Monday 12th May 2008 (7:30pm) – Ryman Youth League (at Egham Town FC)

STAINES TOWN Academy (1) 1 BURGESS HILL TOWN Youth (0) 0

The Hillians put up a very brave fight in this contest which was only about pride for them, but was important for Staines as they attempt to secure a “podium position” in this first season of Youth League football under the Isthmian League’s auspices.  The game was played at Egham Town FC’s Runnymede Stadium as Wheatsheaf Park was closed for maintenance; the surface was well grassed, but hard underneath.  Staines started very brightly, Dwyer coming close to scoring in only the 3rd minute, but all he got for his troubles was an unfortunate clash of heads with the Burgess Hill ‘keeper.  Then Jackson saw a fine strike come back off the post, before the visitors were disrupted by a nasty looking knee injury which saw Hurley stretchered off.  After so much pressure, it was a strange goal which proved decisive, coming in the 3rd minute of time added on for the injury at the end of the first half: McShane sent over a cross, Dwyer could not make contact at the near post, but instead of clearing, Burgess sub Lee Bristow somehow passed the ball into his own goal from inside the 6 yard box, under minimal pressure.  As injury time continued, there was still time for McShane to have a header well saved by Agate, and for Dwyer to strike another good shot against the foot of the post.  The second half continued in similar vein, with Staines on top but never totally comfortable.  A second goal would have made all the difference, but the only time they had the ball in the net was Dwyer’s 69th minute tap in following an Agate error, but it was ruled out for offside.

Staines T – 1 Yoon Tae, 2 Jon Vickers, 3 Marvin Farrell, 4 Luke Elliott ©, 5 Sam Nicholson, 6 Elliott Thompson, 7 Ashley Lodge, 8 James King (16 Hyun-Jin Lee 51), 9 Dominic Dwyer, 10 Ryan Jackson (17 Ryan Ford 58), 11 James McShane; unused 12 Daniel Dunning, 14 Babak Honarfar (outfield & gk), 15 Adam Nelson.

Burgess HT – 1 Aaron Agate, 2 Dale Hurley (15 Lee Bristow 35), 3 Mohumond Allwan, 4 Jason Hollick, 5 Tony McDonald, 6 Scot Packer, 7 James Westlake ©, 8 Dan Pym (12 Luke Brace 72), 9 Sam Blundel, 10 Louis Pople, 17 Alex Attril (16 Tom Pinnock 72).

Ref – Stephen Barry (Feltham); ARs Garry Collins, Matthew Roper. Att 27.

Wednesday 7th May 2008 (2pm) – Friendly – at Staines Lammas FC

KINGSTON COLLEGE / STFC Academy (4) 4 BROMLEY FC ACADEMY (0) 4

Andy North and Mick Snowden oversaw a remarkable friendly at Staines Lammas FC, when their development side raced to a four goal interval lead, but ended up sharing the honours after a fightback by the Conference South club’s Academy team.  The team included two début players – Ben Nicholson is the younger brother of Sam, and has recently been released by Brentford, while Mo Abassi is at the College and we will hopefully be seeing more of him in 2008/9.  Elliot Blake, Nick White, Will Marlowe, and Gareth Teuten were the scorers.

Team: Chris Davies; Mitchell O’Connor-Toner, Ben Nicholson, Elliot Blake ©, Paul Deegan; Gareth Teuten, Will Marlowe, Mo Abassi, Nick White; Florin Ramizi, Daniel Meggie; subs (all used in ‘rolling’ fashion) – Ricardo Kimfumu, Kieran Kiffin, Adeniyi Ademola (gk), who is also known as Ade or Stanley.

STAINES TOWN FC PRESENTATION NIGHT – 2007/8 SEASON

By Steve Parsons.

Staines Town Football Club put the disappointment of its controversial play-off Final defeat to one side, and reflected back on a remarkable season, during the Presentation Night held at the Club on Saturday evening.

Chairman Alan Boon, who presented the 14 awards on offer tonight, welcomed the large contingent of players and guests, and stated that from a football perspective, from the top to the bottom of the structure, this was our best season ever, highlighted of course by the FA Cup run.  He thanked the three people behind the organisation of tonight’s event, Angie Payne, Corinne Boon, and Sally Payne, whereupon Angie introduced Mike Holland (Women’s Team Liaison Officer) to call the first award. 

This went to a player who has missed just one game in her two seasons with us despite having one of the longer journeys, playing in almost any position. 

The Women’s Team Players’ Player of the Year was Jenni Friar.

The Women’s Management Player of the Year, Lucy McNeil, was not present to collect her award.

Chris Wainwright (Reserve Secretary) called the Academy and Youth awards, and was assisted by Trent Phillips.  This season, the Club had really seen the benefits of the Kingston College set-up dovetailing into the Reserves, and it was very pleasing that three of the four award winners in this category had already made their mark in Reserve team football.

Academy Special Contribution Award / Student of the Year – Marvin Farrell

Academy Under 19 Player of the Year – Quincy Rowe

Youth Under 18 Management Player of the Year – James King

Derek Perrin Memorial Award: Academy Players’ Player of the Year – Jon Vickers

Trent Phillips (Reserve Manager) himself them introduced the Reserve team awards, at the end of a season which had seen them contest one of the best games at Wheatsheaf Park in recent years – the Capital League President’s Cup Final (in which we had lost on penalties, to be runners-up for the second year running), whilst at the time looked likely to finish third in the League. 

Reserve Team Manager’s Player of the Year – Richard Orlu

Reserve Team Players’ Player of the Year – Nick White

At this point, Alan Boon presented flowers to some of the ladies who have helped the club in many ways throughout the campaign:

Vanessa Cox, Maureen Hanson, Hilary Denning, and Barbara Moss (boardroom hospitality); Sally Payne (events catering); Kim Sherwood (stewarding); Kerry Wainwright (secretarial assistance); Corinne Boon (acting treasurer); and Margaret Gould (kit manager).

The First Team was congratulated on its exploits this season, which included individual monthly league awards to Mark Nwokeji and Shaun Allaway for success in goal scoring and keeping them out respectively.  But the main achievement was to finish in second place in the Ryman League Premier Division, breaking the record set by George Talbot’s side, who were 4th in 1980/1.  Runners-up medals went to

Marc Charles-Smith, Danny Gordon, Matt Flitter, Mark Nwokeji, Howard Newton, Dave Sargent, Lewis Cook, Gareth Risbridger, Adrian Toppin, Marcel Nugent, James Courtnage, André Scarlett, Leigh Mason, Adam Thompson, Shaun Allaway, Dean Thomas, Richard Butler, Jake Newton, Jon McDonald, Elliot Onochie, and Marien Ifura, plus one who had moved on during the season - Dwain Clarke; also Steve Parsons (Secretary), Craig Maskell (Assistant Manager), Trent Phillips (Goalkeeper Coach), and last but not least, Steve Cordery (Manager).

The next award was a new one, presented by Safety Officer Bob Sherwood on behalf of his small but very hard working band of match day helpers, to someone who has contributed greatly towards the Club in a wide range of ways throughout the year.  The inaugural

Stewards’ Award went to Trent Phillips.

Finally, the microphone returned to Alan Boon for the presentation of the last batch of awards, which related to the First Team.  He began by thanking some more of the Club’s behind-the-scenes staff, such as Bob Sherwood and Chris Wainwright. The Club garnered exceptional publicity from the FA Cup run, and part of that was due to a band of supporters who decided to dress up as Ali G.  The originator of this crazy but very effective idea, and someone who has helped the Club in many ways over the past couple of seasons, received the

Supporter of the Year award – John Blair.

In this day and age, a good website is essential to any club, and Staines Town is fortunate in having an exceptional one.  It was the webmaster who received the next, very prestigious, award:

Jack Hanson Clubman of the Year – Laurence Wakefield.

A season like 2007/8 could not go without the next award – a “one-off” to the masterminds behind the on-field success:

Chairman’s Special Achievement Award – Steve Cordery and Craig Maskell

The next two awards were perhaps the most eagerly anticipated, as they recognised the quality in the First Team.  In this year of all years, it had been very reasonably suggested that every player should receive a player of the year award, but there had to be a winner, and it was a worthy one at that, with the same player scooping both the top prizes to repeat his ‘double’ of 2006/7:

Dick Watmore Supporters’ Player of the Year – Mark Nwokeji

Albert Estall Players’ Player of the Year – Mark Nwokeji

That left just one official trophy to be presented, and it is one that the Club regards very highly, being named in honour of its former player, manager, and chairman, and awarded to someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the life of the Club – in this instance, combining great organisational skills with a flair for marketing and fund-raising:

Cliff Lane Memorial Trophy – Angie Payne.

Manager Steve Cordery was then called upon to say a few words, and he was eager to express his admiration for everyone at the Club, which has really come together as a structured system this season.  Although he regretted that there were no trophies won, no-one could doubt the progress that the Club had made in the football world.  There were too many people to thank one by one, but he mentioned Alan & Matthew Boon for their financial input, Chris Wainwright for his invaluable scouting reports, his staff including Trent Phillips, Craig Maskell, and physio’ Gareth Workman; Stuart Moore and Steve Parsons with the programmes, and most importantly – the players.  There had been highs and lows, and the inevitable differences of opinion, but in every case these had been resolved satisfactorily, helping the team to grow stronger as a unit each week.

Finally, before turning to the buffet, and the eventual repair to a local nightclub, Kim Sherwood made a light hearted award to the team’s style-setting goalkeeper James Courtnage – some crazy headgear and flip-flops to be worn in Mijas later this month!

Dulwich Hamlet, as expected, won their final Capital League fixture of the season, but then fell foul of a League rule and had a point deducted, which allowed Staines Town Reserves to finish as runners-up (on goal difference) for the second season in a row.

Saturday 3rd May 2008 (3pm) – Ryman League Premier Division Play-Off Final

STAINES TOWN (1) 1  AFC WIMBLEDON (0) 2

By Steve Parsons.

Staines Town’s 70th game of this most remarkable season ended in defeat and bitter disappointment at its manner, in a pulsating and hugely entertaining game with AFC Wimbledon.  The Wombles, who had finished 3 points behind The Swans in 3rd place, thus secure a place in the Blue Square Conference South for 2008/9, leaving Staines to reflect on a season without any silverware, but filled with success nonetheless.  The tickets had all been snapped up in advance, filling sunny Wheatsheaf Park to its 2460 capacity, and it was no surprise that the massed ranks of the visitors’ blue and yellow who outnumbered and outshouted a sizeable band of old-gold-and-blue clad home fans.  Steve Cordery made just one change, Jake Newton having recovered from his illness came in at right back for Marcel Nugent, whose hamstring went again on Tuesday, whilst Marc Charles-Smith failed a late fitness test so his place in the 16 went to Jon McDonald.  The pitch was good and flat, although showing the marks of a long season and a wet week, Graham Gold and his staff had needed to apply sand to areas in both goalmouths and the centre circle.  On a sunny afternoon, there was a moderate breeze, which favoured Staines in the first half as they attacked the Penton Hook Road (houses) end, which (just like v Peterborough) was populated only by banners as the security services had closed it to spectators.  Plenty of media of all forms were in evidence, including Hospital Radio Wey (whose coverage was heard as far away as Australia, and was beamed live to the clubhouse at Kingsmeadow, where a couple of hundred fans who could not get tickets had gathered), and a crew from Nuts TV who are filming a series about AFC.  Staines fielded two ex AFC Wimbledon players, Dave Sargent and Richard Butler, but the visitors’ ex-Swan, Robin Shroot, was out injured.

The pace of the game was electric from the very start, with James Courtnage in the home goal called into action as early as the 3rd minute to deny Anthony Finn who had pounced on a Staines error.  Soon afterwards, play was waved on when Adrian Toppin and Jake Leberl suffered a painful, accidental clash of heads: Howard and Jake Newton combined to win a corner, which Sargent took.  Now recovered, Toppin met the ball, only to be penalised, and then the visitors countered quickly, winning a string of three quick corners.  Staines seemed to have cleared, but Robert Quinn showed great tenacity in winning the ball back and feeding Luis Cumbers, whose shot on the turn was superbly saved by James Courtnage, diving and sending the ball over the bar with a strong hand.  Four minutes later, Gareth Risbridger played a neat ball through to Butler, who held off a challenge , and forcing ‘keeper James Pullen into a brave save at his feet, with the rebound just spinning away from the arriving Mark Nwokeji.  As play immediately switched to the other end, a clearance from the Staines goalkeeper was intercepted, presenting Cumbers with another great chance, but Courtnage made a tremendous one-on-one save.  A minute later, and it was Pullen who pulled off a very similar save, this time denying Nwokeji after a cutting ball from André Scarlett.  Within seconds, the prolific Jon Main found himself well placed in attack for AFC, but was challenged by Matt Flitter five yards outside the box.  Staines protested that it had been a fair challenge, the visitors wanted the Swans skipper sent-off, but the referee steered a compromise by awarding a free kick and invoking the covering presence of Danny Gordon to show only a yellow.  After the furore had died down, Marcus Gayle struck the free-kick tamely over the bar.  So it could have been 2-2, and still only 20 minutes had been played!  Not surprisingly, the pace then steadied down somewhat, although both sets of forwards looked very lively, and Staines endeavoured to play the ball through to theirs, whilst Wimbledon employed a more direct approach.  This almost paid dividends on 31 minutes, when Staines were exposed with just one defender covering three attackers: Steve Ferguson’s ball to Finn was not perfect, but Staines were still glad of a great block by J Newton.  The deadlock was broken on 36 minutes, and followed a foul by Jason Goodliffe on Nwokeji near the left touch-line.  The ball was pumped in by Sargent, and cleared by a defender for a corner, which Scarlett sent over from the right, deceiving the first defender, and allowing a loosely marked Matt Flitter to net with a stooping header.  Staines then enjoyed a rampant last 10 minutes of the half, in which they tried hard to secure what could have been a killer second goal. H Newton’s pass to Nwokeji was fired goalwards at pace on the turn, but a defender managed to boot it out for a corner; the visiting ‘keeper was lucky to escape without censure for a violent off-the-ball shove in the chest on Butler; a two-pronged attack by H Newton and Butler was expertly kept at bay by great defending from Gayle; and during the added minute, Scarlett was a hair’s breadth away from rounding the keeper.  Some light relief had been provided by a long clearance by Gordon, which somehow dislodged the flag of assistant referee Breakspear! 

After Wimbledon had brought on De Bolla at the  interval, the second half started in almost as lively fashion as the first, with both Nwokeji and Main shooting just off target in the opening minute.  Then Nwokeji again found himself in space, but his chip over Pullen faded just wide.  At the other end, sub Nic McDonnell wriggled free in the box, but Gordon’s covering was again first class, and he forced him wide.  Leberl had his name taken on the hour for a flying challenge on H Newton on the hour, but the visitors were now enjoying their best spell of the game so far: Main’s clever touch in a long Luke Garrard free kick went just past the post, and Courtnage’s handling was spot-on when Main again made space for a shot from the left.  Unfortunately, Nwokeji was still not 100% fit following his recent hamstring problem, and – having run himself into the ground – was replaced by Elliot Onochie, whicle Wimbledon also made a change.  Dons also made a change, and the crowd waited to see if the visitors would feel able to push up more now that Staines most famous striker was off the field – and if by so doing they would underestimate the considerable striking prowess of his replacement.  For a while, it seemed that Staines might come through that difficult period the stronger: Scarlett swivelled on the edge of the box but saw is shot go just wide, but then Mark De Bolla was fouled by Scarlett, and himself tested Courtnage with the free-kick.  The Staines ‘keeper was cautioned for fussing over a goal kick with 19 minutes remaining, but was then relieved that the referee overruled – or failed to spot –  his assistant flagging for a foul in the box, for Gordon’s challenge on Main, who perhaps went down too easily.  At the other end, Onochie seemed to have made himself a good opening for a charge on goal, and there was disappointment that no action was taken against Garrard for his messy holding of the Staines player.  After another substitution by each manager, Staines had their last real chance of extending their lead when H Newton’s great run ended with a cross which fell between two forwards.  The game turned against the home side in controversial circumstances on 82 minutes, when the ball was played in fro the left by-line, and as Courtnage went up to claim it, Main made a back for him, causing him to fall awkwardly and spill the ball.  Mr McLaughlin however failed to spot this, and Main tapped the ball across goal for Luis Cumber to bundle it over the line for an equaliser.  Courtnage, usually the most laid-back of all players, was incensed, and was fortunate that other players intervened before he got to the referee.  Risbridger was booked for a foul, but worse was to come for Staines, when the same player was rather harshly penalised again for a challenge a few yards outside the box.  The free-kick came to nothing, but a retake was ordered as the ref had not blown his whistle, and Mark De Bolla this time spanked his shot through the wall and into the bottom corner.  There was a mini pitch invasion, whilst De Bolla went in the other direction and was booked for going into the crowd.  In desperation, Staines threw on Cook for Risbridger, and during the 3 added minutes, even sent Courtnage up front, where he had the first shot of his Staines career after a long Dean Thomas throw.  However, there was not enough time for Staines to rescue the promotion that they had so recently almost had within their grasp.  Hundreds of visiting fans surrendered the moral high ground they had assumed after the ticket allocations had been finalised, by invading the pitch and stealing corner flags, disregarding games still to be played.  Most of them were simply exuberant at their side’s success, and when things had calmed down, League Secretary Nick Robinson was able to present medals to the victorious AFC Wimbledon players.  Delighted Dons Manager, Terry Brown, was gracious enough to admit his side had been a little fortunate, but it was scant consolation to Steve Cordery and his heroic Staines team.

Staines Town: Courtnage, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon, Flitter ©, Risbridger (Cook 87), Scarlett (Thomas 78), Toppin, Butler, Nwokeji (Onochie 66), H Newton; unused McDonald, Ifura.

AFC Wimbledon: Pullen, Garrard, Haswell, Leberl, Goodliffe ©, Gayle, Ferguson (De Bolla 66), Quinn (Hatton 78), Cumbers, Main, Finn (McDonnell HT); unused  (gk).

Ref: Matt McLaughlin (Luton); ARs C Breakspear (Walton), I Kitchen (Chertsey); 4th Off D Rock (Hatfield); off att 2460.

Sun 4 May  2008 (10:45) - friendly at Ashford Tn (Mx)

STAINES TOWN Vets 6 SOUTHSIDE 0

Jim Williams bagged two goals, with Ryan Harris, John-Paul Coleman, Simon Crabbe, and Alan Gregory completing the scoring in the Vets' final fixture of the season.

Team: Ryan Harris; Alan Gane, Kevin Fidler, Des Alderson, Steve Lewis, Joe O'Shea, Mark Lord, John-Paul Coleman, Alan Gregory, Jim Williams, Peter Oram; subs Simon Crabbe, Kelly Phillips.