Extended Musings 22 Dec - 2 Jan

Mindful that weather disruptions all but erased our pre-Christmas programme with the exception of the Premier Division game over at Gander Green Lane that resulted in a 3-0 home win for hosts Sutton Common Rovers against Redhill thanks to goals from Arnold Okiror and a brace from Francois Gabidon, (his 19th and 20th for this season so far.

As you know, we, as a League, opted out of playing on 26th December. Instead, we moved our Christmas programme forward to Monday, 28th December, with some good attendance figures being recorded out and about. Although, again, games were lost as a result of waterlogged pitches at Knaphill, who were hoping to entertain local rivals Westfield in the Premier Division, in addition to two Division One games at Dorking Wanderers Res., who were due to entertain Epsom Athletic, and Farleigh Rovers where Banstead Athletic were due. Over at Knaphill, a brave attempt was made by ground staff to stage the game the following evening. Sadly though, the pitch over at Brookwood Country Park Sports Ground failed to recover sufficiently resulting again in no play being possible.
Thankfully, though, Monday saw thirteen other League games from both Divisions get played though, no doubt, much to the relief of our Fixture Secretary who, of late, has seen several games fall by the wayside mainly to the waterlogged pitch syndrome out and about along with the unfortunate events over at Cove which, we all hope, will see then back in action any time now, hopefully.

First port of call Monday was Krooner Park whereupon hosts Camberley Town welcomed current Premier Division leaders Hartley Wintney. Spurred on by a good crowd of 274, it took very little time for this eagerly awaited contest to get going as, within the first few minutes of play, hosts Camberley Town were awarded a penalty which they duly converted. Just the tonic on a dull December morning if you are a fan of the home side looking to close the gap on the leaders of the Division. Early impressions suggested, should the 'Row' hope to get something from the game, they would have to be at their very best. Eventually on 40 minutes, Sam Argent squared proceedings which turned out to be the way the contest stayed come half-time. Early stages of the second half again saw a penalty awarded; only this time it was to the visitors. Up popped Joe Paris - sadly though, his effort hit the post. On the hour mark, Perry Coles restored the lead with the first of his two for the day. Within a further six minutes, 2-1 became 3-1. All-in-all, it was looking as though the long unbeaten League away run for Hartley Wintney was about to end as they struggled to find the sort of form they have so often shown this season so far. And so, then, final whistle arrived much to the delight of the home faithful signalling a first away League defeat of the season. Quite simply, it was not their day.

Next stop for us is Short Lane where hosts Ashford Town welcomed Windsor. Again, it is good to see that a 200 plus crowd in attendance (205 to be exact). Not unlike the game previously mentioned, an early goal courtesy of Mark Bitmead gave the 'Ash Trees' the ideal start against a Windsor side who have not, so far, had the best of seasons in terms of results. Barely a third of the game had been played when Windsor, already up against it, had their playing numbers reduced following Barry Dunbar's receipt of a second yellow card and then red. No further goal activity arrived though until Dan Fleming popped up on 66 minutes to make it 2-0. Not quite beaten yet, Windsor, eleven minutes later, pulled one back to make for a grandstand finish which the hosts held on to. Great result for Ashford Town which, as a result, leaves them just a point behind leaders Hartley Wintney.

Horley Town provide us with our next catch up as they welcomed Epsom & Ewell for their post-Christmas day activity over at the New Defence. A fraction under one hundred saw this encounter that included three penalties (all of which were converted), a red card and, all-in-all, a hard fought contest. Ash Nadesan opened the scoring on 36 minutes in this game for Horley as these two highly placed sides went head to head. This slender lead was kept by the hosts right up until the 74th minute at which point Kyle Hough scored the first of his two penalties for Epsom & Ewell - his second arrived seven minutes later turning a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead. However, still there was time for another penalty to be awarded only this time it went to the hosts who, cool as you like, converted barely four minutes from time to ensure both sides ended proceedings a point better off.

Hanworth Villa secured a 2-1 home victory against Bedfont Sports having taken an early lead through Jack Buckley. Two minutes after the interval though, the visitors, thanks to a Daryl Sanders converted penalty, made it 1-1. Midway through the second period though, Tom Dillaway scored what turned out to be the winning goal for the hosts. A Mario Embalo 73rd minute goal at Chertsey Town saw visitors Colliers Wood United secure a narrow 1-0 victory whilst Raynes Park Vale and Spelthorne Sports both secured 3-2 home victories against Chessington & Hook United and AFC Hayes respectively and, finally, over at Farnham Town, they and Guildford City shared four goals.

Looking in at Division One activity now from Monday, League leaders C.B. Hounslow United ran out comfortable 4-1 home winners against their landlords Bedfont & Feltham thanks to a couple of goals from Jordan Vidal and one goal each from Gavin Bamford and Mick Hardy. All the 'Yellows' could muster was a Lewis Sinclair effort on the day. A Gavin Brainch goal on the half hour plus a further two from Connor Harlowe set Sandhurst Town on the way to a highly convincing 4-0 home win against promotion hopefuls Eversley & California. 3-0 up at the interval, Luke Burrows added a 4th on 62 minutes to round off a great all round 'Fizzers' display. Abbey Rangers and Ash United both secured 2-1 home wins against Sheerwater and Frimley Green respectively thanks to a couple Paul Hodges goals in each half for Abbey Rangers. Shane Rideout was on target for the 'Sheers', goals at Ash United while those for the home side came via Allan Young and Dan Walker while, for Frimley Green, Goiacomo Di-Lullo bulged the onion bag. Finally Monday, a late Gary Obisogun goal saw hosts Cobham edge out Staines Lammas 1-0 while the games at Dorking Wanderers Res., who were due to entertain Epsom Athletic, and Farleigh Rovers, versus Banstead Athletic, as previously mentioned, fell victim to waterlogged pitches.

In wishing you all a Very Happy New Year, as you are aware, our opening fixtures for the first Saturday of 2016 were severely disrupted by weather conditions leaving us with just three games from our Premier Division. Regretfully, all of Division One was a washout in addition to the six that fell in the Premier Division. With this in mind, Musings for Saturday, 2nd January, are, to put it mildly, very slim to say the least.

However, of the matches played, firstly, we venture over to Short Lane where Ashford Town entertained Knaphill safe in the knowledge that a win for them would see the Ash Trees swap places with Hartley Wintney who, prior to Saturday, sat top a point ahead and also with a game in hand which has now doubled as the Row home encounter with Farnham Town was one of the weather casualties. No real surprise, I guess, that a tremendous crowd of 220 was recorded at the game which saw no fewer than ten goals scored in what looked to be a most entertaining encounter. Jack Beadle opened the scoring for Ashford Town within the first couple of minutes only for Charlie Postance to square proceedings for Knaphill nine minutes later. Fired up by this, the 'Knappers', six minutes later thanks to Rob Kersley, made it 2-1 to stun the home faithful who had high hopes of securing top spot shortly before 5pm. Gradually, their pressure paid off as, on 35 minutes, Russ Canderton made it 2-2 to make it game on again. Bayley Mummery, a couple of minutes before half-time, popped up to give the home side the lead again which they took into the break. Bitmead bagged his second for the afternoon from the penalty spot on 49 minutes to give themselves a two goal cushion which, mindful that, as a result of the penalty, the visiting keeper was red carded for his offence. You may have been forgiven if you thought that might be the end of the activity for the afternoon. NOT SO though: Scott Harris, on 71 minutes, and then Mark Bitmead, seven minutes later, made it 6-2. Still there was more to come. Danny Taylor made it 6-3 on 83 minutes and then, just before the end, Jamie Hills made it 6-4 and, much to the relief of the Ashford Town faithful, no more net busting from the visitors or, come to think of it, themselves meaning victory was secured by a 6-4 margin to move them top of the table.

Fellow high flyers Camberley Town whom, on current form, look like serious title contenders, entertained Chessington & Hook United over at Krooner Park again knowing a win would keep them very much in the mix. Goals from Chris Ellis, Perry Coles and Marcus Cousins kept them on the right track having, on the afternoon, secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Finally, we call in at Gander Green Lane where hosts Sutton Common Rovers welcomed AFC Hayes for their first home match of the new year. After a goal-less first half, goal machine Francois Gabidon, with his 21st of the season, gave the Commoners the lead on 48 minutes. Four minutes later, they had a golden chance to double their advantage having been awarded a penalty. Not to be, though, as the visiting keeper not only saved the spot kick but he ensured any follow up would be safely cleared. On the hour mark, as often happens, the visitors equalized courtesy of Ronnel Dennis leaving the final third of the contest up for grabs as a winner was sought after. Eventually, this arrived four minutes from the end of the ninety thanks to Kobe Botwe for the home side and, for the second match on the trot, the 'Commoners' recorded a home win against a side new to our League for this season.