A Rocks Review- December 2023

The story so far….

It was fair to say that, as the last month of the year began, 2023-24 had been a frustrating season so far. True, there have been some excellent displays and impressive results. As yet however, for all their evident promise, Robbie Blake’s side had struggled to find any real consistency – which was perhaps why the start of December saw them in the lower half of the Isthmian Premier league table, having already exited both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy at the hands of lower-league opponents. They had, however, taken four points from their last two league fixtures (a win at Folkestone and a home draw with Margate), so maybe, just maybe…

One thing was certain; the season wasn’t about to get any easier, with seven matches scheduled including away trips to Dulwich Hamlet and Hastings United, and a Boxing Day derby at home to local rivals Horsham. If ever there was a time to find a bit of consistency, this was surely it!

A ‘new’ signing and a point at Dulwich

On 2nd December, the Rocks travelled to Champion Hill to take-on old foes Dulwich Hamlet, in front of more than 2,000 spectators. Manager Robbie Blake brought Alfie Bridgman into the side for this one; the former loanee and fans favourite now a permanent signing from National League South outfit Eastbourne Borough.

Hamlet started the livelier and Bognor arguably did well just to stay in the game during the early stages. But they gradually worked their way into the game and were more than holding their own when Dulwich scored the opener; a 36th minute strike from Manny Parry. Could the Rocks come back? The travelling supporters didn’t have long to wait for the answer; the impressive Tommy Lee-Higgs – a 20th minute substitute for the injured Dan Gifford – bagged the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. A hard-fought second half saw chances for both sides but produced no more goals so the Rocks added a hard-earned point to their tally and extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

Then the heavens opened…

Our next – and fiercest - opponent proved to be the weather; torrential rain left even the normally pristine, well-drained surface of the MKM Arena so waterlogged that the next two home fixtures – against Cray Wanderers and Wingate and Finchley – had to be postponed. Also postponed (twice!) was our Sussex Transport Senior Cup tie at Whitehawk. All have to be re-arranged. Who’d be a Fixtures Secretary?

A battle at Hastings…

On, then, to December 16th and another tough assignment; this time at The Pilot Field to take-on Hastings United, in front of another big crowd; 972 fans in attendance.

The Rocks went into this one with five players out through injury; Ben Anderson, Kieron Douglas, Dan Gifford, Jasper Mather and Craig Robson all missing. Perhaps that’s why the away side struggled to get into the game in a fast-paced first-half which Hastings dominated – though sterling work by makeshift defensive duo Danny Howick and Spencer Spurway limited their chances. At half-time, all Hastings had to show for their greater possession was a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a 24th minute penalty conceded by Joe Rabbetts and skilfully despatched by David Rodari. Would it be enough?

We don’t know what Robbie Blake said (or did) to his side during the break but it clearly worked. The Rocks took the game to their opponents in the second half and created several chances, either side of a 55th minute penalty nicely converted by Dan Smith after he was flattened by home ‘keeper Grainger. It’s fair to say that Bognor dominated the second half in much the same way that Hastings did the first, so perhaps the 1-1 scoreline was a fair result. Another creditable result certainly - and the Rocks now four games unbeaten.

After the match, a delighted Blake told Rocks Radio: “To a man we were unbelievable. To come through the postponements and the injuries, it just goes to show that we have to stop fearing teams and make sure that teams are fearing us because when we play like we did in the second half, we were immense.”

A gift on Boxing Day…

This year’s Boxing Day derby saw the Rocks back at the MKM Arena, hosting West Sussex neighbours Horsham. The Hornets are having a great season; seventh in the league with games-in-hand on the sides above them; only recently knocked-out of the FA Cup (after reaching the second round proper) and through to the fourth round of the FA Trophy. Another big crowd (1215) was on hand to see whether the Rocks could extend their unbeaten run to five games.

The second half saw Ben Anderson replacing the unwell Matt Burgess.

An exciting, evenly-contested, end-to-end first half somehow contrived to finish goalless though both sides created chances. The second half followed a similar pattern until, in the 63rd minute, the Rocks edged in front, courtesy of a superb finish from Lucas Pattenden to the delight of the home supporters and Lucas himself, who celebrated with a double backflip.

If anything, this simply spurred Horsham on to even greater efforts; manager Dom Di Paola making changes from the bench and urging his side forward. Though the Hornets were now enjoying greater possession, both sides were still creating chances and Pattenden came close to doubling the lead for Bognor on 82 minutes. As the minutes ticked-away, Horsham pressed strongly for an equaliser and the final result was in doubt until the dying moments, when Spencer Spurway sent Dan Gifford clear. Gifford raced forward and, with only the ‘keeper to beat, calmly steered the ball home. Cue a rapturous response from the home supporters and a win that saw the Rocks climb to 12th. .

Canvey Island ahoy…

And so to the final game of 2023. The Rocks, made just one change for the visit of Canvey Island; Ben Anderson stepping in for the ailing Matt Burgess.

In a slightly scrappy but evenly-contested first half, both sides created chances but the nearest we came to a goal was a 28th minute Canvey effort that beat Rocks keeper Ryan Hall but was adjudged offside. So, 0-0 at half-time and a chance for both managers to review their shape and tactics. Sure enough, the second-half was faster and more fluent – and the chances kept coming. Dan Smith went closest for Bognor on 50 minutes but it was Canvey who took the lead in the 57th, when a Conor Hubble free-kick found Jamie Salmon, who chested the ball down before steering it past Hall.

So, 1-0 to the away side and the Rocks pressed forward in search of an equaliser. This inevitably led to opportunities for Canvey on the counter and both sides went close as the clock ticked down. Into the last ten minutes and an exciting, close-fought encounter was becoming a little feisty. The Rocks finally snatched a deserved equaliser on 84 minutes, when a cross into the box found Harvey Whyte, who headed back across goal for Isaac Olaniyan to head home.

The final eleven minutes (inc five added) were fast and furious but brought only three late bookings. Final score 1-1 then; the Rocks up to 11th and unbeaten in six (two wins, four draws) after an eventful month in which they appear to have some consistency. Perhaps it’s not yet too late to dream of a late run towards the play-offs? We shall see. Next up, another stern test as the Rocks take-on old rivals Lewes, at the Dripping Pan, on New Year’s Day- and we'll bring you that in our next round up, early next month!

Thanks David- and if any of our fans would like to be correspondents for their club, get in touch!

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