Saturday 24th November 2007 (3pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (1) 2  CHELMSFORD CITY (0) 2

By Steve Parsons.

After their 2 hours of exertion against the professionals of Stockport just 41 hours earlier, Staines could not have asked for a more difficult return to League action, than the visit of leaders Chelmsford City to Wheatsheaf Lane.  A chilly afternoon greeted the players, and the pitch showed a few scars from Thursday, the groundstaff having had very limited time to work on it. Steve Cordery demonstrated the strength in his squad as he was able to leave out the exhausted Nwokeji, captain Flitter, Charles-Smith (calf), and Clarke (thigh), and then lost Allaway (wrist) in the warm up, yet still fielded a side good enough to take a point off the Clarets, who were missing their skipper Minton (suspended).  James Courtnage, Adam Thompson, Adam Scarlett, Victor Asombang, and Howard Newton were recalled to the starting line-up, and there was a first League appearance for Leon Fisher as a second half substitute.  A decent crowd of 717 showed up, boosted by a good contingent from the visitors, plus home fans eager to get their hands on tickets for Peterborough on Saturday. 

The game was only two minutes old when Scarlett was upended as he flew down the wing, and Lee Protheroe’s name went into Nigel Lugg’s notebook – the first of ten cards to be issued in what was never a dirty game: he was quickly followed by Staines’ Risbridger for a foul on ‘keeper Danny Gay.  In between, Risbridger had fed Howard Newton to run at the visiting defence and then spray the ball wide to Asombang, and he completed a flowing move by cutting it back for Lewis Cook to turn neatly and see his shot blocked.  Asombang shot across the goalmouth, but the breakthrough came on 24 minutes, when the pacy H Newton darted into the box and was tripped by Chelmsford skipper Andy Duncan.  While members of the Massive bayed for a red card, Mr Lugg produced a yellow but, more significantly, pointed to the penalty spot, from where Lewis Cook opened Swans’ account for the afternoon.  City had Duffy cautioned on 27 minutes for a foul on Cook, but the visitors drew a spectacular save from Courtnage, keeping out Protheroe’s well struck free kick, before Cook and Risbridger almost unlocked them once more down the right flank.

Asombang almost increased Staines’ lead within seconds of the second half kick-off, weaving into the box and only denied by a last-ditch tackle from Protheroe.  Still the bookings continued – Brayley for Chelmsford being followed by Staines’ Gordon, Thompson and Toppin.  In between, there was plenty of good play to keep the crowd on their feet.  Courtnage got across smartly to claim Berquez’s cross-shot, and Asombang wriggled away from three markers to get his shot away, but this was saved by Danny Gay in the Chelmsford goal, who then launched an attack which ended in their 54th minute equaliser.  The ball reached Brayley, whose shot was blocked, but rebounded to Oliver Berquez, and he crisply half-volleyed in from the edge of the 18-yard box, thus netting the first goal of his second spell with the club.  Good work by Adrian Toppin provided Cook with a shooting chance which deflected just wide, but as Staines started to feel the effects of Thursday, Sargent and Cook were withdrawn.  Chelmsford responded by bringing on the speedy and dangerous ‘Super’ Mario Noto, before Staines again went close, H Newton’s long shot curling just wide after Nugent’s pinpoint pass.  Staines were agonisingly close on 73 minutes, when Scarlett worked himself a little space and shot against the crossbar, with H Newton’s follow up going just wide.  But on 76 minutes, H Newton won the ball off Noto, only to be brought down by Protheroe’s lunging challenge.  The City defender received his second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men, while Victor Asombang obliged by converting the penalty to restore Swans’ lead.  Only a great save from Gay prevented Staines from making the game safe on 80 mins, another super Nugent pass finding H Newton, who pulled it back to sub Nwokeji to turn and shoot.  That was to prove costly just 60 seconds later, as a weak back pass let Ricky Holmes in, and although Courtnage forced him wide, he managed to turn it in from a seemingly impossible angle.  There was a late chance for Adam Thompson to win the game, collecting a curled pass from Nugent but shooting too high.  Deep into stoppage time, Nugent became the fifth Staines player to be booked.  However, the draw was probably the fairest result, with each side examining the goals they conceded and realising that there had been some soft ones.  Paul Shepherd of match sponsors Gilmour Quinn Mortgage Services (GMQS) selected André Scarlett as their Man of the Match; the NLP oddly went for Dwain Clarke – a decent enough player, but one who had sat this one out while nursing an injury!  It is assumed that their staff reporter meant Howard Newton, who was wearing Clarke’s usual number 11 shirt.

Staines: Courtnage, Nugent, Sargent (Flitter 55), Gordon ©, Thompson, Risbridger (Fisher 70), Cook (Nwokeji 61), Toppin, Asombang, Scarlett, H Newton; unused J Newton, Thomas.

Chelmsford: Gay, Protheroe, Duffy, Duncan ©, Ward, Berquez (England 89), Ainsley, Palmer (Noto 66), Lawson (Knight 83), Brayley, Holmes; unused Collins, Harrison (gk).

Ref N Lugg (Chipstead); ARs A Morley & M Goldsmith (Hants); Att 717.

Thursday 22nd November 2007 (7:45pm) – FA Cup sponsored by E.On, First Round Proper Replay

STAINES TOWN (1) 1  STOCKPORT COUNTY (0) 1

After extra time – score 1-1 at 90 minutes; Staines Town won 4-3 on penalties

This game was originally arranged for Tuesday 20th, but was brought forward a day because of a lucrative deal with Sky tv to broadcast it live, with commentary by Martin Tyler and Ray Wilkins.  A glittering pre-match reception was organised, with officials of the two clubs joined by Max Clifford, Bobby Davro, Hard-Fi, Diana ‘Green Goddess’ Moran, and the Mayor of Spelthorne.  However, less than half an hour before kick-off, referee Darren Deadman took the controversial decision that the day’s rain had rendered the surface dangerous.  So Stockport flew back three days later, Staines having hired some enormous covers to ensure the surface remained dry, and – with the Sky deal saved – the game went ahead on the Thursday.  Steve Cordery named the same side which drew in Cheshire both on Monday and again on Thursday; Jim Gannon’s side were again without their regular ‘keeper, Logan, who was ineligible as a loanee, whilst new signing Adam Nowland was injured.  Tierney, Dickinson and Bowler were left out of the original side, and replaced by Michael Rose, Greg Tansey and Adam Proudlock.  The night was chilly, the pitch in excellent condition, and Staines attacked the Penton Hook (houses) end in the first half.  Although the earlier postponement kept a few people away, the official crowd of 2860 was a ground record, beating the 32-year old mark set by the visit of Banco di Roma in the Barassi Cup.  The Staines players wore squad-numbered shirts with their names on the back, and the match date in the chest: a first for the club.

The match was a pulsating and exciting one from the first kick to the last, as Staines endeavoured to overcome a side three leagues above them, and in doing so to claim their first ever Football League scalp in this most famous of cup competitions.  Anthony Elding put a shot off target following a nervous early Swans clearance, but within seconds Dwain Clarke had forced a corner for the home side, leading to a scramble in the Hatters box.  The game was only in its tenth minute when Staines sent The Massive wild with delight by opening the scoring.  Visiting ‘keeper Chris Adamson was perhaps distracted by a cluster of blue and yellow balloons beside the touchline, but he could not avoid spilling Marcel Nugent’s ball over for a corner, when was sent in from the right by Dwain Clarke, and powerfully headed in by Adrian Toppin.  Stockport’s Matty McNeil went close with a header after another foreshortened clearance from the home defence, but by now it was Staines who were shading the proceedings: Mark Nwokeji pressured Adamson into a hasty clearance, but Marc Charles-Smith was quickly closed down as he moved in on the rebound.  Lewis Cook fired just over at the end of a delightful Staines move, and Cook combined with Charles-Smith to set up a great chance for Nwokeji which ended with Adamson making a close range save at the expense of only a corner.  Staines did not have it all their own way, though: Gareth Risbridger was cautioned for a trip on Proudlock, and Allaway had to deal with an Adam Griffin shot, whilst Turnbull and Proudlock shot just off target, and Marcel Nugent made a great tackle when Anthony Elding darted into the box, and McNeil found a promising position before being flagged offside.  But as the first half moved into its final 15 minutes, it was Staines who looked the more likely side to score.  Nwokeji, who was closely marked all night, was fouled some 30 yards out, and Clarke’s driven free kick deflected off the wall and just out of Nwokeji’s reach.  Nwokeji made another good run, and made a smart turn before firing just wide, Dave Sargent lofted a huge shot which bounced awkwardly just in front of Adamson, following a neat move between Danny Gordon, Cook, and Nwokeji. Cook stabbed a volley just wide from a long Nugent free kick, while Turnbull sent an effort just over Allaway’s bar at the other end.  Despite the brief and unwelcome incursion of a fan who somersaulted his way along the touchline, there were just 2 additional minutes at the end of the first half (as displayed on the electronic board kindly loaned by Woking FC), and the main action during that period was a long range free kick by Tansey which Allaway dealt with easily.

Staines were mindful that they had given away a goal at the very beginning of the second half when they visited Edgeley Park, and did their best to break up the play in the first minutes after the restart.  This resulted in a caution for Toppin for a mis-timed tackle, but nothing more dangerous than an off-target angled shot by Proudlock.  However, when the visitors introduced Anthony Pilkington, the balance of the play started to shift in favour of the League club.  A fine move went to waste when Turnbull delayed his shot for too long, Elding received from Pilkington and forced Allaway into a good save, and the Swans defence also had to endure an untidy scramble in their goalmouth.  Allaway batted away a pair of crossed from Jason Taylor, and got down well to Proudlock’s angled drive following excellent work by Elding and McNeil, as Staines began to look a little ragged.  The part-timers were probably glad of a break in play when a player from each side needed treatment, while the packed and good-natured crowd entertained themselves with a full Mexican wave.  When play resumed, Proudlock sent over a corner to which Owen would have intended a more powerful header, and Staines then lost the hard-working Marc Charles-Smith who limped off with a calf injury, to be replaced by Victor Asombang.  On 75 minutes, Staines carved out perhaps their best chance to make the game safe, Toppin picking out Nwokeji, who could not quite set himself for a shot, and so laid it back to Toppin, whose shot – and the rebound – were both blocked.  And just 3 minutes later, their castle was cruelly breached when Stockport forced an equaliser following what appeared to be an error by the assistant referee.  Gordon played the ball off an opponent’s shins, but the throw was given the other way, channelled back to Adamson and then upfield, where – by way of another throw-in – Griffin crossed to Elding whose header was well saved by Allaway, but Matty McNeil pounced on the loose ball to make it 1-1.  Twice Elding came close to snatching a winner for the visitors, but Staines, with Howard Newton replacing the Clarke who had run himself into the ground, still did not give up, and could have won the game in the 87th minute.  A corner found its way to Risbridger, whose shot came back off the underside of the bar, and while Newton was firing the rebound just wide, defender Taylor hauled Risbridger back, leaving even referee Deadman at a loss as to why he had not whistled for a penalty.  More drama was to follow, as Allaway made just about his only error of the tie, underhitting a clearance towards Elding but redeeming the situation by forcing him wide.  He went on to save from Pilkington and Proudlock, whilst Staines worked another half chance for Nwokeji during the three added minutes. 

The tie moved into extra time, still nothing between these sides after 3 hours of play.  Staines attacked the houses end again, and Newton’s fresher legs gave them a valuable outlet, while Stockport were content to send long balls into the box, hoping for big McNeil to get on the end of one, or for an error which never came.  Risbridger and Nwokeji combined to set up a chance for Cook but Adamson was equal to it, but the last minutes of the first half saw a succession of Stockport chances for Pilkington and Tansey – but Allaway was equal to them all. 

The teams changed around for the last time, and Staines soon put themselves under pressure by conceding a dangerous free-kick,  However, Risbridger intercepted it, and provided a great ball to Nwokeji, but his close marker put in a fine tackle to deny him his chance.  Stockport threw on their last two subs (both of them penalty takers), and Staines were disappointed to have Asombang cautioned for a tackle on a flying winger which was identical to one for which Taylor had escaped punishment moments earlier.  Allaway made another important claim before releasing Asombang, whose shot was saved by Adamson, and the game ended with a string of Stockport corners and another moment of controversy, as two players lay injured in crucial positions on the field, but play was allowed to continue.  Staines endured yet another Hatters corner right on time, but the danger was averted and the whistle finally sounded to send the tie to penalties, taken at the Silver’s Farm end.

Tansey went first for the visitors, confidently striking his spot kick right down the middle, but Nwokeji’s reply for Staines seemed a little hesitant, Adamson saving to give the League Two club an early advantage.  But this was Shaun Allaway’s moment to write his name into the Staines history books, saving Stockport’s next two penalties, both well-taken efforts by Pilkington and Poole.  Meanwhile, there were no mistakes from Cook and Toppin, which meant that Staines led 2-1 after three each.  Fine penalties followed from Stockport’s Proudlock and Staines’ Asombang, meaning that left-footer Tommy Rowe had to score to keep County in the tie.  This he duly did, and so the task fell to Dave Sargent to take the last Staines penalty and send the Ryman League side through to the last 84.  Wild scenes erupted at Wheatsheaf Park, there was a regrettable but good-natured pitch invasion, and Staines Town celebrated the greatest result of their 115 year history, and could look forward to entertaining Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United in little more than a week’s time. 

Meanwhile, Stockport’s players and their colourful band of supporters had to make their way back up the motorway: they had been excellent ambassadors for their club, and a privilege for Staines Town to have met them.

Staines: Allaway; Nugent, Sargent, Gordon, Flitter ©; Risbridger, Cook (H Newton 67), Toppin, Charles-Smith (Asombang 73), Nwokeji,  Clarke (H Newton 83); unused Scarlett, Thompson, Courtnage (gk).

Stockport: Adamson; Rose (Pilkington 56), Taylor, Owen ©, Elding (Poole 110), McNeil, Griffin (Rowe 110), Tansey, Raynes, Turnbull, Proudlock; unused Tunnicliffe, Bowler.

Ref D Deadman (Chatteris); ARs SC Knapp (Bristol), Tony Mason (Sidcup); 4th Off Pat Miller (Bedford); Att 2860.

Saturday 10th November 2007 (3:00pm) – FA Cup sponsored by E.On 1st Round Proper [tie 29]

STOCKPORT COUNTY (0) 1  STAINES TOWN (0) 1 

By Steve Parsons.

Staines Town enjoyed the greatest day in their history on Saturday, when they held League 2 side Stockport County – three levels and 85 places above them in the pyramid – to a draw at their imposing Edgeley Park ground in Cheshire.  The first thing that must be said about the game is what wonderful hosts Stockport were – a fan run club, they fully understood how much this game meant to The Swans, and everyone connected with them – from the chairman and secretary to the fans in the huge home stand who applauded the visitors off at the final whistle – played their part in a truly memorable day.  Preparations for the game began almost as soon as the draw was made, with staff and players giving interviews on BBC and local radio, and fans (and even Shaun Allaway, who once had a trial at Stockport) dressed as Ali G appearing in local and national press.  Some 300 travelled up from the town for the game, with the club hiring 4 coaches – players and committee arriving the previous night and staying at The Village, Cheadle.  There was more good news on the field, as both André Scarlett and Adam Thompson were passed fit, both named as subs with an unchanged starting XI, which was bad luck for Dean Thomas, Jake Newton (and the longer term injury, Leigh Mason) who travelled but missed out.  Stockport boss Jim Gannon changed his ‘keeper, and also agreed the loan of Adam Nowland from Preston the day before, although he remained an unused sub.  On a blustery afternoon, Staines attacked the Cheadle end in the first half, on a well grassed pitch which still bore the lines (and one or two bumps) from Sale Sharks’ rugby union game on Thursday. Swans wore the old gold shorts (normally the preserve of the Reserve and Women’s teams) in order to retain their traditional old gold & blue combination without clashing with Stockport’s blue shorts.

Staines knew that they would perhaps be at the most vulnerable during the opening exchanges, and so they did their best to keep things tight and under control.  Having successfully done this for 9 minutes, they then created the first half chance of the game, only for Gareth Risbridger to lose his footing when running onto an awkwardly bouncing ball.  Two minutes later and Mark Nwokeji was away, but he was halted by a despairing foul by Michael Bowler for which the County man was cautioned, Dwain Clarke then hammering the free kick into the wall.   Staines were then almost undone when a foul led to a quickly taken free kick putting Matty McNeil through, but thankfully he was offside.  As The Hatters now sought to impose their greater stature, Matt Flitter had to make a vital header in front of goal following McNeil’s teasing free kick, and Allaway rose to claim one of a number of tricky free-kicks by Paul Tierney.  Staines broke out of defence thanks to a sweeping Marcel Nugent / Lewis Cook move, and Risbridger accurately dropped his looping pass beyond the defence for Nwokeji and Marc Charles-Smith to run onto: the latter gained pole position, but ’keeper Chris Adamson was quick off his line to avert the danger.  County’s hard-working skipper Gary Owen was in action at both ends, drawing a save from Allaway and then dispossessing Nwokeji as he collected a neat pass from Charles-Smith.  Risbridger tangled with Tierney, conceding a free kick, but the same player took it and sent it over the bar.  The Massive leapt to their feet on the half hour when their team could so easily have taken the lead: a neat move led to Clarke trying a shot from outside the box which deceived Adamson, who was relieved to get a touch to send it out for a corner via the goalpost.  He got his fist to the inswinging flag kick, which so nearly fell for Charles-Smith, but County regained possession, attacked smartly and won a free kick from which Liam Dickinson tested Allaway.  The Staines ’keeper was then relieved that Dickinson headed wide of the far post, following a poor clearance.  Mr Gannon then made an early change, replacing Bowler with Greg Tansey.  This led to a good spell for the home side, the dangerous Anthony Elding getting away on the right but shooting across the face of goal, and then the same player was denied by a tremendous tackle by Flitter.  Tansey took the resulting corner, which led to quite a scramble before the ball eventually sailed over.  Lewis Cook almost relieved the pressure but could not quite reach a long Dave Sargent throw, and the two added minutes saw Danny Gordon make two important interventions to end decent runs by Adam Griffin.

Unfortunately, Staines were caught cold just 90 seconds into the second half, conceding a corner which was driven in from the left by Tansey, and powerfully headed home at the far post by big Matty McNeil.  At this point, a lesser team might have buckled, but it is tremendous credit to Steve Cordery’s men that they did not deviate from their plan, and continued to take the game to County wherever possible.  In front of their own yellow-hatted fans in the open (railway) end, both Clarke and Sargent made weaving runs in the box, and Cook stretched Adamson at a dive.  Adamson was in action again on 52 minutes, diving smartly to divert Clarke’s shot for a corner, after he had received from Cook and worked space on the edge of the box.  Charles-Smith won possession in a dangerous place but his shot was cleared, then Cook’s speculative effort also flew wide.  County might have wrapped it up just before the hour, when Dickinson and Elding found themselves two-against-one, but Allaway came out and confidently shepherded Elding wide.  Stockport were now looking to finish it, as Tansey thudded a 22 yard free kick into the wall, and McNeil chased down a pass from the left only to be penalised for a push.  But still Staines were not out of it: a foul by Jason Taylor on the flying Nwokeji gave Cook a free kick which required a diving save, leading to the first of a run of four successive corners for the men from Wheatsheaf Park.  Cook’s second preceded a goalbound shot from Clarke which was blocked; the third was only just dealt with by Adamson; and the fourth reached Flitter who could not get enough power on his shot.  The home fans were disappointed to see Griffin substituted – in fact, he later received their sponsor’s Man of the Match award despite being taken off after only 63 minutes, and at the same time the fresh legs of Howard Newton were introduced for Cook.  Allaway was stretched by Elding’s cross, pushing it only as far as Turnbull, but he sent his volley too high.  But again Staines enjoyed another good spell, and this time it was eventually rewarded with a goal.  In the 5 minutes leading up to the equaliser, Charles-Smith launched himself at a Clarke cross but could not get the right contact, Nugent sent a long shot just over, Clarke played a great diagonal ball from the left which Charles-Smith received, forcing a defender to clear hastily, and H Newton skimmed a shot just beyong the upright. Then, on 76 minutes, Nwokeji found a little space on the right, and essayed a shot from an unpromising position, with four defenders ahead of him.  However, Adamson was unable to hold it, and Marc Charles-Smith arrived on the scene, steadied himself, and gleefully fired in Staines Town’s first ever goal at this stage of the competition.  A wild celebration in front of the Massive ensued, but sadly the referee did not share the sense of occasion, cautioning Clarke and Nwokeji for their elation.  In the remaining minutes, both teams had chances to win the tie, Stockport probably moreso, but Staines’ determination and good football meant that they richly deserved their share of the glory.  Gordon had to make a vital tackle when the defence was momentarily outnumbered, Dickinson headed Taylor’s cross just wide, and Tansey sent a low drive just outside the post after Staines had conceded a questionable free kick right in the ‘D’.  At the other end, Charles-Smith challenged for a high ball which ended in both he an the Stockport ‘keeper requiring treatment, and Clarke sent a shot just over, before being warmly applauded as he was subbed with just the 3 added minutes to go.  The fourth official’s electronic board went up with Staines having just won a corner, and Gordon then made a good chance for Charles-Smith.  However, Stockport won a free kick, again took it quickly, forcing Allaway into a vital save at Adam Proudlock’s feet, hurting his hand in the process.  This led to a further added minute, a whipped Tierney corner, and the drama of an Owen shot taking a deflection and going just wide of Allaway’s post.  Mr Shoebridge’s final whistle rang out, and Staines’ celebrations could not have been greater if they had won the cup itself!  A memorable day continued, with Alan Boon giving a breathless interview to the watching Stuart Hall on BBC Radio 5 Live, and Staines officials receiving an eye-catching engraved class memento from their Cheshire counterparts.

Stockport (4-4-2): Adamson; Bowler (Tansey 36), Owen, Raynes, Tierney; Elding (Proudlock 82), Taylor, Turnbull, Griffin (Rose 66); Dickinson, McNeil; unused  Tunnicliffe, Nowland.

Staines (4-4-2): Allaway; Nugent, Gordon, Flitter, Sargent; Cook (H Newton 67), Risbridger, Toppin, Clarke (Scarlett 90); Charles-Smith, Nwokeji; unused Courtnage, Asombang, Thompson.

Mascots - Joseph Willoughby (STFC Jun U9) & Martin Richards (STFC Jun U11).

Ref RL Shoebridge (Derbyshire); ARs Peter J Grove (Stourbridge), Graham Atkins (Southend-on-Sea); 4th Official Peter P Davies (Cheshire)   Assessor – Eddie Lomas (Manchester).  Attendance 3460.

The dream went on for Staines, first on Sunday evening when they were handed the chance of a first home draw in the competition – should they beat Stockport they will entertain League 2 Peterborough United on the weekend of 1st December.

Then, in a further dramatic development on Monday morning, Sky TV selected the replay for its live game, necessitating a hasty upgrading of the floodlighting, some work on the pitch (leading to the postponement of Thursday’s Ryman Youth Cup game at home to Walton), the erection of camera gantries, and – vitally – the agreement of Stockport.  In the process, the replay was moved forward 24 hours to Monday 19th November (7:45), and Staines were granted leave to postpone their scheduled Ryman League game at East Thurrock on Saturday.

Tickets for the replay will be priced at £10 adult, £7 oap, £5 child / disabled.  They will be on sale at the North Greenford United game (Tuesday 13th November, Middx Senior Cup Rd 1), and also from the box office at Wheatsheaf Park on Thursday (7pm – 9:30pm) and on Saturday morning (10am – 12 noon).  Seats in the stand are strictly limited and will be an additional £2.