Musings for Saturday 7 November 2015

Serious weather conditions disrupted our fixture list Saturday afternoon with games falling here, there and everywhere. Our fixture list for the day consisted of eight League fixtures between the two Divisions; five in the Premier Division and three from Division One.

Morning leaders in the Premier Division, Hartley Wintney, with games in hand on all in and around them, faced a trip to Hanworth Villa where, thankfully, the green light for play was given by the match referee and, once again, produced a maximum points haul for the 12th time on the trot for this season and opened up a three point lead having, on the day, secured a good 3-1 win thanks to goals from Sam Argent while, for 'Villa', Dale Marvell provided hope six minutes into the second half when he equalized briefly. However, this only lasted two minutes before the visitors regained the lead which they further extended two minutes from time to secure the points.

Second placed Ashford Town, like so many on the day, had their proposed trip to Farnham Town abruptly denied as did, at the start of the day, third placed Camberley Town who were due to make the short trip down to Cove; again, though, this was to be denied.

Epsom & Ewell maximized this as their home encounter with Chessington & Hook United got the thumbs up for commencement and should the 'Salts' be successful and secure three points against a side who tend to enjoy visiting rather than hosting Epsom & Ewell. Overall, the 46 people who braved the weather had very little to put aside the gloomy weather right up until the 89th minute and then dear old Thomas Neale broke the deadlock and the prospect of the home side, Epsom & Ewell, finally securing three points against 'Chessy' at home for the first time in a few seasons thanks to his solitary attempt on bulging the old onion bag which he gratefully took. What little time was left on the clock came and went with minimum fuss and, come final whistle, the 'Salts', thanks to this very slim victory, ended the day sitting nicely in third spot.

Top scorers of the day in the Premier Division were Colliers Wood United who, despite falling behind to a Bradley Hand goal in the sixth minute, came back strongly to notch five goals of their own to secure a maximum points haul over at the Wibbandune Sports Ground against their frail opponents Hayes who, having recorded four League victories so far this season and lost the same amount, overall are still finding their way within the Premier Division.

Bedfont Sports, again thanks to hard work from the ground staff, were given the thumbs up for play in their home encounter with Guildford City. Legend has it that Manager Mick Snowden and his team were due a long awaited home win League wise which, in many ways, was helped on ten minutes when up popped Dan Thompson to give the 'Eagles' the lead. Spurred on by this, the half time interval was fast approaching. Sadly, though, goal wise, the home side were unable to add to this slim lead and, on 43 minutes, were made to pay for this as Nathan Chambers pulled the visitors back on level terms. Second half passed by with the feeling that, just maybe, the two sides were going to secure a point each for their efforts. Thankfully though, a winner was found in the home camp via a 16 year old named Harrison Livingstone who, with just two minutes left of the ninety, popped up with the winner delighting the home faithful and Manager Mick Snowden (and his team mates). All of a sudden, a League home win was very much in sight for Bedfont Sports; just a small matter of negotiating the remaining few minutes which, duly, they achieved. I guess the boy became a man on final whistle thanks to his late effort and expect to see the name of Harrison Livingstone feature in the plans of Mick Snowden. In football, so they say, if you are good enough then you are old enough.

In Division One, just one goal separates leaders Worcester Park and second placed C.B. Hounslow United although the latter do have a game in hand following events from Saturday that saw Worcester Park secure a narrow 2-1 home win against Dorking. C.B., on the other hand, in their home tie with Staines Lammas, hit six without reply. The third and final Division One game saw Cobham visit Football Association Challenge Vase heroes Abbey Rangers and came away from Addlestone Moor winners following an odd goal in five victory secured. Goals in the 21st and 26th minute, courtesy of Chris Burke and Gary Knowelden, saw table toppers Worcester Park edge out visitors Dorking who, despite a gallant effort, just miss out despite pulling a goal back on seventy minutes through Glen Wright, just. Second placed C.B. Hounslow United, with a little help of a hat-trick from Jordan Ireland, hit visitors Staines Lammas convincingly 6-0. Additional goals came in the final twenty or so minutes to wrap up a good afternoon’s work for the home side. FINALLY: News from Addlestone Moor saw an action packed encounter resulting in visitors Cobham, courtesy of a hat-trick from Mo Diakite, come away from Abbey Rangers 3-2 winners. On target for 'Rangers' were Ben Kersley and Ryan Thorpe from the penalty spot.