| Saturday 26th September 2009 (3pm) – FA Cup sponsored by E.On: 2nd Qualifying Round (tie 59) SITTINGBOURNE (0) 2 STAINES TOWN (1) 3 By Steve Parsons. Staines successfully negotiated a difficult first hurdle in their bid to emulate the FA Cup glories of 2007, earning an away win at the Kent home of Ryman Division 1 (South) side Sittingbourne, which they had previously visited to play erstwhile tenants Maidstone. Staines were disadvantaged by a long list of unavailabilities giving rise to 4 changes in the starting XI. Skipper Gordon was down with swine ’flu’, Butler was away on business in Norway, Courtnage was working, Thomas was away, and both Risbridger and Griffiths were serving 3-game suspensions. With 3 from 7 subs allowed in the FA Cup, Steve Cordery re-signed Leigh Mason and Trent Phillips before the deadline, and also added another player, but the latter’s international clearance situation has not yet been resolved. Michael Kamara was slotted into the midfield, and David Woozley was made captain, while Darty Brown was named on the bench, despite still being troubled by his back injury, as was Marc Cumberbatch – his first involvement since a mid-July friendly. The pitch was hard and rather bumpy, the afternoon hot, and Staines attacked the clubhouse end in the first half. Playing against the slight breeze, Staines made a good start, and only 10 minutes had elapsed when Elliot Onochie’s tenacity won the visitors a corner from which they opened the scoring. Howard Newton sent the kick over from the left, and big defender Marien Ifura rose unmarked at the far post to head firmly past goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim. For a while it seemed that the 2 division difference in status between the clubs would quickly tell, as another darting movement by Onochie resulted in him shooting across the face of goal, while Marc Charles-Smith threatened with a header. However, the home side were then able to settle, and had vociferous claims for a penalty, after a deep free kick by Colin Richmond was handled in the box. Swans left-back Dominic Sterling later admitted that it was his hand that touched the ball, but stated that he had been shoved in the back and had instinctively thrown up his arm to help him balance, while the ref admitted to upset home officials that he had not clearly seen the incident. Staines continued to have the better of proceedings, and when Ifura found himself closed down by the towering Femi Omogbehin at the next corner, it was Sterling who ghosted in to test the ‘keeper with a header. But the last 10 minutes (plus 2 added) of the half saw The Brickies getting back into the match, with the dangerous Hicham Akhazzan going close with both a free-kick and a header, Adam Cotterell squandered a chance following a stumble in the Swans defence, and Matt Lovell sent a shot just over the bar. But Staines began brightly again in the second half, and their supporters – always wary of some embarrassing cup exits in the past – were able to breath a little easier when Elliot Onochie’s powerful follow-up to a blocked Scarlett shot put them two up on 58 minutes. However, the comfort period lasted for only 1 minute, as Nick Reeves netted a quick reply for Sittingbourne, when he headed in a Billy Manners cross from the right hand flank. Now the game began to open out, with Louis Wells tempted out of his box to make a headed clearance at one end, before Newton rolled a ball right across the face of Ibrahim’s goal at the other. Both sides made changes, with Marc Charles-Smith limping off for Staines to be replaced by Ali Chaaban. The home side were now going all out to force a Tuesday replay at Staines and sub Elie Kayembe went close with a shot that just cleared the bar when well placed. But this left some gaps at the back, and Swans took full advantage of this in the 86th minute, Onochie receiving a long ball out of defence and squaring to Newton, who took on Dowley, who was able only to divert the ball into the path of Chaaban, who literally walked the ball into the net, while two defenders lay strewn on their backs in the box. However, Sittingbourne still did not give up, and in the 93rd minute, Akhazzan got up after being tripped by Ifura and converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2. Disconcertingly, the signal then went up for two extra minutes, but it was not until 5? had been played that Staines could finally be sure of progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round, complete with £4500 in prize money. They can perhaps point to the only occasion when they had reached the 1st Round Proper, prior to the heroics of 2007/8, when Sittingbourne were defeated along the way in the only previous meeting between the clubs. Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Woozley ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton (C Bourne 88), Kamara, Taylor, Onochie, Charles-Smith (Chaaban 70); unused Kamara, Woozley; unused Cumberbatch, Mason, T Phillips (g), D Brown (only 6 named). Sittingbourne: Ibrahim, Omogbehin, Dowley ©, M Bourne, Reeves, Grant, Manners (Kayembe 77), Richmond, Akhazzan, Cottrell, Lovell (Neal 65); unused Horlock, Brady, Ansah, McHugh, Baker-Dixon. Ref: Wade G Norcott (Harlow, Essex); ARs Graham L Weston (Harlow) & Peter J Wilson (Chelmsford). Att 196. This game, played on 26th September, was Staines’ first cup tie of the season. In no season since 1958 have they commenced cup football as late as this. The draw for the next round takes place on Monday.
OTHER NEWS: The club were saddened early last week to hear of the passing of one of its greatest ever players, NEVILLE WARNER, who finally hung up his boots in 1972/3 after a decade of service at Wheatsheaf Lane, scoring a mass of goals. He also briefly appeared for Hampton, and a minute's silence was observed when those two clubs met in the FA Youth Cup tie
MIDWEEK GAMES: On Monday night, the Academy side defeated Hampton & Richmond Borough 5-0 at Wheatsheaf Park to progress to the next round of the FA Youth Cup. Scorers were Bradley Murray (2), Luke Wanadio (2), and a Ben Nicholson penalty. In the 2nd Qualifying Round, the u18s will travel to Clapton FC's famous Spotted Dog Ground on Wed 7 Oct (7:30).
Ben Nicholson was on target from the penalty spot again on Wednesday, when netting for a very young Reserve side against a much more experienced Hemel Hempstead Town in a Capital League fixture in Hertfordshire. Alfie Arthur had given Staines 3rd minute lead, but it was Hemel who ran out 4-2 winners. The home side included Brent Rahim, a player with over 40 international caps for Trinidad & Tobago.
Saturday 19th September 2009 (3pm) – Blue Square Conference (South) STAINES TOWN (1) 2 BROMLEY (2) 2 By Steve Parsons A dramatic and controversial game at Wheatsheaf Park eventually ended all square, which the neutral would probably agree was a fair result, yet each team went home believing that they could have won the match. In the end, Staines’ saviour was sub Ali Chaaban, beginning his third spell at the club, following his release just last week from none other than Bromley! But home fans were left bemused at the referee’s failure to spot a defender using his hand to deny them a goal just 10 minutes from time, with the official seemingly losing concentration in an amazing couple of minutes. Steve Cordery made three changes to last week’s side, as Dean Thomas, Scott Taylor, and Marc Charles-Smith started, in place of Chris Bourne (who was on the bench), André Scarlett (injured), and the suspended Risbridger. Staines attacked the Penton Hook end in the first half. Bromley included two players called Gareth Williams, one in goal and one up front – distinguished by their middle initials, “I” and “A” respectively. Despite the hot weather, both teams looked lively from the start, and the visiting goalkeeper was quickly in action to push a cracking Howard Newton drive round for a corner. At the other end, Carew seemed to stumble when advancing towards the box, but Mr Serrano saw it differently and cautioned Swans defender Ifura for a foul. But it was Staines who snatched the lead on 13 minutes, following a corner by Leroy Griffiths. Newton shot towards goal, but a defender blocked it, the rebound falling to Richard Butler, and his drive had enough power to carry it over, despite a defender getting his hand to it. But the lead lasted only 2 minutes as Swans were punished for conceding a soft free-kick 25 yards out, when Gareth A Williams spanked the dead ball right into the top corner of Louis Wells’ net. Butler had another decent effort which faded just beyond the post, but Harrison Dunk was enjoying a good game for Bromley and also went close. Bromley capped a good spell of pressure with a second goal on 32 minutes, Ryan Hall’s deep corner to the far post was firmly headed home by skipper Rob Gillman. There was plenty of action in the remainder of the half of a game that was by turns sublime and error-riddled, but always enthralling for the fans. Griffiths had another powerful shot, and Butler had a drive blocked on after a good ball from Charles-Smith. Then Williams drove an angled ball across the face of Staines’ goal, inches away from getting a tocuh from a Bromley team mate. Perhaps Staines’ best more of the game came on 37 minutes, when Newton made a strong run before exchanging passes with Butler, and unleashing a super volley which drew an equally good save from Williams. Butler linked similarly with Charles-Smith shortly after, but Williams dealt rather more easily with his shot, and a Butler / Griffiths move also foundered on the precise tackling of Dunk. Four minutes into the second half, Swans defender Simon Jackson was booked for a foul out on the right, Carew sent the free kick into the danger area, and Gillman’s header was just inches away from giving Bromley a 3-1 lead. But as the half wore on, and both managers introduced their first pair of subs, Staines began to turn up the pressure, in search of an equaliser. A long free kick by Bourne appeared to draw a rare error from ‘keeper Williams as he was unable to cling on to it, but an opponent was penalised for impeding him. Five minutes later, a thumping shot by Griffiths from 12 yards was turned over the bar by Bromley defender Mark Corneille, before Bromley mounted what was becoming a rare raid, Marcus Cassius shooting just wide. With 9 minutes left, Staines seemed to have equalised, as a powerful Newton shot seemed to be arrowing for the top corner, before Dunk on the line reached up with his arm to turn it away. Incredibly, the referee believed it had hit his face, but he had also missed the ball going out of play under his nose just seconds before, and then failed to notice both his assistants flagging for a substitution straight afterwards, as he pointed to the corner flag. In the confusion that ensued, both Gordon and Griffiths had their names taken for dissent. The substitution was finally made, Chaaban replacing Dominic Sterling, and it turned out to be a fateful change. In the 90th minute, Butler twisted and turned in the box, before being tripped by Aaron Dalhouse, and this time the referee spotted the offence and awarded Staines the penalty. Chaaban won the discussion with Griffiths over who should take it, and he marked his return by converting the spot kick. There were 4 additional minutes, but despite half chances for Newton and Chaaban, there were no further goals. Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling (Chaaban 82), Gordon ©, Ifura, Taylor (Bourne 69), Newton, Thomas, Butler, Griffiths, Charles-Smith (Onochie 69); unused Kamara, Woozley. Bromley: GI Williams, Corneille, Dunk, Kember, Dalhouse, Gillman ©, Carew (Fray 60), Lee, McBean (Ibrahima 88), Hall, GA Williams (Cassius 63); unused Dolby, Henriques. Ref: Anthony Serrano (Herts); ARs K Howick (Oxon) & A Mawby (Surrey). Att 366. Harley Yates was the last-minute STFC mascot for this game.
ALI CHAABAN has had an odd first few days back at Wheatsheaf Park. He tested his fitness, and signed his forms, on Wednesday night, when appearing for a strong Swans reserve side which met Harrow in a Capital League fixture at Wheatsheaf Park. However, owing to James Courtnage's delayed arrival, Staines kicked off the game with only 10 men on the park, with the gloves worn by none other than Chaaban, keeping goal for the first time in his career. He kept a clean sheet, and Staines later moved into a 1-0 lead thanks to a Marc Charles-Smith goal on the hour. However, Boro rescued a point from an 81st minute penalty, awarded for shirt-pulling, and converted by sub Miles Ajayi.
The Academy team had a terrific result on Thursday night, winning 2-1 away to AFC Wimbledon. These clubs last met in the last game of last season, when a 3-2 Staines win at Kingsmeadow saw them pip The Wombles to the league title. This time, the game was played at Banstead's ground, but was almost as exciting, with Staines scoring either side of half time through Bradley Murray and Callum Chickah, before getting a late scare when Callum Wellburn pulled one back for the home side.
Staines Academy skipper Alfie Arthur was due to represent Middlesex in Sunday afternoon's Harold Whiddon Cup match away to Huntingdonshire.
Saturday 12th September 2009 (3pm) – Blue Square Conference (South) STAINES TOWN (0) 0 CHELMSFORD CITY (0) 1 By Steve Parsons. A goal in the third and final minute of stoppage time saw Staines lose at home for the first time in 5 games with Chelmsford. On a warm afternoon, Staines attacked the ‘houses’ end in the first half, and were represented by the same eleven who started the midweek game at St Albans. Chelmsford’s squad included one player who was briefly a Swan, but big Ben Martin was not selected. It was another game in which Staines enjoyed the lion’s share of the play in the opening period, but once again were unable to turn their superiority into goals. For the first time in any game this season, barring the two 0-0 draws, they did not establish a lead, and for the third game in a row they ended the match with 10 men, which gave the resurgent visitors the edge they needed to snatch victory. The Chelmsford ‘keeper was kept busy in the first half, making good saves from a Howard Newton shot and a clever Richard Butler flick, but his finest moment came in the 8th minute, when he reacted instantly and with a strong hand to beat away Gareth Risbridger’s screaming volley which seemed destined for the top corner. Staines forced 7 corners to Chelmsford’s none in the opening 17 minutes, before Anthony Cook darted in and forced Louis Wells in the home goal to spread himself well to save. Five minutes later, Dominic Sterling looked unlucky to collect a yellow caution for what appeared to be a well times tackle, but the visitors were now looking stronger, and late in the half they might have gone ahead when Daniel Bunce’s quickly taken free-kick for a handball was whipped just out of reach of Antonio Murray’s outstretched boot. Cook then drilled another shot across the face of the Staines goal, before a late challenge by Risbridger on Ricky Holmes brought him a yellow card and a free kick for City, which was sent just over the bar by Danny Hockton. At half time, Chairman Alan Boon re-presented Graham Gould with his FA Groundsman of the Year (Isthmian Premier) runners-up award, which he had received from Mark Lawrenson at a dinner in Windsor on Thursday. Although they continued to move the ball swiftly and accurately, Staines were unable to re-establish their early dominance after the break. Chelmsford’s Ward got booked within a couple of minutes for a foul, and there was a delay in play after Daniel Bunce collided with his own goalkeeper, both needing treatment. Bunce was soon up and about, however, landing a free kick on Holmes’ head, only for him to direct it wide. Cook’s quick feet began to create chances in the box for the visitors, who then threw on the giant Robert Edmans. He and fellow sub Ricky Modeste both worked two good chances in the danger area, but on each occasion were flagged offside, while a Swans error let Edmans in again, only for Danny Gordon to effect a vital tackle. Staines introduced Marc Charles-Smith and then Scott Taylor, and the latter fired a shot across the face of goal after a neat chest-down and turn from a Sterling pass. With 5 minutes remaining, a through ball to John Martin set the City midfielder away 12 yards out, but Risbridger chased back, and although he seemed to take the ball first, referee Adrian Quelch saw it as a tackle from behind, and dismissed him. Captain David Rainford stepped up to take the penalty, and hit it firmly towards the corner, but Wells pulled off a magnificent save which seemed to have earned Staines a point. But, down to 10 men (and with Marien Ifura also seeing yellow for dissent), they now found themselves penned in, and Wells had to make two more good saves. The first kept out a Holmes shot, and the second denied what seemed a certain goal for Modeste just a few yards out, after neat work between Holmes and Cook. These were enough to earn Wells the Man of the Match accolade, but he was cruelly beaten in the third added minute, when a City shot cannoned off a forward’s ankle into the path of Anthony Cook, who was left with a simple tap in for the only goal of the game. Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton (Thomas 89), Risbridger (SO 85), Butler (Taylor 73), Griffiths, Bourne (Charles-Smith 61); unused Kamara, Woozley. Chelmsford: Holloway, Lock, Bunce, Ward, Haines, Rainford ©, J Martin, Cook, Murray (Modeste HT), Hockton (Edmans 70), Holmes; unused Brown, Hand, Harrison (gk). Ref: A Quelch (Reading); ARs GJ Collins (Ash) & Dan Berry (Fareham). Att 430. The expected mascot was unfortunately unwell, and his place was taken by 10 year old Joe Jeffery.
Tuesday 8th September 2009 (7:45pm) – Blue Square Conference – South Division ST ALBANS CITY (0) 1 STAINES TOWN (3) 3 By Steve Parsons. Staines ended their run of draws (when still one short of Welling’s Conference South record, 6), by emphatically defeating St Albans at Clarence Park on a mild Tuesday night. Steve Cordery made two changes from the weekend line-up – Leroy Griffiths and Chris Bourne were recalled, with Scott Taylor dropping to sub, and Darty Brown ruled out with the painful back injury he sustained at Eastleigh. Staines played towards the Hatfiel Road (clubhouse) end of the ground, which they had not visited in over 13 years at senior level, with the advantage of both the slope and the breeze in the first half. Staines were in fine form throughout the first half, and after scoring only once in the previous 270 minutes of football, they were able to settle down very quickly, courtesy of a goal after only 4 minutes of play. A ball into the box was slapped away by the flailing hand of defender Adam Everitt, leaving Orpington referee Ian Crouch no option but to award a penalty, which was confidently converted by Leroy Griffiths. Swans continued to apply the pressure, with Griffiths only denied by a fine tackle after being set on his way by Newton, and Richard Butler flashing a shot across the face of goal. Mr Crouch issued 8 yellow cards during the game, the first being to City’s Peters (28th minute foul) and Frater (who clattered Butler 3 minutes later). In between, however, Staines made it 2-0 on the half-hour, City failing to deal with a corner from the left and Howard Newton crashing in a powerful 18 yard drive via the inside of the post. The game was as good as won 6 minutes later, when Chris Bourne raced away down the left, neatly checked back, and then floated a high ball which cleared ‘keeper Paul Bastock but dipped just under the bar for 3-0. Paul Hakim had St Albans’ only noteworthy chance of the half, but he placed his header wide. More bookings followed – Jackson (38m, foul) and Cohen (44m foul on Butler), before the extra 3 minutes added to the first half, during which Staines forced three corners. Bourne took the first of these, from which Dominic Sterling was unlucky with a header that deflected over the bar. The home side looked much more fired up after the break, and might have pulled one back early on, when Hakim crashed a shot against the post. A Risbridger trip brought him a 67th min yellow card, before St Albans made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute: Jamie Thurlbourne, who had only recently come off the bench, took a free-kick out on his right, and he took it low, hard and left-footed to curl it inside the near post. Then followed three cards in 5 minutes for the Swans, beginning with Bourne, who was shoved off the ball by Cohen, but when play was surprisingly waved on, he clattered into the City player. Newton was next for kicking the ball away after the whistle, but in the 78th minute, Griffiths saw red for elbowing James Fisher. Clearly there had been a niggling battle between the pair, but the Staines man later apologised for the incident which left his opponent bleeding from the mouth, and needing to be substituted. Staines made a couple of substitutions of their own, as they came to terms with a second dismissal in as many games – having not previously had a red card in 17 months. Marc Charles-Smith came on, followed by Dean Thomas, who thus got his first taste of Conference football. A lot of stoppage time was expected as a result of Fisher’s injury, but Staines fans were still a little nervous to hear the PA announcer advise 6 extra minutes, after the half had already been in progress for 49 minutes! J Thurlbourne tried to repeat his goal with a very similar free kick a few moments later, but the announcement proved to be more of a communication problem than anything sinister, when the final whistle sounded seconds after Calver’s 97th minute caution for a check on Scarlett. Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, Risbridger, Butler (Charles-Smith 83), Griffiths (SO 78), Bourne (Thomas 90); unused Taylor, Kamara, Onochie. St Albans: Bastock, Bailey (Quilter 81), Everitt, L Thurlbourne, Peters, Frater ©, Roberts, Fisher (Calver 81), Cohen, Hakim, Galbraith (J Thurlbourne 65); unused Chillingworth, Quinton. Ref: IJ Crouch; ARs A Piggott & E Moore (both High Wycombe). Att 304.
Saturday 5th September 2009 (3:00pm) – Blue Square Conference – South Division EASTLEIGH (0) 0 STAINES TOWN (0) 0 By Steve Parsons. Staines drew their fifth successive match, in taking a point from a determined Eastleigh side on a warm but slightly drizzly Saturday. Probably mindful of the next game coming up on Tuesday, Steve Cordery rotated his squad, with Marien Ifura, Gareth Risbridger and Scott Taylor coming into the starting XI in place of David Woozley, Marc Charles-Smith and Leroy Griffiths: Onochie and Courtnage also travelled down to the Silverlake Stadium (formerly Sparshatts or Ten Acres). In several games this term, Staines have felt they had done enough to win, only to take home less than a full quota of points: on this occasion, though, it was Eastleigh who could have won, but credit goes to Staines for some stout defending and for once a slice of luck, too. Eastleigh had invited Staines to switch the game to the Friday or Sunday to avoid a clash with neighbours Southampton, but Staines had declined on geographical grounds, a decision which perhaps reduced the attendance, but the 567 was still a decent turn out. Staines attacked the clubhouse end in the first half. Staines made a decent enough start, with Richard Butler sending one shot across the face of goal, and having another one blocked, from which Risbridger thumped the rebound too high. A dangerous André Scarlett free-kick went just ahead of Butler, and another was blocked by Smith. But Eastleigh responded with a dangerous run from James Taylor, who worked space for a shot only to be closed down by Ifura. Then Louis Wells was stretched by two dangerous crosses from Clark and Poate, punching out the first, and grabbing the second almost off an attacker’s head. On 27 minutes, Newton was penalised in an attacking position, the free kick was pumped forward, whereupon Ifura was whistled for a push on Jordan, giving Poate a free kick, which deflected off the end of the wall, hit the inside of the post, and rebounded into a grateful Wells’ arms. Two minutes later, Taggart raced away on the left after two defenders collided, only to be denied by the feet of Wells, who had spread himself bravely. Following a 34th minute corner, Smith pumped a high ball into the Staines goalmouth, Wells was unable to claim it cleanly, and in the scramble that followed, James Taylor missed from close range. The game was held up for almost 5 minutes when Darty Brown went for a high ball and fell awkwardly on the small of his back, play resuming with Leroy Griffiths replacing him against his old club, the free kick being played to Butler who felt he was clattered upon receipt, his protests earning him a booking. Staines’ best chance of the half came in stoppage time, when Scarlett picked out Butler with an incisive pass, and the striker ran in on goal and seemed to have lifted the ball over the advancing Matthews, but the Spitfires’ ’keeper stretched up a hand to save. Eastleigh surprisingly made two changes at the break, but were instantly back into their stride, as Clark’s cross was met by a powerful Forbes header that struck the post, and then bounced along the line before being cleared. A couple of minutes later, Jackson picked up a yellow card for a tussle with Taggart (who went unpunished), and the free kick was played into the box by Poate, and firmly headed into the net by the diving Aaron Martin, only for the celebrations to be cut short when it was realised that the flag was up for offside. On the hour, Taggart picked out Riviere, whose shot drew a sprawling save from Wells, with Ifura following in to complete the clearance. Sub McAuley saw three chances go begging, as well as another by Riviere, and Staines were by now well on the rack. When they did manage to get forward – and sub Chris Bourne put in a couple of telling crosses after replacing Scott Taylor – the home defence looked in solid form, and it was no surprise that they awarded Aaron Martin their Man of the Match accolade. With Charles-Smith also coming into the fray, (and Eastleigh substituting their sub!) the best of the Swans chances came when Bourne crossed to Griffiths, and his 79th minute volley went just wide,. With 5 minutes left, Eastleigh were back on the attack, Riviere finding Peter Adeniyi, who saw a low drive come back off the inside of the post for the third time in the match. Gillespie again went close for the home side, and then Taggart darted towards the box in an 89th minute attack by Eastleigh, which was only ended by a lunging tackle by Risbridger, which resulted in a yellow card for the Staines midfielder. In a dramatic added 3 minutes, Poate wasted the resulting free kick, Newton temporarily limped out of the game and was absent when Staines raced upfield to mount a three-against-one raid which ended with Griffiths’ cross shot being pushed away, and Charles-Smith almost getting his head to the loose ball. As play returned to the other end, Wells made a double save to deny Taggart and Riviere, before in the final seconds, Risbridger committed a crunching foul on Adeniyi, to earn a second yellow – and hence a red card. There was barely time for play to resume, however. Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, D Brown (Griffiths 42), Butler (Charles-Smith 77), S Taylor (Bourne 63), Risbridger; unused Thomas, Kamara. Eastleigh: Matthews, Clark, Poate, Smith (McAuley HT) (Challis 79), Jordan ©, Martin, Adeniyi, Forbes, J Taylor (Gillespie HT), Riviere, Taggart; unused Beazley (gk), Oliver. Ref: AJ Newell (N Yate); ARs AW Ricketts (Hanham) & RV Smith (Foxham). Att 567.Tuesday 1st September 2009 (7:45pm) – Ryman Youth League, West Division
HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH Youths (2) 3 STAINES TOWN Youths (3) 4 Staines began their defence of their league title with an exciting win at neighbours Hampton in a game which had been brought forward at the hosts’ request from 3rd. Martyn Spong’s side included a number of newcomers to the Academy this term, while it was good to see Hampton boss Mike Hollis back in the fold after his illness, and he was assisted by former Swans man Rico Grimm. Playing with the wind and the slope in their favour in the first half, Staines threatened to overrun their opponents in the opening phase, starting as early as Alfie Arthur’s 3rd minute opening goal. Liam Divine – an ex Hampton Juniors player – rattled the crossbar, but on 14 minutes, his cross was firmly headed in by Darren Millard for 2-0. And 5 minutes later, Arthur hit the bar again, this time from a 25 yard free kick. But, after he had fired a warning shot across the face of goal, Danny Thompson replied for an increasingly dangerous Hampton on 31 minutes. Four minutes later, Staines received a gift of a goal when another huge Arthur free kick – this one only a few yards over the halfway line – was allowed to slip through the fingers of leaping ‘keeper White and under the bar for 3-1. Great work by Thompson was rounded off by Jamal Harvey’s composed finish, pulling the home side to within one goal 7 minutes before the interval. And they might have gone in level, but for Danny Sonner’s brave save at the feet of Thompson. Staines should have been settled when a cracking volley by Callum Chickah restored their cushion on 56 minutes, but it took only 5 minutes for Hampton to reapply the pressure, Ray Knight heading home from a corner. However, despite some close calls at each end, there were no further goals, and so – with only one game played in the league at this point – Staines went to the head of the table! There was a caution for each side: Harvey (foul, 62m), and Sonner (delayed restart, 81m). Staines: 21 Danny Sonner, 2 Ben Nicholson, 3 Sam Boultwood, 4 Alfie Arthur ©, 5 Darren Millard, 6 Frazer Douglas (16 Josh Campbell 67), 7 Azainia Brown, 8 Bradley Murray, 9 Callum Chickah (15 Harvey Suika 85m), 10 Luke Wanadio, 11 Liam Devine; unused 12 Vic Martin, 14 Charles Dunne, 1 Pat Moore (gk). Hampton: 1 Joe White, 2 Harry Matthews (12 Ellis Mellon 70), 3 Jamie Person (14 Liam Jones 81), 4 Ray Knight, 5 Billy Witham, 6 James Taylor, 7 Josh Hill, 8 Jamel Wojtczak, 9 Jamal Harvey, 10 Oliver Perkins, 11 Danny Thompson (15 Saber Moumeni 77); unused 17 Alex Williams. Ref: Gary Dodd (Walton-on-Thames, Surrey); ARs Steve Nanson (Witley, Surrey), John Taafe (Milford, Surrey). Att 84.
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