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Boxing Day Monday 27th December 2005 (3·00pm) – Ryman League Premier Division HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH (1) 2 STAINES TOWN (1) 1 By Steve Parsons. This eagerly awaited local derby clash turned sour for Staines, as – for the third time this season – they lost when a victory would have put them on top of the table. They were never at their best against a supremely motivated Hampton side, but were still on course for a quite acceptable point, until a simple error by the linesman cost them a vital goal. Colchester United had decided to hold Jamie Guy and Robbie King back as a precaution against injuries in their busy holiday programme, and Steve Cordery therefore made three changes from the side which won in midweek: Danny Gordon; Fiston Manuella and André Scarlett came in for Jon McDonald, Craig Maskell and Michael Currie, who were all joined on the bench by a recovering ?eljko Popoví?; unfortunately Clement James is still not fir enough to be risked. As if there were not enough at stake, there were plenty of players who have crossed the divide between these two most traditional of rivals. Even without Henry-Hayden, Ulasi, and the recently de4parted Fontana, Hampton started with ‘keeper Matt Lovett and Marcello Fernandes, and later replaced Fernandes with club captain Dudley Gardner, all three having previously played for Staines; the side were wearing a kit designed by Mark Callaghan, now manager of Staines Town Women. The links were even stronger in the other direction, with Matt Flitter, Manuella, Jake Newton, Maskell, and Currie all having experience with the Beavers, as had most of the bench staff: Messrs Cordery, Workman, Taylor and Dadswell. The surface at the renamed MEM Beveree Stadium was heavy in places and a bit bumpy, and on a chilly afternoon, Staines attacked the far end in the first half, watched by Hampton’s biggest home crowd of the season barring the visit of AFC Wimbledon. Among those watching was tv personality Paul Merton, a guest of Hampton President Alan Simpson. The home side began very positively, and put Staines under a lot of early pressure. A 7th minute shot was deflected for a corner, which Elliott Godfrey swung over, only to see the ball strike the foot of the far post and away, direct from the corner kick. Fernandes then headed just over the bar from a long throw by skipper Dean Wells, before Staines mounted their first serious attack, a Scarlett free kick which was untidily cleared, following a foul on the edge of the box. Shaun Allaway was soon in action, saving bravely at Lawrence Yaku’s feet after a clever free kick move, and then watching as Wells landed a lob onto the roof of the net following another well-worked set-piece, albeit one of a number of debatable decisions awarded against his side. Allaway then punched clear from a Wells free kick, before Hampton’s best chance so far was stabbed wide from a yard out by Yaku, following excellent approach work by Fernandes. However, Staines were rewarded for their resilience at the back, when they moved into the lead on the half hour, following the award of a free kick for a foul on Garry Sippetts way out on the right. Michael Murphy sent the kick into the danger zone, and Fiston Manuella rose to powerfully head the ball past his former team-mate in the Hampton goal. Seven minutes later there was a flashpoint involving Swans’ André De Lisser and Hampton’s Wells and Graham Harper, which resulted in a yellow card for Harper. However, on 38 minutes, Hampton were level, when Elliott Godfrey hopefully whipped a low ball in from the right, which seemed to catch Allaway awkwardly on the chest and bounce over the line a fraction before the first defender could clear it. Staines tried to regain their lead, but Lovett coped well under pressure from aerial Jermaine Hunter. Referee Knight was not impressed with a 43rd minute penalty appeal by the home side, after a drive hit Flitter in the midriff, but a more serious danger was posed by the loose ball, which was thudded against Allaway by Godfrey, with the Staines ‘keeper able to react quickly enough to deny Yaku a tap-in on the rebound, conceding only a corner. In the second half, Staines offered much more competition in every department to the home side, who saw Alan Inns booked after just 2 minutes following a foul on Manuella. Manuella then saw a shot blocked following a good cross from Scarlett, and Lovett was also tested by a shot from Hunter, but he looked as reliable in a Hampton shirt as he was for many years in a Staines one. At the other end, a Fernandes shot sizzled wide, but the game seemed to be settling into a hard fought draw between the sides in 2nd and 3rd places. But that was before the assistant referee from Kingston decided to award Hampton a corner when all those who saw it were convinced that Murphy had kept the ball in play. Allaway collected a yellow card for his protests, and unused Staines sub McDonald got a red one for his, but before that, Godfrey kept his nerve to pump the flag kick into the box from the right hand side, for Alan Inns to head powerfully home. Currie came on for the visitors, and he worked hard in front of goal, but there was no way back for Staines, who thus slipped further behind Alan Devonshire’s men (although still with games in hand), who in turn went back on top following Fisher’s unexpected defeat. Staines: Allaway, Newton, Murphy, Gordon, Flitter ©, Scarlett, De Lisser, Manuella, Sippetts, Campbell (Currie 79), Hunter; unused McDonald [S-O 79], Maskell, Popoví?, Phillips (gk). Hampton: Lovett, Harper, Morley, Elverson, Connor, Wells ©, Inns, Godfrey (Boosey 85), Yaku, Fernandes (Gardner 75), McIntosh; unused Matthews, Sodje, Crossland Ref B Knight, Assts D Moran, John Ryan. Official att: 463. Tuesday 20th December 2005 (7·45pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup Round Two [match 11] BROOK HOUSE (1) 2 STAINES TOWN (1) 3 By Steve Parsons. After extra time: score 2-2 at normal time Staines made it six straight wins in all competitions with this hard-fought victory over successful Ryman Division 2 outfit Brook House on Tuesday. Making their first competitive visit to Farm Park, they found the pitch in good condition once the lights came on, if a bit scuffed in the goalmouths. The evening was mild at first, but the temperatures dropped dramatically as the game went on and into extra time, with Staines attacking the covered (entrance / clubhouse) end in the first half and again in the final extra period. Steve Cordery made one enforced change at the back, Jon McDonald being restored for Danny Gordon (away on business), and three more further upfield, where Jermaine Hunter, Michael Currie, and Craig Maskell came in for Fiston Manuella (nursing a slight injury on the subs bench), André Scarlett (present but not signed on in time for the deadline for this game), and Jamie Guy (selected for Colchester United 1st team’s LDV Vans Cup win at MK Dons, as was Robbie King). Clement James was also present but still not 100% fit. Brook House, who are becoming noted cup fighters this season, included the former Swans midfielder Danny Rouco. For much of the first half, Staines looked as though they would cruise through this tie, as Brook House were pegged back for long spells. Darren Campbell had already come close a couple of times, before his 23rd minute pass set up the opening goal for Garry Sippetts, stroked in from the edge of the 6 yard box a shot to which House skipper Jamie Mitchell got a toe but could not keep out. In quick succession, André De Lisser saw a shot deflected round for a corner, and then Michael Currie was tripped in a dangerous position for a free kick just outside the box. Lee Byde was cautioned for the challenge, and Greg Homer was perhaps fortunate to escape with only a lecture after kicking the ball away, because the second half card he picked up for a trip on Campbell would otherwise have left his side a man short for a long spell. On 40 minutes, Currie was again tripped, and although the referee initially waved play-on, he allowed himself to be convinced by his assistant that it was a penalty. Currie wrested the ball from Craig Maskell, but unfortunately his powerfully struck spot kick hit the top of the bar and went over. And from that moment, the host side visibly grew in confidence, matching their higher league opponents for the remainder of the match. They cemented their improvement with a well taken goal, cheekily back-heeled into the net from an angle by Lee O’Leary a minute before the interval. Sixteen minutes into the second half, and Staines were again facing the prospect of early elimination from their main county cup to a lower ranked club, when Ryan Kirkland raced down the left and fired in a good low shot which went in off Shaun Allaway’s far post. However, they hit back in style just 2 minutes later, as De Lisser battled his way down the middle and then laid the ball off to Sippetts, who applied a super strike in clinical fashion. But the game then became one of cat-and-mouse, as Staines pressed in numbers without being able to make their pressure tell, while Brook House were always dangerous on the break, especially through the raiding of Jerome ‘Jay’ Pereira and Dean Papali. Currie had a frustrating time, with several shots off target, and he picked up a yellow card late on for a foul on Chris Owens. Maskell also sent a good chance looping over the bar, and an untidy challenge in stoppage time earned him a yellow, too. Meanwhile, Allaway had to react very sharply to a break by O’Leary, diving bravely at the forward’s feet. However, neither side was able to score, and so the game moved into the extra half-hour. The first period was a tense affair, with Campbell coming closest to breaking the deadlock, first with a 92nd minute ‘goal’ which was ruled out a fraction offside, and then with a well-struck drive that fizzed just past Keiron Jimmy’s upright. Byde got another talking-to from the referee after a comment made to a spectator. At the change round, House made their second and third substitutions, while Staines made their first (Manuella for Maskell). Three minutes after the restart, Shroot came off the bench. The game opened out, and there were chances at each end, with Allaway again doing well to deny the marauding Dean Thomas. Manuella was yellow carded for his first challenge, and both numbers 15s, Shroot and Darren Cahill saw shots blocked in the 6 yard box. The match was just 3 minutes short of going to penalties, when Staines applied the killer blow. A home attack was broken up by Michael Murphy, who directed the ball upfield, where Shroot helped it on to the in-form Sippetts, and he powered into the box before shooting low and hard beyond the diving Jimmy. Having waited all year – in fact, since Kezie Ibe’s four at Bracknell in March ’04 – those few Swans supporters who have ventured out to the last two midweek games have been treated to triples from both Jermaine Hunter and Sippetts in the space of 8 days. There was a late appearance for Masham, as Staines played out the final seconds to book themselves a trip to Harrow in the Quarter-Final at the end of January. Staines: Allaway, Newton, Murphy, McDonald, Flitter ©, Campbell, De Lisser, Hunter (Shroot 108), Currie (Masham 119m), Maskell (Manuella 105m), Sippetts, unused Phillips (gk). Brook H:K Jimmy, Mitchell ©, Vargas, Byde, Homer, Owens, Pereira (Cahill 105), Rouco, Kirkland (Thomas 105), Papali (Jones 95), O’Leary; unused Harry (gk). Ref M Mackey; Assts M Sennett, G Brown; MCFA delegate Mrs B Bivens. Est att: 55. Swans continue to press Saturday 17th December 2005 (3·00pm) – Ryman League Premier Division FOLKESTONE INVICTA (0) 0 STAINES TOWN (0) 2 By Steve Parsons. On a very cold day in Kent, Staines battled their way to a precious victory in difficult conditions, that brings them to within touching distance of the top of the table as the turn of the year approaches, and in passing avenged their FA Cup exit at the Buzzlines Stadium ten weeks earlier. After the Cove game, Steve Cordery rang the changes once again, reverting to virtually the same side which beat Heybridge the week before. The only exception was the unfortunate loss of the inspirational Robbie King, who broke his hand when he (and Guy) appeared for Colchester reserves on Wednesday. However, Staines were able to include their latest acquisition, the highly rated André Scarlett who was signed from Chesham United on Friday. The home side were reeling from the loss of their leading scorer and appearance maker James Dryden (19 goals this term, 114 in 312 career games), who was transferred to Dover in the week, whilst Walid Matata moved in the opposite direction to make his début in this game. The pitch was difficult and uneven, the cross wind very keen, and Staines attacked the Wilf Armory Suite (open) end in the first half. Neither side coped well with the conditions in the first half, and there were few incidents of note. Stuart Myall at one end, and André De Lisser at the other, pumped big shots just wide of the post, there was a caution for Michael Murphy after he reacted angrily to what appeared to be a swing from a Folkestone player, but thankfully Mr Mason kept his cards pocketed when Fiston Manuella was lectured over a mis-timed tackle. Staines also had a realistic shout for a penalty, when a De Lisser cross was touched by a defender’s arm, but Invicta almost went into the dressing rooms with a lead, after Myall’s shot took a big deflection off De Lisser, but carried into the arms of the excellent Shaun Allaway. Allaway was in action again in the opening minutes of the second half, springing across his goal to save one-handed from Martin Chandler. However, Staines slowly became the dominant force in the game, and moved into the lead in great style on 69 minutes. Darren Campbell brought the ball out of the defence, and played it inside to Garry Sippetts. Displaying great visin, he played it back out to Jamie Guy on the right, and he cut inside one defender before threading a low, curling shot through a narrow gap in the defence in right into the far corner of Tony Kessell’s net. A minute later, Guy got away again, feeding Campbell, whose shot was blocked. Invicta brought on their first sub, and pressed hard for an equaliser, with Steve Norman’s right sided corner being met by a powerful Adam Flanagan header, which Allaway did well to push over from point blank range. A cross from the right then picked out Matata, but he flashed his shot wide; the same player almost got on the end of a James Everitt cross just afterwards. As play shifted back to the other end, Sippetts was denied by Kessell following a Guy cross, and Staines then added another defender to the mix as Jon McDonald came on for Campbell. In the 90th minute, Allaway added to his efforts in goal by launching the attack which resulted in Staines’ second goal. His kick was helped on by Guy, under an aerial challenge from John Guest, and picked up in space by new man André Scarlett, who kept his cool to slot into the corner of the net. He had dramatically scored in the last minute of his Luton début several years ago, and claims to have netted in his first game for each of his subsequent clubs. Staines now lie 3rd, just 2 points behind leaders Fisher, with a game in hand, and protect an unbeaten away record for the visit to 2nd placed Hampton on Boxing Day, before the ‘massive’ game with AFC Wimbledon on 2nd January. Staines: Allaway, Newton, Murphy, Gordon, Flitter ©, Scarlett, De Lisser, Manuella, Sippetts, Campbell (McDonald 84), Guy (Hunter 90+2); unused Maskell, James, Phillips (gk). Folkestone Kessell, Watson (Neilson 72), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, J Everitt, Chandler, Myall, Matata, Jones, Norman; unused Friend, Sly, Ransley, Mann (gk). Ref T Mason; Assts C Phillips, C Hicks.
DETAILS OF NEW PLAYER André Scarlett – Forward / Central Midfield (11 Jan 80) Only 5’5” tall, but exceptionally mobile, he started at Luton Town, was an FA Youth Cup semi-finalist in ’97, and played 25 times in the First Team – scoring on his début v Oldham – and was regular captain of the Reserves, before his release by Joe Kinnear at the end of 2000/1. “Fever” moved on to Chelmsford City for a month, Stevenage Borough, Wealdstone, and Hitchin Town, from whom he joined Chesham United in July ’02. Staines Town beat several other clubs to his signature in Dec 05 immediately upon his release from Chesham., and scored on his Swans début.
Sun 18 Dec 2005 – This proved to be a frustrating morning, as the team travelled up (incurring a puncture to Nick Taylor’s car) to Jarmans Park Athletics Stadium (just a mile from last weekend’s Buncefield oil explosions) to take on Hemel Hempstead Town in the 2nd Round of the Greater London Women’s League Cup. With several players injured or unavailable, it was a welcome chance to welcome back the two Army players – Elliott and Koff – who were on a Christmas break. However, when they arrived, the pitch was frozen solid. Referee Walsh said he would defer the scheduled 11am kick-off by an hour to see if it improved, but it did not do so, and – with Hemel turning down the possible offer to play at Staines – there was nothing for it but to return home with an even greater fixture backlog. The squad did, however, get the opportunity to welcome its newest recruit, Victoria Baker, who joins after 7 years and some 500 games with Chinouks Soccer Club of Calgary, Alberta. Seventeen year old striker Vicki will complete her studies in England for the next couple of years, following a move from Canada due to family work commitments. At least one player didn’t find the freezing temperatures uncomfortable!
Thu 15 Dec - Staines Town Academy side ended Wealdstone's 3-year unbeaten run in the Middlesex Senior Youth (Jeff Ritson) Cup with a thrilling 2-0 win at Wheatsheaf Park. In a game attended by Mr Ritson himself, Tom Windsor opened the scoring in first half injury time, and Robin Shroot wrapped it up 12 minutes from time. Unfortunately there was a bad shin injury to Danny Fisher in the first half, who had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. Staines (who lost to Wealdstone in the 2004 final, and in the semi last season) will now travel to Potters Bar for the semi-final in the new year. Team - Chiweshe, Blake, Pitt, Robinson (C), Fisher (Fevrier 36), Shroot, Ventour (White 72), Windsor, Masham, Kiffin, Draper (Thomas 77); unused Meggie, Gurney.
FOUR more members of the Staines Town Youth / Kingston College Academy squad have signed Ryman League forms this week, following in the recent footsteps of Robin Shroot. The new quartet are HARRY DRAPER, JORDAN KIFFIN, CRAIG MASHAM, and DEAN THOMAS, giving a boost to all members of the squad.
Wednesday 14th December 2005 Swans continue to find the net Tuesday 13th December 2005 (7·30pm) – Southern Combination Cup, Round 2 STAINES TOWN (2) 6 COVE (1) 1 By Steve Parsons. Tuesday’s Southern Combination Cup tie gave an indication of Swans’ strength in depth, as Steve Cordery was able to put out a strong side, capable of dominating their mid-table Combined Counties League opponents, whilst only starting with three of the players who kicked-off on Saturday in the League win over Heybridge. He ensured that there was a swift return from suspension for Jon McDonald, and starting places for four of Saturday’s subs, in Michael Currie, Jermaine Hunter, Clement James, and Jamie Palmer. In addition, he introduced three new signings – goalkeeper Robert Hamling (6’6” tall, age 18, from Milton United), striker Nuno Gourgel (18, from Leyton Orient), and former Ashford and Bedfont right-midfielder Lee Hanson (24). There was a senior début for the first of this season’s Academy crop to have signed Ryman forms, midfielder Robin Shroot, and he was accompanied by fellow Academy player Danny Fisher, who played at the back. The players who were rested were Shaun Allaway, Flitter, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Campbell, and the two Colchester boys, King and Guy, who are expected to appear for The U’s reserves 24 hours later. Cove included two players familiar in Ryman circles – Adam Crittenden (ex Bracknell, Windsor, Aldershot), and Reece White (ex Egham, Bracknell), and they are managed by former Chelsea fullback Gareth Hall, who was latterly at Kingstonian. On a cool evening, the pitch was in good condition, and Staines attached the houses end in the first half. It took just 12 minutes for the home side to get off the mark, and it was a début goal for Nuno Gourgel that did it, as the Angolan born player headed in a Hunter cross at the far post, that Cove ’keeper Peter Ruggles will be disappointed not to have kept out. Staines pushed hard for a second, with Gourgel taking a number of corners, one leading to a Clement James volley just wide, and then he got on the end of a Garry Sippetts cross and shot low, but this time Ruggles was equal to it. Staines were unlucky in the 29th minute, when a Currie pass to Hunter led to him shooting against the foot of the post, and although the rebound came back to Currie, his follow-up was deflected round for another corner. However, 2 minutes later, Michael Currie did get on the scoresheet, courtesy of a penalty kick, awarded after Robbie Reading had brought him down as he latched onto a Hunter pass. But Cove were able to get back into the game on 33 minutes, Glen Hunt getting in a good position and firing off a shot which drew a reflex save from Hamling, but he was powerless to prevent Jon Finnieston following up to poke home the rebound. Staines had one more chance to extend their lead before the interval, Michael Murphy picking out Sippetts, whose shot just off target was prefaced by some delightful skills in the box. The second half was just one and a half minutes old when Jermaine Hunter shot the third from close range, after James had brought the ball out of defence and Currie had picked him out with a ball from the right. Staines were awarded a second penalty on 56 minutes after Hunter was tripped by Hunt, but the Staines striker put the spot kick wide of Ruggles’ goal. Currie then picked up the only caution of the game fore a foul on Ian Messenger. Staines brought on Robin Shroot for his senior début, alongside the somewhat more experienced Craig Maskell, and on 64 minutes the pair combined to set up Staines’ fourth goal. Shroot took a free kick quickly to Maskell, and he picked out Currie with a perfect cross-field pass, from which the striker made no mistake for his second goal of the night. Cove brought on a couple of subs, but the last 20 minutes belonged to Jermaine Hunter. After his penalty miss, he went close to finding the net on 71 minutes, but fired just wide, ojnly to bag his second goal 3 minutes later. Hamling’s long pass started the move, Currie advanced with the ball and centred for Hunter to score past Ruggles on the turn. After Hanson had been brought on to play the final quarter hour, Gourgel played a 79th minute corner to Maskell, whose deep cross was met by a perfect header at the far post by Hunter, to complete his hat-trick. It was the first hat-trick of his Staines career, and the first by a Staines player since Kezie Ibe’s four against Bracknell in March 2004. Elsewhere, Worthing’s win over Walton took them above Staines in the table, and they are now 4th, but Braintree again failed to overhaul them after being held at Billericay. Staines will entertain Walton & Hersham or Chessington & Hook United in Round 3 of the Southern Combination Cup Staines: Hamling; Fisher (Shroot 62), Murphy, Gordon (Hanson 76), McDonald, Gourgel, Palmer, James, Currie, Sippetts (Maskell 62), Hunter; unused sub – Allaway (gk). Cove: Ruggles; Hodgson, Messenger, Reading, Hunt, Mossom (Bazin 67m), White, Grey, Finnieston, Crittenden, Turner; unused Watson, Gorman . Ref Woodison; Assts Hookway, Weeks; Att 52.
Monday 12th December 2005 Saturday 10th December 2005 (3·00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division STAINES TOWN (2) 5 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS (0) 1 By Steve Parsons. Steve Cordery made one enforced change from last week’s win, as Jon McDonald completed a one-match suspension, while there was a welcome return from injury for defender Danny Gordon, after 7 weeks off with a knee injury. There were two other changes, both up front, where he reverted to the personnel that finished the game at Wealdstone, with newcomers Garry Sippetts and Darren Campbell in for Jermaine Hunter and Michael Currie. These two were joined on the bench by two others who returned from injury, Marien Ifura and Clement James. On paper, the visit of the Swifts was a tricky test, as the Essex club are poised just outside the play-off zone in 7th, although they were without in unwell Shinn today. The pitch was in good condition, if a bit heavier than usual, and Staines attacked the houses end on a chilly afternoon. Although Campbell had an early shout for a penalty, when his 5th minute cross seemed to strike a defender’s wrist, the signs for the next 25 minutes were not good for Staines, as goalkeeper Shaun Allaway was called upon a number of times to keep his side in the game. Swifts broke two-against-one, with Kris Lee crossing for Simon Glover, who stretched to get in a shot which forced Allaway down smartly to concede only a corner. This came over and was volleyed by Neil Cousins before being blocked. Danny Barber, Lee and Marks combined to set up Neil Cousins, whose powerful shot was punched to safety by Allaway, the Staines keeper then doing well to save at the feet of Lee. Lee then headed wide from one of Glover’s dangerous crosses from the left. But then Staines started to reassert themselves, with Robbie King firing just wide, as did Jamie Guy from a perfect Allaway distribution. In the final 15 minutes of the half, Staines stepped up to one of their best spells of late, tearing into Heybridge and scoring two goals in the process. Campbell brought the ball forward dwon the right, and then supplied Guy, who advanced into the box and laid off for Garry Sippetts to neatly stroke the ball into the corner of the net for his first competitive goal for the club. Three minutes later, Paul Nicholls had to save from close range with his legs from a Guy shot after a flowing Staines move, and the same player again tested the ‘keeper with a swerving shot. In between, Manuella collected Staines’ only yellow card, for a high challenge. The second goal came on 39 minutes and was rocket shot by Michael Murphy, who fired into the net from 25 yards after the home defence could not deal effectively with a Campbell corner. And there was still time for a great move between Sippetts and Campbell to end in a corner when a goal might have been on the cards. Within 2 minutes of the restart, Heybridge seemed to have clawed their way back into the game, when Sean Marks received a ball from the right in space, and he slotted home to make it 2-1. Moments later, Lee won the ball and centred for the unmarked Marks 12 yards out, but he stumbled but could still feed Neil Cousins, whose shot was parried by the outstanding Allaway. Very soon, Staines were back into the pattern they had established at the end of the first half, and it was not long before they scored a third goal, with a move begun from the back when Allaway caught a Heybridge corner. He released King, who in turn picked out Jamie Guy, and he rotated and hit another spectacular goal from 25 yards into the top corner on 52 minutes. King was caught late after releasing the ball, and required treatment afterwards. Just 9 minutes later, Staines carbed their way through again, with Campbell and Guy to the fore, and this time it was Sippetts who provided the final strike just inside Nicholls’ far post. After Erdem Artun had shot wide, and Neil Cousins drawn another save from Allaway, Staines made it 5-1 on 67 minutes, as Guy cut in from the right and let fly from the edge of the box with a shot that went in of the underside of the bar. The latter stages saw a flurry of substitutions – with Gordon doing well to last until the 89th minute following his long lay-off – and cautions for two Heybridge defenders, namely Wiles (for a 73rd minute foul on the edge of the box, leading to a free kick that had to be taken three times) and Artun for a stoppage time challenge on James. This was Staines’ first score of 5 or more in a competitive match since 10 April 04 when they beat Croydon 5-2 at home in Ryman One (South). The last time they achieved it in the Premier Division was on 14.11.92, beating Grays Athletic 6-0 here. More importantly, however, they climb to 3rd in the table. Staines: Allaway, King, Murphy, Gordon (Ifura 89), Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Sippetts (Currie 76m), Campbell (James 73m), Guy; unused Hunter, Palmer. Heybridge: Nicholls, Zoricich (Abbott 64), I Cousins ©, Artun, Wiles, Barber, N Cousins, Gillespie, Marks, Lee, Glover (Bensley 85); unused Hill, O’Donoghue. Ref Fay; Assts French, Davies; Att 173. Sun 11 Dec - Staines Town Women won 2-0 away to Metropolitan Police in a Greater london League game at Hendon. Tuesday 6th December 2005 (7·35pm) – Middlesex Premier Cup Quarter-Final STAINES TOWN Reserves (0) 2 BROOK HOUSE Reserves (0) 1 After extra time – score 1-1 at 90 minutes Ironically, in this season without a fully fledged Reserve team, Staines have given themselves an excellent chance of reaching their first county cup Final at Reserve level, after overcoming holders Brook House at a bitterly cold Wheatsheaf Lane. Fielding a side consisting almost entirely of Academy players, most of whom are also expected to feature in next week’s Middlesex U18 Youth Cup quarter-final, they narrowly defeated Suburban League Premier side Brook House, and will now travel to Wembley (from the Suburban League Div 1 East) in the semi. Apart from Robin Shroot (who has just been added to Ryman forms), the three non-Academy players were the two recently acquired ‘squad players’ defender Joe Devera, 18 (who was making his club début) and Richard Burton (19), and the senior statesman of the team, Jamie Palmer, who turned 20 a fortnight ago, and who was the only one of two permitted First Teamers to be named. He captained the side, which was managed for the night by Martyn Spong and Mark Fabian, with Messrs Cordery and Maskell looking on. The visitors included Keiran Jimmy, their first team ‘keeper until a recent injury, and, oddly, three names with familiar rings to them: Steve Griffiths and Ian Jones were not, however, the ex-Swans, and Dean Thomas’s exact namesake was waiting to come on – and indeed score the winner – for Staines! Staines attacked the houses end in the first half, and at the start of extra time. Some visiting players were delayed en route and so the game started 5 minutes late. The game got off to a slow start, and it was midway through the half before either ‘keeper was seriously tested, when Staines’s Sean Murphy (stepping up to the evening sides for the first time, after a recent injury lay-off) pushed Thomas’ flick header over for a corner. After the Hayes-based side saw Homer collect the only caution of the game, there was a flurry of activity in the final minutes of the half. Griffiths had a one-on-one chance blocked as he pressed for the visitors, Staines lost Tim Pitt through injury, and then Jordan Kiffin drove a shot fractionally over the bar. But things started to hot up as the air temperature dropped in the second half. Kiffin had another good shot blocked, but then an excellent Ryan Newman strike broke the deadlock in Brook House’s favour on 54 mins. With Staines brining their own Dean Thomas on, they went in search of an equaliser, and Devera was unlucky to see his shot crash against the crossbar. However, following a Shroot corner on 67 minutes, Jon Coleman responded with another great shot which this time found the back of the net. He was brought off 10 minutes from time, and now faces a short lay off as he will be in hospital for some scheduled dental work. Both teams had chances to win it late on, with Newman firing straight at Murphy when well placed, and a great passing move ending with a Scott Ricketts volley being well saved by Jimmy. In injury time, Ricketts worked another opening but the ball just bounced away from him as he prepared to shoot. Ten minutes into extra time, Staines secured a winner when Shroot’s shortish corner was played back out to him, and this time he crossed deep to where Dean Thomas rose at the far post to head home. In a strength sapping final phase, Staines were briefly down to 10 men as Burton had to limp off for a while, and there were more scoring chances as muscles started to ache. The House might have forced penalties if Greg Homer could have kept either of his two shots down, while Newman also missed a couple, whereas Kiffin had Staines best chance. However, the game ended 2-1: a great result for the Swans’ young side. Staines: S Murphy; Karl Popovic (Thomas 58), Pitt (Chris Robinson 44), Devera, Palmer ©, Shroot, Coleman (Adam Gerding 80), Burton, Ricketts, Kiffin, Harry Draper; unused Tom Windsor, Rod Chiweshe (gk). Brook H: K Jimmy, Wes Revell ©, Lee Byde, Griffiths (Renee Fontaine 89), Steve Lawrence, Homer, Dale Kennedy, Ian Jimmy (Tyrone Henry 102), Jones (Will Joseph 73), Thomas, Newman; unused Josh Shepherd, Ricky Short. Ref: I Skull (Feltham), ARs D Hookway (Charlton Village), T Howkins (Staines). att 35 Wednesday 7th December 2005 (7:30pm) – Southern Youth League (East) BEDFONT Youths 1 STAINES TOWN / Kingston Coll. Academy 2 Staines Town started this local derby game with a slightly unfamiliar line up due to the amount of games that the team had played: some players were on their 3rd game in 2 days! The game kicked off with cold drizzle falling on the field and deafening Jumbo jets flying over it. Staines kicked away from the clubhouse end in the first half, into a slight wind. From the start Staines were the dominant team creating good chances; Meggie collected the ball in the midfield and beat players into the box before crossing to Kiffen, whose shot was saved by the keeper's feet. Against the run of play however on 9 minutes a 30 yard Bedfont free kick launched deep into the area found the head of Farnden who jumped in front of Chiweshe. The resulting header beat Chiweshe into the back of the net to put Bedfont up 1-0. Staines continued to dominate and should have got an equalizer when Windsor's shot from the edge of the box just shaved the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. Another chance was created when Kiffen collected the ball and dribbled into the box drawing the defence to the right, before sending the ball across the area to Tom Windsor who beat the keeper to his left to make the score 1-1. Towards the end of the half a youth jumped over the fence from behind the Bedfont keeper and walked onto the pitch, the referee stopped the game and approached the male who became aggressive and headed towards the ref. The ref began to back off, by which time most of the players and benches had seen the danger and headed over to the incident. The first there was the Bedfont goalkeeper at whom the youth swung punch. Almost instantly he was pounced on by 30 players, and half the crowd. He was removed from the field of play kicking and punching and restrained behind the dugouts awaiting the arrival of police and LAS. The youth was duly taken away. In the meantime the players had both gone in for half time and come out again, the game had recommenced and a down pour had ensued. All of which made the reporting of the second half challenging to say the least. Staines were on top for the majority of the half and Bedfont were under almost constant pressure. The surface was becoming increasingly slippery, however Staines continued to dominate with some good probing runs from Ventour and Kiffen. With the sustained pressure a goal had to come and did when Ventour made another run down the right, beating his marker then crossing into the centre to Windsor who collected and scored from short range for his second. A flurry of substitutions from both sides ensued, for some Bedfont players being substituted was the only time they got into the Staines half. A Staines substitution allowed new signing Seokmin Yoo to join the attack. He took a long range free kick which unfortunately hit my car in the car park [writes Pete Hogan]. Staines: Rodney Chiweshe, Elliot Blake, Daniel Gurney (Josh Brooks), Danny Fisher, Justin Fevrier ©, Dean Thomas, Aston Ventour, Windsor, Dan Meggie (Ronnie Vincent), Jordan Kiffin, Harry Draper (Min Yoo); unused Lee Higgs, Vincent Gilbert. Bedfont: Joe Marshal, Adam Hughes (Tom Girvan), Glen Sperling, Lee Morley ©, Richard Bond, Kevin Smith, David Green, Eddie Hulme, Andrew Juet, Peter Briggs, Ricky Farnden (Oliver Woods); unused Mahir Tawer, Nicky Fishlock (g/k, ex Staines T). R: Dan Jenkins (E Molesey); ARs Lawrence & Martin Read (father & son, of Woodham, Addlestone). Att: 31. Players signed this weekend: Two 18-year old prospects have been added to Staines Town's squad over the weekend, and both are expected to make their debuts in the Cove game on Tuesday. NUNO GOURGEL An Angolan-born striker who played as a youngster vith Vitoria Setubal in Portugal, before coming to England and appearing for both Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient at Youth level. He has recently been released by The O's, and it 5'10" tall. ROBERT HAMLING A towering 6'6" tall goalkeeper presently impressing in the Hellenic League with Milton United, whom he has been with for three seasons - the first two as a striker! He has also played in goal for Thames Valley University and Maple Durham. Monday 5th December 2005 Last gasp 'Guy' Saturday 3rd December 2005 (3·00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division WEALDSTONE (0) 1 STAINES TOWN (0) 2 By Steve Parsons. Staines returned to League action on this chilly and overcast afternoon, returning to the scene of last week’s friendly this time to face new tenants Wealdstone. Always feisty encounters, this one was no exception, but in a dramatic finish Staines kept up the pressure on the leaders by snatching all three points. Steve Cordery made changes to his last competitive line-up, Michael Murphy and Michael Currie returning for the injured Marien Ifura (knee) and Clement James (hamstring). On the bench for the first time in a competitive game was Darren Campbell who made his début as a late sub, and for the first time in any game was Joe Devera, who did not come on. Wealdstone fielded ‘rookie’ goalkeeper Glenn Jackson, their eighth custodian of the season. In the first half, Staines played up the slight incline, towards the clubhouse and entrances. The match was preceded by a minute of silence, in memory of Mr Eric Fletcher, former official of Wealdstone FC, who passed away recently. A free kick just outside the box forced Staines ‘keeper Shaun Allaway into a smart save from Rob Ursell in the very first minute, but the visitors then proceeded to dominate the first half, but frustratingly could not get on the scoresheet. Jermaine Hunter flashed a header wide from a Murphy corner, and had another half chance following a delightful backheel from Currie. Jamie Guy made a surging run which ended with Jackson in the Stones goal clinging on to his well-struck shot. There were also a couple of yellow cards for Staines players: Jake Newton picked up one early on for a trip on Andy Keepence just outside the box, after which Keepence hammered his free ick into the wall, and one for Guy who kicked the ball away and into the crowd. To his credit, Guy took the trouble at half time to identify the woman he had almost hit and apologise to her. There were also claims that Currie had taken a swing at an opponent after a strong challenge, but referee Mr Bentley was unmoved. Kenny Beaney might have nicked a goal for Wealdstone, with a swerving shot which forced Allaway into a full stretch tip-over. But mostly the game was going Staines’ way, and Jon McDonald must have aching arms from the number of long throws he bombed into the area, as Wealdstone were forced increasingly to kick the ball into touch. Hunter did well to get over a cross from which Currie forced Jackson to make a flying save which led to a corner, but Staines started to think it might not be their day after Robbie King sent the 43rd flag kick over but Staines still could not force it over the line. There was a header by Matt Flitter, and shots by Hunter, Currie, and Manuella but all were blocked. The vociferous Wealdstone fans were claiming a penalty in the first minute of the second half, but there was nothing wrong with Flitter’s well timed tackle on Ursell. However, in only the second minute of the half, when a long throw by Lee Chappell was cheekily back-heeled into the net by Jermaine Beckford. Things did not go well for Staines for the next 20 minutes or so, as they had to substitute Hunter soon after suffering a clash of heads, but it seemed that an ankle injury had forced his departure; then Currie was cautioned for dissent; and then an underhit backpass let Richard Jolly in but Allaway came out to make another vital save. However, Campbell impressed when he replaced Hunter, as did Garry Sippetts following the withdrawal of Currie shortly after his caution, and Staines began to reassert their superiority. King had a snapshot blocked a couple of yards out, and the superb Fiston Manuella hammered in a drive which Jackson mishandled but at the cost of only a corner. The goal finally came on 74 minutes, and it was a tribute to the hard work of Robbie King: he won the ball just outside the box, and hit a great strike into the bottom corner of the net. Campbell was provoked into a retaliatory push and became the fourth Staines name to go into Mr Bentley’s book, but it was the referee’s decision to halt play – just as Staines had opened up a good position from a free kick – to allow the home side to make a substitution which caused more dissatisfaction from the Staines followers. The visitors increased the heat in the closing minutes, with André De Lisser fizzing a free kick just wide after Guy was brought down just outside the box. However, the winner that Staines’ overall dominance had deserved finally came dramatically in the 89th minute. Murphy played a good ball up the line to Jamie Guy, and he played a snappy one-two with Campbell in front of goal before somehow beating Jackson from a tight angle at the near post. Defender Beaney had his name taken for pushing his offside claims too far, whilst Guy gained the NLP’s “Man of the Match” accolade. Staines: Allaway, King, McDonald, Murphy, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Hunter (Campbell 56), Currie (Sippetts 72m), Guy; unused Devera, Maskell, Palmer. Wealdstone: Jackson, Holland, Chappell, White ©, Ryan, Keepence, Beaney, Ursell (Turner 82), Beckford, Jolly, Burrell; unused Ashton, Lancaster, Cooper, Woods (gk). Ref I Bentley; Assts L Walshe, W Linden Est Att – 283.
The Women's team finally bowed out of the FA Women's Cup on Sunday, in a dramatic and exciting 3rd Round Proper tie away to Colchester United. Despite lacking several key players, Staines raced into an 18th minute lead with a super strike from AMEY BAKER, following tremendous work by Georgie Giddings and new signing Miranda Cuthbertson. However, just before half time, Laura Guyon hammered an equaliser for the home side. It remaiend that way until full time, forcing the game into extra time, but they were then undone by a close range strike from LEANNE COX in the 95th minute. However, with virtually the last kick of the first extra period, RACHEL FELL levelled things up once more with a well struck free kick. But Staines resistance was finally broken when KATE LONGHURST drilled in an angled shot to give Colchester a decisive 3-2 lead at the very start of the second extra period. A full report will follow on www.stainestownwfc.co.uk | ||||||
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