An update on what's been happening in South-West London
Wandsworth Athletic steadily improved during the Autumn campaign, finishing fourth and recording an increased number of victories from the Spring. However, a defeat in the season’s final game meant the chance of a highly respectable third place finish slipped away. It was ultimately a period of improvement and promise, but still not quite up to the standards expected of this great club.
Unfortunately, in what seems like a recurring theme for the South-West Londoners, injuries cruelly struck again. Still missing long term absentees Andrew Michel and Sasan ‘Snoozun’ Molaie, Wandsworth were dealt a wretched hand when further casualties went down at regular intervals. Devastatingly, goalkeeper Matthew Snelling, practically an ever-present for the club since 2004, suffered a dislocated finger making a routine save during training. This was such a frustrating injury for all, and Snelling lucklessly missed out the momentous European tour to Valencia. Tim ‘Chimmy Changa’ Rickard also endured exasperation, returning from his long term injury problems only to be beset with further complications. Rickard was thankfully present for the action on Spanish soil, but was unavailable for most league fixture. Ben Lewis and Alex ‘Sand Dunes’ Platt also picked up knocks along the way, and it all made for a season of continuous upheaval and uncertainty. Everyone hopes the following campaign will bring the club more luck.
The journey kicked off with a dogged, if unspectacular victory over an under strength Grassy Knoll. Wandsworth huffed and puffed without much guile, but ground out an important 9-4 victory. A very impressive display next time out made it two wins from two. In a close encounter full of quality, Wandsworth showed their class to emerge 7-4 victors from the clash with Charlie Base. The goals were shared around the team, in what was very much a complete performance.
It should have been three from three a week later, with Wandsworth the better side against an ever improving Sham Marino. Yet with Snelling absent and the goalkeeper situation unresolved, Wandsworth were at times disorganised defensively and they paid the price for this by conceding two late goals. Taking the positives, Wandsworth were unbeaten after three matches and showing signs that this could be an encouraging period.
Momentum soon ground to a halt however, as the team in white came off second best against an average Hollywood 7 outfit. In a game full of needle, Wandsworth were unable to take advantage of impressive displays from Alex Platt and the returning hardman from Hungary, Istvan Borbely. This was to be the final league game for two weeks, as the squad jetted across the continent for tournament action in Valencia. With the flight departing on Friday morning, and the league organisers at Rocks Lane unwilling to grant flexibility to the fixture list, Wandsworth were unable to fulfill a Thursday fixture. There were more important, Mediterranean fish to fry.
On return from the exciting exploits in Valencia, the South-West Londoners were suffering from a European hangover, in more sense than one. It was understandable, therefore, that the following league fixture against an impressive Jerry Curl was one to forget.
In the next few days there was a sense of refocus though, helped by the addition of Liam O’Brien between the posts. O’Brien showed real quality in his four game loan spell, pulling off several superb saves. Despite this, Wandsworth were unable to halt the losing streak, coming off second best in a close game next time out. In what was becoming a worrying trend, Wandworth started slowly and sleepily, allowing an aggressive Gammon side to take early control. A superb fight back followed, but it was too little, too late. Despite the excellence of James ‘Jimmy the Jim’ Jarrett and a ‘Luiz Suarez’ goal from James Platt, the game ended with an 8-6 defeat.
It was crunch time for two-times champions; either they pulled together and ended the season with a bang, or allowed a promising campaign to fizzle out meekly.
Thankfully, Wandsworth chose the former. In a game of both excitement and errors, Wandsworth defeated Charlie Base 16-13, with all players getting their names on the score sheet. And the frantic action continued the following week. The team in white again overcame their customary slow start to surge past Sham Marino and win 15-10. Kyle ‘Tourist’ Soulsby had the game of his life, smashing home a magnificent eight goals. Sadly, this fixture also saw yet another injury though, as Borbely went down with a foot problem.
Wandsworth were desperate to finish the campaign with a third win in a row and a potential top three finish, but the final encounter was flat. A 4-2 loss was a disappointing climax to a season which offered plenty of encouragement in adversity.
Overall it was a campaign to be pleased with, if not completely satisfied. In a division packed with quality, Wandsworth held their own and came close to a very good finish. Considering the horrible number of injuries to contend with, it was a respectable effort, and an improvement on the previous season. Joey ‘The Don’ Hancock and James Platt were ever present, and there were consistent displays from Zaid ‘Shubba’ Shoubber and Lewis. Jarrett impressed during his three appearances, and O’Brien proved to be a very competent stand-in stopper.
Add the excellent showing in Europe into the mix, and this was an encouraging few months for the team in white. With Snelling back in training, Rickard due to return imminently and Michel making excellent progress with his rehabilitation, the future looks bright. Wandsworth’s rivals are right to be rattled.
End of season statistics (compiled by Andrew Michel)
Final Position: 4th
Games Won: 4
Games Drawn: 1
Games Lost: 4 (plus one fixture not fulfilled)
Goals Scored: 71
Goals Conceded: 77
Appearances
Matthew Snelling: 2
Ben Lewis: 5
Alex Platt: 7
Zaid Shoubber: 6
Kyle Soulsby: 7
Joey Hancock: 9
James Platt: 9
James Jarrett: 3
Liam O’Brien: 4
Istvan Borbely: 3
Tim Rickard: 2
David Lloyd: 1
Misha Mantel: 1
Goals Scored
Alex Platt: 5
Zaid Shoubber: 6
Kyle Soulsby: 16
Joey Hancock: 11
James Platt: 19
James Jarrett: 7
Istvan Borbely: 4
Tim Rickard: 1
Misha Mantel: 1
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