| Saturday 29th November 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division MARGATE (0) 1 STAINES TOWN (2) 2 By Steve Parsons. Just a week ago, Staines were expecting to be travelling to a crisis club, as Margate faced a CVA and the threat of a 10 point deduction. However, the news from Hartsdown Park in midweek was encouraging for the former Conference club, as a new deal with a health centre seems to have secured their future, and big-name management team Terry Yorath and Neville Southall wasted no time in going out and finding four new players to help pull the team out of the relegation scrap. But Staines came armed with some good news of their own: the return of Scott Taylor, who became the club’s record sale almost 14 years ago, and has since enjoyed a successful pro career at such clubs as Millwall, Bolton, Blackpool, Tranmere, and even a short stint at Brentford, having played under managers such as Mick McCarthy, Bruce Rioch, John Aldridge, and Paul Ince. But Taylor was not the only new name in Steve Cordery’s sied, as he had also moved to strengthen his midfield with the loan acquisition of 18 year old Republic of Ireland Youth international Harry Arter, who made one 1st team appearance for Charlton Athletic last term, before being struck by injuries. As well as their injury list, Staines also had to do without two suspended players – Richard Butler and André Scarlett. The pitch was very wet after a lot of rain in the previous 24 hours, but a decent crowd including a coach from Staines came along to see this important game. Staines attacked the entrance end in the first half of a chilly afternoon, and were surprised to find that the hosts had cracked open their supply of official “winter balls” – yellow and a little heavier – a couple of days ahead of schedule. Staines seemed to take a while to get to grips with the greasy conditions, but when they did, it was in emphatic style, snatching the lead on 17 minutes. A long throw by Jon McDonald was blocked, but when the goalkeeper tried to force it further away from danger, he could only find Scott Taylor lurking just outside the box. Taylor showed great class and instinct to swivel and crack a first time shot into the unguarded portion of the net, to give the visitors a priceless lead, and to mark the perfect return. Four minutes later, and Staines had the chance to double their lead and send Margate into a tailspin. Marc Charles-Smith picked out Howard Newton with a fine cross, and when he flicked the ball up in the box, Kent referee Stephen Child spotted the unfortunate Curtis Robinson handle, but his blushes were saved when Pat Mullin made a fine save from Lewis Cook’s resulting penalty. As the ball broke to the edge of the box, H Newton seemed to have his legs taken away as he went for the rebound, but this time Mr Child did not point to the spot. Margate drew some confidence from this, and Louis Wells in the Staines goal had to be at his best to fist away a swerving cross from the left by Kenny Pratt, and then to dive bravely in front of Joe Healy for the loose ball, and there were a few worrying moments while Wells needed treatment for what seemed to be a facial injury. Mohammed Takalobighashi (‘Mo Takaloo’) sent a couple of free kicks just over the Staines bar, too, but it was Staines who ended the half with the game seemingly in the bag, after they added a second goal in the 41st minute. Cook sent a free kick from the left deep into the box, and it ricocheted off the knee of Robinson, dropping in space on the edge of the 6 yard box, where Jon McDonald was the first to react, stabbing the ball firmly past Mullin. Not noted for his goalscoring (least of all with his right foot), that was McDonald’s second strike in November! The second half began promisingly for Staines, but Charles-Smith seemed very unlucky to pick up a yellow card for what seemed an innocuous challenge with the ‘keeper who had raced well out of his box. But from then on, Margate – buoyed by three lively substitutes – gradually took over the show. They pulled a goal back on the hour, when a long throw by Robinson was helped on by Takaloo, and Dan Stubbs found the space to crack a shot into the corner of the net, just 5 minutes after coming on. Staines now had their backs to the wall to preserve the 3 points, although it took a great tackle by Jacob Erskine to deny Charles-Smith as he made a powerful run into the box. Most of the play, however, was now at the other end, as the home side sacrificed a defender to give them more attacking options. There were a couple of penalty shouts for handball which were waved away by Mr Child, and on 80 minutes Wayne Wilson touched a Reggie Savage cross towards Takaloo, who seemed certain to bag the equaliser. However, he lofted his shot against the bar, and perhaps had his blushes spared by a late offside flag. Arter came off the bench for the visitors, and in 15 short minutes showed plenty of promising signs of the strength on the ball and the nimble feet which had made him the captain of Charlton’s Reserves. As if Staines did not have enough injury worries, there was a worrying moment in the 83rd minute, when Charles-Smith fell heavily after a run down the right was ended, and he was helped off with an injury in the collar-bone area which will need further assessment by Gareth Workman: the good news was that Dave Sargent made his return as a sub. Arter combined neatly with Sargent moments later, but again the home defence crowded them out. The referee called for 5 additional minutes and stretched it to 6? owing to a couple of delays, which included the late withdrawal of Man of the Match Taylor – to very warm applause, and some timewasting by Risbridger which saw him join Arter (dissent), and Margate’s Young and Quain (late challenges) in the book. However, the final whistle was welcomed by the visitors, with Steve Cordery pleased that his side had claimed victory despite a stuttering performance. Staines: Wells, J Newton, McDonald, Gordon, Ifura, Thomas, H Newton, Risbridger, Charles-Smith (Sargent 84), Taylor (Fenton 90+4), Cook (Arter 77); unused Asombang, Courtnage (gk). Margate: Mullin, Morris, Robinson (Savage 64), Erskine, Young, Ohakam, Pratt (Stubbs 55), Wilson, Takaloo, Healey, Quain (Masade 75); unused: Gregory, Beresford. Ref: Stephen A Child (Beckenham); ARs Antony J Rawlings (Bromley, Kent), Daniel T Wyatt (Orpington, Kent); Off att 403
Sunday 30th November 2008 (1pm): att 98. South East Counties Youth u16 Championship Sponsored by the Kings Ferry Coach Company MIDDLESEX FA u16s (1) 2 KENT u16s (1) 3 Wheatsheaf Park hosted an exciting group match on Sunday - believed to be our first county youth rep fixture, and we were honoured to have no less than 5 players from Ken Halse’s team in John Fletcher’s starting team. Funnell deservedly put Kent ahead after 13 mins as the yellow-shirted visitors dominated the opening exchanges, but the red & blue stripes of Middx came back strongly, levelling through Thomas-Vassall (21 mins), with the same player putting them ahead on 58. There were only 8 mins (of 80 played at this age group) to go when an unfortunate own goal levelled it , and I Gayle won it for them with a goal direct from a 74th min corner. Middx: Pat Moore (Staines T), Bar Hairely (Pinnacle), Joel Jacobs (Staines T), Jordan Berry (Sandgate), Ben Brown (Staines T), Sean Mangan ©, Lee Clark (both Harefield U), Harvey Muddyman (Staines T), Kyle Thomas Vassell (Pinnacle), Callum Chickah (Staines T), Joe Hopla (Uxbridge); rolling subs Jack Ryan (gk, Elite Soccer), Jack Bees (Sandgate), Miles Hamilton, Josh Brown (both Acton & Ealing), Luois Dennis (Pinnacle). Kent: Luke Prentice (Canterbury C), Louis Rankin (Crockenhill), Daniel Gunner © (VCD Ath), Scott Heard (Canterbury C), Ian Gayle (Crockenhill), George Benner (Sevenoaks T), Jack Funnell (Tonbridge Angels), James Garry (VCD Ath), Eddie Sharman (Tonbridge A), Jay Hedges, George O’Neil (both Long Lane); rolling subs Jack Moore (gk), Andrew Reece (both Welling U), Charlie Slocombe (Tonbridge A), Alex King (Orpington), Dan Keyte (Canterbury C). Ref: Kyle Kirkbride (Uxbridge); ARs Derek Hookway (Shep-perton), Stephen Woodison (Ashford, Mx).
Wednesday 26/11/08 Favourite son returns home This afternoon Chairman Alan Boon is delighted to announce that he has concluded negotiations with Lewes FC and Scott Taylor to bring the in the 'Swans' striker back 'home'. Taylor, now aged 32, is the joint top-scorer for the struggling 'Rooks' in the Conference National and is back at Wheatsheaf Park thirteen years after leaving in a £75,000 transfer to Millwall (then managed by Mick McCarthy.) Scoring twice to help defeat Everton at Goodison Park in a League Cup tie, young Taylor's stock quickly rose and Bruce Rioch took him to Bolton Wanderers, however, despite enjoying a prolific scoring record for Bolton's reserve side, Taylor failed to make the crucial breakthrough - mainly because of the quality of strikers ahead of him, and he was loaned out to Rotherham and Blackpool. A successful spell under John Aldridge at Tranmere Rovers was then followed by runs at Stockport County and Rochdale and as recently as last term, he was playing under Paul Ince at MK Dons, before finishing the campaign on loan at Grays Athletic where he scored a hat-trick on his debut.
Returning to his local Club, Taylor is making good on a promise to "finish his career with the Swans", however we hope that won't be for some time yet!
With Manager Steve Cordery having to do without Onochie and Butler at Margate on Saturday, it's expected Scott will come straight into the line-up after he's trained with his new team-mates at Wheatsheaf Park on Thursday night.
Welcome on board Scotty, it's great to have you back!
Tuesday 25th November 2008 at ROKO Health Club, Portsmouth British Colleges’ 5-A-Side Tournament – Southern Region The Kingston College Academy / Staines Town FC squad achieved a notable success in winning the Southern Region of the British Colleges’ 5-a-side championship. Martyn Spong and Mark Fabian took the following players to Portsmouth for the event – Danny Sonner; Alfie Arthur; Luke Elliott; James McShane; Mo Abassi; Elliott Thompson; Ashley Lodge; and Ryan Ford. There were 21 colleges taking part, and Kingston got off to a slow start in their group of seven, by losing their opening two games. However, they were able to turn it round, securing 10 points from the remaining 4 games in the morning, to progress to the Quarter-Finals as one of the “best 3rd placed” teams. After the lunch break, they met Bexhill in the first knock-out game, and secured a confidence-boosting 4-1 win, and the good form was continued with a 6-1 win over Sussex Downs in the Semi-Final. This set up a repeat of last year’s Final, as Taunton’s (Southampton) were again the opponents, and Kingston were determined to erase the memory of 2007’s defeat on penalties at London’s David Beckham Centre. Two goals from Ryan Ford and one by James McShane secured a 3-2 victory that was more comfortable than the scoreline might suggest, and takes Kingston through as Southern England’s representatives to the national British Championships. These will be held over a weekend in April, at a venue to be decided. Goalscorers (28) – Ford 11; McShane 8; Thompson 4; Arthur 2; Elliott 2; Lodge 1. Results (group matches were of 7 minutes duration) “Crouch Queen Mary College lost 2-4 .......... 10:39am pitch 9 League” Portsmouth lost 0-2 .......... 11:06am pitch 9 qualifying London Leisure won 4-1 .......... 11:42am pitch 9 group Reigate drew 1-1 .......... 12:18pm pitch 9 Godalming won 6-0 .......... 12:45am pitch 9 Peter Simmons won 2-0 .......... 1:12pm pitch 9 Quarter-Final Bexhill won 4-1 .......... 2:00pm Semi-Final Sussex Downs won 6-1 Final Taunton’s Southampton won 3-2
Tuesday 18th November 2008 (7:45pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division STAINES TOWN (0) 2 HASTINGS UNITED (0) 0 By Steve Parsons Steve Cordery’s men went into this game with Marc Charles-Smith replacing Elliot Onochie, who had suffered from cracked ribs at Tooting, but were otherwise unchanged. Victor Asombang had however signed Ryman forms that morning, and was added to the bench, completing his return after spells at Harrow and Walton Casuals. Hastings were shorn of several players through injury, suspension, and departure. It was a chilly evening, and there were one or two bumps on the otherwise decent surface, with Staines attacking the houses end in the first half. This game was a slow starter, with only one half chance at each end in the opening quarter. Staines keeper Louis Wells came slithering out to the edge of the box to claim a dangerous through-ball, and then Richard Butler found space for a close range shot, but Greg Nessling spread himself well to save. Hastings had been having a topsy-turvy season so far, but at times Staines made heavy work of this game, putting themselves under pressure midway through the half by giving the ball away at the back to Jack Dixon, who passed to the high-scoring Frankie Sawyer, but on this occasion he snatched at his shot and put it over the bar. But from that point on, Staines grabbed the initiative, with Gareth Risbridger powering a header just over from an André Scarlett corner, and both Butler and Scarlett seeing goalbound shots scuffed round for corners by the defence. Jon McDonald put long range free kick just too high following a foul on Butler, and the best chance came 8 minutes before the break, as a speedy Marc Charles-Smith break fed Butler, whose shot was parried by Nessling, and when it was crossed back in, Marien Ifura could not keep his header down. Early in the second half, Staines had the chance to reprise Saturday’s stunning free kick, but this time Dean Thomas’s drive from Scarlett’s touch was blocked by the wall. Then followed blocks at each end – Sawyer threatening for Hastings, and Kevin Rose getting in the way of Scarlett’s drive. Staines enjoyed a good spell of pressure, which a substitution for each team did not disrupt, and they were well worth the lead which they finally gained in the 68th minute. A neat move involving Howard Newton, McDonald and Scarlett was delightfully finished off when Charles-Smith squeezed a shot between Nessling’s legs. In another similarity to Saturday, Staines quickly got the opportunity to cement their advantage when, just a minute later, Rose pulled H Newton down just inside the box, and referee Evetts pointed straight to the penalty spot. However, this time Butler took the spot-kick, and it hit the top of the crossbar. Nessling then made a brave save at the feet of H Newton following a good ball to the edge of the 6 yard box from McDonald. As Staines kept up the pressure, Butler was crowded out following a neat Risbridger / Charles-Smith / H Newton passing move, and then an H Newton shot was deflected for an 88th minute corner. McDonald took it, and Nessling again scrambled it round for a corner, and this time Scarlett took it from the left, and it was met by an attempted clearance from stand-in Hastings skipper Scott Ramsay, but he succeeded only in slicing the ball into his own goal. Jason Morris of Dagenham Motors presented Staines’ Man of the Match award to skipper Danny Gordon. Staines remained 2nd in the table, although dropping to third when they were without a fixture the following Saturday. Staines: Wells, J Newton, Gordon ©, H Newton, Butler, Scarlett ©, Risbridger, McDonald, D Thomas (Fenton 62), Charles-Smith, Ifura; unused Sargent, Cook, James, Asombang. Hastings: Nessling, Spice, Warden (Attwood 74), Radley, Rose, Parsons, Franklin, White (Payne 74), Ramsay ©, Sawyer (Whiteman 58), Dixon; unused Gonnella, Miltiadou. Ref: Gary S Evetts (Hoddesdon); ARs Peter M Smith (Friern Barnet), Boris Zbirka (Hendon); Off att 211.
Saturday 15th November 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED (0) 1 STAINES TOWN (0) 2 By Steve Parsons. Staines travelled to the impressive Imperial Fields stadium of a newly promoted Tooting side who began the day just one point behind them. On a chilly and breezy, but bright afternoon, Staines attacked the entrance end of a pitch that was well grassed, but not so flat as appeared from the stands. Elliot Onochie appeared against his old club, recalled alongside Danny Gordon by Steve Cordery from their midweek rests, at the expense of Marc Charles-Smith and Lewis Cook. Tooting included the ex Swan Jon Henry-Hayden on the bench. The first half was competitive, somewhat fractious, and ultimately scoreless, as the sides initially struggled to get into their strides, and then found their opposing defences impossible to breach. There were early chances for Richard Butler and Howard Newton which came to nothing, but the next notable incidents were a couple of Tooting cautions. Referee Mason took a lenient view of Dean Hamlin’s extended shoving of H Newton, and also booked Colin Hartburn for a cynical trip on Onochie. A feature of the game were the long throws offered by both sides, and Dean Thomas sent a dangerous header just past Dave King’s post following one such ‘bullet’ by Jon McDonald. Jake Newton was yellow-carded for a foul on the half hour as the game continued to be fractious, and Marien Ifura’s sturdy challenge gave Tooting a free kick in a dangerous position which was hammered towards goal by Matt York, and tipped over the bar by Louis Wells. An attacking opportunity for the home side was squandered, and Tooting countered with a sweeping move, which only ended when Wells saved Paul Vines’ rasping shot. Shortly before half time, H Newton carried the ball across the Tooting box and let fly with a hard shot, but it flashed just past the post. Staines collected their second booking in the closing seconds of the half, for André Scarlett’s late challenge. Within moments of the restart, Onochie almost took advantage of a mix-up between King and a defender, but the ‘Terrors’ keeper was able to recover to force him wide. But Staines were making a more positive start to the second half, and Onochie was again crowded out following an incisive H Newton pass. Tooting switched the ball quickly to the other end, where a Vines drive was blocked by Gareth Risbridger. Staines opened the scoring following an innocuous looking free kick, awarded midway between the “D” and the centre circle on 54 minutes. Scarlett touched the ball to Dean Thomas, who smashed in a remarkable 35 yard drive, the ball never more than 2 feet off the ground, but hit with such pace that King could barely react, giving the Staines midfielder his second excellent goal in consecutive games. Staines did not sit back, and in the 59th minute, after a couple of shots had been scuffed by not cleared, Butler turned smartly in the box and had his ankles clipped by Joe Vines, whereupon Mr Mason immediately pointed to the spot. There was momentary confusion as Staines players realised that regular taker Sargent was still on the bench, but it was Richard Butler who took the responsibility and confidently shot the penalty into the corner of the net. The home side were by no means a beaten force, and Wells had to concentrate to deal with a high shot; they also brought on Henry-Hayden in an attempt to unlock the Staines defence. However, with 75 minutes played, the game was overshadowed by a sickening injury to Onochie, who rose with King for a high ball, and felt the full force of the keeper’s knees in his chest, sending him crying in agony and sprawling on the grass. Play continued as fans behind the goal drew the ref’s attention to the stricken player, who was experiencing breathing difficulties, and he required lengthy treatment and was eventually stretchered into the swiftly called ambulance. Staines seemed to be subdued by the incident, and Tooting attacked with renewed vigour. Although Butler sizzled a shot just wide as Tooting inevitably left some gaps at the back, it seemed only a matter of time before they would pull one back, and this duly occurred with 88 minutes on the clock, when an incisive move down the left resulted in Craig Pitterson driving in the crossed ball. Moments later, another Tooting attack ended with Pitterson meeting a deep cross with his head, forcing Wells to touch it over the bar, with Staines being surprisingly awarded a goal kick! Ten additional minute were added, in which there was still plenty of frantic action, beginning with Gordon receiving Staines’ third booking for a foul in midfield. But Tooting’s cause was undermined in the 96th, when J Newton was fouled by their skipper Allan McLeod, who then lunged at him, with H Newton quickly on the scene to pull him off. The Staines forward was booked, and the home captain received a straight red. Afterwards, the Staines Physio Gareth Workman received medical reports from the ambulance which still contained Onochie outside the stadium. The player, who is a qualified doctor, underwent almost an hour of tests, before declining hospital treatment, and being driven home in his kit despite still having difficulty breathing and walking. Staines: Wells, J Newton, Gordon ©, H Newton, Butler, Onochie (Charles-Smith 80), Scarlett ©, Risbridger, McDonald, D Thomas, Ifura; unused Sargent, Fenton, Cook, James. Tooting: King, Hamlin, Hartburn, Goode, J Vines, Howell, McLeod © [SO 90+6], Pinnock (Henry-Hayden 75), P Vines, York, Pitterson; unused Byatt, Abbey, Crawley, Hunt. Ref: Tony Mason (Sidcup); ARs Paul Burton (Redhill), Ryan Ellis (Burgess Hill); Off att 321.
Tuesday 11th November 2008 (7:45pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup Round One STAINES TOWN (2) 5 ENFIELD 1893 (0) 0 By Steve Parsons Enjoying their break from League action, Staines comfortably disposed of mid-table Essex Senior League club Enfield 1893 (the survivors of the once mighty Enfield FC) at a chilly Wheatsheaf Park. Steve Cordery decided not to risk Sargent or Gordon, who were carrying slight knocks, but restored Jake and Howard Newton who had arrived back from international duty that morning. There was also a bench seat for one of last season’s players, Victor Asombang, who has recently left Walton Casuals and been playing in the Reserves. On a cool evening, Staines attacked the houses end in the first half. The match was preceded by a minute’s silence, marking both Remembrance Day and the recent passing of one of the club’s longest serving supporters, Clifford Stevens. The visitors, far from being overawed by meeting a club almost 350 places, and two steps below them in the pyramid, started in attacking mood, and twice the darting runs of Neal Hughes tempted Louis Wells (restored as Staines ‘keeper) into hasty saves. Then Paul Oshin hit a dipping shot which just cleared the bar, and Lee Benmore also drew a fingertip save from Wells following a corner. In between, however, Staines began to show signs of things to come, when a fine ball from Lewis Cook stretched the visitors’ defence almost to breaking point. A swift move involving captain André Scarlett and Richard Butler ended with a powerful Gareth Risbridger shot taking a deflection which took it harmlessly wide of Alfie Brincat’s post. However, the opener came on 29 minutes, H Newton doing some good work out on the right before picking out Dean Thomas, who crashed in a great shot off the underside of the bar. Marc Charles-Smith bore down on a second goal, but Brincat just did enough; however, just 3 minutes after the first goal, Staines had added a second and as good as won the game. Cook sent over a corner, the towering Marien Ifura nodded it down, and Richard Butler majestically swept it home: he almost added another a few minutes later. Enfield were further inconvenienced when they had to substitute Benmore, and when Oshin curled a free kick just past the post in the closing minutes of the half, their chance had gone. Butler was unlucky again early in the second period, attempting a lob over Brincat, who was tall enough to palm the ball out for a corner. Number three came on 61 minutes, when Enfield successfully cut out a Scarlett cross but then sinned by passing it back to their ‘keeper. Charles-Smith rolled the free kick to Lewis Cook, who slammed passed the massed line of defenders from 6 yards. Butler then put Charles-Smith through with the ‘keeper to beat, but Brincat saved bravely with his legs, and a similar chance developed at the other end, only for Adilson Lopes to be denied. Staines added a fourth goal on 74 minutes, sub Dean Fenton crossing from the by-line, and Elliot Onochie making no mistake from close range. The fifth goal, scored in 85 minutes, helped Staines to set a number of records, not least being the first time 5 different players had scored in a competitive game 2001: Scarlett floated over a cross, and Jon McDonald rose to head in off the post. Swans’ biggest win over Enfield also equalled their biggest in the competition since a 6-0 over Willesden almost 29 years ago. They will now visit neighbours Bedfont in the 2nd Round on 9 December. There was also praise for the referee, Sam Lewis, who had an excellent game. Staines: Wells, J Newton, H Newton (Onochie 57), Butler (Haule 71), Scarlett ©, Risbridger, McDonald, D Thomas (Fenton 71), Cook, Charles-Smith, Ifura; unused James, Asombang. Enfield: Brincat, Nelson, Woodward, Oshin (M Borland 68), Webb, Green ©, Mehmet, Oakley, Clarke, Hughes (Lopes 58), Benmore (Jones 37); unused Robinson, S Borland. Ref: Sam Lewis (Brentford); ARs Aiden Farrelly (Hampton), Steven Hart (Ashford); Official att 83.
Ryman League Premier Division: Saturday 8th November 2008 (3pm) STAINES TOWN (1) 2 DOVER ATHLETIC (2) 3 Spectators who braved the rain at windy Wheatsheaf Lane saw the top two sides serve up a thrilling match, in which Staines just failed to become only the second side to deny Dover victory. The match was preceded by the presentation of a new car to the club by sponsors Suzuki Heathrow, and by the first appearance of the club’s own cheerleaders – The Swanettes! When Dover’s Shaun Welford broke free after only 2? mins of play, Staines ’keeper James Courtnage, making his first start of the season, slithered out to challenge him, and sent him tumbling, with Frannie Collin sweeping home the resultant penalty kick. For a while, Staines struggled to stay in the game, as Dover mounted wave after wave of pressure, but slowly they gained a toe-hold, with McDonald sending in a dangerous wind-assisted free-kick after a foul on Butler, and they were rewarded by a 19th min equaliser. André Scarlett’s swirling corner deceived goalkeeper John Whitehouse, allowing Elliot Onochie to help the ball towards the far post, where Dean Thomas forced it over the line for an equaliser. Staines boss Steve Cordery was later somewhat critical of his side’s defence, and he would have had the second Dover goal in mind, as Welford was allowed too much time and space to clip the ball into the top corner, after they failed to deal with a seemingly harmless Jerahl Hughes cross in the 28th min. Staines had chances to draw level again, but Marien Ifura’s powerful header went just over following a Sargent corner (and was also pulled up for a foul), and another Sargent cross was met by a twisting Onochie header which also flew just wide. Richard Butler was harshly penalised after a collision with Whitehouse in a dangerous position. Although Welford tried his luck either side of half time – first with a shot that was diverted wide for a corner, and then with a strong run that required a brave save by Courtnage, it was the home side who would score the next goal, following a determined move in the 61st min. Skipper Danny Gordon shrugged aside a niggling injury to send a fine ball up to Onochie, who controlled well, before exchanging passes with Scarlett and sending his shot beyond the rooted Whitehouse. Prior to this, Ifura was again unlucky to be pulled up for a foul against Whitehouse when well placed. Then, a foul by Dover skipper Ball (for which he was booked) gave Onochie a free kick which was well struck but rose just over the bar. Ifura – restored to the side after shrugging off a painful back problem – made a great tackle to deny the bustling Hughes, and Welford proved a danger even with his throws. Neither Cordery nor his opposite number Andy Hessenthaler was content to settle for a point during the remainder of the game, with Staines, buoyed by a couple of attacking substitutions, seeing Onochie fire across the goalmouth, and Scarlett hit a rising free-kick fractionally over from 35 yards. Welford was denied at the other end by a well-timed Gordon header, whilst Lawrence Ball was inches from converting Collin’s cross. With 2 mins left, another swirling Collin cross was put in at the far post by Welford, but did so with his hand and was booked. However, it was a warning that Staines did not heed, as, right on time, Collin broke on the left and centred for Welford to guide the winner in at the far post. Still there was time for Staines to come back, but the nearest they came was a stoppage time free kick from Clement James which hit the bar, and a string of late corners and throws by Scarlett and McDonald. Mr Cordery paid tribute to the visitors’ determined attitude, and accepted that defeat left Staines somewhat in Dover’s wake, but pointed to some injuries and unavailabilities (Staines had elected not to push for a postponement due to two international calls) and hoped that they would still be within reach by the time the sides meet again in March: other results meant that they stayed 2nd. The sponsors’ Hugo Pereira chose Scarlett as Swans Man of the Match, while Welford received the media accolades. Staines: Courtnage, Sargent, Gordon ©, Butler (James 86), Onochie, Scarlett, Risbridger, McDonald, D Thomas (Cook 58), Charles-Smith (Fenton 83), Ifura; unused Wells (gk), Haule. Dover: Whitehouse, Fish, Gore, Hill, Ball ©, Keister (Jones 68), Moore, Pouton, Welford, Collin, Hughes (Grazioli 79); unused Rogers, Browning, Bailey. Ref: Alf Field (Chesham); ARs Murdoch & Sayer (Berks); Att 491. | |
