Little Common 5 v 0 Saltdean United

Tuesday 1st April 2014
Sussex County League Division Two
Little Common Recreation Ground
Admission and Programme: £4.00
Attendance: 76
Match Rating: 4

For this week’s midweek action, I headed to the south coast for a game in the Sussex County League, to visit a club that has provoked a fair amount of controversy in recent weeks.

I last visited the Little Common Recreation Ground just under a year ago, and the venue has not seen any noticeable changes since then, so the temporary, flimsy sheeting perimeter fence lining one length and behind one goal still exists. This is what prevented the club from taking their place in Division One this season having finished in third place in Division Two and a promotion position last season, and when the club queried why Rye United were allowed to remain in Division One with a similar arrangement, the FA responded that Rye would be relegated on ground grading, a decision which contributed to Rye suddenly withdrawing from the Sussex League a couple of weeks ago.

 

On a mild evening, it was clear from early on that the hosts would dominate this game, and it was no surprise when they took the lead with nine minutes on the clock. The ball fell to Steve Morris deep inside the penalty area, and he swiveled before picking his shot to fire the ball across the keeper and into the net. Saltdean did have a great opportunity to equalise on 12 minutes when their striker latched onto a low throughball, but the eventual shot hit the keeper and bounced wide. It was to prove a very rare attack on goal by the visitors. Little Common doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when player manager Russell Eldridge took possession of the ball about 20 yards out, and fired in a vicious shot which the keeper got an arm to, but not firmly enough to prevent the ball hitting the back of the net. They almost scored a third on 43 minutes, when a shot from a corner was blocked on the line, but as the teams went in at half time, the result did not seem in any real doubt.

Indeed, Little Common had their best spell of the game when they played some really delightful football, and on 51 minutes James Vaughan scored their third goal with a free kick, curled in right footed from about 25 yards. Barely two minutes later and the hosts scored their fourth. A ball forward was hooked over the defence quite brilliantly, into the path of the onrushing Lewis Hole, who slotted the ball low past the keeper. On 66 minutes, the score became 5-0, Hole stealing possession in midfield before striding forward and eventually placing the ball past the advancing keeper. The game rather settled after that, as Saltdean belatedly showed some fight to keep the score remotely respectable, although Little Common certainly took their foot off the gas, and although they still had a couple of chances to extend their lead, a convincing five goal victory sees Little Common consolidate their position in fifth in the table, with fourth very much in their sights.

 

Ninfield United 3 v 3 Robertsbridge United

Saturday 29nd March 2014
East Sussex League Premier Division
Ninfield Recreation Ground, Ninfield
Admission and programme: None
Attendance: 31 (head count)
Match Rating: 4

At the conclusion of my earlier game at Hollington, I drove the quarter of an hour journey to Ninfield, arriving approximately five minutes after kick off.

The Ninfield Recreation Ground is a fairly typical venue in the East Sussex League, a village recreation which has no spectator facilities, but has plenty of rural charm about the place, with neat hedges and trees lining the venue, and an attractive clubhouse building located in one corner of the pitch. A cricket square is roped off adjacent to the football pitch, with play areas and a primary school present around the perimeter of the recreation ground.

Ninfield went into this game in seventh place in the nine team division, with thirteen points from their thirteen games, level on points with second bottom St Leonards Social but with two games in hand. Robertsbridge were in third place, with 20 points from their twelve games, and third place is probably the best they can hope for, being nine points behind leaders Iden but with two games in hand. When the two teams met in September, Robertsbridge won 2-1, and they also won 3-2 in December when they met in the Hastings Intermediate Cup.

With the wind largely having died down since my earlier game at Hollington, leaving a warm, sunny afternoon, Robertsbridge were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes for a push, and the ball was thumped down the middle by Guy Ballard to give the visitors the lead. Their lead was to last just five minutes though when a high diagonal ball found a Mark Freeman, whose shot across the keeper hit the far post and rolled into the net. On 37 minutes, the visitors went back into the lead. After an initial shot was blocked, the follow up shot was placed easily into the net by Adam Hardy, but again Ninfield were quickly back on level terms, this time within two minutes, as a long punt upfield was misjudged by the keeper as he indecisively came out of his area to claim the ball, but Ash Elphick got his head onto the ball first to nod it over the keeper and into the net.

2-2 was how it remained at half time, a fair reflection on a competitive and even half of football, as it continued after the break. On the hour mark, the home side went into the lead for the first time. The Robertsbridge keeper made a poor clearance from outside his area which fell to Elphick, who lofted the ball into the empty net from about 35 yards. It increasingly seemed that that would be sufficient for Ninfield to claim three crucial points in the battle against relegation as Robertsbridge didn't really threaten for the remainder of the game, apart from when, on 76 minutes, a curling shot from outside the area took a deflection off a defender and the ball came back off the post. However, in the last minute, the Robertsbridge keeper partially redeemed himself when he sent a free kick precisely into the penalty area and the ball was headed across goal by Dominic Whittaker and although a defender tried to acrobatically clear the ball off the line, it nestled inside the far post. Shortly afterwards the final whistle blew on a very entertaining game of football, with a point apiece probably being a fair result.

Hollington United 2 v 1 Rock a Nore

East Sussex League Premier Division
Gibbons Memorial Field, Hollington
Admission and programme: None
Attendance: 69 (head count)
Match Rating: 3

In an ideal world I would have wanted to have headed to Southampton today to take in the FA Vase Semi-Final between Sholing and Eastbourne United. However, being in the process of moving home, I decided to stay local and take in two matches in the East Sussex League, enabled with this game kicking off at 1.30 and another, at nearby Ninfield, kicking off at 3.30.

There have been no changes to the ground since my last visit almost a year ago, which is comfortably the best in the East Sussex League. Whilst every other venue in the division is not even roped off, here they pitch is railed off and there is a decent clubhouse for spectators with a good range of refreshments, with a barbecue outside selling hot food.

Traditionally one of the strongest teams in the East Sussex League, this season is proving no different for Hollington, currently in second place, just a point behind leaders Iden but with four games in hand, winning nine of their ten league games so far, with a 4-4 draw away at Ninfield in September being the only time they have dropped points. Fellow Hastings club Rock a Nore went into this game in fourth place in the nine team division, with eighteen points from thirteen games, winning five and drawing three. When the two teams met in early September, Hollington claimed a 1-3 away win.

On a bright and sunny day, but with a slightly chilly gusty wind present, the match started quite evenly, although Hollington had the first good chance on 6 minutes when a free kick was headed just over the bar. On 15 minutes they did take the lead, when a low cross from the right was struck first time low into the net by Reece Johnson. On 22 minutes, a long gentle ball forward by Rock a More was fumbled onto the post by the keeper and the lurking striker could not quite get to the ball to poke it home. Barely a minute later though and the visitors did get back on level terms. A high diagonal ball was played into the box, and Stuart Holden craned his neck excellently to head the ball over his shoulder, past the keeper and into the net. On 36 minutes, the Rock a Nore keeper came to the edge of his area to claim a long ball but he couldn't hold on to it and as the ball spilled away, the Hollington striker unable to gain possession of the ball. Amazement followed all round when the referee awarded a penalty which no-one appealed for but presumably was awarded for the keeper impeding the striker in attempting to regain possession. The penalty was converted into the bottom right corner by Glenn Woodhurst to put Hollington back into the lead, which they held onto at the interval.

Into the second half and on 51 minutes, a vicious shot on the turn forced a fabulous reflex tip over the bar from the visiting keeper, but four minutes later, he was powerless to stop Hollington opening up a two goal lead. A ball over the top sprung the offside trap and eventually the ball was crossed from the left and fell at the feet of the division's top scorer Shane Ryan at the edge of the area, and he took his time before placing his shot into the top right hand corner of the net. Rock a Nore's task was to get tougher on 57 minutes when they had a player sent off, yet another rather baffling decision by an increasingly erratic referee, apparently for kicking out at a Hollington player. With that the game was all but decided as the home team dominated the rest of the match, and on 83 minutes it appeared that they extended their lead further when a low long range free kick was juggled by the keeper and the ball spun back towards goal and the striker bundled the ball into the net from a yard or two, but the goal was ruled out, apparently for handball. It seemed another odd decision, but it didn't really matter as Hollington claimed the three points to remain red hot favourites to win the league.

Worcester Park 2 v 1 South Kilburn

Saturday 22nd March 2014
Combined Counties League Division One
Skinners Field, Worcester Park
Admission: £3.00
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 42
Match Rating: 3

Today I decided to visit a ground that I had always kept in reserve for a possible Bank Holiday double, however, mindful that the ground may not host senior football much longer, I decided to pay visit on a regular Saturday afternoon.

Skinners Field is literally adjacent to Worcester Park train station - in fact, an excellent view of the pitch can be had from the station platform - although the entrance is about a 5 minute walk to the opposite end. The ground is surely living on borrowed time as a senior football venue, so basic are the facilities. A large clubhouse with adjoining teabar is neatly positioned in one corner where one enters the ground, whilst there is hard standing behind railing up to a small stand covering three terrace steps straddling the half way line. Beyond the stand to the other corner is a narrow paved path with the pitch roped off, as it is around the rest of the pitch but with no hard standing due to the facilities being shared with the local cricket club. There is quite a pronounced slope from the railway end to the clubhouse end, with a wall and flood gates in place protecting the clubhouse. No floodlights are present, nor are they ever likely to be. The 24 page programme was reasonable considering the level, colourful with plenty of stats but it was certainly not worth £2. An admission fee of £5 including a programme would have seemed fairer.

This clash would be between two mid-table teams, both having little left to play for. Worcester Park are in eighth place in the 16 team division, nine points adrift of seventh placed Epsom Athletic and nine points clear of twelfth placed Banstead Athletic. They have drawn their last three league games, but have only lost once in their last nine league games stretching back to November. South Kilburn were in 13th place, just four points above bottom placed CB Hounslow. They have been in similar most recent form to Worcester Park, drawing their last two games, but before being unbeaten in their last three games, they lost their previous seven games. When the two teams met in October, South Kilburn triumphed 3-1.

The game kicked off under bright sunshine although with a chilly gusty wind. The game started evenly, but on 23 minutes the visitors took the lead in slightly bizarre circumstances. A free kick struck by Curtis Roberts from close to the sideline swirled in the gust of wind over the keeper and directly into the net. On the half hour, the home side were given the opportunity of equalising when they were awarded a penalty for a trip in the box. However, the keeper made a great save low to his right from the spot kick, and 0-1 to the visitors was how it remained at half time, slightly against the run of play as Worcester Park squandered some good chances to score.

Into the second half and the home took advantage if kicking down the slope, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would get back on level terms as the skies darkened, literally as well as metaphorically for South Kilburn. On 58 minutes, there was almost a carbon copy of South Kilburn's goal, although this time the visiting keeper just about got enough on the ball to divert it onto the woodwork and away. On 62 minutes Worcester Park had two shots headed off the line in quick succession, and then on 69 minutes a header from a corner hit the bar and although a follow up shot seemed to be cradled by the keeper well over the line, the linesman was insistent the ball had not crossed the line and so no goal was given. Finally on 72 minutes the home side did get back on level terms. After an initial shot was blocked by a defender's sliding tackle, Joe Cheeseman smashed the loose ball high into the net. Five minutes from time, Worcester Park were awarded their second penalty of the match, again for a trip, and this time Gary Knowelden drove the ball down the middle to give the home side the lead which they never looked like surrendering, to seal a thoroughly deserved three points. Whilst Skinners Field itself wasn't particularly endearing, it was refreshing to visit a ground that is living borrowed time that harks back to the times when quality on the pitch counted more than quality off of it.

Lingfield 4 v 5 Hailsham Town

Thursday 20th March 2014
Sussex County League Division One
The Sports Pavilion, Lingfield
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 40
Match Rating:4

I decided to take advantage of Thursday evening football today, with a return to the Gatwick flight path for the second time in three days for this Sussex League match. It would mean a revisit for me, although under quite different circumstances to my last visit seven seasons ago, when I had a very pleasant 10 mile round trip walk through countryside on a late summer's afternoon from Edenbridge train station. Driving on a chilly evening would be the order of the day today.

The Sports Pavilion is located about a five minute walk from Lingfield village and remains a rather basic venue mostly due to the fact that the facilities are shared with the cricket club - indeed, it was only permitted to host Division One football this season following a successful appeal to the FA last summer. After entering the ground through a turnstile, all facilities are along that length of the pitch. Stradding the half way line is a large building housing the clubhouse and changing rooms, whilst a rounded roof provides overhang for a balcony area to watch the action from, whilst in front of the clubhouse are a number of picnic tables. In the far corner along this length is a quite a roomy all-seater stand made of breeze blocks but with obstructing pillars along the front. Hard standing is only available along the length and behind the goal closest to the turnstile block, and from the stand to the goal behind the other goal. Behind the rest of the ground is the cricket field, and I recall on a pleasant day, the ground enjoys a nice rural setting. The programme was rather basic, although the outer shell was attractive and informative, and credit to the club for producing a programme specifically for this evening's game rather than issue the one that was produced for the original date(s) of the fixture.

Both of tonight's team still have work to do in order to save themselves from relegation. Lingfield went into this game in thirteenth place in the 20 team division, with 32 points from 26 games, and are eight points clear of the official relegation places - subject to ground gradings not playing a part - although they have two games in hand on third bottom Lancing.Although they won on Tuesday, at home to bottom of the table Worthing United (who had picked up just five points from their 26 league games this season), they had lost their previous six league games, and picked up just one point from eight games. Hailsham are in much more danger of relegation, currently second bottom and seven points adrift of safety with 19 points from 24 games. They have been in the bottom two for most of the season, although things seemed to have been picking up for them when they won three straight league games from mid January, only to then go on to lose their next three games - the three games before tonight, the last of which was on Tuesday, a crucial defeat at home to fellow strugglers Arundel.

On a chilly evening with persistent light drizzle, after a fairly even opening quarter of an hour, Hailsham started to look more and more threatening, and on 25 minutes saw an effort hit the post, and by now completely against the run of play, Lingfield took the lead on 33 minutes. A weak defensive header out fell to Richard Wetton just outside the area, and he took a touch before the driving the ball past the keeper’s dive. However virtually straight from the kick-off, Hailsham were back on level terms when Sam Divall lobbed the keeper from well outside of the area. A third goal in three minutes was then scored which saw Hailsham take the lead, when a long low ball was played into the box, the keeper came out but couldn’t claim the ball, allowing the ball to be passed into the centre of the penalty area, and Steve Dallaway tapped into an empty net. 1-2 was how it remained at half time, but with the defences looking porous, this never looked likely to be the end of the scoring.

And indeed, within a minute of the restart, Hailsham extended their lead. A free kick was looped into the box, and Andrew Whittingham got on the end of a knock down before firing into the net via a deflection. Hailsham made it four to seemingly seal a precious three points on 57 minutes when Harry Ludlow struck the ball into the net following a lay-off from the right of the box. However, Lingfield gave themselves a sniff of a comeback on 67 minutes. After an initial aerial cross into the box was cleared, this time a powerful low drive across the box evaded three or four players before being tapped home by David Dean. Things went relatively quiet for the next quarter of an hour, which suited the visitors, until the home side pulled another goal back. A header from a corner was blocked, and the loose ball was stabbed home by Dean to make it 3-4. Suddenly, it looked more likely that Lingfield would claim a dramatic comeback point, however as the game entered added on time, it was Hailsham who scored their fifth with a breakaway goal after sustained pressure from Lingfield. Two players sprung the offside trap to close down on the keeper and the initial shot from well outside the area was only partially parried by the keeper enabling Dallaway to run on to tap the ball into the unguarded net. However there was still time for Lingfield to score again, the ball spun into the path of Sammy Clements, who tucked the ball past the keeper. This proved to be too little too late, although were there to have been another ten minutes of play, any result would have been possible, given the fragile nature of the defences on display this evening.

From survival looking something of a lost cause at the start of play, it became probably by the end of this game, combined with this evening’s result, Rye United announced this evening that they were to immediately resign from the league. Presuming that Rye’s playing record will be expunged as a result, this would mean that Hailsham are now two points clear of the relegation zone with three games in hand on Lancing, as Lancing will lose the four points they have gained against Rye this season, whilst Hailsham were defeated by Rye.