Despite dominating the ball for much of this game, Staines & Lammas could not find a way back into the game after conceding two early goals to Bovingdon.
The Blue Swans were playing their first game of their centenary season, after their opening game at Sport Lisbon e Benfica was postponed (that's a much longer story that looks likely to drag on). After finishing in 16th spot last year, the Middlesex side were looking to push on this season, starting with Tuesday evening's visit of newly promoted Bovingdon. The Greens finished last season in fifth spot of the Spartan South Midlands table, but were granted promotion because on account of their ground status. They'd be taking their place in Step 6 for the first time and had already got off to a great start by beating Edgware & Kingsbury 3-0 at home on Saturday, thanks to a hat-trick from captain Ben Baldwin.
The Blue Swans were playing their first game of their centenary season, after their opening game at Sport Lisbon e Benfica was postponed (that's a much longer story that looks likely to drag on). After finishing in 16th spot last year, the Middlesex side were looking to push on this season, starting with Tuesday evening's visit of newly promoted Bovingdon. The Greens finished last season in fifth spot of the Spartan South Midlands table, but were granted promotion because on account of their ground status. They'd be taking their place in Step 6 for the first time and had already got off to a great start by beating Edgware & Kingsbury 3-0 at home on Saturday, thanks to a hat-trick from captain Ben Baldwin.
Staines started the game strongly and were very quick to push their opponents back into the own half. However, they couldn't find a way through the visitor's defence and, four minutes in, found themselves a goal behind. Follwoing a freekick in midfield, Adam Baldwin slid a pass in behind the home defence, perfectly into the stride of Kadeem Gutzmore, who calmly slotted the ball past Conaill Ryan. 0-1
The home side barely had time to draw breath before they were hit by another sucker punch after a challenge near the halfway line saw a ricochet fall into the path of Ben Baldwin, with a clear run on goal. The Bovvy captain drove into the edge of the penalty area before striking the ball across the face of goal into the opposite bottom corner. 0-2
For the second game running, Bovingdon found themselves two goal to the good very early in the game. It may be that they decided to sit back a little (although it seemed a bit early for that) or it may be that Staines forced them back. Whatever the case, from the moment Staines went two down, they began to take control of the game in terms of possession.
That said, even though Bovingdon rarely threatened again throughout the first half, Staines couldn't muster too many clear cut chances. Saaim Rafi struck a tame 19th minute freekick wide of Leo Smith's right-hand post and, seven minutes later, Kayden Brimah's deflected shot looped harmlessly into Smith's arms. Ryan Delaney-Prince tried to inject some verve into the attack just past the half-hour but, after a bursting overlapping run, his cross was way too close to Smith, allowing the Bovingdon keeper to claim it easily.
In fact, Smith didn't have to get his knees dirty until the closing minutes of the half when he had throw himself to his left to push away Seanpierre Ortiz's stinging drive.
HT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. Two early goals for Bovingdon put them in charge. Staines responded with a lot of possession, but only managed to stretch the keeper once, in the closing minutes. The next goal could be crucial in this game.
The home side barely had time to draw breath before they were hit by another sucker punch after a challenge near the halfway line saw a ricochet fall into the path of Ben Baldwin, with a clear run on goal. The Bovvy captain drove into the edge of the penalty area before striking the ball across the face of goal into the opposite bottom corner. 0-2
For the second game running, Bovingdon found themselves two goal to the good very early in the game. It may be that they decided to sit back a little (although it seemed a bit early for that) or it may be that Staines forced them back. Whatever the case, from the moment Staines went two down, they began to take control of the game in terms of possession.
That said, even though Bovingdon rarely threatened again throughout the first half, Staines couldn't muster too many clear cut chances. Saaim Rafi struck a tame 19th minute freekick wide of Leo Smith's right-hand post and, seven minutes later, Kayden Brimah's deflected shot looped harmlessly into Smith's arms. Ryan Delaney-Prince tried to inject some verve into the attack just past the half-hour but, after a bursting overlapping run, his cross was way too close to Smith, allowing the Bovingdon keeper to claim it easily.
In fact, Smith didn't have to get his knees dirty until the closing minutes of the half when he had throw himself to his left to push away Seanpierre Ortiz's stinging drive.
HT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. Two early goals for Bovingdon put them in charge. Staines responded with a lot of possession, but only managed to stretch the keeper once, in the closing minutes. The next goal could be crucial in this game.
Despite being two down, it still felt like a goal back could change the entire game for the home side, and they were out of the blocks quickly. Almost immediately, Ryan Delaney-Price hit a dipping, long-range effort that was comfortably dealt with by Leo Smith. However, it was the visitors who came closest to grabbing the third goal. Following a 53rd minute left-wing corner, there was an almighty scramble in side the 6-yard box. Eventually the referee gave a freekick to the home side, but only after a couple of efforts had been blocked on the line. Then, almost immediately afterwards Bovingdon won the ball back and fed Ben Baldwin, who cut inside his marker before sending a shot glancing off the outside of Ryan's right-hand post.
That scare aside, the game fell back into a similar pattern as the majority of the first half. Staines dominating possession, but not really stretching the Bovingdon defence too much.
The Blue Swans did manufacturer a good opportunity on the hour, but Rhys Rabess, with a clear sight of goal, pulled his shot narrowly wide of the post with Smith beaten. However, the Bovingdon keeper was certainly not beaten on 76 minutes, pulling off a superb one-handed diving save to his left and pushing Tawfiq Begzad's drive away to safety.
With time running out, Staines pushed forward more. Sam Sillah saw his effort take a nasty hop in front of Smith, only for the keeper to react well, blocking with his chest before managing to smother the loose ball.
There was a glimmer of hope for Staines in the 87th minute when Bovingdon's James Hutchins picked up a second yellow card, leaving the visitors down to 10 for the remaining few minutes. However, there was little time for them to take advantage of the extra man and, in fact, it was the Green Army's Dan Hughes who had the last effort when he fired just wide in the final minute of normal time.
FT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. A game that highlighted the fact that possession counts for little if you don't create and score from it. Bovingdon took their early two-goal lead and defended it well, despite being pushed back for much of the game. Staines huffed and puffed but just couldn't find that final killer pass or clinical finish. They were never out of the game and it still felt like a goal back, even after the late red card, could possibly have changed the game.
It's been a great start to life in Step 6 for Bovingdon. Two games played, six points, five scored and none conceded. On Saturday they face a tough test as they travel to Woodley United, who lost out in the play-offs last season. Staines, meanwhile, make the trip to Burnham to face another newly promoted side, Maidenhead Town, who beat Westside 3-1 in their opener.
Staines & Lammas: 1.Ryan, 19.Denton, 6.McBride, 5.Stewart, 3.Brimah, 8.Cooper(c), 7.Rafi, 4.Delaney-Price, 11.Belahcene, 21.Healey, 10.Ortiz. Subs: 15.Sillah, 17.Rabess, 18.Bitmead, 22.Begzad, 20.Francis
Bovingdon: 1.Smith, 2.Loakes, 3.Coxall, 4.Clarke, 5.J.Hutchins, 6.Barkers-Obua, 7.Gutzmore, 8.Sayell, 9.B.Baldwin(c), 10.A.Baldwin, 11.Patterson. Subs: 12.Goodwin, 14.Hughes, 15.Burge, 16.Bullock, 17.S.Hutchins
That scare aside, the game fell back into a similar pattern as the majority of the first half. Staines dominating possession, but not really stretching the Bovingdon defence too much.
The Blue Swans did manufacturer a good opportunity on the hour, but Rhys Rabess, with a clear sight of goal, pulled his shot narrowly wide of the post with Smith beaten. However, the Bovingdon keeper was certainly not beaten on 76 minutes, pulling off a superb one-handed diving save to his left and pushing Tawfiq Begzad's drive away to safety.
With time running out, Staines pushed forward more. Sam Sillah saw his effort take a nasty hop in front of Smith, only for the keeper to react well, blocking with his chest before managing to smother the loose ball.
There was a glimmer of hope for Staines in the 87th minute when Bovingdon's James Hutchins picked up a second yellow card, leaving the visitors down to 10 for the remaining few minutes. However, there was little time for them to take advantage of the extra man and, in fact, it was the Green Army's Dan Hughes who had the last effort when he fired just wide in the final minute of normal time.
FT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. A game that highlighted the fact that possession counts for little if you don't create and score from it. Bovingdon took their early two-goal lead and defended it well, despite being pushed back for much of the game. Staines huffed and puffed but just couldn't find that final killer pass or clinical finish. They were never out of the game and it still felt like a goal back, even after the late red card, could possibly have changed the game.
It's been a great start to life in Step 6 for Bovingdon. Two games played, six points, five scored and none conceded. On Saturday they face a tough test as they travel to Woodley United, who lost out in the play-offs last season. Staines, meanwhile, make the trip to Burnham to face another newly promoted side, Maidenhead Town, who beat Westside 3-1 in their opener.
Staines & Lammas: 1.Ryan, 19.Denton, 6.McBride, 5.Stewart, 3.Brimah, 8.Cooper(c), 7.Rafi, 4.Delaney-Price, 11.Belahcene, 21.Healey, 10.Ortiz. Subs: 15.Sillah, 17.Rabess, 18.Bitmead, 22.Begzad, 20.Francis
Bovingdon: 1.Smith, 2.Loakes, 3.Coxall, 4.Clarke, 5.J.Hutchins, 6.Barkers-Obua, 7.Gutzmore, 8.Sayell, 9.B.Baldwin(c), 10.A.Baldwin, 11.Patterson. Subs: 12.Goodwin, 14.Hughes, 15.Burge, 16.Bullock, 17.S.Hutchins
The Ground
Staines & Lammas are currently starting their second season as tenants to Spelthorne Sports FC, playing their home games at Spelthorne Sports Ground, a multi-sport complex just off the A308 between Ashford Common and Sunbury-on-Thames. The sports ground comprises of a central club house and car park with a cricket square on one side and the football pitches on the other. The main pitch runs parallel to the A308 and is a short walk from the car park. There's plenty of covered standing and seating on the A308 side of the ground as well as a covered stand behind the car park end goal. Dugouts are on the far side of the pitch. Access to the ground is via a single turnstile adjacent to the main block, which houses the changing areas and a snack bar. There's also a small hut which doubles as the programme shop and the half-time hospitality suite. There's no slope on the pitch which, considering the recent dry weather, looked to be in reasonable shape, even green in some pace.
The Programme
At 20 pages, with a glossy cover, there's plenty of content in the Staines & Lammas programme, although at £2 it's at the pricier end of the range. The outer cover is pre-printed and they must have many left over from last season, judging by the manual year correction. Inside there's the usual articles you expect. A club history and timeline, upcoming fixtures, manager's notes and opponents biog. However, there was also a very interesting page dedicated to all of the clubs in the Staines area, the Staines Football Family as well as a double-page tribute to a Staines great, Dickie Watmore, who sadly passed away earlier this month, at the age of 91.
Ground Number: 489
Att: 69
Entrance: £9.00
Programme: £2.00
Staines & Lammas are currently starting their second season as tenants to Spelthorne Sports FC, playing their home games at Spelthorne Sports Ground, a multi-sport complex just off the A308 between Ashford Common and Sunbury-on-Thames. The sports ground comprises of a central club house and car park with a cricket square on one side and the football pitches on the other. The main pitch runs parallel to the A308 and is a short walk from the car park. There's plenty of covered standing and seating on the A308 side of the ground as well as a covered stand behind the car park end goal. Dugouts are on the far side of the pitch. Access to the ground is via a single turnstile adjacent to the main block, which houses the changing areas and a snack bar. There's also a small hut which doubles as the programme shop and the half-time hospitality suite. There's no slope on the pitch which, considering the recent dry weather, looked to be in reasonable shape, even green in some pace.
The Programme
At 20 pages, with a glossy cover, there's plenty of content in the Staines & Lammas programme, although at £2 it's at the pricier end of the range. The outer cover is pre-printed and they must have many left over from last season, judging by the manual year correction. Inside there's the usual articles you expect. A club history and timeline, upcoming fixtures, manager's notes and opponents biog. However, there was also a very interesting page dedicated to all of the clubs in the Staines area, the Staines Football Family as well as a double-page tribute to a Staines great, Dickie Watmore, who sadly passed away earlier this month, at the age of 91.
Ground Number: 489
Att: 69
Entrance: £9.00
Programme: £2.00
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