Bashley 0 v 2 Winchester City

Saturday 30th August 2014

FA Cup Preliminary Round

Bashley Road, Bashley

Admission: £6.00

Programme: £2.00 

Attendance: 160

Match Rating: 3

My desire to take in an FA Cup game at a new ground meant a long trip was in prospect for me today. I eventually decided to head along the South Coast and into the New Forest.

Bashley Road is about a 20 minute walk northwards from New Milton train station and is a rather disappointingly unremarkable rural ground. Walking down a short drive from the main road, one is confronted with a large yellow and black fence welcoming visitors to the ground, with a turnstile block to one side, although this was closed today. One enters behind one goal, noticing the ground is surrounded by trees, which gives it a pleasant, naturally enclosed feel, however in all honesty, that is where the charm ends. Adjacent to the entrance is the village hall, beyond which is a much shorter, flat roofed building containing the clubhouse and refreshments bar. Between the clubhouse and the pitch, there is hard standing. Stretching from a corner flag to the half way line is a press box and commercial office and then an all-seater stand, whilst beyond the half way line are two further stands covering terrace steps. Behind the remaining goal and along the other length is flat hard standing. The 40 page programme was somewhat old fashioned in that it was printed in black and white throughout, inside a colourful cover. But it proved a more interesting read than more colourful and glitzy programmes often produced these days at this level, with an acceptable level of advertising.

After their very existence looked in grave danger towards the end of last season, when it had to rely on the generosity of supporters to see the season out, Bashley have had a poor start to their campaign in the Southern League Division One South and West following relegation last season. They are second bottom, having picked up just one point from their opening six games. Winchester play a step below Bashley, in the Wessex League Premier Division, but are one of the favourites to gain promotion this season, having signed the management team and several players including prolific striker Warren Bentley from Alresford Town. They've had a solid if unspectacular opening to their season, in 14th place in the 22 team division, winning two and drawing one of their four games so far, although they have up to four games in hand on all other teams in the division. Unlike Bashley, Winchester entered the FA Cup in the Extra Preliminary Round, winning 2-5 at Lymington Town. Today's teams met in a pre-season friendly in mid July, with Winchester winning 0-4.

On an overcast afternoon, Winchester completely dominated the first half, to the extent that one would have thought the home side were the underdogs desperately trying to keep in the game. Winchester took the lead on seven minutes, when a throw in was helped on and couldn't be intercepted, until Bentley stroked the ball past the keeper. How they did not extend their lead by half time was anyone's guess, being camped in Bashley's half and creating and missing countless chances whilst also having a shot cleared off the line. Bashley were lucky to still be in the game at the interval, having had an absolute shocker of a half, with their players being too slow and too lightweight.

Things could only get better for Bashley, but they were a team transformed after the break, looking much more threatening and creating several good goalscoring opportunities. Winchester still looked threatening on the break though and the game really could have gone either way. In the end, with seven minutes remaining, Winchester scored a second to seal their passage into the next round. A surge into the box ended with the ball being played across the area, allowing Bentley the easy task of stroking the ball home. To their credit, Bashley still pushed for a goal, but it was Winchester who, in terms of league status, claimed a giantkilling scalp, but in reality they deservedly progressed to the First Qualifying Round, where they will play the winner of Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Bournemouth Poppies. Although the season is still very much in its infancy, based on today's evidence with results so far, the smart money would be on these two clubs swapping divisions at the end of this season.

Robertsbridge United 1 v 5 Crowhurst

Thursday 28^th August 2014

Pre-season Friendly

The Clappers, Robertsbridge

Admission and Programme: N/A

Attendance: 11 (head count)

Match Rating: 3

This was very much a bonus match for me. In itself, there was little attractive about the game, between two clubs in the East Sussex League and at a ground I’ve visited previously, most recently in May this year. However, it proved a convenient game to take in on my way home from work – and actually turned out to be an entertaining game of football.

This game would be between Robertsbridge United, who finished in third place in the nine team Premier Division of the East Sussex League, against Crowhurst, who finished in eighth place in the 11 team Division Two.

Therefore, according to league statuses, this should be a comfortable home win, and indeed, Robertsbridge had the first chance of the game, when a shot from distance was saved low down to the keeper’s left. That proved to be a false dawn, as Crowhurst went on to completely dominate the first half, showing excellent creativity and energy, whilst Robertsbridge struggled to get any rhythm going. The visitors took the lead on five minutes, when a low ball forward was taken in his stride by Karl Senni, who outmuscled a defender before slotting the ball past the keeper. They doubled their lead on 12 minutes as a result of some terrible defending. A fairly gentle ball was played towards the penalty area, a defender missed his header and another couldn’t get his foot on the ball, allowing Gary Croft an easy tap in past the keeper.  Crowhurst made it three just before half time with a great goal, curled in from the outer edge of the penalty area by Sean Hankinson, although perhaps the keeper could have done better.

So a surprising, but completely deserved convincing half time lead for the underdogs. It was hard to see what Robertsbridge could take from their first half performance, so bad did they play, but they did improve after the break, and on 49 minutes almost scored a spectacular goal. A lofted shot from well outside of the area sailed over the keeper but came back off the top right corner of the goal frame. On 61 minutes, a pull back from the byline resulted in a shot that was screwed low just wide of the far post. However, a minute later and Crowhurst scored their fourth. The ball was curled towards the penalty spot from the wing half way into the Robertsbridge half, and was glanced over the keeper and into the net by Hankinson. On 84 minutes, Crowhurst made it 0-5 with another very avoidable goal. The ball was brought in from just inside the half, and Carl Longbottom muscled past the defender, just about winning the race to the penalty area, before sidestepping the goalkeeper and dribbling the ball into the unguarded net. In very dark conditions, Robertsbridge were awarded a penalty a surge into the penalty area was ended by a foul. The penalty kick was converted low into the bottom left corner of the net for a consolation goal which they just about deserved for an improved second half. However, Crowhurst claimed the emphatic victory which was equally deserved for an inventive style of play which always looked likely to cause Robertsbridge players problems.

Crowborough Athletic 1 v 2 Tunbridge Wells

Monday 25th August 2014

Southern Counties East League

Alderbrook Stadium, Crowborough

Admission including Programme: £6.00

Attendance: 253

Match Rating: 3

Following my morning match at AFC Uckfield Town, I headed eight miles northwards to visit a club that I visited frequently up to last season, when they were my local club before moving away from the area. The match promised to be quite an interesting game, between two local clubs separated by just seven miles but who have hardly played each other in recent years, several former Tunbridge Wells players would be lining up for Crowborough today, and Tunbridge Wells would no doubt bring with them their usual large and vocal support that they have gained since the club reached the FA Vase final at Wembley a couple of seasons ago.

There have been a couple of ground improvements at the Alderbrook since last season, in order to meet the requirements of the Isthmian League should the team do the business on the field in the near future. The bar that was previously immediately behind the goal has been relocated, leaving a more spacious area for persons buying refreshments, and is now housed in a separate brick building behind one corner. Dubbed the "Crow Arms", it even has a pub style sign hanging outside, a nice touch. The programme is similar to editions produced in previous years - professionally produced, contains the essential stats with other interesting articles to digest.

Today would be the first ever league meeting between the two, after the first ever competitive game occurred last season in the FA Vase, which Tunbridge Wells won 1-0 at home. Having previously competed in the Sussex League, finishing in fifth place last season, Crowborough won their first game in the Southern Counties East League, against Canterbury City, before losing at Greenwich Borough (3-0) and Sevenoaks (2-1), and sandwiched between those defeats was a 0-7 home defeat against Dorking Wanderers in an FA Cup replay. Once again one of the favourites for promotion, after disappointingly finishing in fourth place last season 15 points adrift of champions Whyteleafe, Tunbridge Wells duly kicked off this season with two wins, before losing at neighbours Sevenoaks and drawing at home against Woodstock Sports.

Rain continued to fall constantly throughout this game, but after enduring my first goalless game of the season this morning, I would only have to wait another 36 seconds for a goal here, with a dream start for the Crows. Mark Roberts fired in a perfect cross from the right, and Scott Treleaven headed home from close range. Although Crowborough were certainly on top for most of the first half, the game became increasingly physical, partly due to the tricky, slippery conditions and probably more so as that is how Tunbridge Wells play, and few clear cut goalscoring chances were created. Tunbridge Wells equalised four minutes before the break though, when a throw in was headed across goal by Perry Spackman, and with former Wells keeper Michal Czanner committed at his near post, Brendon Cass tapped into the empty net from close range.

With the rain continuing to fall heavily into and throughout the second half, the game continued to be disjointed, with the slippery surface combined with a physical style of play, but the Wells went into the lead on 56 minutes. Jake Beecroft swung over a perfect cross from the right, and Nick Davis bulletted the ball into the net with his head. On 63 minutes, it looked like Crowborough would have the chance of getting back on level terms. A powerful shot from a central position from the edge of the box by Mark Roberts was blocked on the line by Wells defender Jason Bourne. The linesman flagged for a penalty, but the referee overruled him and waved play on. It appears the referee might have called it correctly, that the ball struck Bourne’s chest rather than hand. That turned out to be Crowborough’s last real chance to get something out of the game, as Tunbridge Wells closed the game out quite comfortably and if anything looked the likelier to score. So, the Wells came out on top in this derby game where experience, physicality and a direct approach prevailed over a young team looking to play in a more patient, creative style. It is difficult to see Tunbridge Wells winning the title this season, as their style of play probably will not prevail against the stronger teams in this division, whilst Crowborough look on course for a steady, unspectacular season in mid-table, adjusting to life in a new league, but will hopefully lay the foundations to push for promotion in seasons to come.

AFC Uckfield Town 0 v 0 Bexhill United

Monday 25th August 2014

Sussex County League Division Two

The Oaks, Uckfield

Admission including Programme: £5.00

Attendance: 20

Match Rating: 3

For my August Bank Holiday action, I decided to stay local today. Although it would mean revisiting two grounds, this was no great hardship considering the first game would be at one of the more attractive rural football grounds at senior level, and the second would be a local derby between two clubs close to my heart. Heavy rain forecast for much of the day also meant that driving, rather relying on public transport, was a much more palatable option.

AFC Uckfield Town were only formed this summer following a merger between the town's two senior clubs, AFC Uckfield and Uckfield Town. They play at the former home of AFC Uckfield (as Uckfield Town's Victoria Pleasure Ground would never be able to host senior football) and took that club's place in Division Two of the Sussex League, whilst the new club adopted the red and black striped kit of Uckfield Town. The Oaks is a couple of miles south of the town and is much the same as it was on my previous visit nine years ago. Entering the ground in one corner, through a very neat and easy on the eye turnstile hut, a couple of metallic stands straddle through half way line, both having a couple of rows of seats along the front, with standing room to the rear. There is hard standing along the rest of the length and behind both goals. The remaining length is now closed off to supporters, but has quite attractive wooden fencing and support for netting. the ground has a very enclosed feel to it, closely surrounded by thick trees, giving a lovely rural, green and peaceful feel to it. One thing that may need to be addressed at some stage is that the ground and clubhouse is still painted in the blue colours of the former AFC Uckfield club. The spacious, comfortable and inviting clubhouse is located outside the ground, whilst the programme, included with admission, is a very good effort for this level, with plenty to read inside and printed in colour.

AFC Uckfield Town have made a good start to their league season, winning both of their opening games, 3-1 against Rustington at home and 0-1 away at Seaford, but they bowed out of the League Cup, losing 1-3 at home to Saltdean. Bexhill won their only league game so far, 1-2 at Mile Oak, after losing their opening game of the season in the League Cup 3-4 against cross-town rivals Little Common. Last season, Bexhill United finished in eighth place, whilst AFC Uckfield finished in tenth (and Uckfield Town ironically had their best season for many a year, finishing fourth in the division below, the intermediate level Division Three).

With rain constantly falling in advance of kick off and throughout the match, this was quite a strange match that was end to end, with plenty of effort and heart on show, but with precious few goalscoring chances created. Certainly the wet conditions with a slippery surface didn't help. The best chance of the first half came three minutes before half time, when an Uckfield free kick was well saved by the keeper to his left.

Into the second half and Bexhill carved out some reasonable chances to score. On 54 minutes, after the ball was played backwards in the area, a powerful low shot was saved the keeper, whilst on 66 minutes, a Bexhill throw-in was headed on into the area, and a cross-shot hit the outside of the post and went wide. Two minutes later and Bexhill probably had the best chance of the match. The ball was dinked over the defence, finding a Bexhill forward unopposed deep inside the area, but he fired his shot just wide of the far post. A poor miss after doing ever so well to get into a great position in the first place. A minute later and it was Uckfield's turn to have a good chance, following a great cross field ball forward, but the shot was slashed wide from a slight angle. Despite plenty of huff and puff, there never looked likely to be a goal for the rest of the match and the teams had to settle for a point each, which was probably the right result despite Bexhill carving out more goalscoring opportunities. So, my first goalless match of the season, but this was actually quite an entertaining game. Despite the lack of real goalscoring chances, there was plenty of attacking endeavour and commitment show in a match played in increasingly difficult conditions.