The 2013/2014 season was a very mixed season for WCFC. Pre-season started with an influx of new players and the season begun with manager Keith Tomsett having to rotate players in an attempt to keep everyone happy. The first game of the season was one to forget as Henfield totally dominated Chilt and fully deserved their 3-1 victory. However, only four days later Chilt secured the Walter Rossiter memorial shield with a 9-8 penalty win over Cowfold FC.

Unfortunately in early October, WCFC favourite Ryan Ashley decided to make a move to Upper Beeding to achieve more game time and play in his favoured centre forward position. October was a bad month in the league as WCFC suffered defeats to Hunston and Lancing United. However, November began with a phenomenal 5-0 victory against Champions elect Bosham FC, with Dan Clayton scoring an excellent brace and causing Bosham issues all afternoon.

We suffered our heaviest defeat of the season in mid December when Henfield once again tore us apart with a convincing 4-0 victory. Henfield were the first team in a number of years to do the double over Chilt, and they fully deserved both victories. They were easily the best team we played this season. Although WCFC also suffered a last minute 2-1 defeat away at Cowfold just after Christmas, the performance was something to be proud of as we were missing 10 first team players.

Following the long lay off Chilt returned with a tough 1-1 draw away at Bosham, which featured three new debutants Ryan De Gruchy, Paul McCafferty and Glenn Whitaker. The signings of these players coincided with Chilt’s best section of the season, which included a tremendous victory away at Newtown Villa. A great 3-0 win for WCFC with many players missing.

The last few weeks of the season were not great for Chilt as we suffered defeats in all three of our midweek fixtures against teams that we had beaten in the reverse fixtures. The final game of the season lifted the gloom though as Chilt completed a 5-0 win against Lancing United.

Highlights

Defensive record – Overall, we have been very good defensively this season. Sean Holt has been immense all season and totally deserved his players player award. Scott Pulling and Scott Wolters are our most consistent performers and are getting better with age. Josh Daly has made the left back position his own over the past couple of seasons. Finally, David Williams is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and has had another great season.

Team spirit – Even with a number of new players joining the club this season, the team spirit is still fantastic. Another bonus is that there is much better cohesion between the first team and the reserve team.

New clubhouse – This is currently being built and looks absolutely fantastic. Cant wait for the beginning of next season where we get to use this brilliant facility and the return of our famous bacon rolls.

Disappointments

Home Form – WCFC only dropped 2 points at home during the 2012/2013 season, however this season our home form was poor. We actually picked up more points away from home.

Player availability – Lack of player availability has caused selection issues nearly every weekend and this has led to a lack of consistency in the first team. 39 different players made at least one appearance for the first team in the league.

Centenary cup being cancelled again.

Statistics and awards

Most Appearances = Sean Holt (25)

Most League Appearances = Sean Holt (20)

Top goal scorers = Gary Weedon (11, goal ratio 0.46), Dan Clayton (10, goal ration 0.5), Dan Leppard (10, goal ratio 0.42)

Players player = Sean Holt

Man of the match award = Gary Weedon

Biggest win = Bosham at home and Lancing United at home (Both 5-0)

Heaviest defeat = Henfield at home (4-0)

Team Cautions = 20 yellow cards, 1 red card

Goal of the season = Either of Dan Clayton’s against Upper Beeding

Team win percentage = 50% all competitions. League = 45.4%

Player win percentage (minimum 10 appearances)

Tom Freeman = 58.3%
Scott Pulling = 57.1%
Scott Wolters = 55.6%
Dan Clayton = 55%
Gary Weedon = 54.2%
David Williams = 52.2%
Sean Holt = 52%
Craig Pulling = 50%
Jordan Mitchell = 50%
Josh Daly = 47.6%
Matt Langley = 47.4%
Craig Dawson = 47.1%
Dan Leppard = 45.8%
Ben Richardson = 43.8%

Points taken from opponents (Home and Away)

Bosham – 4 points
Newtown Villa – 6 points
Holbrook – 3 points
Henfield – 0 points
Wittering – 6 points
Lavant – 4 points
Faygate – 3 points
Cowfold – 1 point
Hunston – 1 point
Upper Beeding – 3 points
Lancing United – 3 points

2013/2014 WSFL Premier Team of the Year (this team is picked based on the games WCFC played against each team – It is perfectly fine if you disagree)

Robert Chiverton (Hunston) – Pulled off the greatest save of the season against us at Hunston. Matt Langley smashed the ball towards the goal from close range but somehow Chiverton kept it out from the bottom corner. Remarkable.

Simon Pike (Cowfold) – Always solid whenever he plays against West Chiltington.

Dan Davis (Holbrook) – Seems much improved this season and scored two goals against us our 2-1 home loss to Holbrook.

Tom Gander (Henfield) – One of most commanding centre halves in the league. Strong in the air and poses an attacking threat from set pieces.

Ben Tucker (Cowfold) – Another Cowfold player who never seems to put a foot wrong against us.

Perry Northeast (Hunston) – A class act in both games against Chilt this season. No surprise that Hunston’s form dipped dramatically when he left the club. He orchestrated play from a deep lying central midfield position.

James Smillie (Henfield) – When Henfield beat Chilt 4-0 in December, Smilie produced one of the most complete displays I have seen in the WSFL Premier division for a few years. Won every duel and used possession intelligently.

Brad Miles (Bosham) – Caused many problems for Chilt in the 1-1 draw at Bosham. Scored one goal and hit the bar from fully 35 yards with a great volley. Very clever off-the-ball movement.

Ollie Parsons (Henfield) – One of the best players in the league when he is on his game, as he was against Chilt in both fixtures. Skillful performer who has a quality left foot.

Steve Scott (Henfield) – The best striker we have faced this season. A quality hat-trick against us in the first game of the season and then another goal against us in December.

Dan Measom (Lancing) – A tricky player who scored two well taken goals against us at Croshaw.