Midweek Musings by Press Secretary Neil Morwood

Ahead of another venture into F.A. Competitions this Saturday (3rd October) which, for those unaware, ventures towards the Second Round Qualifying of the Football Association Challenge Cup and accounts for a few of our teams being missing from League duty out and about midweek wise, the lion’s share of our fixtures past midweek were per normal played Tuesday evening along with one Southern Combination Cup match on Wednesday and one Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup, 2nd Round, game on Friday evening over at Dorking Wanderers as their Reserve team take on South Park Reserves while, 48 hours previous over at Chalky Lane, Epsom Athletic welcomed Camberley Town for a Southern Combination Cup match. Amid our Tuesday night fixture list, which comprised our three Southern Combination Cup matches, one RMP Records Division One Challenge Cup tie which was re-arranged from last midweek and then four Premier Division matches.

From the latter mentioned matches, no doubts as to match of the evening really as our Emirates Football Association Challenge Cup heroes Hartley Wintney welcomed current Premier Division leaders Ashford Town keen to put aside their recent setback which saw them surrender their 100% League record over at Westfield Saturday last. Hartley Wintney, following their tremendous result in Wales Saturday last, discovered Monday morning that, next round, they face Eastbourne Borough of the Vanarama Southern FL, Division One South, away on Saturday, 10th October, with a 3pm kick off - further details will follow nearer the time. Again, though, prize money looks healthy as seven and a half grand is the financial incentive for the winners which, again, is a healthy wedge to pocket. Ahead of this, though, the small matter of trying to protect their 100% League record against a side many tip for promotion come end of season. All-in-all, a most delightful way to spend a Tuesday September evening you would think (and hope). Must say though, looking at the fixture list for Tuesday evening, this game aside, potentially, on paper, the matches planned for the evening (details of which are in our fixture section around various CCFL websites) look to have a very healthy appeal about them. However, to start our whistle stop tour out and about, I think it would be wrong not to start our venture anywhere else.

From Time to Time, it is nice and hugely gratifying when requests for a small match analysis, due to my absence very often at midweek games out and about, due to continual reservations about late night travel, however, once again, though, good friend and Match Secretary of Hartley Wintney Gerry Wykes once again accepted my invitation to fill in the gaps from this eagerly awaited clash of two of our potential title contenders and writes briefly: Overall, first half play between these two fine sides was about even with neither side able to bulge the old onion bag. However, second half this was to change within the opening three minutes as Ross Cook put hosts Hartley Wintney 1-0 up. As you would expect though, despite this setback, Ashford Town showed little sign of admitting defeat and a second League defeat on the bounce as they pushed their hosts hard to get themselves back on level terms. Steve Duff then produced a second 'Row' goal just past the midway point making the challenge so very much harder and, consequently, no way back this time despite gallant efforts all round.

Hanworth Villa, ahead of their pending Football Association Challenge Vase match with Oxhey Jets (Spartan South Midlands FL) on Saturday, were at Chertsey Town and, despite being kept at bay first half, upped their game considerably second half and, within three minutes of the re-start, thanks to Josh Andrew, took a lead which set the pattern for a highly profitable second period as further goals from Adam Baigent, from the penalty spot on 65 minutes, and then Matt Grave twelve minutes from time wrapped up a good evening for themselves running out 3-0 winners.

AFC Hayes, thanks to a Sam Saydee goal on 46 minutes, made it back-to-back League wins following a very good 1-0 win over at Westfield and now head to Cogenhoe United (United Counties FL) this Saturday in good shape for their F.A. Challenge Vase encounter.

Finally Premier Division wise from Tuesday evening, Redhill, with goals from Gareth Chendlik, Alex Rose and Jordan Anderson, secured their first League win of the season against Horley Town by the odd goal in five.

Banstead Athletic secured a trip to Farleigh Rovers next round following their 3-1 RPM Records Division One Challenge Cup tie that was re-arranged following last week’s postponement thanks to goals from Adam Grant (2) and Sean White.

Southern Combination Cup football featured quite extensively for six of our member clubs who found themselves paired with each other resulting in wins for Chessington & Hook United, 3-2 at Ash United, Cobham, 6-4 in their home encounter with Farnham Town, and Dorking, 3-1 in their home encounter with Cove in various rounds of the competition. Observers of these results secured the scalps of sides from our Premier Division on the night.

Wednesday night, just the one game which, again though, was a Southern Combination Cup tie over at Chalky Lane involving Epsom Athletic, from our First Division, paired with Premier Division early season high flyers Camberley Town. No further shocks in this encounter as visitors Camberley Town, looking at the scoreline from the evening, were comfortable 4-0 winners.

And so then, folks, just before, for this past midweek, we bring to a close news from activity out and about, we briefly call in at Dorking Wanderers Res. for news (briefly) of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup, 2nd Round, tie which was contested against South Park Reserves and resulted in a win for 'Wanderers' 2-1.