Read on for a full report of Wandsworth Atheltic’s European debut in Valencia
As 10 supreme athletes boarded a Valencia-bound flight from Gatwick on Friday 14th October, excitement reached a new high. Wandsworth Athletic were en route to a prestigious European five aside competition, and expectations were abound.
The atmosphere on the 14.15 reached fever pitch as the squad took their seats, with fans and air hostesses alike thrilled to come face-to-face with their heroes. The club had introduced a strict ‘no-autographs’ policy to keep the players focussed on the job at hand, although defensive enforcer Alex ‘Sand Dunes’ Platt was spotted signing a local’s jersey on arrival. Given the hype, he could be forgiven for this one small discrepancy.
Escorted directly to the team hotel, Wandsworth reportedly enjoyed a light tapas dinner before retiring for an early night ahead of Saturday’s action. Morning soon came and Wandsworth, resplendent in their exclusive new red European kit and tracksuit, boarded the coach to Futbol City, a top-class football facility where dreams would be made or lost.
Following an emotional pre-tournament rally from injured trio Andrew Michel, Matt Snelling and Sasan Molaie, Wandsworth stepped into the October sunshine to begin their adventure.
First up was high-class opposition from Hungary in the form of Csabagyongye, a side with a strong European track record. Wandsworth set the tempo early, hitting the Eastern Europeans with strong, but fair, challenges. These were not well received, but the local referee known affectionately as Ramires let the game run in admirable fashion. Despite ruffling their opponents, Wandsworth looked to be suffering from nerves and Csabagyongye ran out 2-0 winners.
It was vital to register some points in the next encounter against local side 1980 Team, and again Wandsworth employed a physical approach, snapping into tackles and hustling the experienced Spanish side. Tempers flared, but Wandsworth began to boss the game and the crowd soon erupted when the South West Londoners took a deserved lead. James Platt won the ball in the corner and cut back to the onrushing Tim ‘Chimmy Changa’ Rickard, who fired home emphatically. It was a particularly poignant moment for Rickard having missed 14 months of football due to foot and back injuries. He had worked towards this momentous tour all summer and everyone connected with the club was thrilled to seem him open the Wandsworth account.
The game continued to be played in 1980’s half but Wandsworth could not find the crucial second goal. Kyle ‘Tourist’ Soulsby was harshly dismissed for a tangle with 1980’s veteran centre half, and in the ensuing confusion Wandsworth presented the Spaniards with a freebie. It was undeserved, but an important lesson in keeping concentration. The game finished 1-1. Wandsworth were up and running, slowly but surely.
Constructively using the frustration of giving away two points, Wandsworth stormed into the next encounter with English side Triple D, and a first win was achieved. This was a superb performance from the two-times domestic champions, full of energy and crisp attacking play. Soulsby was the star of the show, firing home an excellent hat trick and tormenting the opposition defence with his relentless running. James Platt also got his name on the scoresheet as Wandsworth ended the match 4-2 winners. Again there were lapses in concentration, allowing Triple D a glimmer of hope in the second half, but overall this was a very good display. Wandsworth were beginning to surge in the sunshine.
As the final game approached, frantic calculations were being made by all sides in Group A. Csabagyongye had secured top spot, but every other team remained in the running for the crucial second place and qualification for the knockout competition. At one stage Wandsworth could have potentially finished anywhere from second to fifth and so points were vital in the final tie against County United, a very good side who been low on luck in their previous games.
Wandsworth were growing into the tournament though and a high quality match ensued, with both sides going all out. The game ebbed and flowed. Wandworth went 1-0 down but roared back with a second tournament goal from the ever improving Rickard. Then it was 2-1, but again Wandsworth came back with a strike from James Platt. As the team in red pushed for a winner the final whistle went. Some tense moments followed as points were totted up, but Wandsworth had done enough. One win, two draws and a defeat left the South West Londoners on five points, securing second position and a place in the prestigious quarter finals. This was a superb effort considering the shaky start. Confidence was building and the squad began eagerly anticipating the knockout stages. And what a tie it promised to be. Lozenetz City from Bulgaria awaited. Four wins from four in the group stage, tournament favourites having won two previous European campaigns, a team that thrived on bullying and intimidation. But if there’s one thing Wandsworth don’t lack, it’s courage.
It was time to batten down the hatches. This was going to be explosive…
“THESE BULGO DOGS ARE SO RATTLED!!” roared the impassioned crowd. The noise had reached a crescendo. The atmosphere was electric. And everyone watching had just witnessed the moment of the tournament. Alex Platt had smashed through Lozenetz’s top boy. He had won the challenge fairly. He had surged forward. He had fired the ball into the bottom corner. It was 1-0 Wandsworth.
And my word was this Bulgarian side rattled. Accustomed to terrorising opponents into submission, Lozenetz City had met their match. They were not expecting this. They were not ready for a team totally united and ready to put their bodies on the line for the cause. They had not played Wandsworth Athletic before.
It was such an impressive start from the team in red. Wandsworth utterly dominated. But crucially, the second goal did not come. Despite the relentless drive of Ben ‘Romeo Engine Brad Pitt’ Lewis, the running of Soulsby and Alex Platt, the creativity and spark of Joey ‘The Don’ Hancock, Wandsworth just couldn’t find that second goal. It was to prove costly.
On the stroke of half time the key moment came. Alex Platt had been ludicrously sent off for simply standing his ground and Lozenetz desperately tried to get back into the game. A speculative pot shot took a horrible deflection and Zaid ‘Shubba’ Shoubber was left stranded. It was particularly cruel on Shoubber who performed magnificently in this tie. Filling in as an emergency keeper, Shoubber made save after save and showed great ability and responsibility.
This deflected fluke of a goal was sadly the turning point. Wandsworth, exhausted after such a challenging group stage, tired and Lozenetz ruthlessly took advantage, scoring two second half goals that they scarcely deserved. The game finished 3-1. Wandsworth were out at the quarter final stage, but heads could most definitely be held high.
What an experience it was. For a debut in European competition, this was an impressive display from Wandsworth, who were drawn in a tough group but battled through stoically. The players involved – Shoubber, Soulsby, Lewis, Alex Platt, Rickard, Hancock and James Platt – must all be commended for giving their all. No one left anything in Futbol City and you could never accuse these players of not putting in a shift. Special praise is reserved for Soulsby, who finished top scorer, and Shoubber, who was unofficially declared Player of the Tournament by his peers for a courageous display between the sticks, particularly in the final game. Enormous praise also goes to the three injured players – Michel, Snelling and Molaie. None of this trio wanted to miss out, and all had been cruelly struck with injuries. Yet their presence, their coaching, their words of encouragement and their unwavering support definitely played a vital role in the on-pitch success. With these athletes potentially back in action soon, Wandsworth promise to be a major force when they return to Europe next year.
Following the football on Saturday, Wandsworth remained in the city for two nights to enjoy the October sunshine. Several tabloid rumours have since circulated surrounding the conduct of the team, but official club sources have declined to comment.
One local taxi driver fondly recalled the visit from the famous team in white and red however. He took a particular liking to one unnamed player, although suggested he had an unhealthy desire for “the chicas”…
Official Tour Statistics (compiled by Andrew Michel)
Players:
3. Ben Lewis
4. Alex Platt
6. Zaid Shoubber
7. Joey Hancock
11. James Platt
19. Kyle Soulsby
20. Tim Rickard
Group Stage Results:
Game One vs Csabagyongye (Hun)
Lost 0-2
Game Two vs 1980 Team (Spa)
Drew 1-1
Game Three vs Triple D (Eng)
Won 4-2
Game Four vs County United (Eng)
Drew 2-2
Knockout Stage Results:
Quarter Final vs Lozenetz City (Bul)
Lost 1-3
End of Campaign Team Statistics:
Games Played: 5
Games Won: 1
Games Drawn: 2
Games Lost: 2
Goals Scored: 8
Goals Conceded: 10
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: Kyle Soulsby, Alex Platt
Scorers:
Kyle Soulsby: 3
James Platt: 2
Tim Rickard: 2
Alex Platt: 1
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