REVIEW OF SEASON 2011/12 – "THE YEAR WE WON THE TREBLE"
Dorset Premier League
The previous season (2010/11) we had finished in third place in the league so we knew we weren’t that far off having a good side. Manager Kevin Leigh introduced several new signings to the squad for the start of the season and with this added quality and strength in depth, things began to take shape.
The opening game of the season was a nice home fixture against Hamworthy Utd Reserves and the team performed beyond our expectations by winning 11-0. What a start and this was quickly followed by a midweek visit to local rivals Sherborne Town and again we ran amok, winning 6-0 ! A 4-1 away victory at Merley Cobham and an 8-0 thrashing of Shaftesbury made it four wins out of four and a stunning goal tally of 29 goals in our first four games.
The pace slowed a bit (as it had to eventually) with a 3-1 home victory over Poole Borough but we then came unstuck in our next fixture, losing 2-0 to Wincanton at home. This was a setback and we struggled a bit in our next two matches, winning 2-1 at home v Bridport Reserves and 3-2 away at Sturminster Marshall. We were struggling to keep a settled side during this period with injuries and suspensions kicking in so it was good that we were still getting the victories and the three points. Parley away was next and a 25 yard screamer by Aaron Mead into the top corner capped a confident display and a 3-0 victory.
A visit to Swanage Town followed and unbelievably we lost 1-0 ! I say unbelievably as it was one of the most one sided games I have seen this season but somehow we missed chance after chance and Swanage scored with their only shot on target. So, ten matches played and two defeats was not bad and kept us near the top, but there was a long way to go and some big matches to come.
In match 11 we got back on song with a 3-1 victory over Holt at Alvington but stuttered again in the next match, drawing 3-3 at Blandford after being 2-0 down after 5 minutes.
Moving into November we had a tough schedule, and one we knew could make or break our league challenge. In particular, an away match at Hamworthy Recreation followed by a visit to Portland the following week would be tough as they were the teams currently out in front in the race for the league title. First, though, we had Weymouth at home and we won that one comfortably by 4-0. Next up was Ham Rec away and there is no doubt we rode our luck there as they missed a penalty with 10 minutes to go and we had to hang on with 10 men for the remainder of the game to escape with a 1-1 draw. What this game showed was that we were a tough team to beat and had the battling qualities required when up against it. League leaders Portland away was the next challenge and once again we got a good point with a 1-1 draw. This match was memorable for a penalty save by Ashley Knibbs in the first half and a thumping equaliser by Dean Corden after Portland had gone ahead. Two successive draws but hard earned points which may be crucial in the final day of reckoning. We returned to winning ways with a satisfactory 3-1 defeat of Chickerell at home and this was followed by a visit to Cranborne which saw us scrape through 2-1 with a last minute Sam Jarman header.
Our first match of the New Year was a local derby at Tintinhull. These games are always a bit of a worry but we absolutely destroyed them with a scintillating 5-0 win. Due to a quirk in the fixtures, the following week saw us face Tintinhull in the return match at Alvington and again we were fairly easy winners, this time by 3-0. We kept our winning run going and made it 5 wins on the trot with a 3-0 victory at Hamworthy Utd Reserves . This was followed by a 3-2 home win against Parley with a late goal by Lewis Morgan claiming all three points.
Another derby followed with the visit of Sherborne Town to Alvington and another Lewis Morgan winner gave us an odd goal victory by 2-1. Cranborne were the next visitors and this time we made them suffer with an 8-0 victory, giving us our eighth successive league win.
A tough fixture away to Weymouth followed and again we had to battle hard for our 2-0 victory, a Mike Rousell brace securing the points. A comfortable 3-1 win at home to Blandford and another home win by 4-0 against Merley Cobham made it 11 wins and we were right back in the race for the title.
We were now into April and the games were coming thick and fast. A midweek trip to Shaftesbury gave us a bit of a fright when we found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time, but one again we showed our battling qualities to win 3-2, Lewis Morgan again getting the winner this time from the penalty spot to secure our twelfth straight win. Now came a run of games that we knew were absolutely crucial to our league challenge. Hamworthy Rec then Portland at home followed by Wincanton away. These were the first three in the table but we were lying fourth with games in hand so really at this stage the title could go to any one of these four clubs. Hamworthy Rec were first up at Alvington and we blew them away in the first 20 minutes by which time we were two goals in front and it could have been more. Rec pulled one back but we ran out good winners and three crucial points were gained. The following week Portland came to Alvington and after a close first half it was 0-0 at half-time. Mike Rousell notched the vital first goal for Sports and although Portland equalised they eventually capitulated to fast Westland attacks and we ran out winners by 5 goals to 1. Substitute Leo Hayward’s pace destroyed Portland’s defence in the second half and he scored a couple in a storming display. The defeat of league leaders Portland by such a margin sent shock waves around the league and, added to our previous win against Hamworthy Rec, made us real championship contenders.
However the next game was a midweek trip to Wincanton, the only team to have beaten us at Alvington and they themselves were unbeaten at home all season. A big test for us but once again the team dug deep and two goals from Marc Caines put us in the driving seat at half-time. Wincanton did pull one back in the second half and pressed us hard but our defence was resilient and once again we emerged with the three points. What a run of games, three wins against the three main contenders for the league title and 15 straight league victories in a row.
Now the situation was clear. We had six games left and needed 16 points to be sure of winning the title. Portland and Wincanton were now out of the running leaving Hamworthy Recreation and ourselves to battle it out. Our next match was at Chickerell and we didn’t perform very well, a late goal giving us a draw and ending our winning run. That meant we had used up our two point buffer, and assuming Hamworthy won all their remaining games, we would need to win our last 5 to grab the title. After the disappointment at Chickerell we travelled to struggling Poole Borough on the following Saturday determined to get back on the rails. A crushing 6-1 victory brought us back to winning ways and a similar 6-1 result the following Saturday at home to Sturminster Marshall kept the pressure on.
Three to go and the next match was at home to Swanage Town, who had been the last side to defeat us, 1-0 back in October, so a tough match was expected. Swanage, however, turned up with a scratch side and we showed them no mercy, winning by a crushing 18-1 scoreline, 7 being scored by Sam Jarman. At the final whistle the news came through that Hamworthy Rec had lost 3-0 at Holt and this meant we only needed 1 point from our last two games as the goal difference was well in our favour now.
The two remaining matches were away to Holt, the conquerors of Ham Rec, and away to Bridport. We travelled to Holt on Tuesday evening 15th May and it proved to be a historic night. It was a hard bumpy pitch and it was a hard physical match. We controlled the first half and with the score 0-0 at the break the situation was on a knife edge. Then in the 60th minute Marc Caines scored the match winning, and title winning, goal. A superb individual effort which showed great composure under pressure and one which must go down as the goal of the season. We held firm to the end and the 1-0 victory gave us the league championship with a game to play.
We still had to play Bridport and that match was a bit of a celebration which we won by 5-1. This match also saw Sam Jarman score two goals which won him the league’s “Golden Boot” award for the season. The match also saw us complete a run of 26 league games undefeated, a run which saw us lift the league title.
Dorset Premier League Cup
Preliminary Round, away to Sturminster Marshall. This was tough draw and we battled through it well. Goals from Sam Jarman, Marc Caines and Mike Rousell gave us a 3-1 lead but a late goal by the home team made it a tight finish.
Round 1, away to Bridport Reserves. Any away draw is difficult in a cup tie and this one was no exception. A first half Dean Corden goal and a second half penalty by Sam Jarman saw Sports through to the next round.
Round 2, away to Chickerell United. This game was not as comfortable as the 3-0 winning scoreline suggests. Chickerell fought hard the whole way but Sports defended well and punished Chickerell with fast raids. San Jarman put us ahead early on and Marc Caines and Matt Day added two more in the second half.
Semi-Final, away to Swanage Town. This was a real thrilling cup tie which we won by 3-2 in the end. Twice Swanage took the lead in the first half and twice Lewis Morgan equalised to make it 2-2 at the break. A Sam Jarman header midway through the second half put Westlands through although it took a great save from Ashley Knibbs in the last seconds to keep Swanage at bay.
Final, v Hamworthy Recreation at Dorchester Town FC. A classic final which went all the way to penalties to decide the winners. Rec took the lead early on but Dean Ritchie levelled just before the interval. Again Rec took the lead but again we fought back to equalise through a great solo effort from Marc Caines. In the penalty shoot-out the pressure got to the Hamworthy players and they missed their first two kicks. Westlands kept their nerve and banged in four without a miss to take the cup.
Somerset Senior Cup
Round 1, home to Tintinhull. Not a good draw for us, a local derby and a team from the Dorset Premier League but at least we were at home. As it turned out we demolished them in the first half with goals from Marc Caines, Dean Corden and Sam Jarman and then played out the second half to win 3-0.
Round 2, away to Dundry Athletic. One of these dodgy away draws in the Somerset Cup. A short, sloping pitch and an opposing team wound up to create a shock can be a potent mix. Nevertheless we coped well, holding them to 0-0 at half time and then taking control as they tired in the second half. Ian Harris opened the scoring for Sports and Sam Farthing completed the 2-0 victory.
Round 3, away to Cheddar. This match was a different kettle of fish. We knew all about Cheddar having played them twice in recent years and we knew they were one of the best sides in the Somerset County League. After a couple of postponements we travelled to Cheddar to play under floodlights on a cold and wet night so it really was a mountain to climb. We were 1-0 down at half-time but to our teams credit we silenced the home support in the second half by taking over the game and late goals from Marc Caines and Steve Burton gave us victory. This win should not be underestimated and it must be a contender for match of the season.
Round 4, away to Peasedown Athletic. Again a tricky match on a bumpy, uneven pitch which can be a bit of a leveller. Sports, however, always had this one under control and a goal in each half from Dean Ritchie and Sam Jarman put us through with a 2-0 victory.
Semi-Final, home to Winscombe. Our opponents this time were again an unknown quantity but as they had reached the semi-final we assumed they would be tough opponents. Winscombe, however, were caught cold and found themselves 2-0 down in four minutes. By half-time it was 5-0 and the final score was 8-0. Not what you expect from a cup semi-final but Westlands showed no mercy and hat-tricks from Dean Ritchie and Lewis Morgan plus a brace from Leo Hayward finished them off.
Final, v Cutters Friday at Street FC. We had played our opponents a couple of seasons ago and beaten them 3-1 but the general feeling was they had improved since then and they had beaten Wincanton in the semi so we knew they must be a useful outfit. It turned out to be quite a good game and although we dominated early on and took the lead through George Mapletoft they equalised from the spot to make it 1-1 at half-time. Two headed goals in the second half from Marc Caines and Mike Rousell saw us lift our second cup of the season.
And so the season was concluded with the record books being re-written:
· A 36 match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to October 8th 2011
· 22 straight wins from 3rd December to 24th April.
· Only 2 defeats in all competitions all season.
· A record 18-1 win in the Dorset Premier League.
An astonishing fact to emerge is that George Mapletoft, in his first season at the club, has played every match this season ! No injuries, no suspensions, no holidays, never dropped, George has maintained an incredible high standard of defending throughout and he was a deserved winner of the “Supporters Player of the Season”.
The final summary is that we have witnessed a historic season and one which has never been achieved before and may never be achieved again. The ‘treble’ of Dorset Premier League Championship, Dorset Premier League Cup and Somerset Senior Cup is a fantastic achievement considering we played a total of 47 competitive matches in all three competitions.
MATCH APPEARANCES
47 George Mapletoft
42 Rich Lindegaard, Ben Cochrane
41 Sam Jarman
39 Marc Caines
38 Ashley Knibbs
34 Steve Lindegaard, Steve Burton
31 Dean Ritchie, Dean Corden
30 Ollie Wake, Mike Rousell, Matt Day
28 Lewis Morgan
23 Haydn Binding
21 Leo Hayward
20 Rich Parkinson
14 Andy Smith, Tony Cunningham
11 Jason Sims
8 Sam Farthing
5 Gary McAuley, Ian Harris, Tom Coggins, Jason Bundy, James Smith
2 Jon Ritchie, Aaron Mead, Ant Herrin, Danny Call
1 Jon Vance, Stu Smith, Pete Ireland, Keith Emerson, Matt Newens
In total, 35 players played for the team during the season.
SEASON 2011/12 GOALSCORERS
38 Sam Jarman
27 Marc Caines
22 Lewis Morgan
17 Mike Rousell
13 Dean Ritchie, Dean Corden
11 Matt Day
8 Leo Hayward
4 Ben Cochrane, Steve Lindegaard, Steve Burton
2 Sam Farthing, George Mapletoft, OGs
1 Rich Parkinson, Aaron Mead, Ian Harris, Haydn Binding, Gary McAuley
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