Playing well below their best, Place were pleased to take 3 points from this game against a defensively well organised Cosmos team. Place dominated the first half, Jamie Nicholson and David Sadler in particular looking lively, but both the effort and end product was somewhat lacking, including from a series of excellent corners put in by Josh Arnold. The Cosmos keeper was forced into a couple of smart saves in the first half, and Place skipper Joe Russell put a great header just wide from one of those corners, and despite the Place defence being in complete control of any Cosmos attacks, a 0-0 half time scoreline was probably a fair reflection. Place MoM Ethan Bradley made an immediate impact in the second half and it was his strong run into the box that caused confusion in the defence and led to the own goal that opened the scoring. His contribution to the second and third goals was even more direct, the second being fired in from about 12 yards after he was left unmarked in the box, and the headed third somehow escaping the keeper and defence and ending up in the net. He was only denied his hat trick by a last-ditch tackle after another strong run. Cosmos grabbed a late consolation as Place once again went to sleep but Place held on to secure the win.

Rovers stole the points with the last kick of the game after a competitive local derby at a sunny Worlds End. Rovers started the game much the hungrier, and Place were fortunate not to be 2 or 3 goals down after a torrid first quarter, only keeper Wills Brimacombe with a couple of outstanding saves and the woodwork, 3 times, keeping the scores level. Place gradually got their passing game together as the first half evened out somewhat, but Rovers still looked most likely to score, their best chance seeing Jack Wells hit the post and ex-Place player Rowan Osborne blazing the rebound over the bar when he looked certain to find the net. Both teams had their chances, but the first half ended goalless. Place took the lead early in the first half, Max Carey coolly slotting home after good work by the enegetic Ethan Bradley and with the Place back four of Atkins, Hill, Ellmer and Gillam looking solid, Rovers were struggling to create any clear chances. For Place, Carey continued to threaten, combining well at times with both with Josh Arnold on the left and Bradley on the right . The game opened up as Rovers sought an equaliser which came late in the game as Place skipper Joe Russell unfortunately poked into his own net scrambling to clear a Rovers corner. With time running out, another super save by Place MoM Brimacombe looked to have secured a share of the points, but from the ensuing corner, another scramble resulted in Jacob Hemsley toeing the ball into the net to secure the points for Rovers

Cuckfield Cosmos Athletic 1 - 5 Marle Place Wanderers

Place extended their recent good run of form with this comfortable and comprehensive victory over Cosmos. Despite missing a couple of players, including their keeper, through injury and illness, Place had the best of a scrappy start and took the lead after Ads Chilcott set up Jake Chantler's cool finish. Place wasted several chances to increase their lead as they dominated (stand-in keeper Josh Arnold did not touch the ball in the first half, Stu Ellmer in particular having a great game in defence), and it was top scorer Jamie Nicholson who eventually got the second their play deserved shortly before half time after James Atkins had burst strongly out of defence. The second half continued in the same vein on the greasy pitch, Max Carey grabbing the third from Chantler's pass, and Chantler bagged himself a second after good interplay between Chilcott and Joe Russell. A period of sloppiness allowed Cosmos to grab a consolation goal before Chilcott burst down the right and slipped the ball to Carey who calmly added the fifth and his second to seal a comfortable victory. There were good performances all over the pitch, but Place MoM goes to skipper Russell for a near-faultless performance in his holding midfield role.

Ifield Youth 0 : 2 Marle Place Wanderers

Although Place failed to match the intensity they showed last week, they still proved too strong for Ifield and completed another ultimately comfortable victory. Strong performances across midfield and defence, MoM the outstanding James Atkins in particular, meant Ifield were restricted to few chances, and when they did threaten they found keeper Will Brimacombe on his toes, with one smart tip-over early on catching the eye. Place took the lead half way through the first half, Jamie Nicholson latching on to Joe Russell's through ball and seeing his first effort saved but showing good persistence to nod in the rebound. Nicholson then clattered the woodwork with a well struck free kick, but otherwise Place were guilty of missing some good chances to put the game beyond reach at the break. Good work by Ads Chilcott, lofting the ball to Ethan Bradley who in turn released sub Iwan Griffiths who slotted home early in the second half to settle Place nerves and from then on they managed to dominate the game without ever hitting top gear. Chances were created, Chilcott and David Sadler working on the right more than once to send good balls across the area but the finishing touch was lacking. Ifield resorted to long ball tactics that the Place defence, including Jake Chantler who had a great game at unfamiliar for him left back, by and large dealt with comfortably, although Brimacombe was forced into one further good save when one through ball managed to evade the defence.

Marle Place Wanderers 3 : 1 Hurst Hornets

A Max Carey hat-trick against his former club helped Place give their high-flying neighbours title aspirations a real dent in this competitive local derby in probably their best performance of the season. Hornets shaded a tight first half in which Place keeper Wills Brimacombe made one smart save from a Hornets break and Place's Jamie Nicholson went close with a header from a corner. Goalless at half time but never dull as both teams sought an opening, it was Place who struck first soon after the break, Carey poking the loose ball into the far corner after a strong run by Jake Chantler. His second came shortly after, Hornets keeper Dan Jee somewhat unlucky to be beaten by Carey's speculative shot that took a wicked bounce he could do nothing about. At the other end, Brimacombe made another great save from a low, long range effort but was soon beaten by a free kick, although took a blow to the ribs as the ball came in. At 2-1 the game was still open, but by this stage Place were playing the better football, led by Captain Joe Russell having his best game of the season and a good challenge from Carey on Keeper Jee chasing a through ball allowed him to seize the loose ball and fire into the unguarded net to seal the points. Place MoM Carey for hist first hat trick for the club, but all 14 players involved can be delighted with their efforts.

Marle Pace Wanderers 1 : 4 Crawley United

A disappointing performance from Place saw them ultimately well beaten, even if the final scoreline is a touch harsh. The first quarter of the game was tight, neither team creating much in the way of chances. Place's best chance came when Jake Hill curled in an excellent free kick to Jake Chantler who just couldn't apply the finish. Within minutes, Crawley were ahead, a break through the centre being well finished. Place responded, Max Carey, in his first game back after breaking a wrist earlier in the season, testing the keeper with a low shot. Crawley also continued to threaten, but the scoreline remained 1-0 at the break. Place started the second half strongly, Josh Arnold in particular looking lively on the left, and Ads Chilcott came close to scoring after a strong run run but the Crawley keeper blocked well. Two pieces of sloppiness in giving away possession then led to a 3-1 deficit before Chilcott pulled a goal back with a neat turn an low shot. Any hope of a Place revival, though, were dashed when a long range shot proved too hot to handle for keeper Wills Brimacombe, leaving a simple tap in to kill the game. Place MoM James Atkins for yet another solid performance at centre back.

Southdown Rovers 2 : 2 Marle Place Wanderers

After heavy overnight rain, the heavy pitch contributed to a scrappy game where both teams struggled to make an impression despite the spice of a local derby. Rovers had the best of the early exchanges, and early on Place were thankful for Oli Gillam's last-gasp intervention. Place threatened briefly, Ads Chilcott releasing the lively Jake Chantler whose effort was deflected wide but the first half was generally forgettable, neither side really threatening until Rover's Jack Harford pushed Chilcott in the back for an obvious penalty, but the latter saw his penalty well saved by Rovers keeper and their MoM Luke Thatcher. The first half ended goalless, and although Rovers started the second half in the ascendancy, their policy of shooting from long range meant Place keeper Wills Brimacombe was largely untroubled. Place went close after good work by David Sadler and Jake Chantler but shortly after Rovers hit the post with Brimacombe beaten, they took the lead, Brimacombe saving well from the first effort but unable to cover the follow up which was calmly slotted home by Joshua Twigge-Molecey. Almost immediately, Rovers doubled their lead, Jack Wells firing in a low shot from the right. With the game drifiting away, Place's Jamie Nicholson, struggling with a hamstring injury, managed to get a shot in that Thatcher failed to hold and Chantler was first to the loose ball to score and give Place a glimmer of hope. With time running out, Place's Iwan Griffiths seized on to a loose ball in central midfield, stormed forward and unleashed an unstoppable shot that crept just under the bar to secure a share of the points for the team, and cap a good personal performance that earned him the Place MoM award.

Marle Place Wanderers 3 - 4 Cuckfield Cosmos United (Cup)

Cosmos turned up expecting an easy ride after beating Place 4-0 early in the season in the league, but Place's improving form of late meant this was a competitive, hard fought encounter from start to finish as the game excitingly ebbed and flowed. Cosmos definitely had the better of the early exchanges, but took the lead somewhat fortuitously as a long range speculative shot gave Place keeper Wills Brimacombe no chance. There were chances at both ends before Jake Chantler pressurised the keeper receiving a back pass and saw the clearance rebound off him in to the net to equalise. Cosmos looked most likely to score next, but couple of good blocks by Brimacombe and a superb covering tackle by James Atkins kept the scores level until weak defending allowed Cosmos through for a simple finish to make it 2-1. Jamie Nicholson almost equalised again just before the break after a great tussle, but saw his lob drift over the bar. Place came strongly out at the start of the second half led by Captain Joe Russell and after Jake Hill went close with a header from a corner, Ads Chilcott deservedly levelled the scores, twisting past a couple of players in the box and rifling the ball low into the corner. Cosmos made it 3-2 against the run of play, but with sub Iwan Griffiths holding and distributing the ball intelligently up front Place were still well in the game, and Nicholson equalised, seizing on to Griffith's flick and finishing well. Just as extra time looked likely, Cosmos sealed their place in the final after Place failed to clear their lines, the long range shot just creeping under the bar. Place MoM shared by the team as it was impossible to single out anyone in a game when all played their part.

Crawley United 5 : 6 Marle Place Wanderers

An outstanding MoM performance from Place's Jamie Nicholson secured the points, his five goals covering up for an otherwise sloppy performance that at times led to steam coming from manager Martin Gillam's ears. Despite Crawley starting the match with some neat football, Place were two up within minutes, Nicholson finishing after a neat through ball from David Sadler, and Ethan Bradley's cross somehow finding it's way into the net. Poor defending gifted Crawley a couple of goals and they also hit the post before Place keeper Wills Brimacombe made a superb double save, parrying a free kick and then somehow turning the close range follow-up shot over the bar. However, Crawley took a deserved lead shortly after when the Place midfield and defence failed to get a tackle in leaving a simple finish. Place equalised just before half time, Jake Chantler's run ending in a push inside the box for a penalty that Nicholson cooly converted. With Gillam's harsh (but fair) words ringing in their ears from half time, Place did improve, Josh Arnold on return from injury looking lively on the left and Iwan Griffiths doing a sterling job out of position in the centre of defence, but goals continued to look likely at either end. Nicholson's hat trick came courtesy of a storming run by Oli Gillam and after Place had another scare,clearing the ball off the line, Ads Chilcott sent a weighted ball through the middle to the rampaging Nicholson who finished coolly. Two superb Crawley goals followed to make it 5-5, before Nicholson was tripped on another run into the box, but this time his penalty was easily saved. The winning goal came from another Chilcott through ball, the defence by now terrified of Nicholson's pace, skill and strength and he calmly slotted home.

Marle Place Wanderers 6 : 3 Hassocks Juniors

After defeating Hassocks heavily in their two previous meetings this season, Place expected, and started off playing like they expected a walkover but were faced with an energetic and committed Hassocks side. Place did take the lead early on, Jamie Nicholson latching on to a superb ball from MoM Ethan Bradley and calmly finishing. Hassocks soon equalised, a long free kick from Jack Wilkins being met first time and thumped home by Sam Mason. Nicholson's shot was was then blocked by Hassocks keeper Dean Griffin but Jake Chantler was first to the loose ball and fired home. Wilkins then saw his fierce long range shot crash against the crossbar before Hassocks again deservedly equalised, poor defending from Place allowing Mason to get his second. Place wasted a couple of good chances to take the lead again, before doing so through Nicholson who raced on to Ads Chilcotts' through ball before slipping the ball under Griffin. Place upped the tempo in the second half, and soon increased their lead, Bradley bursting from midfield and finishing well. Nicholson showed good determination to make it 5 and complete a deserved hat trick before Wilkins got the goal his work-rate deserved. Chantler wrapped up the scoring with a good finish, although Chilcott and Nicholson both had good chances to improve the scoreline further. Referee the excellent Mark Parsons.

Marle Place Wanderers 5 : 2 AFC Brighton and Hove

Place flew out of the traps in this game, playing some wonderful passing football and racing into a 4 : 0 lead within 20 minutes. In their first attack, Jamie Nicholson, collecting a throw from Oli Gillam, forced his way into the box and the loose ball was forced over the line by Ads Chilcott. Chilcott then saw his long-range shot saved before Ethan Bradley thrashed the ball into the roof of the net after good work by Jake Chantler. The goal of the game followed, Chilcott's precision cross field ball being well controlled by Chantler who calmly finished in the far corner. It was Chantler again making it 4, the bustling Nicholson seizing on a weak goal kick and slipping a pass through to him for a simple finish. AFCB&H came into it a bit after the onslaught, Place keeper Will Brimacombe making one particularly good save when a through ball looked likely to lead to a certain goal, but the Place defence of James Atkins (carrying an injury), Jake Hill, Stu Ellmer and Gillam proved equal to most of what AFC had to offer. The start of the second half was scrappy as some poor decisions and niggling fouls broke up the pattern of the game, and AFCB&H pulled a goal back after sleepy defending by Place. The 4-goal margin was quickly restored, however, a good finish by the lively David Sadler after being put in by captain Joe Russell, who was having one of his best games of the season so far. AFCB&H's second also came from Place failing to take chances to clear the ball, but the result was never in doubt as Place finished strongly. Place MoM shared by the whole team for probably one of their best performances to date.

Hassocks 2 : 8 Marle Place Wanderers (Cup)

Goals - David Sadler (2), Jamie Nicholson (2), Jake Chantler (2), Iwan Griffiths, Ads Chilcott

AFC Brighton and Hove 2 : 1 Marle Place Wanderers

Yet again, Place were left rueing a series of missed chances after dominating this game for large periods, particularly in the second half. Both teams struggled to control the weight of their passing on the rock hard pitch at a breezy Neville Rec, but it was B&H, playing in to the wind, who had the better of the early exchanges. The ever-improving Place defence, however, was holding firm, although Stu Ellmer needed to make a couple of goal-line clearances and Wills Brimacombe one particularly smart save. B&H did take the lead just before the break, Place failing to clear a bouncing ball in the box leaving a simple finish. Place played some excellent football in the second half, David Sadler at the centre of much of it with some crisp passing and clever movement, supported in particular by Jamie Nicholson rampaging down the left, but several clear-cut chances came and went before B&H doubled their lead against the run of play, a quick break ending in a well placed shot giving Brimacombe no chance. Place fought on, and pulled a goal back through Ethan Bradley after good work again by Place MoM Sadler again but it was too little too late.

Saint Hill Blues 3 : 1 Marle Place Wanderers

Although ultimately leaving empty-handed, Place were satisfied at having pushed last year's A league winners to the limit in a fiercely competitive game full of good, energetic football from both sides. Blues had the better of the early exchanges, in particular attacking down both flanks, but found the Place back four in excellent form, James Atkins and Jake Hill in the centre of defence working particularly well, supported by Stu Ellmer on the left and Oli Gillam on the right. After a couple of fine saves by Wills Brimacombe, the pressure eventually told, and Blues took the lead, a glancing header from a free kick giving Brimacombe no chance. Place refused to be dominated, and soon equalised, Jake Chantler pressurising the defence into a poor clearance, winning the ball and feeding Jamie Nicholson who finished coolly in the bottom right hand corner. Blues regained the lead just before half time from another set-piece, Place failing to clear a corner and a looping shot from the edge of the box creeping under the bar. The second half continued in the same tight vein, both teams playing good football with some tough but fair tackling and maintining a high work rate and tempo despite the large pitch but it was Blues who sealed the points late on, a strong finish again giving Brimacombe no chance. Place MoM James Atkins for a superb performance at centre back, but the whole team can take credit for the way they stuck to their task.

Hassocks 3 : 8 Marle Place Wanderers

Despite the scoreline, this matched started evenly as Place were slow to get into their stride, allowing Hassocks too much time on the ball. Indeed, a Jack Wilkins free kick found it's way into the net early on, but Hassocks' celebrations were cut short when the referee ruled that the free kick was indirect and hadn't been touched. Place then took the lead through an unlikely source, defender Oli Gillam scoring his first league goal from close range after good work by Jamie Nicholson on the right. David Sadler then went close, before Hassocks levelled. Place then noticeably stepped up a gear, Nicholson forcing the ball over the line from a corner for 2-1, and Rowan Osborne lobbing keeper Dean Griffin superbly for Place's third. Osborne then repeated the feat with an even better finish before Nicholson completed the first half scoring, flicking the ball in from close range. Hassocks pulled a goal back soon after the resumption, Wills Brimacombe failing to hold on to Wilkin's powerful free kick. Place continued to create chances almost at will, with Max Carey and Ethan Bradley in particular looking dangerous, and it was no surprise when Osborne completed a superb hat trick, heading in Jake Chantler's pinpoint cross. Ads Chilcott was then tripped in the box at the end of a surging run from midfield, and stepped up to rifle the penalty low into the bottom corner before Hassocks got their third from a long range curling effort that looped over Brimacombe. To finish things off, Nicholson fired in Place's eighth from a tight angle to complete his own hat trick. Place MoM Rowan Osborne for three superb finishes in what was an excellent team performance.

Marle Place Wanderers 1 : 2 Wealden

Place will be disappointed to have come away from this game with nothing after dominating for long spells. Although there were few clear-cut chances, the first half was good to watch, both teams playing some neat and energetic football in the unseasonal blazing hot conditions. The best chance of the half fell to Place's Rowan Osborne, but he directed his shot straight at the Wealden keeper. Wealden's greatest threat came from that source, a series of enormous goal kicks and throws out testing the Place defence, but James Atkins and Jake Hill in the centre and Stu Ellmer and Olli Gillam at left and right back respectively were equal to everything that came their way. Place failed to capitalise on some great football after the break, Jamie Nicholson and David Sadler both proving a handful up front and both going close whilst restricting Wealden mainly to long range efforts. However, Wealden broke the deadlock against the run of play after seizing on to weak goal kick for a simple finish. Their lead was doubled almost immediately, a long range free kick somehow finding it's way into the bottom corner of keeper Will Brimacombe's net. Despite there only being a few minutes left, Place continued to attack, and, after Hill forced a decent save from a free kick, good work by Max Carey, having his best game for the club since joining, crossing from the right to Ads Chilcott who placed the ball in the far corner to create further tension as the game finished, but it wasn't enough as Place ran out of time. Place MoM James Atkins for one of his best games at centre back, referee Dominic Andrew.

Cuckfield Cosmos United 4 : 0 Marle Place Wanderers

After winning last week, Place came back down to earth with a bump as a failure to take their chances, coupled with several questionable offside decisions left Place on the wrong end of a scoreline that looks worse than it was. The strong wind, against Place in the first half, didn't help and after an even first quarter, Cuckfield took the lead after Place failed to clear a break. Jamie Nicholson, who proved a real handful to the Cuckfield defence all game, then missed a couple of decent chances before Cuckfield doubled their lead, a speculative free kick from long range somehow eluding everyone and finding the far corner. Jake Chantler came close to pulling one back, but Cuckfield scored a third before the break. The second half was much more even, and Place had several opportunities to score, with Rowan Osborne and David Sadler in particular both playing creatively, but a combination of profligate finishing, over-ambitious long balls and an unusual interpretation of the offside rule conspired against Place, and their fate was sealed by Cuckfield netting their fourth from a short corner routine late in the game. Place MoM Rowan Osborne for a lively performance on the left wing.

Marle Place Wanderers 3 - 1 Ifield Youth

After the disappointment of losing last week's opener so heavily, Place started this game in determined mood and were noticeably quicker to the ball than their opponents from the off. There were few clear cut chances until the excellent Rowan Osborne broke through the middle and saw his shot saved, but only into the path of Jamie Nicholson who was following up and easily beat the keeper. Place could have increased their lead before half time, but Ethan Bradley saw his superb header from Osborne's corner bouce of the woodwork to safety. Place started the second half in the same manner, putting Ifield under pressure all over the pitch. Ifield came close to equalising when a speculative shot had keeper Wills Brimacombe backpedalling, and he was no doubt relieved to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar. Jamie Nicholson then seized on to a long through ball from James Atkins only to see his header slip agonisingly wide, before David Sadler cleverly lofted the ball over the Ifield keeper from 20 yards to double Place's lead. Shortly afterwards, Ads Chilcott made the game safe with an strong run and great finish, before Ifield grabbed a late consolation from a corner. Place MoM not awarded as it was impossible to single any player out after a great team performance.

Hurst Hornets 7 - 3 Marle Place Wanderers

The season started with a disappointing visit to local rivals Hornets, although the scoreline made the defeat look worse than it was. Hornets took the lead mid way through the first half after Place failed to clear a cross and the ball was poked over the line, and went into the break 2-0 down thanks to a pwerful long-range shot from distance that gave Wills Brimacombe no chance. Place started the second half brightly, and soon pulled a goal back, Ads Chilcott coming from midfield, picking up a loose ball near the edge of the box and slotting it into the corner. No sooner had Place got into the game, though, the good work was undone , Briamcombe failing to hold onto a shot he as disappointed not to save. Place heads then dropped, and they conceded four golas in quick succession as Hornets took advantage. Somehow, Place did pick themselves up for the last few minutes and pulled a couple of goals back, the first through Max Carey (on debut) after a great crossfield pass from Jamie Nicholson and then Chilcott grabbed his second with a fierce shot from the edge of the box tat the Hornets keeper could only get his fingertips to. Place MoM Ads Chilcott.

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2011/12 Scorers

Jamie Nicholson - 18 (15 League, 3 Cup)
Jake Chantler - 10 (7/3)
Ads Chilcott - 9 (7/2)
Max Carey - 7 (7/0)
Ethan Bradley - 6 (6/0)
David Sadler - 4 (2/2)
Rowan Osborne - 3 (3/0)
Iwan Griffiths 2 (2/0)
Oli Gillam - 1 (1/0)