield who broke upfield to equalise. This revitalised Ifield who went looking for the winner as Place faded somewhat, and this duly came as Place again gave away possession in midfield, allowing Ifield to attack and fire the ball past the helpless Brimacombe. Jake Chantler almost secured a share of the points late on but his effort was very well saved by the Ifield keeper. Place MoM James Atkins, game was referreed by the excellent Robin Parkes
Marle Place Wanderers 5 : 1 Cuckfield Cosmos Athletic
Place retained their unbeaten record at a wet and muddy Janes Lane with this ultimately comprehensive victory. After early chances went begging for Ads Chilcott and Jake Chantler, it was this pair who combined to open the scoring, Chantler latching on to Chilcott's through ball and calmly clearing the keeper. Skipper Joe Russell then headed just wide from Rowan Osborne's corner, before repeating the feat minutes later, this time finding the target well for 2:0. Russell was then denied what looked like a clear penalty as he was tripped from behind, and the end of the first half saw Cuckfield defending desperately, with Osborne, Jamie Nicholson and Nathan Foley all going close. Foley was unlucky not to score at the start of the second half as his goal-bound effort stuck in the watery goalmouth, and this was compounded by an immediate Cuckfield response as weak defending allowed a shot which squirmed under the otherwise excellent keeper Wills Brimacombe. However, with Oli Gillam clearing everything in defence, Place always looked the stronger, and they increased their lead with an excellent David Sadler finish from the edge of the box, another great strike by Russell and finally a close range effort from Chantler after good work on the left by Osborne. Place MoM Captain Joe Russell for his two superb goals and an excellent all round performance.
Marle Place Wanderers 3 : 2 Cuckfield Cosmos United
With both sides previously unbeaten this season, it was no surprise this game started with both a high tempo and commitment from everyone on the field. There were early chances at both ends, with David Sadler, Ads Chilcott, and Jamie Nicholson all threatening for Place early on and in defence the Place back four of Jake Hill, James Atkins, Stu Ellmer and Oli Gillam looking very solid in front of the excellent Wills Brimacombe. The breakthrough prompted a stellar 10 minutes for Place, and Nicholson in particular, as his and Sadlers' continual pressurising of the Cosmos central defence allowed him to bag a quick hat trick. The first was poked in from a corner, the second followed a wonderful pass from Oli Gillam and the third was a cheeky chip from a Hill through ball. Not suprisingly, and to the annoyance of boss Martin Gillam, Place eased up a little at the start of the second half and allowed Cosmos back into the game and although they had chances to put the game well beyond the reach of Cosmos, a lack of composure in front of goal, coupled with a couple of decent finishes from the Cuckfield team led to a very tense last 15 minutes but Place ran out deserved winners to preserve their unbeaten record. Place MoM Keeper Wills Brimacombe who made several key saves and commanded his area with real authority.
Marle Place Wanderers 5 : 1 Cuckfield Cosmos Athletic
Marle Place Wanderers 7 - 1 Hassocks
Place maintained their position at the top of the division with this convincing victory over their local rivals. After a lively start, Rowan Osborne opened the scoring with a strong shot on the turn into the top corner. Place played some lovely passing football in the first half, and extended their lead when Jake Chantler calmly slotted home after latching on to Oli Gillams excellent pass. An own goal led to the third, after great work by the lively David Sadler and this was followed by another own goal as Hassocks wilted under the barrage of pressure, this time following Osborne's excellent cross. It was Chantler who knocked in the fifth just before half time, Osborne again the provider. Place lost their shape somewhat at the start of the second half but did eventually create further chances, Jamie Nicholson nodding in no. 6 from a corner and slotting in no. 7 after good work again by the inspirational Gillam. Hassocks managed a great consolation goal by Jack Wilkins, who broke through and beat Wills Brimacombe from the edge of the box. Place Man of the Match was Rowan Osborne, the match was refereed well by Rhys Kervill
Marle Place Wanderers 4 : 0 TD Shipley
An ultimately comfortable win for Place, goals coming from David Sadler (2), a Joe Russell penalty and Jamie Nicholson
Hurst Hornets 4 - 2 Marle Place Wanderers (Cup)
Local rivals Hornets and Place, now in the A and B divisions of the league respectively, met in this keenly contested cup match. Although Place had the better of the early exchanges, Rowan Osborne forcing a good save from the Hurst keeper and David Sadler looking dangerous breaking from midfield, it was Hurst who took the lead when a cross from the right was headed into the far corner. Further Place chances followed with Ads Chilcott having a particularly strong game dominating the centre of midfield but Hornets doubled their lead by being more alert and seizing on to a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble and forcing it in. Osborne came close to pulling a goal back following good work by Jake Chantler, but Place undeservedly went in at half time 3-0 down after a long passback to Place by Hornets after a break for an injury eluded keeper Wills Brimacombe and ended up in the net. Sportingly, Hornets allowed Place's Sadler to walk the ball into the net near the start of the second half to cancel out their freak third, but Hornets restored their 3 goal cushion by again being first to react to a loose ball and forcing home. Place to their credit did not let their heads drop, and with 20 mins to go Osborne's sharp left foot finish gave some hope but despite further chances at both ends, Josh Arnold and Nathan Foley in particular working hard and Brimacombe atoning for his earlier error with some good saves , the game ended 4-2. Place MoM Ads Chilcott, referee the excellent Ben Churchyard.
TD Shipley 3 : 3 Marle Place Wanderers
Place lost their 100% record with this disappointing performance against their Crawley hosts. Despite dominating possession for much of the game, Place had little composure in front of goal , failing to convert their many chances and somehow found themselves 3-0 down after some serious lapses at the back gifted TDS a healthy lead. The first was a headed goal direct from a corner which went unchallenged, the second a backpass that somehow found it's way into the net and the third from sleepiness at the back that allowed the TDS stiker a clear run and simple finish. Just before half time Place did pull one goal back, Rowan Osborne's effort from the right hand corner of the box curling into the far corner of the goal. After some strong words at half time (fast becoming a theme for Place), the lively David Sadler made a good run down the left before feeding Jamie Nicholson who calmly slotted home to give Place some hope. The game then drifted somewhat for both teams, not helped by some very petty and unnecessary refereeing decisions that continually interuppted the flow of the game. With minutes to go however, Nathan Foley poked Ads Chilcott's through ball into the corner for the equaliser, his second important goal in as many games after getting the winner last week. Place MoM shared by Stu Ellmer and Ads Chilcott.
Ifield 1 : 2 Marle Place Wanderers
Both teams made a lively start to this game and although Ifield started to get the better of the early exchanges in difficult (and worsening) conditions, they found the Place defence in superb form, the starting back four of Oli Gillam, James Atkins, Jake Hill and Stu Ellmer confidently preventing much in the way of clear-cut chances. When Ifield did break through, Keeper Wills Brimacombe was equal to the task, making a couple of brave stops. Just before half time, Place took the lead after Rowan Osborne's shot slipped through the Ifield keepers'grasp in the muddy goalmouth. The second half started with another great Brimacombe stop and although Place were pressing further up the pitch and creating more chances, Ifield equalised with a strong shot after Place failed to get a challenge in as the ball came through the centre. Place immediately hit back with what proved to be the winning goal, Ads Chilcott feeding Osborne who flew down the left and fired the ball across the keeper who parried well, but the ball fell to Nathan Foley who calmly slotted home his first goal for the club. Jake Chantler, Josh Arnold and David Sadler all caused problems for Ifield later in the game as Place played down the clock to register their fourth win out of four. MoM Oli Gillam for a fantatsic job at right back. Referee Alex Patten.
Hassocks 1 : 5 Marle Place Wanderers
Unbeaten Place took the lead early on, Oli Gillam's free kick finding Jamie Nicholson who ran on to the ball and skilfully lobbed the Hassocks keeper. Place stand-in keeper Josh Arnold could do nothing about the Hassocks equaliser, the through being fired into the top corner. Place then proceeded to lose their shape and went in to a stern half time talking-to from Manager Martin Gillam. This had the desired effect as a different team appeared for the second half, playing some lovely football and not giving Hassocks a chance. Place regained the lead through the excellent Rowan Osborn from the left, before Joe Russell's perfectly weighted pass allowed Jake Chantler to collect the ball and calmly slot home. Russell himself then got on the scoresheet with a mazy dribble and good finish, before, amazingly, Place substitute, usual keeper Wills Brimacombe, unable to keep due to broken fingers sustained in a playground accident headed in Osborn's corner. Place MoM Jake Hill for a faultless performance at centre back.
Marle Place Wanderers 7 : 0 Marle Place Rangers
Wanderers dominated this Marle Place derby from start to finish, and soon took the lead through Rowan Osborn who skillfully headed in Jake Chantler's cross. Osborn then doubled his tally with an effort from distance across the goal that eluded everone and went in at the far corner. Rangers did have one effort that went perilously close before the excellent Jamie Nicholson bagged a couple of goals to give the Wanderers a four goal cushion at half time. Skipper Joe Russell, who dominated midfield with Ads Chilcott, unluckily headed on to the post early in the second half before Nicholson completed his hat trick with neat finish. Unsurprisngly given the scoreline, Wanderers started shooting at will and wasted several good chances before a super finish by MoM David Sadler and a left footed effort by Chantler completed the scoring. Referee Rhys Kervill.
Cuckfield Cosmos Athletic 0 : 2 Marle Place Wanderers
Place kicked off their season with an ultimately comfortable win over Athletic but left manager Martin Gillam with some clear areas on which to focus his attention in early season training. The first half was a scrappy affair as both teams struggled to get into any kind of rhythym and although Place dominated possession they failed to create much in the way of clear-cut chances, although the back four looked extremely solid throughout, not allowing Athletic a single on-target attempt. Jake Chantler had a couple of decent efforts in his first game as striker for Place and skipper Joe Russell also put one shot narrowly wide, but 0:0 was probably a fair half time reflection of the game. The quality of play improved markedly in the second half, with the excellent Stu Ellmer and Rowan Osborn in particular combining well down the left, and it was Osborn's pass that led to the opener, Chantler calmly slotting into the far corner. Several chances followed before new signing David Sadler capped a good performance with his first goal, converting Nathan Foley's corner. Place MoM was Stu Ellmer for a great all-round game at left back and the game was refereed with calm authority by Simon Parks.
