Westfield 0 v 2 Sidley United

Saturday 11th May 2013

Hastings Senior Cup Final

Parish Field, Westfield

Admission by Programme: £5.00

Attendance: 170

Match Rating: 2

With most senior leagues having now completed their seasons, the choice in fixtures is now severely depleted. After most of the week planning to take in a visit to AFC Stoneham in the Hampshire County League, feeling under the weather with a sore throat meant that I wanted to stay local today. Although a trip to the Parish Field would be a revisit for me, the game was attractive enough with silverware at stake, and also it is may also prove that I would watch Sidley United's last ever match as a senior club.

The Parish Field is located adjacent to the A28 road from Hastings to Ashford, just north of Westfield village and about four miles north of Hastings. It's a very basic venue for a senior football, with no floodlights present, and one that would not be accepted back into senior football were they to be relegated. However it's a charming throwback to how County League grounds used to be. The main entrance is in one corner of the ground, one cannot walk behind the goal, and along this length, towards the other corner is the clubhouse and tea bar, now housed in dark green portakabins which are obviously rather cramped inside. These temporary structures replaced the previous clubhouse which was burnt to the ground in 2009 that threatened the club's existence. Strangely, as most spectators line this length, there is no hard standing apart from in front of the clubhouse, where there is also overhang providing cover. Behind the other goal is a narrow gravel path not really suitable for lingering on, whilst the remaining length has hard standing. Trees lining the ground, with rolling hills in the background, give a nice rural feel. Admission todaywas by programme, which was a very basic four page publication contains welcome message, league tables and likely team line-ups.

Today's final had an intriguing look to it, with Westfield at home playing against a team from a division above. Westfield finished their season in the Sussex County League Division Two in excellent form to finish in a comfortable fifth place. Sidley United were in grave danger of relegation from Division One of the Sussex County League, but good end of season form saw them finish sixteenth of the 22 clubs. In the last couple of weeks, Sidley's very existence was suddenly placed in grave danger, when the parent club, the Sidley Sports and Social Club, went bust, and no-one quite knows that the future holds for the football club. Only four clubs entered this competition this year, and in the semi finals, Westfield won 0-3 at Little Common back in March, whilst Sidley won 5-1 against Bexhill United on Tuesday in a match played at Westfield.

On a mainly sunny but blustery afternoon, and on a bobbly pitch that has a slightly slant towards the clubhouse length, the first half was rather scrappy low on entertainment, but both sides had their chances, most notably to Westfield when a header from a free kick glanced the post.

Seven minutes into the second half, it was Sidley who took the lead with a scrappy goal. The ball was pumped long into the box, the Westfield defenders couldn't clear the ball and eventually Kenny Pogue, who had scored a hat-trick in Tuesday's semi-Final win, hit a low first time shot into the goal. Westfield were still very much in the game, until it was effectively killed off on 71 minutes, when Gregg Berry, who had only been introduced as a substitute a few minutes earlier, drove the ball in along the byline from the left, but appeared to have overrun the ball. However the keeper couldn't claim the ball, which spilled away allowing Berry to tap it into three unguarded net. Westfield still battled gamely and had further chances to score but it was not to be and Sidley lifted the cup for the third time in four years, in a ceremony which took place on the pitch after the final whistle.

This would indeed prove to be Sidley's last competitive game before a one year sabbatical, an inevitable move after the loss of their Gullivers home ground and lack of co-operation from Bexhill United to allow Sidley to play there despite the local council approving the move. Hopefully, Sidley United will play again in the East Sussex League during season 2014/15

Uckfield Town 3 v 0 Hurstpierpoint

Monday 6th May 2013
Sussex County League Division Three
Victoria Pleasure Ground, Uckfield
Admission: None
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 59
Match Rating: 2

At the conclusion of my earlier match at Rottingdean Village, I headed northwards for a second installment of Sussex County League Division Three action. Once again it would mean a revisit, once again with it in mind that Uckfield's ground would be very pleasant in warm sunny conditions, in complete contrast to my previous visit in freezing cold, blizzard conditions.

The Victoria Pleasure Ground is located about a ten minute walk uphill from Uckfield town centre and train station, and the name is apt for the venue. The football pitch is situated amongst various other recreational facilities, with a modern but attractively designed (inside and out) clubhouse to one side as one walks from the car park over a cricket outfield to the football pitch. The length that one arrives at is along the top of a grass bank, which provides an elevated view of the action as well as the long distance countryside views to the South Downs. Behind both goals are hedges and trees, giving the ground a very rural and peaceful feel. The pitch is fully railed but has no hard standing nor floodlights. Programmes were on sale in the clubhouse and was just above average for the level the club is at, attractively designed and with the essential information included.

On this, the last day in the Division, neither team had much but pride left to play for. Uckfield were in seventh place in the twelve team division, two places and seven points above today's opponents Hurstpierpoint. If they could win today, Uckfield would rise to sixth, whilst Hurstpierpoint could rise one place if they avoided defeat today. Uckfield were unbeaten in their last five games, winning three of those, whilst Hurstpierpoint have won their last two games, which followed 0-4 and 0-5 defeats. When the two teams met in the league in October, Uckfield came away with a 0-3 victory, although when they met at Ringmer last month in the Division Three cup, Hurstpierpoint progressed with a 0-1 victory.

On a gloriously sunny afternoon with barely a cloud in the sky, the game very much had an end of season feel to it. Uckfield took the lead on 36 minutes when a well judged cross from the right was hit home by Murray Heywood. That seemed to lift Uckfield slightly as they went on to dominate the rest of the game, as Hurstpierpoint's players allowed the game to drift away. Despite further chances to increase their lead, Uckfield took a slender one goal lead into the interval.

Hurstpierpoint started the second half with more desire than they had shown in the first half, but on the hour mark, Uckfield doubled their lead when a corner was headed in firmly by Russ Porter. Hurstpierpoint had their chances to get back into the game, but Uckfield deservedly put the game to bed on 77 minutes when a cross from the left was stabbed low towards goal by Joseph Miller, and although the keeper got his hands behind the ball by his ankles, the ball squirmed through his fingers for a goal. Uckfield could have made their win even more emphatic, but still finish the season on a positive note and finish the season in sixth place.

Rottingdean Village 5 v 0 Billingshurst

Monday 6th May 2013

Sussex County League Division Three

Rottingdean Sports Centre, Rottingdean

Admission: None

Programme: £2.00

Attendance: 35 (estimate)

Match Rating: 3

This Bank Holiday Monday's venue for me was decided by the warm sunny weather that has descended on South-east England. Although today would be a revisit for me, I recalled what a scenic setting Rottingdean's ground has, which would be further enhanced when visiting on a sunny day. An 11 o'clock kick off here also opened up the opportunity of doubling up with another local game with a 3pm kick off.

Situated about a mile uphill from the centre of Rottingdean, itself about a five mile bus ride along the coast eastwards from Brighton, the football club is located adjacent to but perched above the cricket field - which is signposted from the main road unlike the football club - with both clubs sharing the clubhouse. One length of the pitch has rolling fields very close behind it, whilst behind the other length is the cricket field, clubhouse and a more distant brow of a hill, with a windmill also visible. Behind one goal is a steep grass bank which offers an excellent view of the action as well as the surrounding rolling countryside, whilst behind the remaining goal is a hedge, with horses on the grass hill behind. Behind this goal and the area leading up to the dugouts is inaccessible to spectators. Railing is present all around the pitch although there is no hard standing and no floodlights. Programmes were available to purchase in the clubhouse. It was fairly standard fare for this level but contained all the essentials and have seen far, far worse at this level.

Today was the last day of the season in this division, and Rottingdean Village have had a season to forget. They went into this game second bottom, level on points with bottom placed TD Shipley, who had already completed their fixtures. With a goal difference one better than TD Shipley but having scored more goals, Rottingdean just needed to avoid losing by two or more goals to avoid the wooden spoon. They hadn't won in the league since mid November, since when they have picked up just two points from their last ten games. Billingshurst were assured of a fourth place finish in their first season since promotion to the Sussex County League, but have finished the season poorly, picking up just a point from their last four games. When the two teams met in the league back in September, Billingshurst won 3-1, and they also triumphed 2-1 when the teams met in the Vernon Wentworth cup.

Although fog did threaten to linger around the ground ahead of kick off, it soon cleared to leave a fine morning. Ahead of the game I imagined a tough game for the home side, however it soon became evident that the opposite would be true. After a scrappy start to the game, Rottingdean appeared to have the more attacking intent and deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes when a free kick was floated deep into the box, the keeper couldn't make a decisive punch on the ball and Jamie Evans headed the ball in off the post. Billingshurst hit the post three minutes later, but on the half hour, Giles Shepherd made it two when he hooked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net after breaking clear of the defence.

So a surprising but fully deserved half time score line, and the Billingshurst manager read the riot act to his players on the pitch during the interval. It didn't seem to inspire his lethargic and seemingly disinterested players though, as they only started to come more into the game once they had conceded a further two goals. A minute into the second half, Kris Power scored Rottingdean's third when he broke clear of the defence before slotting low past the keeper. He scored almost a replica goal on 51 minutes to make it 4-0. Finally Billingshurst stopped the rot after this though, forcing a fantastic save of a shot that looked destined for the top right corner on 66 minutes, and on 71 minutes they appealed for a goal when the ball hit the post and rolled towards the keeper on the line, but no goal was given. Rottingdean still looked capable of scoring again though, which they did four minutes from time when Power completed his hat trick, when he ran from his own half, outpaced the retreating defenders before slotting the ball low past the keeper. So Rottingdean ended a miserable season on a very high note, whilst Billingshurst got exactly what they deserved for clearly wishing their season had already finished before today.

Spennymoor Town 2 v 1 Tunbridge Wells

Saturday 4th May 2013
FA Vase Final
Wembley Stadium, London
Admission: £15.00
Programme: £4.00
Attendance: 16,751
Match Rating: 3

Today would be the day I never dreamt would happen in my lifetime – going to England’s national football stadium to watch my local county league club play in a major national cup final. Having said that, since witnessing both legs of the nervy triumph against Northern League side Shildon five weeks ago, today had seemed to take forever to come around.

I had visited Wembley Stadium several times previously, most recently for the Women’s Olympic Gold Medal Match last September, and my thoughts on the ground can be found there. Today’s programme was everything you would expect from such an event. A hardened, glossy colour, well designed and printed, plenty of information far, far in excess what one would normally encounter in County League programmes, although the price of £4 was slightly excessive – again as one would expect from a cash cow event at Wembley.

Today’s final would be the amateurs against the big spenders, although surprisingly it was the southern team, Tunbridge Wells, who do not pay their players, and the northern team, Spennymoor Town, who spend relatively big money to attract players generally of a higher calibre than the Northern League. Since their semi-final victory over Shildon, Tunbridge Wells have been in pretty poor form, certainly caused by chronic fixture congestion which has seen them have to play game on consecutive days – and in mid-April, had to play three games on four days, the first of which saw them lift the Kent Senior Trophy. However, they did pick a win and two draws from their last three games, which followed five consecutive defeats. Spennymoor have had similar fixture congestion in recent times, although had not been asked to play on consecutive days like Tunbridge Wells. Their recent form has been good, and since their semi-final victory over Guernsey, have won nine, drawn two and lost two of their league games, and are guaranteed to finish the season in second place. To reach today’s final, Spennymoor had beaten Bridlington Town 1-5 way, Newcastle Benfield 5-1 at home, Billingham Synthonia 2-0 at home, Lordswood 3-1, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 4-2, Gornal Athletic 3-1, and finally Guernsey 4-1 on aggregate in the semi-final. Today would be just the second time that a Kent League side has reached the FA Vase final, and the first since 2000, when Deal Town lifted the trophy. Spennymoor’s presence today continues the recent dominance of Northern League clubs in FA Vase finals, which has provided the winners on each of the last four seasons, and last year both finalists were from the Northern League team.

The presence of two Northern League teams based far away from London may have explained a rather pitiful attendance in last year’s final of just 5,126, although a ridiculous price of £25 certainly would not have helped. So it was pleasing to see that common sense returned this year with a much more realistic price of £15. Having a relatively local team in the Final also helped boost this year’s attendance, as around 12,000 tickets were sold for the Tunbridge Wells sections.

On a mainly sunny afternoon, in the semi-final I had had the feeling that Tunbridge Wells has probably beaten the better side, and so presumably facing Spennymoor would be a daunting prospect, with Spennymore, on paper at least, a far stronger outfit than Shildon. And so it proved unfortunately, as right from the kick-off, Spennymoor looked a class above their opponents, with their players showing excellent movement and making good runs. After Tunbridge Wells had the first half chance on six minutes, Spennymoor took a deserved lead when they scored on in front of the Tunbridge Wells fans on 18 minutes. The ball was crossed into the box from the right by Keith Graydon and Gavin Cogdon sent a looping header over the keeper and into the net. Spennymoor went on to dominate the rest of the first half, with Wells’ keeper Chris Oladogba making some important saves and they had a luck escape when one of their defenders almost scored an own goal when his miscued clearance hit the woodwork.

In the second half, Tunbridge Wells looked increasingly more adventurous, although it was difficult to see how they could break through a strong Spennymoor defence, and Spennymoor always looked the more likely to score. However, out of nothing, Tunbridge Wells were back on level terms twelve minutes from time, when a cross from the right was parried away by the keeper, only for the ball to fall at Josh Stanford’s feet, who volleyed the ball into the net with an excellent finish. The Tunbridge Wells end erupted with noise and waving flags as the dream of another late rescued game came alive, however as it turned out, parity only lasted less than three minutes, when the ball was driven into the area, the Wells’ defenders just couldn’t clear the ball and Keith Graydon powered the ball emphatically into the net. Tunbridge Wells tried hard to get a second equaliser, but it just wasn’t to be. However, it has been an extraordinary achievement by Tunbridge Wells to get to the Final, giving the people of west Kent a day out that will never be forgotten, which will hopefully result in increased attendances back at the Culverden.

Video highlights at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXe9dOA15z0

Little Common 1 v 1 Oakwood

Tuesday 30th April 2013

Sussex County League Division Two

Recreation Ground, Little Common

Admission including programme: £4.00

Attendance: 76

Match Rating: 3

Disappointingly, silly season style groundhopping opportunities were thin on the ground this midweek, so for tonight I chose to go to a ground that, although would be my third revisit and second of the season, would host a match with much riding on it in this, the final week of the Sussex County League season.

The ground has unsurprisingly not changed since my last visit in August, and the programme still followed the same format and level of content as then.

Coming into this game, Little Common were favourites to claim the third and final promotion place to the Sussex County League Division One, with a slight chance of claiming the runners up position. They were in fourth place in the division, a point behind third placed Eastbourne United and six points behind second placed Newhaven but with much better goal difference and a game in hand on both, all three clubs playing their final game on Saturday. Little Common have been in great form recently, winning their last four games and losing only once (to Champions elect Littlehampton) in their last eight games. Based on league position, tonight’s visitors Oakwood appear in grave danger of relegation to Division Three intermediate football, but ground gradings and other off-the-field issues will almost certainly mean they shall remain in Division Two no matter what their final league placing is. They were third bottom, a point ahead of Rustington (who will almost certainly be relegated due to ground grading) and one point behind fourth bottom Southwick.

After a pleasantly sunny afternoon, this was a very chilly evening with a biting wind, and the game did not go according to the form book at all, as it was difficult to see who was near the top of the table and who was near the bottom. Little Common struggled to impose themselves on the game as Oakwood looked slightly the better side and certainly had the better chances to open the scoring in the first half, forcing the Little Common keeper into a fine double save and later hitting the crossbar. They took a lead that they just about deserved with virtually the last kick of the first half when a corner wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to Alfred Hammond who hit his shot into the ground and bounced into the corner of the net.

So an unexpected score line at halftime, and this did seem to wake Little Common up slightly for the second half, as they became the dominant side in the second half with more pressure on Oakwood’s goal, but they seemed to run out of ideas around the penalty area and their game seemed to be mainly restricted to quick long balls forward – which was perhaps sensible on a very bobbly pitch. Little Common hit the bar before, in the 75^th minute, they got back on level terms when the ball was played across the penalty area before Chris Cumming-Bart struck the ball low past the keeper. Little Common had half chances to win it after that, but a point apiece was a fair reflection on the game. That was sufficient to lift Little Common above Eastbourne United into third place to mean that if they manage to beat Littlehampton Town on Saturday, they will be assured of a third placed finish. Oakwood drew level with Southwick after this point, but have an inferior goal difference.