A Rocks Review

By David Seabourne

September began badly for the Rocks when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Isthmian South East outfit – and Sussex rivals - Burgess Hill Town. Playing at home, Hillians stunned Bognor with an opening goal from Lewis Finney after just two minutes. By contrast, the Rocks’ first real chance did not arrive until the 56th minute; Tommy-Lee Higgs finishing-off a rare Bognor attack with a shot that struck the right-hand post.

Though Bognor then upped their game in the search for an equaliser, Burgess Hill kept them at bay and Lewis Finney finished the game off with his second goal, deep into injury time.
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Matt Pattenden, a Summer-signing from Littlehampton Town, had missed both the August Bank Holiday home derby against Lewes and the trip to Burgess Hill following an injury he picked-up at Canvey Island a week earlier. However, he returned to a much-changed team for the away game with Enfield Town with manager Robbie Blake also bringing back Dan Gifford and skipper Harvey Whyte, and introducing Sutton United loan-signing Tobi Ogundega. The Rocks put on a much stronger performance this time around, with Matt Burgess, Lucas Pattenden, and Isaac Olaniyan all going close before Jasper Mather’s 14th-minute opener. Unbeaten Enfield were always a threat, however, and it was no great surprise when Sam Youngs equalised for them on 23 minutes. An exciting and even first half duly ended 1-1.

The second-half was equally well-contested; Joe Rabbetts putting the Rocks ahead for the second time before Joe Richmond headed another Town equaliser. Both sides then went for the winner - Dan Gifford going close for the Rocks late-on – but a draw was probably a fair result, though the travelling Rocks supporters were left reflecting ruefully on their side’s inability to hold-on to a lead.
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Unsurprisingly perhaps, Bognor fielded an unchanged starting eleven for their third away match in a row, at Cheshunt. And the Rocks appeared to make a promising start, with Isaac Olaniyan causing trouble on the left and Dan Gifford and Lucas Pattenden both going close. However, they struggled to find the final pass to capitalize on their early pressure a were made to pay! Cheshunt's pacy, long-ball game caused problems for the Rocks defence all afternoon and Ambers striker Nnamdi Nwachuku profited, scoring twice in the first half (on 14 and 42 minutes) before completing his hat trick early in the second half.

Though the Rocks continued to enjoy a reasonable amount of possession - and created some decent chances - their only goal came from a 70th minute penalty, blasted home by Dan Gifford after Jasper Mather was brought down by Anwar Moutawafik. After the game, Rocks boss Robbie Blake was severely critical of the naivety of his side’s defending, which he felt was the real difference between the teams.
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Now some commercial news - the Rocks’ Nyewood Lane ground has a new name. It will now be known as the MKM Arena, after the club sealed a deal with Chichester-based MKM Building Supplies.
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And it isn’t every day that a former Isthmian League player turns-out for England but that’s what happened on 12th September when Lewis Dunk was named in Gareth Southgate’s starting eleven for the match against Scotland at Hampden Park, winning his second cap. England came away with a 3-1 win, with Dunk playing the full 90 minutes.

Now Brighton’s skipper, Lewis was already with the Seagulls when he joined the Rocks on-loan as a 17 year-old back in 2010 – and he credits his time at Nyewood Lane with helping to prepare him for the transition from Academy to ‘proper’ men’s football in front of vociferous fans. Here’s hoping there are many more caps to come, Lewis!
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Back to the on-the-pitch action and the Rocks finally secured their first home league win of the season ion 23rd September in a 2-0 victory over Kingstonian at the MKM Arena, courtesy of second-half strikes from Jasper Mather and Calvin Davies.

Bognor enjoyed a good deal of possession in the first half but simply could not convert the chances they created. The breakthrough eventually came in the 63rd minute as Gifford intercepted a pass on the half-way line, advanced and set-up Mather whose powerful shot found the bottom left corner. Just three minutes later, the Rocks had a chance to double their lead from the penalty spot but Gifford’s strike was well-saved by K’s keeper Tolfrey. The score stayed at 1-0 into stoppage time, when Tolfrey came up for a last-ditch Kingstonian corner. But it was Bradley Lethbridge who cleverly won possession and found Calvin Davies, who was able to run the length of the pitch and score into an empty net.
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Some squad news now... the Kingstonian match was the last of Dan Gifford’s current loan spell and he has returned to his parent club, Farnborough. However, manager Robbie Blake is optimistic about the possibility of Gifford returning for another loan spell at the MKM Arena.

And as one loanee departs, two others arrive. Ex-Rock Jimmy Muitt is back at Bognor on a month's loan from National League Dorking Wanderers -- and went straight into the match day squad for the trip to Potters Bar Town. Rocks boss Robbie Blake said he was delighted to welcome Muitt, 27, back into the fold. He added: “We obviously know all about the qualities that Jimmy possesses and we are looking forward to working with him in a loan deal that is mutually beneficial to both clubs.”

Also joining the Rocks on a month’s loan is full-back Reuben Livesey-Austin, who plays for Worthing, in National League South. He, too, went straight into the squad for the trip to Potters Bar.
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The Rocks were back on the road on 30th September (their fifth away match in six games) as they travelled to Watkins Rise to take-on Potters Bar Town. It was a familiar story as Bognor dominated the first half but led by just one goal at the break, courtesy of Lucas Pattenden's 19th minute goal. Ten minutes into the second half, Leigh Rose equalised for the Potters Bar and though both sides then sought a winner, it finished 1-1. After the match, a rueful Robbie Blake said he was disappointed to leave with just one point but praised his team’s control, resilience, and work ethic.
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And finally… the Rocks have a home tie in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. They will play Hayes and Yeading of the Southern League, Premier Division South, at the MKM Arena, on Saturday 7th October.

Would you like to be a Supporter Correspondent for your club? Email Ian at townsendaround@gmail.com.

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