Meridian VP 0 v 4 Sutton Athletic

Saturday 14th December 2013
Kent Invicta League
Meridian Sports and Social Club, Charlton
Admission and programme: Nil
Attendance: 22
Match Rating: N/A

Arriving a couple of hours early for my 3pm kick-off at Charlton Athletic, I decided to cross Charlton village to take in the first half of this game kicking off at 2pm in the Kent Invicta League, as it would only take about 10 minutes to walk/jog mostly downhill between the two grounds.

I visited the Meridian Sports and Social Club just over a year ago, when tenants Bridon Ropes were the home team, and no improvements have been made to the ground since then - if anything, it had a scruffier appearance today, with a considerable amount of rubble and rubbish bags scattered around. No programmes seemed to have been produced today.

Meridian VP have struggled again this season, having finished second bottom last season. They went into this game third bottom, having played at least three games more than those teams around them. They have lost twelve of their seventeen games so far, scoring eleven points. There is no obvious danger of relegation though, with only one team due to be relegated and Crockenhill are currently pointless, having conceded a whopping 83 goals in thirteen games. Sutton Athletic are having their customary solid season, and went into this game in fourth place, with 24 points from their thirteen games played, but ten points adrift of second placed Lydd and 15 adrift of leaders Holland and Blair.

On an overcast and breezy afternoon, the game was surprisingly even during the first half I watched, with Meridian doing plenty of attacking and having a couple of good chances to score. However, a rare attack by the visitors led to them opening the scoring on 22 minutes, Jack Hewlett running on to the ball inside the area before taking a touch and coolly slotting the ball past the keeper. On 32 minutes they thought they had doubled their advantage when a lovely cross from the left was headed home from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The game became more and more of a midfield battle, and as the game kicked off a couple of minutes late and was then delayed by a couple of minor injuries, I had to leave a couple of minutes before the interval.

Just as I started to walk across Charlton Park, I heard cheers suggesting a goal had been scored - indeed that was the case, as Chris McGinty scored Sutton's second on the stroke of half time. They added a further two goals in the second half, Grant Brown scoring on 55 minutes and Hewlett scoring his second of the game, this time from the penalty spot, on 80 minutes, to complete a comprehensive away win which lifted Sutton to third place in the table.

Maidstone United 2 v 0 Hastings United

Tuesday 10th December 2013

Isthmian League Cup Fourth Round

James Whatman Way, Maidstone

Admission: £5.00

Programme: Free

Attendance: 413

Match Rating: 4

 

After much deliberation, for this week's midweek action, I decided upon a revisit to James Whatman Way (currently known as the Gallagher Stadium), encouraged by half price admission and this evening's visitors being a club I have always had a soft spot for - and who I saw on their remarkable appearance at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Third Round at the start of this calendar year.

Unsurprisingly, there have been no significant changes to the stadium since my previous visit last season, apart from the club shop and small bar (not in use this evening, as the clubhouse was deemed sufficient for tonight's anticipated relatively low attendance) are now housed in small decorative conservatory type  buildings behind the terrace stand as one enters the ground. Only a four page black and white programme was produced for this evening's fixture, but this was given out free of charge at the turnstiles.

This evening's game would be an interesting match up between two clubs in their respective divisions. Maidstone were in fourth place in the Premier Division of the Isthmian League, whilst Hastings were leading Division One South. To reach this round, Maidstone have beaten Herne Bay 2-1 and Hythe Town 3-1, both games at home, whilst Hastings have beaten Faversham Town 4-0 at home before beating Premier Division Margate with surprising ease 0-3 away last week.

On an evening that became not only bitterly cold, but would become so foggy that it was difficult to see what was happening when action was at the furthest goal, particularly in the first half, the game started competitively, with Hastings certainly looking to take the game to their higher ranked hosts. Maidstone did take the lead with just six minutes on the clock though. Liam King, making his debut tonight, strode forward with the ball, evaded a tackle before placing a low shot across the keeper and just inside the far post. Although Hastings battled gamely, they rarely looked like scoring during the first half, with Maidstone dominating possession and have a few
good chances to extend their lead.

Into the second half as the fog lifted slightly, Hastings came much more into the game, creating some outstanding chances to get back into the game. They had three very good chances in the opening ten minutes of the half, before going even closer on 57 minutes when Jordan Woodley made space for himself before curling a lovely low shot past the keeper but onto the post. Eight minutes later and Hastings were to see another shot come back off the post, this time Tim Olorunda the unlucky man against his former club. Their lack of fortune was compounded within a couple of minutes when King was upended as he strode into the box. Zac Attwood, who moved between the clubs in the summer, drilled the ball low in the left hand corner and found the back of the net despite the keeper diving the right way. This did seem to kill the game off as Maidstone went on to dominate the game and created some chances to further extend their lead, although again Hastings were to curse their luck with a passage of play that summed up their evening. A free kick from just outside the penalty box by Woodley was excellently saved low by the keeper, the rebound fell to Kenny Pogue, who saw his powerful shot come back off the bar, and then a powerful drilled cross shot drew another wonderful save from Charlie Mitten, the Maidstone keeper. But it was Maidstone who progressed to the next round, which they probably just about deserved, although with just a little more luck, it could well have been Hastings. A very entertaining game of football despite freezing conditions and poor visibility – which made the drive home rather challenging.

Yeovil Town 2 v 2 Charlton Athletic

Saturday 7th December 2013
Football League Championship
Huish Park, Yeovil
Admission: £20.00
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 6,053
Match Rating: 3

My first awayday following Charlton would be to a venue that, with absolutely no disrespect to Yeovil, I can still scarcely believe hosts second tier football. I still remember the day when I saw them play at Tonbridge, then of the Kent League, and only just triumph 1-2 in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round. Indeed, Yeovil have only been in the Football League for ten seasons and were in the Isthmian League just 17 seasons ago, so there's is a remarkable, heartwarming story that offers hope and inspiration to all clubs in non-league.

Huish Park is not the most accessible of venues, situated almost five miles from Yeovil Junction train station with no direct buses to the stadium, and so I chose to take the Charlton club coach today - even that was not without problems though, severe congestion on the road leaving the ground meaning it took well over half an hour to travel the couple of miles to the dual carriageway. In a division dominated by clubs relegated from the Premier League and/or with large supports, Huish Park certainly stands out with its modesty. All-seater, single tier stands stretch along both lengths, whilst behind both goals are terraces - the home end covered whilst the away end is open to the elements. It certainly was a refreshing change to have be able to stand at a match in the second tier of the Football League. Apart from that novelty factor, it's otherwise quite an uninspiring but perfectly functional ground.

After a predictably tricky start to their first ever season in the second tier of English football, Yeovil have come into some form lately and had impressively won their previous two fixtures away at Watford and at home to Blackpool. That followed three successive defeats and they went into today's game in the relegation zone, third bottom but only two points behind the team immediately outside the relegation zone - Charlton, who had lost their previous two games. The signs were not good for a goal fest here - the two teams were comfortably joint lowest scorers in the division, scoring just 14 goals from 18 games each.

With sunny conditions at kick off which gave way to overcast conditions and occasional misty rain as the game wore on, Charlton certainly sought to seize the initiative early on, although clear sights on goal were thin on the ground as the home side settled and started to look the more threatening. It was Charlton who took the lead though on 37 minutes thanks to a wonderful solo goal from on-loan Cameron Stewart. A Yeovil attack broke down and Stewart took possession of the ball around the half way line before setting off on a mazy run that culminated in a low drive past the keeper and into the bottom right corner of the net from just outside the box. Stewart had a spell causing no end of problems and indeed he created the second goal in added on time at the end of the first half, finding space to send over a cross from the byline and Captain Johnnie Jackson headed the ball home at the far post.

So Charlton had opened up a comfortable looking lead at half time, and one that they at least looked like comfortably holding on to if not adding to. However,  almost out of nothing, Yeovil pulled a goal back when a cross took a sizeable deflection off of Charlton defender Michael Morrison and went into the net. Four minutes later and Yeovil were awarded a penalty, when Dorian Dervite pulled back Joel Grant and on-loan Ishmael Miller drove the penalty powerfully down the middle to tie the game up at 2-2. A couple of minutes later and things went from bad to worse for Charlton when their captain Johnnie Jackson was shown a straight red card for a block tackle - it seemed harsh as Jackson made contact with the ball and was not reckless or out of control in the tackle. By now the game had completely  turned on its head as now Yeovil looked much the likelier to claim the win now, but Charlton did hold on for a point which, in the end, they must have been satisfied with. Overall though, they will surely rue that crazy six minute spell, before which they seemed to be cruising toward a comfortable and much needed victory.

Hailsham Town 0 v 2 Pagham

Tuesday 3rd December 2013
Sussex County League Division One
The Beaconsfield, Hailsham
Admission: £5.00
Programme: 50p
Attendance:57
Rating: 4

For this week’s midweek fare, I decided to take in yet another game in the Sussex County League with a trip to southern East Sussex for a game between two sides struggling in the league this season, particularly the home side.

The Beaconsfield is located just to the west of Hailsham town centre, half a mile away from the A22 dual carriageway north of Eastbourne, and being three miles north of the nearest train station Polegate, is not the easiest of places to get to on public transport, particularly for a midweek evening game. The ground hasn’t changed noticeable since my previous visit eight years ago, apart from licks of paints. One enters the ground by the half way line, and to the right there is a modern metallic all-seater stand, and to the left is a covered terrace area with a few steps of terrace, although with barely any incline between the steps. To the rear of this stand are two refreshment hatches, one for food and the other for drinks. Between this stand and the corner flag is a windowless portakabin that doesn’t obviously seem to serve any purpose, and behind one of the goals is a brick building housing the changing rooms and clubhouse. Hard standing is available behind this goal and along the other length, whilst there is just grass behind the remaining goal, where spectators are seemingly not intended to be. It’s a pleasant ground, neat and tidy and with trees lining one length and a neat hedgerow the other, and there is generally a friendly and welcoming feel to the place. The programme was very basic and was a double issue covering last Saturday’s home game too, and consisted of eight pages inside advertising pages. It had all the essentials including league results and table and a welcome message, although there was no information on the visiting teams apart from the expected team line-ups, but at just 50p it would be harsh to criticise too much.

Hailsham have had an extremely disappointing season so far, with just seven points from their opening 14 games, although three of those came on Saturday at home to second places Hassocks. Before that, they had lost their previous five league games, after losing their opening five games. They were second bottom of the division going into this game, six points adrift of the next team above. Pagham were in twelfth place in the twenty team division, with 17 points from their 15 games played, and had drawn four of their last five games, winning the other at home against rock bottom Worthing United.

After an energetic opening to the game, the visitors took the lead with just three minutes on the clock. The ball was played into the box, and Scott Murfin had all the time in the world to spin around and place his shot inside the far post. This was the last thing Hailsham needed, struggling in the league but having been buoyed by Saturday’s excellent result, but they played some good football and on 7 minutes, saw a cross come back off the crossbar. The game continued at a lively pace, with both teams looking likely to score, and on 25 minutes, Pagham had a shot desperately saved from close range by the keeper’s feet, and then almost immediately Hailsham saw a long range shot parried unconvincingly just wide of the goal. On 38 minutes, Hailsham were reduced to ten men when the last man pulled a striker back as he ran towards goal. From the resultant free kick, the ball hit the left hand post. On the stroke of half time, Pagham doubled their advantage when a cross was looped in from the left and James Temple just beat the keeper in the air to head the ball into the empty net

A two goal deficit and a man down meant things looked bleak for Hailsham, however they started the second half very positively, creating some good openings, but an apparent reluctance to shoot towards goal meant they did not create real gilt-edged chances. As the second half wore on, Hailsham threatened less and less, with the visitors looking more likely to score the next goal, and the closest the home side got to pulling a goal back was deep into added on time when a glancing header went just wide of the post. So another disappointing result for Hailsham, but they played some good football at times this evening, but their lack of quality up front meant it was for the most part wasted and it looks like being a long old season for them, whilst Pagham look set for a comfortable mid-table finish

Stats From My Groundhopping Season 2013-2014

Games Seen: 46 (after Hailsham)

Goals Seen: 178

Goals Per Game: 3.87 (not including penalty shoot-outs nor part games watched)

Games seen in part games : 2

Home Wins: 18 (40%)

Away Wins: 21 (47%)

Draws: 6 (13%)

Neutral Games: 1

Home Goals:87

Away Goals:86

Neutral Goals: 5

Goalless Draws: 1 (2%)
Last Goalless Draw: 27/10/13 (8 games ago)

Longest run without goalless draw: 27/10/12-26/10/13 (87 games)

Chichester City 1 v 1 Crowborough Athletic

Saturday 30th November 2013
Sussex County League Division One
Oaklands Park, Chichester
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 58
Match Rating: 3

A quicker than expected car service this morning opened up the possibility of a longer distance trip than I had anticipated today. Although I have previously visited Oaklands Park four years ago, that was only for the last half hour of a game on a dark and damp afternoon. Today's visit would also represent an opportunity to watch Crowborough Athletic in an away game, having been a frequent midweek visitor to their home ground this season.

Oaklands Park is about a twenty minute walk northwards from Chichester train station, taking in the very pleasant and historic city centre en route. After entering the ground in one corner, moving along the length there is a covered standing area and then, straddling the half way line, is a large rather bland looking brick building housing the clubhouse and changing rooms, which was under construction on my previous visit. The previous clubhouse behind one of the goals has been demolished, with just hard standing present now, as there behind the other goal. On the opposite side to the covered standing area is an almost identical structure, whilst straddling the half way line on this side is a small metallic stand with cushioned seats. The ground has a moderately scenic setting, with Chichester Cathedral visible in the distance and a park adjacent with Chichester Rugby Club just about visible looking up the park. The programme, consisting of twelve pages of matchday information inside a twelve page glossy shell consisting mainly of advertising, was a good effort, with fixtures and results so far with team line-ups and plenty of information on the visitors.

Chichester have had an unspectacular start to their season, currently in 14th place, with 15 points from their 14 games so far. After capitulating to defeat in midweek having been two goals in front, Crowborough remained in third place, heading a closely bunched up field behind them, being just five points above tenth placed Lingfield. Today's teams have already met this season in the John O'Hara Cup, with Crowborough winning at home on penalties after a 3-3 draw - with Chichester leading 1-3 with just a few minutes to go.

On an afternoon that started off sunny but soon became overcast after kick-off, this was a very even game, with Chichester looking the livelier and more threatening team. They took the lead on 34 minutes with an avoidable goal. Some quick passing created some room for a Peter Herbert to take the ball inside the penalty area and his fairly weak shot went just inside the post through a gaggle of players, with the goalkeeper probably misjudging that it would go wide or be blocked. 1-0 was how it remained at half time, a leading that the home team just about deserved.

Into the second half and Chichester looked much the more likely to score, with Crowborough lacking invention and aimless long balls forward rarely looked like resulting in a chance on goal. Suddenly, Crowborough did draw level on 77 minutes, when the ball was crossed in from close to the corner flag, and Sam Carrington cushioned a header into the top corner of the net. This completely changed the game, as now, for the first time in the match, it was Crowborough who looked much the more threatening and likely to score, and Chichester were hanging on a little in the closing stages, but that they did, and a point apiece was a fair reflection on an even game.

Crowborough Athletic 2 v 3 East Grinstead Town

Tuesday 26th November 2013
Sussex League Division One
Alderbrook Recreation Ground, Crowborough
Admission including Programme: £6.00
Attendance: 139
Match Rating: 3

My sixth visit of the season to the Alderbrook would be for a local derby, between two teams very much in form, and so everything pointed towards an intriguing, feisty encounter. The match certainly did not disappoint.

Crowborough's young team have continued their very promising campaign despite having a change in management recently. A victory against Horsham YMCA at the weekend hauled Crowborough up into third place, with 26 points from 14 games. East Grinstead had dropped just two points from their previous six games and went into this game in ninth place with 22 points from 13 games. An interesting aspect of this evening's game was that the assistant referees were father and daughter, Jason and Jessica Storrie - they would go on to perform very well and were hardly noticed, as should be the case.

On a cold, crisp evening, the game had an explosive start, with Crowborough taking the lead with just over a minute on the clock. Callum Ridley made an excellent run down the left to the edge of the six yard box before sliding a ball low across the goal, to gift debutant Jeffrey Mahodoo a tap in. It was an electric opening to the game for the home side, as a strangely lethargic East Grinstead team struggled to cope with Crowborough's energy. Indeed, Crowborough doubled their lead on six minutes, with a very similar goal to their first, again set up by Ridley's run down the left ending with a list cross to Mahadoo, who this time drove home powerfully from a slight angle. Gradually East Grinstead awoke from their slumber and started creating some presentable chances, but just as it was looking like Crowborough would retain their two goal lead, East Grinstead were awarded a penalty when George Hillier-Jones' sideways run into the box was ended by a foul by Jack Turner. Matt Geard struck the ball powerfully into the top left of the goal, to set up an intriguing second half.

Into the second half and it became ever clearer that the momentum was swinging towards the visitors. On 50 minutes, East Grinstead had a shot cleared off the line when the Crowborough keeper came to the edge of his area, didn't claim the ball and Chris Gregson hooked the ball goalwards. On 67 minutes, East Grinstead were awarded a second penalty, again Jack Turner was the guilty man pulling Sam Schaaf down in the area, and he was shown a second yellow card and then a red to reduce Crowborough to ten men. To continue the feeling of deja-vu, Geard hit the ball emphatically again into the top left hand side of the net. Seven minutes later and the turnaround was complete with East Grinstead taking the lead. A driving run from the right by Michael Belli finished with a low cross into the box and Geard tapped the ball home from close range to complete his hat-trick. Some of the Crowborough players seemed to really lose their composure and discipline at this stage, with one hefty tackle resulting in Geard having to be carried off, and a wild high lunge by Wayne Clarke on Hillier-Jones resulted in a straight red card for Clarke to reduce Crowborough to nine men, and the East Grinstead coach was also sent from the dugout. Yet another ugly late tackle by Crowborough substitute Elliott Wood could easily have resulted in a third red card for the home side, this time however the referee settled for a yellow card. The result was beyond little doubt now as East Grinstead held on comfortably for the remaining minutes to claim a valuable away win which sees them rise to fifth place. Full credit to East Grinstead for reacting extremely well to falling behind to two early goals, whilst Crowborough will wonder how they let a game slip away that they started so strongly, but perhaps this evening just proved that their young team has some more maturing to do before it can provide a consistent challenge at the top of the division.