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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