Musings 17 - 20 November 2015

Due to the wet weather that has been sweeping the nation, just three of the games proposed for the evening survived on Tuesday out and about comprising of one Middlesex County Senior Cup tie, one Premier Division contest and one RPM Records Division One Challenge Cup, Quarter-Final, tie at Ashford Town, Hartley Wintney and Cobham respectively. On paper, no fewer than nine games had been pencilled in prior to the latest helping of the dreaded wet stuff. Sadly though, like so much of the country, footballing activity at our level became seriously reduced with many games falling by the wayside. For us, though, the games that were played all seem to have provided massive entertainment for those fortunate (and brave enough) to partake mindful of the conditions which were far from ideal.

First stop, we pop in at Short Lane where Ashford Town and AFC Hayes certainly put on a most enjoyable Middlesex County Senior Cup, 2nd Round, encounter. Early thoughts of a standard victory for the 'Ash Trees' were quickly erased when, inside the opening nine minutes, AFC Hayes stunned the home faithful when they took the lead through Sam Saydee in this splendid encounter which, although played in tricky conditions, certainly did not disappoint as, over the period of play, the visitors actually led twice against their hosts only to fall right at the very end of ninety compelling minutes. Mark Bitmead grabbed a couple goals along with one from Max Webb to see Ashford Town through but, word has it, the visitors certainly made life very difficult on the night for the hosts.

League wise, our current Premier Division leaders, Hartley Wintney, having seven days previous surrendered their 100% league record over at Bedfont Sports, entertained Epsom & Ewell again on a very tricky pitch. Liam Eagle set the evening going when on sixteen minutes when he put the hosts 1-0 up. This lead only lasted six minutes though as Matt Ferdinando pulled the 'Salts' level to advise the hosts that they were not going to find the task easy and, should they wish to secure maximum points, it would require constant reminders of how well they had played to deny a very shrewd Epsom & Ewell side who, on their day, are capable of producing good results. By the time we had reached the hour mark, Hartley Wintney looked to be well placed having just gone 3-1 up. Joe Paris, on 56 minutes, made it 2-1 and then, as suggested, on the hour, a harsh own goal doubled the advantage. Game Over You Say? In a short British phrase - not likely as, on 64 minutes, Ferdinando doubled his scoring tally for the evening and making for a grandstand finish. 87 minutes up popped Tom Neale and, yep, you've guessed, the contest was all square again. No further scoring though meaning that this, in the end, was how this wonderful contest ended up.

Over at Cobham, despite the hosts running out 6-1 winners on the night in this Quarter-Final RPM Records Division One Cup contest, visitors Epsom Athletic were, at times, far from overwhelmed by their hosts and, had they converted a few of the several chances created, they may well have run Cobham much closer than the score suggests according to reports made available.

Thursday evening saw Horley Town and Badshot Lea go head-to-head in a 2nd Round Surrey County Senior Cup tie which, on the night, ended 2-2 meaning that penalties would have to decide the final outcome on the night. Going through after the shoot-out are Badshot Lea 4-3 on the night after this shoot-out.

Friday night saw the first of our 2nd Round Football Association Challenge Vase ties over at Gander Green Lane and, although at present news is brief from the occasion, it is great to note that Sutton Common Rovers, almost at the death, overcame Beckenham Town (Southern Counties East FL) 3-2 - further details will feature in our next Musings.