| Saturday 27th December 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division STAINES TOWN (2) 3 ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX) (0) 0 By Steve Parsons. Staines Town’s final game of 2008 was only their fourth home Saturday League game, but it was the eagerly anticipated ‘derby’ with their nearest neighbours, Ashford. If any additional spice were required for this meeting of the 2nd and 9th placed sides in the table, Staines fielded former Ashford hero Richard Butler up front, while Ashford – managed by ex Swan Mark Butler (no relation) – included skipper Paul Johnson and goalkeeper Paul Burgess, who are both former Staines players, and also named on the bench James Stanford, who was an Åland tourist as a junior. Staines were without Dave Sargent (’flu’), while Ashford had to do without the suspended top scorer Scott Harris. The pitch was in excellent condition, and the day was cold but bright, with a low sun in Louis Wells’ eyes as Staines attacked the houses end in the first half. A decent crowd turned up and witnessed Staines Town Chairman Alan Boon present its share of the Community Shield money (earned through last season’s FA Cup run) to Clive Stevens of Hospital Radio Way. The initial exchanges were closely contested, but Staines quickly got into their stride, with Burgess making a fine save after Howard Newton had made space in the box, and then reacted quickly to block Scott Taylor’s follow-up. H Newton was quickly involved again, working well down the right before picking out Butler, whose shot on the turn flew just too high. But Staines did not have things all their own way, and Johnson proved to be Ashford’s most dangerous player, receiving the ball in space and drawing a diving save from Louis Wells. Ashford were also dangerous from Stuart Bamford’s long throws, one of which led to Byron Harrison seeing a glancing header tipped over the bar. A juvenile swan twice swooped majestically over the ground, earning rounds of applause from both sets of fans, and a “Come on you Swans” from the ‘Massive’. However, just as Lewis Cook was preparing to take a corner for Staines, referee Sam Lewis had to call a halt to the proceedings, as the swan landed in that corner and stood just where his linesman needed to be. With no regard to the safety of his remaining fingers, steward Andy Jones gently escorted the frightened bird from the ground, and towards the nearby Thames, so that play could continue. Mr Lewis later admitted that he did consider showing his red card, but was worried that it might not go down well with FA Assessor Steve Head (remember Dunstable 1989)! That may have been a good omen for the home side, who took the lead in the 36th minute, when a good passing move ended with Howard Newton creating space for a powerful low shot which went in off the foot of the post. And just a minute later, Staines won a free kick 25 yards out, Lewis Cook stepped up to take it, and it took a big deflection off the wall which completely wrongfooted Burgess to make it 2-0. Brett Cooper unfortunately had to go off – and to hospital – after a clash of heads left him with a nasty cut, but his replacement, Ricardo Joseph, was very soon in action, forcing a decent save from Wells. But the half ended with Staines again on the attack, Butler firing wide after another good run by Cook. Mark Butler would have made his plans for a second half comeback by the visitors, but they were undone just 2 minutes after the restart. Staines won a free-kick wide on the right, which Jake Newton rolled to his brother, and his shot was too hot for Burgess to cling onto, with Richard Butler arriving on the scene to grab a goal against his old club. The game was over as a contest at that point, but it did not stop both sides from playing some attractive football, with Staines especially pleasing their fans with some crisp passing. Ashford’s Byron Harrison limped off with a knee injury, to be replaced by Ricardo Joseph, who was promptly booked for a painful foul on Harry Arter. Thankfully Arter was alright after treatment, and having enjoyed his first home game for Staines, knows that his loan from Charlton Athletic has been extended by a further month. Wells had to remain alert to make a good one-handed save from a headed back pass from one of his own defenders, whilst Burgess looked like he might be hankering for an outfield shirt when neatly dribbling past H Newton on the ground. In the final minute, Johnson flashed a dangerous Ashford free-kick just past the post, but Staines were pleased to retain a clean sheet, and even more pleased with 3 points to maintain their second spot. The home supporters can revel in the bragging rights, at least until the clubs reconvene at Wheatsheaf Park for the Middlesex Senior Cup quarter-final on 20th January. At the end of the game, match sponsors John Holding & Ken Roberts handed the STFC Man of the Match bubbly to Richard Butler, and it was announced that a collection from both sets of supporters, plus a donation from gate proceeds, had netted over £600 for Melissa Huggins’ Fighting Fund towards her cancer treatment: Daniel Powell & father Mark Huggins were present to represent the 27 year old schoolteacher. STFC Mascots – Dylan & Scott Crisp. Staines: Wells, J Newton, Gordon ©, H Newton, Butler (Charles-Smith 85), Risbridger, McDonald, Cook (Scarlett 85), Ifura, Taylor, Arter; unused Fenton, D Thomas, Asombang. Ashford: Burgess, O’Sullivan, Cooper (Joseph 40), S Bamford, Jeffreys, Logie (Stanford 85), Johnson ©, Wellard, Smith, Harrison (Palmer 57), W Harris; unused Weight, Ross (gk). Ref: Sam D Lewis (Brentford); ARs KM Howick (Oxford), A Williams (Worcester Park); Att 591.
Staines & Ashford’s charitable efforts No-one in Spelthorne can fail to have been touched by the story of Melissa Huggins, a schoolteacher from Staines who is suffering from a rare form of cancer, and whose best hope lies in a very expensive treatment available only in Boston, USA. Staines Town and Ashford Town (Mx) supporters joined together during Saturday’s derby to raise £600 for this very worthy cause, from a bucket collection and from the club’s decision to donate 10% of the gate receipts to Melissa’s Fighting Fund. On the same day, Staines Town FC presented its share of the FA Community Shield fund – earned by reaching the FA Cup competition proper last term – to Clive Stevens of Hospital Radio Wey, a local volunteer-run charity which broadcasts to the hospitals in Ashford, Chertsey, and Walton/Weybridge, and more recently to a wider audience.
Swans are Grounded That unimaginative headline has been used countless times, but on Saturday it came true in unusual circumstances. During the derby match with Ashford Town (Middlesex), a large, juvenile, swan twice swooped majestically over the ground, earning rounds of applause from both sets of fans, and a “Come on you Swans” from the ‘Massive’. However, just as Lewis Cook was preparing to take a corner for Staines, referee Sam Lewis had to call a halt to the proceedings, as the swan landed in that corner and stood just where his linesman needed to be. With no regard to the safety of his remaining fingers, steward Andy Jones gently escorted the frightened bird from the ground, and towards the nearby Thames, so that play could continue.
Staines Town FC demonstrate strength throughout the club It has been a remarkable end to 2008 for Staines Town at all levels, and only a 1-0 defeat in the Youth team’s last game of the year – a Middlesex ‘Ritson’ Cup tie against nemesis Hayes & Yeading United – spoilt an amazing run encompassing all five of the club’s senior teams. The First Team’s win over Ashford TM in the Christmas derby saw them extend an unbeaten run to 10 fixtures, encompassing wins over Enfield (1893), Tooting & MU, Hastings U, Margate, Wingate & F, Bedfont, Boreham W, and now Ashford; a draw with Billericay T, and an abandoned game with Bedfont. This run has seen Steve Cordery’s men progress in two cups, and move into second spot in the Ryman Premier. The Reserves have notched up 5 straight wins, with Capital League ‘doubles’ over Potters Bar and St Albans, and a win over Maidenhead (who were the last team to beat them, on 22 October), to move clear at the top of the Western Division, as Trent Phillips’ side aim to improve on their runners-up spots of 2007 and 2008. Likewise, the Academy side have gone top of the Ryman Youth (NW) as Martyn Spong tries to guide his team to the title that eluded them by a fraction last term. The 13 games before that Hayes defeat had brought 12 wins and just one defeat – and that on penalties – since losing to Woking on 11 September. Their counterparts at U19 level, in association with Kingston College, are on a run of sixteen games without defeat (14 wins, 2 draws), which includes advancing to the Quarter-Finals of the National Colleges’ Cup, which is restricted to U18 players. Even John Hanson’s Veterans XI have got in on the act, their three games since mid-November producing two wins and a draw.
Staines players visit sick kids As reported in last week's Non League Paper, the Swans made a special visit to the children's ward at St Peters hospital last week to hand out signed footballs and gifts to the kids. Staines boss Cords said "It was just great to get along. thankfully the children were big football fans and it meant a lot for us to represent the club in such a positive way.
Saturday 20th December 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division BOREHAM WOOD (0) 0 STAINES TOWN (0) 2 By Steve Parsons. Staines successfully negotiated this trip to mid-table Boreham Wood, a club who had won their last two games, and proved a stern test for Steve Cordery’s men. Staines made several changes, having not played a League game for a fortnight, and welcomed back Jake Newton at full back, following three weeks out injured. The afternoon was bright but chilly, with a strongish breeze blowing into Staines’ faces as they began the game attacking the far (board room) end. The pitch was in good condition. The host club had discounted admission fees for all-comers, but they would have been disappointed by a scrappy first half, in which neither side could really construct much meaningful play, and which was peppered by numerous stoppages. The best spell was probably the opening few minutes, when Lewis Cook’s teasing low cross drew a fumble from home ’keeper Anthony Anstead, and Scott Taylor raced down the right and shot into the side netting. At the other end, the home team’s long-throw specialist, Sean Sonner, gave Staines some headaches in defence, but when Chris Watters met one of them with a powerful shot, Louis Wells was equal to it. Referee Mr O’Donnell cautioned two players from each side in that opening period, beginning with Staines’ Harry Arter for kicking the ball away. Midway through the half, a foul on Marc Charles-Smith gave Arter a free kick, which was handled by home skipper Wes Daly, and – after the yellow card was administered – Cook put the second free kick too high. Charles-Smith seemed unlucky to be pulled up when he appeared to have been leant on by defender Yemi Atta. Then Howard Newton made a good run, only to be halted by a foul from Wood newcomer Danny Murphy (booking no. 3), but Dave Sargent’s free kick towards Arter was swept up by the Wood defence. Minutes later, H Newton was booked for a challenge on Murphy, as the half drew to a close. Staines were more positive after their interval team-talk, and within 3 minutes Charles-Smith’s glancing header to a Taylor cross hit the crossbar. At the other end, Jon Wordsworth headed a Lee Allinson corner just wide, but it was Staines who now looked the likelier to score – which they duly did in the 53rd minute. The home side were appealing for a handball, but fine work by Charles-Smith to get away from Murphy and deliver a perfect pass to Scott Taylor found the striker in space, and he made no mistake in tucking it beyond Anstead. Wood brought on an additional forward in the dangerous Mario Noto, and put Staines under some pressure, but Louis Wells was commanding in the visitors’ goal, keeping out good efforts by both Wordsworth and Allinson. Staines then went back on the attack, a surging Arter run carrying him some 80 yards upfield before seeing his teasing cross cleared. Richard Butler was introduced in the 74th minute and just 2 minutes later he scored the goal that made the points safe for Staines, perfectly latching onto Arter’s through ball, beating the offside before swivelling to drive the ball into the corner. Staines then went all out for a third, with Cook’s darting run ending in a shot to the side-netting, and Butler unlucky only to win a corner after combining well with Taylor. Four minutes from time, Wordsworth brought down Cook just inside the box, and Mr O’Donnell pointed to the penalty spot. Cook wanted to take it to erase the memory of his recent miss, and Arter was keen too, but in the end the task was entrusted to Dave Sargent, who has every one of his previous penalties for Staines, and in fact has not missed one for 6 or 7 years. However, this time, Anstead’s fingertip touch was enough to divert the ball onto the inside of the post, from where it bounced across the 6-yard box and was cleared. But with Carshalton slipping up, Staines can be satisfied with the win which leaves them in 2nd spot going into Christmas and then the eagerly awaited derby with Ashford. Staines: Wells, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon ©, Ifura, Arter, H Newton (Scarlett 83), Risbridger, Taylor, Charles-Smith (Butler 74), Cook; unused Fenton, McDonald, D Thomas. Boreham W: Anstead, Donnelly, Murphy, Wordsworth, Atta, Daly ©, Mason (Morgan 60), Allinson (Cooper 74), Sonner, Lee (Noto 68), Watters; unused Donovan, Adedeji. Ref: Christopher J O’Donnell (Leighton Buzzard, Beds); ARs Tim Donnellan (Leighton Buzzard, Beds), Jon Panconi (Houghton Regis, nr Dunstable, Beds); Est att 159 (officially 131).
Tuesday 16th December 2008 (7:30pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup, Round Two [tie 9] BEDFONT (0) 0 STAINES TOWN (2) 4 By Steve Parsons. This second attempt to play brought a convincing win for Staines against their Combined Counties League neighbours, following the previous week’s abandonment after only 12 minutes. On a cold and somewhat misty night, Staines attacked the entrance end of the somewhat bumpy Hatton Road ground in the first half. There was a last minute change to the Bedfont team, as Middlesex rep Pip Axtell advised them that their new goalkeeper was not registered in time to be eligible, and so, with Triston Thomas still injured, they reverted to Paul Taylor, who had appeared last week. Staines began well, with André Scarlett causing some panic in the home box, only for the attack to be halted for a push on the ‘keeper, and P Taylor made a fine diving save to deny Scott Taylor after he had raced away on the left flank. Bedfont had Mark Gallagher booked for a foul on Butler, but the home side’s spirited resistance was broken in the 26th minute when Taylor saved Richard Butler’s low drive, but Scott Taylor chipped the ball back into the box where Lewis Cook slammed it in from close range, via the underside of the bar. Bedfont still proved difficult to break down, but Staines gained a somewhat soft second goal 5 minutes before the break, when Harry Arter and Taylor combined to feed Dean Fenton, but Taylor appeared to have covered his cracking strike towards the bottom corner, only to misjudge his handling, allowing the ball through. Home skipper Steve Coultass had his name taken for dissent as Bedfont lined-up to restart the game, but when they did Luke Craig made ground and forced a decent save from Louis Wells. Manager Mick Turtle, apparently still annoyed at the goalkeeping switch, continued his complaints, and was dismissed from the bench on 43 minutes, only to persist as the sides left the field at half time, whereupon referee Liam Walshe had him removed from the vicinity of the pitch. On the stroke of half-time, Staines had seen Scott Taylor send a bicycle kick just over the bar, following a Cook corner. On the hour, S Taylor outsprinted the home defence but cracked his shot against the post, and a minute later the same player saw a shot blocked on the line following good work by Cook. Referee Walshe had been as patient as he could with some crunching tackles by the frustrated home side, but he quickly added two more names to his book when Potter showed dissent, and when Craig once again clattered into Scarlett. Staines made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute, when a Scarlett free kick picked out Scott Taylor, who turned neatly and rifled his shot beyond his namesake. A flurry of substitutions followed, and a coming together between two of them – John Mussington tackling Victor Asombang from behind – gave Staines the penalty from which Dave Sargent scored Swans fourth and final goal on 82 minutes. A reckless foul by Coultass on Cook brought him a second yellow card, and thus a dismissal, with two minutes to go, and his team mate was perhaps fortunate not to follow after catching Charles-Smith late. However, there was one more yellow card for Ryan’s dissent after the final whistle. Staines did well to keep their noses clean amid the 6 cards shown to the opponents, and will now entertain neighbours Ashford in the Quarter-Final on 20th January, following Ashford’s exciting win over Hanwell the week before. Staines: Wells, Cook, Sargent, Arter (H Newton 73), Ifura, Thomas, Fenton, Risbridger, Butler (Charles-Smith 73), S Taylor (Asombang 78), Scarlett; unused Orlu, Courtnage (gk). Bedfont: P Taylor, Walker (Mussington 76), Gritt, Gallagher, Ryan, Coultass © [SO 88], Pinto (Todd 76), Potter, Craig, Bailey (Matsumoto 65), Harrison; unused Bond. Ref: Liam Walshe (Northwood); ARs Paul Savva (Stanwell), Stephen Woodison (Ashford); MCFA Rep Pip Axtell (Ruislip); Est att 88.
Monday 15th December 2008 (7:30pm) – Capital League Western Division: att 17. ST ALBANS CITY Reserves (0) 0 STAINES TOWN Reserves (1) 2 By Steve Parsons. Trent Phillips’ young Staines team pulled off a remarkable result and moved to the top of the Capital League West, when they won 2-0 away to St Albans. On a chilly night at Clarence Park, he fielded only three players over the age of 20, with the others having an average age of less than 18. Apart from goalkeeper James Courtnage, who has played 82 times for the First Team, there was not a single player with First Team experience. In contrast, the Conference South club fielded only three players who had not played First Team football, and whose appearances totalled nearly 600 (mostly contributed by Cousins, Seeby, and Martin), and included Lee Clarke, their 1st XI top scorer for the last 4 seasons, who was returning from a knee injury. A relatively more experienced Staines side had won the home meeting between these sides 5-1 just a fortnight earlier, but on paper it was a much stronger City team tonight. Three of Swans defenders were even making their Reserve team débuts, as Elliott Thompson and Alfie Arthur (16) stepped up from the Academy, and Ajet Shehu (17) was drafted in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur youths. Likewise up front, where debutant Ryan Ford was joined by a second young Spurs loanee, Saulo Asajile. Staines played up the slope in the first half, and looked rather nervous in the early minutes. However, it did not take them too long to settle into the sort of game which has now brought them six straight League wins. They were not phased by a delay in the 20th minute, when Ford was caught late on the foot, leading to him making an early departure, and a yellow card for City’s Grinham: meanwhile one of the assistant referees also needed treatment for a leg injury. Once play resumed, Staines stole a march on their opponents by grabbing a 31st minute lead, following a Marvin Farrell corner. A home defender got his head to it, but could not send it far, and Ajet Shehu arrived to slam the ball into the roof of Palmer’s net. The lead was doubled 9 minutes into the second period, when a neat move involving Asajile and Jamie Read led to Luke Roodenburg seeing a well-struck volley turned around for a corner by Palmer. Farrell came up to take the corner, Roodenburg’s first effort crashed off the crossbar, and Jamie Read followed up to force it home from close range. City then put the visitors under some pressure and Courtnage had to make a brave save at the feet of Simon Martin. However, they remained firm in all departments, despite the loss with a groin injury of Shehu, and the cautioning of King for a late tackle on Clarke. Staines: 1 James Courtnage ©, 2 Elliott Thompson, 3 Marvin Farrell, 4 Ajet Shehu (14 Ben Nicholson 72), 5 Alfie Arthur, 6 James King, 7 Ashley Lodge, 8 Jamie Read, 9 Luke Roodenburg, 10 Ryan Ford (12 Ricardo Kimfumu 24), 11 Saulo Asajile; unused 15 Chris Wainwright. St Albans: 13 Jake Palmer, 2 Ashley Grinham (16 Josh Lamonaca HT), 3 Scott Cousins, 4 Chris Seeby, 5 Jon Munday, 6 Lee Clarke, 7 Craig Mortimer, 8 Rob Nicholls, 9 Simon Martin, 10 Anih Effiong (17 Tegana James 61), 11 Alex Olcot (15 Aiden Byfield 72); unused 12 Edson Pascoal, 14 Sam Hurrell. Ref: Steve Conway (Edgware, Mx); ARs Derek Coe (Borehamwood, Herts), Graham Horsler (East Tilbury Village, Tilbury, Essex)
Tuesday 9th December 2008 (7:30pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup, Round Two [tie 9] BEDFONT (0) STAINES TOWN (0) By Steve Parsons. Abandoned after 12 minutes: floodlight failure A chilly night at The Orchard saw Steve Cordery name a strong side for this visit to a Bedfont team who are currently in the lower half of the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Although there was a little rotation between subs and starters, the only two unfamiliar faces – defender Richard Orlu and striker Luke Roodenburg, both Reserve team regulars, sat on the bench. Bedfont named Paul Taylor in goal, as Triston Thomas was injured. Staines began by attacking the entrance end. The visitors made most of the early running, with Scott Taylor seeing a stooping header swept away from in front of goal, Dean Fenton winning a corner, and Gareth Risbridger fizzing a shot just over the bar. However, with only 11 minutes played, one of the two lamps on each floodlight pylon suddenly went out. Play continued in reduced light for a few moments, but when the ball went out of play, referee Peter Smith suspended play. He felt it was dangerous to continue, although the managers seemingly thought otherwise. However, 5 minutes later – with the players having declined the offer to wait in the warmth of the dressing rooms – the remaining lamps on the two far end pylons went out. Unable to see any prospect of power being restored, Mr Smith and Middlesex FA rep Pip Axtell officially abandoned the game 20 minutes after it had begun. The lights, which Bedfont had only this season paid to have upgraded, continued to come and go, but were never at full power, for the next 20 minutes or so. Supporters were issued with vouchers for the rearrangement, which, after some discussions, was agreed to be a week later (16th December, 7:30) back at Bedfont. The Staines players will now re-arrange a scheduled visit to local hospitals which had been set for that evening. Staines: Coutrnage, Scarlett, McDonald, Gordon ©, Ifura, Arter, Fenton, Risbridger, Butler, S Taylor, Cook; unused H Newton, D Thomas, Roodenburg, Charles-Smith, Orlu. Bedfont: P Taylor, Walker, Gritt, Gallagher, Ryan, Coultass ©, Pinto, Potter, Craig, Bailey, Todd; unused Bond, Ivanov, Bangura, C Newton. Ref: Peter Smith (Friern Barnet); ARs Paul Savva (Stanwell), Stephen Woodison (Ashford); MCFA Rep Pip Axtell (Ruislip); Est att 63.
Saturday 6th December 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division BILLERICAY TOWN (1) 1 STAINES TOWN (0) 1 By Steve Parsons Staines’ run of five straight wins came to an end after a long trip to chilly Essex. Billericay were always likely to provide a stern test, as they looked to extend their own run of 4 wins and a draw since losing heavily to Ashford. Steve Cordery reverted to the side that beat Margate, but with Dave Sargent back to fitness, he came in for Jake Newton who is still nursing a knock. Billericay were free of the suspensions that have so far plagued their season. The pitch had taken a lot of rain, but the local groundstaff had sanded it heavily where necessary, to leave it playable, though quite soft in places. Staines defended the dressing-rooms end in the first half, having lost to toss, meaning that goalkeeper Louis Wells had to contend with the low sun in his eyes. The visitors made a decent enough start to the game, despite a preparation hampered by the tardy arrival of a couple of players due to traffic, with Lewis Cook stretching keeper Tony Tucker, and Howard Newton having a shot blocked. However, The Blues converted their first real attack, in the 7th minute, into a goal, from which Staines took a long time to recover. A corner on the right by Steven Ferguson ghosted through both forwards and defenders, until it was firmly met on the far side by a powerful drive from Bradley Wood-Garness. Staines were rocked back on their heels: behind for the first time in almost a month, they had Thomas cautioned for a trip, and relied upon some stout defending and assured goalkeeping from Louis Wells to prevent them going further behind. Cook won a throw for Staines near the attacking corner, which was bombed in by Jon McDonald, but the home side stole possession and raced upfield, winning a corner of their own for Ferguson, but this time Wood-Garness’s effort was clocked. The same player might have got on the end of a Ferguson free kick, but it slipped past him, and he then had a shot well held by Wells, before Flack had a header saved. Only in the last 10 minutes of the half did Staines find their feet again, and again it was McDonald’s long throws which posed the most danger. One of them contrived to elude every other player, bounce on the 6 yard box, and hit the top of the crossbar, while the next was knocked down by Marien Ifura, and forced over the line by Scott Taylor, only for the 39th minute strike to be ruled out for offside. Just before the break, the tireless Marc Charles-Smith won a corner which Howard Newton swung in, but once again Tucker’s punch was very assured. Billericay made an interval change, whilst McDonald (dissent) was quickly added to the ref’s notebook. Staines started brightly, but found the home defence in very determined mood, with Dumas and Heffer winning everything in the air, and their quick passing out of trouble making light of the treacherous conditions. Staines again had Wells to thank for closing Billy Bricknell’s chance down, after Fergusson had exploited a gap left when Ifura went down injured. Staines threw on Harry Arter and Richard Butler, and these two reinvigorated their attack. The Charlton man, in particular, almost made an immediate impact, smashing a powerful free kick into the wall, and never being afraid to take on a shot. But Billericay were still dangerous, and Adrian Dean sent in a very awkward bouncing, angled shot, which Wells managed to grab at the second attempt. Staines countered, and when Wayne Semanshia fouled Charles-Smith, Arter drilled in a low free kick which was met by Taylor, only for Tucker to parry it for a corner: this was also taken by Arter, viciously inswung, but Neil Marron headed off the line. There followed a further flurry of bookings – Butler for dissent, and Billericay’s Marron and Ferguson for fouls. These both led to dangerous free kicks – the first spanked just past the post by Arter, and but the second – out wide on the left in the 84th minute – led to the vital equaliser. Arter again was the taker, Ifura’s aerial power was important as he sent it into the 6 yard box, and Richard Butler showed his poacher’s instincts by jabbing a knee at the ball for a scrappy but deserved equaliser. Including additional time, there were still 10 minutes remaining, and it was Staines who showed the greater belief and urgency to try to win the game in that period. Although Wells made another save when claiming a high free kick after a Risbridger foul (for which he was booked), Staines produced shots by Arter and Newton which fizzed just wide, and two close range drives from sub Dean Fenton that required Tucker’s intervention. The game ended with Billericay disappointed to have let slip a lead they had held for almost 80 minutes, but admitting it was a fair result, while Staines remained 3rd, drawing comfort from the other results, which saw only one other point going to a top five club. It did however end a remarkable run of 13 straight wins for the club at all levels, dating to mid-November. Staines: Wells, McDonald, Sargent, Gordon ©, Ifura, Thomas (Butler 61), H Newton, Risbridger, Charles-Smith, S Taylor (Fenton 77), Cook (Arter 61); unused Asombang, Courtnage (gk). Billericay: Tucker, Marron, Semanshia, Dumas, Heffer, Dormer ©, Wood-Garness, Dean, Bricknell, Flack (Burbridge HT), Ferguson; unused Wareham, Henry, Ketchell, Worster (gk). Ref: Tony Goddard (Dagenham); ARs Thomas S Brooks (Dagenham), Stephen Livingstone (Grays); Off att 371.
Tuesday 2nd December 2008 (7:45pm) – Isthmian League Cup, Round Two WINGATE & FINCHLEY (0) 0 STAINES TOWN (1) 3 By Steve Parsons. Staines Town made their first visit to the Harold Abrahams Stadium in almost 16 years, and Steve Cordery named a strong side for this sometimes sidelined competition. It was the same squad who won at Margate, with the exception of Wells (rested) and J Newton (who had a slight knock), with Richard Butler and André Scarlett back from their suspensions. James Courtnage, Harry Arter, and Dean Fenton were elevated from the bench to the starting eleven. Wingate & Finchley – the last Ryman club left in the FA Trophy, and currently 8th in Division 1 North – have one ex-Swan in their squad, but Leon Fisher did not play tonight. In contrast to the warm reception granted by this friendly and historic club, Summers Lane felt decidedly wintry as temperatures dropped to freezing, but the pitch was in excellent condition, and Staines attacked the entrance end in the first half. Wingate made a decent enough start, putting some early pressure on Courtnage’s goal, but after only 12 minutes, young Harry Arter bagged his first goal in Staines colours, when Gareth Risbridger rolled a free kick to him, and he crashed an unstoppable shot past Gavin King from 30 yards. Staines then grabbed the initiative, and Marc Charles-Smith was unlucky not to double the lead, when he just beat King in a challenge, and was able to prod the ball towards goal, only fir a defender to clear it as it rolled slowly towards the line. Arter and Charles-Smith each had another decent effort saved during the first half. With the temperatures dropping further during half time, the hardy souls watching were eager that the gam,e should not go into extra time, or even penalties. That proposition became less likely just 50 seconds into the second period, when Staines netted a second goal. Fenton picked out Scott Taylor on the right flank, and he whipped over a low cross which King found too hot to hold, and there was a predatory Lewis Cook lurking on the edge of the 6 yard box to beat Charles-Smith to the ball and turn it over the line. Seven minutes later, an angled shot from Taylor fizzed just wide, as Staines settled in to play some very neat, controlled football, killing the game by denying Wingate the chance to build any sort of momentum. Then came a flurry of substitutions, mostly tactical although the home side lost Dean Williams to an injury. One of those who came on was Victor Asombang, and just 8 minutes after his arrival, he scored the first senior goal of his second spell with the club. Jon McDonald sent over a great cross from the right, and Asombang rose higher than his stature might suggest, powering a header towards goal, and although King got a hand to it, it had too much power and dropped under the bar to make it 3-0 with 8 minutes left. Wingate & Finchley, whose officials said that they felt Staines were the best side they had faced this term, mounted one more decent attack in the closing minutes, but Tim Lees drilled his shot just too high. Staines will now have to wait until Friday to learn their opponents in the last 32. Staines: Courtnage, McDonald, Sargent, Gordon ©, Ifura, Risbridger (Scarlett 62), Fenton, Arter, Charles-Smith (Butler 62), S Taylor (Asombang 74), Cook; unused H Newton, D Thomas. Win&Fin: King, O Williams, Limbrick (Weatherstone 59), Street, Aisien, Neilsen ©, O’Brien, Inch (Furman 59), D Williams (Chase 80), Nelson, Lees; unused Christian, Horton (gk). Ref: Wes Linden (Northwood, Middlesex); ARs Robert A Trinder (Dunstable, Bedfordshire), Mark Sage (Luton, Bedfordshire); Off att 37
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