 | |
 | |
Tuesday 28th November 2006 (7:45pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division MARGATE (1) 2 STAINES TOWN (0) 4 By Steve Parsons. A superb second half performance saw Staines come from behind to claim all three points on the occasion of their longest midweek journey of the season, at league leaders Margate. Steve Cordery was able to name an unchanged starting XI, while the home side included two of the division’s top dozen marksmen, including Danny Hockton, whose 15 is the highest goal tally throughout the Ryman League, and who received Margate’s Player of the Month award before kick off. The Hartsdown Park ground was passed fit after a couple for wet days, by the same referee – Ian Gosling – who officiated at The Swans controversial 5-2 win here last season. On a cool but clear night, Staines attacked the clubhouse end in the first half, watched by an excellent crowd of 588. The match was preceded by a perfectly observed minute’s silence for Nick Lord, a Margate FC steward, 46, who was tragically killed in a road accident on Monday. The game began very cautiously, with both sides defending efficiently. Despite the large playing surface, Margate proved adept at crowding the Swans forwards out, whilst the visitors frustrated Gate with a tight offside drill. Mark Nwokeji was twice closed down when in sight of goal, whilst for the home side James Pinnock drove a free kick just over, and Hockton managed to intercept a through ball just ahead of Shaun Allaway, but was forced to shoot wide. However, as the half wore on, it was Margate who started to show their table-topping class, and Pinnock was unlucky with a backwards header, and then with a deflected shot from Jay Saunders’ through ball. Staines’ frustration led to cautions for André Scarlett (for persistent infringement, after kicking the ball away), Howard Newton (who reacted once to often to Justin Skinner’s niggling), and Chaaban, who appeared to show dissent. Hockton had indicated that he wanted to come off with the recurrence of a groin injury, but his manager pushed him forward for one last time to attack the 33rd minute corner, won when Allaway superbly touched over his header. Jimmy Jackson arrowed the corner kick in close, and Danny Hockton drilled in the header, and was then immediately withdrawn. Staines’ best chance of fashioning an equaliser might have come from a free kick on the edge of the box, but they wasted a rare opportunity of some space by taking it hastily, and gained only a corner for Dave Sargent, which was forced just wide. But the half time margin might have been greater, Lee Protheroe curling a free kick just past the post, and then Pinnock seeming certain to convert Jackson’s whipped cross in the last minute, only for Allaway to pull off a superb save. Sauners followed up, but his effort was diverted for a corner, from which sub Paull Abbott drew another good save from the Staines ’keeper The handful of Staines supporters who made the 224 mile round trip were then treated to a scintillating second half by their favourites. There appeared to be no tactical changes, just a new resolve to do the right things – the only caution of the half went to ’Gate’s Protheroe for a foul. Scarlett saw two early shots go just wide, before Adam Thompson opened his account for the club by heading home a 50th minute Sargent corner. Five minutes later, Sargent was the provider again, this time from a free kick which appeared to be hampered by being taken from in a puddle. However, the low ball slithered through to Ali Chaaban on the penalty spot, and he turned sharply to drill the ball beyond ’keeper Charlie Mitten. Two minutes later and the game could have been sewn up, as Nwokeji took the ball round Mitten, but somehow defender Louis Smith got back to clear his shot off the line. However, the visitors did get their third goal, on 74 minutes, when a long diagonal pass had the home defence pleading for an offside flag. However, the pass cut out the most advanced player, centre man Nwokeji, and found Howard Newton who was ruled onside down the right. His first shot was well saved by Mitten, but he was unable to do anything about his follow-up. But Margate came storming back, reducing the arrears just 3 minutes later when a long ball from the left had Allaway in two minds, but Jay Saunders showed no hesitation in planting his header into the bottom corner, whilst Staines were left to protest in vain that Abbott had impeded sub Dean Thomas earlier in the move. Margate were now rampant, and Jackson’s fine shot needed a tremendous save from Allaway to keep Staines’ noses in front. However, the pressure was relieved on 81 minutes, when Mark Nwokeji hit a stunning shot which dipped just under Mitten’s bar, to give Staines an unassailable 4-2 lead. They climbed to 11th, while Margate slipped from the top, their run of 5 straight wins ended by their first home reverse of the season. There were even late chances for Scarlett and Chaaban to make it a repeat of last season’s scoreline – but that would have been rather greedy. Staines: Allaway, P Smith, Sargent, Thompson, Flitter ©, Scarlett, K Warner, Gordon (Thomas 75), H Newton (Lampton 82), Nwokeji, Chaaban; unused: Maskell, J Newton, J Kiffin. Margate: Mitten, L Smith, Skinner, Protheroe, Trott, Sappleton, McKimm ©, Saunders, Pinnock, Hockton (Abbott 33), Jackson; unused: Donovan, Standen, Oates, Chalmers-Stevens. Ref – Ian Gosling; ARs Nolan Wilde & Alan Marshall (all Kent). Att 588. * Margate’s website provided an excellent live commentary, which was much appreciated by some Swans fans who couldn’t make the trip. Wednesday 22nd November 2006 (7:45pm) – att 43 Middlesex County FA Youth U18 (Jeff Ritson) Cup, Round One [MCFA match no 2] UXBRIDGE Youths ....................................................... (0) 0 STAINES TOWN Youths / KC Academy ...................... (0) 3 This game was put back a week, owing to a Middlesex rep game at Honeycroft last Wednesday. Having reached the Final twice in the past 3 years, Staines came through this tie against Allied Counties Leaguers Uxbridge on a cold night. The first half was scoreless, but Taylor was most unlucky to have a stinging shot touched for a corner. Staines ratcheted up the pace after the break, and took the lead through James McShane after a Harry Draper shot came back off the post on 53 mins. One minute later, a powerful drive from McShane also hit the post, then Taylor was denied by a brave save from ’keeper Timothy. A fine move ended with Dwyer going close, before Lyle Taylor doubled the lead when he got on the end of another flowing move. The third was put through his own goal by Tom Clayton, following a low shot from Draper on 67 mins. A foul by Marren brought him a yellow card (to add to his one in the afternoon), and this was matched by one for Uxbridge’s Ismajli for a foul on the hard working Gurney. Chris Davies had made a rare appearance when coming on in goal, and he was a virtual bystander until the 5th minute of stoppage time, when he was harshly penalised for a close range save. However, he redeemed the situation by saving Berat Ismajli’s penalty kick. Staines now entertain Wembley in the Quarter-Finals. Staines: Tommy Draper (Chris Davies 79), Josh Brooks, Daniel Gurney, Quincy Rowe, Marvin Brown, Harry Draper ©, Nick White, Tom Windsor, Lyle Taylor (Michael Marren 72), Dominic Dwyer (Daniel Meggie 62), James McShane; unused Bryan Harrison, Elliot Blake (a late change for Gareth Teuten, who was injured in the warm-up). Uxbridge: Dwayne Timothy, Gavin Caves ©, Luke Tidbury (Shane McCormick HT), Ashley Cook, Tom Clayton, Martin Bird, Andre Grant (Dominic Franklin HT), Harry Newman, Berat Ismajli, Jason Consiglio, Jake Girt; unused Jamie Milne, David Everley. Ref: Isaac Jempeji (Alperton); ARs Ian D Skull (Feltham), Stephen Burgess (Eastcote). Tuesday 21st November 2006 (7:45pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division STAINES TOWN (0) 2 WORTHING (1) 2 By Steve Parsons. A chilly night on the excellent Wheatsheaf Lane surface marked the return of two of the longer term injuries to the Staines side, with Matt Flitter coming back from a 7 week lay-off, and Danny Gordon starting for the first time in almost 7 months. Also back in the starting side were Adam Thompson and Howard Newton, with Jake Newton, Dean Thomas, and Neil Lampton moved to sub, and Ben Martin returning to St Albans. Worthing fielded ex Swan Liam Collins, who was on loan from Yeading. A big disappointment for this normally well-supported fixture was the poor crowd (146), no doubt a victim of the European games on tv. Staines attacked the houses end in the first half. Staines started well, with Howard Newton looking very lively, and forcing Rikki Banks into one good save, while another shot fizzed just wide. James Fraser looked dangerous for Worthing, and he forced Shaun Allaway into a flying save, but also had his name taken for a high challenge on the Staines ’keeper. In a good spell for the visitors, Jamie Lawrence’s long free kick slithered over for a corner, and then, on 41 minutes, an incisive ball from Collins picked out Ben Andrews, whose great strike gave Worthing the lead. Staines were unlucky not to draw level, as they hit the woodwork on two separate occasions within the next 2 minutes: first Kevin Warner’s shot on the turn was deflected onto the upright, and then Ali Chaaban’s nimble footwork was followed by a crashing 20 yarder against the crossbar. Worthing maintained their lead until the hour mark, when Mark Nwokeji’s pass picked out Kevin Warner, and he ghosted past his marker before sending a super strike beyond Banks. Newton fed Chaaban 2 minutes later, and his shot from the edge of the box drew a one-handed save, with André Scarlett firing a fraction over following the corner. But with 68 minutes played, Worthing took advantage of Staines’ temporary reduction to 9 men, as Gordon had gone down with cramp, and Chaaban was changing into a blood shirt following receiving a blow which left him with a bleeding nose. Once again, it was Collins the provider, this time with a snappy low centre from the left, and Andrews stabbed in his second of the night from 8 yards out. In an end to end finale, there were chances a-plenty, with Scarlett going close from a Newton pass, and Scarlett seeing a free kick fingertipped round by Banks. However, the equaliser came on 84 minutes, when an Allaway kick missed out the midfield, and Ali Chaaban ran onto it, before accurately and delightfully lobbing Banks with the ball guided just under the bar. Flitter (persistent) and Warner (somewhat harshly, for a foul on Brotherton) were cautioned for the home side, and there were 8? minutes of stoppage time added for a succession of minor but time consuming injuries, but the final result was about fair. As a result, Staines slipped a place to 12th. Staines: Allaway, Smith, Sargent, Thompson, Flitter ©, Scarlett (Lampton 86), K Warner, Gordon (Thomas 75), H Newton, Nwokeji, Chaaban; unused: Maskell, J Newton, Courtnage (gk). Worthing: Banks, Keehan, Knee, Lawrence ©, Andrews, Lutwyche, Brotherton, Day Rogers 75), Fraser, Collins, Alexander; unused Winch, Axten, Akehurst. Ref – M McLaughlin; ARs I Jempeji (Alperton), Ian Skull (Feltham) Saturday 18th November 2006 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division EAST THURROCK UNITED (3) 4 STAINES TOWN (1) 1 By Steve Parsons. The wheels came off Staines’ recovery as they lost on their fourth successive visit to Essex – but that was not entirely surprising given the terrain over which they were being asked to perform. The Rocks’ Rookery Hill pitch was very doubtful for play the previous night, after two days’ rain, but a sunnier day allowed the staff to get to work and make it playable – but far from perfect. The home side, to their credit, adapted very well to the conditions, and pounded Staines with their new-look team, which included three players just signed from Folkestone, who thus played against the Swans on successive weekends. Two of them were former Staines men – Ellis Remy and Samuel Kola Okikiolu, while the third, Walid Matata – who came on a sub – coincidentally also made his Folkestone début against Staines. Steve Cordery made five changes to the side which beat Wealdstone, starting in goal where Shaun Allaway made a much quicker than expected recovery. At the centre of defence, 6’7” signing Ben Martin, from St Albans, made his début, and back came Peter Smith, André Scarlett, and Ali Chaaban. Of the displaced players, James Courtnage, Adam Thompson, and Howard Newton were on the bench, Kiffin travelled but failed a fitness test on a groin injury picked up in the Reserves on Wednesday, and Haverson was not involved. On an initially bright (but rather cold) afternoon, Staines attacked the entrance / clubhouse end in the first half, up the slight slope. Home ’keeper Jamie Lunan could not have relished the low sun shining right into his eyes, and he could have been beaten three times in the opening 5 minutes. Mark Nwokeji had a shot deflected for a corner, and but for Okikiolu’s intervention, might have turned the ball in from Dave Sargent’s flag-kick. Then Lunan forced Scarlett wide when he got through one-on-one, and then Nwokeji intercepted a back pass but his lob bounced agonisingly inches wide. At the other end, both Remy and Harris, tested Allaway, and it was Danny Harris who opened the scoring for them on 21 minutes, when he guided the ball home after Allaway was only able to take the sting off a right sided shot. After Smith was cautioned for a mistimed tackle, Nwokeji and Dean Thomas combined for Scarlett to shoot into the side netting, but United quickly made it 2-0 (27 minutes) when Okikiolu fed Lee Burns, and his long pass was chased down by Ellis Remy, who held his nerve to score in the bottom corner. Allaway then did well to hold a deflected shot from Steve Harrison, but Staines settled down, and looked to have given themselves a lifeline when Ali Chaaban pulled one back on 35 minutes. Martin made a huge clearance from the back, Chaaban controlled it well with his first touch, and took it past the ’keeper, before forcing it over the line with the aid of a defender, whilst the home side had confident shouts for a handball and an offside waved down. Nwokeji and Thomas provided tantalising crosses which were not converted, whilst Allaway was relieved that Remy shot straight at him. However, it was 3-1 six minutes before the break, Staines failing to make their tackles and allowing James Bunn to pick out Max Cornhill, who shimmied hi was towards goal and scored his first senior goal from an acute angle. It seemed that the goal rush would continue after the break, but despite some decent approach work from the visitors, Scarlett, Nwokeji, Chaaban and sub Howard Newton all put half chances wide of the mark, while the two best chances of the half, provided at either end by Williams and Warner, were fired over the bars by Remy and Neil Lampton. Scarlett picked up a yellow card for another mis timed challenge, and will sideline him for the visit to Boreham Wood, being his fifth of the season. The game was generally played in a good spirit, but there was an outbreak of ‘handbags’ which brought cautions for Howard Newton and United’s Harris. Chaaban forced Lunan to save well with his legs, before the home side netted a fourth with 6 minutes to go: Chris Lewis found Walid Matata, and he marked his début with a goal which ended his side’s five game losing streak, and condemned Staines to their heaviest defeat since 2nd January. The only consolation was that they managed to hold onto the 11th place in the table. The home side nominated Okikiolu as the Non League Paper Man of the Match. Staines: Allaway, J Newton, Sargent, Smith, Mar6tin, Scarlett ©, K Warner (Gordon 70), Thomas (H Newton 57), Lampton, Nwokeji, Chaaban; unused: Thompson, Maskell, Courtnage (gk). E Thurrock: J Lunan, Burns ©, Holding, Faulkner, Okikiolu (Turnbull 74), Cornhill (Lewis 80), L Williams, Harrison, Remy, Bunn (Matata 63), Harris; unused Hayzelden, Riley (gk). Ref – N Lugg (Chipstead); ARs Wilde & Rowden (both Rochester); att 117. Sunday 19th November - Middx Senior Women's Cup Quarter-Final STAINES TOWN WOMEN 1 ENFIELD TOWN LFC 2 There will be no Middlesex silverware for the Staines Town Women this term, as they were beaten at the Quarter-Final stage by a team two rungs ligher than them in the Women's pyramid. They took a pounding in the first half, with Kellie Marlborough and Holly Wilson putting the visitors two up. However, Staines showed great determination to get back into the game in the second period, Eddy Koff pulling one goal back, and the same player almost forced extra time when hitting the bar in the last mminute . New signing Anne Hutchinson made her debut. ACADEMY POSTPONED Sat 18 Nov - Westview Youth Cup Round 1 Staines Town v Ashford Town (Middx) - postponed - waterlogged pitch. Wednesday 15th November 2006 (7:30pm) Capital League (Western Division) – att 36 NORTHWOOD Reserves ............................................. (2) 4 STAINES TOWN Reserves .......................................... (0) 1 Staines Reserves pulled up one game short of making it two years unbeaten, when they ran into a big strong Northwood side, on a night when they perhaps fielded just a few too many tired legs. Three of the side had played in the previous night’s 1st XI game, and three others had been involved in the British Colleges 5-a-sides the same day. There were debuts for Odi Oboh (defender from Hampton), Danny Jeffreys (midfielder from Hayes), and Ibrahim Kwegyir (right sided player ex MK Dons, Berkhamsted, Stevenage), plus Mathieu Isamene from the Academy. Elliott Buchanan opened the scoring when he powered through after only 4 minutes, and although Staines tried hard to level, the home defence worked very efficiently to keep them out. Staines were exposed again on 19 minutes, when a corner was forced in by Jerome Hall. There was a golden chance to pull one back when Jordan Kiffin’s effort was handled 2 minutes later, but he struck the penalty against the foot of the post. McGlashan hit the bar from a tight angle, and Kiffin saw a one-on-one saved by Fishende. But ’Wood finished the half on top, and had a chance cleared off the line. Staines made a change at half time, withdrawing Paul Deegan who was feeling unwell, but conceded a third goal on 46 minutes to a penalty by James Shipperley (Neil’s brother), following a trip. Five minutes later, Jermaine McGlashan was rewarded for closing down a hesitant defender when he headed home for Staines. Ten minutes from time, with all three subs already used, Justin Fevrier limped off with a hamstring problem, and Shipperley capitalised when he powerfully headed home Northwood’s fourth from a corner. Staines: James Courtnage ©, Chris Robinson, Paul Deegan (Adam Gerding HT), Adrian Browne, Justin Fevrier, Danny Gordon, Odi Oboh (Ibrahim Kwegyir 75), Danny Jeffreys, Jordan Kiffin, Craig Masham (Mathieu Isamene 51), Jermaine McGlashan; unused Nick White, Trent Phillips. Northwood: Bill Fishenden, Nick Pearce, Aaron Coldman, Terry Hogan, James Shipperley ©, Jack Lisi, Jerome Hall, Martin Skipp (Jack Bennett 67), Lee Holland (Liam O’Keefe 70), Scott Purdew, Elliott Buchanan (Jake O’Meara 82). Ref: Roy Pardoe (Windsor); ARs Robert Hanison (Woodside Park, London N12), Tony Hemmings (Cheshunt). Tuesday 14th November 2006 (7:45pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup, Round One STAINES TOWN (10) 2 WEALDSTONE (0) 0 By Steve Parsons. The first round of the county cup gave Staines the opportunity to renew rivalries with their old friends from Wealdstone, who were moved sideways into the Southern League in the summer. Steve Cordery made a number of changes, with James Courtnage coming in for the injured ’keeper Allaway (back and hamstring), Adam Thompson and Howard Newton returning from a foot injury and illness respectively, and senior debuts handed to Jack Haverson and Jordan Kiffin, while Darius Charles was unexpectedly recalled by Brentford, and Peter Smith, Ali Chaaban, and André Scarlett were given rests on the bench. Kevin Warner captained the side for the first time, in the absence of Flitter and Scarlett. Stones boss Gordon Bartlett named two former Swans, Lee Carroll and Fergus Moore, and two players who are still registered at Wheatsheaf Lane – Stuart Goodall and unused sub Josias Carbon. Another in this category, Michael Currie, was not involved. The match coincided with a major function at the Thames Club, leading to some unfortunate parking difficulties. The evening was chilly, the pitch in fine shape, and Staines attacked the Silver’s Farm end in the first half. Wealdstone started very positively, with Courtnage having to turn a Chris O’Leary effort over the bar, and then saw Moore plant a header against the crossbar, a;; in the opening 10 minutes. But Staines then responded very positively, with the visitors’ goal leading something of a charmed life under a shower of shots from the likes of Howard Newton, Kiffin, and Mark Nwokeji. The best chance in this spell, though, fell to Wealdstone’s Dean Papali, who capitalised on a fortunate bounce, and forced Courtnage into a save with his feet. This was outshone 4 minutes before the interval, when the small crowd united in admiration for a glittering run by H Newton, beating three opponents before unloading a stunning strike against Carroll’s crossbar. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Courtnage doing well to narrow the angle and then complete the save from Graeme Montgomery, before Staines gradually got on top. The home side’s pressure became more insistent once Chaaban and Scarlett were brought on, and the deadlock was finally broken 8 minutes from time. Warner made a fine run into the box, and then found Scarlett, who drilled his shot under the diving Carroll. The game was generally played in a good spirit, but 5 minutes from time two players were fortunate only to see yellow cards instead of red, when Courtnage was punched by Papali, and reacted by throwing the ball at him, albeit from a prone position and missing. Better news for Staines came a minute later, when Danny Gordon made his long awaited return from a knee injury that has sidelined him since April. In the 88th minute, a fine effort by Nwokeji required two attempts by Carroll to save. And if Wealdstone had any lingering hopes of forcing extra time, these were scuppered in the very last minute, when Chaaban played a good ball forward, Newton seemed to be impeded, but the referee waved play on and Nwokeji shot into the corner. Staines will now visit Edgware Town in the last 16. Staines: Courtnage, J Newton, Sargent, Thompson, Haverson, H Newton, K Warner ©, Thomas (Gordon 86), Lampton (Scarlett 65), Nwokeji, Kiffin (Chaaban 65); unused: Maskell, Smith. Wealdstone: Carroll, Goodall, Moore, Swift, S Bamford, G Bamford, Christian (Sharples 70), O'Leary, Gooderick, Papali, Montgomery; unused Carbon, Chappell. Ref – M Thompson (Northolt); ARs Conway & Hart; att 159 Thursday 9th November 2006 (7:30pm) – att 107 [est: 126] FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.On, First Round Proper [match 25] STAINES TOWN Youths / KC Academy ...................... (0) 1 WOKING Youths ........................................................... (1) 2 Having reached the First Round Proper for the first time in 7 years, and with the carrot of a home tie with Exeter City in the last 84, Staines were unlucky to go our to Woking, in fornt of at least 5 Premiership scouts. Last term, Woking snatched the league title from Staines on penalties in the play-off final, and this time it was also spot kicks that proved Swans’ undoing, albeit in normal time, after Staines had more than matched the Cards in open play. The home side suffered a pre-match setback, with the news that captain Elliot Blake had not recovered from his foot injury. Things got worse just a minute into the game, when Billy Hussey converted a penalty for the visitors, after a foul by Josh Brooks which most observers felt was outside the box. Staines then settled down well, but the closest they came to a first half goal was a Tom Windsor overhead kick which flashed across the face. However, the second half was only 36 seconds old when Nick White powerfully headed into the top corner to make it 1-1. Tommy Draper then had to make a brave save when Williams got clean through on goal, both players needing treatment after colliding. The Staines goalkeeper was soon in action again, as Woking enjoyed a good spell, but they also displayed a physical side, which saw Stanislaus and Powell booked, and Hussey fortunate not to be for a wayward tackle and some petulance to a linesman. Ironically, then, it was Hussey who converted the second penalty following a clumsy challenge in the box on 71 minutes. Staines pressed hard in the closing 15 minutes, had Brooks and Dwyer booked, and in fact had good penalty of their own turned down in the 89th, but in the end Woking were just a little too experienced to let go of their chance to progress. Staines: Tommy Draper, Josh Brooks, Daniel Gurney (Gareth Teuten 78), Quincy Rowe ©, Marvin Brown, Bryan Harrison (Daniel Meggie 76), Nick White (Lyle Taylor 87), Tom Windsor, James McShane, Dominic Dwyer, Harry Draper; unused Phil Joseph, Chris Davies (gk). Woking: Ben Zatwardnicki, Carlos Talbot, Laith Aldoori, Billy Hussey, Kevin MacLaren, Joe McNerny, Ricardo Williams (Luke Taylor 72), Mark Brown (Matthew Powell HT), Reis Stanislaus, Dileno Sam-Yorke, Chris Dean (Yanic Owusu HT); unused Jonny Targett, Luke Baker. Ref: Will J Smeulders (Kingsbury); ARs Ian Skull (Feltham), Tihomir Yovkov (Watford). Wednesday 8th November 2006 (7:30pm*) – att 28 President’s Cup, Round 2 – at Windsor & Eton FC STAINES TOWN RESERVES ..................................... (1) 1 WINDSOR and ETON RESERVES ............................ (0) 0 Staines’ first game in this, the Capital League’s cup competition, for over 3 years, was switched to Windsor’s Stag Meadow ground, owing to a run of three home cup draws scheduled for consecutive nights! However, Trent Phillips’ side did not show their gratitude on the park, where they won with the only goal of the game, ran in by Jermaine McGlashan on 26 minutes, when ‘keeper Kilpatrick slipped as he came out for a long ball. Earlier, Staines had been surprised to see one of their own players, Marien Ifura, lining up against them, having been signed as cover from Brunel earlier in the day: the hosts also included Chris Cahill, who trialled for Staines in pre-season. The unlucky Danny Fisher had to be carried off after a stiff challenge for which Spellman was booked, and then at the interval Danny Gordon came off as planned after testing his injury for the first time this season. Staines looked comfortable for most of the game, but their best chance fell to Jordan Kiffin who seemed certain to score before being hauled back by a defender. In the last minute, Windsor’s Jon Case fired an angled shot at goal, but Courtnage was equal to it, thus saving the game from going straight to penalties as per competition rules. Staines will now visit Bishop’s Stortford or Enfield Town in the Quarter-Finals, scheduled for 28th February. Staines: James Courtnage; Tim Pitt, Danny Fisher (Paul Deegan 45+2), Adrian Browne, Daniel Gordon (Justin Fevrier HT), Chris Robinson, Gareth Risbridger ©, Adam Gerding, Jordan Kiffin, Aston Ventour, Jermaine McGlashan; unused Craig Masham, Trent Phillips. Windsor: Tim Kilpatrick, Adam Spellman (Chad Edwards 64), David Tilbury, Marien Ifura, Tom Woodcraft, Simon Wickson (Jack Woodcraft 83), Andy Cook ©, Chris Cahill, Stuart Tanfield, Omar Maqsood, Jon Case; unused David Case, John Tanfield, John Hempstead. Ref: Peter Saggers (Bushey, Herts); ARs Peter Jago (Friern Barnet), Robert Walter (Aylesbury). * Brought forward from 7:45pm as "everyone was ready"! Tuesday 7th November 2006 (7·45pm) – Westview Cup, Round Four STAINES TOWN (1) 2 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS (0) 1 By Steve Parsons. Having defeated Carshalton, Staines then had to wait 10 days before their next match, and it was a tough one against third placed Heybridge Swifts, in the Westview sponsored league cup, with both clubs fielding their strongest available selections. Steve Cordery made just one change to the side, with recent signing Neil Lampton coming into the starting line-up for Howard Newton. However, it was Newton who came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner, after young Dean Thomas had netted his first for the Club early on. Jack Haverson, a young centre half from AFC Bournemouth who signed in the morning, was an unused sub for Staines. The pitch was in good condition, and Staines attacked the houses end in the first half, but before the match, there was a shroud of fog at the Silver’s Farm end, and this came and went during the evening. The visitors started well, with Sam Keevil and Mike Shinn providing chances which Sean Marks and Richard Jolly did not take. However, Staines also got forward smartly, and following some indecisiveness by the visitors on the edge of the box, the ball was played forward to Dean Thomas, and he shot smartly under the body of ‘keeper Danny Gay. But Heybridge came back hard, and forged three fine chances before half time. On 26 minutes, Gary Burrell drew Sean Allaway towards the edge of the box, and then squared for the normally lethal Richard Jolly, who somehow hit the post from three yards out in front of a virtual open goal. Soon afterwards, a cross was whipped from the right, but Sean Marks misdirected his header, and the same player sent a shot off target when well placed. Staines supporters rose in appreciation of a wonderful piece of skill by André Scarlett, beating three players down the right, but unfortunately his shot did not match the quality of the build-up. Five minutes after the restart, Marks got away on the right and sent a low centre to Jolly, but he tried to be too precise and Allaway was able to make the save. But Heybridge did not have everything their own way, Staines’ Kevin Warner testing Gay with a raking shot, which went for a corner. But on 63 minutes, Staines were pierced by a long ball, and although Allaway did well to save from Burrell, they did not clear the resulting corner, and Gary Burrell did well to turn it in from close. Swans brought on Howard Newton for the tiring but otherwise impressive Lampton, and Swifts brought on two subs, including Russell Pond, who had a game for Staines last term when on loan from Colchester. The fog began to close in, and there were real worries, as extra time loomed, that the game would not see completion. Mark Nwokeji and Ali Chaaban pressed hard to grab the winner, with Chaaban stinging the Heybridge wall from a free kick after Howard Newton had been tripped just outside the box. However, a minute of injury time had been played when Staines scored the winner. Allaway had save smartly at one end, and channelled the ball forward via Thomas and Warner, to Howard Newton, who set himself just outside the 18 yard box, and then hit a superb dipping and swerving shot which Gay could only admire as it dipped under the bar. There were two nervous minutes left to play, but Staines maintained their composure and thus became the first club to progress to the quarter-finals. Staines: Allaway, J Newton, Sargent, Smith, Charles, Scarlett ©, K Warner, Thomas, Lampton (H Newton 72), Nwokeji, Chaaban; unused: Haverson, Kiffin, Robinson, Courtnage (gk). Heybridge: Gay, Barber, Cousins ©, Shinn, Wiles, Nethercott, Heath (Pond 79), Keevil (Frankis 79), Marks, Jolly, Burrell; unused Chandler, Reddaway. Ref – R Atkin (Plymouth); ARs G Burton & A Quelch (both Reading); Official att 113. | ||||
 | ||||
| | | | |