Mountfield United 0 v 0 Hawkhurst United

Tuesday 28th April 2015

The Clappers, Robertsbridge

Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Final

Hawkhurst United won 4-3 on penalties

Admission by programme: £2.00

Attendance: 120 (estimate)

Match Rating: 3

For this evening's early evening kick off, there was an interesting looking game in prospect, with a game between two of the top sides in the East Sussex League Division One, and with some silverware at stake.

I have visited The Clappers several times over the last few seasons, and it makes a nice venue for an early evening game, with its quiet, rural setting wedged between an enclosed cricket field with an attractive pavilion and a row of trees. A very sensible entrance fee included a four page programme, providing a welcome message, league tables, predicted line-ups and the routes of both clubs to the final, and all proceeds would go to local charities.

Having completed their league campaign, Hawkhurst have sealed the title and promotion to intermediate football, with 12 wins and four defeats from their 16 games. Mountfield have a game left to play, and are in third place with 32 points, gained from ten wins and two draws, but are level on points with second placed Bexhill AAC, the two teams meeting on Saturday and with Mountfield needing to win by three goals to claim the runners up spot and with it promotion. When the two sides met in the league, there were clear winners each time - Mountfield winning 3-0 in January, with Hawkhurst winning 5-0 last month.

To reach this evening's final, Mountfield won 1-2 at Ticehurst II, received a walkover, won at St Leonards Social 1-3 and finally winning 3-2 at home to Peasmarsh United. Hawkhurst, who won this competition last year, have received home ties throughout the competition, beating Burwash 3-2, Magham Down 12-1, Northiam 3-2 and finally Battle Baptists II 4-0.

On a sunny evening, and with a surprisingly large crowd in attendance, this was very much a game of two halves - the first, entertaining and with some good goalscoring chances created, the second dull with barely a chance created by either side. On 7 minutes, the Mountfield keeper fumbled at the ball as it was floated across goal but fortunately for him went just wide, whilst on 13 minutes it was the Hawkhurst keeper's turn to make a mess of claiming the ball, this time squirming out of his hands and rolling back towards goal but he just managed to retrieve it before the onrushing striker could bundle the ball in. On 23 minutes, afollowing a terrific diagonal pass over the defence, the Mountfield forward saw his shot from the edge of the area at a slight angle cleared off the line. An unbelievable miss occured on 39 minutes, when a ball over the top caused uncertainty between Mountfield defenders and the keeper, allowing the Hawkhurst player a clear shot on goal, but incredibly he screwed his shot wide of goal. They had almost as glaring a chance again on the stroke of half time, when the Mountfield keeper missed a cross high over the six yard line, but the ball was skewed high and wide from close range at the far post. Mountfield went straight down the other end and after the ball was played down through the middle, the keeper came out to meet the ball but the striker got his touch in first but the ball dropped just wide of the far post.

The second half really was a damp squib, and despite extra time being advertised if the scores were level after 90 minutes, the match went straight to penalties due to the fading light. After both teams scored their first two penalties, Mountfield's third was saved, but Hawkhurst having their fourth saved meant it was all square with one penalty of the initial five left to take. Mountfield's fifth was ballooned over the bar, and Hawkhurst scored their fifth to see the holders retain the cup.

Peterborough United 4 v 3 Crawley Town

Saturday 25th April 2015

London Road, Peterborough

Football League One

Admission: £18.00

Programme: £2.50

Attendance: 6,270

Match Rating: 4

After a diet of exclusively lower non-league football and the odd trip to The Valley during the last few months, today I decided to tick off another of the 92, motivated by being able to stand on one of the few old fashioned covered terraces left in the Football League, knowing that time is ticking to experience it before it is redeveloped in the not too distant future. As someone who always wants to see Sussex clubs do well, there was also the added attraction of watching a crucial game in the survival chances of Crawley staying in the third tier.

London Road is about a 20 minute walk from Peterborough train station - although stopping off in the attractive city centre, under the gaze of the imposing cathedral, is highly recommended. As it stands today, half of the stadium is old and traditional, whilst the other half is modern and fresh looking. The formattractionuntered on approaching the stadium. Behind the goal closest to the main road is the one remaining terrace, with an old fashioned cantelever roof, and as one would expect, a great deal of noise and atmosphere was generated here. The main stand has a similarly old fashioned appearance, also with a cantilever roof, with a few supporting pillars, and wooden seats to the rear. On the opposite there is a much more modern stand, large and with a row of executive boxes between the upper and lower tiers, with good sightlines and it has a fairly interesting design. Behind the other goal is another modern all seater stand, the latest addition to the stadium having replaced a covered terrace about a year ago. It's well worth buying tickets in advance here - not only are tickets £3 cheaper, but no fees are charged for print-at-home or collection tickets, and programmes are 50p cheaper when ordered online. The programme is certainly attractively designed with a feel of quality, but did seem rather light on interesting reading material.

There wasn't much riding on this game for the home side, in 12th place in the division, although in an exceptionally tight, they are level on points with the three teams immediately above them, and just four points behind Rochdale in seventh. They haven't won in their last six games though, picking up just three points in the process. After looking doomed a few weeks ago, Crawley have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with a crucial home win against fellow relegation rivals Notts County last week and came into this game in 19th place, two places and three points clear of the relegation zone, but with a considerably worse goal difference than three of the four teams below them battling for survival. When today's teams met in October, Peterborough won 1-4 in West Sussex.

On a mainly overcast evening, this was a very strange game in that the final scoreline makes the game look like it was a rip-roaring, action packed game, but in reality this was quite different. Peterborough edged the opening half hour, but it was Crawley who took the lead on 29 minutes. As Josh Simpson's low diagonal shot across goal reached the bye line, Izale McLeod just managed to pull the ball back first time on the line and Marvin Elliott smashed the ball into the roof of the net. They had a couple of chances to extend their lead, but it was Peterborough equalised two minutes before half time. Michael Bostwick fired in a low shot from 30 yards out which hit the bar, and Conor Washington was the first to the rebound to slot the ball home. 

Crawley's survival hopes took a knock on 51 minutes when Peterborough went into the lead with another long range shot by Bostwick from well outside the area this time found the bottom right hand corner of the net. Crawley got back on level terms on 57 minutes. A long throw in was flicked on by McLeod, and Matthias Pogba volleyed the ball into the net from eight yards. Suddenly, Crawley looked like survival was theirs for the taking when they took the lead on 63 minutes. McLeod claimed a hat-trick of assists, laying the ball into the path of Simpson, who drilled the ball in from a slight angle. As the clock ticked by, it was looking more and more likely that Crawley would hold on for that vital win that would surely guarantee them League One football, but almost out of nothing, Peterborough scored an equaliser, Bostwick again on the scoresheet after knocking the ball down and managed to hit the ball on the half volley from the edge of the penalty area and the ball went in off the far post. Disappointing as conceding an equaliser was, a point could have still proved crucial in their battle for survival, but things got even worse as normal time drew to a close. Marcus Maddison showed good work before floating the ball to the back post, Jonathan Edwards headed the ball against the post, and the ball fell to Washington slammed the ball home from six yards. Peterborough could have extended their lead during added on time, but they will be pleased to have finished off their home campaign with a win. As for Crawley, after looking like they had all but sealed survival five minutes from time, they finished this game back in the relegation zone after two teams below them, Crewe and Notts County, both won, meaning that Crawley most likely will need to win their final game at home to Coventry 

Video highlights of the goals can be found here

Magham Down 3 v 6 Ticehurst II

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
East Sussex League Division Five
Red Lion Field, Magham Down
Admission and Programme: None
Attendance: 12 (head count)
Match Rating: 4

One of the pleasures of "silly season" for me is visiting grounds that I would probably never remotely consider visiting on a Saturday afternoon. Certainly the Red Lion Field falls into this category, hosting matches in the sixth tier of the East Sussex League. However taking in some football in a peaceful, relaxed countryside setting straight after work is why I always look forward to local football in April.

The Red Lion Field is located in the very small village of Magham Down, with the busy A271 passing straight through the middle. Although the village does not really have any endearing charm to it, the Red Lion Field has a very nice setting. The field is located next to the main road, although the pitch is set some way back, beyond a car park and between two rows of tall trees, which are set further back on one side, where there are a couple of maintenance sheds. Beyond the opposite goal to the main road, one can look out towards the South Downs in the distance.

This match was the last in a season to forget for Magham Down, who are certain to finish bottom by a distance, having picked up just two wins and three draws from their 21 games, conceding 96 goals in the process. Ticehurst II, who I saw lift the League Division Five/Six Cup last month, went into this game in eighth place in the twelve team division, with six wins and three draws from their 17 games, and although they still have four games left to play including this evening's game, sixth is as high as they could realistically expect to finish. The reverse fixture of this evening's game was supposed to have taken place last Wednesday, but Magham Down were unable to raise a team.

On a mainly sunny evening which thankfully was not as chilly as yesterday evening, Ticehurst predictably dominated this game, although Magham Down look a threat when they occasionally managed to mount attacks, albeit one always felt that it was Ticehurst's sloppiness that was giving them a helping hand. Ticehurst took the lead on 3 minutes, when a looping shot from the edge of the area hit the post, the rebound was lashed goalwards but the keeper saved well, only for the ball to eventually be hit low across goal and into the net via the inside of the far post. A minute later, Ticehurst had a header from a corner headed off the line, but they did double their lead on 15 minutes when the ball was lumped high down the middle towards the penalty area, and although the covering defenders and keeper looked favourite to hack the ball away, they left it for each other, but in the end leaving it to the Ticehurst forward to poke the ball home. It looked game over on the half hour when Ticehurst scored their third, when a cross was flicked on towards the back post, and the ball was drilled in on the half volley. Magham Down pulled a goal back on 39 minutes, when an excellent dribble in the area resulted in a tight angle for a shot, but a deflection helped that eventual shot into the net.

A minute into the second half and Magham Down were suddenly right back in the game, when following a run with the ball down the right, the ball was rolled along the six yard box and tapped home. The game had certainly become much more even that it had been for most of the first half, perhaps kicking down the slope helping the home side in the second half, and they almost scored a hitherto improbably equaliser when the Ticehurst keeper smothered a one-on-one shot, and although that presented a fairly easy tap in for the striker's team mate, he skied it over the bar. That was to prove decisive, as Ticehurst extended their lead to two on 62 minutes. Magham Down had swapped their goalkeeper for an outfield player at half time, and the new keeper had a half to forget in goal, this time a hopeless fumble at a corner presenting an easy tap-in at the far post. On 70 minutes, he almost gifted another goal to Ticehurst, when he awkwardly grasped at a shot, with the ball squirming onto the bar. Within a minute, Ticehurst did make it five, with a long range shot from well outside of the area with the keeper out of position. Indeed, Ticehurst had developed a shoot on sight policy by now, sensing the hopelessness of the new goalkeeper. Magham Down scored their third on 73 minutes though, following a run down the right the forward headed to a more central position before firing a shot into the net via a deflection off the keeper. The new Magham Down keeper had his one good moment when he did well to deny a Ticehurst player through on goal, but on 80 minutes, Ticehurst scored their sixth when a corner was headed at the back post into the opposite top corner ,just out of the reach of a defender on the line and the keeper's dive. 3-6 was how it finished, a scoreline that did reflect a game that Ticehurst looked much the better team generally, but sloppiness gave the hosts and unlikely sniff of a point at least. But ultimately, Magham Down paid the price for missing a couple of good chances to equalise and for their charity in allowing an outfield player a half in goal.

Jarvis Brook 4 v 4 East Grinstead United

Tuesday 21st April 2015
Mid Sussex League Premier Division
Limekiln Playing Fields, Jarvis Brook
Admission and Programme: None
Attendance: 23 (head count)
Match Rating: 4

For my second instalment of the 2015 silly season, I had no realistic alternative but to revisit a ground this evening. Although an East Sussex League local derby between Ticehurst and Wadhurst was the most appealing, I would have struggled to get to the Bell Field in time for kick-off, and so headed for the outskirts of Crowborough instead.

The Limekiln Playing Fields complex has not noticeably changed since my last visit nearly four years ago, however this evening's game was not played on the main pitch closest to the clubhouse but on the next pitch down, which is positioned at right angles from the main pitch and almost adjacent, but with a row of tall trees between the two pitches. The backdrop is probably more scenic on this second pitch, with views over the valley to the neighbouring village of Rotherfield, and with trees all around and the ground's peaceful setting all giving a nice relaxed feel to the location. The pitch itself, however, was not so good, with it undulating considerably and it was hard and bobbly for this evening's game.

This was an important game for Jarvis Brook, who occupied one of the two relegation spots, in eleventh place in the twelve team division, with four wins and a draw from their 19 games. They had two games in hand on the teams immediately above (Lindfield) and below them (Cuckfield Town), and so a draw this evening would lift Jarvis Brook out of the relegation zone, and a win would go a long way towards create some real daylight, with Lindfield and Cuckfield Town having just one game left to play.Although this evening's visitors, East Grinstead United, were only two places above Jarvis Brook, in ninth place, they were 12 points better off having played the same number of games, with seven wins and four draws from their 19 games. The reverse fixture took place less than a month ago, with Jarvis Brook winning 2-3.

On a sunny evening, but with a biting wind sweeping across the exposed location making it feel bitterly cold, this proved to be a real see-saw game that was full of endeavour from both sides. The visitors had the first real chance when from a corner, a header was blocked and a follow up shot went over the bar, but it was the hosts who took the lead on 8 minutes. A ball from their own half from wing saw the striker clean through on goal, and he took a good touch before placing the ball low past the advancing keeper. After East Grinstead had a couple of very good chances to equalise, they did on 21 minutes with a lovely curling shot over the keeper from the edge of the area. They then took the lead on the half hour, when a corner was sent into the box, the keeper couldn't claim the ball and it was eventually bundled over the line.

The visitors took a 1-2 lead into the break, which they probably merited on the balance of play. Jarvis Brook got back on level terms on 54 minutes with a simple unmarked header from a corner, but it only took East Grinstead four minutes to go back into the lead when a looping shot from well outside the area sailed over the keeper and into the net. The game looked up for Jarvis Brook on 68 minutes when the visitors opened up a two goal cushion with a very good goal, with the player dribbling the ball all the way from his own half to the penalty area, before slotting the ball past the keeper. Things almost got even worse for the home side when an open goal was missed after an unmarked East Grinstead player at the far post couldn't get a touch on a low cross inside the six yard box. The home side got a real lifeline on 76 minutes though, when an inswinging corner went straight through the keeper's hands at the near post and into the net, and that really gave the home side belief that they could yet get something from this match, as they really started to take the game to the visitors. They got back on level terms 84 minutes with another error by the keeper, who spilled the ball and eventually it was tapped into the net. Both teams had great chances to win in the remaining minutes, but a point apiece from a high scoring draw was a fair reflection on an entertaining game which both teams pushed hard to win, and was enough to lift Jarvis Brook out of the relegation zone.

Charlton Athletic 2 v 1 Leeds United

Saturday 18th April 2015
Football League Championship
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 18,053 (3,140 away fans)
Match Rating: 3

For my penultimate Charlton game of the season, and as a season ticket holder for a while, as I have decided not to renew for next season - although admittedly this decision could well be reversed in the intervening four months - I was looking forward to one of the biggest games of the season, with "dirty Leeds" coming to town.

Since my last visit to The Valley, for the 3-2 win against Reading four weeks ago, Charlton have picked up three 1-1 draws in the four games since, including a 1-1 home draw against Fulham, following 1-2 defeat at Millwall. And so Charlton came into this game in twelfth place in the table, with 57 points from 43 games, three places and five points ahead of today's visitors, Leeds. They came into this match in terrible form, losing their last four games, three of which were at home. Their task today was made even harder when six of their players pulled out yesterday claiming injury, despite the club's physio team being unaware of the injuries.

On a sunny afternoon tempered by a chilly breeze, this was another game of two halves, following a similar pattern to most Charlton games this season, putting in a generally poor, laboured performance in the first half but with a much improved one after the break. The sudden late withdrawals did not appear to affect Leeds too much, as they dominated the first half for the most part and had the first clear chance of the match, when a Leeds cross was flicked on to the back post, finding an unmarked Luke Murphy, but he skied his shot over the bar from a slight angle. A couple of minutes later, Charlton keeper Stephen Henderson, dallied too long with a back pass and his eventual clearance was blocked at close range by Steve Morison, and fortunately for Charlton, the ball ricocheted just wide of the post. A rare Charlton attack presented the closest either team had come to scoring, Tal Ben Haim shooting low from outside the area, and Igor Vetokele got a deflection on the ball but it came back off the post. On 35 minutes, Leeds were awarded a penalty when Ben Haim mistimed his sliding tackle as the Leeds player strode into the area. Henderson pulled off a great save to his left though, palming Billy Sharp's shot onto the post and away. The reprieve was to be shortlived though, as Leeds did take the lead on 40 minutes. After another good save low down by Henderson, from the resulting corner, Morison volleyed into the top left corner despite Henderson getting a hand to the ball. 

It was a lead that Leeds certainly deserved at half time, but Charlton came out after the break with much more intent, having plenty of sights on goal, and by the time the equaliser arrived on 74 minutes, it was well deserved. Half time subsitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson crossed the ball to the far post, and Tony Watt showed great technique to volley the ball superbly into the net. Three minutes later, and Gudmundsson went on a great run from his own half down the right wing before cutting inside along the penalty area, eventually getting a shot in from the edge of the area which keeper Stuart Taylor saved but couldn't hold on to and when Vetokele nipped in to get the ball, Taylor brought him down for a clear penalty. Yoni Buyens kept his incredibly reliable record from the spot, converting his eighth out of eight to the keeper's right. That settled the match, as Leeds did not threaten for the remainder of the match, as Charlton probably deserved the three points for their second half performance, but Leeds will rue only opening up a one goal lead during the first half whilst they were on top. Certainly, the future looks brighter for Charlton than it does at the moment for Leeds, with Charlton finishing the season strongly, looking difficult to beat, and with a couple of quality additions could be in the mix for the play-offs next season, whilst who knows what Leeds' future holds, as their fans frequently chanted against their banned Italian owner Massimo Cellino and the Italian influence on their club and team generally.