Musings for Saturday 31 October

Yet again, folks, They Came, They Saw and, most delightfully, They Conquered. Sincerest congratulations, firstly, are offered to Division One Football Association Challenge Vase heroes Abbey Rangers. Faced with a trip to Portchester, from the Wessex League, Premier Division, where they currently lie in 4th spot and, League wise, have only tasted defeat once, to date, this season, the chance of further success probably just about moderate prior to commencement if we were honest. How wonderfully nice to be wrong as, Saturday last, they once again hit the road with great belief and sheer determination to progress even further in this their first season both in our League where they are holding their own quite well. More importantly though, in the F.A. Vase, having previously eliminated both Holyport (Hellenic FL) and Tytherington Rocks (Hellenic FL) away from their homeland of Addlestone Moor in replays which alone were delightful to put it mildly. Their latest adventure saw them come from behind to grab an 89th minute winner by the odd goal in three and was a sheer joy to see on screen upon my return home after a most enjoyable afternoon was spent over at Stag Meadow which I will make mention of later within this my latest scribe. Abbey Rangers join six Premier Division sides assured of a Second Round place with Colliers Wood United having rightly received a 2nd Round exemption following their wonderful exploits from last season that came to an abrupt end over at Ascot United from the UHLSport Hellenic League, Premier Division, last season. Subject to Ashford Town securing victory in their home replay against Kidlington (Hellenic FL) on Tuesday evening (3rd November), they too will hopefully progress.

The Draw for Round Two is to be made Monday morning - details of this will appear before closing this latest edition of Musings and will definite feature, along with Abbey Rangers, the names of Hartley Wintney, Camberley Town, Sutton Common Rovers, Knaphill and Windsor.

It is at Windsor where I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon as they and Southern Counties East League, Premier Division, and ex-CCFL members Croydon battled out a highly fascinating contest which, although finished in an odd goal in five victory for hosts Windsor having had to come from two goals down going in to the last quarter of the contest. Croydon, in many ways, did their bit to provide sound opposition and, from the start of play, showed great ability to show their intentions of possible progress and, on several occasions first half, showed some good movement on the ball. Thankfully though, the Windsor keeper especially kept them at bay until the 39th minute when Al Hassan Oshilija broke the deadlock. Thankfully though, Carl Dennison in the Windsor goal did his bit to keep the scoreline down to a single effort as the first half drew to an end. Second half, like the first, saw the 'Trams' on top and, within seven minutes of the restart, Karl Douglin doubled their advantage. Words of wisdom from the dugout from Manager Mick Woodham were rewarded on 68 minutes as Barry Dunbar reduced the arrears. All of a sudden, there was a bit more belief that, just maybe, all was not lost in the tie. Four minutes later, Omar Riaz made it 2-2 and it really was game on now. Stunned somewhat by this, Croydon found Windsor tails well and truly up and they wanted to go for the win which they had a golden chance to secure three minutes from time when a penalty for the home side was awarded and the culprit rightly red carded. Was the comeback to be completed at that point? In a word, my friends, NO. Probably not the best spot kick I have ever seen taken over the years of watching this wonderful game of ours that we love so much. Just one final twist left in this most interesting and enjoyable contest. This again came from Barry Dunbar early on in stoppage time as he put Windsor 3-2 up to cap a most remarkable and somewhat unexpected comeback. Equally though, most delightful especially for Manager Mick Woodman. Quite rightly, when the draw is made for Round Two on Monday, it will be fascinating to see who Windsor get drawn against. Please, though, all I ask is that you do not give your opponents a two goal head start and then miss a penalty. This old ticker of mine, although recovered now like many Windsor faithful, innocently questioned your future progress this season in this most wonderful of competitions - equally though, sincerest congratulations are offered and when I raised my glass of coke in celebration of your victory, it capped for me, as always, a wonderful afternoon spent over at Windsor (per usual).

Thanks to a double strike from Shane Hollamby and a Sam Argent effort, Hartley Wintney turned round a 0-1 deficit in their home tie with Wokingham & Emmbrook (Hellenic FL) which came via Elliot Rushforth on the quarter hour mark to first level within a couple of minutes and then go on to take the tie 3-1.

Knaphill and visitors Cray Valley (Paper Mills) (Southern Combination East FL) put on a superb contest over at Reddings Way where this nine goal thriller saw the 'Knappers' edge home 5-4 after extra time.

Fellow high riders in the Premier Division Camberley Town took a sixth minute lead over at Lancing (Southern Combination FL) only to be pegged back a couple of minutes later as Alex Fair made it 1-1. On a ground where, over the years, Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League sides have not exactly come away victorious, thankfully Matt Bunyan was around a minute from the end of the ninety to notch what turned out to be the winner for the 'Reds'.

Just the one goal settled the Worthing United (Southern Combination FL) versus Sutton Common Rovers tie. This lone effort came three minutes into second half play when Andy White edged SCR in front which they held on to see them through.

Heavy home defeats were inflicted upon Cove 0-5 by Canterbury City (Southern Combination East FL) and Bedfont Sports 1-4 by Carterton (Hellenic FL) along with 3-2 defeats suffered on their travels by Hanworth Villa at Bowers & Pitsea (Essex FL) and Farnham Town, after extra time, at Eastbourne Town (Southern Combination FL). So this leaves high hopes for current Premier Division League leaders Ashford Town whom we wish well as they seek Second Round progress.

Mindful of such extensive F.A. Vase activity, for our Premier Division fixture board, there were just three games played resulting in wins for Colliers Wood United, 4-2 at Westfield, Spelthorne Sports, 3-0 away against Badshot Lea over at Young’s Drive, and Raynes Park Vale, 4-1 at home to AFC Hayes.

Division One saw Worcester Park take over top spot following a 2-1 win at Banstead Athletic. Despite falling behind, they came back strong and secured their win in the 90th minute. No such problems for Bedfont & Feltham who entertained South Park Reserves and duly walloped them 10-2. Eversley & California entertained Frimley Green in a match that saw both sides secure a point in a 3-3 entertaining encounter. Cobham secured a 3-2 home win against Sandhurst Town whilst Dorking took maximum points in a 3-1 home victory against Ash United. Over at Chalky Lane, it was visitors Dorking Wanderers Reserves who came out on top having registered a 3-1 away victory against hosts Epsom Athletic.

Briefly, news via the Football Association Monday morning, 2nd November, that the draw for the Second Round of the F.A. Challenge Vase had been made and which details of matches involving our member sides are available either on the F.A. Competitions website or Pitchero. Main talking point is that Abbey Rangers, our sole Division One representatives, face another lengthy journey; this time, their destination will be Newport (Isle of Wight) (Wessex FL). In addition, there will be an all-CCFL tie at Hartley Wintney as they host Windsor - ties are due to be played on 21st November. Details of these and all other ties involving our clubs will be previewed nearer commencement of the games.