Charlton Athletic 1 v 3 Sheffield Wednesday

Saturday 30th November 2019
EFL Championship
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 18,338 (2,680 away)

Well, a week can indeed be a long time in football. It has been difficult to remain overly optimistic about Charlton's fortunes in the short term, due to a chronic and seemingly ever increasing injury list which has resulted in being a man short on the subs bench, and having to play youngsters hastily recalled from loans at non league clubs. And the long term future looked as dismal as ever, still in the vice like grip of Roland Duchâtelet's disastrous and incomprehensible ownership. But then out of the blue, it was announced that terms have been agreed for the sale of the club to a consortium including backing from Abu Dhabi. Still subject to approval by the EFL, and my inherent lack of optimism towards all things Charlton tells me to not get too excited until the deal is fully ratified. And it is also true that the new consortium might not live up to the hopes and dreams of fans, or indeed their all-positive statement emphasising the importance of the fans and bringing stability to the club.

This game would be the second consecutive Saturday that Charlton would play at home, and the second time that kick off was switched to 12.30, to accommodate the game being shown live on Sky Sports. That is never a good omen for Charlton, with a terrible record in front of the cameras at The Valley. Charlton's dramatic downturn in form, assisted by the crippling injury list, saw them come into this game in 17th place in the table, having won six and drawn five of their 18 league games, still an equal points distance (seven) away from the play-offs and the relegation zone, but they lost an important game against a club below them, Luton Town, 2-1 in midweek despite taking an early lead. Sheffield Wednesday came into this game in 10th place, four points away from the play-offs, following seven wins and five draws from their 18 league games, but were not in the greatest form, having not won in their last five league games, picking up two points.

A match report of this game can be viewed by clicking here, and brief video highlights by clicking here.

I had been tempted to leave this game about 5 minutes before the end, as it was extremely tight to make it to kick-off for the next game I planned to watch today at Erith Town, but with the game very much in the balance, I decided to stay until stoppage time. Not the best decision in hindsight, but although I did indeed miss kick off at the Erith game, it was only by a couple of minutes.

Bridon Ropes 3 v 2 Croydon

Saturday 23rd November 2019
London Senior Trophy Second Round
Meridian Sports Club, Charlton
Admission: £5.00
Programme: None
Attendance: 35

On the final whistle of my 12.30 KO game at The Valley between Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City, I swiftly made my way up Charlton Lane and across Charlton Park, taking about 20 minutes, for this cup tie between two clubs in the Southern Combination East League Division One.

The Meridian Sports & Social Club is a large complex of sporting facilities, and as well as the senior football ground, there is a 3G cage, several other grass pitches, and a large clubhouse building which has a large bar and a café inside, which is located en route from the lane into the complex and the entrance to the senior football ground. Access is gained through a metallic turnstile block, which has a club sign positioned to the side of it and is located immediately behind one of the goals. These days, the ground is fully fenced off, with hard standing available around all four sides, and a modern metallic all-seater stand straddles the half way line on one side. Tall trees line the other length and although they were looking very bare today, they do make for an attractive backdrop when in leaf. The large clubhouse building overlooks one corner, and its balcony makes for a good, elevated view of the action. No programmes were produced this fixture, although the very friendly lady manning the turnstile allowed me to copy the team sheets.

This London Senior Trophy tie would be between two clubs plying their trade in the Southern Counties East League Division One. Bridon Ropes, who reached the final of this competition last season, losing only after extra time, are having a disappointing season so far. After finishing fourth in this division last season, they earned qualification for this season's FA Cup, but were knocked out by Chichester City, who would go on to reach the Second Round Proper. In the league this season, they were down in 16th place in the 17 team division, following three wins and nine defeats from their opening twelve league fixtures. These are not great times either for Croydon, relegated to their lowest level in the pyramid at the end of last season after finishing 12 points adrift in the Premier Division last season, and 21 points adrift of safety. They were in eighth place coming into this game, following six wins and two draws from their 13 league games, although they have lost their last three league games. These two clubs had already met here in the league in mid September, with Croydon coming away with a 2-6 win, and in the first round of this competition, Croydon won 1-2 away at Combined Counties League Division One outfit Tooting Bec, whilst Bridon Ropes received a bye.

On a bleak, chilly and rather dreary afternoon, with occasional light showers, Croydon started quite well and had the first decent chance on 7 minutes when a shot from outside the area was rather unconvincingly spooned over the bar by the keeper. But on a hitherto rare foray forward, Bridon Ropes took the lead on 20 minutes, after a cross from the left was laid off and although the initial shot was saved, Liam Donaldson struck the ball home from a slight angle. Three minutes later and a quick break down the right by Croydon ended in powerful shot on goal which was well saved, whilst on 28 minutes, some good patient passing inside the area by Bridon ended in the ball being driven into the outer side netting - a good chance missed to double their lead. And on 34 minutes, Croydon equalised after an initial shot was deflected to an unmarked Levi Shango, who tapped the ball home from close range in a central position. Bridon then saw a header from a corner just tipped away by the keeper at full stretch, but they did go back into the lead in first half stoppage time, following a ball forward which drew the keeper towards the outer corner of his penalty area, and Nathan Simpson struck the ball gently past him, rolling into the unguarded net.

Into the second half and Bridon doubled their lead on 59 minutes following a sliderule pass through the defence and after some clever passing worked the ball to an unmarked Jordan Downes at the back post, and he slotted the ball home. That did seem to wake up the visitors somewhat, and they pulled a goal back on 82 minutes when the ball was crossed towards the middle of the goal and was volleyed first time across the keeper and into the net. And they had a great chance to equalise within a minute when a free kick was glided over from the left and a glanced header sent the ball just wide of the far post. Despite plenty of huff and puff, that was the closest Croydon would get to equalising and so it was Bridon Ropes who progressed into the next round.

Charlton Athletic 2 v 2 Cardiff City

Saturday 23rd November 2019
EFL Championship
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 16,011 (1,673 away)

This was one of the games I looked forward to most this season, having a bit of extra edge for me personally given my allegiance to Swansea City following my university years spent in the region when I was a regular visitor to the Vetch Field, and was fully exposed to the South Wales rivalry. Cardiff's recent managerial appointment of "Millwall legend" Neil Harris.

With both teams in quite poor form, the November international break probably came at quite a good time for both clubs. Charlton surprisingly impressive start to the season has floundered somewhat, picking up just one point from their last four league games, and most recently lost at arch rivals Millwall 2-1, and although as sure as night follows day that Charlton lose to Millwall, having not beaten them since the mid nineties, conceding the winner in added on time was particularly gutting. Charlton came into this game in 11th place, following six wins and four draws from their 16 league games, and still closer to the play-offs (6 points adrift) than the relegation zone (nine points clear) - overall, a situation I would have been more than happy with heading into late November. Cardiff have picked up five points (including one win) from their last five league games, a run which included the parting of ways with manager Neil Warnock. Newly relegated from the Premier League, they were in 14th place, following five wins and six draws from their 16 league games, and they do have a poor recent record from their visits to London, winning just two of their last 26 matched in England's capital.

A match report can be viewed by clicking here, and the highlights by clicking here .

Looking back at this game, it was a strange one. On the face of it, picking up just a point was a disappointing and poor outcome after throwing away a two goal lead at half time, and then Cardiff seeing their penalty saved. But in reality, Charlton were fortunate to be two goals to the good, and when Cardiff equalised, i would have taken a 2-2 draw all day long.

Coventry United 4 v 3 Gresley

Saturday 16th November 2019
Midland League Premier Division
Butts Park Arena, Coventry
Admission: £7.00
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 326

With a Megabus coach ticket to Coventry booked for today, I had the choice of Midland League Premier Division fixtures at Coventry United or Coventry Sphinx, both attractive in their own ways. In the end, as seems to have been the norm in recent weeks, the weather made the decision for me, with prolonged heavy rain causing the Coventry Sphinx game to be called off early on, and although Butts Park Arena was notoriously prone to waterlogging, which caused a previous attempt to visit to be abandoned on the day, a 3G pitch installed earlier this year ensured there would be no issues with this game going ahead today.

The Butts Park Arena is located about ten minutes walk westwards from Coventry city centre, and boasts facilities facilities far superior to those usually encountered at Step 5. The ground is owned by Coventry Rugby Club, who play in the second tier of the Rugby Union pyramid, and it's facilities are also shared by Coventry Bears Rugby League Club, as well as Coventry United's women's team. To enter the ground, admission is paid at a wooden hut, with the ticket then shown at the adjacent turnstile, from where programmes can also be bought. The ground is dominated by a large and imposing all-seater stand stretching along almost the full length. Views are excellent, with no obstructing pillars, and the stand has an attractive colour-scheme, with hospitality blocks lined up along the top of the seating. A spacious bar area is open on the bottom floor of the stand, with cask ales from Purity Brewing Co. available, as is hot foot from a separate canteen, and quite an impressive range of club merchandise is sold from a table. Modern well designed flats behind the stand create an attractive backdrop. Behind the end closest to the entrance there is just hard standing, whilst behind the other there is a row of facilities that only open for Coventry RFC matches, including their club shop, a bar and a "permanent" marquee. A railway line curves closely behind this end, and indeed a couple of years ago I caught my first glimpse of this ground from the train as I made my way to Bedworth after Coventry United's game was postponed. Along the remaining length there is a fairly small, slightly raised covered area to stand in, with a bar window to one side, although this was not open today. There is a large expanse of gravel to stand on, with a few tables and seats attached also available. Coventry RFC have some ambitious plans to develop the ground, to reflect their rising status, and with Coventry United signing a 10 year deal to play their home fixtures there, it will be interesting to follow the club's and ground's progression. The 20 page programme was printed in full colour throughout, was well presented and contained all of the essentials as well as some interesting reading material.

Coventry United came into this game in seventh place, following seven wins and four draws from their opening 16 league games. They were only two points adrift of the top two, but have played at least two more games than all of the teams above them. Gresley have had a poor start to their season, picking up just five points from their opening 13 league games, with their solitary win coming a fortnight ago away from home.

On an overcast and chilly afternoon, the game was quite tight in the early stages, although on 11 minutes the home side had a big shout for a penalty when Christopher Camwell seemed to be bundles over in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on. But on 24 minutes it was the visitors who opened the scoring, Adam Skelton drilled the ball in from close to the byline and defender Lewis Ison tapped the ball into his own net from close range. That brought the game to life and on 32 minutes Coventry United equalised. Camwell picked the ball up and under no pressure but with not much else on, he fired the ball from 25 yards out past the keeper. Within a couple of minutes Gresley's Skelton struck a good free kick which forced a smart save from the keeper, but within a minute Coventry United went into the lead. Lewis Hudson crossed well from the left and Matthew Gardner headed past the keeper's dive. The home side went on to control the rest of the half, and came close to doubling their lead in added on time when Kyle Carey lobbed the ball over the keeper in no-mans land, but the ball went just wide.

Gresley started the second half well, and in an open game chances were being created at both ends, and it was Gresley who would score the next to level the scoreline on 57 minutes, Joe Haines came forward with the ball and with no one closing him down, struck the ball from outside the area into the top left corner. Coventry went back in front on 70 minutes, Camwell crossing from the left for Gardiner to head the ball home. Both sides continued to create chances for the remainder of the game, and the result really could have gone either way, until Coventry scored their fourth in the first minute of added on time. After a loose pass by a Gresley player was intercepted, Carey ran forward out wide before cutting inside and eventually firing the ball low past the keeper, brushing a defender's legs on its way. That wasn't completely the end of the action though, as there was still time for Gresley to pull a goal back in the third minute of added on time, when Alby Lansdowne headed the ball home from a corner, but there wasn't enough time for them to threaten grabbing a point.

So, a thoroughly entertaining game with plenty of attacking intent, although a draw would probably have been a fairer reflection of the game. But such tends to be a club's luck when they are as lowly as Gresley currently are.

Royston Town 7 v 0 Haywards Heath Town

Saturday 9th November 2019
FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Garden Walk, Royston
Admission : £10.00
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 225

  

I had originally planned to visit Totton & Eling today, to complete the Wessex League. However true to form for a ground that is proving remarkably elusive to tick off for various reason, and given the time of year, the weather forecast of heavy rain spreading in from the west at lunch time forced me to abandon those plans, and look as far eastwards as possible for a drier option, which would offer a lower risk of a late postponement or abandonment - as did indeed happen at several grounds to the south and west of London.

Garden Walk is about a 15 minute walk from Royston train station, and after walking along a short narrow track from the road, passing by some club signage en route, a wooden turnstile hut is located in one corner of the ground. Programmes and 50-50 tickets are available from a table immediately the other side of the turnstile, and team line-ups are posted on the wall around the corner. Behind the goal there is a burger van, the changing rooms building, and then the clubhouse. Along the length closest to the entrance, there is quite an unusual wooden stand with decking, and it makes for a good place to watch the game from, being slightly elevated and with plenty of room inside. A modern metallic stand offers steps to stand on the other side of the half way line, while a tall gantry is situated on the half way line to film games from. A metallic all-seater stand is located behind the other goal, whilst along the remaining length there is a longer and more traditional stand with three rows of seating inside, but the most attractive element of this stand is the club's name spelt out in letters, along with the club's crest, along the back wall. It is a smart, well maintained ground, with all furniture co-ordinated in club colours of black and white and there is a pleasant individuality about the place. Kudos to the club also for painting several poppies into the grass around the pitch, a very nice touch on Remembrance weekend, and was a nice addition to the customary minute's silence observed just before kick-off. The 44 page programme was a decent read, containing plenty of interesting reading material and the necessary stats and facts.

Royston went into this game as favourites, plying their trade a step higher in the pyramid in the Southern League Premier Division Central, and were in ninth place, following six wins and four draws from their opening 13 league games. Haywards Heath were in 13th place in the Isthmian League South East Division, following two wins and four draws from their opening eight league games. To reach this round, Haywards Heath have already negotiated three rounds, defeating Ramsgate after a replay, Bracknell Town and then Aylesbury United, whereas Royston entered in the last round, defeating Brightlingsea Regent 1-2 away.

On an afternoon that started off dry but with rain arriving soon after kick off, with it also becoming ever more chilly, the game started off in a very lively fashion, and almost had a surprising start inside the first minute, when a long punt upfield by the Royston keeper bounced towards a couple of defenders who seemed to leave it for each other to deal with in the box, allowing Matt Bateman managed to get his head to the ball to try to loop it over the keeper, who only just managed to grab th ball high above his head. Royston then saw a shot stabbed just wide following a corner on 5 minutes, and on 8 minutes, a Scott-Morriss shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and the ball came back off the post. The visitors were actually looking quite perky in attack too, but they fell behind on 16 minutes, following a cross into the box which was headed out by a defender, only for Josh Castiglione to drill the ball home. And on 23 minutes the home side doubled their lead. Warner-Eley crossed into the box, Castiglione laid the ball back and Murray tapped it home. Haywards Heath were not out of the game at that stage, and were denied what looked like a very strong shout for a penalty soon after the second goal, and on 38 minutes Trevor McCreadie forced a good low save from the keeper to palm the ball around the post. That proved to be the game defining moment, as from the resultant corner, Royston broke away to score their third on 39 minutes, Castiglione playing the ball in low from the right and Bridges struck the ball first time across the keeper and into the net, to give the hosts a comfortable advantage at the break.

For the visitors to have any chance, they would have needed to pull a goal back quickly in the second half, but that never looked likely as Royston restarted the game back on the front foot. And on 59 minutes, the outcome was put beyond any realistic doubt when the home side scored their fourth. The ball was crossed in from the left and although Bateman and a defender fell to the ground in trying to deal with the ball, Bateman managed to poke the ball home despite being flat out on the ground. The visitors still kept plugging away, creating a couple of chances, forcing the keeper into a smart tip over on 63 minutes and a header only just dropped wide on 69 minutes. But on 73 minutes, Royston scored their fifth with a lovely curled shot over the keeper and into the top right corner by Claudio Ofosu. And the scoreline turned ugly on 89 minutes when Royston scored their sixth, when a Castiglione drove the ball into the danger area and Brandon Adams deflected the ball past the keeper, and there was still a time for Royston to make it 7-0 when a run down the left ended with a teasing low cross into the box by Adams, and Bateman tapped the ball home from eight yards.

So a thoroughly emphatic result for the home side, but although it reflected the ruthless nature of Royston's finishing, the final scoreline was somewhat harsh on the visitors, who did create several decent chances and they deserve credit for still trying to attack even when the game was long since lost.