Mrrell's Musings 15 Aug 15

With our first week of season 2015/2016 completed, our Premier Division, along with Banstead Athletic, Bedfont & Feltham and Frimley Green, took a break from league activity as the Emirates F.A. Challenge Cup took top billing fixture-wise for several of our sides.

Quite ironic, really, when the draw was made for this Extra Preliminary Round stage all that not so very long ago, pairings for these ties only threw out one all Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League tie which, for those unaware, saw Badshot Lea and Camberley Town battle it out over at Young’s Drive on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to these Cup games, the small matter of five Division One matches were also scheduled on our fixture board for the day.

Just 24 hours later, Epsom & Ewell were visited by Erith & Belvedere (Southern Counties East FL) over at High Road, Chipstead, and Farnham Town found themselves facing Thame United who play their league football in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division. So, adding these Cup games up then, no fewer than 26 of our teams went in search of further progress and possible long term glory in this the nations Premier Cup competition.

Commencing our mini tour around competing clubs at this Extra Preliminary Round stage, first stop we call in at Young’s Drive for the all CCFL encounter between hosts Badshot Lea and Camberley Town. A home tie with Fleet Town from the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central was up for grabs for the winners in this very close encounter that saw visitors Camberley Town initially take the lead. However, Bobby Hogg ensured Badshot Lea further progress as he bagged a goal in each half to see `The Baggies' through - 2-1 the final score then from Young’s Drive.

Our next port of call is at The Dog & Duck home of Chromasport United Counties League Premier Division side Wellingborough Town. Visiting were Ashford Town who have started their league campaign with maximum points from the two league games played. Great to see the 'Ash Trees' secure a highly impressive 8-1 victory thanks to goals from Mark Bitmead (3), Bailey Mummery (2) and one goal each courtesy of Dan Fleming, Jack Beadle and Samad Kazi.

Among the goals again for a second Saturday on the trot were Horley Town as they hit seven without reply in their very one sided encounter with Wick & Barnham United from the newly named Southern Combination FL (formerly the Sussex County Football League). Among the scorers in this highly impressive display, brief details have emerged that, among the scorers, a certain Ashley Nadesan led the way with four to rightly secure ownership of the match ball.

4-1 up with barely fifteen minutes to go, Cove eventually edged out visitors Shrivenham (Hellenic FL) in a nine goal thriller over at Oak Farm Fields but silly mistakes at the back almost gave the visitor’s belief that they could force a replay in what looks to have been a very highly entertaining encounter.

Safely through are Hartley Wintney thanks to a couple of second half goals from Sam Argent and Ross Cook against a stubborn Chinnor (Hellenic FL) side who, despite the odd flurry of activity, seldom troubled Hartley Wintney in this tie which was played at Abingdon Town (North Berkshire FL). Next up a tougher home task awaits when Banbury United (Southern FL) come to town.

Likewise, new boys AFC Hayes secured a very good 3-2 home victory over Flackwell Heath (Spartan South Midlands FL) and Bedfont Sports also secured progress following their 2-0 win over at Potton United (United Counties FL).

Events over at Reading Town (Hellenic FL) were hugely pleasing for our boys from Chertsey Town who, on the day, racked up a 5-0 victory.

There were, additionally, good wins for Guildford City, 3-2 over at Tadley Calleva (Wessex FL) and Spelthorne Sports, 2-1 at home to Stotfold (Spartan South Midlands FL).

Replays are going to have to decide whether or not Banstead Athletic, Westfield, Chessington & Hook United, Bedfont & Feltham and Farnham Town progress, all of whom drew 1-1 in their respective matches. The latter tie being one of two played Sunday afternoon at Thame United (Hellenic FL); the other tie played Sunday, involving Epsom & Ewell, saw them well beaten 4-0 at home to Erith & Belvedere (Southern Counties East FL).

Switching briefly back to Saturday afternoon activity, I was at Berkhamsted (Spartan South Midlands FL) where, despite a couple of Ross Cheetham goals, Hanworth Villa made an early exit going down 3-2 to a side that, realistically, they, on another day, probably should have beaten but a couple of careless moments saw them punished by the home side resulting in goals costing them the tie.

So then, folks, after the weekend just gone, nine of our competing teams went down at this first stage of the competition, whilst another nine are definitely though to the next round, plus four more involved in replays.

While all this was going on out and about, the small matter of five Division One fixtures took place out and about resulting in wins for C.B. Hounslow United 2-0 at home to Dorking Wanderers Reserves. Over at Cobham, a cracking volley executed by Ross White gave visitors Sheerwater a 1-0 interval lead which was extended midway through the second half courtesy of Shane Rideout to secure a good 2-0 win for the 'Sheers'. Top scorers of the day in the Division were Staines Lammas who trounced hosts Sandhurst Town 6-2. Farleigh Rovers edged out new boys Abbey Rangers 2-1 in their home encounter over at the Parsonage Field and, finally, Eversley & California won by the odd goal in five in their home encounter against Worcester Park.

Looking ahead to next Friday, 21st August, over at Dorking Wanderers Reserves, they and Dorking go head to head for league points over at the West Humble Playing Field, London Road, Dorking - kick-off 7.45pm - which should be a most interesting encounter. Prior to this mouth watering game, plenty to look forward to and for me to report on in our next Musings.

Enjoy Your Football.