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In
this heated and emotion charged post-Christmas
Mid Sussex derby, it was the Hamsters who came
away with the points following the biggest
winning margin in the clubs history on their
first visit to the Hippo Arena.
Manager
Scott McCarthy offered the traveling support a
late Christmas present, as he finally gave new
signing James Calver his debut in attack, with
Liam Elliott also making his first appearance
for the side since his loan move across town
from Mierosoft. Scott McCarthy played in goal
for the first time this season, while Lane and
Lloyd were re-united at the back. With Robert
Jones yet again unavailable, Kieran Elliott
started the game in the holding role, with
Chapman ahead of him and Dan Collin coming off
the bench to great effect
For
the Diamonds, an injury crisis saw Wright hand
out two debuts, and a reshuffled side would
always struggle against the flowing football of
the Hamsters, who were looking to continue their
100% start to the season. The tone for the game
was set early on, when Potters knee clashed with
McCarthys skull as the Hamsters keeper pulled
off a great save, and he required treatment for
a significant amount of time before continuing.
If anything, the bully-boy tactics of the home
side inspired the yellow army on, and they were
7 goals to the good before the Diamonds managed
to pull one back.
With
Calver pulling the strings on his debut, the
visitors always looked dangerous, but it was in
the second half when they really excelled. In
all good local derbies, passions tend to spill
over, and so it proved when McCarthy was again
involved in a clash with Potter. This time the
Hamsters keeper decided to confront his former
team mate, and the passion on the pitch soon
boiled over onto the terraces, with a number of
incidents, no doubt fueled by the high quality
ale available in the Stand Up prior to the game,
being dealt with by the superb Diamonds stewards
As
the Hamsters continued to dominate and extend
their lead, the Diamonds became further disillusioned,
and it all came to a head following a clash
between Peter Chapman and Jack Emmerson, making
his debut. Chapman, well known for controversy
throughout his career, appeared to pull back the
Diamonds defender, and a small fracade broke out
between Chapman and opposition manager Wright,
during which McCarthy joined in on the fighting
At
the end of the day, the Hamsters came away with
a 23-3 victory, and the margin of victory surpasses
the 19 achieved in 2004 against the Downlands
Legends. The game ended with 7 goals for Calver,
Liam Elliott grabbing 4, Chapman netting 2, Dan
Collin with 6, meaning he is just 4 away from
his century, Kieran Elliott getting 2, Dougie
Lane scoring one and McCarthy keeping up his
100% record from the penalty spot to grab his
first of the season. The only Hamster not to
score was Bert Lloyd, who somehow managed to back heel
two efforts wide with the goal at his mercy.
While
Wright will be disapointed with the manner of
his sides defeat, there is no denying that the
Hamsters deserved their victory and showed just
why they are one of the most feared clubs in Mid
Sussex. With both Neil Kane, Ian Simpson and
ultimately Robert Jones still to return, it is
frightening to think what they could achieve,
and Chris Nesbit must now be seriously worried
about the threat to his Barca Babes dominance of
Sussex football
While
the football was a joy to watch, the
controversial incidents will ensure this game
will live long in the memory, and more worryingly
could see both clubs deep in trouble with the FA
for failing to control their players, Mark
Potter for his 'Hunt-esque' challenge on
McCarthy, and ultimately Oliver Wright for
showing the Hamsters fans his backside midway
through the first half. With McCarthys men
having just escaped punishment for their illegal
tapping up of players, the club could do without
more controversy, and that is why McCarthy was
keen to play down the events that marred an
otherwise superb Mid Sussex derby
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