Saturday Scene 10 October 2015

Shortly before 5.00pm on Saturday afternoon, despite a very brave effort that saw them recover from a two goal deficit, further Emirates Sponsored Football Association Challenge Cup football ended for this season for both for Hartley Wintney and, subsequently, the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League following a dramatic stoppage time winner secured by hosts Eastbourne Borough (National FL) over at Priory Lane. Borough went ahead in the 16th minute following a Darren Lok shot that came back off the post initially only for the same player to then find the net with an overhead effort. Had it not been for some great saves and goal-line clearances, the lead would have been greater and the home club making the game safe. Sadly, double vision saw an early departure for the home keeper on eighteen minutes meant a moment of glory for the replacement keeper who was 18-year old Louis Rogers. This slim lead was then doubled on 58 minutes, though, following a poor punch by Hartley's keeper Craig Atkinson that found Kane Haysman who promptly made it 2-0. With time slipping by, hopes of a Hartley Wintney revival saw a slight glimmer of hope when, on 75 minutes, Liam Eagle pulled a goal back. Totally rejuvenated by this, the visitors then pushed for a second goal to give themselves a chance of bringing their hosts back to Hampshire. A superb Sam Argent low drive nine minutes from time raised hope for the travelling contingent to stun all of the home faithful among the crowd of 491. Having hit the post moments earlier, Nathaniel Pinney then struck the winner for hosts in stoppage time to almost bring to an end proceedings for the afternoon that, in the end, saw Hartley Wintney fall just short - massive credit to them, though, firstly for getting through to the 3rd Round Qualifying of this our crème-de-la-crème national cup competition and to the brilliant disregard they had in previous rounds of so-called superior opponents which they should feel so very proud of achieving en route to this their final call for the current season competition wise.

League wise, having come out of their mini blip past midweek, leaders Ashford Town, on Saturday, made it ten wins out of thirteen League matches following a 4-2 home win being secured against Raynes Park Vale despite falling behind to a third minute Connor Turner goal. Barely five minutes played and again the onion bag rippled as Alex Fisher converted a penalty for the home side to bring them back on level terms. Samad Kazi got his name on the score sheet as the 'Ash Trees' turned things swiftly around and still less than ten minutes had been registered on the clock. Jack Beadle, ten minutes later, made it 3-1 which was how things stayed till just after the hour mark. Callum Forbes felt the urge to make for a nervy last half-hour as he pulled it back to 3-2. With the clock slowly ticking down, nine minutes from time, Tom Brunton all but secured the points for Ashford Town when he made it 4-2 which, in the end, turned out to be the final score in this highly entertaining encounter.

Second placed Camberley Town were involved in a highly entertaining affair over at Knaphill where a healthy crowd of 125 assembled for the afternoon. George Gould put the visitors 1-0 on 19 minutes which they held on to until first half stoppage time and, during the second minute of added-on time, Mark Watkins ensured that the hosts went in at the break on level terms. Second half, both sides went looking for the winner which eventually arrived two minutes into second half stoppage time, courtesy of Paul Coventry, to ensure a maximum point haul for the visitors who trail leaders Ashford Town by three points but do have a game in hand. Epsom & Ewell, in third place, were without a game allowing, potentially, Horley Town and Hanworth Villa, who sit directly below them, a golden chance to take full advantage in their games - neither side really did, though, as Horley Town could only secure a point following a 3-3 draw with Badshot Lea. For Hanworth Villa, it was even worse, though, as they were well beaten over at Farnham Town 4-1. AFC Hayes continued with their recent run of good form recording a 4-1 home win against Guildford City whilst Windsor inflicted a back-to-back home defeat upon Colliers Wood United by the odd goal in five. Sutton Common Rovers were the day’s big winners in the Premier Division hitting Chessington & Hook United six times without reply on home soil while Chertsey Town and Westfield drew 1-1 at Alwyns Lane. Finally Premier Division wise, in a game of two halves over at Redhill, the home side came back from 2-0 down at half-time to take a point against Bedfont Sports - 2-2 final score at Kiln Brow.

The Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup tie over at Sheerwater went the whole distance as visitors Frimley Green ran out winners after a penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 stalemate after 120 minutes.

Division One, thanks to a superior goal difference, saw Eversley & California stay top following a 6-0 win against Farleigh Rovers whilst second placed C.B. Hounslow United stumbled over the winning line 1-0 in their home encounter with Ash United. Third placed Worcester Park shared six goals over at Cobham while, just below them, Staines Lammas went down 2-1 in their away encounter with Dorking. Football Association Challenge Vase supremos Abbey Rangers were too good for hosts Epsom Athletic and came away from Chalky Lane 2-1 winners as did Bedfont & Feltham following their trip to Dorking Wanderers Res. to make it five League wins out of five so far this term. Banstead Athletic eased to a comfortable 4-1 home win again bottom of the table South Park Reserves.

Finally, for Sandhurst Town, a 4-1 Berks & Bucks County Intermediate Cup victory was secured against the second string of Windsor over at Bottom Meadow. Surprisingly, this season, the Fizzers have been taken out of the County Senior Trophy where the other Step Five and Six clubs compete and placed in a lower scale competition.