Saturday Musings 26 Sep 15

By Admin ccl

From Press Officer Neil Morwood

Saturday Scene this week commences at Pen-y-darren Park, home of Merthyr Town of the Evo-Stik Southern League, Premier Division, where Hartley Wintney, our remaining survivors in this year’s Emirates Sponsored Football Association Challenge Cup competition, headed off to seeking further glory in this the Second Round Qualifying of the nation’s Number One competition. Having, in previous rounds, having initially secured a 2-0 away win against Chinnor (Hellenic FL) over at Abingdon back in mid-August, opponents of the so-called superiority status of Banbury United (Southern FL) who were well and truly beaten 5-2 on home soil. Next stop, Fleet Town (Southern FL) visited the 'Row' and, having secured a 1-1 draw, probably fancied their chances of progressing. Sadly though, from their prospective, it was not to be as, again, it was the 'Row' who, from start to finish, dictated play and ran out most comfortable 4-0 winners on the night. And so then, the stage was set for Saturday afternoon, 26th September. At stake, four and a half grand prize money for the winners and, more importantly though, a passage through to Monday's (28th September) 3rd Round Qualifying draw. Early reports suggest hosts Merthyr Town went out to a well organised side two divisions below them in the pyramid system and, on the whole, were well worth their victory. Early warning signs were evident as the 'Row' created the better openings; firstly with a shot that flashed across the goal and hit the far post with the follow-up effort cleared off the line. Merthyr themselves also hit the woodwork. On the whole though, they looked to be lacking in confidence in the first half. Second half, the hosts made a good start and, slightly against play, it was visitors Hartley Wintney who found the back of the net on 55 minutes. Merthyr's Kerry Morgan tried to play the ball out of defence but, in doing so, lost possession which allowed Horkan to fire in a cross-shot. Both sides again hit the woodwork during the period meaning that, in desperation, the hosts pushed men forward to try and salvage something but it was not to be, though, as the Hartley Wintney defence stood firm to the very end and record a most impressive and highly delightful victory. Credit all from hosts Merthyr Town though, despite being victim of a shock defeat, sportingly to a man they applauded our boys from the field of play which was a most wonderful gesture under the circumstances of the previous ninety odd minutes of playing time. All eyes eagerly await the news of the 3rd Round Qualifying draw which, by the time I have finished putting together this latest round of Musings and, naturally, comment, will be accordingly be made prior to closing.

BEFORE THEN, though: Per usual, we take our normal tour of activity out and about League and, from Division One, a couple of RPM Records Challenge Cup ties from Bedfont & Feltham and Sheerwater respectively. Ironic, really, that both Premier Division leaders Ashford Town let slip an early two goal lead over at Westfield as did C.B. Hounslow United over at Worcester Park. Goals from Mark Bitmead, on 13 minutes, followed three minutes later by Bayley Mummery seemed to set Ashford Town on the way to making it nine League wins out of nine over at Woking Park. However, eight minutes after the Ash Tree's second goal, the lead was halved courtesy of Shane Cheeseman. All of a sudden, it was game on again much to the delight of the home faithful. With their tails up now, Westfield sprung into life and duly set about their what looked almost impossible task of securing a comeback. Just after the half hour mark, Kristian Webb did just that, though, and we were level again at two goals each. All of a sudden, belief within home quarters now was that, just maybe, Westfield could actually go on and win the contest as Ashford Town showed nervous signs which, certainly League wise so far this season overall, have made them such a strong tip for the Premier Division title even at this early stage of the season. 62 minutes on the clock, Ben Placito completed the comeback as he put the hosts 3-2 up against a side who, on the whole over time, often secure a reasonable result against - last season will testify that. Scoring wise, folks, well, that was where the tap was turned off for the afternoon over at Woking Park and Westfield achieved a hugely praiseworthy result against their high flying opponents by the odd goal in five leaving Hartley Wintney our only remaining Premier Division side with maximum points this season.

C.B. Hounslow United, leaders of Division One, visited Worcester Park keen to build on their highly impressive seven out of seven League wins already bagged this season, and, thanks to Jordan Ireland and an own goal four minutes later (20 and 24 minutes), looked set fair to make it 8 out of 8. HOWEVER, Joe Cheeseman and a Lee Davison penalty three minutes before the interval changed respective half-time manager chats for sure. 'Park', understandably, had their heads well up by now and were rewarded ten minutes into second half play when Davison put them 3-2 ahead. Within a further ten minutes, 3-2 became 4-2; a Cheeseman completed his double for the afternoon. Desperate to rectify this, C.B. found the bridge just beyond them on this occasion meaning, for them, surrendering their 100% record to a side who, on their day, are more than a match for many of our teams as we have seen in the past season or so. Division One still has one club with a 100% League record so far this season and they are Bedfont & Feltham who were involved in RMP Records Division One Challenge Cup activity and Saturday afternoon saw off Dorking Wanderers Reserves 3-0 at home. It is worth noting though, in the case of Bedfont & Feltham, up until Saturday last (26th September), the club have, due to Cup competitions, only played three League games.

Back to the Premier Division we go now and, in second and third spot, you will see Epsom & Ewell who were 1-0 winners in their latest match with Farnham Town thanks to Matt Ferdinando and his ninth minute winner although they did have to do this the hard way as they had Craig Hastings sent off after 28 minutes. Camberley Town looked to have recovered from their disastrous opening day 0-5 home defeat against Horley Town and came away from Stag Meadow with a useful point following a 0-0 draw being secured against Windsor. Having won 1-0 against Knaphill Friday evening, 4th spot is occupied by Hanworth Villa and, with their continual and most delightful Emirates F.A. Challenge Cup exploits, Hartley Wintney sit in fifth spot. In another of the day’s surprises, Horley Town went down to an 89th minute converted penalty, courtesy of Jordan Berry, over at AFC Hayes. Just below sit Chessington & Hook United who inflicted a 4-1 defeat upon afternoon visitors Cove over at Chalky Lane. Likewise, Colliers Wood United hit four without reply on their latest travels which saw them venture over to Guildford City. Rock bottom Redhill who, with just one point from the previous eight League games, made it one point from nine as visitors Raynes Park Vale came away 3-1 winners. Spelthorne Sports were big 5-2 home winners in their home encounter against Sutton Common Rovers and, finally Premier Division wise, over at Young’s Drive, hosts Badshot Lea, having fallen behind to a 41st minute Joe Jones goal, came back strong to level proceedings just before the break thanks to Lukas Burt and then, second half, just before the hour mark, secured all three points thanks to Mason I. Saunders against Chertsey Town.

Division One again continues to be most interesting throughout as, with C.B. Hounslow United slipping up, of our remaining games not covered, Banstead Athletic and Ash United shared six goals over at Merland Rise, second placed Eversley & California alone scored that many without reply against visitors Epsom Athletic, Cobham and visitors Abbey Rangers put on an highly entertaining encounter over at the Leg O' Mutton Field with the visitors Abbey Rangers taking maximum points in a narrow 3-2 victory. South Park Reserves sit rock bottom with just three points from eight League games played - latest reversal Saturday afternoon saw them go down 0-2 at home to Sandhurst Town and, finally League wise, Dorking notched up their second League win of the season following a good 3-0 victory being secured against visitors Frimley Green.

There was also an RPM Records Division One Challenge Cup game over at Sheerwater which saw visitors Staines Lammas come away 3-1 winners whilst, in The Orchard, Bedfont & Feltham sacked Dorking Wanderers Reserves 3-0 in the same competition.

Where next?

FA Vase - 1st Round Draw 10 CLUBS DEFINITELY INVOLVED AND MAY BECOME 11
FA Vase Preview of the 2nd Qualifying Round 18 Clubs in FA Vase Action Over the Weekend.

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