Saturday 31st October 2009 (3:00pm) – Blue Square Conference (South)

THURROCK (0) 1  STAINES TOWN (2) 2

By Steve Parsons.

Steve Cordery’s men rounded off an excellent 8 days’ work by taking all three points at the Ship Lane home of third placed Thurrock, whose only previous home defeat had been by high-flying Dover.  These two clubs had met only four times in the past, when the Essex side were known as Purfleet in the mid-90s – with ‘Fleet winning every game.  The starting side showed just one change, as Leroy Griffiths was rested to make way for the returning André Scarlett.  The home side included Matt Paine, who had a few games on loan from Colchester from Staines in 2005/6.  On a cool afternoon, and a decent playing surface, Staines attacked the far end in the first half.

The visitors made a stylish start, stringing together a series of neat passing moves, and having an early shout for a penalty dismissed, when Scarlett seemed to be tripped.  However, the first noteworthy chance went the way of the home side, Wells getting down smartly to save in front of his post from Paine.  A crunching 10th minute challenge between Butler and Olima saw the Staines player yellow carded, and Thurrock had another half chance soon afterwards, when Flynn’s angled shot flew right across the face of goal.  Gareth Risbridger responded with a 25 yarder which ‘keeper Woolley did well to shoo round for a corner.  Then it was Thurrock again, an inch perfect ball giving Bodkin a chance, but Danny Gordon chased back determinedly and got in a saving tackle.  There was another scare for Staines when big McKenzie flicked the ball on to Bryant, but although his shot grazed the bar, he was in any case flagged just offside.  The first half ended with Staines back on top, and in the 44th minute they grabbed a lead after another flowing passing move.  Risbridger’s ball out wide to Newton dragged the defender out of position, giving the winger just enough space to cut the ball back to Ali Chaaban in the middle, and he controlled well and fired past Woolley.  Staines were happy to be going in a goal to the good, but that turned to delight when they were awarded a penalty a few seconds into stoppage time, when Newton’s chip was handled by Paine.  It was, a harsh decision, but perhaps counteracted the early denial, and Chaaban showed no mercy from 12 yards as he netted his second goal in as many minutes. 

Right at the start of the second half, Wells touched a Fola Orilonishe shot onto his crossbar, but for a long while after this, Staines looked comfortable.  Whether they were playing within themselves ahead of next weekend’s big FA Cup tie, or whether the accomplished Thurrock side were able to contain them cannot be determined, but apart from a couple of efforts by Newton – one just wide, the other scuttling across the face of goal – neither side looked like scoring for a long stretch, and that was a situation that suited Staines perfectly.  Both sides used all their three permitted substitutes, and there was a booking for Thurrock’s Clark after he fouled Risbridger in the 76th minute.  Two minutes later, Ifura went into the book, also for a foul, and although Thurrock hit the free kick wide, it was a sign that they were not going to give up until the final whistle.  With just 2 minutes left on the clock, Matthew Bodkin was baulked on the edge of the box by a cluster of defenders, comprising Gordon, Sterling, and Risbridger, and referee Philip Knight immediately awarded his second penalty of the afternoon.  This one was superbly saved by Louis Wells, but the taker – sub Matthew Judge – reacted quickly, moving out to his left and turning the rebound in to make it 2-1.  The remaining 2 plus 4 additional minutes saw Staines endure a couple of corners, but they were able to hold on to secure an excellent result that moves them back into the top half of the table.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett (Thomas 76), Newton, Risbridger, Butler (Griffiths 64), Chaaban (Taylor 80), D Brown; unused Woozley, Onochie.

Thurrock: Woolley, Andrews, Flynn ©, Olima, Clark, Paine (Judge 59), Bodkin, Lalite (Gilbey 71), Bryant, McKenzie (Knight 65), Orilonishe; unused Swaine, Anderson.

Ref: PJ Knight (Westbere, nr Canterbury); ARs MT Cook (Black Notley, Essex), SM Connor (Gt Notley). Att: 234.

Tuesday 27th October 2009 (7:45pm GMT) – Blue Square Conference (South)

STAINES TOWN (0) 1  NEWPORT COUNTY AFC (0) 0

By Steve Parsons.

Staines had made a solid, mid-table start to the season so far, but there had been those who had pointed out that they had met only one club in the top six.  That changed on a mild Tuesday evening at a verdant Wheatsheaf Park, where table-topping Newport County came to town... and surrendered their unbeaten start to the Conference campaign.  Steve Cordery made a single change to the side, as Ali Chaaban made his first start of the season, in place of André Scarlett.  The first ever Welsh side to play at Wheatsheaf Lane were cheered on by a large and good-natured band of supporters, making it Staines’ biggest crowd home or away since the Brentford friendly.  Staines attacked the ‘houses’ end in the first half.  The match was preceded by a minute’s silence for the Swans legend Neville Warner (there has been no home game since he passed away on 19 Sept), during which Alec Nairn and Micky Taylor were also remembered.

County made all the early running, and Louis Wells had to be at his best to batten away an 11th minute Sam Foley shot for a corner, from which Paul Cochlin headed just wide.  A comparatively rare Staines attack on 23 minutes saw Griffiths pulled back, which brought Paul Bignot the game’s first yellow card from Mr Breakspear jr.  Strangely, three more Newport players would be booked in the ensuing 38 minutes, followed by no less than five Swans in the final quarter of the game.  Continuing to go forward, Craig Reid fired a shot towards Wells’ goal, but the ball ricocheted kindly into the path of Danny Rose, and he curled his 26th min shot just beyond the angle of post and bar.  Three minutes later, Richard Butler responded for Staines, being put through one-on-one with Glyn Thompson, but the Newport goalkeeper saved bravely at his feet.  Then came a narrow escape for Staines, as Wells expertly flipped a Foley shot over the bar, and it required a goal line clearance from Howard Newton to keep Cochlin’s shot out, following Rose’s corner kick.  Giles had his name taken for a 39th minute trip on the edge of the box on Chaaban, who got up to thump the free kick into the wall.  Two minutes later, and Cochlin was carded for an off-the-ball push, but again Staines were wasteful with the dead ball.  At this stage, the visitors were going through their first rocky patch, giving away a succession of free-kicks, and when 3 extra minutes were signalled on the new electronic numbers board, the home side might have benefitted when Newton burst down the right and saw his cross elude a stumbling defender, before Leroy Griffiths’ shot was saved.

Staines were much quicker out of the block in the second half, and a flowing passing move ended with Chaaban’s shot from 18 yards drawing a super save from Thompson.  At the other end, great work by the impressive Foley almost put Reid away, but again Wells was smartly off his line to clear the danger.  What proved to be the winning goal came on 58 minutes, after Thompson could only parry a powerful Newton shot into the path of Ali Chaaban: the ball was bouncing awkwardly, but he controlled it superbly, and kept his composure to clinically drive it back past the ‘keeper from 15 yards.  More Swans pressure saw Turk go into the book after he impeded Newton, who had been put away after another flowing move.  The bookings quickly started to even up, when Jackson had his name taken for dissent after he thought he was fouled by a leaping Newport player, and Butler entered the discussion and was added to the list, too.  With 18 minutes to go, Newport missed their best chance, when sub Charlie Henry misdirected his header after a well-weighted Foley through ball and a strong run by Reid had set him up.  Staines had to work hard to preserve their lead, with Griffiths showing his willingness to do the miles, as he got back and made two important headed clearances in quick succession, followed by a confident save from Wells.  The visitors sent in some dangerous free-kicks and corners, and there was a worrying delay when Ifura fell awkwardly and needed treatment, but was then able to resume.  Play flowed from end to end –Gordon was booked for a wayward jump at one end, before Newton almost rounded Thompson at the other, before the Exiles keeper made a good recovery.  Moments after the 2 extra minutes were signalled, Chaaban’s skills set up a chance for sub Dean Thomas, but his chance to make the game safe squeezed just wide.  Six extra minutes had been played when a wayward challenge by Ifura on Morgan brought both him and the dissenting Risbridger cards, while the unfortunate Swansea loanee was stretchered off with a knee injury.  Thankfully, he was seen back on his feet after the game, and it is hoped that is injury is not as bad as first appeared.  When play finally resumed, Rose’s free kick was diverted out for a corner, which he took himself, finding his own green-shirted Thompson up in an attacking position, with the goalkeeper heading against the post!  The final whistle blew 8? minutes into stoppage time, with Staines able to celebrate a memorable and deserved win.  Chaaban was the Staines Massive’s Man of the Match; the South Wales Argus selected Thompson as Newport’s.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Chaaban, Newton, Risbridger, Butler (D Thomas 73), Griffiths, D Brown; unused Taylor, Scarlett, Woozley, Onochie.

Newport: Thompson, Bignot, Giles, Turk © (Morgan 70), Thelwell, Cochlin, Rose, Rogers (C Thomas 88), Reid, Foley, Holgate (Henry 65); unused Warren, Blackburn (g).

Ref: CT Breakspear (Walton); ARs ID Kitchen (Ottershaw), DA Jones (New Haw). Att: 621.

Saturday 24th October 2009 (3pm) – FA Cup sponsored by E.On 4th Qualifying Round (tie 26)

HAYES & YEADING UNITED (0) 0  STAINES TOWN (1) 1

By Steve Parsons.

Staines returned to the Church Road scene of their recent Middlesex Senior Cup win, for a rather more high-profile fixture.  These clubs did not know when they met 18 days earlier, that they would be paired together in a contest for a coveted ball in the FA’s Perspex bowl for the First Round Proper of the world’s oldest cup competition, and there were few similarities about the game.  Only 4 Staines players actually played a part in both matches, and only 3 from Hayes, and the crowd was vastly bigger and more passionate, but the one thing that did not change was the all important result – an exciting win for the visitors.  Steve Cordery made just one change to the side who had fallen short at Braintree, with Darty Brown making his first start since hurting his back 7 weeks earlier, in place of Scott Taylor; two players who had appeared in the earlier game (Orlu and Lee) were cup-tied. Hayes, who had achieved a stunning 3-0 win over Cambridge United 7 days earlier, included former Staines junior Matt Ruby, but were without the suspended Marwa.  The afternoon was mild and bright, but with a gusting crosswind, the pitch was in good condition, and Staines attacked the Church Road (entrance) end in the first half. 

From the very start, the match was a tense and probing affair, with both sides cautious of making an error, but eager to probe their opponents for weaknesses.  Butler fired Staines earliest chance over the bar, and then Hayes settled, with Fitzgerald forcing Wells into an important save, and Risbridger having to effect a vital block and clearance.  Staines went close with a quickly taken 10th minute free kick, touched by Scarlett to Jackson, who drove the ball right across the face of goal and inches out of Griffiths’ reach.  Staines then grabbed the initiative, with Newton stretching to reach a cross and heading a fraction wide, Griffiths also just missing the target after receiving the ball from a weak kick from ’keeper Overland, and Scarlett finding a similar spot from a free-kick after Risbridger had been fouled 5 yards outside the box.  There were a succession of bookings, beginning with Newton (16 mins, foul on Little), and following in colourful fashion with Staines’ Brown and Scarlett, and Green of Hayes (respectively 24, 37 & 48 mins, all for fouls). On 22 mins, there was a major scramble in the Hayes box, started by an inswinging Scarlett corner, and ending when Ifura’s piledriving volley was blocked and finally cleared.  After Brown’s card for a foul on James, the free kick was played down the left to Green, whose cross was powerfully headed in by Sean Canham, but thankfully for the visitors, the assistant was flagging for offside.  The all-important goal came in the 30th minute, and it was not undeserved, either.  Brown showed what Staines had been missing with an incisive ball to the overlapping Sterling, and his low cross was met by a driven shot from Leroy Griffiths that gave Overland no chance in the Hayes goal.  Staines quickly pressed for a second, and might have got it when Butler latched onto a Brown pass and prodded the ball beyond Overland, but it was cleared off the line, with Risbridger seeing a shot blocked from the resulting corner. 

The home side made a more positive start to the second half, and Staines were quickly indebted to Wells for his brave save.  But Staines were unlucky again on 58 mins, when Newton cut the ball back to Griffiths, whose low shot threaded through a crowded box only to strike the foot of the post.  Staines at this stage seemed to be able to retain possession at will, and a rangy move ended with Butler on the left combining with Brown on the right, to set up Risbridger in the middle, but he was denied by Little’s saving tackle.  Chaaban came on for Scarlett, and within seconds was involved in a good chance for the visitors, latching onto a Newton pass and momentarily having a one-on-one with Overland, only for Ruby to chase back and concede the corner.  Risbridger was cautioned for a foul on Marc Canham, after Mr Busby had played a good advantage, but the Swans man was injured in the challenge, and when play next stopped he was treated and then withdrawn with a gashed knee.  This revived memories his horrific injury of a few years back, but thankfully this one proved more superficial.  Jackson collected a mysterious booking (81m), followed by one for Hayes’ Mulley who went in late on Brown (87m).  In between, Wells kept his eye on the path of a swerving M Canham shot to gather with ease, and the same player sent over a cross, right on time, which was headed into the side-netting by Daly, although an offside flag went up anyway.  Four nail-biting additional minutes were signalled, during which S Canham toed an effort over the bar after receiving a long throw, and Ifura made a towering headed clearance to keep the home side at bay.  The final whistle sparked jubilation among the Staines players, who were quick to show their appreciation to the noisy old-gold-and-blue clad band of fans on the far side. 

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett (Chaaban 63), Newton, Risbridger (Thomas 77), Butler (Onochie 90+2), Griffiths, D Brown; unused Woozley, Taylor, Courtnage (gk), Bourne.

Hayes: Overland,Allen-Page, Green, Cadmore ©, Ruby, Mulley, M Canham, Fitzgerald (Daly 57), James (Mehmet 70), Little (El-Abd 75+), S Canham; unused: Webb, Gradwell, Baker (gk), Cochrane..

Ref: John Busby (Wallingford, Oxfordshire); ARs Paul B Redmond (Bicester, Oxfordshire), Darren Flanagan (Sandy, Bedfordshire). 4th Off Andy Medlock (Great Gransdon, Sandy, Bedfordshire); Att: 602.  NLP MoM: Griffiths. Swans’ mascot for this game was Harley Yates (aged 6).  Among the spectators was former Swans boss, Ken Ballard, who is related to one of the Hayes committee members.

Saturday 17th October 2009 (3pm) – Blue Square Conference (South)

BRAINTREE TOWN (0) 2  STAINES TOWN (0) 0

By Steve Parsons.

Following their two recent cup wins, Staines found the going much tougher when they returned to League action at Braintree’s Cressing Road stadium on Saturday.  The Essex side had fallen away a little after an impressive start to the campaign, while Staines were eager to collect a first league win since early September.  Steve Cordery made just one change to last week’s successful starting XI, with Howard Newton having recovered from his illness to replace Dean Thomas.  Darty Brown would come off the bench for his first senior action since his injury at Eastleigh, whilst Marc Cumberbatch has begun a loan stint at Tonbridge Angels, following a couple of games for Hendon.  The Iron side included former Staines man Jacob Mingle, who was making his comeback after 6 weeks out with a broken jaw.  On a cool afternoon with a blustery cross-wind, the white-shirted Staines attacked the far end of a decent pitch in the first half.

However, it proved to be a frustrating afternoon for the visitors, for – after more than holding their own in a scoreless first half – they fell away in the second period, conceding a goal (inevitably scored by Mingle) with three quarters of the game played, followed by a second in the 90th minute.  There was plenty of tempo I the game at the start, with Newton twice ghosting past Mark Jones with ease, while at the other end, Louis Wells looked as assured as ever in plucking two high balls out of the gusting wind.  Braintree threatened again when Jon Keeling dug out a cross to George Purcell who was momentarily unmarked in a dangerous position, but was unable to control the ball in time.  Swans closest approach came from the head of big Marien Ifura, who could not quite find the target after Leroy Griffiths had floated over a free kick, following a 24th minute foul on Richard Butler.  Back to the clubhouse end, where Simon Jackson made an all-important clearance from under the bar Purcell had again whipped the ball in from the right.  Then Staines countered with two corners in quick succession, the second, skimmed in low from the left by Newton, was met by an unfeasibly low header from Sterling that did not trouble David Blackmore in the Braintree goal.  Next it was Simon Jackson’s turn to be the provider, his super ball being powerfully headed downwards but just off target by Griffiths.  Griffiths then started and finished another move, winning the ball at the back and exchanging passes with Jackson before Blackmore intervened.  At the other end, Wells was also unflappable, holding a swirling Jon Keeling shot, and, 5 minutes from the break, watching a Sean Marks flick bounce off the top of his crossbar following a free kick.

Braintree grabbed the initiative from the start of the second half, although a full stretch dive from Wells to keep out Jones’ angled shot denied them their best chance of an early goal.  He also comfortably gathered Purcell’s powerful, deflected shot following a Tom Bruno free kick, and then started an attacking move that ended in Scott Taylor finding space before having his effort parried by Blackmore.  But with 69 minutes played, Purcell broke away on the left, and sent a low cross towards the far post, where Jacob Mingle eluded his marker and scored from close range, leaving the Staines boss to question whether it might have been offside.  Staines threw on Ali Chaaban, and there was a welcome return for Brown, but Braintree again tested Wells through Bruno, and also found the net again directly from a corner, but Wells had been impeded while it was in flight, and the goal was disallowed.  Griffiths came close at the other end, and then hammered a free kick a little off target, but in the last minute, Wells fingertipped another Bruno shot round for a corner, which was taken by the same player, who picked out debutant Paul Goodacre to score the second goal with a header.  All that remained were the 4 added minutes, and that was not enough for Staines to get anything from this match.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, Risbridger (Brown 76), Butler (Chaaban,70), Griffiths (Thomas 85), Taylor; unused Bourne, Woozley.

Braintree: Blackmore, Peters, Jones, Duncan, Goodacre, Bruno, Mingle, Game, Purcell, Marks (Power 83), Keeling (Starkey 56); unused: Bailey-Dennis, Emmanuel, McDonald.

Ref: Neil A Hair (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire); ARs Graham L Weston (Harlow, Essex), Nick Evans (Grafham, Huntingdon, Cambs). Att: 453. NLP MoM: Jacob Mingle.

Saturday 10th October 2009 (3pm) – FA Cup sponsored by E.On – 3rd Qualifying Round (tie 17)

WALTON CASUALS (0) 0  STAINES TOWN (3) 3

By Steve Parsons.

Staines made the short journey to Waterside Drive to meet Ryman Division 1 South club Walton Casuals, with the prize being a place in the last qualifying round of the FA Cup, not to mention a small matter of £7500.  Steve Cordery reverted to a more familiar line-up after the midweek game at Hayes, although it was missing Howard Newton, who went home ill from training on Thursday, and David Woozley who was on duty at the fire station.  Leroy Griffiths, who once played for Casuals, returned after suspension.  Casuals have several players with Staines connections in their squad, including the ‘on loan’ Richard Orlu (who was withdrawn, but could not appear for Staines as he is cup tied), and James King (broken arm), and also missing were the unavailable Nick Burton, James Crowe, and James Rose. However, Casuals’ bench included ex Swans in Carl Taylor and brothers Spencer and Bradley Collins, whilst Trent Phillips of Staines had a spell at Walton.  The afternoon was warm and sunny, the pitch in excellent condition, and the gate swelled by the proximity of the two clubs to more than double Casuals’ average.  They included Fulham’s Ray Lewington and Tony Gale, both of whom had sons playing for Walton.

The opening seconds of the game contained excitement at both ends, as straight from kick-off an underhit Staines back pass by Sterling let Martin Grant in on goal, only for his to put his shot wide.  Then after just 80 seconds, the ball was in the net at the other end, courtesy of a powerful André Scarlett strike, but he was ruled just offside.  Staines then quickly gained the upper hand, forcing a string of corners, although three successive flag-kicks failed to get past the first defender.  However, on 24 minutes, Leroy Griffiths sent over a perfect corner which was sent back across goal by Sterling, and it was forced in by Dean Thomas in the centre for 1-0.  Now Staines were in full flight, and a clever Scott Taylor back-heel to Scarlett resulted in a drive that just cleared the bar, before a 4 minute delay while Swans defender Marien Ifura received treatment for what appeared to be a head injury.  He continued after this, but soon had to be taken off, to be replaced by Marc Cumberbatch.  But Staines were not disrupted by this setback, and set about their opponents, which resulted in two further goals, virtually wrapping the tie up before half time.  On 41 minutes, good skills on the ground by Louis Wells started a move which was continued by Sterling’s long pass for Richard Butler to chase, and he showed superb control before lifting the ball over ’keeper Chico Ramos for number two.  And then, on the stroke of 45 minutes, another flowing Swans move started by Gareth Risbridger and moving through Butler, Taylor, and Griffiths ended when the latter back heeled the ball into the path of Scarlett, who slammed in an unstoppable shot, reprising his 2nd minute effort, only this time without the flag. 

The visitors began the second half as though they intended to pour salt into Walton’s wounds, with Ramos doing well to touch a 20 yard Griffiths drive over the bar, and then superbly diverting Cumberbatch’s header from the resulting corner, against the post.  However, the game then settled down into more of a midfield battle, with Walton steadying their ship and restricting Swans’ attacking instincts, whilst the three goal margin was not severely strained.  Three fouls in swift succession led to the game’s only three cards, as Gale and Marney of Walton, and Scarlett of Staines found their names in Mr Cook’s book.  Ali Chaaban came on for Staines with 20 minutes left, and it was he who worked their best chance in the final phase, dragging the ball back skilfully but shooting too high.

Monday morning’s draw sent Staines back for a quick return to Hayes & Yeading United.  The Church Road club eliminated Staines from last year’s competition in an exciting replay.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura (Cumberbatch 32), Scarlett, Taylor, Risbridger, Butler, Griffiths (Bourne 79), Thomas (Chaaban 71); unused Kamara, Onochie, Courtnage (g), D Brown.

Walton C: Ramos, Bolger, Cayford, Lewington ©, Walters, Webb, Barima, Harris (Marney 61), Grant, Yarnie, Gale; unused Worthington, Abrams, Naughton (g) – only 4 named.

Ref: D Cook; ARs S Graham, D Balcombe (all Hants). Official Att 238.Tuesday 6th October 2009 (7:45pm) – Middlesex Senior Cup, Round 2 [tie 11]

HAYES & YEADING UNITED (1) 1  STAINES TOWN (1) 4

By Steve Parsons.

In a tie brought forward from 10th December (where it clashed with Hayes’ big Conference game v Oxford U), these two clubs renewed their cup rivalry at a somewhat lower level of intensity than last season’s meetings in the FA Cup.  However, although both fielded only 3 players who had started their previous weekend’s League matches, the Staines side at least was filled with familiar faces, and the match was exciting and of high quality.  Elliot Onochie walked out with a signed match-ball after scoring an excellent hat-trick to win the game for the visitors, all his three goals coming in the final 12 minutes.  Steve Cordery also took the opportunity to grant two Academy products, Hyun-Jin Lee and Alfie Arthur, débuts as second half subs, while several others were recalled: James Courtnage (after a couple of appearances cross-signed at Boreham Wood), Dean Thomas (after a holiday), Richard Butler, Chris Bourne and Marc Cumberbatch (following spells on the bench), Risbridger (after 3 games suspended), and Leigh Mason (his first Staines appearance for over a year after a stint at Flackwell Heath and a succession of injuries).  Richard Orlu, who has been loaned to Walton Casuals with the agreement that he would not play in their FA Trophy side, was also included for his first Swans competitive outing since April.  Hayes were skippered by former Staines Junior, Matt Ruby.  Despite a wet day, the pitch was in good condition, and the evening began fairly mild, with Staines attacking the far end in the first half. 

Staines made the early running, and were rewarded with a goal in only 8 minutes, as Elliot Onochie sent over a corner from the left, for Gareth Risbridger to powerfully head home at the far post.  But United responded quickly, getting back on level terms in the 19th when a right-sided cross by Rochester was unfortunately headed past his own ‘keeper by Orlu, rising to get in ahead of striker Gradwell.  There were no further goals in the first half, but a quick Staines free kick by Mason to Bourne was centred towards Butler in a dangerous position, only for Ruby to sweep it off his toes, and then at the other end, Gradwell flashed a header across the face of goal.

The second half began with a series of interruptions, as United’s Nsubuga appeared to be suffering with cramp, but was finally subbed.  Three more substitutions followed, including Lee and Taylor for the visitors, before Swans went ahead again in the 78th minute.  Temporary skipper David Woozley played a well-weighted diagonal pass to Bourne, who again showed the quality of his crossing when he set up Onochie for his first, headed in at the back post on the bounce.  That was to be Woozley’s last contribution, as Arthur then took his place, and Staines would quickly make the game safe with a third goal in the 83rd minute, again from a Bourne cross, and once again Onochie headed past Baker.  Mason saw a crashing volley well saved by Baker, pushing it over the bar for a corner, from which Bourne found Lee, only for his goal-bound effort to be blocked on the line.  In a frantic first minute of stoppage time, both Bourne and Mason tested Baker, before Onochie completed his hat-trick by driving a free kick low into far bottom corner, after he had been tripped just outside the box. 

Staines will entertain Hanwell Town, Bedfont Green, or Harrow Borough in the Quarter-Final on 12th January, and if they needed any extra incentive to do well in the County Cup, it is that Wheatsheaf Lane will host the final on Easter Monday.

Staines: Courtnage; Kamara, Bourne, Cumberbatch, Woozley © (Arthur 79), Orlu, Mason (Lee 69), Risbridger, Butler (Taylor 74), Onochie, Thomas; unused Scarlett, Wells (g).

Hayes & Y: Baker, Nsubuga (Webb 60), El Kholti (Wishart 79), Duffy, Ruby © (Dikuiza 66), Mehmet, Rochester, Little, Gradwell, Padovani, Fraser Allen; unused Andrew, Overland (g).

Ref: Wes Linden (Northwood); ARs Andrew Hickman (Northolt), Ben Furneaux (Uxbridge). MCFA Officer Jim Taylor (Osterley). Official Att 71

Saturday 3rd October 2009 (3pm) – Blue Square Football Conference (South Division)

LEWES (0) 1  STAINES TOWN (1) 1

By Steve Parsons.

Visiting Lewes’s Dripping Pan ground for the first time since Steve Cordery’s very first competitive game in charge, the Staines line-up had a slightly unusual look to it.  Skipper Danny Gordon returned from illness and was started in an unfamiliar midfield role, while Marc Charles-Smith was missing after unfortunately breaking his jaw in two places following a midweek training-ground collision with Louis Wells.  Scott Taylor, whom Staines re-signed from Lewes almost a year ago, wanted to play despite the sad loss of his father less than a week earlier, and Richard Butler returned from his business in Arctic Norway to claim a seat on the bench.  The unusual ground, with its undulating surface, has been developed somewhat since 2003 thanks to Lewes’ ill-starred stint in the Conference Premier, and Staines began by attacking the clubhouse end, against the stiff wind, on a blustery afternoon.

The home side started off with a dangerous Royce free-kick and two corners, but the match was only 5 minutes old when Staines took the lead.  Staines were awarded a free kick for hands, which André Scarlett took, and David Woozley helped on to Scott Taylor just inside the 18 yard area. He twisted away from his marker and then lifted the ball from an awkward height, over ‘keeper Banks and just under the bar.  Staines now grabbed the initiative, and really should have had the game sewn up before the half-hour mark.  Elliot Onochie received from Howard Newton and beat the offside but sent his shot just too high, and both Woozley and Marien Ifura threatened with headers.  Onochie seemed to have made space for another attempt, but this time he was halted by a raised flag.  Woozley saw another effort blocked by Grant, and the same defender just did enough to deny Taylor from Swans next attack.  But in the closing minutes of the half, Lewes came back into the picture, with Gordon having to make an important tackle when Peauroux worked some space, Ifura did the same when Archibald threatened, and Wells dealt well with a high Wheeler shot. 

Onochie had a chance to increase Staines’ lead right at the start of the second half with a shot that deflected just wide, but Lewes’ inexperienced side were thrown a lifeline on 47 minutes, following what was adjudged as a foul by Sterling on Royce, and Fred Foreman converted the penalty to notch his first goal for The Rooks.  Scarlett almost produced a perfect reply for the visitors, but his shot was deflected a fraction wide, and for a while the home defence was stretched.  But then the game opened out with Wells rising high to claim a lofted Archibald effort, and also dealing with a tricky Sterling back-pass, before Staines had penalty appeals of their own when Onochie was clattered heavily by ‘keeper Banks.  Howard Newton made a solo run which ended in a shot that thudded into Banks’ chest, and then Butler, who had just come on, received from Kamara and wall-passed with Taylor before testing Banks.  Lewes responded with a Foreman shot that was sent round for a corner, leading to a dangerous Breach header, and then Wheeler got away on the right and drove in a low cross which just eluded Archibald.  Sterling had his name taken for a foul, but Staines won the ball straight back from the free kick, creating a move which ended in Butler finding the net, but from an offside position.  Then Archibald set off on a good run for the home side, but Ifura saved the day for Staines with a well-timed challenge.  Sterling ended an unhappy afternoon by picking up an injury which required him to be subbed, and Staines endured a ragged spell in which they were unable to retain possession, ending with Wells saving from Barness.  Deep into injury time, Lewes sub skied the last chance of the match, before Bourne had his name taken for an untidy challenge on Wheeler.

These two sides, both new to the division, have now drawn 7 games each, but promoted Staines can be happier with their first dozen games, having won 3 of them, whilst relegated Lewes are still searching for their first 3-pointer.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling (Bourne 82), Woozley, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, Gordon ©, Taylor, Onochie (Butler 65), Kamara; unused Chaaban, Cumberbatch, Phillips (g).

Lewes: Banks, Manning, Barness ©, Hall, Peauroux, Breach, Wheeler, Keehan (Chamberlain 50), Foreman, Archibald (Pople 87), Royce; unused Crabb, Storrie, Banasco-Zaragoza (g).

Ref: Tony Mason (Sidcup); ARs Paul Burton & Tim Hatt (both Redhill).  Att 305.