Midweek Musings

Although not quite as hectic as last midweek where we had matches from Monday through to Friday. This time around, Thursday evening brings to an end of our midweek fixture list with its usual variety of competition for all our member sides involved.

To get things started, Monday evening it was Grant-McLellan Youth Cup, Semi Final, activity to get the show on the road over at Chertsey Town who found themselves paired against Bedfont Sports, our current holders and have been so for the past two seasons, and so then, folks, what better way to get Musings started than looking in on events over at Alwyns Lane. Reward for the winners of this wonderful in prospect tie is a mouth watering Final against AFC Croydon Athletic (Southern Counties East FL) on 4th May over at Frimley Green. Bedfont Sports following a 3-1 victory over at Chertsey Town appear in their third consecutive Final and, no doubt, fancy their chances of lifting this delightful trophy again to make it a third success on the spin which would really be a most remarkable achievement.

On to Tuesday night, we switch now where, following their 2-0 win over at Westfield, the destination of the Premier Division Trophy was confirmed following a 2-0 victory by Hartley Wintney thanks to goals in each half from Steve Duff (37 minutes) and Ross Cook two minutes from time. Following their 2-0 win at Westfield, champions for this season are Hartley Wintney as their closest challengers Camberley Town somewhat surprisingly only secured a point in their 0-0 draw against Chessington & Hook United. Goals in each half, firstly from Steve Duff on 37 minutes and then two minutes from time courtesy of Ross Cook confirmed what we suspected some while back that the name of Hartley Wintney would be added to the list of Premier Division champions. The only real regret, though, for the 'Row' is that they will not be progressing to the next level next season which would have been a great reward for everybody at Hartley Wintney. Regretfully though, not this season which could let potentially either Ashford Town or Camberley Town take their place.

Second and third spot looks as though it is going to go down to the wire though as, Tuesday evening, Camberley Town, who were in second spot, were held 0-0 against Chessington & Hook United leaving them with two away games left, League-wise, at Sutton Common Rovers and Hartley Wintney respectively. Ashford Town made the short trip to Chertsey Town on Tuesday evening and, thanks to four goals from Mark Bitmead and one from Brad Wainwright, they came away from Alwyns Lane very comfortable 5-0 winners. In form Knaphill ventured over to the West Street home of Farnham Town where the hosts were playing their final home game of the season whereupon Jimmy Norman wasted little time in setting the 'Knappers' on the way to another maximum points haul for the evening by the odd goal in five. On target for Farnham Town were Matt Glass and Stan Staines whilst Charlie Postance bagged another two for his season’s tally and club alike. Redhill, despite having a player sent off in the first half, secured an odd goal in five victory in their home encounter against Hanworth Villa over at Kiln Brow. AND FINALLY: Premier Division wise, hosts AFC Hayes, thanks to goals from Brad Hand on eighteen minutes and Josh Quadry fifteen minutes from time, edged out Sutton Common Rovers 2-1. Francois Gabidon netted for the visitors ten minutes into second half play only as mentioned to concede again twenty minutes later.

Our three Division One games produced sixteen goals in total eight of which came in the Dorking versus South Park Reserves encounter over at the New Defence where visitors South Park Reserves secured a good 5-3 victory. Banstead Athletic travelled over to Dorking Wanderers Reserves and came away victors 3-0 on the night and, finally Tuesday evening, Staines Lammas recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory against Epsom Athletic thus gaining revenge for the 5-1 defeat they suffered over at Chalky Lane during the early stages of the season.

As previously mentioned within my notes, Wednesday evening over at Camberley Town Football Club, the Final of our RPM Records Division One Cup, Final, involving Bedfont & Feltham and Worcester Park took place which, on the evening, resulted in a 1-0 win for Worcester Park thanks to a 30th minute goal from Johnny Phillips whom we warmly congratulate. Some would say against the odds following their recent dip in form.

Next up, Cup Final wise, will be our Grant-McLellan Youth Cup, Final, which will be played on Thursday, 5th May, over at Frimley Green Football Club and will be between current holders of this wonderful trophy Bedfont Sports who will be looking to make it three Final wins in a row as they battle it out against AFC Croydon Athletic (Southern Counties East FL) closely followed two days later over at Stag Meadow, Windsor, when Farnham Town and Camberley Town battle it out for the title of 2015/2016 Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup Winners.

With continual interest in a number of external cup competitions and remaining League fixtures, please be sure to keep yourself up to date with all that is going on within our League structure via our Pitchero website and then head for the fixtures page.

Thursday evening, Camberley Town fell behind to a 26th minute goal over at Fleet Town (Southern FL) in their Aldershot Football Association Senior Invitation Challenge Cup, Semi Final, tie. However, on the hour mark, Perry Coles drew them level. Within a minute of Camberley getting back on level terms, hosts Fleet Town had the ball in the net again only for it to be ruled out. Inspired by this and with the clock ticking down, twelve minutes from time, Matt Bunyan put Camberley Town 2-1 up on the night to provide possibly a second cup final meeting with Farnham Town in the space of a few days. Brilliant news, folks, Camberley Town held firm to secure their spot in the Final of the Aldershot Football Association Senior Invitation Challenge Cup which will take place at Aldershot Town Football Club (National FL) at 7.45pm on 11th May - Massive Congratulations to Dan Turkington and his wonderful team over at Camberley Town Football Club.

Our three League games, comprising of two Premier Division and one Division One game, saw wins for Westfield 3-1 in their home encounter against Bedfont Sports while, over at Chalky Lane, Farnham Town, thanks to goals from Ben Williams, Matt Glass, John Lancashire and Mark Corbett, eased to a comfortable 4-0 away victory against Chessington & Hook United.

A 71st minute Dylan Merchant goal saw hosts South Park Reserves edge out visitors Dorking Wanderers Reserves to record their second midweek victory of the week.