Review Sat 3 Sep 16

Our sides were facing some very tough sounding cup ties on Saturday and it is perhaps no surprise that we now have just one club left to fly the flag in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirate FA Cup on Saturday 17 September.

That club is Colliers Wood United who overcame fellow Step 5 side Eastbourne Town by 2 goals to nil. Their reward is a tie against ex-CCL club Merstham, now playing in Ryman Division One South.

Of the others, Guildford City lost 1-5 at Bognor but North Greenford United, also facing a difficult encounter against a Ryman Premier side, Folkestone Invicta were only beaten by late goals, the match ending in a 1-3 defeat. Chertsey will be ruing missed chances at Thamesmead Town, losing by a solitary goal, whilst both Camberley Town and CB Hounslow put up a stiff fight against opponents from higher levels.
We also had just one survivor at this stage last season, in the shape of Hartley Wintney, who promptly went to Merthyr and came away winning.

In the Premier Division on Saturday, it was possibly promoted Abbey Rangers who took the eye, recording a 4-0 victory at home to Badshot Lea to haul themselves away from the foot of the table. Relegated Walton & Hersham showed they will be a force to be reckoned with after a 4-1 victory at Bedfont Sports, who themselves had been going well. Leaders Hartley Wintney fought out a goalless draw at Hanworth Villa whilst Sutton Common Rovers put a heavy defeat behind them as they overcame Spelthorne Sports by 2 goals to 1, with a very late winner. Westfield won again, 2-1 over AFC Hayes, to maintain their 100% start.

In Division One, both AC London and Banstead Athletic rapped up 7 goals each, both winning 7-1 against Cove and Ash United respectfully. Leonel Medrado took the honours for AC London with no less than six of his sides seven goals but Banstead’s Martin Smith was not too far behind with four for his team.

All the new boys now seem to have found their feet, with further wins for Bagshot, 4-2 at Farleigh, and Balham, 3-1 at Cobham. South Park Reserves picked up their first win of the season, 4-2 at home to Worcester Park, whilst Sheerwater’s win at Epsom Athletic was their third in a row, which has taken them to 5th place in the table with just three points separating the top nine.

This week’s sees most of the ties in the 1st Round of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup, including the clash between two of the Premier Division heavyweights, Knaphill and Camberley Town. This one kicks off at 7.30 p.m.. Abbey Rangers will be hoping for a better result at Epsom & Ewell than their league result a fortnight ago, when they were hit by a 1-7 defeat.

There is one tie taking place on Wednesday and that is between Redhill and Bedfont & Feltham, which will take place at Bedfont & Feltham due to Redhill’s ongoing pitch renovation works.