Morrells Musings 14.8.15

Having, via our last edition of 'Musings', offered a sneak preview of hopes and desires for this our first round-up of Musings for the new season following fixtures played on Saturday, 8th August, out and about.

Commencing firstly over at Krooner Park, shock waves echoed significantly around the ground as hosts Camberley Town, who ran least season's Premier Division champions Molesey very close before finally surrendering during the very late stages of the season lost heavily. Horley Town, their visitors on this opening day fixture, did extremely well to pull away from the potential relegation zone which, as it happened, just saw Frimley Green make the drop following an approved re-structure and just one club, namely Chessington & Hook United, coming up from Division One. So, then, to the game which, with great respect to Horley Town and their loyal followers recording a most impressive 5-0 victory, certainly provided manager Anthony Jupp with a stunning birthday present from his team. Ryan Brackpool gave the visitors a first half lead before Ash Nadesan bagged three second half goals and a Leyton Regan effort to ensure that Jupp would not forget his 39th birthday in a hurry. Hartley Wintney, with a little help from Steve Duff and Sam Argent who bagged two goals each plus one from Ross Cook, got their league campaign off to a dream start as they brushed aside Premier Division new boys Redhill 5-0 making it two defeats for both our new Premier Division boys as AFC Hayes went down 1-0 over at Ashford Town. Epsom & Ewell and Windsor shared four goals over at Chipstead in a game that saw the hosts level proceedings four minutes from time having initially taken a first half stoppage time lead and then fall 2-1 behind thanks to a converted penalty from Kyle Hough. Rob Hendrie gave the 'Salts' the lead; however, two goals in the 47th and 52nd minutes via Ricardo Cannon and then Adam Turner looked to have all but secured maximum points until this said penalty was awarded. Mark Watkins was on target for Knaphill on 25 minutes in their away trip over at Bedfont Sports which, in the end, proved enough to secure maximum points. Hanworth Villa, via Steve Loveridge, Ross Cheetham and Elliot Frost, came from a goal down scored by Dan Simmonds first half to get their season off to a flyer having secured a good 3-1 home win over Badshot Lea. Farnham Town and newly promoted Chessington & Hook United, along with Chertsey Town and Guildford City, both battled out draws 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.

South Park Res. were top scorers in Division One having secured an opening day 5-2 win at Ash United whilst Dorking Wanderers Res. and Sandhurst Town shared four goals over at West Humble. Our other new team, Abbey Rangers, fell victim to goals from Neil Hardy on 17 minutes, via the penalty spot, and, just before time, via Aston Ventor as visitors C.B. Hounslow United secured maximum points. Bedfont & Feltham secured a likewise score in their home encounter with Banstead Athletic thanks to goals second half from Michael Burton-Campbell and Jacob Lambe right at the end of play. Craig Smith and Matt Griffiths gave Eversley & California a 2-0 away victory against Dorking over at Horley. Last season’s Division One champions Farleigh Rovers fell to an odd goal in five home defeat to Cobham in what was the surprise result in Division One of the day. Staines Lammas got their season off to a winning start following a highly impressive 3-1 away win over at Frimley Green.

AND THEN: Finally, over at Chalky Lane, hosts Epsom Athletic, who waited so long for a home win last season, secured a 2-1 home win against Sheerwater.