Swans finally de-rail The Trams

Wednesday 28th September 2005 (7·45pm) – FA Cup, 2nd Qualifying Round Replay

CROYDON (1) 1  STAINES TOWN (1) 2 By Steve Parsons

Steve Cordery was pleased to welcome back skipper Matt Flitter after his ankle problem, and reinstalled Michael Currie and Dwayne Plummer in the starting line-up, as Nabil was ruled out with a stomach bug, and André De Lisser moved to sub.  Pre-match plans were not helped by the transport problem experienced by Jake Newton, who had to be collected by supporters Jesse Richards and Graham Gould after his car broke down: he arrived too late to start, and so Luke Muldowney kept his place.  Croydon were able to bring back their regular ‘keeper Danny Harwood, leaving Lee Gould on the bench; otherwise they Dickson Gill’s team was unchanged.  The huge Croydon Sports Arena is anything but an intimate venue, structurally speaking, and the wide expanses were not enhanced by the chill wind and persistent drizzle.  The pitch was grassy, but blemished in places, and Staines attacked the left hand end (as viewed from the main stand) in the first half.  The clubs were now aware that, as well as the £3750 prize fund, the winners would secure a trip to Folkestone in the penultimate qualifying round.

Staines were hoping that their opponents would not be able to raise themselves again as they did in the first game, and the opening exchanges gave them hopes of a plain-sailing victory.  After only 3 minutes, Currie received from Michael Murphy and hooked the ball into the box, a defender stuck out an arm, and Plummer stepped up to take the penalty.  However, Harwood flung himself across and saved the spot-kick.  But on 14 minutes, Îeljko Popovíç scored his first goal for the club, and it was a beauty too, waltzing his way past three defenders before beating Harwood with a low shot which bounced just in front of him.  However, Croydon clawed their way back into the game, and they forced an equaliser in 26 minutes.  There were calls for a red card when Shaun Allaway rashed out of the Staines goal and handled outside his area, but referee Russell produced only a yellow.  However, the free kick was rolled by Timmy Murdoch to Thierry Messi, who cracked his second goal of the tie with a thundering low drive which once again took something of a deflection.  The rest of the half was a bit scrappy, with Croydon picking up the first of their three cautions, Messi for a foul on Marien Ifura: his would later be joined by the names of Hall and Murdoch.

In the first minute of the second half, Ifura’s challenge on Messi brought him a yellow card, but as Staines pressed forward Murphy was unlucky with a 30 yard shot which deflected kindly into Harwood’s hands off the thigh of Mark Hall.  Croydon might well have taken the lead in the 53rd minute, when Dean Thomas got away and fired off a good shot which drew a diving save from Allaway.  It seemed certain that Jason Henry would tap in the rebound, but Allaway somehow got across to deny him bravely.  And within a minute, the Trams were left ruing the miss when Jermaine Hunter crossed for Luke Muldowney to stab in from the edge of the six yard box.  Staines’s FA Cup progress had thus been ensured by first Swans goals from two players who joined in the latter part of last season.  Staines then enjoyed their best spell of the match, with Plummer rattling the underside of the bar with a 30 yard drive which Harwood was pleased to gather as it bounced down on the line, and then, following a trip on the flying Clement James, Murphy touched the free kick to Ifura whose shot was deflected over.  But Croydon were not quite finished, as Allaway did well to cling to a Ray Freeman drive, and also he also did well with a speculative Murdoch shot and a couple of snapshots from Jason Henry.  Plummer also had a promising chip which almost extended the lead at the death.  Sadly the game ended in confusion, with three players being red-carded following a momentary flare-up: Jermaine Hunter of Staines, and Croydon's Messi and Lee Gould found their ways into Mr Russell's notebook.

Staines: Allaway, Gordon, M Murphy, Popovíç, Flitter ©, Muldowney, Ifura, Currie, Hunter, Plummer, James (De Lisser 75); unused  McDonald, Maskell, Newton, Williams.         Att: 82.

Croydon: Harwood, Messi, Read, Hill (White 67), Amaning ©, Hall, Murdoch, Thomas, Freeman, Henry, Rayner; unused Dabrowa, Humphrey, Ho, Gould (gk).  Ref: G Russell; Assts T Hatt, S Earl.

Trams prove hard to de-rail

Saturday 24th September 2005 (3·00pm) – FA Cup, 2nd Qualifying Round

STAINES TOWN (0) 1  CROYDON (1) 1 By Steve Parsons.

Sixty more of the original 674 FA Cup entrants went out of the competition at the weekend, but Staines were not one of them, as they stuttered to a draw against a hard working Croydon side who gave no indication that they were two divisions below the Swans, in Ryman League Division 2.  On a mild afternoon, Graham Gould had again prepared an excellent ‘wicket’, complete with a new diagonal mowing pattern in the centre circle, of which Staines attacked the houses end in the first half.  Staines were depleted by the absence of skipper Matt Flitter (ankle), and Fiston Manuella (beginning a 3 match ban), and so there were recalls for Marien Ifura and Luke Muldowney, while the captain’s armband passed to Danny Gordon.  There was a further setback when, within 15 minutes of kick-off, goalkeeper James Courtnage suffered a sudden elbow problem and had to be withdrawn from the starting line-up.  Fortunately Shaun Allaway was kitted up, but found himself elevated from the bench, with new signing Adrian Browne (ex Hayes defender) given a swift introduction to the number 17 shirt.  Croydon, too, were suffering goalkeeping problems, with an expired loan, a suspension, and a wedding detaining three potential custodians, and handing the gloves to Lee Gould.  The game was watched by Harry Trim, a Staines Town life member who is now not such a regular visitor to the club, but who came along to celebrate his 90th birthday today. 

Allaway was given some early assignments but managed to keep Croydon out, while Staines were disappointed that a Jermaine Hunter raid at the other end was halted by the award of a free kick when ‘advantage’ might have applied.  They were even more disappointed when the visitors took a shock lead on 16 minutes, the ball coming through to Thierry Messi, who fired off a low drive from 25 yards, which took a big deflection which deceived Allaway and nestled into the opposite corner of his net.  Croydon picked up the first of their three cautions for Freeman’s foul on ?eljko Popoví?; the others were in the second half for Read (kicked the ball away) and Thomas (dissent).  Staines enjoyed a better spell when a good move up the left and a cross to Hunter threatened to level, but Gould was equal to the Staines striker’s header.  Then Gould unconvincingly scrambled away a long ball from Ifura, but there were worries – thankfully unfounded – as Clement James took a knock on the knee in the ensuing scramble.  Croydon came good again late in the half, with Ray Freeman seeing a header cleared from almost off the line, and Dean Thomas dispossessing an advanced Allaway and centring to Jason Henry but his shot was delayed long enough to allow Allaway to gather.

Early in the second half, Croydon’s Ben Raynor suffered a blood injury and had to change into the 14 shirt, before being subbed late in the game.  However, the second half was a tale of two Staines substitutes.  They brought on Michael Currie, and he was quickly involved in a move with André De Lisser which Gould managed to divert for a corner.  Dwayne Plummer came on for De Lisser soon afterwards, but then Staines’s task was made harder by the dismissal – just 13 minutes after coming on – of Currie.  He seemed to get involved in a bout of shoving with Croydon’s Mark Hall, which resulted in the Staines man falling to the grass, and his adversary being restrained by ‘keeper Gould.  However, consultations between referee Russell and linesman Foden elicited only that Currie had sworn at an opponent, and because the phrase had included the word “Scottish” it was seen as a straight red card.  Staring another early FA Cup exit in the face, 10-man Staines at least managed to fashion an equaliser in the 71st minute, Luke Muldowney’s cross being bundled in from the edge of the six yard box by Dwayne Plummer.  The last quarter of the game – extended by a further 7 minutes due to injuries, the dismissal, and some delaying tactics – flowed from end to end.  Ifura had to head away a powerful headed effort by the dangerous Messi following a Croydon corner, and Jason Henry took up some threatening positions for The Trams, but miscued his best opening.  ‘CJ’ James put an effort over at the other end, before Plummer got his name taken after he and an opponent clashed in the box.  Deep into stoppage time, a Michael Murphy foul on the edge of the box cost him a caution and gave Messi another chance for a hard low shot on goal, but this time the deflection took it wide of the post.  Former Egham boss, Dickson Gill, who is now chairman and manager of Croydon, knows that his side raised their game for the biggest match of their season so far, but it will be up to Staines to recapture top form when the sides replay at The Arena on Wednesday.

Staines: Allaway, Gordon ©, M Murphy, Popoví? [NLP Star Man], Ifura, Newton, De Lisser (Plummer 64), Nabil (Currie 56, SO 69), Hunter, Muldowney, James; unused Maskell, McDonald, Browne.

Croydon: Gould, Messi, Read, Hill, Amaning ©, Hall, Murdoch, Thomas, Freeman, Henry, Raynor (Dabrowa 78); unused Ho, Humphrey, Evans.  Ref: G Russell; Assts M Foden, C Uju.   Att: 251.

Ladies win again

In a busy week for the club in national competitions, it was the Women's side who led the way, with a 4-2 win over ACTON SPORTS CLUB - a team two divisions above them in the FA Women's Cup at Wheatsheaf Lane on Sunday afternoon.  AMY BAKER and LEANNE ELLIOTT scored two apiece, as they reached the first round proper in this, their first year in the competition.

Old Isthmian rivals defeated

Tuesday 20th September 2005 (7·45pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division

HENDON (0) 1  STAINES TOWN (0) 2 By Steve Parsons.

This fixture now represents one of the oldest and most cordial rivalries in the Ryman Premier, but no previous match between Staines and Hendon has contained so many bizarre incidents as this one.  But at the end of it, Swans emerged with a deserved 3 points to reclaim the second spot in the table that had been temporarily wrested from them by Fisher 24 hours before.  Staines made one change to the weekend line-up, with Jermaine Hunter back from his ’flu in place of Luke Muldowney, and they fielded two former Hendon players in James Courtnage and André De Lisser; a third, Plummer, is still injured.  Hendon in turn had Ross Pickett among their unused subs, and Daniel Julienne on the park, who appeared for Staines in a couple of friendlies.  The evening was mild, although there was a little drizzle late on; the pitch was green but somewhat uneven underneath.  Hendon still have plans to leave their once grand old Claremont Road ground, of which Staines attacked the far end in the first half.  Following the appearance in the crowd at the corresponding game last season of Joe Cole, this match was watched by former 10000m world record holder David Bedford, the Hendon Vice-Chairman being their leading official since the sad passing of Ivor Arbiter earlier this year. 

Staines dominated the first half, but just could not find the net against a Hendon side who have proved generally frugal in defence.  There were a dozen corners for the visitors, against just two late on for Hendon, and some dazzling skills by Clement James on the left flank, but despite this, ‘keeper Dave King was able to watch efforts by Tariq Nabil, Hunter, and Fiston Manuella fly off target.  Then he launched a Hendon attack in which Julienne advanced fully 80 yards with the ball before firing across Courtnage’s 6 yard box.  Back on the attack, De Lisser was tripped just outside the box, and Michael Murphy’s drive this time forced King to make a flying save at the expense of a corner.  In the final minute of the half, Tariq Nabil – who was spoken to a few moments earlier by referee Jonathan Wheeler – was cautioned for a late tackle.

Staines started the second half on the attack too: that is, after a delay of several minutes while a maintenance man was brought on to repair one of the goal nets.  Hunter was put through only for his first touch on the tricky surface to take him too far wide, and he was able to win only a corner.  Then a James corner was channelled via Murphy and De Lisser to Manuella, but his shot just went wide.  But there were danger signs too, when a good combination between Hendon’s Danny Murphy and Julienne set up John Frendo for a shot, which drew a fine save from Courtnage.  This resulted in a corner, and another chance, but Belal Aiteouakrim sent it over the bar, to the relief of both the visiting defence and the PA announcer.  And then, on 55 minutes, came the first moment of farce.  A Staines attack had fizzled out, with Hunter having been crowded out by Billy Matthews and Duncan.  Under no pressure, Iain Duncan turned to play the ball back to his ‘keeper from 25 yards out.  Whether it bobbled in front of King, or he took his eye off it was hard to say, but the ball bounced between the ’keeper’s legs and trundled over the line before anyone could catch it, for a strange own goal.  Five minutes later, and King was all set to be embarrassed again, as he tripped Nabil when clean through, and was already removing his gloves for someone else to face the inevitable penalty.  But one man in the ground saw it differently – referee Wheeler decided that Nabil had taken a dive, a yellow card offence which meant that he had to send him off.  Staines will study video evidence and ascertain if an appeal is possible.  And then, to cap a weird 7 minutes, a Hendon clearance was played up the line.  Manager Gary McCann thought it had gone out, and stepped onto the pitch to kick the ball back for a throw-in.  Linesman Groves saw it differently, and Mr McCann was dismissed from the dug-out for his incursion, and the game restarted with a drop ball.  A second penalty appeal went begging on 67 minutes, when James seemed to have his calf clipped as he advanced at a tight angle towards goal: a dubious advantage was played, and James was left with an injury which eventually caused him to be subbed by Jon McDonald late on.  With Gareth Risbridger looking on, Hendon then brought on Youness Nabil.  Staines' nerves were settled when a quality pass from Manuella reached De Lisser, who advanced down the right, beat his man and cut inside, pulling the ball back for Jermaine Hunter to score with a first class finish.  It remained that way until the 3rd minute of injury time, when a Hendon corner resulted in Danny Murphy forcing the ball in from a goalmouth scramble.  Mr Wheeler then stretched the match on to over 99 minutes (excluding net-mending time), during which time Staines survived a couple of nervous moments, and one excellent Courtnage save.  However, they deservedly held on, and can now look back with some satisfaction upon just one defeat in 10 competitive games so far this season.

Staines: Courtnage, Gordon, M Murphy, Popoví?, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Hunter (Maskell 86), T Nabil (SO 60m), James (McDonald 80); unused Muldowney, Ifura, Williams.

Hendon: King, Burgess, Duncan, Cook, Street ©, Matthews (Y Nabil 73), Julienne, Hunt (Froud 90), Aiteouakrim, Frendo, D Murphy; unused Burgess, Pickett, Watson.

Ref: J Wheeler; Assts A Groves, I Jempeji.

Local rivals are beaten at last

Saturday 17th September 2005 (3·00pm) – Ryman League, Premier Division

WINDSOR & ETON (1) 1  STAINES TOWN (1) 2 By Steve Parsons.

A tricky away derby at a lowly but improving Windsor side marked Staines’ return to League action after the FA Cup ties last week, and Steve Cordery’s injury hit side came through a difficult test with 3 important points.  Windsor were able to welcome back their powerful skipper, Jamie Jarvis (who once played a couple of friendlies for Staines) after suspension, and also the recently signed Lee Kersey, back from Conference South club Maidenhead; unusually, they also fielded three brothers: Lee Paul and Peter Holsgrove.  Steve Cordery had to do without Hunter (’flu’), and Currie (hamstring); Jon McDonald was left on the bench after getting a knock on Tuesday, and was joined by Dwayne Plummer and Jamie Palmer, both hastening back after injury.  Michael Murphy and Fiston Manuella, however, stepped back into the side.  The weather was hot, although on occasions when it clouded over, there was a chill breeze.  The lush grass covered a deceptively bumpy pitch, whose far end Staines attacked in the first half.

Staines had the worst possible start, when James Courtnage was beaten by a powerful 4th minute 10-yard header by Jamie Jarvis, when he met a Paul Holsgrove free kick from the left.  Staines struggled to get any fluency into their game, and did not adapt well to the conditions underfoot, although they had a right to expect more than a play-on wave when André De Lisser was tripped just outside the ‘D’.  A Jarvis trip on the tricky Nabil in a similar position did at least bring a free kick, which was retaken by Murphy, and his drive drew a good parry by Kieron Drake.  But Staines gave themselves a real lift by equalising in the 42nd minute, when De Lisser – who was selected by the hosts as the NLP Star Man – intercepted a clearance, and shuttled the ball forward to Tariq Nabil, who exchanged passes with Luke Muldowney, before crisply sidefooting past Drake.  Right on half time, Windsor’s Cahill was cautioned for a trip on De Lisser.

Courtnage reacted well to push a Peter Holsgrove effort onto the upright early on, but Staines looked the better side for much of the second half, even though scoring chances were at a premium.  An odd incident occurred when Windsor’s Dave Tilbury was cautioned after a off-the-ball foul on Gordon, but in Mr Horwood’s dressing room after the game Windsor officials confirmed that the perpetrator was in fact Chris Lewington, and the booking was transferred to him.  Staines later had Newton booked for a trip.  A swift Swans move followed, as Courtnage picked out Clement James with a swift throw-out, and he found De Lisser, who took on two defenders before dragging his shot across the goalmouth.  Staines scored a super winning goal in the 79th minute, and again Muldowney was the provider.  His corner drew a punched clearance from Drake, but it fell to Michael Murphy, who let loose a powerful low volley from 16 yards to net his first goal for the club.  The Royalists might have equalised in the 86th, but Jake Newton’s stretch was just sufficient to take Adam Wallace’s far post cross off the toes of Dave Warner.  The resulting corner fizzed across the box, but Staines might have had a third when James showed some exciting trickery on the edge of the box before centring.  There, Matt Flitter seemed likely to get his name on the scoresheet, but he was clattered to the ground with Drake’s studmarks in his stomach – only for a free kick to be given against him for foot-up!  More great approach work by De Lisser gave late sub Craig Maskell a good chance, but he shot over the bar.  Thankfully, the miss was not too costly, and Staines consolidated their second place in the table.

Staines: Courtnage, Gordon, Murphy, Popovíc, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Muldowney, Nabil (Maskell 88),  James; unused McDonald, Palmer, Williams, Plummer.

Windsor: Drake, Tilbury, Bicknell, Lewington, Jarvis ©, Kersey, L Holsgrove (Wallace 76), Pa Holsgrove, Pe Holsgrove, Warner, Cahill; unused Davies, Skinner, Coyne, Smart.

Ref: G Horwood; Assts P Humphrey, I Trueman  official att 180.   

Swans finally beat their First round Hoodoo

Tuesday 13th September 2005 – FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay

DUNSTABLE TOWN 0 STAINES TOWN 1 By Steve Parsons

Staines Town made their first visit to Dunstable for exactly 48 years, but whereas the 1957 encounter saw the sides share 12 goals in a 90 minute League game, this time it needed extra time for Staines to squeak through by a solitary goal in this FA Cup replay.  Dwayne Plummer and Michael Currie were absent with hamstring problems, and Fiston Manuella demoted to the bench after his dismissal on Saturday, as Steve Cordery recalled Clement James and Tariq Nabil (back from a knee and foot problems respectively) and Luke Muldowney. The game developed into a dour encounter, in which Staines were unable to impose their position some 135 places above the Bedfordshire side on this game, and the only effort of note in the first half was a 30 yard drive by Muldowney that hit the upper side of the crossbar.  Dunstable lost two players to pre-existing injuries during the first half hour, and they exacted one fine save from James Courtnage, tipping away a Ben L’Honore drive late in The second period was a niggling affair, with a cluster of cautions for minor offences, and a hostile reception from the home fans for Manuella when he came off the bench   In the 89th minute, a long hopeful ball from Anthony Fontanelle tempted Courtnage out of his area, and the clearance struck Dunstable’s James McCarthy but bounced wide of the goal. 

Staines were pegged back for a long spell at the start of the second half, but then broke well with a James lob beating the ‘keeper only to be cleared at the far post.  The rebound fell to Jermaine hunter, but unfortunately he was still feeling the effects of a nasty hip-high challenge, and was unable to muster sufficient power in his shot to beat Paul Taylor in the home goal. 

The first extra period had ended rather farcically with all the home club’s Southern League balls having been exhausted.  However, Staines provided a Ryman / Chryso substitute at the start of the second, and it was not long before it was nestling in the back of Taylor’s net!  Manuella played the diagonal pass which found Clement James just outside the box, and he steadied himself before firing a low, hard shot into the bottom corner of Taylor’s net.  After such a tense game, it was fitting that it should be won – not by an error or a controversial decision – but by a moment of class: it was just a shame that we had to wait 107 minutes for it!  Courtnage made one more good save from McCarthy in the final minutes to avert a penalty shoot-out, but Staines can now look forward to a home tie v Croydon in the 2nd Qualifying Round on 24th September.

Staines: Courtnage, Gordon, McDonald (Murphy 86), Popoví?, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Nabil (Maskell 66), Hunter, Muldowney (Manuella 66), James; unused Williams, Allaway (gk).

Dunstable: Taylor; Strange, Barr, Covington © (Pomroy 19), Walker, Maynard (Osborn 95), Kean, Fontanelle, Dixon (McCarthy 27), Freeman, L’Honore; unused O’Neill, Quinn. 

Entertainment – 2                                 Star man – Matt Flitter (Staines

Sunday 11th September 2005

Record win for ladies

FA Women’s Cup – First Qualifying Round

LAUNTON LFC (0) 0  STAINES TOWN Women (5) 10

On paper this was a very difficult tie – Staines’ first ever in the national Women’ cup – drawn away to an established team who play three leagues higher than themselves in the South Western Combination: but for this cup tie, they had been due to travel to Plymouth Argyle for a League game.  (Launton is a small village near Bicester, and there is also a thriving men’s team - Launton Sports, Oxfordshire Senior League - and numerous boys’ sides who play on the far pitch, beyond the clubhouse and railed off main ground at Bicester Road.  The Ladies play on the main pitch).But from a very early stage, Launton’s prospects of emulating last season’s run to the 2nd Round Proper began to recede, as Leanne Elliott put Staines ahead on 1? minutes after the home side failed to clear a corner.  On 4 minutes, a Rachel Fell drive was at first held, and then spilled, by Launton ‘keeper Harriott, and there was Elliott to tap in a second goal.  The home side then had their most dangerous spell of the match, but Staines’ Sarah ‘Chunk’ Clutterbuck (formerly a Launton player) bravely saved their best effort after an awkward bounce had let McLinden through on goal. There followed an unusual delay while a bag was found to remove some dog mess from the pitch!  Nerves were settled when Elliott completed her hat-trick in the 26th minute, a foul by the boisterous Beckham giving George Giddings the chance to swing in a powerful free kick, which was met by Elliott’s far post header.  Giddings set up the next one too, just one minute later, Amy Baker holding off two strong challenges before firing low past Harriott.  Baker also scored the fifth, low and hard from the penalty spot after Dobie had fouled Elliott. 

The second half was only 3 minutes old when Lucy McNeil collected an Elliott pass and embarked on a long run, rounded off by a super finish to make it 6-0.  McNeil added the seventh (54 mins) with a superb 30 yard shot into the top corner, and might have bagged a hat-trick 2 minutes later but was tripped by Tutty.  However, a goal still resulted, Elliott slamming in the free-kick to start on her second hat-trick of the game.  Launton still got forward on occasions, and a shot by Dobie required Kate Davies’ header off the line.  They also had Tutty cautioned for dissent (57m).  Goal number nine was set up by a McNeil pass to Elliott, who held the line well and then darted forward before unleashing a super shot which grazed the underside of the bar on the way in (75m).  A neat move between Davies and Fell gave Elliott the opening to roll in on 81 minutes, taking her personal tally to 6 and Staines into double-figures.  Now realising that they had the chance to equal a club-record 11 goal haul in a national competition, Mark Callaghan encouraged the girls to push once more, but the quirky referee found time to come over and bet him that they wouldn’t score again!  There was an 88th minute yellow card for ‘kicking the ball away’ by Elliott, although it was an understandable error given the loud whistles coming from the boys’ game by now in progress on the adjoining back pitch.

Staines: Sarah Clutterbuck; Kate Davies ©, George Giddings, Shona McKay (Sidoné Bryan HT), Katie Bond, Laura Spooner, Lucy McNeil, Eddie Koff (Jemma Moss 76), Amy Baker (Hannah Murphy HT), Leanne Elliott, Rachel Fell; unused Charlotte Phillips.

Launton: Angie Harriott, Carole Bardell, MC Tutty, Lucy Creed ©, Emma Dobie, Sinnitta Beckham (Michaela Davies 72), Leanne McFarlane, Janine Mallett, Chloe McLinden (Jenna Carss HT), Naomi Dixon, Sam Rolph; unused Emma Wise.  Ref Derek Hawtin; Assts Darren Northam, Peter Hall; att 26.

Staines will now entertain Acton Sports Club (3-1 winners at Tring Athletic) in the next round, on 25th September.

Saturday 10th September 2005 (3·00pm) – FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

No surprises as Swans struggle on in Cup

STAINES TOWN (0) 1   DUNSTABLE TOWN (0) 1 By Steve Parsons.

Following two superb wins, Steve Cordery not surprisingly selected an unchanged side, and hopes were high of reaching the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1999.  Michael Murphy and Shaun Allaway had to be content with bench places after returning to fitness, as the form of Jon McDonald and James Courtnage in two clean-sheet victories over fancied opponents in the past week had been so good.  Their Bedfordshire opponents, whose last visit had famously resulted in the FA Cup walk-off back in 1989, are currently in the bottom four of the Southern League (West), a step below Staines, and scouting reports had suggested that the home side should have little difficulty – if they could keep out of disciplinary trouble.  On a warm humid afternoon, with the pitch still in good condition even if there had been some difference of opinion over watering policy, Staines began by attacking the Penton Hook Road end with confidence.  Dunstable are co-Managed by the former Chelsea star, Kerry Dixon.

However, they were given an early wake-up call, when Gary Dixon got in a snapshot which Courtnage did well to touch over the bar, and the Staines ‘keeper was in action again before the home side started to look comfortable going forward.  There was a major setback on 23 minutes, when the exciting Dwayne Plummer pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, but this made way for the former Brentford man, Mark Williams, whose international clearance from his last club in Singapore was delayed until less than 2 hours before Friday’s deadline.  McDonald had to head a far post header from Paul Covington off the line, and Jake Newton completed the tidy-up.  Williams was soon involved, getting over a ball after Michael Currie’s flick on, from which André De Lisser’s overhead kick was cleared in front of goal.  Currie had a header headed out from under the bar from huge McDonald throw, and ‘keeper Paul Taylor got down well to hold a Jermaine Hunter effort.  Following a handball decision, Williams took a quick free kick to Currie, who returned the ball to the Staines sub, only for his goalbound shot to be diverted away by the outstretched toe of defender Dean Walker.  Dunstable immediately broke upfield with three against two, but Newton and Matt Flitter averted the danger.

Right at the start of the second half, Williams launched a header against Taylor’s crossbar after a De Lisser cross, and then Hunter was unlucky to see his shot blocked, as Staines came out in more determined fashion, and McDonald then rattled the upright direct from a corner.  Although Courtnage had to deal with efforts by Stuart Strange and Darren Sarll, it was the home side who at that stage looked on and took the lead in the 55th minute.  However, it was something of a fortunate goal, as ‘keeper Taylor misread the intentions of his skipper Paul Covington, and Jermaine Hunter nipped in, stole the ball, and shot it through Taylor’s legs from the edge of the box, the shot having just enough pace to cross the line before Covington could catch it up.  A minor coming-together saw cautions for Dunstable’s Dean Walker (threw the ball away) and Staines’ De Lisser  (pushing).  For a while, Staines looked to take a grip on the game, but it was not to be, and the visitors came back strongly.  Dixon and Anthony Fontanelle both had shots off target, before they bagged the equaliser on 70 minutes, Walker playing the ball in from the right and Stuart Strange finding the net with a header from just a couple of yards out.  Despite a quick booking for Tom Freeman (trip), the visitors were now in the ascendancy.  Freeman saw a shot blocked after linking up well with Ben L’Honore, and the same player raced through and would have scored but for Courtnage’s brave save with his legs.  Although the game was by now littered with offsides at either end, one moment which did beat the linesman’s flag saw Dixon put clean through for the Southern Leaguers, but once again Courtnage’s legs came to the rescue.  Currie sent a shot across goal as Staines showed signs of mounting a late push, but their hopes were severely curtailed by an 84th minute flashpoint which resulted in them being reduced to 10 men.  Manuella was caught by a rash tackle from Sarll, and the pair squared up to one another, when in came Marc Kefford and pushed the Staines man in the chest – an offence for which he was later booked.  However, Manuella reacted angrily with a head-but which cut his opponent’s face, requiring him to be subbed as Manuella was shown the red card and marched back to the dressing rooms.  Sub Williams picked up a slight knock and was himself substituted, but Staines were left hanging on in the short period – plus the 6 minutes of stoppage time – which remained.  Courtnage pushed an awkwardly bouncing Sarll effort against the upright in the 92nd minute, to keep his side’s hopes alive.  Having picked up a very late caution for not retreating from a free kick, Dunstable sub James Osborn saw a shot held under the bar in the final seconds.  The sides must now meet again at Creasey Park, Dunstable, on Tuesday 13 Sept (7·45), thus cancelling the friendly at Molesey.

Staines: Courtnage, Gordon, McDonald, Popoví?, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella [SO 84], Hunter, Plummer (Williams 23, Muldowney 85), Currie; unused Maskell, Murphy, Allaway [gk].

Dunstable: Taylor, Walker, Barr, Covington ©, Kefford (Osborn 85), Sarll, Kean (L’Honore 67), Fontanelle, Dixon, Freeman, Strange;  unused McCarthy, O’Neil, Quinn.

Ref: G Smith; Assts A Ajibola, Phil Stevens;  att 174.

Tuesday 6th September 2005

Swans go second

(7·45pm) – Ryman League,  Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (2) 3   CHELMSFORD CITY (0) 0 By Steve Parsons.

Staines Town have completed the very difficult opening six fixtures of their programme, and have emerged with 13 points and an undreamt of second place in the early League table.  The latest success came against Chelmsford City at Wheatsheaf Lane on a mild Tuesday evening, the 3-0 scoreline equalling the heaviest defeat City have suffered in their short Isthmian League career.  With Murphy and Nabil still on the injured list, Steve Cordery made just one change to Saturday’s side, James Courtnage coming in for ‘keeper Shaun Allaway, whose shoulder did not stand up to a pre-match fitness test.  City were without their star forward Jamie Moralee, as his wife gave birth the previous day, and they preferred Anthony Anstead in goal instead of “Dream Team” tv star Alex Lawler, who was on the subs’ bench.  Staines attacked the Penton Hook Road Houses end in the first half.

Cordery’s men seem to have got the “first few minutes” syndrome out of their systems, as once again they started quickly, and they were ahead after only 3 minutes of play.  ?eljko Popoví? played a great ball for Michael Currie to run onto, and he held off a strong challenge before letting fly with a shot which Anstead did well to touch over for a corner.  The flag kick was sent across by Jon McDonald – a player who has seized his chance with both hands following Michael Murphy’s unfortunate injury – and there was Fiston Manuella to head the ball over the line from close range for a rare goal for the big midfielder.  Straight away, City might have levelled, the dangerous Helder Valdez finding space but his shot ricocheting to safely.  Swans continued to pepper Anstead’s goal with shots, but it was his opposite number, Courtnage, who drew gasps from the crowd with a wonderful double save from Greg Lincoln.  He dived to keep out the first shot, but then seemed powerless to stop the second, which was arrowed towards the bottom corner from barely 6 yards out.  But somehow Courtnage got airborne from a prone position, and turned it around the post.  It proved to be a springboard for Staines, who added to their lead in 24 minutes, when Jermaine Hunter hit a great shot, which Anstead could only parry.  Michael Currie had the presence of mind to close in on the rebound, and to shoot it past the assembled line of defenders on the line from the edge of the box.  There was a strong claim for the goal from André De Lisser, but the received wisdom was that the ball had already crossed the line before De Lisser’s boot made contact.  On 27 minutes, Jake Newton – another young revelation – made a darting run between three defenders, but shot wide.  The final minuites of the half were a bit niggly, with Hunter coming together with an opponent, but the referee did well to calm a potential flashpoint.  However, within seconds of play restarting, Lincoln was cautioned for dissent over an innocuous free kick. 

Craig Maskell replaced the injured Currie at half time, and he was involved in Staines’ third and final goal 7 minutes later, when he flicked on another McDonald throw into the path of Dwayne Plummer, and he swivelled to score a cracking volley from 12 yards out.  A sliding tackle on Plummer just 5 minutes later was enough to earn City’s Russell Edwards the game’s second and final caution.  Then it was Anstead’s turn to shine, with a great save from Hunter after Maskell had put him through.  Perhaps the best move of the game unfortunately ended with Maskell shooting wide, following exquisite touches from Newton and the hard-working Danny Gordon, and a deceptive cross from Hunter.  With 7 minutes left, Courtnage preserved Staines’ second successive clean sheet with a spectacular save, seeming to twist and readjust in midair as Richard Halle’s powerful cross-shot suddenly moved in flight and seemed to be going in behind him.  With some surprising results elsewhere, Staines advanced to second place, and although Steve Cordery believed that Staines had been below par in the second half, there is plenty of team-spirit and the impression that this team will not surrender leads lightly.

Staines: Courtnage, Gordon, McDonald, Popoví?, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser (Muldowney 74), Manuella, Hunter (Palmer 88), Plummer, Currie (Maskell HT); unused Ifura, Murphy..

Chelmsford: Anstead, Hopkins, Haswell, Sobers, R Edwards ©, Lincoln (Mangodza 61), L Williams, C Edwards, Valdez, Richards (Ositola 76), Summerscales (Halle 65); unused Lawler (gk).

Ref: C Williams; Assts V Penfold, P Georgiou;  att 264.

Saturday 3rd September 2005

Bookie's Favourites defeated

(12·00 noon) – Ryman League, Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (1) 2 FISHER ATHLETIC (0) 0 By Steve Parsons.

This was one of Staines’ best home performances of the year, as they comprehensively beat a powerful Fisher outfit, who had not lost a League game since February, were second in the table, and had strengthened their team still further since winning the Southern League (East Division) last season. And Steve Cordery’s side did it despite injuries to three key players: Tariq Nabil continued to nurse a foot injury, Clement James sustained a knee injury at Wimbledon last week, and Michael Murphy hurt himself shortly before kick off and had to be withdrawn from the published team. Into James’s forward berth came Michael Currie, while Jon McDonald stepped straight into the left back slot, with Jamie Palmer added to the bench despite having a knee ligament worry of his own.

Fisher’s team included Leroy Griffiths, who played a couple of friendlies for Staines in 2003 before stepping back up to the Conference. The pitch was in excellent condition, the weather hot and sunny with the midday kick-off agreed to keep the fixture clear of the England international later in the afternoon. This was only the second senior meeting between these clubs, the other being a London Senior Cup tie switched to Wheatsheaf Lane in 1977, soon after Fisher had been elevated to the London Spartan League Division 2. Staines attacked the Penton Hook Road houses end in the first half. Dwayne Plummer might have put the home side ahead in the 3rd minute, but was denied by a saving tackle. Play then switched to the other end, with Shaun Allaway spreading himself well 8 yards out to deny Lenny Piper after he was put through by Ryan Kirby. The same player pounced on a mistake soon afterwards, but this time he shot wide. But Staines picked up the pace, and a swift move resulted in them taking the lead after 19 minutes of play, André De Lisser slipped Jermaine Hunter through on the left, and he shot crisply from the edge of the box, beating James Pullen and scoring in off the foot of the post. Two minutes later, Hunter was put through once more, this time by Plummer, and his shot hit the same spot on the post, but this time bounced out. Staines did not have it all their own way, and Allaway dealt well with two floated crosses as Fisher came forward once more, but the edge was with the home side now, and they were making all the best chances. Currie charged down a Pullen clearance but the ball bounced wide, Matt Flitter was released from a free-kick but was given fractionally offside, and then Plummer raced though only to be pulled up for a push.

The second half picked up where the first had left off, with McDonald adding his long throws to the mix, and one of them set Currie up right at the start of the second period, only to be crowded out by the overworked Fisher defence. A second goal came just 3 minutes in, and it was deceptively simple as Allaway spotted Hunter in space and picked him out with a long kick, and the Swans marksman scored his second with a glorious 35 yard strike. Hunter might even have bagged a hat-trick, but was still a clear choice for the NLP’s Star Man. But with players of the calibre Griffiths and Anthony Riviere on the attack, Fisher could at no stage be written off. Riviere slammed one shot against the upright after a clever backheel, and he also drew a point blank save from Allaway. The game was lively and competitive, but featured 5 yellow cards, all in the last 20 minutes. Currie and Matt Lovell had already been warned after the Staines man reacted to what appeared to be an attempted head but from his marker, and when the pair became entangled again, their names went into Mr Bidulph’s book. Hunter followed soon afterwards for a push. Currie went close after Hunter and De Lisser had combined well, and was then withdrawn to make way for Craig Maskell. Walshe was booked for a foul seconds later. In the 86th minute, Allaway made a brave challenge on Griffiths, averting the goal but picking up a knock. Although he continued for a further 3 minutes, he then made way for James Courtnage to see his first League action.

There was final yellow card, as Chris Piper caught Maskell late in the third minute of stoppage time. The final whistle saw Staines advance to 4th place, but Billericay overtook them when their 1pm game drew to a close.

Staines: Allaway (Courtnage 89), Gordon, McDonald, Popoví?, Flitter ©, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Hunter, Plummer, Currie (Maskell 79); unused Ifura, Muldowney, Palmer.

Fisher: Pullen, C Piper ©, Lovell, Hudson, Duku (Barr 61), Kirby, Riviere, Smith (Hearn 77), Griffiths, L Piper (Watts 67), Walshe; unused – Davis, Scannell.

Ref: A Biddulph; Assts G Thorley, W Linden; att 219.