 | |
 | |
Thursday 3rd May 2007 (8:15pm) – Isthmian Women’s Cup Final at Dulwich Hamlet FC – att 71 LEYTON Ladies (0) 0 STAINES TOWN Women (1) 3 Rachel Fell 6m & 54m, Jo Ginger 74m Staines Town are the first ever winners of the Isthmian Women’s Cup, following a tense final at Dulwich on Thursday night. Staines manager Kate Cook had expressed reservations about the awkward journey to south London, but it was Leyton who experienced a nightmare trip, forcing kick-off back half an hour. But neither this, nor the fact that The Lillywhites finished in the lower half of the Greater London League Div 2 (North), whilst The Swans had won Division 1, was evident from the play for much of the game. Leyton started well, but Staines should have been settled by a breakaway goal on 6 minutes, Rachel Fell drilling a great shot past Chloë Fullbrook, following an incisive pass by Jo Ginger. Lisa Rackham was Leyton’s most dangerous striker, but her best shot was spectacularly saved by Sarah Clutterbuck on the half hour, and she also hit the post from an inviting position just before the break. The Staines defence had to be on top form, where Lynsey York turned in a great performance on the left side. A foul on Jade Power 7 minutes into the second half gave Rackham the chance to level, but she mis-hit the penalty well wide. Staines capitalised by scoring a second just 2 minutes later, skipper Kate Davies throw picking out Fell, who hit a shot of such venom that it flew in despite Fullbrook getting her hand to it. Leyton’s last lifeline was lost when captain Liz Clapper chipped against the post. Saines turned on the style in the last half hour, with Lucy McNeil, Georgie Giddings, and Tasha Lodder all going close, but it was fitting that the scoring should have been completed by Jo Ginger, who was the first ever scorer in this competition. With 16 minutes left, she won possession, and hit a 35 yard screamer which gave Fullbrook no chance. After Nigel Lugg had blown the final whistle, Nick Robinson and Bruce Badcock handed out the runners’-up and winners’ medals, and finally the cup was collected by Kate Davies. Staines T – 1 Sarah Clutterbuck; 2 Kate Davies ©, 3 Lynsey York, 4 Georgie Giddings, 5 Sharon Heaven, 6 Laura Spooner, 7 Lucy McNeil (16 Tasha Lodder 84), 8 Jenni Friar, 9 Jo Ginger (15 Anne Hutchinson 79), 10 Sam Oliver (14 Karrin French-Wollen 65), 11 Rachel Fell; unused 12 Kate Cook, 17 Hannah Murphy. Leyton – 1 Chloë Fullbrook, 2 Connie Montiel, 3 Megan Griggs (15 Francesca McGowan 55), 4 Chloë Morgan, 5 Georgie Maloney, 6 Anne Maslowicz, 7 Mary-Anne Murray (14 Charlene Mongelard 79), 8 Liz Clapper ©, 9 Jade Power, 10 Lisa Rackham, 11 Keeley Jeffery (12 Sarah Bennett 86); [all 3 subs were used]. Ref – Nigel Lugg (Chipstead); ARs – Ken Murray (Morden), Dave Roper (Shirley); 4th Off – Gareth Mays (Epsom). Wednesday 2nd May 2007 (7:45pm) Capital League, Western Division – att 18 CHESHAM UNITED Reserves (0) 2 – Weekes 56m, Chemlal 62m STAINES TOWN Reserves (1) 2 – J Kiffin 37m, Masham 83m Staines thought that second place was as good as in the bag, but Dulwich had suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against Yeading the previous week, surrendering a 2-0 lead against a side who scored with each of the three attacks they could muster. That left them vulnerable to being overtaken by Yeading, who were only 2 points behind and with a better goal difference, going into a very winnable game at Harrow. Staines, meanwhile, were playing another lowly team, Chesham. After some impressive Youth appearances, Marvin Brown was handed a début, but Staines’ selection was also coloured by the fact that the College side had played an important game that afternoon. As it was, Jordan Kiffin played both full games, and five others were involved in both. There was a rare chance for the young Staines team, as they found Chesham’s outgoing 1st XI manager in the line-up – none other than former England international Luther Blissett! Chesham has the better of the first half hour, with Staines ‘keeper Peter Doolan making a fine save from Higgins, who also hit another good chance just over. At the other end, Harrison won a corner for Staines, which ended in Kiffin firing too close to ‘keeper Rosendale. The deadlock was broken in Staines’ favour after 37 minutes, when Jermaine McGlashan made a darting run into the box, and was tripped by skipper Abraham, with Jordan Kiffin confidently converting the penalty. Kiffin’s 11 goals have rapidly taken him to the top of the scoring charts, with 9 of them coming in his last 7 matches. However, there was a price to pay, as Richard Orlu limped out of the game with a nasty ankle injury, only 12 minutes after replacing Brown, who picked up a knee injury. A clash of heads early in the second half saw both Dean Thomas and Chesham’s Hall go off. There was some controversy surrounding Chesham’s 56th minute equaliser, as Staines had been trying to get Craig Masham back onto the park for some time after an injury. However, as play swung one way and then the other, the referee kept him waiting, and sub Anthony Weekes found space to drop an angled, looping shot over Doolan’s head and in. Staines were then stunned to concede a second just 6 mins later, when Ed Chemlal spanked in a direct free kick from outside the box. The visitors pressed hard to get an equaliser, and they were finally rewarded on 83 minutes, when a powerful shot from outside the box by Bryan Harrison flew past Rosendale, assisted by a deflection from Craig Masham. Staines could not force a winner, and so were left waiting on the result of the Harrow – Yeading game, but good news finally came with Harrow winning 3-1. Staines thus finish as runners-up in their first season back in this league. Staines: Peter Doolan; Elliot Blake, Daniel Gurney, Marvin Brown (Richard Orlu 30; Chris Robinson 42), Justin Fevrier, Dean Thomas © (Quincy Rowe 51), Francis Luke, Bryan Harrison, Jordan Kiffin, Jermaine McGlashan; unused subs Tim Pitt, Trent Phillips (gk). Chesham: Bradley Rosendale, Miles Beaven, Matt Hall (Anthony Weekes 51), Cedric Abraham ©, Jordan Parrett, Ed Chemlal, Jonathon Montgomery, James Gray, Luther Blissett (Darren O’Callaghan HT), Stefan O’Brian, Ashley Higgins; unused sub Ross Parrett. Ref – Roy Pardoe (Windsor); ARs Bill Billingham (Lower Earley, Reading), John Faithfull (Loughton, Essex). Wednesday 2nd May 2007 (2pm) English Colleges’ FA League, National Play-Off Quarter-Finals KINGSTON COLLEGE / STFC (0) 2 SWANSEA COLLEGE (2) 3 Having won their league 5 weeks earlier to qualify for the national play-offs among the 8 regional winners, the Staines Town college (u19) side finally played their quarter final against the Swansea City academy side. The Welsh team raced into a 3-0 lead, but to their credit, the home team hit back with two goals in the last 10 minutes, through Dean Thomas and . However, it was not enough to keep them in the hunt for national honours. Team: Danny Fisher; Tim Pitt (Jermaine McGlashan 78), Paul Deegan, Phil Joseph, Chris Robinson, Gareth Teuten (Lyle Taylor 70), Michael Marren ©, Aston Ventour, Jordan Kiffin, Nick White (Dean Thomas 65); unused subs Marvin Farrell, Luke Elliot. Referee - Terry Kirk; Assistants - Peter Arnette & Jim DeRenne. Wednesday 25th April 2007 (7:45pm) Capital League President’s Cup, Semi-Final MAIDENHEAD UNITED Reserves (0) 1 – 68m STAINES TOWN Reserves (1) 1 – J Kiffin 35m Staines won 5-4 on penalties: Tallentire, Orlu, Pitt, Robinson, J Kiffin The two clubs deserve credit for getting this tie arranged at short notice, and it was Staines who took full advantage to progress to the League Cup Final. Trent Phillips fielded a side consisting of five 18 year olds and five 19 year olds, plus himself (age 36) in goal brought the average age up to 20?. On a very poor pitch that made playing football difficult, Maidenhead started the game better, but their two best efforts (a dipping shot and a header) were comfortably dealt with by Phillips. After 20 mins, Staines started to dictate the game more, and excellent turn and shot from Ventnor was pushed onto the post, and although McGlashan tried to finish on the rebound, the ball bounced away from him. Then, on 35 mins Jordan Kiffin beat the offside trap, and rolled the ball past the advancing keeper and defender Cahill on the line could not prevent the goal. Maidenhead then started to enjoy more of the possession as they fought to get back into the game. The Staines back line defended stoutly and despite some questionable decisions, maintained their discipline. Staines could have been 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, as Ventour broke through and lobbed the goalie; however the rock-hard pitch saved Maidenhead as the ball bobbled away to strike the post and despite valiant attempts from Ventour to poke it home, this time Cahill managed to clear. In the second half, Staines were kicking down the slope. The whole side defended like their lives depended on it, including the two forwards who worked tirelessly. Whilst Maidenhead enjoyed more of the pressure they always looked prone to the swift Staines attacks, with McGlashan, Tallentire, Harrison and Robinson looking to join Ventour and Kiffin at any opportunity. With 20 mins on the clock, Harrison was fouled 25 yards out. Kiffin, who had only returned from Jamaica following a family bereavement some 24 hours earlier, showed no signs of tiring and hit the free-kick against the bar with the keeper beaten. But just 3 mins later, another contentious decision gave Maidenhead the chance to cross the ball into the box were it was headed across goal and stabbed in from 6 yards via the post for the equaliser. The inexperienced Staines side could have been forgiven if they had let their heads drop, but they did not, restricting Maidenhead to long-range efforts of which none found the target. Under the unusual rules of this competition, at the end of 90 mins and the scores level, the game went into dreaded penalties. Player-manager Phillips informed his young squad just how proud he was of them for progressing this far whatever happened. As it turned out, the standard of penalties was excellent. Staines went first and scored with their first three attempt from Tallentire, Orlu and Pitt, each matched by a Magpies strike. However, Phillips dived to his left to stop the 3rd home attempt, (from their star player, Cahill). Both sides netted their 4th kick with Robinson scoring for the Swans, before Kiffin cheekily chipped the keeper to cue great celebrations as he sent Staines into the final. Staines: Trent Phillips; Tim Pitt, Paul Deegan, Justin Fevrier, Richard Orlu, Brian Harrison, Jermaine McGlashan, Chris Robinson ©, Jordan Kiffin, Aston Ventnor, Jack Tallentire; unused subs: Francis Luke, Josh Brooks, Chris Wainwright. Maidenhead: Perry Howard, Dale Thomas, Darren Cahill, Gary Newson, Jake Jenkins, Gavin Carty, Jermaine Gumbs, Joel Haverman, Ricardo Cannon, Jerome Okimo, Romell Gumbs; subs: Tino Swagusa, Sam Machad, Matt Gore, Mark Smith, Landy Sakala. Ref – Carl Henry (Desborough, near Kettering, Northants).
| ||||
 | ||||
| | | | |