Thursday night football was a toss-up between one of the Isthmian League Play-off Semi-Finals or the title decider in Division Two East of the Hellenic League. Well, I love a title decider and I really don't like the M25 at rush-hour, so it was off to Marsh Lane for Long Crendon v Langley.

The Background
Three sides had dominated the Hellenic Division Two East all season. Long Crendon, Langley and Penn & Tylers Green Development had lost just 5 games between the three of them. With just a single league game to go, Long Crendon v Langley, all three sides were locked on 74 points, just goal difference keeping Long Crendon on top of the pile.
So, the whole season came down to one game. Long Crendon needed a point to take the title, Langley had to go for the win.

​The Game
Long Crendon could have been forgiven for keeping it tight in this game. After all, they only needed a point to clinch the title. However, it was the team in green who started the stronger of the two sides. After just a couple of minutes Oli Lethbridge got clear on the right, forcing a good save from the Langley keeper. Moments later an Archie Pettingell effort scraped the top of the Langley bar with the keeper well beaten. Langley, to their credit, weathered the initial storm and played their way into the game.
After 26 minutes Langley had a massive shout for a penalty when one of their players appeared to be taken out when in a goal-scoring position. From my angle, admittedly at the opposite end of the ground, it did look like a penalty. However the referee, who was in a much better position, immediately waved play on despite the protestations of the Langley players. This could well have been the turning point of the game because, barely six minutes later, Long Crendon took the lead through Christian Warwick who drilled the ball firmly past the Langley keeper. 1-0
The goal put Long Crendon firmly in control of their destiny. They immediately looked a lot more relaxed and confident on the ball. Langley were wobbling a little and could clearly see their title challenge fading at this point.
Three minutes before half-time Long Crendon hit Langley with a second, and probably decisive, goal. Some good work down their right flank led to the ball being crossed into the path of captain Alex Farley. His low drive back across the keeper nestled into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.

HT Long Crendon 2 Langley 0. With the home side only needing a point for the title, it's going to take something very special from Langley in the second half.

​Langley appeared back out very early for the second-half. Presumably there was not too much for their manager to say. It was abundantly clear what was required of them in the second-half. Despite the early re-emergence of the away team, it as the home side who had the brighter start and on 54 minutes they came close to increasing their lead but Hawkes saw his effort denied by the Langley keeper.

As with the pattern of the first half, Langley played themselves back into the game and, just before the hour mark, came close to getting a goal back themselves when a header from a left-wing corner was headed off the Crendon line by Joe Russell.

Langley kept trying to press for a way back into the game but were eventually undone when, following a Long Crendon break, Archie Pettingell was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Nathan Brownsword stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty to make it 3-0 and put the title firmly in the bag.
Crendon were clearly boosted by their third goal and a few minutes later came exceedingly close to getting a fourth. Only some good goal-keeping and last ditch defending prevented a goal. Credit to Langley who were still putting their bodies on the line to keep the ball out even though the game had effectively gone for them.
With 79 minutes on the clock, Harry Pettingell applied the icing to the Crendon cake with a sublime goal. Taking a diagonal ball on his chest he then volleyed and unstoppable effort over the keeper and into the net. Fantastic technique and a goal to grace any game. 4-0

​​FT Long Crendon 4 Langley 0. After a season where the sides have been neck and neck, Long Crendon took the title in some style.
Congratulations to Long Crendon but great credit should be given to Langley and Penn & Tylers Green Development, who both pushed the champions all the way.

Long Crendon: Collingwood, Russell, Bonwick, T.Lethbridge, Farley (c), Brownsword, Warwick, H.Pettingell, Hakes, A.Pettingell, O.Lethbridge. Subs: B.Sykes, T.Sykes, Tack, Chappell, Hawthorne

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-visit
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Included
​

Tuesday evening presented a choice of football. There were a couple of Step 4 play-off Semi-Finals that both looked to be interesting games, but there was also the small matter of the Witney & District Ted Young Senior Cup Final between Hailey and The Hollybush FC, I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to support the lower echelons of the game, especially as the game was being played just down the road from home. So it was that I set out for Eynsham Park, home of North Leigh, which also happens to be one of my favourite non-league locations.

The Background
The Senior Cup Final would be contested by last season's winners The HollyBush FC, and four times previous winners, Hailey FC (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011).  
In this season's competition Hollybush have already beaten league champions Charlbury 3-1 away from home and Kirtlington 3-2 in the Semi-Final. Hailey have played both of their games away from home, winning 2-1 at Spartan Rangers and 4-2 at Tower Hill.

Hailey came into the game after already picking up some silverware on the same ground two weeks ago, winning the Fred Ford Cup with a 2-1 victory over Kirtlington.
Both sides had seen a fairly successful league campaign with Hollybush currently in second spot and Hailey in third. The latter having a game remaining that, should they win it, would mean they would take second spot from their rivals. In league terms Hollybush have the meanest defensive record in the division conceding just 23 goals in 18 games, whilst Hailey are the second highest scorers with 47 in their 17 outings. Both league meetings finished 0-0 which indicates that this could be a tight affair too.

​The Game
As alluded to with the two league meetings this season, the opening encounters of this game showed that there wasn't going to be too much between these sides. It was definitely a slow burner with neither side being able to establish themselves in the game.
It was 15 minutes into the match before we saw the first meaningful strike on goal, Dan King's effort from just outside the box forcing Rayfield to get down quickly at his near post. There followed another period of battling between the sides, with little in the way of serious goalmouth incidents, except when Rayfield misjudged a cross and  the ball fell to Hollybush striker Craig Mays, but he couldn't keep his shot below the crossbar.
Just after the half-hour mark Hailey suddenly produced a flowing, one-touch move that was without doubt the best piece of action in the game so far. Unfortunately for them the final effort from Travis O'Connor sailed narrowly wide of the mark. With the clock ticking down towards half-time, Hailey were almost gifted the lead when Matt Howard dropped a right-wing corner but luckily for the Hollybush keeper there was a defender on hand to hook the ball off the line and to safety. The fumble seemed to shake the keeper and, shortly afterwards, he fumbled another ball giving Hailey striker Jack Wood a chance which was just about snuffed out by a saving tackle from a Hollybush defender. 

HT The Hollybush FC 0 Hailey 0. Not the most entertaining of games, but still the odd glimpse of possible better things to come. Cagey was how I described it on Twitter and I can't think of a better description.

​Hollybush were out very early for the second-half but it was Hailey who engineered the first real effort with the lively Nathan Kimber forcing Matt Howard into a good save, the stopper seemingly recovered from a couple of fumbles towards the end of the first half.
Back down the other end and Hollybush appealed for a penalty after two players came together in the box. The referee, however, remained unmoved.

On 57 minutes, however, the man in the middle did have a decision to make as Dan King flew into a high challenge in midfield, leaving a Hailey player in a heap. The referee had no hesitation in pulling out a red card. Despite plenty of protestations from the Hollybush players, the referee had very little option but to send off King. From the resulting free-kick, Kimber again forced Howard into a decent save, the ball bobbling up in front of the keeper at the last moment.
However, there was nothing that the revitalised Hollybush keeper could do a minute later. A left-wing corner was met by Sean King who powered a header into the net. 0-1

At this point with Hollybush a man and a goal down, Hailey were expected to push on and win comfortably. However, try as they might, they could not find a way to kill the game off and, after 79 minutes, they were punished for it.
Hollybush earned a free-kick on the left, midway into the Hailey half. The ball was delivered into the box, eventually finding its way to Daniel Brearley who prodded it over the line for the equaliser. 1-1

Shocked into action by the equaliser, Hailey looked to take advantage of their extra man. Kimber again tested Howard with a free-kick with the Hollybush stopper coming out on top again. Hailey had their own penalty shout, but the referee waved play on and the then, inside the last minute, Kimber was set free on the right, driving into the box but again, Howard pulled out all of the stops to make a vital save and take the game into extra-time.

FT Hollybush 1 Hailey 1. You had to admire the effort from Hollybush who managed to stay in the game at a man and a goal down before forcing an equaliser from a set play, but extra-time was going to be tough with a man light.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Hailey began to dominate play in extra-time, being a player short was beginning to take its toll on Hollybush. However, Hailey were once again struggling to break through the final line of Hollybush defending, that is until the 99th minute when Hollybush captain Carl Austin was adjudged to have fouled a Hailey striker in the box. The incident happened on the side of the pitch where I was standing and, I have to say that, although it was a soft penalty, it was the correct decision. Austin went to ground and the Hailey striker went over him. Not a deliberate foul by any means, but a foul nevertheless. Jack Wood waited for the protestations to die down before stroking the ball home to make it 2-1 to Hailey.
There was still time in the first period for Howard to make a superb fingertip save from a Buckingham drive to keep his side in with a slim hope.

HT in ET. Hollybush 1 Hailey 2. Hailey had the advantage and would kick down the slope against 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

With Hollybush hanging on you felt that it is a matter of time before Hailey killed the game off but, again, the Hoops just couldn't muster that final blow. With that said, Hollybush also didn't seem to be able to put together any meaningful attacks and it looked as if the game would just draw to an uneventful conclusion.
Then, out of nowhere, Hollybush managed to summon up the effort to push up the slope one final time. There was a barely a minute of extra-time remaining when, after some hesitation in the Hailey box, Mays found himself the meat in a Hailey sandwich, with Rayfield bringing the striker down. Penalty to Hollybush. Mays picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick and we were all square again at 2-2.

FT in ET. Hollybush 2 Hailey 2. Penalties to decide the winner.

Penalties (Scores in brackets, Hollybush first)
Hollybush take the first penalty and score. (1-0)
O'Connor for Hailey, scores. (1-1)
Bryant for Hollybush hits the bar (1-1)
Kimber for Hailey. Howard gets a hand to it but can't stop it. (1-2)
Mays, who scored the late equalising penalty, scores for Hollybush (2-2)
Tinson for Hailey, but Howard saves well. (2-2)
Stubbs scores for Hollybush (3-2)
Jordan Cormack levels it up for Hailey (3-3)
Hughes for Hollybush but Royfield makes the save (3-3)
Jack Wood scores to win it for Hailey. (3-4)

Congratulations to Hailey FC, Witney & District Senior Cup Winners, 2018-19

Hollybush: Howard, Stubbs, Robinson, Brearley, Austin, King, Threlfell, Hughes, Rogers, Mays, Bryant. Subs: Grant, E.Williams, Brookes, R. Williams
Hailey: Royfield, Foster, Tinson, Mutch, Wood, King, O'Connor, Cormack, Kimber, Buckingham, Gregory. Subs: Wright, Slimani, Evans, Burnell, Webb

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-visit
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: Included

​The games come thick and fast towards the end of the season, especially with a Bank Holiday weekend thrown into the mix. This Thursday saw the fourth game in five days for BotP, spread from the West Midlands, through Oxfordshire, London and now to the South Coast with total round trips mileage of over 450 miles. The first three of these games had seen one side clinch the title on their own ground, one lose their title winning opportunity and another side create history with a giant-killing Cup Final result. What would this evening bring? It was another big game with promotion and relegation issues to be settled.
​The Background
AFC Stoneham, playing just their fourth season at this level, were going into the game in second place. A point behind Amesbury Town, who had already completed their fixtures, but with a superior goal difference. So, they just needed to take a point for the title.
Totton & Eling sat bottom of the table but could leapfrog Andover Town with a win. They had beaten Whitchurch United 2-0 in their last game and had only suffered one defeat in their last five games, drawing three. Defensively, their record was by no means the worst in the league but with 45, they were the division's second lowest scorers.
Stoneham meanwhile, along with Amesbury, had managed the entire season without a home defeat. They were the division's top scorers, with 121 and could also boast the meanest defence with just 39 goals against.
The reverse fixture in Eastleigh finished 6-1 to AFC Stoneham and featured a first-half hat-trick from The Purple's Sergio Caballero.

The Ground
Totton & Eling moved to Millers Park for the 2009/10 season. The ground is directly behind AFC Totton's Testwood Stadium in a set-up that reminded me very much of Wellingborough Town and Whitworth. The ground still has a new feel to it. Accessed through a single turnstile which brings you into the ground around about the halfway line. There is a main stand just to your right as you enter. Beyond this is the snack bar, directors lounge and toilet block. To the left of the entrance there is another building that houses the players and officials facilities. There is also a covered standing area behind the goal at The Testwood Lakes end of the ground, to your right as you enter. Dugouts are directly opposite the main stand. All in all, a very tidy, well-kept ground. Great to see the team sheets written out on a large whiteboard just as you enter the ground. Invaluable information for visitors.

​The Game
With so much riding on the game nerves were to be expected, especially in the initial stages of the game. However, this did not appear to be the case. Stoneham immediately set about trying to get themselves a goal and Totton settled back into a tight formation which suggested that they were determined not to concede early on.
The majority of the game was being played in the home half of the pitch but Nathan Jones was not being tested.
With 5 minutes remaining until the end of the half, the away side's pressure finally told. Zach Glasspool received the ball on the corner of the six-yard box, with his back to goal. Hos sharp turn wrong-footed the defenders, allowing him the space to rifle a shot past Jones into the far corner. 0-1
I'll be honest. When the goal went in, I really thought that it was game over. Totton & Eling had showed no real sign of being able to score themselves and Stoneham, who remember only needed a point, would have been quite within their rights to have sat back and protected their lead. Little did I know what was to come in the second-half.

HT Totton & Eling 0 AFC Stoneham 1. The home side could not be faulted for effort but needed to show something extra in the final third if they were to get back into the game. 

Within a minute of the restart Totton had a golden opportunity to get back on level terms. They engineered a move up their left flank that led to the ball being cut back into the penalty area, around 12 yards out. Rory Wood was perfectly positioned but could not beat Fredericks. It was a miss that the striker would be made to regret even more within two minutes when, down the other end, first-half substitute Josh Clark latched onto a through ball and beat Jones with a low drive to the keepers left. 0-2

Stoneham seemed to be turning the screw now and I think many of the locals feared for their side. Before the hour mark it appeared to be all done and dusted. A right-wing corner caused some panic in the home penalty area before the ball fell kindly for Alex Welch to stab in The Purple's third. 0-3.

This really did seem to be the end of the game as a competition. In fact, I saw a few people leave the ground at this point. Maybe Amesbury fans hoping for a home win? As it turned out, they missed all of the drama.

Ten minutes later, on 68 minutes, Totton got a goal back out of nowhere. Again it was a corner that caused the problems and, after a little bit of a scramble, Rory Wood made up for his earlier miss by nudging the ball over the line. 1-3.
​
Even so, few people would have put any money on a Totton comeback. However, with 1 minutes remaining they did manage to get another goal back. This time a low drive from Harry Burns just evaded Fredericks' fingertips and crept into the corner of the net. 2-3 and you could see some nerves creeping into the away side
On 84 minutes, those nerves were jangling even more when the home team were awarded a penalty. Up stepped captain Sam Vidler, making no mistake to level the game up. 3-3. They couldn't, could they?

Credit to Stoneham at this point. Backed by a large away following, they managed to steady the ship and see the game out, despite a titanic effort from a tiring Totton & Eling team. What a fantastic end to the game and a superb advert for Step 6 football.

FT Totton & Eling 3 AFC Stoneham 3. Heartbreak in the end for The Millers. A valiant effort, especially in the finally 20 minutes where they really made Stoneham sweat.
Big congratulations to AFC Stoneham. Champions of the Wessex League Division One. 
Commiserations to Amesbury Town who, it has to be remembered, also went unbeaten at home all season and eventually only lost the title on goal difference. 
Note to self: Get to more Wessex League games next season

Totton & Eling: Jones, Higdon, Kana'ah, Gain, Pattison, Stacey, Vidler (c), Burns, Wood, Matthews, Selby. Subs: Callaway, Steel, Stuttard, Metcalf, Head
AFC Stoneham: Fredericks, Stupple, Harris, Manning (c), Palmer, Clarke, Laptas, Welch, Glasspool, Sutherden, Caballero. Subs: Bainbridge, Caton, Wright, Hills, Clark

Att: 276
Ground Number: 196
Entrance: £ 6.00
Programme: N/A

​The end of season games keep coming thick and fast. Following the West Midlands Regional League decider on Saturday and the Jersey Cup Final on Monday, Tuesday evening signalled time to head inside the M25 for Tooting Bec v Frimley Green, a game that would decide who would take the Combined Counties Divison One title.

The Ground
Tooting Bec currently play their games at Grand Drive, the home of Raynes Park Vale. The ground is part of the Prince George's Fields, which apart from Raynes Park Vale's stadium, also hosts may other pitches including the current home of a 5-time FA Cup winning side, Wanderers FC. The ground is accessed via a fairly long service road off Grand Drive and has ample parking, either in the car park to the rear or along the service road, against the fence surrounding the pitch. The clubhouse, bar and tea bar is situated behind the ground, next to the car park. From the outside it appears to look like a couple of portakabins bolted together (it's not). However, once inside it opens out into a bar area and a couple of separate rooms one of which is large enough to accommodate table tennis and table football. It's almost Tardis-like.
The ground itself features a main stand that has covered seating and a small covered standing shelter behind the car park end goal. There is also a unique, tiny covered seating 'shed' at the opposite end of the ground, featuring a single plank as a bench style seat. Another one of those features that make non-league grounds so interesting. Why is it there? 
The pitch slopes upwards towards the car park end of the ground and also from the main stand towards the service road side of the pitch.

​The Background
Only two sides were left in the title chase and the situation could not be clearer. Leaders Sheerwater had already finished their  games and held a one point lead over Frimley Green, who had this game left to play. Significantly, Sheerwater also held a 15 goal advantage in the goal difference standings. Consequently, nothing short of a win would give Frimley Green the title. Anything less and Sheerwater would hold on to top spot and take the crown.
Tooting Bec only made the move up from the Surrey Elite League last season and, regardless of the result in their final game, had already exceeded expectations for a first season at this level. Currently sitting in fourth spot, a win in this game would see them climb above Farnham into third.
In a nice piece of symmetry for Frimley Green, the reverse fixture this, their last game of the campaign, was on the opening day of the season. It resulted in a 0-0 draw. The sides also met more recently, a Division One Challenge Cup game in which Frimley Green came away with a 2-0 away victory after Tooting's Jack Martin saw red.
The men to watch up front were Ali Wiltshire for Tooting, with 24 goals in 31 games, and Frimley's Dan Bone who had managed 19 in 33 games.

​The Game
Kicking up the slope, Frimley Green seemed to settle into the game better than their hosts, looking determined to get the win they needed. Tooting looked to be happier sitting back, allowing Frimley to come on to them and then trying to hit them on the break. As the half wore on, this began to look like a very good tactic because, although Frimley had the majority of possession, Eddie M'bango on the Tooting right-flank, looked extremely dangerous when the home side broke. His pace, power and trickery was a handful for the Frimley defence.
Tooting's back four, who noticeably bonded as a unit just before kick-off, looked assured an, for the most part, were handling Dan Bone and the  Frimley attack very well. They had the meanest defence in the league this season and it was clear to see why.
The key point of the half came on 35 minutes. After soaking up quite a bit of pressure, Tooting broke down their right flank again, M'bango causing consternation among the Frimley back-line. The ball eventually found top-scorer Ali Wiltshire who placed a low, hard drive past Borrett's left-hand and into the net. 1-0.

HT Tooting Bec 1 Frimley Green 0. 

​The second half gave us much of the same as the first with the exception that Frimely, now kicking down the slope and getting anxious for a goal, opted to use the longer ball more often. However, they often overhit the passes, failing to find their range or judge the run of the ball on the slope. Tooting's defence, to their credit, stood firm time and time again and whilst we all love to see goals fly in, it was also very good to see a team display character and grit in the art of defending.
Frimley switched it around, bringing on a couple of subs and switching their wingers onto opposite flanks. However, nothing they did helped them penetrate the solid Bec defence. They also had to continue to be wary of the break, with M'bango and Wiltshire still causing problems when the ball was cleared to them.
With 5 minutes remaining and Green getting more and more depsperate for a goal, they finally thought they had the breakthrough. A scramble in the Tooting penalty area culminated in the ball ending in the back of the net. However, the referee had spotted an infringement, indicating that the ball had been kicked out of Tooting keeper Whyte's hands before it crossed the line. No goal.
Then, just on the 90 minute mark, a long ball over the top of the tooting defnce caught them out, alloowing a Frimly player to get a touch on the ball, sending it past Whyte, only for it to strike the post and bounce to safety.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, given what was hanging onthe result, the game boiled over during added time, following a fracas just outside the Tooting box. A number of players got involved and it took the officials a minute or so to calm it down. Once they had control back the referee issues a coupel of yellow cards which, in the light of their being just a seconds left to play, seemed to be a very sensible decision whn he coudl quite easily have brandished reds.

FT Tooting Bec 1 Frimley Green 0.

The final whistle was greeted by loud cheering from the stand behind the goal which seems to be populated by most of the Sheerwater team. They are crowned Champions of the Combined Counties Division One. Congratulations to Sheerwater but also, well played to Frimley Green. Second place in this league is no mean feat. Finally, mention must also go to Tooting Bec. Regardless of the final result, whether they finish third or fourth, it has been a marvellous first season in the division and, I believe, they may even be heading back to Imperial Fields for their home games next season.

Tooting Bec: Whyte, Parsons, Fernando, Fox, Stone, Thurbon (c), Patel, Ogunmade, Wiltshere, Blenkinsop, M'Bango. Subs: Wheeler, Ogidi, Henery, Martin
Frimley Green: Borrett, Primett, Horkan, Neville, Ward (c), Hamer, Medrado, Miller, Bone, Bowerman, McKinley. Subs: Turner, Carter, Thorogood, Dearlove, Vass

Att: 162
Ground Number: 195
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

A sunny Easter Bank Holiday Monday. The perfect time for a local cup final.
After a trip up to the Midlands in the morning, it was back to Ardley for the Jersey Cup Final between Banbury & District Premier League Champions Bishops Itchington and Second Division side, Bicester Hallions who had recently secured promotion to Division One and won the Mid Oxon Cup Final.

The Background
It was Premier League side Bishops Itchington who had had the easier route to this final. They started with a bye, before easing past Divison Two outfit Hardwick Sports, 4-1 away from home. This was followed by a crushing 8-2 home defeat of Division 1 side Hornton, followed by a 2-1 away win at another Division 1  team, Halse United in the Semi-Final.

Hallions' route saw them take on Division 3 winners Brill United, triumphing 6-3 away from home. They then had to face three other Premier League sides, Woodford United at home (6-1), Chasewell Park away, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw and finally a 3-2 home Semi-Final victory over Deddington Town.

So, as the Premier League outfit, Bishops Itchington were favourites before kick-off. However, having already put out three Premier League sides, Hallions were unlikely to be phased by another one, even if they were the champions and current Jersey Cup holders.

​The Game
Itchington start the game well and have the first two chances. In the second minute they try an audacious effort from the halfway line that evades the Hallions keeper but just fails to hit the target. A few minutes later a crashing drive from way out again beats the keeper but smacks against the bar and away to safety.
After four minutes, however, Hallions took the lead when Dan Sweeney was left with a gaping goal to slot the ball into. 1-0
The goal galvanised Hallions and they started to take control of the game. On 13 minutes we were treated to a goal worthy of gracing any football pitch at any level. A free-kick in a central position, just inside the Bishop's half was floated into the box way to the right of the goal. Stuart Bridges ran onto the ball and produced a stunning volley, over the keepers head and into the far corner, reminiscent of Marco van Basten's famous 1988 European Championships effort. 2-0.
Bishops Itchington weren't about to go down without some sort of fight though and, on 20 minutes, they pulled a goal back when Jamie Simpson got a glancing header onto a left-wing free-kick. The ball went in off a Hallions defender but, as it was already on the way in, it will certainly be credited to Simpson.

​It didn't take Hallions too long to re-establish their two goal lead when, on 27 minutes, a mishit goal kick fell straight to Dan Smith who made no mistake, slotting past Adam Bourton to make it 3-1.

Bicester remained on top in terms of possession. Bishops Itchington never lacked effort but were second to the ball on most occasions. Then, with three minutes to go until the break, some superb defensive work from Bridges, curtailing an Itchington raid before calmly taking the ball past a couple of challenges. The defender then played a ball over the top of the Bishop's defence. Dan Smith was first to react, out-muscling his marker before lobbing the on-rushing Bourton. 4-1

HT Bicester Hallions 4 Bishops Itchington 1. A dominant first-half display from Bicester but will the slope and the heat make a difference in the second-half?

​Maybe it was more the conditions and the 4-1 lead than the slope on the pitch, but Bicester were certainly more lacklustre at the start of the second period, allowing their opponents a far greater share of possession than in the first half. To be fair to both teams though, it was a very warm day. 
However, even with more of the ball Bishops Itchington failed to take advantage, apart from once again hitting the Bicester cross bar. This was matched by Hallions when Dan Smith was inches from grabbing hat-trick when his header struck the woodwork.

Hallions did finally make a further breakthrough when they won a penalty in the 82nd minutes. Bridges stepped up but Bourton guessed correctly and made a good save. Unfortunately for the Itchington stopper, the ball ran straight back to Hallions man who made no mistake with the follow-up. 5-1

There was still time for Bishops Itchington to get a very, very late consolation when Kostiuk made it 5-2 but it was Bicester's day and shortly after the restart the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.

FT Bicester Hallions 5 Bishops Itchington 2. A well deserved and fairly comfortable win for Hallions, completing what has been a very successful first season. Promotion and two cup wins and the first time a Division Two side has won the Jersey Cup. Not too shabby.

Bicester Hallions: Veal, Ellis, R.Bridges, Jenkins, Crossman, Hallatt, Dean Smith, S.Bridges, Dan Smith, Neal, Sweeney. Subs: O'Dwyer, McGovern
Bishops Itchington: Bourton, Morgan, Herdman, Symons, J.Cox, Kostiuk, Reeves, Smith, Simpson, Bennett, Dixey. Subs T.Cox, Wall, Roberts

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A

​The Background
The West Midlands Regional Premier League title was going to be decided on the final day. Two teams could still win in. Tividale, in pole position and a point clear or Haughmond. The equation was simple. All Tividale needed to do was equal Haughmond's result and they would be champions. As it happened the final day action revolved very much around my home town of Dudley. Tividale, which is just a mile or two outside of Dudley town centre, were at home to mid-table AFC Bridgnorth. Meanwhile, Haughmond travelled to tenth-placed Dudley Town who sadly do not currently play home games in the town.
Earlier in the season Tividale had won 1-0 at Bridgnorth, despite having Ben Birch sent-off. Haughmond defeated Dudley Town 4-2 in Shropshire back in November.

​The Ground
Having driven past The Beeches on more occasions than I care to remember, it was high time that I finally got around to paying a visit. The ground is tucked away just off New Birmingham Road that leads out of Dudley. When I worked in Birmingham, many year ago, I used to see the floodlights poking out over the housetops. It has the feel of a very old ground and I don't mean that in a bad way. However, Tividale have only played there since the mid 1970s. Car parking is a limited on days like today, when a larger than normal crowd turns out, so parking in the adjoining streets is necessary. Entrance is through a single gate which is just to the left of the club house as you approach through the car park. There is also a tea/snack bar attached to the club house building.

​The Game
It took Tividale just 3 minutes to get the early goal they clearly set out to score. Nerves, if they had any, were completely settled when Demetri Brown outpaces the Bridgnorth defence, take sit around the keeper and slots into an empty net. 1-0
Bridgorth rally have no answer to the Tividale enthusiasm and work-rate. Sure enough, after 12 minutes, Tivi get their second goal of the afternoon. Darragh Bustin weaves a bit of magic out on the right flank and then cuts the ball back into a dangerous area. Tividale's fist attempt is blocked but Dan Smith latches onto the ball, swivels and hammers a shot into the far corner. 2-0
Seven minutes later and the game is as good as over. Brown runs onto a ball over the top as the Bridgnorth defence look for offside. To be fair, he did look a good couple of yards off to me and even hesitated himself. However, when no flag was raised he ran on and scored with some ease. 3-0.
So, 20 minutes into the game and Tividale have effectively sealed the title with no drama whatsoever. Anyone who came with a view to anxious glances at Twitter to see how Haughmond were getting on a few miles away, were sorely disappointed. However, as a football fan you had to appreciate the way that Tividale had set about their task. Knowing that they just needed to win, they began the game determined to not let anxiety set in.
On 25 minutes Brown's pace, once again, caused absolute chaos in the Bridgnorth defence. He outstripped them again but this time, after getting the ball caught under his feet, he halted his run and slid a ball sideways to Jamal Fuller who took his opportunity with a low drive, beating Bristow to make it 4-0.
Just past the half-hour mark Brown's pace once again saw he get clear of the defence, rolling the ball in to claim a first-half hat-trick and make it 5-0.
It made difference at this point but Dudley Town were also a goal up against Haughmond.

Brown was unstoppable in this game. You had to feel a bit sorry for the Bridgnorth defenders who had absolutely no answer to his pace. Even dropping off and giving themselves a 5 yard start, they were still being beaten to and muscled off the ball. On 41 minutes he was at it again, bursting through and heading towards the penalty area. He was finally stopped when Callum Hill used arm around him to pull him back before he could get into the box. Unfortunately for the Bridgnorth man the referee had no real option other than pulling out the red card. To make matters worse, from the resulting free-kick, Darragh Bustin bent a low shot around the wall which Bristow failed to keep out of the net. 6-0

HT Tividale 6 AFC Bridgnorth 0. A superb half for Tividale. They set about their task with a zest that Bridgnorth could find no answer to at all. 

​All credit to Bridgnorth at the start of the second-half. At 6-0 down and reduced to 10 men, they could easily have been completely demoralised. However, they came out with a renewed determination and, for the first 14 minutes of the second period steadied the ship, keeping Tividale at bay. This came to an end just before the hour mark when Bustin slipped a perfectly weighted pass inside the Bridgnorth full-back for Brown to run onto and lash a drive past Bristow. 7-0

With four goals under his belt it was time for Brown to take a well earned rest and claim the applause as he left the pitch. A superb performance from him. Power, pace, skill on the ball and lethal finishing. A defender's nightmare.
Clearly the game was well and truly over and the title in the bag. Especially as Haughmond were also on their way to defeat at Dudley Town. On 75 minutes it was the turn of Tividale's captain Matt Hunt to get in on the act, powering in a header from a right-wing corner to make it 8-0.

Could they get to double figures?
Well, on 86 minutes substitute Harvey Walker got his name on the score-sheet, hammering the ball home to make it 9-0. There was, however, no tenth goal and the home side had to 'settle' for a nine.

FT Tividale 9 AFC Bridgnorth 0. An emphatic way to claim the title for Tividale. To be honest, it was never in doubt. From the first minute, even before the early goal, they looked in control, confident and assured. 


Tividale: Maher, Hurdman, Fuller, Birch, Hunt(c), L.Smith, Bustin, Wilkinson, D.Smith, Brown, Cocking. Subs: Walker, Gardner, Cameron, Welding, Shilvock
AFC Bridgnorth: Bristow, Dean, Chetter, Guryn(c), Dudley, Hill, Lee, Griffiths, Knowles, Jenks, Owen. Subs: Pike, Hegley

Att: 238
Ground Number: 194
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.50

I'm going to start this week's blog with an apology. After the full-time whistle in this game I wrongly tweeted that the title race was now down to two teams. I was rightly pulled up on this by the Wantage Town twitter admin (thanks for putting me straight). In my haste I had completely overlooked the fact that, although the result meant Brackley were out of the running, Bishop's Cleeve were still in there with a fighting chance. So, apologies to The Mitres.

The Ground
It's been five years since I last visited Alfredian Park to watch a game, a Southern League South & West clash with AFC Totton. However, I was actually back at the ground earlier this season coaching one of our U8 squads in a football festival. Not too much seems to have changed since my last watching visit. To be fair, not much needs to change. Alfredian Park is a really nicely laid out stadium. Plenty of covered seating and standing along one side of the pitch, a large and well appointed clubhouse and sufficient parking around the perimeter of the ground to accommodate most crowds at this level. Thanks to their stadium announcer who was more than happy to let me take a quick photo of the team sheets before he read them out.

​The Background
This game pitched leaders Wantage Town against third-placed Brackley Town Saints.
​Before kick-off, four teams could still mathematically take the Hellenic League title and these two sides had the clearest view of what was required. Wantage knew that a win in this game would give them the championship. Saints knew that anything other than a win for them would rule them out. Meanwhile, both Brimscombe & Thrupp and Bishop's Cleeve were waiting in the wings should Wantage slip up.

Recent games involving the top four had provided some very interesting results that had had a dramatic effect on the run in. In their last league outing Brackley Town Saints had defeated Brimscombe & Thrupp 2-1, greatly increasing their own and Wantage's chances of taking the title. Windsor, who could yet have a big say in the final outcome (see below) also disposed of Bishop's Cleeve by the same score. This dented The Mitres chances, but still left them with a little hope, depending upon the result of this game.
​In the reverse fixture to this game, played in March, Wantage scored an added-time winner, despite having Ryan Markham sent-off, to win 3-2. However, in a Floodlit Cup tie a few weeks ago, Saints came back from a goal down at Alfredian Park, to win 2-1.

​The Game
Saints absolutely flew out of the traps in this game, catching Wantage cold with a flurry of early attacks. In the very first minute James Hammond got in behind the Fred's defence, beat Meare with his shot but saw the ball strike the post and rebound away to safety.
It took Wantage a few minutes, but they showed their class by responding well to the onslaught, steady themselves and play their way into the game. So much so, in fact, that they almost grabbed the lead themselves after 20 minutes. A rushed clearance by Saints keeper Alastair Worby, was collected in midfield and fires straight back over the stoppers head. Luckily for Brackley Joe Ward had spotted the danger and was on hand to head the ball clear of the unguarded net.
Then, just after the half-hour mark came a controversial moment. Another Wantage attack led to striker Steve Robertson being played in behind the last Saints defender. As he went to shoot he appeared to be clipped by Ward as he strove to get a block in. The Wantage players appealed for the penalty. The locals in the crowd appealed for the penalty. The referee waved play on. I have to say that from my position it did look like there was contact. In my eyes Saints were lucky not to concede the spot-kick and possibly go down to 10-men.

Both sides worked hard for the remainder of the half but chances were certainly at a premium, although Brackley probably edged the final 10 minutes of the forty-five. The only thing that really increased was the frequency with which the referee blew for offences which led to the game being somewhat disjointed, frustrating players on both sides (but not as much as the locals in the main stand).

HT Wantage Town 0 Brackley Town Saints 0. Not too many clear cut chances in this game. Saints very unlucky in the opening minutes, Wantage should have had a penalty. The referee seems to want to clamp down heavily on dissent, a fact that the home players seem to have completely missed with Cox, Davoile and Robertson all going in the book.

​For the first 30 minutes, the second-half gave us pretty much the same sort of action as the first. Neither side forcing the keeper's into any serious action and the game being punctuated by the referee's whistle too many times for there to be any flow to the game.

With just over 20 minutes remaining the home side seemed to turn it up a notch or two, noticeably pushing Saints back into their own half. Twice they launched raids that had Worby worried with one drive, from Robertson, flashing across his goal and just wide of the far post. However, it was Brackley who needed to get a goal the most and, on 77 minutes, they came as close as they had since the first minute when Knight turned sharply in the box and fired a shot narrowly wide of  Meare's left-hand post. Eight minutes later the same player, raiding down the left, put in a cross which took a slight deflection and glanced off the top of Meare's bar before going to safety.
Back up the other end, Wantage forced a corner on the right which was played into a very dangerous area only for Worby to make a good reflex stop.

Finally, the referee blew again and it was all over. Saints' title challenge was effectively over for another season but Wantage live to fight another day.

FT Wantage Town 0 Brackley Town Saints 0. A hard fought battle between two very good sides. In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game. The result leaves the table looking like this

Remaining games
Sat 20th
Ardley United v Bishop's Cleeve

Sunday 21st
Brimscombe & Thrupp v Abingdon United

Monday 22nd
Bishop's Cleeve v Shrivenham
Windsor v Wantage Town

So, the permutations are as follows:

A Wantage win in their final game will give them the title regardless of other results. Although, with both Bishop's Cleeve and Brimscombe & Thrupp playing before them over the weekend, if both drop points, Wantage would be champions before they kick off on Monday.

Should Wantage only manage a draw then the door is ajar to both Brimscombe & Thrupp and Bishop's Cleeve (assuming that Cleeve win their game in hand at Ardley). However, even if both were to win their remaining games, they woudl only be level on points. Brimscombe woudl need to turn around a 15 goal difference whilst Cleeve would need to overturn  9 goal deficit.

If Wantage were to lose their final game then a Brimscombe & Thrupp victory would be enough to take the title unless Bishop's Cleeve were to win both of their games too. In that case it would again come down to goal difference, in which Cleeve currently have a 6 goal advantage.

Wantage Town: Meare, Comer, Flanagan, Markham, Jackson (c), Cox, Cook, Davoile, Robertson, Dunmall, Thorne. Subs: Wright, Mattimore, Patterson, Sadler, Cheetham

Brackley Town Saints: Worby, Middleton (c), Brock, Baldwin, Goddard, Ward, G. Ball, Watts, Knight, Hammond, Killie. Subs: Gidfey, S.Ball, Whitmore, Haley, Shaw

Att: 193
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.50

​Not a reference to West Brom who, only the day before had taken Preston to the cleaners. No, this refers instead to Kings Heath Albion and Hawthorns FC, both members of the Bromsgrove & District Football League and a further foray into the glorious world of Sunday League football for BotP. A planned hospital visit in Wolverhampton on Sunday lunchtime, left a window of opportunity to take in a game somewhere between Oxfordshire and the West Midlands. Bromsgrove looked to be an ideal stop-off and, after my original plan to watch the local derby between Bromsgrove Corinthians and Bromsgrove Athletico was scuppered (thanks for the heads-up Athletico), I quickly found another suitable game.

​The Ground
I believe that this was scheduled to be Hawthorns first game at the Bromsgrove South 3G pitch. The facility, unsurprisingly, is locate din South Bromsgrove and, also unsurprisingly is a 3G surface. There is ample parking, what looks like new changing facilities and, on a bright but chilly Spring morning, it looked like a superb place to play and watch football. It doesn't matter how long it's been since I last pulled on a pair of boots, a pristine pitch still makes me yearn for those playing days.

The Background
The Bromsgrove and District League table on the FA Full-Time site is, to say the least, a little confusing. Apparently, there are two teams in Division One who are classed as Premier League teams and, even though pints and goals gained against them count in the final standings, the two teams in question, Black Horse and Austin Ex Apprentices, will not figure in the final rankings. In which case, this game actually becomes a clash between top and bottom of the table. I'm not sure I quite understand what is going on, but watch this space. Maybe we'll put something in the end of season review?

The Game
It seems that I wasn't the only one that had migrated from the Bromsgrove Athletico game to this one. There were a noticeable number of Bromsgrove Athletico track suits on view on the sidelines as the game kicked off.
After an initial period where the teams seemed to want to get to grips with the surface as much as with each other, it was Hawthorns who settled down and began to take a hold on the game. However, despite having the lion's share of the ball, we got halfway through the first period with the scores still all square at 0-0. It has to be said that this was down, in no small way, to the Kings Heath goalkeeper, who by this stage had already made two or three crucial stops.

We were thee minutes short of half an hour in when the first goal arrived and, as so often happens, it went the way of the team that had been on the back foot for most of the opening encounters. Kings Heath, on a rare venture forward, forced a corner. The kick was taken low towards the front post where centre-half Stephen Mason was first to react, flicking the ball goal-wards. Somehow, it managed to squeeze between the goalkeeper and his near post and, against the run of play, it was 0-1.

Hawthorn rallied quickly after going behind and it was only 5 more minutes until they evened up the scores. Their right-back produced a peach of a ball that flashed across the Albion six-yard line finding Brogan Halpin at the far post to prod the ball home. 1-1.
The rest of the first-half was largely played in the Kings Heath half. Hawthorns pressed and pressed. They tried long range efforts, they tried crosses, they tried balls in behind the defence but every time they got through the Albion defensive ranks they found the Kings Heath keeper in inspired form.

HT Hawthorns 1 Kings Heath Albion 1. Hawthorns should really be out of sight. Albion have their keeper to thank for keeping them in the game.

​Five minutes into the second-half came the incident that probably changed the entire game. Hawthorns winger Jimmy Ward had a dip from the edge of the box. Teh ball bounced quite awkwardly as the Albion keeper went down to his right. The ball ended in the back of the net to make ir 2-1 and the Albion keeper ended up in a heap clutching his shoulder. After a coupel of minute's treatment he was deeemed unaable to continue and wa substituted. This was a big blow to Albion as he had been having a veyr good game up until the seond goal went it.
This is the point where it all went comepletely downhill for Kings Heath. On 57 minutes Hawthorns sprung the offside trap, with three players getting onto a ball over the top. It was eventually laid on a plate for Halpin to collect his second of the game. 3-1.
Four minutes later another swift Hawthorns break led to their number 23 getting in on the act and making it 4-1. Then, almost immeditaly from the restart, Hawathorns won the ball back and broke into the Albion box. Ward deftly bakheeled the ball, wrong footing the defence and leaving Halpin the easy task of wrapping up his hat-trick. 5-1.
There goals in five minutes had completeley selaed the points. It was now a case of how many Hawthorns would score but, to their credit, Kings Heath stuck at it and did stem the tide a little. It was afurther 13 minutes before Hawthorns got back on the scoring trail and this time it was a real screamer. Ward collected the ball out on the right-flank and hammered a cross shot into the far top corner of the net. 6-1.
Three minutes later Hawthorns Number 9, who had worked really hard throughoyt the game, got a deserved goal with a low, drilled shot to make it 7-1.
Then, in the final minute, the icing on the cake was applied by substitute Number 99 to make it 8-1.
Goals 4, 7 and 8 were scored by Rob Shaw, Ben Markall and Luke Concannon btu, unfortunately, I'm not 100% certain which goal to credit to which player. Another peril of blogging about Sunday League football.

FT Hawthorns 8 Kings Heath Albion 1. A devastating display from Hawthorns in the second-half as they win 8-1 for the second game on the bounce. Albion were rocked by the loss of the goalkeeper when it went to 2-1 although, to be fair to their substitute stoppepr, there wasn't much he could have done with any of the goals.
Another enjoyable Sunday League outing for BotP. This is definitely something that we will be looking into more next season.

Att: 
Ground Number: 193
Entrance: £0.00
Programme: N/A

Yes, I know it's not pronounced the same way and, as you will read in my match blog, I don't necessarily think they were lucky. The blog title was just too good to not use.
​
The Ground
Holmes Park is the headquarters of the Leicestershire & Rutland FA and is also the home of Leicester City's development squad. As you would expect of the home of a county FA, the facilities are very well maintained, although parking is quite limited inside the ground. The clubhouse is very well sized, there are a total of four covered seating and standing areas and a very good, flat grass pitch.

​The Background
The Leicestershire & Rutland Senior Cup competition dates back to the late 19th Century. The first winners, in the 1887-88 season, were Sheepshed who clocked up a thumping 8-0 victory over Mill Hill House, who were also runners-up in the second competition. Leicester City Reserves hold the record for the most number of titles with 23, although the latest of these came in the 1949-50 season.
This season's finalist are both from Step 6, Melton Town from the United Counties League, appearing in their first final, and Heather St John's from the Midland League. Heather have won the trophy twice before, beating Thurmaston Town 2-1 in 2009-10 and Thurnby Nivana 4-1 the following season. They were also beaten finalists lats season, going down 3-2, after extra-time, to NKF Burbage.

​This season Melton disposed of Ellistown (a) 2-1, Friar Lane & Epworth, also away from home, 1-0. They then drew 1-1 with Cottesmore Amateurs before going through 5-3 on penalties. This was followed up with a 3-1 Semi-Final victory over Barrow Town.
Heather's progress has been a lot more cut and dried. They received a bye in the first round, defeated Ashfordby Seniors 7-1, Birstall United 7-0 and then, in the Semi-Final, saw off Ashby Ivanhoe by 3-1.
Looking a the side's league records, points-wise they are very similar. However, Heather lead the Midland League Division One by 10 points from Atherstone Town (although The Adders have a game in hand). Their final game of the season is away at Atherstone, although it is possible that the title will be secured well before that date.
Melton sit third in the United Counties Division One, three points adrift of second-placed Anstey Nomads and a further point behind the leaders, Lutterworth Town. Following this Final, their next league encounter is away at Lutterworth, which could be a pivotal moment in the title race.

​The Game
Melton were the first of the sides to settle into the game. They looked sharper and quicker to the ball than Heather in the opening encounters, winning the midfield battle and pushing their opponents onto the back foot in the first ten minutes or so. However, their early dominance did not translate into goals and Heather gradually began to get a foothold, or at least steady the ship a little.
On 20 minutes Heather did more than just steady the ship. A ball over the top of the Melton defence caused some confusion and miscommunication between the defenders and the advancing goalkeeper. Heather striker Chris Lloyd nipped in to take advantage of the hesitation, lofting the ball over the stranded Robert Peet and into the net. 0-1. A goal very much against the run of play but credit to Heather for taking full advantage of a rare opportunity.
The goal seemed to rock Melton for a while, unsurprisingly galvanising Heather who, eight minutes after taking the lead, came very close to doubling it when a Dean Rathbone effort beat the keeper but also narrowly missed the target.
This near miss shook Melton out of their stupor and they began to set about getting the equaliser but, try as they might for the remaining 15 minutes or so, they couldn't find the final ball.

HT Melton Town 0 Heather St John's 1. Melton played the more expansive game, stretching the Heather defence on a number of occasions but rarely causing great concern to Spink. Heather held firm at the back and made the most of the chance that they were handed.
​

​Melton came out of the blocks fast in the second half practically laying siege to the Heather goal for the first 10 minutes after the restart. However, as with the latter stages of the first half, they couldn't quite find the vital final touch, even though they were getting closer and closer. Some last ditch defending kept the strikers at bay and Heather rode out the storm, gradually getting to grips with the game again. In fact, as Melton continued to push for an equaliser, Heather mounted a few dangerous looking breaks of their own, causing a couple of worrying moments for Peet.
As a neutral this was compelling viewing. Melton's brand of attacking football was a pleasure to watch and Heather's dogged defending was equally good viewing, as was their speed of attack when they did manage to break.

It took until the 76th minute but, finally, Melton's persistence paid off and they grabbed a deserved equaliser. Striker Michael Reeve twisted inside his marker and unleashed a vicious drive from the edge of the box. Spink manged to get a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. 1-1.

At this point, after all of the pressure and with the momentum behind them, it looked as if there was only going to be one winner. However, great credit to Heather. They really dug in for the final 15 minutes. The predicted Melton tidal wave and, what seemed inevitable, winner never arrived. In fact, in the very final minute, it was Heather who almost snatched the game with Josh Willis firing narrowly over the bar.

FT Melton Town 1 Heather St John's 1. A thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes of football and we headed straight to penalties much to the relief of many of the spectators as the temperature had dropped considerably and it was feeling exceedingly cold on the sidelines.

​Penalties
Melton take the first penalty.Nathan Arnold steps up and scores. 1-0
Heather then put their reply away. 1-1
Jordan Lever's spot-kick makes it 2-1 to Melton
Heather hit the bar through Ryan Pace. Still 2-1 and advantage Melton? 
No. Callum Westwood also hits the bar with their next penalty. It remains 2-1 
Heather goalscorer Chris Lloyd hits back to make it 2-2 
Melton score their next spot kick. 3-2 through Josh Hill
Heather follow suit. 3-3
Heather's goalkeeper, Billy Spink, then makes a great save from Robbie Parsons. 3-3. Advantage Heather
Heather's Dean Rathbone scores to make it 4-3 and it is all over.

Heather St Johns are the Leicestershire & Rutland Senior Cup Winners for the third time, after finishing as runners-up last season.
Congratulations to all at Heather St Johns who, it could be said were not lucky at all, they just managed the game perfectly. They were under pressure for a good deal of the match, but took their opportunity when it was presented and then stayed cool under the pressure of penalties, despite being the first team to miss. That showed great character.
Commiserations to Melton Town who played really well all evening and were, in my opinion, very unlucky not to be lifting the trophy themselves. However, if that is the style of football they play every week, then they should be applauded for their efforts. As a neutral viewer, I would say that they are one of the most entertaining teams that I have seen all season.

Melton Town: Peet (c), Westwood, Levi Fray, Hibbitt, Wilson, Punter, Gilchrist, Hill, Reeve, Arnold, Lever. Subs: Leon Fray, Rigby, Price, Parsons, Reek
Heather St Johns: Spink, Lionga, Rowe, Weale (c), Douglas, Edwards, Cowley, Willis, Lloyd, Rathbone, Taylor. Subs: Williams, McNulty, Pace, Bloore, Taylor

Att: 
Ground Number: 192
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Included

It's that time of year when the occasional Thursday night match pops into view and this week, after failing to get to a game earlier, I was very pleased to see that Chertsey Town, owing to their run to the FA Vase Final, were scheduled to travel to Banstead Athletic. Not only was it a new ground for me but it also promised to be a good game, pitching second against fifth and with Chertsey still favourites to overhaul Sutton Common Rovers for the title, a potential crucial game for The Curfews.

​The Ground
Banstead play at Merland Rise, to the South-West of Banstead, not a million miles from Epsom Racecourse. There is a reasonable sized car park both outside the clubhouse, which is sepaarte from the ground, and behind the stand on the Merland Rise end of the stadium. There are actually two old turnstiles that led from the clubhouse car park into the stadium itself, neither of which are in use these days. Instead entance payment is taken by a cheerful young lady who was remarkably amiable given the extremely chilly conditions. Note that there are no facilities in the ground itself. You will need to go back out to the clubhouse for tea, snacks and toilets. This makes the young lady's job even harder because she then has to try to remember who has paid and who hasn't. Rather her than me, I must admit.
The ground itself has stands on three sides, a covered terrace behind the Merland Rise goal, a further covered terrace on the Leisure Centre side and, opposite that, the main stand which offers seating.

The Background
Coming into the game Chertsey were sitting in second spot, five points adrift of Sutton Common Rovers but with a massive 7 (seven) games in hand. Banstead were in fifth place, looking to keep the pressure on Southall just above them. Athletic had won their previous two league games (2-1 at home to Camberley and a very good 2-1 win at Guildford), recovering well after suffering a little sticky patch of three consecutive defeats. Chertsey, fresh from booking their Wembley FA Vase appearance, were coming into the game on the back of a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Colliers Wood on Tuesday night and, with just the single league defeat all season, were still very much title favourites.
The reverse fixture, earlier in the season, had been very much a game of two halves with Banstead racing into a 3 goal lead by half-time only for Chertsey to hit back with three of their own in the second-half whcih saw the teams finish with a point each.

​The Game
Chertsey started the first-half kicking down the slight slope on what was becoming a bitterly cold night, in front of what looked to be a very decent crowd for a cold Thursday evening. The opening encounters were fairly even, with both sides settling into their play well. However, it was the away side who probably had the slight edge early on, making some decent inroads on both flanks and looking lively up front.
It was one such break down the flank, this time the left, that led to the opening goal. The ball was driven down the Chertsey left. The Curfews had a player in an offside position  but he deliberately stepped back towards his own half, signalling that he had no intention to play the ball. This allowed a clearly onside player to burst through, taking advantage of a momentary pause in the Athletic defence. The Chertsey player drove to the byline before cutting the ball back intelligently for Lewis Driver to place a low, crisp shot past Jack Minchin to make it 0-1.
​
On 23 minutes, Chertsey conceded what looked like a needless corner and were made to pay for it when Joe Cheeseman prodded the ball home at the near post. 1-1

Just when it looked as if the sides would go into the break all square, Chertsey got their noses in front again. This time, tricky winger Lubo Guentchev made some space on the edge of the Athletic area before hitting a low drive past Minchin's right-hand into the corner of the net. 1-2.

HT Banstead Athletic 1 Chertsey Town 2. An open, even and entertaining first-half. Athletic will feel unlucky to be behind at the break.

​The home side were clearly fired up to go in search of a second-half equaliser and were quick to get Chertsey on the back foot after the break. However, the Curfews defence dug in, repelling the early onslaught from Athletic. In fact, just after the hour mark, they should have put the game to bed when Number 9 headed over from a great position in the centre of the goal. The question was, would they live to regret that missed chance?

Sixty-eight minutes in and it looked as if the missed chance may be the least of their worries. Just a minute after the referee had spoken to several players after a clash in midfield, the official pulled out a straight red for Chertsey midfielder Kevin McLaren , who apparently kicked out at an opponent. From my position I did not get a clear view of the incident, it appeared to just be a coming together of several players chasing a loose ball. However, the referee had no hesitation and there was little complaint from either the alleged offender or other team-mates, so I can only assume there was an offence committed.

Down to 10 men, Chertsey needed to really dig in for the remaining 20 minutes or so. This they did and, to be honest, probably created as many, if not more, chances after going a player down. Banstead, despite their best efforts, could not make the man advantage pay off. They came close once of twice but it was not to be their evening.

FT Banstead Athletic 1 Chertsey Town 2. A very hard-fought but crucial three points for The Curfews. They were made to fight all the way by a determined Banstead side who, on the night, may well feel that they were deserving of a point from the game at least.

Banstead Athletc: Minchin, Newman, Morrison, Blendell, Costello, Davis, Teutan, Dembele, Cheeseman, Phillip-Ogbuogu, Geraghty. Subs


Att: ?
Ground Number: 191
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Online