Saturday 4th September 2010 (3pm) - Blue Square Bet Football Conference (South Division) – att 832

EBBSFLEET UNITED (1) 1 STAINES TOWN (0) 1

Making their first visit to Stonebridge Road in almost a third of a century, since when the host club has changed its name from Gravesend & Northfleet, Staines began the game by attacking the open end of this traditional old ground. The surface was decent, and the afternoon mild, as Steve Cordery sent his side out with one enforced change from Monday, as Darty Brown was serving his one match suspension, while René Steer was recalled.

The opening exchanges of this game were played at a fast and furious pace, with both Phipp and Willock testing Louis Wells at one end, whilst Warren Harris and Ali Chaaban each found the side-netting at the other, all within the first 10 minutes. Wells then made a terrific save to keep out a powerful West free kick from just outside the box, but he was unable to do anything about Ebbsfleet’s opener in the 12th minute. A corner from the left by Ashley Carew found the powerful Calum Willock in space in front of goal, and he flashed an unstoppable header past Louis Wells to give the Kent side the lead. The half continued to produce plenty of chances, with Staines feeling that they were getting the better of proceedings. Chaaban cannoned a free-kick off the Fleet defensive wall, and Leroy Griffiths fired one shot across the face of goal, and another just over. What appeared to be little more than an accidental collision between Gordon and Carew resulted in an uncharacteristic yellow card for the Staines captain, but he was to be joined in the ref’s book by half his team in a feisty second half. But before that, Staines had threatened again, the ball pinging back and forth across Edwards’ goal before finally going just too high from the boot of Griffiths. At the other end, Wells was by no means a spectator, pulling off a good save from a Phipp shot and another drive by Willock. However, after a mere one minute of added time, this lively half closed with United still a goal to the good.

That situation lasted only 3 minutes into the second half, though, as Harris brought the ball down well and threaded it through to Ali Chaaban, who burst between two defenders and fired clinically into the bottom corner. Nine minutes later, the mercurial Chaaban – who had to endure some unpleasant stick from fans taking advantage of ‘Non-League Day’ but emerged to claim the NLP’s Man of the Match accolade – centred to André Scarlett, who was just denied a second Staines goal by a despairing defender’s outstretched boot. Moments later, Ricky Shakes came on for the home side to much acclaim, and the returning striker almost made an indelible mark on the game when put away after a Staines corner had been cleared: however, his shot flew wide. Before that, Jackson was booked for a foul on Henry, who was also carded for retaliation, but worse was to come for Staines when Willock bore down on goal, and was brought down just outside the box by Ifura, leaving referee Parker no option but to show a red card. The first scare was survived when Lorraine curled his free kick round the wall gaining no more than a corner, but 10-man Staines were stretched for the final 25 minutes (plus 4 added). Extra height was added to the defence by replacing Steer with Orlu, whilst Taylor freshened up the attack, and Staines accumulated further yellow cards for Scarlett (dissent) and Kamara (foul on Sealey moments after the Fleet sub had come on). Wells made a brave 88th minute save from Henry and Staines took an age to clear the loose ball as memories of Dover haunted the fans, and the Swans’ keeper also leapt to hold a tantalising West cross-shot. In the added minutes, Risbridger received a final yellow card for shirt pulling, and Shakes showed that he can be a real handful, twice finding excellent positions but putting one wide and seeing the other well saved by Wells. But the final talking point was Staines’ claim for a very late penalty: from an all too rare attack, sub Marc Charles-Smith seemed to be away in the box, when Henry challenged him from behind, bringing him down, but the ref believed he had played the ball and waved play on. All in all, however, Staines cannot be too disappointed with a hard-earned away point from a big club who were in the Conference National last season. Five successive draws have seen them slip to 14th, but they have still lost only once. Former Hayes man Marwa was voted Ebbsfleet’s sponsors’ Man of the Match.

Staines: Wells; Jackson, Steer (Orlu 75), Gordon ©, Ifura [SO 65], Risbridger, Scarlett, Kamara, Griffiths, Chaaban (Charles-Smith 89), Harris (Taylor 75); unused King, Courtnage (gk).

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Henry, Udoji, Carew, Pooley, Lorraine ©, West, Marwa, Willock, Phipp (Shakes 57), Stone (Sealey 84); unused Sherlock, Benjamin, Hagen.

Ref: A Parker (Stanford-le-Hope); ARs Mark Potkins (Woodbridge) & K Theobald (Sudbury); Att 832.

Wealdstone 0 Bury Town 0

Despite huge pressure and almost total dominance and possession of the ball in the second half of this entertaining match on Saturday, Stones couldn’t deliver the break through, and, in the final analysis, had only themselves to blame for not taking all three points from an in-form Bury side.

A missed penalty at a crucial stage of the match just before half-time certainly didn’t help Wealdstone’s cause when Danny Burnell’s spot kick was well saved by Bury’s excellent goal keeper Marcus Garnham. Stones main prowess was in defence where Alan Massey and Wes Parker are forming a very solid partnership, although Kieron Forbes had an outstanding game and justifiably won the man-of-the-match accolade.

On an afternoon when the attendance at the St George’s Stadium was pleasingly swelled by ‘Non League Day’ Premiership and Championship fans, this encounter was nevertheless always a fascinating and very watchable contest, with both sides attempting to play good football.

Stones Manager, Gordon Bartlett, was bordering on apoplexy after the match and clearly felt his players had thrown away two very valuable points but is again an indication of the high standards he has set for himself and his players this season. But this Bury Town side were certainly no mugs and it was easy to see why they are unbeaten this term having got promoted last season and have rapidly adjusted to the higher level.

The early exchanges were even as Stones kicked up the slope and Danny Burnell, playing up front again in place of the injured Greg Ngoyi, was unlucky not to do more damage after 6 minutes.

But The Blues soon began to gain a foothold in the midfield and were soon playing some neat passing football across the park and gaining increasing possession, pegging Stones back for long periods.

Stones stopper Jonathan North had to be alert on several occasions from high balls although clear shooting chances were severely restricted by a solid home rearguard.

Forbes then switched sides of the pitch with Peter Dean and began to find a little more room on the left flank and was using his restored pace to unsettle the Bury defence. It was Forbes that was heavily involved in a super flowing move mid half that Lee Chappell couldn’t quite finish off.

A decent penalty shout by turned down as Chris O’Leary appeared to be upended in the box and then Scott Fitzgerald cheekily nicked the ball in the midfield and raced toward goal but frustratingly the end result was merely a corner kick.

Stones thought they had got the break they craved on 41 minutes when Wes Parker was unceremoniously pushed over in the box and Referee immediately pointed to the spot.

To his credit Danny Burnell grabbed the ball and looked determined to break his goal drought but appeared to rush his strike and Garnham read the direction well and pushed away with relative ease.

Bury immediately countered but the danger was again cleared by the towering Alan Massey who stuck to his man all afternoon.

Stones looked a different side after the break, upped the tempo and closed down far more aggressively. Playing down the favoured slope, Peter Dean put over a great cross that just eluded his attacking colleagues after only one minute. Then Dean was in the thick of the action a few moments later with a firm strike that Garnham could only parry – Burnell couldn’t quite reach the loose ball.

Stones literally pummelled a now tense away side; Forbes was unlucky with a vicious cross- shot that was tipped over and then Burnell tried an ambitious but decent effort from fully 35 yards, then Forbes went close yet again this time with a header.

On 65 minutes Greg Ngoyi, still clearly sporting a damaged eye, came on for Burnell to great applause from the vast majority of the 504 crowd, as Stones searched for the elusive winner.

Wealdstone’s best chance came a minute after Ngoyi’s entrance, when Fitzgerald finally got past Garnham but somehow his goal bound shot was blocked by a keeper that was more than earning his afternoon’s wages.

Both sides rung the changes and Bury looked the more threatening in the latter stages. The highly experienced former Ipswich and Crystal Palace striker James Scrowcroft came on for The Blues for the final few minutes and his economy with the ball provided the base for some penetrating runs to trouble Stones who had pushed up and were now vulnerable to the counter punch

In an alarming spell for Stones, Town’s Sam Reed got clear and arrowed in on goal but Massey did enough to close him down and it was a point apiece.

Stones actually moved up one place in the table with this hard fought draw but will know that it should have been a win; Gordon Bartlett will be looking for an improvement from his players on Tuesday at Billericay Town in another formidable clash.

Wealdstone: North, Lavers, Chappell, Parker, Massey, Brooks, Dean, O’Leary, Burnell, Fitzgerald, Forbes. Subs used: Ngoyi, Spendlove. N/u: Ashe, Cronin, Thomas (GK)

MoM: Kieron Forbes

Crowd: 504

AFC Hornchurch 2 Wealdstone 1

Report by Stuart Warren

It was an unhappy Bank Holiday Monday for Wealdstone, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at AFC Hornchurch.

This defeat will have hurt Wealdstone, as they must feel they did enough to at least take home a point, if not all three, but instead left Essex empty handed.

Stones made one change from Saturday’s comfortable win over Horsham, with Danny Burnell coming in for the injured Greg Ngoyi. There was also a place on the bench for fit again Callum Martin, who returns from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The turning point in this match came mid way through the second half, when Hornchurch were awarded a contentious penalty, after Scott Fitzgerald had earlier put the visitors ahead. Before that, Wealdstone had looked comfortable enough, and the home side had rarely threatened Jonathan North’s goal.

Matters got off to a cagey start, with the home side looking to bounce back from back to back defeats, having the first chance early on when former Aveley marksman Martin Tuohy ran onto a flick from Leon Hunter, however he could only fire wide with North bearing down on him.

Stones then began to get a foothold on proceedings, with full backs Louis Lavers and Lee Chappell looking to overlap as much as possible. Chappell was also using his long throw to good effect, as the visitors went in search of the opener. Lavers almost gave Stones the lead on 12 minutes when he played a neat one two with Scott Fitzgerald, and then unleashed a shot with the outside of his foot, but he could only find the side netting.

Danny Burnell was looking to make an impression in the absence of Greg Ngoyi and came close to notching his first goal for Stones on the half hour mark, when his header from a Peter Dean cross was well saved by Hornchurch ‘keeper Ollie Morris-Sanders.

Hornchurch did have the ball in the net on 36 minutes, when the experienced Tommy Black side footed home from close range, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. From the resulting free kick Stones were able to mount a counter attack, and a swift flowing move saw Burnell presented with a chance, however he saw his shot saved by the legs of Morris-Sanders.

The Urchins finished the half with perhaps their best spell, forcing a number of corners, however Stones defended well and the sides went in level at the break.

The second half began at a much quicker pace than the first, with Wealdstone moving the ball around well, and almost being rewarded on 50 minutes when a slick passing move resulted in Fitzgerald hitting a powerful shot from a tight angle, which Morris-Sanders tipped over the bar. Wealdstone did take the lead from the resultant corner though. The Urchins defence could only half clear the ball, and Lavers was given another chance to put the ball across. He fired over a deep cross to the back post, which Scott Fitzgerald headed goal wards. A defender made a last ditch attempt to clear the ball off the line, however the linesman signalled a goal, much to the delight of the travelling Wealdstone fans.

Stones were now moving the ball around far more freely, and almost doubled their advantage on the hour, when Chappell played a neat pass into Fitzgerald. He held up the ball before laying it off to Kieron Forbes, whose well struck shot was saved low down by Morris-Sanders.

Hornchurch were level 10 minutes later however in controversial circumstances, when Chris O’leary was penalised for an infringement in the box, and Tommy Black stepped up to score the resulting penalty, sending North the wrong way.

The home side then took the lead two minutes later, when lax defending allowed Jo Flack to get to the by line and pull the ball back across for Leon Hunter to tap in from close range, despite the best efforts of the defending Kurtney Brooks.

Wealdstone looked shell shocked, and they tried to change things as they went in search of an equaliser, with the introduction of Danny Spendlove and Ryan Ashe, however it was to no avail, as Hornchurch defended compactly for remainder of the game, and were able to hang on for an unlikely victory.

Stones will be looking to bounce back strongly in this Saturday’s home clash with newly promoted Bury Town, kick off 3pm.

Wealdstone: North, Lavers, Chappell, Parker, Massey, Brooks, Dean, O'leary, Burnell, Fitzgerald, Forbes. Subs used: Spendlove, Ashe. Subs not used: Cronin, Martin, Thomas (GK)

Attendance: 351

Saturday 21st August 2010 (3pm) - Blue Square Bet Football Conference (South Division)

DOVER ATHLETIC (0) 1 STAINES TOWN (1) 1

Staines very nearly came away from The Crabble with a win at last season’s runner-up but were denied by an equaliser deep into stoppage time of a dramatic match. Steve Cordery made two changes to the starting XI he had fielded in the opening games, as Marien Ifura returned to fitness and Marc Charles-Smith were recalled, with René Steer and Scott Taylor moved to bench duties. Dominic Sterling continued to be unavailable, despite his improving injury situation ... because he was getting married today! Dover included Joe Tabiri in midfield, a player who had a short spell at Staines, whilst Gareth Risbridger once has a spell on loan with Dover.

The game got off to an explosive start, with Tabiri cautioned before 4 minutes were up for a shuddering challenge on Jackson, which led to a lengthy delay. Staines seemed somewhat unnerved after this, and endured a spell of wayward passes whilst Birchall threatened for the home side, his neat turn in the box being followed by a shot that was close enough for Wells to take comfortably. As Staines started to come back out of their shells, Charles-Smith played a great ball towards Griffiths, but as it dropped he nisjudged it fractionally and sent his shot wide. Wells had to save with an outstretched foot after Birchill’s good ball to I’Anson, leaving Gordon to complete the clearance. However, the opening goal came in the 20th minute, as Charles-Smith drilled the ball goalwards and past ‘keeper Flitney, only for Schulz to scuff it off the line. While supporters appealed that it had crossed, Richard Butler left nothing to chance and forced the loose ball into the net from close range. This was the first goal between these sides for some while, as the last three encounters had all ended 0-0. Staines now began to assert their superiority on proceedings, and 8 minutes later, Griffiths almost doubled the lead, turning smartly but seeing his shot saved by a sprawling Flitney, to give the visitors their first corner of the game. Butler was then yellow carded for a crunching challenge on Wynter, who after treatment was not fit to resume. Griffiths saw another driven effort saved by Flitney, and there was another substantial delay as a clash of heads saw Charles-Smith coming off worse, but when the game restarted Birchill shot tamely at Wells. In the six additional minutes, Staines endured a scramble in which both Schulz and Charles squandered half chances, but they then broke away with a swift Gordon / Scarlett / Griffiths move that ended in Charles-Smith shooting just over. As Dover tried to clear their deficit before the interval, Jackson got a vital toe in to divert a Charles shot round the post.

The second half began more slowly, but 10 minutes in a Gordon back-pass worried Wells but slid just past the upright. As Dover racked up the pressure, Schulz headed just wide from a corner, before his team mate Wallis collected a yellow card for a foul. Wells saved at the dangerous Birchill’s feet, and then dealt with a Gillman stab from Wallis’s corner. A crazy moment ensued in the 69th minute, when Staines conceded a free kick in their own ‘D’. Attention was diverted because it seemed that a sub was about to come on, but referee Ian Crouch allowed Dover to take the kick quickly, only for the ball to be booted straight at Butler, who almost capitalised by getting off a shot on target. Fortunately for Dover, ‘keeper Flitney was attentive enough to touch it over for a corner, but he too was cautioned for dissent. Chaaban was brought on for Charles-Smith (who was still nursing his facial injury) and within a minute he tested Flitney after a good pass by Butler. Another made minute began with the 73rd minute dismissal of Darty Brown, who was adjudged to be the last defender when fouling Dover sub Hunt a yard outside the box. Dover’s free kick was smashed into the wall, and Risbridger set Butler away, only for the Staines man to be brought down by Tabiri who – having used up his final warning – was shown a second yellow card and dismissed. The Whites continued to press, Wells making a super save to deny sub Hill, and Wallis fired just over. Ifura had to be withdrawn with 8 minutes to go, allowing young James King to enter the fray, and the defence was reshuffled with Jackson moving into the centre and Scarlett dropping back to right-back. Attack was the best form of defence for Staines, however, and they threatened a second goal, while Dover had to leave gaps at the back. Chaaban saw a quickly taken free kick deflect just wide, and Butler went close with a header from Scarlett’s cross. But 10 v 10 left gaps all over the field, and in the last of the three additional minutes, Staines were finally caught dithering at the back, twice failing to clear their lines, to allow I’Anson space to get in a cross to which Ben Hunt supplied a powerful close range header to equalise. Only seconds remained, and Dover streamed forwards in search of a winner, but in the end both clubs had to be content with a point from a breathless encounter.

Staines’ point saw them moved from =10th to 10th. A Gomez, Dover’s match sponsor, selected the skilful Adam Birchill as their man of the match, while Swans’ keeper Louis Wells garnered the equivalent Non-League Paper accolade.

Staines: Wells; Jackson; Kamara, Gordon ©, Ifura (King 82); Risbridger, Charles-Smith (Chaaban 69), D Brown [SO 73], Griffiths, Scarlett, Butler; unused Harris, Taylor, Steer.

Dover: Flitney, Fish, Wynter (Hill 36), Wallis, Schulz, Gillman ©, I’Anson, Tabiri [SO 74], Charles (Hunt 57), Birchall, Nicolau (Baker 69); unused Rice, Humphrey.

R: Ian Crouch (St Paul’s Cray); ARs Andrew Massey (Bognor), Mark Lucie (Havant); Att 812.

Hastings United 2 Wealdstone 0

Wealdstone came away from the Pilot Field on Saturday with their tails firmly between their legs with an opening day reverse and can only have themselves to blame for a performance that, ultimately, got precisely what it deserved - nil poi.

In a disappointingly tense and stuttering display Stones consistently struggled to get to grips with their new formation which has been designed to add protection to the back line but in truth no system will work if the ball is not passed crisply and with penetration and this was not the case at Hastings on a near perfect playing surface.

Needless to say, Stones Manager Gordon Bartlett was a not a happy man after the match and said: ‘We were flat all afternoon and looked very tense. It is all very well calling ourselves a passing team but actually you have to pass the ball, we didn’t and we made it too easy for the opposition. I am very disappointed at that performance’

Nevertheless there were plus points to be gleaned from an afternoon where Wealdstone were often forced onto the back foot and under pressure from a big and well organised U’s side eager to impress the 563 crowd. Ironically it was the back line that generally coped well - particularly in the air with Sean Cronin and Wes Parker dominating.

Young ‘keeper Jonathan North also impressed after an understandably nervy start making several excellent saves - one outstanding stop in the first period was surely responsible for the clean sheet at the interval.

Stones were dealt a double blow prior to kick off with the news that both Peter Dean (ill) and Sean Thomas (ankle reaction) were not available, started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Greg Ngoyi playing behind Scott Fitzgerald up front.

The away side were soon under pressure with a tentative punched clearance from North and then Fitzgerald was back helping his defence with a vital stop. The U’s main attacking threat came from Ade Olorunda who was almost unplayable on the floor at times until he tired in the second period and Stones did well to contain him getting his strikes away.

Stones tried manfully to get going but too often lost possession in the vital midfield areas; their best chance of the half came after 13 minutes when Fitzgerald expertly held the ball up and played in Ngoyi whose fierce strike was just wide of the mark past Clark Masters.

Kieron Forbes was playing in an unfamiliarly deep midfield position and looked out of sorts as did Ryan Ashe and Mark E’Beyer and this hampered any attacking intent from the away side.

North then brought off two outstanding saves in the space of 3 minutes - one from Olorunda brought generous applause from the crowd. The home side then went close again but Stones held out for 0-0 at the interval.

Stones switched play around in the second period with Forbes playing further forward but it was the home side that made the breakthrough on 60 minutes. Sean Cronin blotted his copybook by giving away an unnecessary free kick wide on the left. The resultant free kick was whipped in and Centre Half Sean Ray glanced a header past a helpless North.

5 minutes later the game was effectively over as home substitute Kenny Pogue broke clear and the striker crashed a shot in off the cross bar for 0-2.

Wealdstone rang the changes using all available replacements with Danny Burnell and Danny Spendlove joining Chris O’Leary in the fray. Stones did perk up with some better forward moves but the damage had been done and they were left to reflect on a frustrating day at the seaside - and this was certainly not a day for Stones to be beside it.

Stones will need to roll their sleeves up for their home opener against Tooting & Mitchum United on Monday evening (23 August) at The Vale KO 7.45pm

Wealdstone: North, Lavers, Chappell, Parker, Cronin, Ashe, Brooks, E’Beyer, Ngoyi, Fitzgerald, Forbes. Subs used: O’Leary, Spendlove, Burnell. N/u: Locke

Saturday 14th August 2010 (3pm) - Blue Square Bet Football Conference (South Division)

STAINES TOWN (1) 1 LEWES (0) 0

Staines began their second season of Blue Square football by taking three well-earned points from hard-working Sussex opposition. In doing so, they made it 12 successive seasons without defeat in their league opener. Graham Gould had prepared an excellent playing surface, on which Staines attacked the Penton Hook Road (houses) end in the first half. The only dark clouds on the day were ... the dark clouds, which deposited several heavy showers during the afternoon, which also endured several thunder crashes. With Dominic Sterling still sidelined, latest signing René Steer (ex Gillingham, Oldham, Arsenal) claimed the left-back berth, and enjoyed a fine début for Steve Cordery’s team. Also included was André Scarlett, who had suffered a car accident on the way to the game, but was bandaged and passed fit to play by Gareth Workman and Paul Midwinter.

Staines dominated the first half, with Scarlett seeing an early shot ricochet across the face of goal, and Leroy Griffiths receiving from Darty Brown before seeing his shot on the turn blocked. Scott Taylor’s shot was tipped over by Chris Winterton following a pull-back from Griffiths, and Taylor linked up neatly with Richard Butler with the Bromley returnee drawing a good diving save from Winterton. Michael Kamara might have put Swans ahead after a foul on Butler led to Scarlett curling a free kick over the ball, but his shot was too high, and as the interval approached, Staines fans started to worry that their side may live to regret not converting. However, the goal came on 39 minutes, and began when referee Stuart Butler played a good advantage following a trip on Scarlett; Griffiths was played in, and he applied a super finish into the bottom corner. A rare opening in the Staines defence allowed Lewes a chance to draw level just 2 minutes later, but Anthony Barness fired wide of the far post. Staines could in fact have doubled their lead a couple of minutes later, Griffiths chipping the ball across to Scarlett, whose volley was blocked by Winterton.

Unfortunately, a niggly second half did not live up to the first, as the two sides largely cancelled one another out. There was a yellow card apiece, for fould by Risbridger and in stoppage time by the visiting Ide, but few scoring chances. The best of these fell to Lewes’ Rob Gradwell, who was put through by Simon Wormull, but Michael Kamara was on hand to defend successfully. Soon afterwards, the visitors were given possession by a disputed offside flag, and hastened forward to Wormull, but he was unable to control his shot. Marc Charles-Smith and Ali Caaban were late introductions for Staines, and during stoppage time they linked up in a neat move that might have produced a goal for Charles-Smith.

At the end of the game, Website founder Laurence Wakefield presented the Supporters’ Man of the Match award to Leroy Griffiths.

Staines: Wells; Jackson, Steer, Gordon ©, Kamara, Risbridger, S Taylor (Charles-Smith 89), D Brown, Griffiths, Butler (Chaaban 89); unused King, Harris, Orlu.

Lewes: Winterton, Barness ©, Hamilton (Cobbs 65), Breach, Pearson, Manning, Ide, Wormull, Gradwell, Murphy (Hopkinson 49), Sutton; unused Rivers, Leach, Fenwick.

www.stainesmassive.co.uk

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