Laverstock & Ford produced a blistering attacking display, scoring three times in each half to see off Eversley & California in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
Saturday saw BotP back on the road for a 166-mile round trip to Wiltshire for a first ever visit to The Dell, home of Laverstock & Ford. Not only was this a new ground for me, it was also a new one for the visitors. In fact, these teams had never met before.
Both sides play their league football at Step 5. Laverstock, The Bulldogs, finished fifth in the Wessex Premier League last season, losing out on penalties to Portland United in the play-off final, after a 0-0 draw. Eversley, The Boars, finished one place and one point above the Combined Counties Premier South drop zone after a final day 3-0 defeat of Redhill. Both teams are yet to claim a league pint in this campaign.
Last season's FA Cup saw The Bulldogs beat Cowes Sports, Horndean and Hythe & Dibden before going out in the 2nd Qualifying round to their very near and bigger neighbours, Salisbury. Eversley lost to Horndean in the round before they played Laverstock. This will only be their third FA Cup game and they are still looking for a first cup win.
When I go to a new ground, I normally mention the condition of the pitch in the section about the ground. However, in the case of the playing surface at The Dell, I think it deserves mentioning up front. Their groundsman, John Pike 'JP', deserves a medal for preparing such a beautiful surface for today's game. We all know what the recent dry spell has done to most pitches but not The Dell, which boasts a smooth, flat and verdant surface. Truly an oasis. John is described as a club legend in the programme. I can see why.
Both sides play their league football at Step 5. Laverstock, The Bulldogs, finished fifth in the Wessex Premier League last season, losing out on penalties to Portland United in the play-off final, after a 0-0 draw. Eversley, The Boars, finished one place and one point above the Combined Counties Premier South drop zone after a final day 3-0 defeat of Redhill. Both teams are yet to claim a league pint in this campaign.
Last season's FA Cup saw The Bulldogs beat Cowes Sports, Horndean and Hythe & Dibden before going out in the 2nd Qualifying round to their very near and bigger neighbours, Salisbury. Eversley lost to Horndean in the round before they played Laverstock. This will only be their third FA Cup game and they are still looking for a first cup win.
When I go to a new ground, I normally mention the condition of the pitch in the section about the ground. However, in the case of the playing surface at The Dell, I think it deserves mentioning up front. Their groundsman, John Pike 'JP', deserves a medal for preparing such a beautiful surface for today's game. We all know what the recent dry spell has done to most pitches but not The Dell, which boasts a smooth, flat and verdant surface. Truly an oasis. John is described as a club legend in the programme. I can see why.
Kennedy about to save Bourner's penalty Lavvy were kicking towards the River Bourne end in the first half, and began the game in a very lively manner. Former Salisbury strike Devon Arnold, making his debut for The Bulldogs, set the tone in the fourth minute when he got the first strike on target, even if visiting goalkeeper Lyall Kennedy made a fairly simple save.
The passing and movement of the Laverstock team, in particular the Arnold brothers, was already causing big problems for the visitors, who were chasing shadows at times.
Lyall Kennedy had already been a busy man between the sticks for Eversley, and was called into action again after 12 minutes, throwing himself to his left and making a very good save from Adam Bourner's freekick.
Kennedy, however, was beaten just a minute later when Devon Arnold was sent clear down the left. His pace kept him clear of the defence, allowing him to calmly slot the ball across Kennedy into the far corner. 1-0.
It was no more than Lavvy's dominance deserved and, just four minutes later, they doubled their lead. Carson Arnold made the break down the left, sending the ball across the face of goal, where it found Cameron Roach coming in from the opposite wing. He unselfishly squared the ball to Devon Arnold who squeezed the ball past goalkeeper and defender to make it 2-0. Eversley were visibly rattled and things quickly got worse for them when Devon Arnold was presented with another chance, dead centre and inside the box. The debutant made no mistake, wrapping up a hat-trick inside 6 minutes and all before we had reached the 20 minute mark of the game. 3-0
It could have been even worse for The Boars just past the midway point when Kennedy came to rescue to thwart Arnold's attempt. Then, almost immediately, Archie Lovegrove was felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Adam Bourner stepped up, but Kennedy went the right way, making a superb diving save to his left.
Kennedy was then at it again before the half-hour, blocking from Kennedy once again before, on 32 minutes, Eversley mustered their first effort at goal. Even then, Freddie Robins was off target with his 25 yard strike.
Devon Arnold then turned provider, slipping in a ball for Roach to run onto. His shot beat Kennedy, but also flew wide of the upright.
Finally, with the half closing in, Carson Arnold tormented the visiting defence again, turning his marker inside out before striking from a narrow angle. Kennedy pushed it out but only as far as Devon Arnold. However, for once the number 9 couldn't find the finish.
HT Laverstock & Ford 3 Eversley & California 0. Lavvy's passing and movement has proved to be too much for Eversley. The Bulldogs' dominance demonstrated by the fact that Zach Roberts, in the home goal, did not have to make a save throughout the half.
The passing and movement of the Laverstock team, in particular the Arnold brothers, was already causing big problems for the visitors, who were chasing shadows at times.
Lyall Kennedy had already been a busy man between the sticks for Eversley, and was called into action again after 12 minutes, throwing himself to his left and making a very good save from Adam Bourner's freekick.
Kennedy, however, was beaten just a minute later when Devon Arnold was sent clear down the left. His pace kept him clear of the defence, allowing him to calmly slot the ball across Kennedy into the far corner. 1-0.
It was no more than Lavvy's dominance deserved and, just four minutes later, they doubled their lead. Carson Arnold made the break down the left, sending the ball across the face of goal, where it found Cameron Roach coming in from the opposite wing. He unselfishly squared the ball to Devon Arnold who squeezed the ball past goalkeeper and defender to make it 2-0. Eversley were visibly rattled and things quickly got worse for them when Devon Arnold was presented with another chance, dead centre and inside the box. The debutant made no mistake, wrapping up a hat-trick inside 6 minutes and all before we had reached the 20 minute mark of the game. 3-0
It could have been even worse for The Boars just past the midway point when Kennedy came to rescue to thwart Arnold's attempt. Then, almost immediately, Archie Lovegrove was felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Adam Bourner stepped up, but Kennedy went the right way, making a superb diving save to his left.
Kennedy was then at it again before the half-hour, blocking from Kennedy once again before, on 32 minutes, Eversley mustered their first effort at goal. Even then, Freddie Robins was off target with his 25 yard strike.
Devon Arnold then turned provider, slipping in a ball for Roach to run onto. His shot beat Kennedy, but also flew wide of the upright.
Finally, with the half closing in, Carson Arnold tormented the visiting defence again, turning his marker inside out before striking from a narrow angle. Kennedy pushed it out but only as far as Devon Arnold. However, for once the number 9 couldn't find the finish.
HT Laverstock & Ford 3 Eversley & California 0. Lavvy's passing and movement has proved to be too much for Eversley. The Bulldogs' dominance demonstrated by the fact that Zach Roberts, in the home goal, did not have to make a save throughout the half.
Lavvy looking for more goals The expected push from Eversley in the early part of the second period never really happened. Instead, the determination and drive was still with the home side, demonstrated by their captain's drive from midfield, skipping past a couple of challenges One of which was a clear foul) and progressing deep into the opposition territory. The surge was halted by a fair challenge on the edge of the box, but it was a signal that Lavvy were not happy to just sit on their three goal lead.
Sure enough, with ten minutes of the second half gone, they increased their advantage. Carson Arnold terrorized the Eversley defence down the left again, only this time he went solo, cutting inside into the penalty area before unleashing a low drive into Kennedy's bottom left corner. 4-0
The game was clearly beyond the visitors now, if it hadn't been earlier, and just past the hour the home team added another. Chae Sykes, on as a substitute, chased down a long ball, doing very well to get there and pressure the defender. The Bulldogs striker managed to slip the ball square to fellow substitute Hubert Cegielka, who proceeded to smash a low shot past Kennedy for 5-0.
We were now firmly in damage limitation territory for Eversley, with Laverstock's name already in the hat. Archie Lovegrove came close to extending the lead, not once, but twice inside 30 seconds. First of all he sent a low drive flashing narrowly wide and then saw another strike beat Kennedy only to come back off the foot of the post. The same player then brought the best out of Lyall Kennedy again when his goal bound header was saved by the Eversley keeper. Confidence was soaring in the home team, demonstrated by Kai Storr's 40-yard thunderbolt that flew only a few inches over Kennedy's bar.
To their credit Eversley, although well beaten, did not throw in the towel. Striker Kallum Peart showed some good footwork to open up a shooting opportunity, but slid his 80th minute shot well wide. Back at the other end, Kennedy's dual with Lovegrove continued, with the visiting keeper coming out on top again, flying to his right to keep out another effort.
Approaching the final five minutes, Jeevan Panesar tried his luck for Eversley, again failing to trouble Roberts, before another Lavvy substitute, James Budgell, was very unlucky to see his curling effort come back off the visitors crossbar.
Lavvy, however, were to have the last say of the game when Chae Sykes was found on the edge of the box, stroking the ball past the exposed Kennedy to make it 6-0.
FT Laverstock & Ford 6 Eversley & California 0. As comprehensive a victory as you are likely to see. Lavvy dominated the game from the first minute and never let up. Eversley, as far as I can remember, did not register a single shot on target. Credit to their goalkeeper Lyall Kennedy who was arguably the player of the match, making a series of excellent saves. However, I am sure that Devon Arnold would dispute the PotM title. A six-minute hat-trick on your debut takes some beating as an introduction.
Both teams are back in league action on Tuesday evening, looking for their first points. Laverstock make the trip to the coast to face Bournemouth Poppies who also lost their opening league game and were defeated by Downton, at home in the FA Cup. Eversley, meanwhile, are back at Fox Lane for the visit of Fleet Town who have four points from their opening two league encounters, but also went out of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Melksham Town.
Laverstock & Ford: 1.Z.Roberts, 12.F.Roberts, 2.H.Roberts, 4.Bourner(c), 5.B.Campbell-Smith, 6.Watson, 10.T.Campbell-Smith, 8.Lovegrove, 9.D.Arnold, 17.Roach, 11.C.Arnold. Subs: 7.Jackson, 14.Budgell, 15.Stanley, 16.Sykes, 17.Storr, 18.Cegielka, 19.Cooper
Eversley & California: 1.Kennedy, 17.Webeley, 23.Pantony, 25.Fitzgerald, 26.Jawandha, 6.Fowler(c), 7.Ellis-Vassell, 8.Robins, 9.Peart, 30.Allen, 11.Panesar. Subs: 13.Hybert, 14.Bird, 15.McDonagh, 16.Hyseni, 22.Pressler, 32.Higgins, 20.Sanchez
Sure enough, with ten minutes of the second half gone, they increased their advantage. Carson Arnold terrorized the Eversley defence down the left again, only this time he went solo, cutting inside into the penalty area before unleashing a low drive into Kennedy's bottom left corner. 4-0
The game was clearly beyond the visitors now, if it hadn't been earlier, and just past the hour the home team added another. Chae Sykes, on as a substitute, chased down a long ball, doing very well to get there and pressure the defender. The Bulldogs striker managed to slip the ball square to fellow substitute Hubert Cegielka, who proceeded to smash a low shot past Kennedy for 5-0.
We were now firmly in damage limitation territory for Eversley, with Laverstock's name already in the hat. Archie Lovegrove came close to extending the lead, not once, but twice inside 30 seconds. First of all he sent a low drive flashing narrowly wide and then saw another strike beat Kennedy only to come back off the foot of the post. The same player then brought the best out of Lyall Kennedy again when his goal bound header was saved by the Eversley keeper. Confidence was soaring in the home team, demonstrated by Kai Storr's 40-yard thunderbolt that flew only a few inches over Kennedy's bar.
To their credit Eversley, although well beaten, did not throw in the towel. Striker Kallum Peart showed some good footwork to open up a shooting opportunity, but slid his 80th minute shot well wide. Back at the other end, Kennedy's dual with Lovegrove continued, with the visiting keeper coming out on top again, flying to his right to keep out another effort.
Approaching the final five minutes, Jeevan Panesar tried his luck for Eversley, again failing to trouble Roberts, before another Lavvy substitute, James Budgell, was very unlucky to see his curling effort come back off the visitors crossbar.
Lavvy, however, were to have the last say of the game when Chae Sykes was found on the edge of the box, stroking the ball past the exposed Kennedy to make it 6-0.
FT Laverstock & Ford 6 Eversley & California 0. As comprehensive a victory as you are likely to see. Lavvy dominated the game from the first minute and never let up. Eversley, as far as I can remember, did not register a single shot on target. Credit to their goalkeeper Lyall Kennedy who was arguably the player of the match, making a series of excellent saves. However, I am sure that Devon Arnold would dispute the PotM title. A six-minute hat-trick on your debut takes some beating as an introduction.
Both teams are back in league action on Tuesday evening, looking for their first points. Laverstock make the trip to the coast to face Bournemouth Poppies who also lost their opening league game and were defeated by Downton, at home in the FA Cup. Eversley, meanwhile, are back at Fox Lane for the visit of Fleet Town who have four points from their opening two league encounters, but also went out of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Melksham Town.
Laverstock & Ford: 1.Z.Roberts, 12.F.Roberts, 2.H.Roberts, 4.Bourner(c), 5.B.Campbell-Smith, 6.Watson, 10.T.Campbell-Smith, 8.Lovegrove, 9.D.Arnold, 17.Roach, 11.C.Arnold. Subs: 7.Jackson, 14.Budgell, 15.Stanley, 16.Sykes, 17.Storr, 18.Cegielka, 19.Cooper
Eversley & California: 1.Kennedy, 17.Webeley, 23.Pantony, 25.Fitzgerald, 26.Jawandha, 6.Fowler(c), 7.Ellis-Vassell, 8.Robins, 9.Peart, 30.Allen, 11.Panesar. Subs: 13.Hybert, 14.Bird, 15.McDonagh, 16.Hyseni, 22.Pressler, 32.Higgins, 20.Sanchez
The Ground
Laverstock & Ford Sports Ground is situated just to North of the village centre, still separated from the sprawl of Salisbury by a few fields, the River Bourne, and the West of England Mainline. Accessed via a service road off Church Road, the sports ground comprises of a cricket club, to the left of the service road, and the football ground, known as The Dell, to the right. There's a reasonably large car park sandwiched between the sports facilities, with additional parking behind the football ground if required. The clubhouse is also between the sports grounds and, as such, there are no facilities inside The Dell, although it's only about 20 paces to the club from the main turnstile. That single turnstile brings spectators into the corner of the football ground. and a quite unusual setup where all three covered spectator areas are in this corner. Either side of the entrance there are covered seating stands with seating allocated to home and visiting directors. There's also a recently refurbished covered standing area, The Wykes Brickwork Stand, which sites between the entrance and the goal.
The Programme
The Bulldogs' programme is a 36-page full-colour, glossy magazine containing all of the usual features you'd expect. A introduction to the key players at the club, a message from the manager, a potted history of the club, a piece on the visitors, current league tables, the squad lists, player pen pics, some recent match photos, a page about the Wessex League and a whole plethora of advertising.
Ground Number: 492
Att: 186
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00
Laverstock & Ford Sports Ground is situated just to North of the village centre, still separated from the sprawl of Salisbury by a few fields, the River Bourne, and the West of England Mainline. Accessed via a service road off Church Road, the sports ground comprises of a cricket club, to the left of the service road, and the football ground, known as The Dell, to the right. There's a reasonably large car park sandwiched between the sports facilities, with additional parking behind the football ground if required. The clubhouse is also between the sports grounds and, as such, there are no facilities inside The Dell, although it's only about 20 paces to the club from the main turnstile. That single turnstile brings spectators into the corner of the football ground. and a quite unusual setup where all three covered spectator areas are in this corner. Either side of the entrance there are covered seating stands with seating allocated to home and visiting directors. There's also a recently refurbished covered standing area, The Wykes Brickwork Stand, which sites between the entrance and the goal.
The Programme
The Bulldogs' programme is a 36-page full-colour, glossy magazine containing all of the usual features you'd expect. A introduction to the key players at the club, a message from the manager, a potted history of the club, a piece on the visitors, current league tables, the squad lists, player pen pics, some recent match photos, a page about the Wessex League and a whole plethora of advertising.
Ground Number: 492
Att: 186
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00
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