Eastbourne United 3 v 1 Loxwood

Saturday 27^th April 2013

Sussex County League Division Two

The Oval, Eastbourne

Attendance: 85

Match Rating: 3

At the conclusion of my earlier game at Polegate, which had a 2pm kick off, allowing me to take in the second half somewhere else in the vicinity, I made the 15 minute drive to the east side of Eastbourne close to the seafront, to revisit a ground I last visited for an evening match over six years ago.

Since my last visit, The Oval has had a complete facelift, so that its name, The Oval, no longer seems particularly appropriate. Then, the ground was rather ramshackle, with the remains of a disused cinder track around the pitch and a large stand set some way back. Both of these features have now disappeared, with the ground now having excellent facilities for the level the club is at, but at the cost that it is now almost completely devoid of any character. The pitch is closely lined with wooden fencing behind hard standing and railing, whilst along the length where one enters the ground are two Atcost stands, one all-seater and one for standing, whilst behind these are a tea bar and a bar.

Before this game, Eastbourne United still had plenty to play for in their penultimate game of the season, in third place in the division and in the last promotion position, but only one place above fourth placed Little Common, who have a game in hand, and a top two place is out of reach, being eight points adrift but with only two games remaining. Loxwood have nothing left to play for, in eighth place. When the two teams met in September, Loxwood won 4-2.

Arriving here at half time, the scoreline was 1-1, Lewis Scally giving Loxwood the lead on 10 minutes before Jamie Bunn equalised on 43 minutes. The second half was delayed by Loxwood’s striker, Tom Lyons, inadvertently being locked in the changing rooms, and then the contest was rather even, perhaps Loxwood looked the more likely to go back into the lead. On 61 minutes it was Eastbourne United who went into the lead for the first time, when a long ball into the box resulted in the initial header on goal being saved by the keeper, but the follow-up shot was tucked away by Liam Baitup. The momentum then very much swung in Eastbourne United’s favour, and they deservedly opened up a two goal lead on 77 minutes, when patient football around the box resulted in a cross into the box from the right, and Baitup headed in from close range for his second of the game. The sun gave way to rain towards the end of the game, as Eastbourne United coasted to a fairly comfortable victory in the end, to stay ahead of Little Common, who also won today, in the race for third place.

Polegate Town 3 v 1 Montpelier Villa

Saturday 27^th April 2013

Mid Sussex League Championship

War Memorial Recreation Ground, Polegate

Admission: None

Programme: Donation

Attendance: 23

Match Rating: 4

Although it was the final day for many leagues today, and I could have gone to a game with something major riding on it, I ultimately decided to go to a fairly local game on the outskirts of Eastbourne, attracted by the very unusual issuing of programmes at a club who play two tiers below County League level.

The War Memorial Sports Ground is located about a 5 minute walk from Polegate train station and town centre. Most grounds in the Mid Sussex League are nothing more than recreation grounds with barely any facilities, however Polegate Town’s ground has a remarkably smart and organised feel to it right from the entrance, which has a welcome banner. Both lengths are roped off, with signs advising spectators to stay off the pitch. To the right of the entrance, a noticeboard on the clubhouse wall shows the club’s fixtures and up to date league table. One can then walk along the front of the changing rooms, with individual seats placed for spectators to watch the game and a team line-ups board posted on the wall, until one reaches the tea bar. From here, one can acquire a programme for a voluntary donation, and back issues are available to take from a display rack. From this length of the pitch, there is a lovely view of the south downs behind the goal to the right, whilst behind the opposite length is another pitch and then mainly housing behind a hedge but a windmill makes a nice a nice feature. The remaining byline is closely wrapped with a hedge. As for the 8 page programme, printed on bright orange paper to match club colours, it is one that is comparable and in some cases far superior to County League publications, with club history, league tables, recent results and fixtures for both 1^st and 2^nd teams, likely line-up for the home team and a recent match report. An excellent effort at this level, particularly for no set charge.

Coming into this game, Polegate Town have little left to play for this season, in sixth place in the eleven team league and fourteen points adrift of third place, currently occupied by today’s opponents, Brighton based Montpelier Villa, although Polegate have three games in hand. Montpelier Villa were favoruites for a third placed finish, a point ahead of fourth place with a game in hand. Polegate have been in great form recently, winning four of their last five games, scoring 26 goals in the process and conceding just four. Montpelier Villa have been even better form, winning five of their last six games.

On a sunny but deceptively chilly afternoon, Polegate looked the better and more threatening side from kick-off, as Montpelier Villa looked incredibly sluggish and sloppy, being easily dispossessed of the ball on several occasions and never threatening anything incisive. On 17 minutes, the home side took a deserved lead direct from a free kick just outside the box, scored by Ashley Crocombe. Presumably the keeper was unsighted as the shot was not struck particularly powerfully and was certainly not placed in the corner as the keeper didn’t move. Further stand-out chances for Polegate in the first half were hitting the bar from a corner on 27 minutes, and on 31 minutes a Polegate player broke clear of the defence but eventually blazed the ball over the bar when one-on-one with the keeper. At half time, Polegate held a one goal lead, but their lead should have been much more comfortable.

Within four minutes of the restart, Polegate were to rue dominating play and missing chances, as Montpelier Villa scored an equaliser when a corner was headed in by Nicholas Eadie. For the next half hour, the game could have swung either way as it was much more even, but on 78 minutes, Polegate retook the lead when Grant Young broke clear of the defence and his initial shot was saved but the ball was parried back to Young, who headed the ball over the keeper and into the net. A minute later, and Polegate opened up a two goal lead when a low cross into the box wasn’t controlled initially but at the second attempt was fired into the net from 10 yards by Louis Dixon. That was pretty much game over, and indeed, Polegate looked the likelier to score, notably a minute before the end when a lovely curling shot from an angle hit the bar. And so it was Polegate who claimed the three points to raise to fifth place in the league.

Today’s visit turned out to be a fantastic surprise, where I was left with thoroughly positive impressions. A very well organised club and ground, with people who are prepared to put much time and commitment into the club, a friendly welcome from club officials and the tea lady, the players played in the right spirit – it’s a setup that is quite remarkable for a club so low in status and would put many County League clubs to shame, and hopefully the club’s fortunes on the pitch can soon match the efforts of those off of it – the club would clearly be a great asset to senior football.

Malgo 2 v 1 Forest Hill Park

Wednesday 24th April 2013
Kent County League Division One
Cobdown Sports and Social Club, Ditton
Admission and Programme: None
Attendance: 21 (head count)
Match Rating: 2

A second successive evening of silly season groundhopping in the Kent County League took me to mid Kent this evening, for a fixture that was not particularly attractive, but one that gave me an opportunity to visit a ground that has aroused my curiosity for some time - a ground that had proved elusive for various reasons over the years.

Cobdown Sports and Social Club is located about a ten minute walk from Aylesford rail station, immediately adjacent to the M20 and despite its location, is a very pleasant venue to watch football at, with a rural feel to it if only one could block out the sound of the constant traffic. For years, this was the home venue of Aylesford Paper Mills / APM Contrast, but when that club relocated to share Bearsted's ground at the start of this season, Malgo, previously based in West Malling, moved in. The most striking feature of the ground is a large green corrugated iron grandstand with bench seating and which would offer good elevated views of the action. One has the impression that spectators are not intended to enter the stand though, with high unsightly fencing along the front of the stand impeding one's view, one entrance locked up and although the other was open, the impression was that it shouldn't have been. The pitch is fully railed off, with hard standing along the grandstand length, and with trees lining this length and behind the goal with the motorway behind it, whilst the remaining sides are open to adjacent playing fields.

Neither of this evening's teams have much to play for this season, both stuck firmly in mid table, Malgo one place above than Forest Hill Park in sixth place in the thirteen team division, separated only by goal difference although Forest Hill Park have a game in hand. When the two teams met in early December, Malgo triumphed 1-2.

On an overcast and slightly muggy evening, the first half was a desperately dull affair, with a real meaningless end of season feel to the game, played at a pedestrian pace with little commitment. Malgo had the better of three few chances that came along, although a minute before half time, it was Forest Hill Park who took the lead, when a free kick was put into the left top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Happily, the second half was a more entertaining affair, and within five minutes of the restart, the home side were back on level terms. After the ball bobbled around the penalty area, it was eventually drilled into the net from the middle of the penalty area. Forest Hill Park's goalkeeper's distribution from goal kicks was erratic all game and was looking likely to be an accident waiting to happen, and this indeed was how Malgo took the lead on 55 minutes.  The keeper weakly kicked the ball straight to a Malgo forward, who raced towards goal and although his initial half-hearted shot was blocked by the keeper, he then showed good composure in taking the ball slightly wide of goal, and his cross across the six yard line was deflected into the net. The game became rather scrappy for the remainder of the game, not helped by an inconsistent and overly fussy referee. Malgo always looked the more likely to score, but in the end two goals was enough to claim the three points and complete the double over Forest Hill Park

 

Tunbridge Wells 1 v 1 Woodstock Sports

Tuesday 24th April 2013
Kent League Premier Division
Culverden Stadium, Tunbridge Wells
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 132
Match Rating: 3

At the conclusion of my early evening game at Hawkenbury, I then drove across Tunbridge Wells to watch the second half of FA Vase finalists Tunbridge Wells game against Woodstock Sports. Indeed, this would be my first visit to The Culverden since watching both home and away legs of the heroic FA Vase semi-final win over Shildon.

Unsurprisingly, the FA Vase run and chronic fixture backlog – for example, last week, Tunbridge Wells had to play league fixtures on three consecutive evenings after a day’s rest after lifting the Kent Senior Trophy, and they also played a league fixture last night - has really taken its toll on Tunbridge Wells league season. They have lost their last five league games since the Kent Senior Trophy and went into this game in seventh place in the division. Woodstock Sports were one place and three points behind Tunbridge Wells, having played two games more. They have been in great form recently, the exact opposite in fact to Tunbridge Wells, having won their last five league games, which followed a run of six consecutive defeats. When the two sides met in the league back in September, Tunbridge Wells triumphed 0-6, and when they met in the League Cup, Tunbridge Wells won 2-1 in their home leg – when Woodstock Sports had three players sent off - before the second half finished 1-1.

When I arrived at the Culverden Stadium at half-time, the scoreline was goalless, although the Tunbridge Wells keeper, Chris Oladogba, had saved a tenth minute penalty. Soon after the second half started, there was a considerable delay to the game when Tunbridge Wells’ top scorer, Andy Irvine, received lengthy treatment and eventually had to be replaced. On 67 minutes, Tunbridge Wells converted their slight dominance of the game into a lead, when Brad Large hit a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area which dipped over the keeper and into the net. Woodstock Sports were back on level terms eight minutes later with a well-taken goal, Lewis Taylor curling a lovely low shot from the edge of the box and the ball went in off the far post. Neither side really threatened to take the lead after this, and from what I saw in the second half, a draw was a fair result.

Hawkenbury 0 v 3 Sevenoaks

Tuesday 23rd April 2013

Kent County League Division Two East

Recreation Ground, Hawkenbury

Admission and Programme: None

Attendance: 24 (head count)

Match Rating: 3

After a couple of weeks of silly season midweek groundhopping confined to Mid Sussex League grounds, this evening I headed to the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells for a 6.30 kick off in the bottom tier of the Kent County League.

The Hawkenbury Recreation Ground is located about a half hour walk eastwards from Tunbridge Wells rail station. Facilities, unsurprisingly, are very basic, with the football club's pitch situated amongst several other sporting facilities. A wooden building, with all of its doors and windows boarded up, houses the changing rooms and is set some distance behind one of the goals. The ground does have a lovely rural setting, with a few trees scattered together around the perimeter with some more colourful trees and hedges in the distance and with countryside views behind the other goal. Wooden park benches are conveniently placed close around the pitch, which was horribly bobby this evening and has a fair slope from the changing rooms end.

A glance at the league table in advance of this evening's fixture suggested it would be something of a mismatch, a real top v bottom clash. Hawkenbury have had a poor season, bottom of the table and three points adrift, and are favourites to be relegated from the Kent County League based on league position unless they receive a reprieve. Sevenoaks are the reserve team of Kent League Sevenoaks Town and seem certain of promotion, in second place, level on points with the leaders but with two games in hand. They were in great form too, having won their last twelve league games straight. When the two teams met in November, Sevenoaks won 6-0.

On a gloriously sunny evening which made the rural surroundings glow with colour, the match did not completely go to script, as it was surprisingly even in the first half, with the pitch probably being a leveller, as Sevenoaks struggled to play football down the slope. Sevenoaks did take the lead on 17 minutes though. After being encouraged from the touchline to play long ball football on this pitch, a long ball down the middle opened up a one on one opportunity with the keeper, and Andy Logan calmly slotted the ball to the side of the keeper and into the net. The remainder of the half continued with Sevenoaks disappointing and Hawkenbury always looking in the game, even if it was Sevenoaks who missed several very good chances.

Into the second half and still the match looked very much in the balance until the 78th minutes when Sevenoaks scored their second. A free kick from just outside the area broke down but Hawkenbury couldn't clear the ball properly, which was eventually drilled into the net by Zac Clarke. A minute later and the scoreline became as harsh on Hawkenbury as it was flattering to Sevenoaks when Sevenoaks scored their third. The ball was ran in from wide along the byline and eventually drilled to the near post where it was turned into the net from a couple of yards by Clarke for his second of the game. Hawkenbury steadied the ship after the two quick goals and there was little threat of further goals as Sevenoaks rose to the top of the table after this win and Hawkenbury stayed anchored to the foot of the table. Whilst Sevenoaks deserved the three points, there was little evidence of the gulf between the two teams this evening. 

Charlton Athletic 2 v 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Saturday 20th April 2013
Football League Championship
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 19,023
Match Rating: 3

 

Match report can be viewed here

Buxted 1 v 1 Ifield

Wednesday 17th April 2013
Mid Sussex Senior Charity Cup Quarter-Final
Ifield won 7-6 on penalties
Recreation Ground, Buxted
Admission and Programme: None
Attendance: 32 (head count)
Match Rating: 3

My latest silly season groundhopping adventure took me to yet another Mid Sussex Football League ground, although this time in a cup competition, with the possibility of a giantkilling. It would also be a visit to a former Sussex County League venue, Buxted having played in Division Three for ten seasons here.

The Buxted Recreation Ground is just a five minute walk from Buxted rail station, and was a pleasant surprise given the club's lowly status in the second tier of the Mid Sussex League. The ground has a pleasant rural and peaceful feel to it, surrounded by trees, housing barely visible, and with long distance countryside views above the trees. A clubhouse is also present, which isn't particularly easy on the eye from the outside but being able to have a pint and hot food is welcome at this level.

This game would surely be a tough challenge for Buxted, playing against established Sussex County League Division Three side Ifield, who play two tiers above Buxted. Both teams are in the lower reaches of their respective divisions, with Buxted in eighth place in the 11 team Mid Sussex League Championship, and Ifield in tenth place in the 12 team Sussex County League Division Three. Ifield’s poor recent form would certainly give Buxted room for hope that they could bridge the two division gap between the two teams, having drawn one and lost the other four of their last five games. To set up this tie, both clubs last played in this competition last autumn, beating teams in their respective divisions, Buxted winning 2-4 at AFC Ringmer in October, whilst Ifield won 3-2 at home to Roffey in September.

On a dry and occasionally sunny evening, the first half was competitive without being particularly entertaining. Ifield, unsurprisingly, looked the stronger team and had the better chances, although Buxted were giving a good account of themselves, with the two division gap between the two teams not really evident , and indeed Buxted did have the odd chance to take the lead. A goalless scoreline at half time was a fair reflection of the first half though.

Buxted seemed to have grown in confidence by the second half, and by now it was they who shaded possession and the better chances. On 63 minutes, they took the lead. There was a hint of offside when a player ran down the line – although the general consensus was that he had timed his run to perfection – and crossed the ball low into the box. An Ifield defender really should have cut the cross out, but missed the ball, leaving an easy tap in from a few yards out at the far post by Grant Reynolds. For the rest of the game, Buxted looked comfortable with their lead, as they dominated the game and Ifield surprisingly seemed to lack confidence and allow the game to drift towards an inevitable defeat. Amongst other chances, Buxted really should have put the game to bed around five minutes from time when two attackers bore down on goal, but the ball was blazed over the bar instead of being squared to his fellow attacker in front of the goal with the keeper committed. This was to prove extremely costly, as out of nothing, Ifield scored an equaliser on 90 minutes. The ball was crossed high into the box from the byline, and was headed in from close range by Chris Hughes. 

With the fading light, extra time was not possible and so the match went straight to penalties. Ifield took the first penalty, but both teams missed their first penalty. They then both scored their next three. Buxted had the chance to win the tie when Ifield missed their fifth penalty, but unfortunately the Buxted player then slipped as he struck the ball, which looped gently into the keeper’s hands. Both teams’ next three penalties were they converted, but after Ifield scored their seventh, the Buxted player struck his penalty just over the bar to give Ifield the win. So an expected result beforehand, but Buxted will be kicking themselves after more than matching their higher level opponents and wasting several golden chances to progress. Ifield will now meet another team from the Mid Sussex League Championship, Burgess Hill Albion, in the semi-final.