Worcester Park 2 v 1 South Kilburn

Saturday 22nd March 2014
Combined Counties League Division One
Skinners Field, Worcester Park
Admission: £3.00
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 42
Match Rating: 3

Today I decided to visit a ground that I had always kept in reserve for a possible Bank Holiday double, however, mindful that the ground may not host senior football much longer, I decided to pay visit on a regular Saturday afternoon.

Skinners Field is literally adjacent to Worcester Park train station - in fact, an excellent view of the pitch can be had from the station platform - although the entrance is about a 5 minute walk to the opposite end. The ground is surely living on borrowed time as a senior football venue, so basic are the facilities. A large clubhouse with adjoining teabar is neatly positioned in one corner where one enters the ground, whilst there is hard standing behind railing up to a small stand covering three terrace steps straddling the half way line. Beyond the stand to the other corner is a narrow paved path with the pitch roped off, as it is around the rest of the pitch but with no hard standing due to the facilities being shared with the local cricket club. There is quite a pronounced slope from the railway end to the clubhouse end, with a wall and flood gates in place protecting the clubhouse. No floodlights are present, nor are they ever likely to be. The 24 page programme was reasonable considering the level, colourful with plenty of stats but it was certainly not worth £2. An admission fee of £5 including a programme would have seemed fairer.

This clash would be between two mid-table teams, both having little left to play for. Worcester Park are in eighth place in the 16 team division, nine points adrift of seventh placed Epsom Athletic and nine points clear of twelfth placed Banstead Athletic. They have drawn their last three league games, but have only lost once in their last nine league games stretching back to November. South Kilburn were in 13th place, just four points above bottom placed CB Hounslow. They have been in similar most recent form to Worcester Park, drawing their last two games, but before being unbeaten in their last three games, they lost their previous seven games. When the two teams met in October, South Kilburn triumphed 3-1.

The game kicked off under bright sunshine although with a chilly gusty wind. The game started evenly, but on 23 minutes the visitors took the lead in slightly bizarre circumstances. A free kick struck by Curtis Roberts from close to the sideline swirled in the gust of wind over the keeper and directly into the net. On the half hour, the home side were given the opportunity of equalising when they were awarded a penalty for a trip in the box. However, the keeper made a great save low to his right from the spot kick, and 0-1 to the visitors was how it remained at half time, slightly against the run of play as Worcester Park squandered some good chances to score.

Into the second half and the home took advantage if kicking down the slope, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would get back on level terms as the skies darkened, literally as well as metaphorically for South Kilburn. On 58 minutes, there was almost a carbon copy of South Kilburn's goal, although this time the visiting keeper just about got enough on the ball to divert it onto the woodwork and away. On 62 minutes Worcester Park had two shots headed off the line in quick succession, and then on 69 minutes a header from a corner hit the bar and although a follow up shot seemed to be cradled by the keeper well over the line, the linesman was insistent the ball had not crossed the line and so no goal was given. Finally on 72 minutes the home side did get back on level terms. After an initial shot was blocked by a defender's sliding tackle, Joe Cheeseman smashed the loose ball high into the net. Five minutes from time, Worcester Park were awarded their second penalty of the match, again for a trip, and this time Gary Knowelden drove the ball down the middle to give the home side the lead which they never looked like surrendering, to seal a thoroughly deserved three points. Whilst Skinners Field itself wasn't particularly endearing, it was refreshing to visit a ground that is living borrowed time that harks back to the times when quality on the pitch counted more than quality off of it.

Lingfield 4 v 5 Hailsham Town

Thursday 20th March 2014
Sussex County League Division One
The Sports Pavilion, Lingfield
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 40
Match Rating:4

I decided to take advantage of Thursday evening football today, with a return to the Gatwick flight path for the second time in three days for this Sussex League match. It would mean a revisit for me, although under quite different circumstances to my last visit seven seasons ago, when I had a very pleasant 10 mile round trip walk through countryside on a late summer's afternoon from Edenbridge train station. Driving on a chilly evening would be the order of the day today.

The Sports Pavilion is located about a five minute walk from Lingfield village and remains a rather basic venue mostly due to the fact that the facilities are shared with the cricket club - indeed, it was only permitted to host Division One football this season following a successful appeal to the FA last summer. After entering the ground through a turnstile, all facilities are along that length of the pitch. Stradding the half way line is a large building housing the clubhouse and changing rooms, whilst a rounded roof provides overhang for a balcony area to watch the action from, whilst in front of the clubhouse are a number of picnic tables. In the far corner along this length is a quite a roomy all-seater stand made of breeze blocks but with obstructing pillars along the front. Hard standing is only available along the length and behind the goal closest to the turnstile block, and from the stand to the goal behind the other goal. Behind the rest of the ground is the cricket field, and I recall on a pleasant day, the ground enjoys a nice rural setting. The programme was rather basic, although the outer shell was attractive and informative, and credit to the club for producing a programme specifically for this evening's game rather than issue the one that was produced for the original date(s) of the fixture.

Both of tonight's team still have work to do in order to save themselves from relegation. Lingfield went into this game in thirteenth place in the 20 team division, with 32 points from 26 games, and are eight points clear of the official relegation places - subject to ground gradings not playing a part - although they have two games in hand on third bottom Lancing.Although they won on Tuesday, at home to bottom of the table Worthing United (who had picked up just five points from their 26 league games this season), they had lost their previous six league games, and picked up just one point from eight games. Hailsham are in much more danger of relegation, currently second bottom and seven points adrift of safety with 19 points from 24 games. They have been in the bottom two for most of the season, although things seemed to have been picking up for them when they won three straight league games from mid January, only to then go on to lose their next three games - the three games before tonight, the last of which was on Tuesday, a crucial defeat at home to fellow strugglers Arundel.

On a chilly evening with persistent light drizzle, after a fairly even opening quarter of an hour, Hailsham started to look more and more threatening, and on 25 minutes saw an effort hit the post, and by now completely against the run of play, Lingfield took the lead on 33 minutes. A weak defensive header out fell to Richard Wetton just outside the area, and he took a touch before the driving the ball past the keeper’s dive. However virtually straight from the kick-off, Hailsham were back on level terms when Sam Divall lobbed the keeper from well outside of the area. A third goal in three minutes was then scored which saw Hailsham take the lead, when a long low ball was played into the box, the keeper came out but couldn’t claim the ball, allowing the ball to be passed into the centre of the penalty area, and Steve Dallaway tapped into an empty net. 1-2 was how it remained at half time, but with the defences looking porous, this never looked likely to be the end of the scoring.

And indeed, within a minute of the restart, Hailsham extended their lead. A free kick was looped into the box, and Andrew Whittingham got on the end of a knock down before firing into the net via a deflection. Hailsham made it four to seemingly seal a precious three points on 57 minutes when Harry Ludlow struck the ball into the net following a lay-off from the right of the box. However, Lingfield gave themselves a sniff of a comeback on 67 minutes. After an initial aerial cross into the box was cleared, this time a powerful low drive across the box evaded three or four players before being tapped home by David Dean. Things went relatively quiet for the next quarter of an hour, which suited the visitors, until the home side pulled another goal back. A header from a corner was blocked, and the loose ball was stabbed home by Dean to make it 3-4. Suddenly, it looked more likely that Lingfield would claim a dramatic comeback point, however as the game entered added on time, it was Hailsham who scored their fifth with a breakaway goal after sustained pressure from Lingfield. Two players sprung the offside trap to close down on the keeper and the initial shot from well outside the area was only partially parried by the keeper enabling Dallaway to run on to tap the ball into the unguarded net. However there was still time for Lingfield to score again, the ball spun into the path of Sammy Clements, who tucked the ball past the keeper. This proved to be too little too late, although were there to have been another ten minutes of play, any result would have been possible, given the fragile nature of the defences on display this evening.

From survival looking something of a lost cause at the start of play, it became probably by the end of this game, combined with this evening’s result, Rye United announced this evening that they were to immediately resign from the league. Presuming that Rye’s playing record will be expunged as a result, this would mean that Hailsham are now two points clear of the relegation zone with three games in hand on Lancing, as Lancing will lose the four points they have gained against Rye this season, whilst Hailsham were defeated by Rye.

 

Crawley Down Gatwick 2 v 6 Hastings United

Tuesday 18th March 2014
Isthmian League Division One South
The Haven Sportsfield, Crawley Down
Admission: £8.00
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 106
Match Rating:4

After deciding a trip across the Dartford Crossing didn't sufficiently appeal this evening, instead I headed into West Sussex to visit a ground I've had only visited once before, almost a decade ago. It would also be an opportunity to watch a club I have a keen interest in, Hastings United, as they chase down a play-off berth.

Unsurprisingly, the Haven Sportsfield, which is situated several miles from the nearest train stations in East Grinstead and Three Bridges, is a very different arena from the one I visited when Crawley Down were playing in the Sussex County League Division Two - having never played higher previously. Then, the ground was open, had no floodlights, and one could view the action from the patio outside the clubhouse. Now, the ground has lost some of its charm to appease the ground graders. It is now not possible to enter the clubhouse once inside the ground - although one is allowed at half-time - and instead there is just a burger van present inside the ground. There is an all-seater stand straddling the half way line behind the entrance turnstiles, whilst there is a small covered area for standing behind one goal near to the corner. Around the rest of the ground is just hard standing, with the boundary fencing covered in green sheeting with some trees planted in front, which will presumably offer a more attractive surrounding in the coming years. Programmes sold this evening were for the original fixture in mid January, with a four page insert giving updated stats and welcome message. It was a little disappointing that the club didn't do what Tonbridge Angels did last week, and offer a discount on a publication two months out of date.

Crawley Down Gatwick's season has been somewhat bizarre. After winning their first four league games in their campaign, or winning five and drawing the other of their opening six games, their recent form has been woeful. They haven't won since November, have lost their last four league games, picked up just one point in their last eight games, and defeats have included a 0-11 thrashing away to Guernsey, 0-8 at Folkestone Invicta and perhaps more embarrassingly, 0-6 at Eastbourne Town, who are cut adrift at the foot of the table. Their destiny is still in their own hands though, a point clear of the relegation zone in 21st place in the 24 team division.After spending most of the season chasing the automatic promotion berth, Hastings have suffered a dip in form lately, which has meant that they went into this game 18 points adrift of leaders Peacehaven and Telscombe. However, in fifth place, they were four points clear of sixth placed
Faversham Town outside of the play-offs with two games in hand

On a chilly evening, this game very soon went the way one might have predicted, with Crawley Down looking extremely limited, casual in defence and conceded possession far too readily, whilst Hastings seemed to sense blood from the off, looking very lively moving forward, with going forward harassing the home players into mistakes and stealing possession. On 9 minutes, Hastings opened the scoring. The ball was sprayed to the right wing by Josh Jirbandy, and Taser Hassan put in a cross which fell to Frankie Sawyer, who volleyed the ball into the net. On 15 minutes, Hastings doubled their lead. Hassan stole possession in midfield and drove to the edge of the box before crossing for Trevor McCreadie to head into the net. After coming close on several occasions, the visitors did score their third on the half hour, once again Hassan claiming the assist, sending in the cross from the right and Sawyer headed past the keeper. On 41 minutes, McCreadie stole the ball from a defender, who eventually tripped McCreadie in the box for a clear penalty. Sawyer smashed the ball low into the bottom left corner despite the keeper getting a touch to claim his hat-trick and put the result beyond any doubt. It was a really impressive first half display from the visitors, and one really feared for the young home team who were being totally outclassed.

As can happen sometimes, Hastings seemed to take their foot off the gas in the second half with their convincing lead, but they did score a fifth on 58 minutes, Sam Cruttwell curling a low free-kick inside the keeper's near post. McCreadie then hit the post shortly afterwards, before both he and hat-trick man Sawyer were replaced. Hastings were reduced to ten men when the outstanding Hassan went off injured after Hastings had used all three substitutes. They still managed to score a sixth though two minutes from time, when substitute Josh Oyinsan latched onto a long punt forward by his goalkeeper, strode forward before slotting the ball under the keeper and into the net. Crawley Down had ventured forward more and more in the second half without any real conviction, however a minute from time they did score a consolation goal when Wilfred Grimaud hit a good shot on the turn across the keeper and into the net. Three minutes into added on time and the hosts scored another. Grimaud forced the keeper to come out to block his run, and the ball fell to Tom Frankland, who took his time before curling a shot from the right over the keeper and into the net. Hastings will no doubt be disappointed to have conceded two late goals which took the gloss of their victory somewhat, but were made to pay for coming out after the interval with less intensity. As for Crawley Down, although they still remain outside of the relegation zone, it looks like they will be relying on clubs below them picking up even less points than they will.

Sutton Athletic 0 v 1 Orpington

Saturday 15th March 2014
Kent Invicta League
Lower Road, Hextable
Admission and programme: £4.00
Attendance: 40 estimate
Match Rating: 3

Fancying a fairly local grass roots game today with the sun shining, I decided to visit a ground which would mean that I will have visited every Kent Invicta League ground, to watch a derby game between two clubs who do not play where their names suggest.

Lower Road is about a 2 mile, 40 minute walk northwards from Swanley station, some of it down a small country lane through pleasant countryside. Having moved from their home village Sutton-at-Hone last season, the ground is very much a work-in-progress. Facilities are currently sparse, although planning applications are in place to develop the ground with a seated stand and floodlights, both required to remain in the Kent Invicta League next season. Currently, the ground is railed off, with hard standing in the form of shale available down the length where one enters and behind the far goal. At the opposite end of the length to where the entrance is is the clubhouse, which is as charmless inside as it is outside. A grass bank runs along the opposite length, and the ground has a pleasant, rural setting with hillside farms visible around. Programmes were included with admission and the club produces a very impressive publication for their level, printed in colour and on glossy paper, containing ample stats, interesting articles to read, and even a number of colour photographs from recent matches.

As well as being a local derby, Orpington currently playing just three miles on the other side of Swanley, this would be a match between the third and fourth placed teams in the league. Sutton went into this game two points ahead of Orpington having played two games less, although they are nine points adrift of second placed Holland and Blair and eleven points adrift of leaders Lydd Town. Sutton have been in fabulous form, winning their last four league games, scoring 17 goals in the process, and were unbeaten in the league since early September. A goalless draw was thrown outcome when the two teams met back in October.

On a warm and sunny afternoon, playing passing football proved that be tricky on a hard, bobbly pitch. The game would turn out to be something of a smash and grab. Sutton Athletic were the dominant side throughout the first half - although Orpington did occasionally look dangerous on the counter-attack - but a combination of excellent saves and poor decision making in the final third ensured a goalless half-time scoreline.

Into the second half and Sutton Athletic were even more dominant, and they were made to pay for failing to convert their superiority into goals when Orpington took the lead on the hour. A fast break down the right wing by Robbie Haines resulted in a low cross into the box and Glenn Brewer tapped the ball first time into the net. That seemed to take the wind out of Sutton's sails who, although they continued to dominate possession, struggled to create further goalscoring chances until they forced a succession of corners in the closing minutes, but Orpington held on for a win they barely deserved to leapfrog Sutton into third place, although the result wasn't too surprising given that one always felt Orpington had a goal in them, looking dangerous on the break, whilst invariably teams that squander so many chances are often left to pay the price.