Langney Wanderers 2 v 0 Ringmer

Thursday 28th April 2016
Southern Combination League Division One
Priory Lane, Eastbourne
Admission: £5.00
Programme: Free
Attendance: 70
Match Rating: 2

This evening I decided in to take in a midweek game in April that was not a cup final nor an early evening kick off, but still had some interesting elements to it. It would take place at the fourth different venue that Langney Wanderers have "hosted" home fixtures at this season, and this would also be the last senior game played on grass at Eastbourne Borough's home ground Priory Lane, with a 4G pitch being laid there during the summer.

Two  divisions separated this evening's teams last season, as Langney Wanderers have enjoyed their first season in senior football this season, whilst Ringmer were relegated from the top flight after their continuous stay there since 1989. No doubt that Langney Wanderers will be the happier with his their season has unfolded then, as they came into this game in ninth place, with an outside chance of climbing to seventh in they were to win both of their remaining games. They have won 13 and drawn four of their 30 league games. Ringmer  were in twelfth place, with nine wins and seven draws from their 30 league games. When the two teams met in the reverse fixture in December, the game finished 1-1.The programme was the original issue for the game scheduled to have taken place on Easter Monday, and so was completely out of date, so it was fair enough that it was handed out free of charge.

On a cool, breezy evening, Langney Wanderers had the better of the first half, yet it was Ringmer who came closest to opening the scoring on two occasions. On the half hour, they were awarded a penalty after the ball was lumped into the box and the defender fouled the forward as they both went up for the ball. The penalty was struck low down the middle and saved by the keeper, and the follow up shot was also tipped wide. Just before half time, a free kick 30 yards took a deflection off the defensive wall, and with the keeper rooted, the ball hit the crossbar and went over.

Langney Wanderers took the lead on 55 minutes thanks to a large slice of good fortune, when Paul Weatherby took a corner and the ball sailed through the defenders and goalkeeper to find its way into the net. There was plenty of niggle between the two teams, and on 62 minutes, Ringmer were reduced to ten men, when Matthew Burt was shown a second yellow card for dissent after much confusion - initially taking off his shirt and walking to the changing rooms, was beckoned back as it was thought he had escaped the caution, only to then be shown the card when he returned to talk to the referee. The result was pretty much put beyond doubt on 72 minutes when Trevor McCreadie received the ball at the edge of the area, swivelled before firing low across the keeper and into the far side of the net. Langney Wanderers had several chances to extend their lead, but they comfortably saw the game and although they remained in ninth place, they are now within two points of seventh place going into the final round of games on Saturday, whilst Ringmer are certain to finish in eleventh place.

Peche Hill Select 3 v 1 Robertsbridge United

Monday 26th April 2016
East Sussex League Challenge Cup Final
Pilot Field, Hastings
Admission including Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 150 (estimate)
Match Rating: 3

This evening I decided to pay my second visit within a month to the Pilot Field, to watch the premier cup final in the East Sussex Football League.

Peche Hill Select were looking to complete the league and cup double this evening, having clinched the East Sussex League Premier Division title at the weekend, with an unbeaten league record of 13 wins and two draws from their 15 games played so far with three left to play. Robertsbridge were in third place, with nine wins and a draw from their 16 games. When the two teams met in the league in September, Peche Hill Select won 2-0.

On a cool but mainly dry evening, the game started evenly, if anything Robertsbridge had the better of things although Peche Hill had the first real chance, seeing a drive go just over the bar. On 26 minutes, Peche Hill were awarded a penalty, when their forward knocked the ball past the keeper before tripping over the keeper's outstretched legs. The penalty was converted by Ross Southwood low to the left with the keeper diving the other way. They doubled their lead on 35 minutes, when Callum Smith drove to the right edge of the penalty area before lashing in a shot across the keeper and into the net. One feared that may have decided the game, but Robertsbridge pulled a goal back a couple of minutes before the break. A free kick was pumped up to the back post and although it looked like the ball would go out of play, it was headed across goal and Guy Ballard headed in from very close range, to set up an intriguing second half.

Seven minutes into the second half and Peche Hill Select restored their two goal lead. A corner was drilled across goal and a defender missed cutting the ball out and instead it rolled to the feet of  Smith, who had the simple task of tapping the ball home from close range. Although Robertsbridge battled gamely, it never looked likely that they would score the two goals required to take the game to extra time, although an excellent overhead kick resulted in the ball coming back off the crossbar. Peche Hill also had several good chances to extend their lead, but they still comfortably lifted the trophy shortly after the final whistle.

Concord Rangers 0 v 1 Havant and Waterlooville

Saturday 23rd April 2016
National League South
Thames Road, Canvey Island
Admission: Free
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 435
Match Rating: 2

Once I saw this match was advertised as offering free entry early in the week, my mind was made up to tick off this ground, which I tried to do last year when Concord Rangers also offered free entry, but long delays approaching the Dartford Tunnel meant that I had to divert elsewhere.

Thames Road is located in the western part of Canvey Island, just under three miles from the nearest train station at Benfleet, and whilst it does not boast an attractive or quaint background, it certainly is unusual. After entering through a neat brick turnstile block, the modern designed clubhouse, which was refurbished last summer, is situated to the left, with the pitch to the right, after passing the tea hut. Along the length closest to the entrance is the main stand, all-seater with only half a dozen rows, with a couple of small metallic all-seater stands located immediately adjacent on either side. Along the opposite length, there are two further metallic all-seater stands situated either side of the dug outs, whilst behind both goals there are covered areas over a couple of terrace steps. As for the background, behind one length is a caravan park close behind, behind the other there are gas works buildings, whilst sewage treatment works are situated behind the goal opposite the clubhouse. In summary, although the ground is neat and tidy, it has the feel of one that should host a club several tiers lower in the pyramid, but it is perfect adequate for the club and is a sign of the excellent progress the club has made since climbing from the Essex Senior League in 2008. The programme was attractively laid out and printed on good quality paper but was a little light on interesting content.

After Concord Rangers lost at home to Truro in midweek, they cannot now make the play-offs. They came into this match in tenth place, with 15 wins and nine draws from their 40 league games. There was much more left to play for for today's visitors, who came into this game second bottom, with 11 wins and nine draws from their 39 games, and two points adrift of safety and fourth bottom Margate, although they have a game in hand on all clubs around them, so survival is very much in their hands. In their reverse league fixture in December, Havant and Waterlooville won 2-1. An interesting aspect of this match would be that Concord Rangers have had a relatively poor record at home, with six wins and 10 defeats from their 20 home games, whilst Havant have won just one of their 20 away league games.

On a chilly afternoon, Concord Rangers put in a poor perfomance on their Community Day (hence the free admission, with donations being invited for a local charity). The visitors started much the better, and they deservedly took the lead. The ball was lumped down the left wing, Shamir Mullings did excellently to nod the ball a couple of times around a covering defender to get to the byline before pulling the ball back to Ben Swallow who fired in from 8 yards out. They continued to look the better side during the first half, and deservedly held a narrow half time lead.

Into the second half and the home side put in an improved performance, with most of the play in Havant's half, but they never really looked likely to score, and Havant held on for a deserved and what could turn out to be a crucial three points, with both of their remaining games at home. Perhaps the match was a reflection on it being much more important to the visitors than the hosts, as Concord Rangers put in a generally uninspired performance, which was disappointing on their big Community Day.

Video footage of the goal can be viewed by clicking here

Polegate Town 2 v 2 Dormansland Rockets

Wednesday 20th April 2016
Mid Sussex League Championship
War Memorial Recreation Ground, Polegate
Admission: N/A
Programme: Free
Attendance: 38 (head count)
Match Rating: 3

This evening would be my long awaited first taste of early evening, silly season football of 2016. It would mean a revisit for me, following my previous visit in 2013, but there was still plenty to look forward to, recalling a club that was amazingly welcoming and well organised considering their lowly position in intermediate football on my previous visit.

On arrival today, it was pleasing to note that it retained the smart appearance and organisation as I encountered previously, although on this occasion the pitch was not roped off. But the tea bar is still available for refreshments, and the club still issues a programme, as extremely rare as it is welcome at this standard of football, an 8 page publication with a club introduction, league tables for the various Polegate Town teams, recent results and player stats.

Both of this evening’s teams are playing catch up in the league. Polegate came into this game in seventh place, with six wins and two draws from their 17 games, and although they were nine points adrift of sixth place and ten points adrift of fifth place, Polegate have three games in hand on both clubs residing those positions. Dormansland are even further behind with their games, and came into this game in fourth place, with twelve wins and three defeats from their 15 games, but with at least five games in hand on all three clubs above them, and 14 points adrift of the leaders, winning the division is not out of the question, although perhaps promotion would be the more realistic target. In the reverse fixture played in September, Dormansland won 8-0.

On a beautifully sunny evening, but with a brisk wind which made conditions very chilly once the sun set, Dormansland dominated the opening 20 minutes of this game as they came close on several occasions to opening the scoring. So it came as a big surprise that it was Polegate who opened the scoring on 24 minutes, when George Whitley ran diagonally from the wing towards goal before lashing the ball past the keeper. Things got even better for the home side on 28 minutes. After the keeper fumbled a high ball, a shot was blocked on the line, but Alex Frost then drove the ball into the net. Whilst one could not have seen Polegate taking the lead, let alone scoring twice, they then looked fairly comfortable, and it took a bad mistake by the home keeper to let the visitors back in the game. He fumbled the ball played gently towards him, and the striker a foot to the ball before tapping it into the net. They soon came close several time to getting back on level terms, but Polegate retained their one goal lead at the interval.

After a 5 minute break, Dormansland almost completely dominated the second half, perhaps due in no small part to their physical approach and moaning to the referee, who indeed seemed to really make the most of every situation to talk to the players and issue yellow cards without ever really getting the game under control, which had an increasing niggle about it. On 48 minutes, Dormansland were awarded a penalty when the forward was brought down after turning a defender and running towards goal. After lengthy arguments, the penalty was fired wide to the right of the goal, a real let off for the home team. But the reprieve only lasted six minutes until Dormansland equalised with a fabulous goal, lashed in from the left edge of the area on the run across the keeper and into the net. Dormansland had numerous opportunities to claim the three points, but saw efforts towards goal miss the target, hit the post or a couple of “goals” were ruled out for offside. However, it was Polegate who had the last two good chances to claim the victory, failing to stab the ball home after a scramble in the goalmouth and then saw a header go just wide. But in the end both sides settled for a point – both teams will probably feel disappointed to claim the three points after an entertaining 90 minutes of attacking football, so a point apiece was probably the right result.

Willingdon Athletic 2 v 1 Buxted

Tuesday 19th April 2016
Mid Sussex League Premier Division
The Saffrons Eastbourne
Admission and Programme: N/A
Attendance: 18
Match Rating: 3

With still no early evening matches sufficiently convenient or appealing, I decided to pay another visit to The Saffrons, to take in some intermediate football with Willingdon Athletic playing some of their midweek home matches at the home of Eastbourne Town.

A third place finish is all Willingdon have left to play for this season, as they came into this match in fourth place, level on points with third placed Balcombe having played a game less. They have won 12 and drawn two of their 23 league games. They had a great result at The Saffrons last Tuesday, when they beat champions elect Jarvis Brook 4-1. Buxted are fighting to avoid relegation, second bottom  in the division with six wins and three draws from their 22 games, but with three games in hand on Portslade  Athletic, with whom they are level and points and one point behind fourth bottom Forest Row, they should be able to rise a couple of places by the time the season finishes. When the two teams met back in September, Buxted won 4-1.

On a lovely sunny evening with a chilly edge to the breeze, the first half was an even affair, with Buxted more than holding their own, and indeed they took the lead on 26 minutes. A ball through the middle just evaded a defender, allowing the Buxted player through on goal and he lashed a shot past the keeper. Hillingdon almost drew level within a minute, when a free kick fell to a player at the back post, but his first time, close range shot was parried wide. They did equalise on 38 minutes though. The ball was swung in from the right and the ball was headed back across the keeper and into the net.

Into the second half and Willingdon stepped their performance up to mostly dominate the second half, and after coming close on a couple of occasions, they scored what turned out to be the winner. A free kick was struck from just outside the area and although the keeper shouted “safe”, the ball actually skimmed the bottom of the crossbar before finding the back of the net. For the remainder of the game, it was only Willingdon who looked like scoring again, as they forced a couple of smart saves and saw a header from a corner headed off the line, as Buxted resorted to fouls to try to contain Willingdon. So a deserved win for Willingdon and they have a great chance of clinching a third place finish. If Buxted can take forward their decent first half performance in future games, then they will still have a good chance of avoiding a bottom two finish.

Whitchurch United 0 v 1 Newport (Isle of Wight)

Saturday 16th April 2016
Wessex League Premier Division
Longmeadow, Whitchurch
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 60 (estimate)
Match Rating: 3

With train connection making a trip across Surrey much more convenient than usual, I had planned to visit Sandhurst Town today. However, heavy rain yesterday and with a little more this morning meant that that game was postponed, and so I continued a little further south-westwards to tick off another ground in the Wessex League.

Longmeadow is about a twenty minute walk southwards from Whitchurch train station, passing through the very pleasant village centre en route. After passing through the car park, spectators enter behind the length with all of the facilities. To the right of the entrance is a metal stand which is not particularly easy on the eye and contains wooden bench seating. To the left of the entrance is overhang from the clubhouse, and beyond where the players come out of the dressing rooms is a tea bar hatch. Around the rest of the ground is just hard standing, although spectators are not allowed to pass by the dugouts. A see through fence “encloses” the three other sides, and behind the length opposite the entrance are playing fields up a slope, behind one goal is a school, and behind the remaining goal there are tall trees in close proximity. It’s a peaceful, rural location with a friendly feel about the place, but it lacks charm and colour somehow. The programme was quite a dismal affair, clearly written in a timeless way, with no fixtures or results, league table or up to date comment. It contained eight pages introducing the history of Newport and an article about former Wessex clubs inside a 12 page glossy, colour shell introducing the home club.

There was little to play for approaching the last few weeks of the season, with both teams stuck firmly in mid table. Whitchurch went into this game in 13th place, with 12 wins and seven draws from their 37 league games, while Newport were two places better off having played four games fewer, with 14 wins and three draws from their 33 games. Newport had already played at Whitchurch back in December in the League Cup, winning 2-4, whilst in the reverse fixture in the league, Newport also won, 6-2.

On a mainly overcast and very chilly afternoon, this turned out to be very much a game of two halves, with it probably no coincidence that the team on top were the ones kicking down the quite considerable slope. Whitchurch had the better of the first half, taking plenty of shots on goal without ever really forcing the Newport keeper, although they did have a shot blocked on the line which they couldn’t quite force over. Newport looked fairly dangerous on the break, but the scoreline was goalless at the break.

Just over a minute into the second half and Newport saw a close ranged hooked shot cone back off the bar, but in the follow-up, a Newport player was brought down to earn his side a penalty, which was driven low but was blocked by the keeper, and the loose ball was hacked away. Newport went on to dominate the rest of the game, and they scored what turned out to be the winning goal on 62 minutes when, following a corner, the ball dropped to Ryan Oatley, who threaded the ball diagonally through a crowd of players and into the net. Newport could and should have won by a larger margin, but were guilty of missing some gilt edged chances, and the home side had a player sent off for a second yellow card. But one goal was enough to complete the hat-trick wins over Whitchurch this season.