Rustington 1 v 0 Loxwood

Wednesday 27th April 2011
Sussex County League Division 2
Recreation Ground, Rustington
Admission and programme: Donation
Attendance: 34
Match Rating: 2

With the season drawing to a close and neither team having much left to play for this season, attending this game certainly fell into the category of the day out to a pleasant location and ticking off one of my few remaining unvisited Sussex League grounds rather than the game itself being particularly appealing. And so, for what may well turn out to be my last game of this season in England, I headed down to the West Sussex coast to the eastern fringes of Littlehampton.

The home of Rustington is located about a twenty minute walk from Angmering rail station, and is another of the football grounds in the Sussex League Division 2 that, however nice and tranquil the setting, is, with all due respect, not really fit for purpose in hosting Senior football these days, so basic are the facilities. Certainly, should Rustington be relegated, one cannot imagine how they would ever be promoted back into this Division without considerable ground improvements. The ground has hard standing around most (but not all) of the pitch, which is railed off, but this is the extent of the facilities, no cover nor seating is present. The ground is not enclosed, nor does it have floodlights. One imagines it would be problematic carrying out extensive improvements due to this being a recreation ground, it is shared with the cricket club, and with residential housing all around. The clubhouse, which is quite close to the pitch, has quite a unique building block type design and is homely inside, although does have a rather seventies feel to it. Credit for an excellent looking pitch which was grassy throughout, no mean feat considering the very prolonged dry and warm weather there has been in this part of the world in recent weeks. Since entering the Sussex County League, Rustington had the reputation of producing excellent programmes - either this is no longer the case or I caught the club on a bad evening, as all the offering was tonight was eight pages printed on paper, three of which containing solely advertising and the only remotely informative information being the likely line-up of the home team and the next home game. But it should be pointed out that this was given away free by a gentleman walking around asking for a donation for admission - more evidence of a club not really taking their senior status very seriously, although this may be an isolated occurence due to this being an end of season midweek fixture.

It is fair to say that there was not too much riding on this match, although Loxwood would finish the season in fourth place, which would be their highest ever placing, should they gain one win from their remaining two league games - before tonight's match, they lay in fifth place. They have been in terrific form of late too, winning their last five games, scoring five times on two occasions. Rustington found themselves down in 12th place in the 18 team league, although one win from their remaining two games would guarantee a top ten finish, two in two may earn them ninth. They have not been in great form though - they won two days ago at home to East Preston, but lost their previous four games. Rustington have won both times the two teams have met so far this season, both at Loxwood - by two goals to nil in the league back in August, and by three goals to one in the John O'Hara (League) Cup.

On yet another sunny evening with clear skies but with with much cooler temperatures than of late, the first half was a rather forgettable affair, with neither side creating real chances and there was a fair amount of niggle amongst the players. The second half was more entertaining, but the match had 0-0 written all over it, as players kept trying long range shots, missing the target by some distance on each occasion. Rustington probably had more of the chances, although Loxwood did have a shot cannon off the post after a terrific run from far out, but in the end it was Rustington who managed to score the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time, when a completely unmarked Jack Sunderland stooped to head in at the far post.So, perhaps a surprising scoreline, but one that Rustington just about deserved on the balance of play.

Ascot United 1 v 1 Bracknell Town

Monday 25th April 2011
Hellenic League Premier Division
Ascot Racecourse, Ascot
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 124
Match Rating: 3

At the conclusion of my first Bank Holiday Monday game at Egham, I hopped on the train for the 15 minute journey over the Berkshire border to Ascot, for my first ever taste of Hellenic League action. The match would be a local derby, with Ascot and Bracknell separated by just three miles, although there is hardly history between the two sides, this season is the first that the two teams have met in the league, this being only the second season Ascot have played at this level of football since promotion, whereas Bracknell have spent the last 25 seasons playing Isthmian League and Southern League football, although an horrendous last season saw them relegated having lost 40 out of 42 games and conceded a whopping 187 goals in the process.

Ascot United's home ground is about a tewnty minute walk from Ascot rail station, passing  Ascot Racecourse's imposing grandstand and walking under a section of the racecourse en route. As its name suggests, the ground is located adjacent to the racecourse and is certainly one of the neatest, most immaculately kept football grounds I have encountered, and has an extremely attractive location. As one enters the ground, there is a modern, spacious clubhouse which has a balcony offering a small area of covered standing, and to the other side as one enters is a small modern all-seater stand, both of which are located along one length of the pitch. This is the extent of the facilities on offer, with hard standing along the other length and behind one of the goals, and just grass standing behind the other goal. Behind this goal the racecourse passes close by, with the main grandstand visible in the distance. Colourful trees all around the ground complete a very pleasant, tranquil and rural setting for football. Indeed, all in all, I was left with the impression of a very friendly, sensibly ambitious fotball club with plenty of people behind the scenes who care a great deal for their club. The programme was the only slight disappointment, consisting for the most part of adverts and club notices, although it did have teams, league table, a potted history of Ascot United, plus club and player information of today's visitors.

On this, the final day of the league season (bar one stray inconsequential match), there was nothing much for either side to play for today, with Ascot United guaranteed at least 12th place in the 22 team league, although a win may move them up to 11th. Bracknell Town found themselves in 15th place, which was as high as they could finish, but surely they will just be happy to have had a season of consolidation. Earlier in the season, Ascot United triumphed 3-0 at Bracknell.

On a hot and sunny afternoon with the pitch unsurprisingly hard and dusty, the first half was quite a dull affair very much with an end-of-season feel about it, with neither side really testing the goalkeeper. However, just a few minutes after the restart and Bracknell were awarded a penalty after poor defending allowed the Bracknell striker to advance towards goal close to the touchline before being brought down.The penalty was duly converted by Harry Swabey as he sent the keeper the wrong way. However, it was not long until the home side were back on level terms, when the ball fell to Jon Bennett close to the touchline and he smashed it in off the underside of the bar from a tight angle. The game had certainly become much more entertaining than in the first half, played at a higher tempo with both sides carving out reasonable chances, but in the end, the points were shared, confirming Ascot's best ever league placing of 12th, whilst Bracknell finished in 16th place.

Egham Town 1 v 2 Chertsey Town

Monday 25th April 2011
Combined Counties League Premier Division
Runnymede Stadium, Egham
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 150 (estimate)
Match Rating: 3

Bank holiday Monday can only mean one thing for me, a double bill of football action, kicking off with a match in the Combined Counties League, a league which can always be relied on for 11.30 kick-offs on Bank Holiday Mondays. I chose to head for a local derby that is always keenly contested, with no love lost between the two sides to put it mildly, with the added spice that the visiting team still had a chance of claiming the title.

Runnymede Stadium, home of Egham Town, is about a 20 minute walk from the town's train station, passing over the M25 en route. The stadium looks exactly what it is - the home venue of Isthmian League football up to a few years ago, the legacy of which is facilities superior to most grounds that one encounters in the Combined Counties League, but are looking somewhat unloved and have a "had better days" appearance. Stands are available along all four sides of the pitch. As one enters the ground behind one of the goals, there is covered stand with a couple of steps of terracing, behind the other goal is a much narrower stand also covering a couple of terrace steps, along one length of the pitch are three stands covering hard standing, and along the other length is a small, old-fashioned all-seater stand. The 16 page programme had an attractive card cover and served its purpose with providing basic facts and stats, but with little to retain one's interest for more than a couple of minutes. Credit though for only containing three pages of advertising.

Today's visitors went into this game still with a chance of claiming the Combined Counties League title, although in reality they appear to have "blown it", having challenged Guildford City for top spot in recent months, but two goalless draws away at mid-table Raynes Park Vale and then Cove have meant that destiny is no longer in their hands. Level on points but with an inferior goal difference with Guildford City, they would need to win today's game, their last of the season, and hope that Guildford could gain no more than two points from their remaining two games, both away, but against lowly Ash United and rock bottom Bookham. Egham Town found themselves down in eleventh place in the 21 team league and have a truly awful end to the season, having claimed just two points from their last eight games. When the two teams met earlier in the season, Chertsey won 3-1

On another beautifully sunny day but slightly cooler than of late due to a fresh breeze, the first half of this game was pretty much as one would have expected of a local derby between two clubs out of form, one with much to play for. Dull, with precious few chances, although Egham certainly matched Chertsey, and if anything possibly had the better of proceedings. The scoreline at half-time was goalless, and with news coming through that Guildford City were losing at Ash United, there was much motivation for Chertsey to push on to find a winner. They had a wonderful opportunity four minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a daft challenge by Nathan Blanks on Dean Papali when the Chertsey player was running towards the corner flag. Papali took the penalty himself and struck it well, low to the keeper's right, but the keeper Justin Gray pulled off a tremendous save to keep the scoreline goalless, to add to a wonderful point blank save he had made in the first half from a powerful header.A few minutes later and Chertsey were made to pay for missing the penalty as a well worked move ended with Matt Grave placing a shot under the keeper from 15 yards out to give Egham the lead. Given Chertsey's recent poor goalscoring record and their sporadic at best attacking moves in this match so far, one feared that the title race could be over, but they did manage to get back on level terms on 70 minutes when a corner was headed towards goal by Trevor Charlery and Phil Page tapped in at the far post. Just a minute later and Chertsey were suddenly in front, but what a gift it was, when a back-pass by Blanks was completely missed by the Egham goalkeeper and the ball rolled into the back of the net. An inexplicable mistake, under no real pressure and no bobble was apparent. From now on, Chertsey were in total ascendancy and several chances came and went, varying from the presentable to the "how on earth did he miss that?!" and tempers boiled over a couple of times - a mass brawl went completely unpunished, before another one a couple of minutes later resulted in Egham's Chris Robinson and Chertsey's Miles Smith being sent off. Apparently, Egham should have equalised with a few minutes remaining when a firm header crossed the line before being saved, but Chertsey it was who claimed the derby double. Chertsey's fans had been in fine voice all afternoon, and full credit to them for staying long after the match to applaud their players for a season's hard work as the players spread the champagne. This would not be to celebrate winning the title, as news came through that Guildford had overturned their half time deficit to triumph 3-2, and unless they lose by eleven goals at Bookham next week, the title will be Guildford's. But Chertsey seem to be very confident of gaining promotion after coming close for several years, confidence that may be misplaced as Guildford City have appealed against the decision not to allow them promotion due to their ground, and promotion of runners ups to the Isthmian (and parallel) leagues tends to be something of a lottery.

Bristol Rovers 2 v 2 Charlton Athletic

Saturday 23rd April 2011
Football League One
The Memorial Stadium, Bristol
Admission: £18.50
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 6,586
Match Rating: 4

My second game of the Easter weekend was a match that I had pencilled in as a Charlton awayday at the start of the season but which, in truth, had I not purchased my coach tickets a couple of months ago when Charlton were challenging for a play-off berth, I would probably would have given this game a miss, given the total implosion of Charlton's season. However, a first visit to a Football League stadium, on yet another gloriously sunny and warm day, meant I still headed down the M4 in optimistic mood for a good day out, regardless of how my team would fare.

After a very pleasant couple of hours wandering around the interesting city of Bristol and taking in the impressive structure of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, I then embarked on a 45 minute, almost three mile walk north from the city centre to the Memorial Stadium. Regular buses also ply the route for those less inclined to take on the long walk. The Memorial Stadium has a very unique feel to it as a football stadium, which is perhaps not surprising, as it was designed as a home for rugby, not football. A peculiar feature of the ground is that each of the stands would seem more at home at venues of different sports. A relatively narrow stand on one length of the pitch has the look of a traditional rugby stand, with seating perched high up and with terracing beneath it and stretching either side along the length of the pitch, one third of which is sometimes made available to away aupporters, although not today. Their home was behind one of the goals, in a couple of temporary marquee looking stands with tarpaulin cover, stands that would look more at home at a showjumping event than a football match. Along the other length is a building that looks more akin to a modern cricket pavilion, a pleasantly designed structure with corporate boxes along the top, five rows of seating in the middle and terracing along the bottom, To one side of the stand is another temporary stand almost identical to the ones housing the away supporters - bizarrely, the family enclosure is located in this stand, adjacent to the away fans. On the other side of the main stand is a more permanent looking structure with terracing, and behind the other goal is the only structure that looks like a football stand, a fairly small bank of covered terracing. It's worth buying tickets in advance where possible for a match at the Memorial Stadium, as ticket prices rise by £2.00 on the day of the game. The 64 page programme was a really good effort, one of the best I have encountered this season at any level, although quite bizarrely the front cover has a landscape design. Contained inside is an abundance of information of interest whatever one's allegiance or passion, and helpfully even includes up to date penpics of the home players for the benefit of the away support. Even the quantity of advertisements is kept to a tolerable level.

It's fair to say there was much more at stake for Bristol Rovers than Charlton Athletic today.Having occupied a relegation position for most of the season, Rovers found themselves in 22nd place after back to back defeats, but were only one and two points adrift of the two teams immediately above the relegation zone. After starting the season with promise and expectation to rise out of the third tier of football, a slight dip in form around the turn of the year was consolidated into a complete freefall when former manager Phil Parkinson was sacked, to be replaced by club legend, but rookie manager, Chris Powell. Inititally, four straight victories made this look a masterstroke, however since then, Charlton had won just once in fifteen matches, during which was a run taking just one point from eight games, to transform Charlton from a team that was sniffing around the play-offs to one stuck in mid-table obscurity and consigned to another season in the third tier of English football. When the two teams met in south-east London earlier in the season, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw.

So, despite the league placings, the neutral would have fancied Bristol Rovers to claim a vital three points, and although they made the early running, it was the visitors who took the lead on 7 minutes when a completely unmarked Paul Benson powerfully headed home.after a perfectly judged cross by Nathan Eccleston, on loan from Liverpool. Both sides carved out reasonable chances during the rest of the first half, and Bristol Rovers had a goal ruled out for offside, but it was Charlton who took a slender lead into the half-time break. A home defeat would be disastrous for Bristol Rovers in their perilous position, but Charlton doubled their lead within a minute of the restart thanks to a superb goal by Kyel Reid, with a direct run towards goal before unleashing a vicious, swerving shot which gave the keeper no chance. So, Charlton were unexpectedly cruising towards a comfortable away victory, but just as it looked like the home team were running short of ideas, several referee decisions tipped the match in their favour, Goalscorer Reid was dismissed for a second yellow card, although in truth, it could easily have been a straight red with a late tackle which caused the Rovers player James Tunnicliffe to be stretchered off and taken to hospital, and just a few minutes after that, Jose Semedo followed Reid down the tunnel, also for a second yellow card. With over half an hour to play, it would be a tall order for Charlton to hold on to their lead, and indeed, suddenly Bristol Rovers were full of energy and appetite that seemed to be lacking previously. On 67 minutes, the home side halved the deficit when Wayne Brown slotted home after the ball ran to him following a blocked shot. It really was becoming a back to the walls effort for Charlton now, hoofing the ball clear at every opportunity as Bristol Rovers tried to break them down, missing some fantastic chances, although Eccleston almost claimed a third for the visitors on the break when a long run from the half way line was thwarted as he tried to cut inside 10 yards out. Five minutes from time and Bristol Rovers finally equalised, when Gavin Williams controlled the ball with his arm before rifling home. How the officials did not see as clear a handball as they come is a mystery, and Charlton's manager Chris Powell was sent to the stands for pointing this out too vociferously. Rovers really should have claimed all three points with some bad misses in the closing minutes, but 2-2 was the final score. It is difficult to know who would be happier with this result - Bristol Rovers, getting a point after being two goals down, or Charlton, for claiming a point after playing for more than half an hour with just nine men. In reality though, Rovers really needed to win this game and the cost of not claiming all three points will become clear in a fortnight's time, whereas results are somewhat irrelevant for Charlton now.

Ebbsfleet United 1 v 3 Chelmsford City

Friday 22nd April 2011
Blue Square South
Stonebridge Road, Northfleet
Admission: £11.00
Programme: £2.50
Attendance: 1368
Match Rating: 3

For my opening game of the Easter weekend, I headed to north Kent for a game between two teams right in contention for promotion from the Blue Square - Ebbsfleet United, who were relegated from the Blue Square Premier last season, and Chelmsford City, aspiring for promotion to Blue Square Premier level for the first time in their history.

The home of Ebbsfleet United (formerly, of course, Gravesend and Northfleet), is located about a five minute walk from Northfleet train station, or about double that distance from Ebbsfleet Internaltional train station, and it's a ground which, depending on your point of view, is full of character and a nostalgic reminder of how football grounds used to be, or is a rundown, delapidated ground that is in urgent need of modernising. Personally, as someone who is getting increasingly bored of characterless and soulless grounds even in non-league, I would tend towards the former point of view. Along one length of the pitch is terracing, with a very old fashioned stand covering the middle third. On the opposite side is a smaller, just as old fashioned but more attractive all-seater stand, with plenty of obstructiong pillars to get in the way of one's vision. Behind one of the goals is a bank of uncovered terracing. On my last visit to Stonebridge Road seven years ago, behind the other goal was a bank of covered terrace which generated a terrific atmosphere. Since then, the terrace was declared unsafe and so the club has placed a stand of seats on top about half of the terrace, but the very dated stand structure remains in place. Even down to the old-fashioned toilet blocks and clubhouse latched onto the condemned terrace/now seated stand, Stonebridge Road feels like a ground that has been frozen in time for 40 or 50 years which, for me, visiting it makes a refreshing change. The programme was a good read, glossy attractive to the eye, plenty of interesting articles to digest and all the necessary stats and facts.

Going into this game, Ebbsfleet United were virtually assured of a play-off berth, in third place in the league, eight points clear of the two teams immediately outside of the play-off positions with just three games left to play. It's fair to say that it is as unlikely as that they could overhaul Braintree Town, who were seven points better off, to claim the title and automatic promotion. But Ebbsfleet have been in excellent form, having won their last four games, scored 8 goals without conceding in their last three games, and are unbeaten in their last six games, and a win today would guarantee a play-off berth. One of those teams immediately outside of the play-offs was Chelmsford City, in seventh place, and with the play-offs well within sight, as they are just two points behind fifth placed Woking and three points behind fourth placed Welling United. Last time out, Chelmsford were beaten at home by second placed Farnborough, but won their previous two games. When the two teams met in Essex earlier in the season, Chelmsford threw away a two goal lead as Ebbsfleet won 3-2.

The weather was absolutely glorious, although with temperatures around 25c and with strong sunshine making watching a game of football seem rather tiring and inappropriate, one has to sympathise with the players tasked with running around for 90 minutes in the direct sun. So credit to both teams for producing a reasonably entertaining game of football. Chelmsford had more to play for, and it showed, as they forced the pace in the opening minutes, so it was something of a surprise when Ebbsfleet took the lead on 17 minutes, when a perfectly taken free-kick was headed powerfully home by Tom Phipp.. 11 minutes later and Chelmsford were back on level terms when the ball dropped kindly to Rob Edmans about 15 yards out, who took his time to pick his spot to blast the ball into the net. 1-1 was how it remained at half time, and in the second half, Ebbsfleet seemed rather lethargic and sloppy as Chelmsford dominated for long periods and deservedly claimed all three points when Mark Haines headed home a corner on 52 minutes, and then eight minutes from time, substitute Ali Chaaban superbly spun past a defender before dribbling his way into the box and cooly slotting home from just inside the box. Ebbsfleet did threaten to create a couple of chances, but never really looked like scoring and so a very valuable three points for Chelmsford, which gives them a great chance of making the play-offs now. The defeat does not really change much for Ebbsfleet, as even if they had won they now could not overhaul Braintree who won today, but victories for Dover as well as Chelmsford means that Ebbsfleet still require two points from their remaining two games to book their play-off place. Credit should go to the Chelmsford fans who, as has been the case every team I have seen their team in action, provided excellent vocal support.

Tunbridge Wells 1 v 3 Erith Town

Sunday 17th April 2011
Kent Senior Trophy Final
Park View Road, Welling
Admission with Programme: £7.00
Attendance: 401
Match Rating: 3

A second visit in two days to south-east London  today, within a few miles of where I went for yesterday's game, to watch the Kent Senior Trophy Final at Park View Road, the shared home of Welling United and Erith and Belvedere. I was hardly going as a neutral observer today, Tunbridge Wells being the club I spent many a Saturday afternoon in my younger years, and so I went very much in the hope that they might put an end to a long, barren run of 23 years without lifting any silverware.

Park View Road, which has tended to be the venue for the Kent Senior Trophy Final in recent years, has always been one of my favourite grounds at non-league level, combining the look and feel of a traditional football ground full of character with a sprinkling of modern facilities. Along one length of the pitch is a low old-fashioned all-seater stand dating from the 1950's which runs virtually for the length of the pitch, with a low roof and plenty of obstructing pillars to obscure one's view. On the other side is a small modern all-seater stand, which was built when Erith and Belvedere moved into Park View Road, with Erith and Belvedere's clubhouse located alongside, with a sloping roof coming almost down to ground level and with hard standing between it and the pitch. Behind both goals are small banks of uncovered terracing. Trees behind one of the goals adds a touch of colour to an otherwise urban ground. A programme was included with admission and was a fairly typical cup final programme at this level - penpics of both teams and how each team made it to the final, but a fairly boring programme with little to retain one's interest.

Considering Hythe Town and Herne Bay are the class acts of the Kent League this season, both far ahead of the rest of the league in the chase for the title, two unlikely teams had made today's final. However, these would appear to be two fairly even teams, with fifth placed Erith Town against sixth placed Tunbridge Wells, Erith Town two points better off but have played a game more. Both teams deserved their big day out though, Erith Town having been drawn away in each of the three rounds on the road to the final, which included beating Hythe Town on penalties, and Tunbridge Wells winning 6-1 at Kent County League outfit Phoenix Sports and away at currently third placed VDC Athletic. Neither side came into this game in any kind of form though, Tunbridge Wells had lost their previous three games, whilst Erith Town had not won in their last nine games. Tunbridge Wells received a massive boost ahead of kick off though, when Carl Cornell, second top scorer in the Kent League with 18 goals, who was given almost no chance of recovering from injury, was named in the starting line-up. In the league fixtures this season, Erith Town triumphed 4-3 away, whilst a 0-0 draw was the result at Erith Town.

On a perfect day for a cup final - a warm and sunny afternoon with barely a cloud in the sky - the game started unsurprisingly evenly, with neither side able to dominate early proceedings. Erith Town opened the scoring on 13 minutes, when a long throw-in was flicked on and Alex Tisse headed goalwards without any real power but with enough to loop into the net past an unsighted Mikele Czanner, the Tunbridge Wells keeper. Tunbridge Wells were back on terms on 29 minutes with a calamitous error by the Erith Town goalkeeper, who took an age to control a backpass and decide where he wanted to launch the ball - by the time he did finally make his mind up, his clearance hit Tunbridge Wells forward Keelan Mooney on his back and the ball ricocheted into the back of the net. 1-1 was how it stood at half time, which was a fair reflection of proceedings.

Tunbridge Wells, backed by a very impressive turnout of fans, had the better of the match in the second half, carving out plenty of half chances, but they were made to pay for their lack of a clinical finish when Tisse scored his second of the game, after a jinking, mazy run into the box, followed by a cool finish. This was quite harsh of Tunbridge Wells, but they continued to have the better of play, still without managing to score that crucial goal, and the game was put to bed four minutes from time thanks to another excellent finish, a volley from 25 yards out by Peter Smith which flew into the roof of the net.There was no time left for Tunbridge Wells, as Erith Town held out to claim the Kent Senior Trophy for the first time in their history to send their very small support into celebration and the vast majority of the crowd home disappointed.

Phoenix Sports 2 v 1 Canterbury City

Saturday 16th April 2011
Kent County League  Premier Division
Phoenix Sports Club, Barnehurst
Admission with Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 40 (estimate)
Match Rating: 4

Today was to be one of those days where I just couldn't make my mind up where to go until mid morning, with no games really standing out. In the end, I decided on attending a Kent County League game, which in truth is always something of a lottery, a league in which - even in the Premier Division - clubs vary wildly in terms of their facilities and issuing of programmes. Some clubs have a set-up which would require minimal upgrading to move into senior football, whereas at some clubs, a roped off recreation ground pitch is the extent of the facilities provided for spectators.

The Phoenix Sports Club, which is about a twenty minute walk from Barnehurst rail station in the outermost extermities of south-east London close to Dartford, turned out to be rather a pleasant surprise. Located a very short distance away from the home of Kent League side VCD Athletic, the ground is pleasing on the eye and very well maintained. One enters the ground through a small car park behind one of the goals, where there is a wooden changing room building (the front of which provides the only cover for a very small number of persons), the clubhouse, and a small tea bar. Hard standing is available behind this goal and half of the length where the dugouts are, with grass standing around the remainder of the pitch, all of which has railing around it. The ground is also fully enclosed and the whole set-up has the scent of a well organised and ambitious club. It would appear the only obstacles for moving into senior football - should the team finish high enough in the table to qualify for promotion - are the lack of floodlights and a seated stand, and apparently planning permission has already been obtained for both. A programme is included with the £2 admission, which is pretty basic, consisting of a 12 page glossy surround consisting primarily of adverts but with an attractive front cover, with 8 pages of a welcome message and basic statistics for today's encounter inside - although lacking a league table which would have been useful. However, it's a reasonable effort, and full respect should be given to any Kent County League club bothering to produce a programme.

Today's match pitted the fourth and fifth placed teams in the league, with Canterbury just a point better off than Phoenix Sports but have played three games less, and whilst unbeaten Hollands and Blair have run away with the league, a good end to the season could easily result in a top two finish, and possibly promotion to the Kent League, although most likely they will both have to make do with a place in the recently announced new Step 6 Kent league next season - a very welcome addition to County League football in Kent, to bridge the vast gulf in quality both on and off the field between the Kent League and the Kent County League. In the corresponding fixture, played less than a month ago, Canterbury won by the three goals to one at their hopefully temporary home at Herne Bay.

On a fairly warm but overcast afternoon, the first half was a fairly even affair, with Phoenix Sports slightly shading possession without ever seeming to threaten to score. So it was a bonus for them that the Canterbury goalkeeper Giga Zulmalushelli gave Phoenix Sports a helping hand, when a ball was played back to him by a defender, and in rushing to kick the ball away first time - which he did not need to do - sliced the ball straight to Alfie Harris, who could barely believe his luck on the edge of the penalty area and shot into an empty net. A very fortunate but just about deserved lead then for Phoenix Sports. However, just five minutes later and Canterbury were awarded a penalty, but a weak penalty by TJ Moncur was comfortably saved by the Phoenix Sports keeper Chris Tuley. Canterbury were given a second chance though presumably for encroachment, much to the anger of the home players which earnt two yellow cards, and this time Moncur sent the keeper the wrong way.For a short time, one feared that the home side were losing their heads as they felt aggrieved by some of the referee's decisions as well as the retaken penalty decision, yet just as it looked that the scores would remain even going into the half-time interval, Phoenix Sports retook the lead with a fairly scrappy goal following a corner, the ball falling to Mark Greatorex at the far post for a tap in no more than a couple of yards out. The ball was cleared, but not before it comfortably crossed the line.

The second half was a fairly sterile affair which suited Phoenix Sports, who seemed to be happy to hold on to what they had as Canterbury rarely threatened, although Canterbury had a golden chance to equalise just as the game entered added on time at the end of the match, a powerful header from about 8 yards out miraculously saved by the Phoenix Sports keeper. The home side held on though, to move above Canterbury in the table.

Hurstpierpoint 3 v 0 Uckfield Town

Tuesday 12th April 2011
Sussex County League Division 3
Fairfield Recreation Ground, Hurstpierpoint

Admission: Nil

Programme: £1.00

Attendance: 14

Match Rating: 4

Fine weather and an early evening kick off once again tempted me to a midweek fixture this evening, and although Burgess Hill Town throwing open their doors with free admission for their Ryman League Division 1 South game against Leatherhead was a serious last minute temptation, the lure of visiting a new ground in the Sussex County League swayed my vote.

Hurstpierpoint's home ground, the Fairfield Recreation Ground, is located about a 40 minute walk westwards from Hassocks rail station, via the moderately charming village of Hurstpierpoint. The ground, which is shared with the cricket and stoolball clubs, is extremely basic - but certainly sufficient for their level of support and for the intermediate division of the Sussex County League. All the ground consists of is railing and semi-hard standing along one length and behind one of the goals. The ground is open with a nice rural feel to it - although one imagines it would be rather bleak and windswept in the middle of winter, and the pitch has a considerable slope towards one of the goals. The clubhouse, which is set some way away from the pitch but en route from the main road to the pitch, would not win any awards for design inside or out, but certainly has a friendly feel. Programmes can be purchased from the bar, and tonight's offering was, considering the level, superb. Consisting of 24 pages, it is printed in colour with a very attractive design and all of the essential information and stats - it's a programme that puts certain Division 1 and 2 clubs to shame. Indeed, I have found many clubs in Division 3 to produce surprisingly excellent programmes.

Hurstpierpoint have had a rather remarkable transformation this season. Always having been the Steady-Eddies of the Sussex County League Division 3, having entered the division in its inaugral season in 1983/4, they have remained there ever since, although they finished seven points adrift at the bottom of the division last season, only reprieved as there was to be no relegation last season. This season however, they are flying high in second place. Although they cannot be champions - runaway leaders Dorking Wanderers have already been crowned Champions, and surely they will not be elegible for promotion that a top two place would usually be sufficient for due to their very basic facilities, this will go down as the most successful season in Hurstpierpoint's history. They have already gained more points in a season than ever before, and are well on course to beat their best league placing of fifth. They have experienced a little wobble of late, losing three of their last four league games. There is little left for Uckfield Town to play for this season, down in 12th place in the sixteen team league, although with the two teams below them having games in hand, a finish as low as third bottom is on the cards. However, earlier in the season, Uckfield triumphed by 3-2.

On a pleasant sunny evening, and Hurstpierpoint's last home game of the season before four away games to close the season with, this was a surprisingly even match, with Uckfield having as much possession as the home side, although Hurstpierpoint always seemed to have that little bit of extra class. They went ahead on 5 minutes with a fierce strike from Aaron Walsh that seemed to go straight through the goalkeeper, who was possibly blinded by the low sun. They doubled their lead on 12 minutes when Liam Pears latched onto a through ball and finished cooly into the corner, and two-nil was how it remained at half time despite carving out numerous opportunities, but there was never a feeling that that would be sufficient to win the game, with Uckfield looking lively and determined. Hurstpierpoint did finally put the game to bed ten minutes from time with another well placed shot from Pears, and then Uckfield faded in tandem with the daylight as Hurstpierpoint secured a deserved win but with a very flattering scoreline.
 

Interesting to note that the official attendance for this match was 34 - I can only presume that the players and coaches were included in this figure, as I only counted a maximum of 14!