20 May 2013
Club News
Didcot Town - the Club is looking to appoint a new first-team manager after Gary Elkins has ruled himself out from fulfilling the role next season.
The former Wimbledon, Fulham and Swindon Town player, who took over as manager in March 2011, was unable to fully commit due to work but has expressed a desire to still be involved and the club are delighted to accommodate his wishes. The process of finding a replacement is well underway and the club are, in fact, not looking for any further applicants at this stage.
6 May 2013
Bank Holiday - Play-Off Finals
Premier Division - Gosport Borough, who secured their play-off berth on the final day, raced into a two goal first half lead at Hemel Hempstead Town but the home side scored twice in the final eight minutes to make it 2-2 and force extra time. With neither side able to add to the score Gosport secured promotion to the Football Conference South with a 5-4 penalty victory.
Division One Central - Fourth in the table Biggleswade Town went behind thirteen minutes after the break but equalised six minutes later before going on to score twice in the final five minutes to win 3-1 at Runners-up Rugby Town and book their place in the Premier Division.
Division One South & West - Runners-up Hungerford Town took the lead a minute after the interval but Merthyr Town equalised four minutes later only to concede goals either side of half time in extra time to send the home side into the Premier Division with a 3-1 victory.
Club News
Abingdon United - the Club has voluntarily withdrawn from the Southern League and will start the 2013/14 season playing in the Hellenic Premier League. Chair Debbie Blackmore has issued the following statement:
The club have enjoyed the last 6 years in the Southern League but have withdrawn for a number of reasons. Abingdon United wish to make some investments within the club, both on the playing pitch and the club structure, and to achieve these it was felt that moving to the Hellenic would be a better option to achieve these goals. With spiralling costs and increasing overheads this movement in the football league will allow Abingdon United to step back and rebuild in a hope to be on a better financial setting to bounce back into the Southern League in the future. The overall current financial climate has also reduced local club sponsors and those much needed club helpers. It is hoped more local players will join the club with the first training session starting Tuesday 2 July at 7.00 pm.
Bedford Town - Following the announcement that Chairman David Howell would be reducing the level of his financial contribution to the Club, Nicky Platnauer stepped down as Manager. Howell`s decision came following the absence of any new investors coming forward to share the burden and the team's failure to gain promotion. The club will now be focusing its attention on the development of young, local talent rather than relying on more established players travelling into Bedford from further afield.
Platnauer decided that he felt unable to continue to undertake the role of Manager given the new financial constraints and the costs he incurs travelling from his home near Leicester. Assistant Manager Adam Sandy has also decided to stand down due to personal commitments, as has Chris Gibbons after a stint of seven seasons as the club's physiotherapist. The Board have thanked all three of them for their hard work, dedication and professionalism over the last season and in the case of Platnauer and Gibbons, many previous seasons.
The club has announced the appointment of Lee Bearman as First Team Manager. Bearman is a former Eagles' player who also played for Watford and Wimbledon, amongst others. He lives locally and has managed Cranfield United for the last two and a half years in the Molten Spartan South Midlands League First Division. Steve Jackman will be stepping up from his role of First Team Coach last season to Assistant Manager and a new physiotherapist is expected to be appointed imminently.
Bearman said “I am absulutely delighted to be the new Manager of Bedford Town. I was contacted by Chairman Dave Howell and after a three-hour meeting we agreed on a way forward for the club. Steve Jackman will be my assistant and has been at Bedford for a number of years and is part of the fabric of the club, something I hope to become. I played for the Eagles twenty years ago in 1993 winning the league and two cups so I`ve always had fond memories of the New Eyrie. The supporters were always top draw and very passionate and supportive to the staff and team and that hasn't changed. I watched a few games last year and the noise and enthusiasm from them is something I`m looking forward to being part of. Obviously I`m sad that Nick Platnauer has left the club. We spoke about me coming in next season to help and he will be missed by all I`m sure. As often, change brings questions and concerns regarding players and quite often money. All I can say is it will be a very challenging season but one that myself the staff, some current players and no doubt new ones will give the supporters everything we have every week, and I know with the history of the club and the top class supporters they will be behind us all the way.”
Bedworth United - the Club, relegated from the Premier Division, has issued the following statement confirming that Manager Steve Farmer has left the club after a meeting with the Board on Thursday night.
“The Board of Directors of Bedworth United Football Club wish to confirm that following a meeting with Team Manager Steve Farmer on Thursday it was agreed that in the best interests of the club that both parties pursue a fresh start. Both parties feel it is an ideal time for a fresh face to come in with his own ideas to try to recreate the success the club enjoyed in winning promotion at the end of the 2011/12 season. The Board would like to place on record their gratitude and appreciation to Steve on his work for the club during the past two seasons and wish him well for the future. Steve Farmer wishes to thank the Board for giving him the opportunity as well as their on-going support he has received during his time at the club. He also thanks the players and loyal supporters who made the last two seasons so very special, and wishes the club every success in the future. An announcement will be made in the near future regarding appointing a successor.”
The Club has launched an immediate search to find a replacement for manager Steve Farmer who left the club by mutual consent last Thursday. The club is inviting applications for the position, and chairman Peter Randle has given an assurance that every one who applies will be given serious consideration.
"We have no-one in mind but we urge anyone who is interested to apply as soon as possible," said Mr Randle. "It is important we make an early appointment to give the new man an opportunity to build a team capable of restoring our place in the Premier Division."
Applications should be sent to Mr Randle at 33 Delemere Road, Bedworth, Warwickshire. CV12 8SQ.
Bishops Cleeve - the Club will begin a search for a new manager and backroom staff after Alex Sykes and his entire coaching team resigned from their posts. Sykes confirmed yesterday that “with a heavy heart” he had decided to stand down after two years in the Kayte Lane hot seat. Assistant Manager Matt Rose and coaches Steve Jones and Dean Ackland have also left the club after a difficult season that saw the Villagers battle to avoid relegation.
Confirming that he would take time to step back and reassess his future, Sykes was quick to thank the Villagers for giving him his first managerial post after a long and successful playing career. “It is with heavy hearts that Matt Rose, Steve Jones, Dean Ackland and I have come to this decision but it is the right one for us currently as individuals,” Sykes said. “I have ambitions of managing at a higher level and personally feel we are currently punching hard to stay in this division. This has led me to re-think slightly the direction I want to move in, and unfortunately at this current juncture Bishop's Cleeve is not the answer. I cannot thank the chairman Dave Walker and the board enough for the opportunity to manage the club and the support they have given whilst I have done so. Over the past two years it has been my privilege to manage such a welcoming club. I personally need to take a step back to reassess where I would like to take my management career.”
Former Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers midfielder Sykes stepped up into the managerial post after long-serving boss Paul Collicutt was sacked in the summer of 2011. His first season saw relative success on the pitch as the Villagers finished 11th in Division One South and West table, equalling their best ever Southern League finishes but events have conspired against Sykes and the club this term with an absurd amount of postponed fixtures leaving the side with an epic backlog to end the season. The campaign ended on a relative high note with successive victories against Taunton Town and Didcot Town, but it seems that Sykes had already made his decision to stand down.
“There have been a huge amount of games cancelled, abandoned and re-arranged and this has caused an unhealthy fixture backlog," he said “This has led to a real strain on the squad and resources and forced me and my team to step down My thanks go to all of my players for the tremendous efforts they have put in, specifically this season under very testing circumstances. Their attitude and commitment to maintain the Southern League status for the club has been excellent”.
Thanking Sykes and his backroom team for their efforts in their Kayte Lane tenure, Villagers’ Chairman Dave Walker said the club hoped to move quickly for a new manager. “I knew of Alex’s football ambitions but had it in my mind that Alex would have completed a third term before moving on," Walker said. “The club has hugely benefited from Alex's style of management and I have enjoyed working with him for the past two years. I wish Alex and his coaching staff all the very best and they will be made most welcome at Kayte Lane at any time in the future. It is in the club's best interest to make an early appointment to give the new manager plenty of opportunity to prepare for next season.”
Cleeve are inviting applications for a new manager with Step 4 experience and interested applicants are invited to e-mail their football CV to Club Secretary Nigel Green at nigelgreen@bishopscleeve.com by Monday, May 6th.
Bridgwater Town - an interim statement has been issued by Club Chairman, Pat Parker
“It is with regret that Bridgwater Town Football Club has decided to part company with First Team Manager Kevin Milsom. He has served the club over many years very well. Unfortunately, at this point of time he has apparently run out of ideas to take the club forward. The decision of the club’s committee was unanimous and it was felt it was time to move on.”
A full statement will be released in due course.
Guildford City - The Club has announced that Kevin Rayner has resigned his post as Manager.
A statement from the club reads “As a club we have always been aware that his success at Guildford would make him an attractive proposition to other ambitious clubs and, for reasons not football related, Kevin now feels that this is the best time to move on. Kevin’s tenure as Manager has seen the club rise from the relegation places in the Combined Counties League to this season’s ninth place finish in the Division One Central. The club’s fortunes on and off the field have improved immeasurably during this period and everybody connected to Guildford City Football Club will be forever grateful for his efforts. We of course wish Kevin all good fortune in his future ventures.”
The club Committee will be assessing the situation which had not been planned and will make further announcements in due course
Hitchin Town - The Club has appointed Mark Burke as interim Manager with immediate effect. Burke will ensure a smooth transition over the coming weeks to ensure that all player activity is taken care of while the club determines its next managerial appointment. Burke operated as coach and Assistant Manager over the course of the 2012/13 season under former manager Carl Williams.
Hitchin Managing Director Andy Melvin said "Nobody knows Hitchin better than Mark, so we are placing the team in safe hands until we decide what our next move will be. We are considering all options at present."
Kettering Town - the Club has announced the appointment of Dean Thomas as Manager with immediate effect. Thomas and current manager, Thomas Baillie, made a joint application with Thomas preferring to take the number two role. However, now Baillie will become Thomas' assistant instead. Over twenty-five applications were received for the job and a shortlist of candidates were interviewed.
Thomas brings a vast amount of experience to the club, earned over many years as a player with the likes of Notts County and Northampton and as a manager, most notably through many years at Hinckley United, and he has a vast knowledge about the levels of football in which the Poppies will be competing.
4 May 2013
Saturday Action - Championship Match
Championship Match - Poole Town, Champions of Division One South & West, scored the only goal of the game in the first half to lift the Championship Cup with a 1-0 victory at Burnham, Champions of Division One Central, in the re-styled Championship Match.
30 April 2013
The Play-Off Semis
Premier Division - Fifth in the table Gosport Borough, a goal down after twenty seven minutes, equalised twelve minutes after the break and booked a place in the Final when they scored a second four minutes later to win 2-1 at Runners-up Stourbridge while third in the table Chesham United also went out when Hemel Hemstead Town scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 away victory.
Division One Central - Runners-up Rugby Town scored eight minutes into extra time to secure a 1-0 home win over fifth in the table Beaconsfield SYCOB and a place in the Final when they will be at home to fourth placed Biggleswade Town who took the lead after six minutes and, having conceded an equaliser eleven minutes after the interval, secured a 2-1 victory at third in the table Godalming Town when they scored with ten minutes remaining.
Division One South & West - On Monday, Runners-up Hungerford Town booked their place in the Final when they scored twice in extra time to win 4-2 after Paulton Rovers, two goals down at the interval, had equalised in time added but then had a player sent off. Merthyr Town, having taken a fifteenth minute lead, conceded a penalty on the stroke of half time before going behind nineteen minutes after the break but forced extra time when a penalty in the fourth minute of extra time gave them a 2-2 home draw with Swindon Supermarine who had two players sent off late in normal time. Neither side managed to add to the score in extra time but Merthyr went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
29 April 2013
Final Day Action
Premier Division - Leamington, two ahead at the interval, signed off their title winning season with a 2-1 home win over St Albans City after which they were presented with the Championship Shield by League Chairman Ken Turner but Runners-up Stourbridge, three down at the break, crashed to a 4-0 defeat at revitalised Chippenham Town and third placed Chesham United were held to a 0-0 draw at home by bottom of the table Kettering Town. Hemel Hempstead Town, held to one goal each at half time, secured fourth spot and a play-off place with three goals after the break giving them a 4-1 home victory over Bideford, who finished third from bottom, escaping relegation on goal difference, while Barwell, behind with ten minutes to go, scored in the penultimate minute but could only draw 1-1 at home with Frome Town and dropped two places handing the final play-off place to Gosport Borough who scored three minutes before half time to win 1-0 at home against St Neots Town also edging out Arlesey Town who scored three second half goals to win 3-0 at home against Weymouth. Cambridge City said good-bye to their Milton Road home with a sixteenth minute goal giving them a 1-0 win over fourth from bottom Redditch United but Bedford Town crashed 4-1 at home to Hitchin Town with all the goals coming in the second half and AFC Totton lost their fifth consecutive game when two first half goals gave relegated Bedworth United a 2-0 home victory. In the day's other game Bashley, who had taken the lead three minutes after the interval, scored deep into time added on to complete a 2-0 home win over Banbury United.
Division One Central - Burnham scored three times in the second half to secure the three points needed to clinch the Championship with a 3-0 win at Biggleswade Town, who had already made sure of a play-off place, and Rugby Town, a goal ahead at half time, also completed a 3-0 away win at Chalfont St Peter to finish Runners-up but third placed Godalming Town had to come from behind with two goals in the final fifteen minutes to win 2-1 at bottom of the table Woodford United, who completed the season without a point. Beaconsfield SYCOB scored a last minute penalty and, despite losing 2-1 at Ashford Town (Middx), took the final play-off place after Royston Town, who had taken a sixth minute lead, failed to record the win they needed when they conceded a goal three minutes from time to draw 2-2 at AFC Hayes while Slough Town, despite winning 3-0 at home with three second half goals against Chertsey Town, finished one point outside the play-off places. Guildford City scored twice after the interval to win 2-0 at home against Daventry Town and Northwood, two ahead at the interval, completed a 3-0 home win over Uxbridge while Aylesbury, who had taken the lead with two minutes remaining, scored twice in time added on to record a 3-0 win against visiting Thatcham Town. Barton Rovers scored twice in four second half minutes to win 2-0 at Fleet Town and second from bottom Leighton Town lost 2-0 at home when North Greenford United scored twice in the first half.
Division One South & West - Champions Poole Town scored on the stroke of half time to sign off with a 1-0 victory at Cirencester Town and Hungerford Town, despite going down 1-0 to a goal five minutes before the break at Cinderford Town, secured the Runners-up spot when Swindon Supermarine, ahead after twenty minutes, conceded goals on the hour and with a minute remaining to lose 2-1 at home against Clevedon Town leaving Merthyr Town to take third place when, after being one up at half time, they secured a 3-0 victory at Yate Town with two goals in the final six minutes while Paulton Rovers, who had already secured the final play-off berth, slipped to a surprise defeat at bottom of the table Winchester City who came from behind to win 2-1 with a penalty midway through the second half. Tiverton Town scored twelve minutes from time to bring an end to Sholing's thirteen game unbeaten run with a 1-0 home victory while Shortwood United scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Abingdon United and North Leigh, three ahead at the break, recorded a 3-1 home win over Bridgwater Town. Wimborne Town, two up in eighteen minutes, recorded a 3-1 home win against Mangotsfield United despite conceding a penalty three minutes before half time while Taunton Town conceded a goal in each half to lose 2-0 at home to Evesham United but second from bottom Bishops Cleeve scored seven minutes from time to win 1-0 at Didcot Town.
Club News
Frome Town - The Club has announced the appointment of Derek Graham as their new First Team Manager on a permanent basis with immediate effect. Graham has been involved with the Club for a number of years and took caretaker charge of the team over the last month which has seen the team avoid relegation and narrowly miss out on winning the Red Insure League Cup and all with a new philosophy which has meant a return by many stay-away supporters and brought the smiles back to the faces of everybody around the club.
Originally there was a deadline of the start of May for applicants for the role but the clubs` committee decided to stop the process and give the reigns to Graham, who will now be looking at putting plans in place ready for the upcoming pre-season and the new Premier Division campaign.
Hitchin Town - Club Manager Carl Williams resigned following the Canaries' final game of the season at Bedford Town. Williams, who took over as Manager in the summer of 2010, was in charge at Top Field for three seasons, during which he won promotion to the Premier Division.
His association with Hitchin Town dates back to 1996 when he joined the club following a professional career with Fulham and he went on to make almost 500 appearances as a player. He resigned due to personal and professional reasons and his assistant, Colin Payne, has also resigned.
"Hitchin Town wishes to place on record its appreciation for Williams' hard work with the club and in particular, taking the club back to the Premier Division of the Southern League," read a club statement.
The club will be advertising for a new manager in the coming days.
25 April 2013
Midweek Matches
Premier Division - Champions Leamington, two ahead at the break, completed a 3-2 home win to make in four successive defeats for fourth placed Hemel Hempstead Town and Arlesey Town's aspirations of a play-off place were also dealt a blow when second from bottom Bedworth United, after trailing to a penalty two minutes into the second half, scored twice in the final thirteen minutes to win 2-1 at home while Chippenham Town continued their strong finish to the season when they scored five times in the second half to complete a resounding 5-0 victory at AFC Totton. On Wednesday, Gosport Borough, requiring three points to move into the play-off places, were held to a 1-1 draw at Frome Town who equalised on twenty eight minutes after going behind in the sixth minute.
Division One Central - Godalming Town's hopes of taking the runners-up spot disappeared when Beaconsfield SYCOB took a step nearer securing a play-off place with two second half goals giving them a 2-0 away win and Royston Town missed the chance of moving into the play-off places when visiting Northwood, who had taken the lead eight minutes after the interval, scored six minutes from time to secure a 2-2 draw but Slough Town kept their hopes alive when they scored twice in the final ten minutes to win 2-0 at Thatcham Town. Uxbridge, two ahead four minutes into the second half, scored in time added on to complete a 3-1 win at Barton Rovers but Ashford Town (Middx) conceded a goal in each half as Fleet Town secured a 2-0 home victory while Aylesbury, two ahead at the interval, completed a 3-1 home win over Chertsey Town. North Greenford United, a goal behind after five minutes but leading at half time, scored in the final minute to win 3-2 at home against Chalfont St Peter and second from bottom Leighton Town scored four in the second half to win 4-0 at home against bottom club Woodford United. On Wednesday, Biggleswade Town, a goal behind after just three minutes but ahead by the interval, made certain of a play-off berth when they completed a 3-1 victory at Guildford City and at the same time put an end to the challenge of Slough Town. On Thursday, North Greenford United, trailing at half time, scored thirteen minutes after the break before going on to win 2-1 at AFC Hayes with a goal in the third minute of time added on.
Division One South & West - On Monday, Mangotsfield United, behind in the first and eighth minutes, twice equalised from the spot before taking the lead in time added on at the end of the first half and went on to complete a 4-3 home win over Clevedon Town. On Tuesday, Poole Town, who were presented with the Championship Shield by League President Keith Allen following the match, finished their home programme on a high when two second half goals gave them a 2-0 victory over Swindon Supermarine but third placed Merthyr Town were held to a 0-0 draw at third from bottom Abingdon United while sixth in the table Yate Town, ahead in the third minute, scored a second in time added on at the end of the first half to secure a 2-1 win at Bridgwater Town. Shortwood United scored four minutes from time but went down 2-1 at home to North Leigh while Cirencester Town were held to a 1-1 home draw by Wimborne Town but Cinderford Town scored twice in the first half on their way to a 2-1 home success against second from bottom Bishops Cleeve. On Thursday, Swindon Supermarine revenged their defeat at Poole earlier in the week when they scored three times without reply after the break to complete a 5-1 home win over the Champions and keep open their chances of taking the Runners-up spot. At the other end of the table Bridgwater Town, behind to a goal a minute before the interval, scored from a penalty with fifteen minutes remaining to secure a 1-1 home draw with Evesham United while Bishops Cleeve scored three times in the final seventeen minutes to record a 3-0 home victory over Taunton Town and bottom of the table Winchester City scored ten minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at home against Cinderford Town.
22 April 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leamington scored with fifteen minutes remaining to win 1-0 at Bideford and clinch the Championship while Stourbridge, a goal ahead at half time, scored twice after the break to complete a 3-0 home win over Bashley to confirm the runners-up spot and Chesham United ensured a place in the play-offs when goals in each half saw them to a 2-0 victory at Redditch United. Hemel Hempstead Town went behind after ten minutes and, after equalising on the half hour mark, conceded two goals in two minutes immediately before half time to slip to their third successive defeat when they lost 3-2 at Hitchin Town while Barwell, two behind at the interval, lost 2-1 at Weymouth keeping the hopes of a play-off place alive for Gosport Borough, who won 3-1 at bottom of the table Kettering Town, and Arlesey Town, who scored seven minutes from time to win 1-0 at Frome Town. Cambridge City, three up at the break, scored twice in the second half to chalk up an impressive 5-1 victory at AFC Totton but Bedford Town needed a penalty eighteen minutes from time to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Banbury United who had taken the lead six minutes into the second half. St Albans City, in front after nine minutes, scored twice in the second half to win 3-0 at home against Bedworth United, a result that will almost certainly see the visitors relegated after just one season in the top flight but Chippenham Town secured their Premier Division status when a seventh minute goal gave them a 1-0 win at St Neots Town.
Division One Central - Burnham took a giant stride to securing the title with a 3-2 home win over Guildford City leaving challengers Rugby Town, 2-1 home winners over AFC Hayes, trailing by three points but more importantly eleven worse off in goal difference while Godlaming Town lost their last chance of top spot when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Northwood. Third in the table Biggleswade Town conceded two goals in each half to crash to a 4-0 defeat at fellow play-off contenders Beaconsfield SYCOB while Royston Town kept up their challenge with two second half goals securing a 2-0 home win over Ashford Town (Middx) and Slough Town rejoined the race when an own goal and a penalty after the break gave them a 3-1 win at third from bottom North Greenford United but Daventry Town, despite coming back to win 2-1 at home with a goal against Fleet Town in time added on, can no longer qualify. Uxbridge went behind to a penalty five minutes before the break but went in front on the stroke of half time and added two more in the second half to complete a comfortable 5-1 home win over next to bottom Leighton Town and Aylesbury, two up at half time, completed a 2-1 win at Chertsey Town but Barton Rovers, who took the lead with just seven minutes remaining, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Chalfont St Peter equalised in the final minute. With two games remaining Woodford United look in danger of going throughout the season without a point following a 5-0 defeat at Thatcham Town.
Division One South & West - Champions Poole Town went a goal behind in the thirteenth minute to third from bottom Abingdon United but salvaged a point from a 1-1 home draw when they converted a penalty midway through the second half while Hungerford Town, two behind nine minutes after the break, scored three times in twelve minutes to enhance their chances of securing runners-up spot with a 3-2 home win against Taunton Town although Swindon Supermarine stayed in contention when two goals in the opening thirteen minutes helped them to a 2-1 win at second from bottom Bishops Cleeve. Merthyr Town, trailing from the twentieth minute, scored three times in the final quarter to secure a place in the play-offs with a 3-1 home win over Wimborne Town and Paulton Rovers also guaranteed their berth despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Didcot Town but Yate Town's hopes disappeared when, having fallen behind after just five minutes, they could only draw 1-1 at Clevedon Town. Sholing continued their tremendous run when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 home win over Cinderford Town and Shortwood United, two up inside eight minutes and three ahead at the interval, completed a comfortable 4-0 home win against bottom of the table Winchester City but Cirencester Town, a goal down after four minutes, had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw at Bridgwater Town while Mangotsfield United scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at home against North Leigh. In the day's other game Evesham United, a goal ahead at the interval, scored eight minutes into the second half to record a 2-0 home win against Tiverton Town. On Sunday, Merthyr Town moved into third place when they scored twice in each half to secure a comfortable 4-0 home win over Bridgwater Town.
18 April 2013
Midweek Matches
Premier Division - Leamington moved to within one point of the Championship when they scored twice in the opening half hour to secure a 2-0 victory at Chippenham Town but Stourbridge kept alive their slim chance of catching them with two goals in the final seventeen minutes giving them a 4-2 win at Arlesey Town while Chesham United, two ahead at the interval, scored a second half penalty to complete a 3-0 home win over Bedworth United to move into third place and leave their visitors four points short of safety. Hemel Hempstead Town dropped to fourth when they conceded three second half goals to lose 3-0 at home to Frome Town leaving the visitors needing just two more points to avoid relegation while Bedford Town, having taken the lead a minute before the interval, scored in time added on to secure a 2-0 home win against St Albans City. Cambridge City, a goal down at half time, twice came from behind to take a point from a 2-2 draw at Banbury United and Bashley scored a minute from time to draw 2-2 at home after St Neots Town had twice been in the lead. In the night's other game Hitchin Town scored twice before the interval to make sure of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 victory at third from bottom Redditch United. On Wednesday, Barwell moved a step nearer securing a play-off place when, despite conceding a penalty in the final minute, they secured a 2-1 victory at bottom of the table Kettering Town. On Thursday, Redditch United moved nearer safety when a goal seventeen minutes from time secured a 1-0 victory at Bashley.
Division One Central - On Monday, Beaconsfield SYCOB, ahead after three minutes and two up seventeen minutes into the second half, had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when AFC Hayes scored twenty minutes from time and added a second eight minutes later. On Tuesday, top of the table Burnham, two goals down at half time, levelled the scores with five minutes remaining but Rugby Town scored two minutes later to record a 3-2 away win and move to within three points of their hosts with a game in hand while Godalming Town dropped to third when they lost 2-1 at home to Slough Town, who brought to an end a run of five successive defeats, but fourth placed Biggleswade Town scored a goal in each half to enhance their play-off ambitions with a 2-0 home win over Northwood. Chertsey Town, a goal up at the interval, drew 1-1 at home with Ashford Town (Middx) and Aylesbury, behind to a twenty-third minute penalty, scored two minutes before the interval to secure a 1-1 home draw with North Greenford United but Woodford United, level at half time, conceded three goals in the final quarter to lose 4-1 at home to play-off hopefuls Royston Town. On Thursday, Rugby Town, trailing to a first half penalty, had their title hopes dented when they conceded a second spot kick fourteen minutes after the break and two further goals in the final four minutes to crash 4-0 at home to Slough Town, whose three points rekindled their play-off hopes, while Daventry Town, leading from a first half own goal, scored three times in the second half to secure a comfortable 4-0 home win over second from bottom Leighton Town. Aylesbury, trailing at half time, scored twice after the interval to win 2-1 at home against Barton Rovers and North Greenford United, two goals down in the opening twenty-six minutes but back level by half time, scored on the hour to secure a 3-2 home win over AFC Hayes.
Division One South & West - On Monday, Paulton Rovers scored twenty minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at home against second from bottom Bishops Cleeve and move to within two points of ensuring a play-off place while Sholing scored four in each half to complete a resounding 8-1 home victory over Bridgwater Town and Didcot Town conceded a goal just after the midway point of the first half to lose 1-0 at Mangotsfield United. On Tuesday, Shortwood United scored three times before the interval to secure a 3-0 home win over Swindon Supermarine, a result which confirmed Poole Town as Champions, while Merthyr Town, a goal up at half time, scored a minute after the break to win 2-0 at home against Taunton Town and now need just three more points to secure a play-off place. Cinderford Town came from behind to win 2-1 at Evesham United and Bridgwater Town, ahead in the third minute, scored twice after the break to win 3-0 at home against Abingdon United while bottom of the table Winchester City brought to an end a run of fourteen successive defeats when they secured a 0-0 home draw with Tiverton Town. On Wednesday, newly crowned Champions Poole Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Clevedon Town but Sholing, three ahead at half time, extended their unbeaten run to twelve matches with a comfortable 5-0 home win over North Leigh while Wimborne Town, ahead in the eighth minute, completed a 3-1 victory at second from bottom Bishops Cleeve. On Thursday, second in the table Hungerford Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Abingdon United while third placed Swindon Supermarine, despite being held 0-0 at Yate Town, secured a place in the play-offs while at the same time denting the ambitions of their hosts. In the night's other game Cinderford Town scored with fifteen minutes remaining to record a 2-1 home win against Bridgwater Town.
Club News
Frome Town - The Club has parted company with Manager Darren Perrin. Chairman Jeremy Alderman said of the announcement “We would like to place on record our sincerest thanks to Darren for the work he has carried out since joining us both on and off the pitch and his efforts in helping us attain Premier Division status. He will always be welcomed back to the Club and we wish him well for the future."
Derek Graham has been installed as Caretaker Manager until the end of the season with the long serving Assistant Manager and former player charged with ensuring the club remain in the Premier Division, starting with the visit of basement side Kettering Town at the start of a crucial week for the club. Graham has plenty of former managerial experience to draw upon as well as a good standard of playing career and carries a UEFA `B` licence.
The Club is now seeking and accepting applications for the permanent appointment of a new manager in time for the 2013/14 season and interested parties should apply in writing (in confidence) to the Club Secretary: Ian Pearce, Frome Town FC, AlderSmith Stadium, Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EH or email ian@frometownfc.co.uk with their CV - all applicants will receive notification of receipt. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 7th May.
15 April 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington took the lead five minutes before the interval but, needing five points to clinch the Championship, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Weymouth, having failed to score in their last five outings, struck twelve minutes from time allowing second placed Stourbridge, a goal ahead at half time, to move to within six points with a 3-1 victory at play-off hopefuls Gosport Borough but third in the table Hemel Hempstead Town's slim chance of the title disappeared when they lost 2-1 at home to Banbury United. Chesham United took the lead from a twentieth minute penalty but were held to a 1-1 draw at home when they conceded an own goal four minutes later to provide Hitchin Town with a valuable point but fifth placed Barwell, three down just three minutes into the second half, lost 3-2 at home to St Neots Town while Arlesey Town, four up at the interval, moved to within two points of the play-off places with a resounding 5-0 home win over AFC Totton and Cambridge City kept their slim chance of the extra games alive when a goal seventeen minutes from time gave them a 1-0 home win over Bideford leaving the visitors just six points above the drop zone. Chippenham Town, trailing by the odd goal in five at half time, scored twice after the break to secure a 4-3 home win over St Albans City while Frome Town also gained three valuable points when a goal five minutes into the second half gave them a 1-0 victory at Bedford Town but Bedworth United's relegation worries were not helped when a goal two minutes before the interval confined them to a 1-0 home defeat by already relegated bottom club Kettering Town. On Sunday, Kettering Town, trailing to a penalty ten minutes before the interval, scored from the spot and an own goal in the final five minutes of the first half and added a third from another own goal twelve minutes remaining to complete a a 3-1 home victory over Bideford and make it three wins in their last four matches.
Division One Central - Burnham went five points clear at the top when five second half goals completed a resounding 7-0 win at bottom of the table Woodford United while Godalming Town, sharing four goals at the interval, scored twenty minutes after the break to win 3-2 at Slough Town and move into second place after Rugby Town, ahead after ten minutes, lost 2-1 at Fleet Town. Fourth in the table Biggleswade Town scored a minute from time to secure a 2-1 home win over Thatcham Town, who had drawn level twenty minutes before half time, while Beaconsfield SYCOB won 4-2 at second from bottom Leighton Town to move back into the play-off places, replacing Royston Town who, having been two ahead after twenty six minutes, had to settle for a 2-2 draw when hosts Guildford City equalised twelve minutes after the interval while Daventry Town kept their slim chance of a play-off place alive when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 win at Aylesbury. Ashford Town (Middx), two goals ahead in the opening half hour, had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when Barton Rovers scored twice in the second half but Chalfont St Peter, two up in twenty minutes, completed a 3-0 home win over Uxbridge while Northwood, having taken a sixth minute lead, lost 3-2 at home to Chertsey Town.
Division One South & West - Poole Town moved a step nearer the Championship when they scored just before the hour to secure a 2-1 win at Cinderford Town but second in the table Hungerford Town kept their slim hopes alive when, after going behind to a sixth minute penalty, they recorded a 3-1 victory at Tiverton Town while third placed Swindon Supermarine, ahead after eight minutes but trailing at the interval, needed a goal a minute from time to take a point from a 2-2 home draw with Shortwood United. Fourth in the table Paulton Rovers were held to a 0-0 draw at Abingdon United and fifth placed Merthyr Tydfil also had to settle for a point from a 0-0 draw at Cirencester Town but Yate Town's play-off ambitions took a knock when in form Sholing secured a 1-0 away victory with a goal seventeen minutes after the break. North Leigh, two behind at half time, lost 3-1 at home to Clevedon Town and Wimborne Town lost 1-0 at home when Evesham United scored after half an hour while Didcot Town, having twice been in front, lost 3-2 at home when Mangotsfield United scored in time added on but Taunton Town, having taken the lead after eight minutes, were trailing seven minutes after the interval but scored twice in three minutes midway through the half to win 3-2 at home against second from bottom Bishops Cleeve.
11 April 2013
Midweek Matches
Red Insure Cup Final Second Leg - Arlesey Town, a goal ahead from the First Leg, conceded a goal on the stroke of half time but secured a 2-1 aggregate win when a goal in the twelfth minute of extra time levelled the scores at 1-1.
Premier Division - On Monday, Bedworth United moved out of the relegation places when, after taking the lead just before the half hour, they had to settle for a 1-1 at Hitchin Town when the home side scored with just eight minutes remaining. On Tuesday, fifth in the table Barwell were held to a 0-0 home draw by Bashley but sixth placed Gosport Borough, who had lost their last three games, rekindled their play-off hopes when they scored twice in each half to complete a 4-0 home victory over Bedford Town. Chippenham Town, after going behind to a seventh minute penalty, scored three times before the interval on the way to a 3-2 victory at Cambridge City while Redditch United, trailing at half time, scored twice in the final sixteen minutes to move back out of the bottom two with a 2-1 home win over Bideford. On Wednesday, second placed Stourbridge, a goal ahead at the interval, kept their slim title hopes alive when they completed a 3-0 victory at second from bottom Bedworth United while bottom of the table Kettering Town scored two minutes into the second half to secure a 1-0 home win over St Neots Town. On Thursday, Arlesey Town went behind with eleven minutes remaining but equalised within a minute before scoring in time added on to secure a 2-1 home win over Banbury United while Barwell were held to their second 0-0 home draw of the week to allow relegation threatened Redditch United to pick up a valuable point.
Division One Central - On Monday, third in the table Godalmimg Town, ahead from a fourth minute penalty but level at half time, needed a goal two minutes from time to secure a 2-1 victory at Thatcham Town. On Tuesday, fourth in the table Biggleswade Town enhanced their play-off credentials with a 2-1 home win over Slough Town, whose own aspirations took yet another knock with a fourth successive defeat, while Beaconsfield SYCOB moved back into the top five when two goals in each half secured a 4-1 win at Chertsey Town. Daventry Town, behind a minute before the interval, scored from a penalty five minutes into time added on to snatch a point from a 1-1 draw at AFC Hayes but Barton Rovers, two behind at the break, scored a second half penalty but lost 2-1 at home to Ashford Town (Middx) while Northwood, two up at the interval, won 3-1 at home against Fleet Town and Chalfont St Peter, a goal up at half time, also completed a 3-1 home win over Aylesbury. In the battle of the bottom two North Greenford United scored five times in the first half on the way to a 5-2 away win confining Woodford United, still looking for their first point, to relegation. On Wednesday, third placed Godalming Town took a giant stride towards guaranteeing a play-off place when, after scoring four times in the first half, they completed a resounding 5-0 home win over Leighton Town. On Thursday, Burnham scored three times in the final twenty minutes to move back to the top of the table with a 3-0 victory at Fleet Town while North Greenford United, sharing four goals at the interval, fell behind to a penalty twenty minutes from time but hit back with a goal two minutes later and scored again twelve minutes from time to win 5-4 at home against Guildford City and move out of the bottom two.
Division One South & West - On Monday, second from bottom Bishops Cleeve conceded a goal four minutes from time to go down 1-0 at home to Sholing. On Tuesday, Merthyr Town moved up into fourth place when a second half strike gave them a 1-0 victory at Didcot Town but Yate Town's play-off aspirations took a knock when two North Leigh goals in five minutes early in the second half inflicted a 2-0 home defeat. Cinderford Town scored three minutes before the break to secure a 1-0 home victory over Abingdon United but Evesham United conceded a goal in each half to go down 2-0 at home to Mangotsfield United while a goal seven minutes before the interval gave Tiverton Town a 1-0 home victory over Clevedon Town to bring an end to a run of twenty games without a win. In the night's other game third from bottom Bridgwater Town, two down at the break, crashed 3-0 at home to Taunton Town. On Wednesday, third in the table Swindon Supermarine, behind after four minutes and again on the stroke of half time, crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Sholing. On Thursday, Poole Town moved ten points clear at the top when they scored twice in each half to secure a comfortable 4-1 win at Bridgwater Town and Paulton Rovers, ahead with a goal on the stroke of half time, scored ten minutes from time to move up a place to fourth with a 2-0 victory at Taunton Town while North Leigh, in front in the eleventh minute but level at the break, scored in time added on the record a 2-1 home win against Cinderford Town. A goal in the fourteenth minute was sufficient for Mangotsfield United to inflict a 1-0 home defeat on Tiverton Town but second from bottom Bishops Cleeve, three ahead at the interval, scored twice in the final six minutes to complete a comfortable 5-1 home win and move twelve points clear of visiting Winchester City.
Club News
Didcot Town - Veteran skipper Jamie Heapy is on the verge of making his 800th First Team appearance for the Club. Provided injury and postponements are avoided, the 34 year old will reach the landmark on Monday 15th April in an away League fixture at Mangotsfield United. In reaching this extraordinary number he has played in almost every outfield position, scoring 32 goals in the process, in a career spanning three decades following his First Team debut in 1996. As club captain Heapy led Didcot to unprecedented success and silverware having lifted the FA Vase in 2005, the Hellenic Premier Division title in 2006, three Hellenic Challenge Cups, two Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy victories and also skippered the side to promotion into the Southern League Premier Division via the play-offs in 2009 - the highest level in the club’s 106 year history.
Apart from a very brief spell at Oxford City in 2011, Heapy has played his entire career, including at youth level, with the Railwaymen. In comparative terms, while he has currently played approximately 130 games less for Didcot than has Ryan Giggs for Manchester United, Heapy is five years his junior and time is on his side to one day overhaul the United legend’s record. Heapy already beats the current Football League record of appearances by one player for one club held by John Trollope, who made 770 appearances for Swindon Town between 1960 and 1980. In a recent League match against South & West Division leaders Poole Town, the total number of Heapy’s appearances for Didcot was more than twice that of all his team-mates, including substitutes, added together! Notably the current 800 game landmark does not include pre-season friendlies and appearances for Didcot Town Reserves - if these games were added to the total Heapy would have already celebrated 900 appearances for the club!
Reflecting upon the achievement, record club goalscorer and current Didcot coach Ian Concannon couldn’t praise his old captain enough “I've known Jamie for over 25 years, as young lads we played against each other at school and together for Didcot Boys FC. During my time playing for Didcot Town, Jamie became skipper at a relatively young age but he was perfect for it. He leads by example - dedicated, committed, brave, a proper clubman and, most important, respected by teammates. I’m very proud and honoured to have known and played with him and we’ve had some unforgettable times at this club. We roomed together on trips away and he is godfather to my son Jack. He is real friend and I'm proud to say the best captain I had in my career.”
Didcot Manager Gary Elkins added “Very rarely do you come across someone with Jamie's outstanding attributes, not only as a player but also a person. He leads faultlessly by example on and off the field and is a legend in the true sense of the word. I had the pleasure this season of being able to manage Jamie and would say to any young person apply yourself like him and you’ll achieve what you want. I hope he remains with the club for years to come and looking at his performances, there is no reason why we won’t be celebrating him reaching 1000 games in a Didcot shirt in the not too distant future.”
Tiverton Town - The Club has announced that admission for the game against Hungerford Town on Saturday, April 13th will be by donations only. Dubbed the “pay what you want match” the club hope as many supporters as possible take advantage of this unique offer. With the recession biting, the club has taken this step to encourage people who may have not been able to support the club this season to return to Ladysmead.
Chairman Matthew Conridge commented “We know it is a bit of a risk but it is one we are prepared to take. We are all in this together and if this helps the local community come and support their local football club then we feel it is a risk worth taking.”
In another effort to help supporters the club will have a ‘Happy Hour’ on the day with lager and beer on offer at £2.50 a pint between 12.30 and 1.30pm before kick-off. A number of complimentary tickets have also been given to local schoolchildren and the clubs’ sweet shop will be open as well.
8 April 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leamington edged nearer the Championship when two goals in the opening twenty minutes gave them a 2-0 victory at AFC Totton while third in the table Stourbridge, who took the lead on the half hour mark, scored three times in the second half to complete a 4-1 home win over Cambridge City and fourth placed Chesham United, behind in the sixth minute, scored twice before the break to record a 2-1 win at Banbury United. Barwell, who had taken a second minute lead, conceded an early second half equaliser but secured a 2-1 win at Bideford with a goal twenty minutes from time but Gosport Borough dropped out of the play-off places when Hitchin Town secured a valuable 1-0 home win when they scored with twenty minutes remaining while Weymouth failed to score for the fifth game in succession and went down 4-0 at home to Bedford Town with all the goals coming in the second half. Arlesey Town, a goal behind at half time, scored twice after the break to win 2-1 at St Neots Town while St Albans City were held to a 2-2 home draw by Bashley. Frome Town, who went behind in the twelfth minute of the second half, drew level with a goal twelve minutes from time only for second from bottom Bedworth United to score twice in the following ten minutes to set up a 3-1 away win and move to within two points of their hosts while Chippenham Town, two ahead at the interval, avoided dropping into the relegation places when they secured their first win since the beginning of December with a 4-2 victory at bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Rugby Town, ahead after just four minutes, moved to the top of the table on goal difference when they completed a resounding 5-0 home win over Leighton Town leaving Burnham to slip into second place, despite a goal in each half giving them a 2-0 home win against Northwood, while third placed Godalming Town scored in the opening minute of the game to secure a 1-0 home victory over Aylesbury but fourth in the table Biggleswade Town were held to a 0-0 draw at second from bottom North Greenford United. Royston Town stayed in the play-off places with a goal in each half giving them a 2-0 win over Slough Town, whose own play-off ambitions have now been hit by three successive defeats, while Beaconsfield SYCOB maintained their challenge when a goal in the second minute of time added on gave them a 3-2 home win over Guildford City and Daventry Town, behind to a goal ten minutes before half time, scored either side of the break to secure a 2-1 home win against Ashford Town (Middx). Uxbridge, leading at half time, conceded a goal twelve minutes from time to draw 1-1 at home with Fleet Town and Barton Rovers were held to a 0-0 home draw by AFC Hayes but Chalfont St Peter scored mid-way through the second half to win 1-0 at Thatcham Town while Chertsey Town, a goal up at half time, scored three times after the break to inflict a 4-1 defeat on visiting bottom of the table Woodford United.
Division One South & West - Leaders Poole Town scored a goal early in each half to complete a 2-0 home win against Tiverton Town but second placed Hungerford Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Wimborne Town while third in the table Swindon Supermarine, behind after nine minutes but in front ten minutes into the second half, conceded a penalty before securing a 3-2 win at Mangotsfield Unites with a goal twelve minutes from time. Fourth in the table Paulton Rovers scored mid-way through the first half to secure a 1-0 home win over Cirencester Town while fifth placed Merthyr Town scored five times in each half to complete a resounding 10-0 home victory over bottom of the table Winchester City and Yate Town stayed in touch with the leading pack when two goals in the final ten minutes of the first half gave them a 2-0 win at second from bottom Bishops Cleeve. Shortwood United, two down in the opening fourteen minutes, lost 2-1 at home to Cinderford Town but Sholing scored twice in each half to win 4-0 at home against Taunton Town and North Leigh conceded a goal just after the mid-way point of the second half to lose 1-0 at Evesham United while Didcot Town, ahead after just four minutes, had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bridgwater Town when the home side scored eleven minutes after the break. In the day's other game Clevedon Town, behind in the sixth minute, took the lead from a penalty early in the second half but conceded an equaliser with eighteen minutes remaining before going down to a 3-2 home defeat when Abingdon United scored again in the second minute of time added on.
Club News
St Albans City - It has been announced that Nick Archer has been confirmed as the Club’s chairman with immediate effect. He will be responsible for all playing matters, allowing owners Lawrence Levy and John McGowan to concentrate their efforts on building the infrastructure and long term viability of the club. Archer has been performing the function as interim-chairman since the departure of Ian Ridley in November.
Levy stated “Without hesitation, Nick took on the role of Chairman in November. He was instrumental with the appointment of James and Graham to the first team and between them re-building an attractive playing squad. He is passionate about the club, supports the club and has the necessary in depth knowledge of the game required at this level. John and I felt it appropriate to make this position permanent before the end of the season.”
Archer said “My philosophy is to create a friendly and well respected club with a team that plays attractive football. Good administration and discipline will form part of my remit in line with the club’s aim to develop younger players and be a long term success. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
4 April 2013
Midweek Matches
Premier Division - On Wednesday, Hitchin Town picked up a valuable point from a 0-0 draw at Cambridge City. On Thursday Redditch United remained just three points above the relegation zone when Arlesey Town scored twice in the space of five minutes early in the second half to record a 2-0 away victory.
Division One Central - On Tuesday Uxbridge scored from a penalty just after the mid-way point of the second half to record a 1-0 home win over AFC Hayes. On Wednesday, Slough Town's push for a play-off place took another blow when, after taking a seventh minute lead, they lost 2-1 at Northwood when the hosts scored in the fourth minute of time added on and Chertsey Town, ahead ten minutes into the second half, also conceded a goal in time added on to lose 2-1 at Guildford City. On Thursday, fourth in the table Biggleswade Town, ahead after thirteen minutes, were held to a 1-1 draw at Daventry Town when the hosts scored thirteen minutes before the break while Ashford Town (Middx) took the lead two minutes before the interval but had to also settle for a 1-1 home draw when Thatcham Town scored two minutes into the second half and the other game also finished 1-1 when second from bottom North Greenford United scored six minutes into the second half after going behind three minutes earlier at Chalfont St Peter.
Division One South & West - On Wednesday, third in the table Swindon Supermarine, who had equalised eleven minutes before the break after going behind to an own goal ten minutes earlier, scored on the hour to complete a 2-1 home victory over Bridgwater Town and Cirencester Town, a goal up at half time, scored twice in the second half to record a 3-0 win at second from bottom Bishops Cleeve while Clevedon Town drew 0-0 at home with Shortwood United. On Thursday, Paulton Rovers moved up to fourth when two first half goals gave them a 2-0 home victory over Cinderford Town while Merthyr Town, trailing after just three minutes, moved back into the play-off places with goals two minutes before the break and thirteen minutes from time giving them a 2-1 victory at Taunton Town. Sholing scored in the third minute of time added on to win 1-0 at home against Wimborne Town and leapfrog their visitors in the table while North Leigh had to hold on after taking a four goal lead when visiting Didcot Town scored twice in the final sixteen minutes to go down 4-2.
2 April 2013
Easter Monday Matches
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington, ahead after three minutes, conceded an equaliser five minutes after the break but went on to complete a 4-1 home victory over Banbury United while second placed Hemel Hempstead Town scored twelve minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at St Albans City and third in the table Stourbridge scored three in the first half on the way to a comprehensive 4-0 victory at fourth from bottom Redditch United. Fourth in the table Chesham United, trailing to a fourth minute penalty but sharing four goals at the break, scored sixteen minutes into the second half to win 3-2 at third from bottom Chippenham Town but fifth placed Gosport Borough, having twice come from behind, conceded a goal in the fifth minute of time added on to go down to a 3-2 defeat at AFC Totton while Barwell scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at home against second from bottom Bedworth United. Weymouth, who have failed to score in their last four games, conceded a goal ten minutes from time to lose 1-0 at Bashley but Cambridge City, despite conceding an own goal a minute from time, recorded a 2-1 victory at Arlesey Town and Bedford Town, a goal behind at the interval, scored three times after the break to complete a 3-1 win at St Neots Town. Bideford were held to a 0-0 home draw by Frome Town and in the day's other match bottom of the table Kettering Town, a goal ahead at the break, recorded their fifth win of the season when they defeated visiting Hitchin Town 3-1.
Division One Central - Leaders Burnham scored on the hour mark to record a 1-0 home win over play-off hopefuls Slough Town and second placed Rugby Town scored three times in the second half to complete a 3-0 home win over Aylesbury but third placed Godalming Town, trailing at half time, needed a goal three minutes from time to secure a 1-1 draw at Guildford City while fifth in the table Royston Town, a goal ahead at the break, scored twice in the last five minutes to win 3-1 at home and move to within a point of visiting Biggleswade Town. Beaconsfield SYCOB, ahead after five minutes, scored three minutes from time to complete a 2-0 home win over Chalfont St Peter and Daventry Town scored four after the break to win 4-0 at bottom of the table Woodford United while Barton Rovers scored twice in the opening quarter to win 2-0 at Leighton Town. Northwood, trailing at half time, scored late in the second half to secure a 1-1 home draw with second from bottom North Greenford United but Thatcham Town, ahead from an early penalty, scored in the final minute to complete a 2-0 win at Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Poole Town went behind with eight minutes remaining but snatched a 1-1 draw at Sholing with a goal in the second minute of time added on while second placed Hungerford Town, four ahead nine minutes into the second half, held off a late challenge to secure a 4-2 home win over North Leigh but third placed Swindon Supermarine, who had taken the lead three minutes before the break, conceded a penalty two minutes into the second half and were then reduced to nine men before going down 3-1 at Paulton Rovers who moved into the play-off places replacing Merthyr Town who, having taken the lead shortly before half time, lost 2-1 at home when Cinderford Town scored four minutes from the end. Yate Town scored ten minutes before half time to win 1-0 at home against Mangotsfield United and Shortwood United scored five minutes after the interval to win 1-0 at Cirencester Town while Wimborne Town won 1-0 at home with a second half strike against bottom of the table Winchester City. Didcot Town scored seventeen minutes from time to win 1-0 at Abingdon United while Clevedon Town, level at the break, scored twice in the second half to win 3-1 at home against Tiverton Town and Taunton Town, two ahead at half time, completed a 3-0 home win over Bridgwater Town. In the day's other game Bishops Cleeve scored three times in the opening fourteen minutes of the second half to win 3-0 at home against Evesham United and move six points clear of bottom place.
31 March 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington benefited from three penalties and a goal in time added on as they increased their lead to ten points with a 4-1 victory at Cambridge City but second in the table Hemel Hempstead Town, ahead at half time, lost ground when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Barwell while third placed Stourbridge, in front after just three minutes, completed a 2-1 home win over St Albans City. Chesham United scored on the half hour mark to win 1-0 at home against Bideford and move into fourth place where they replaced Gosport Borough whose twenty-three match unbeaten run at last came to an end when a goal nine minutes from time gave visiting Arlesey Town a 1-0 victory but Weymouth missed the opportunity of moving back into the play-off places when two second half strikes gave Redditch United a valuable 2-0 away win which took them four points clear of the danger zone. Bedford Town scored twice in each half to complete a 4-1 home win over AFC Totton whose only reply was a nineteenth minute penalty and Banbury United, two ahead after twenty minutes, recorded a 3-1 home win against St Neots Town. Frome Town fell behind five minutes after the break but hit back a minute later and went on to win 3-1 at home against bottom of the table Kettering Town to move four points above the trap door as did Hitchin Town who, after falling behind in the eighth minute, secured an important 2-1 home win to leapfrog their visitors Chippenham Town and leave them just a point above Bedworth United who remained in the relegation places following a 3-0 home defeat by Bashley.
Division One Central - Leaders Burnham, ahead from a sixth minute own goal and two ahead at the break, completed a comfortable 3-0 victory at second from bottom North Greenford United while second in the table Rugby Town won 1-0 at Thatcham Town thanks to a goal after just two minutes and third placed Godalming Town scored three times in six first half minutes to record a 3-0 home win over fellow play-off hopefuls Royston Town. Fourth in the table Biggleswade Town scored mid-way through the second half to win 1-0 at home against Fleet Town and Slough Town, two up at the break, scored three times in the second half to complete a comprehensive 5-1 home win over Leighton Town and move into sixth place with games in hand on all the teams above them but Beaconsfield SYCOB slipped to seventh when a penalty on the stroke of half time gave Aylesbury a 2-1 home win. Daventry Town, who had gone ahead in the seventh minute, scored three times after the interval to complete a 4-1 home win over Uxbridge but Gulidford City, two behind a minute after the break, were defeated 3-1 at Barton Rovers while Ashford Town (Middx) cashed in on bottom of the table Woodford United's disastrous season when they scored seven times in the first half on the way to completing a 10-0 home victory. Chalfont St Peter, behind after just five minutes, conceded three goals in the second half to crash to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Northwood and in the day's other game AFC Hayes, a goal ahead at half time, completed a 3-0 home win over Chertsey Town.
Division One South & West - A penalty five minutes after the interval gave Poole Town a 1-0 home win over second from bottom Bishops Cleeve and their lead at the top of the table was increased to seven points when Hungerford Town went down 1-0 to a fourteenth minute goal at Shortwood United and third in the table Swindon Supermarine kept their title hopes alive when three goals in the final twenty minutes gave them a 3-0 home win over Taunton Town but fourth placed Merthyr Town equalised on the stroke of half time to secure a 1-1 draw at Tiverton Town while Yate Town held on to the final play-off place when they came from behind to win 2-1 at North Leigh with a goal in time added on. Paulton Rovers kept their play-off hopes alive when they scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at Evesham United while Cirencester Town, three ahead at the interval, completed a comfortable 4-0 win at bottom of the table Winchester City and Wimborne Town scored sixteen minutes from time to win 1-0 at Cinderford Town. Bridgwater Town, who went two goals behind just after the half hour mark, scored either side of the interval to secure a 2-2 home draw with Sholing while Didcot Town, ahead after ten minutes, scored a minute from time to win 2-1 at home against Clevedon Town and Mangotsfield United, ahead after twelve minutes, also won 2-1 at home when they scored the winner against Abingdon United with fifteen minutes remaining.
Club News
Arlesey Town - The Club is proud to announce Cancer Research UK as their sole charity for the foreseeable future. Arlesey Town like 1 in 3 people has seen many supporters, volunteers, Stalwarts and friends lose their fight to cancer over the last couple of years and have decided that they want to be able to help in the battle against a disease that affects so many people’s lives.
A spokesperson from the club said "Cancer has had a devastating effect on the club recently and the decision to make Cancer Research UK the club's sole Charity was an easy one, the hard work the people of this charity put in to fighting Cancer is unbelievable and they need all the help they can get and we will do all we can to aid this."
This is the first time that Arlesey Town Football Club has ever dedicated itself officially to a charity and they hope that they can raise as much funding as possible in the on-going fight against cancer. In May last year a charity football match in memory of former club Physio Eric Turner was held in aid of Cancer Research raising nearly £1000 and the club has set this as a bench mark to break for any events being held in future. The first event pencilled in is what will be the Football Clubs Official Annual Charity match to be held on Saturday 11th May 2013.
Victoria Goldsmith, Cancer Research UK’s Area Volunteer Manager for Bedfordshire, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Arlesey Town FC have decided to support us and raise money for Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”
“Cancer Research UK spent more than £42 million last year on leading scientific and clinical research in East Anglia and fund ground breaking research throughout the region, from clinical trials running at nearby hospitals to our Cancer Research UK Centre at Cambridge. Our Centres bring together experts in the local medical and scientific community to translate research into benefits for patients as quickly as possible. Every day, 80 people are diagnosed with cancer in East Anglia this adds up to 29,300 people every year in the local area alone. Cancer death rates in East Anglia have fallen by almost a quarter over the last twenty years. Your fundraising is vital. We have made significant progress in understanding and treating cancer, yet one in three of us will still get cancer at some point in our lives so there’s much more we need to do. Our vital work, funded entirely by the public, will mean that many more people will survive.”
For further media information, please contact: Victoria Goldsmith, Area Volunteer Manager, Cancer Research UK 07909 967718 or Victoria.goldsmith@cancer.org.uk
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work to find out how to support the charity, please call 08701 60 20 40 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk.
Chippenham Town - The Evo-Stik League Southern is continuing its partnership with KitAid, a charity that helps underprivileged children and adults in over 35 countries across the world, and is encouraging people in Chippenham to get behind the campaign by donating their unwanted football kits now. Football fans are being invited to drop off their old football shirts, shorts, boots, goal keeper gloves and shin pads at their local club, Chippenham Town FC at Hardenhuish Park, Bristol Road, Chippenham, where they will be packaged up by the Evo-Stik League and sent to KitAid.
Ken Turner, League Chairman, commented "As a League, we know only too well the importance of giving young people and adults opportunities through sport so we’re appealing to local people to consider donating their old kit to a really worthy cause. Just give it a wash and drop it off at Chippenham and they’ll do the rest."
KitAid is a registered charity that collects and sends unwanted football kit to children and adults who love football but live in some of the poorest parts of the world. The charity, which has Graham Taylor OBE as its patron, has sent out over 200,000 kits to children and adults worldwide.
Derrick Williams MBE, KitAid’s founder, commented: "We’re delighted that the Evo-Stik League Southern & Chippenham Town are working with us to give our campaign a boost and with such a strong fan base, I am sure plenty of kit will be donated. We see firsthand the difference that these donations can make to young people in some of the poorest parts of the world and would like to thank the people of Chippenham in advance for getting involved."
The Club will be accepting donations until the end of the 2012-13 season. For further details, call 07712219182.
Abbeyfield School in Chippenham has revealed a new programme of study for youngsters joining the sixth form. In partnership with Chippenham Town Council, Stanley Park and Chippenham Town Football Club they have launched a Sports Development Programme: Football. Mark Fuller, Assistant Head Teacher, said “There is always a high demand for sport related courses and this programme responds to this need. It is aimed at youngsters who want to study an academic programme in the sixth form but also develop their footballing ability. We have been really fortunate to secure a high quality partnership with Stanley Park and Chippenham Town Football Club, organisations who share our commitment to excellence.”
Students will follow a normal sixth form timetable, studying up to four A level subjects. The football development takes place at Stanley Park for three hours weekly with coaching from a UEFA B qualified coach. Students of the programme will also have the opportunity to study a number of football specific qualifications and play competitive matches as appropriate. Pete Hussey, Manager of Stanley Park Sports Ground, said “The development programme links well to the community as we would expect all members to play football for a local club and share the experiences they have with all members of the club. The programme fits well with the aims of Stanley Park which is about developing the ground as a real community resource.”
Student members of the Development Programme will also have the opportunity to work with Chippenham Town Football Club. Barry Stephens, Football and Community Development Coordinator at Chippenham Town FC said “We are really pleased to be associated with the development. We are a community club and this fulfils a real need amongst young people who want to continue to develop their commitment to football in all its varieties.”
David Nicholson, Head Teacher, said “As a school we are committed to developing provision for our youngsters that meets their needs. We hope that over the next few years we can extend this programme into other sports.”
Students interested in a place on the Sports Development Programme should contact Mr Ian Meredith at Abbeyfield (01249 464500) for further details.
Taunton Town - The Club has announced its newest signings this week - three of the horses from the Conquest Riding Centre for the Disabled in Taunton. The Club is sponsoring the ponies - Missy, Charlie and Jesse - which are used by children and adults at Conquest, Somerset's leading riding charity providing a range of activities centred on horses.
Taunton Town Chairman Kevin Sturmey said "We are delighted to sponsor the horses and help Conquest continue the marvellous work that they do."
At the Club’s recent home game against Didcot Town, two Conquest ponies - Grimble and Tiny Tim - visited Wordsworth Drive to meet the fans and thank the club for its sponsorship. Conquest manager Jess Dixon stated "I would like to thank Taunton Town for their generous support. We love our horses and they provide hours of fun and learning but they can be expensive so this generous sponsorship will help us enormously."
Left to Right - Imogen Featherstone and Jess Dixon from Conquest, Taunton Town's Tom Hopkins and club captain Owen Irish with matchday mascot Joe Mansell and Tiny Tim and Grimble being rather camera-shy.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a Conquest pony can go to www.conquestcentre.org.uk
Tiverton Town - The Club has appointed Wellington Town boss Jamie Ward as Manager until the end of the season.The 52-year-old former Yeovil Town striker replaces Mark Saunders, who left two weeks ago. Ward holds a UEFA `B` license and has previously managed Taunton Town's under-18 side. During his playing career he represented clubs such as Yeovil, Gravesend & Northfleet, Taunton Town and Clevedon Town.
Club Chairman Matthew Conridge said “James has shown a significant amount of passion and enthusiasm for the role and combining this with his experience as a player and coaching qualifications, I feel confident he’ll be perfect for the position. He will lead the team through to the end of the season which will give him time to get used to the club and for the club to get used to him. We’ll then reassess the position during the summer.”
His first game in charge will be at Ladysmead this Saturday when Tivvy entertain high-flying Merthyr Town
28 March 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town, four ahead two minutes after the interval, moved to within eight points of the leaders when they completed a 4-2 home win over Bashley while Arlesey Town, two up at half time, recorded a 3-0 home win over Redditch United leaving the visitors still just one point from the relegation zone. On Wednesday, Cambridge City, two ahead at the interval, won 3-0 at Frome Town leaving the hosts, like Redditch, hovering just a point above danger.
Division One Central - Burnham, a goal ahead at the interval, held onto top spot when they completed a comfortable 3-0 victory at AFC Hayes and Rugby Town, who took an eighth minute lead, remained three points behind when they recorded a 3-0 home win over sixth in the table Beaconsfield SYCOB while Slough Town continued their move towards the play-off places when, despite going behind in the twelfth minute, they completed a 3-1 home win over fourth placed Biggleswade Town. Ashford Town (Middx), a goal up at half time, completed a 3-1 victory at second from bottom North Greenford United and Northwood, ahead in the ninth minute, scored seven minutes from time to record a 2-1 home win over Thatcham Town while Aylesbury scored five times in the second half to inflict a 7-0 away defeat on bottom of the table Woodford United. On Thursday, Slough Town, ahead after eight minutes and again fifteen minutes from time, has to settle for a 2-2 draw when hosts Barton Rovers equalised with five minutes remaining while Ashford Town (Middx) also led twice before drawing 2-2 at Uxbridge.
Division One South & West - On Monday evening Mangotsfield United were held to a 0-0 home draw by Sholing while Bridgwater Town's home game against Taunton Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. On Tuesday, Paulton Rovers, who had taken the lead on the stroke of half time, completed a 4-1 home victory to remain just below the play-off places and prevent visiting Shortwood United from leapfrogging them in the table. On Wednesday, fourth placed Merthyr Town, who had taken a fifteenth minute lead but trailed at half time, scored eleven minutes after the break only to lose 3-2 at home when Clevedon Town struck two minutes from time while second from bottom Bishops Cleeve went behind to a penalty fifteen minutes from time but scored five minutes later to secure a 1-1 home draw with Bridgwater Town. On Thursday, top of the table Poole Town scored twice inside three second half minutes to complete a 2-0 home win over bottom club Winchester City while Sholing, a goal ahead at the interval, recorded a 3-1 victory at Abingdon United.
25 March 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Chesham United, two ahead at the interval, leapfrogged their hosts to move back into the play-off places when they extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a 3-0 victory at Weymouth while St Neots Town, behind to a first half penalty, found themselves three goals down within seven minutes of the restart but fought back and two goals in the final three minutes gave them a 4-3 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town. In the only other game to beat the weather Bideford were held to a 0-0 home draw by Bashley
Division One Central - All matches were postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.
Division One South & West - All matches were postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.
21 March 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Final First Leg - In front of a disappointingly low gate, a goal three minutes after the break was sufficient to give Arlesey Town a 1-0 lead to take into the Second Leg at Frome Town on 9 April.
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington scored twice in two minutes just before the half hour mark on the way to a comfortable 3-0 home win over Bedford Town while third in the table Hemel Hempstead Town, ahead in the eighth minute, added to their hosts' troubles when they went on to record a 2-1 victory at second from bottom Bedworth United. Meanwhile fourth in the table Gosport Borough extended their unbeaten run to twenty-two matches when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 victory at third from bottom Redditch United and Chesham United, despite ging behind in the seventh minute, continued their good run of form with a 3-1 victory at Bashley.
Division One Central - Biggleswade Town, three up at the interval, scored seven times in the second half to move up to fourth with a massive 10-0 win at bottom placed Woodford United while Chertsey Town, having given up a two goal lead, scored with just over twenty minutes to play to secure a 3-2 home win over Northwood and Barton Rovers, a goal down at the break, levelled with twenty minutes remaining only to concede in the final minute to go down 2-1 at home against Daventry Town. On Thursday, Uxbridge went two goals up six minutes into the second half and went on to win 2-1 at home when Aylesbury's only reply came in the final minute.
Division One South & West - Third in the table Swindon Supermarine, two goals behind at the interval, scoored three minutes into the second half but lost 2-1 at North Leigh and fifth placed Yate Town conceded a goal in the second minute and lost 1-0 at Shortwood United leaving Paulton Rovers, despite trailing by the odd goal in five at half time, to close the gap to the final play-off place to three points when they scored twice in the second half to win 4-3 at Tiverton Town. On Wednesday, Sholing went behind to a sixth minute own goal but moved into the lead by the interval before adding five more in the second half to complete a resounding 7-1 home win over Evesham United while Mangotsfield United scored in the seventeenth minute to record a 1-0 home victory against Bridgwater Town and Bishops Cleeve moved out of bottom place when two first half strikes sent visitors Abingdon United to a 2-0 defeat
Club News
Frome Town - Following the Club's recent award by the Football Pools to celebrate their 90th anniversary the Robins have successful completed discussions with representatives of the Football Pools and have now been given the go ahead to begin work on the various facility upgrade and improvement projects which will need to be undertaken over the next 90 days. On the agenda to complete are:
• Removal of wooden seats from the main stand and new tiered system created throughout the structure ready for the installation of seats later in the year.
• Replacement of suspended ceiling and lighting systems within the Venue
• Creation of a larger kitchen area and renovation of skittle alley into class room
• Installation of additional and replacement fencing and gates to enclose the ground fully
• Uplift of the toilet areas with new hand driers, lighting and tiling
In total the Club are over the allocated budget of £50,000 for the works and will need to find £8,000 in savings or donations to be able to complete all of the projects identified. In addition there are things the Club want to do but do not have enough money to complete such as new PA system, new carpets, tables and chairs, CCTV upgrade, painting and decorating, removal of spoil heap and resurfacing of the car park being among them. If anybody can help with materials, labour or finance you can contact us by emailing communitychallenge@frometownfc.co.uk or by reply to this email.
Tiverton Town - Mark Saunders says he and Hedley Steele left the Club in order to give the Division One South & West club enough time to find a replacement while they are not threatened by relegation. Saunders and Steele, who took up the managerial reins in November 2010 following Chris Vinnicombe’s departure, stepped down in the immediate aftermath of Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to North Leigh.
“At the end of the day that is eighteen games without a win and that is football - something has to change,” said Saunders. “Me leaving will hopefully give the club enough time to find someone else, get them in and get to know the players without promotion or the threat of relegation. I have just run out of things to say to the lads and, after eighteen games and the run we have had, something has got to give. I think I am still in shock and the lads are still in shock because it is the same group of players who were at the top of the table around Christmas, so I don't know why we have been playing so badly. I think there are a lot of confidence players at the club and when we were winning confidence was high but now we aren't heads have dropped.
18 March 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Stourbridge, who scored twice in the opening eight minutes and again before half time, moved up to second in the table with a comprehensive 5-0 home victory over fourth placed Weymouth while St Albans City, ahead after four minutes, completed a 3-0 home win against AFC Totton while relegation threatened Hitchin Town picked up three vital points to take them out of the bottom two when a goal seven minutes into the second half gave them a 1-0 home success over Bideford. The following matches were postponed - Banbury United v Cambridge City, Bashley v St Neots Town, Chesham United v Bedworth United, Chippenham Town v Leamington Gosport Borough v Bedford Town, Hemel Hempstead Town v Frome Town, and Redditch United v Arlesey Town, as well as Kettering Town v Barwell on Sunday.
Division One Central - Biggleswade Town moved back into the play-off places when they scored four times in the first half on their way to a comprehensive 5-2 home victory over Chertsey Town while Slough Town, who took a two goal lead and were ahead at the break by the odd goal in five, kept up their challenge with a 4-3 home win over Aylesbury. The following matches have been postponed - AFC Hayes v Daventry Town, Ashford Town (Middx) v Thatcham Town, Barton Rovers v Uxbridge, Burnham v Rugby Town, Chertsey Town v Beaconsfield SYCOB, Godalming Town v Leighton Town, North Greenford United v Guildford City, Northwood v Fleet Town, and Woodford United v Royston Town.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town, who took the lead in time added on at the end of the first half, scored twice after the break to record a 3-0 home win over Sholing and close the gap on the leaders, whose top clash with Swindon Supermarine was postponed, while fifth placed Yate Town, despite going ahead after eleven minutes, crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Wimborne Town, who had moved ahead by the interval before adding three in the second half. The following matches were also postponed - Bridgwater Town v Evesham United, Cinderford Town v Abingdon United, Didcot Town v Merthyr Town, Mangotsfield United v Clevedon Town, Paulton Rovers v Bishops Cleeve, Shortwood United v North Leigh, and Winchester City v Tiverton Town.
13 March 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Monday's vital relegation match between Hitchin Town and Bedworth United was called off due to a frozen pitch. On Tuesday, Leamington stretched their lead at the top to eleven points when two second half goals gave them a 2-0 home win over fourth from bottom Redditch United and Chesham United moved up to seventh with a goal in the first minute giving them a 1-0 home victory against Arlesey Town while AFC Totton scored a goal in each half to complete a 2-0 home win against Frome Town leaving the visitors still just two points above the drop zone. The games at Barwell, against Bashley, and Cambridge City, against Chippenham Town, were postponed. On Wednesday, bottom of the table Kettering Town conceded four second half goals to slump to a 6-2 home defeat by St Albans City.
Division One Central - On Monday fifth in the table Beaconsfield SYCOB took the lead with six minutes remaining but had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Uxbridge equalised three minutes later. On Tuesday, Burnham, ahead from a sixth minute penalty, held on to top spot when another penalty six minutes from time gave them a 3-0 home win over Ashford Town (Middx) while second placed Rugby Town scored five times in the first half on the way to a resounding 7-0 victory at bottom of the table Woodford United leaving the hosts still looking for their first point of the season but fourth in the table Royston Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Fleet Town. Slough Town's challenge for the top five was dealt a blow when, despite taking an eleventh minute lead, they lost 3-1 at Daventry Town and second from bottom North Greenford United, a goal behind at the interval, lost 3-1 at home to Northwood. Aylesbury's home match against Godalming Town was postponed but quickly re-arranged for Thursday when the visitors, two up at the break, scored three times in the second half to complete a comprehensive 5-0 victory which took them up to second place on goal difference.
Division One South & West - Monday's matches, Bishops Cleeve against Taunton Town and Mangotsfield United against Bridgwater Town, were postponed because of frozen pitches. On Tuesday, Poole Town increased their lead at the top of the table to four points with a 2-1 home victory over Sholing but fourth in the table Merthyr Town lost ground when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Cinderford Town while fifth placed Yate Town, a goal ahead at the break, continued their good run with a 2-1 victory at Abingdon United. In the evening's other match Tiverton Town, two down after just over twenty minutes, stretched their run of games without a win to sixteen when they lost 2-1 at home to North Leigh. Cirencester Town's home game with Wimborne Town was postponed. On Wednesday, third in the table Swindon Supermarine closed the gap on the leading pair when two goals in the final fifteen minutes gave them a 2-0 home win over Didcot Town while Shortwood United scored fourteen minutes from time to continue their good recent form with a 1-0 win at Taunton Town.
Club News
Hitchin Town - The Club will host its fourth annual Ladies Day on March 16 2013, the day the Canaries play Bideford at Top Field. Since 2010, when 18% of the crowd for Ladies Day were female, the percentage rose to 23% in 2012. Over three years, the momentum of this special initative has been impressive and the club is hoping for an even better response in 2013. In line with past years, all females will be admitted free of charge for the game. There will be a prize draw and also a charity collection with proceeds going to the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.
Chairman Terry Barratt commented "It has been noticeable over the past couple of years that there are more women at our games. This is something we want to encourage so we look forward to opening the doors to more women on March 16. In fact, Hitchin Town Football Club wants to embrace all corners of the local community."
For further details: Neil Jensen, Media Officer, Hitchin Town FC neil.jensen@ntlworld.com or on 0798 498 2034.
Sholing - Major plans have been unveiled to breathe life into the home of two well-known Hampshire sports clubs. A new cricket pavilion, clubhouse and all weather sports pitch are being lined up for the VT Sports Ground, the home of Sholing FC and VT Cricket Club. Hundreds of thousands of pounds would be ploughed into the overhaul to bring desperately needed new facilities to the Portsmouth Road grounds. The proposals would also include a much needed 112-space car park with widened access and driveway.
Sholing FC, known as the Boatmen, have long held ambitions to improve their coaching and development of talented players and to improve their community outreach offering. With 12 teams and 350 members, club bosses want a state-of-the-art ‘3G’ surfaced sports pitch and training area to cater for all ages as well as an upgraded second pitch on the site.
VT Cricket, which has 60 members, says it needs new facilities to match its rapidly improving standards over the last five years. The plans would see better changing facilities, a modern pavilion, a clock and scoreboard visible from the pitch and the possibility of including a spectator viewing area and catering provisions. Meanwhile, the ground’s current clubhouse would be demolished to make way for a modern replacement complying with Football Association regulations and featuring new toilets, showers, first aid and officials' accommodation.
Plans submitted by the Rund Partnership, the agent for VT Sports, say the current buildings are in a “very poor state of affairs”. The planning statement adds “There is an ideal opportunity to develop the site to provide a multi-use sports and social facility that is utilised weekdays and weekends and by all sectors of the community and therefore becoming a hub for social and sporting excellence. VT Sports want to ensure that opportunities are provided for local vulnerable groups such as the over 60s, single parents and those families in local deprived areas, as well as providing top quality sporting facilities and developing local talented athletes.”
A period of consultation ends on 25 January but a decision date has yet to be set by Eastleigh Borough Council.
11 March 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - With second in the table Hemel Hempstead Town's match at Bedworth United called off because of a waterlogged pitch, leaders Leamington moved eight points clear when they scored three times after the interval to complete a 4-1 home win over Bashley while third placed Stourbridge were held to a 0-0 draw at St Neots Town but Weymouth moved up to fourth when a goal with three minutes remaining gave them a 1-0 home victory against Banbury United. Gosport Borough returned to the play-off places when they scored twice in each half to record a resounding 4-0 win at Cambridge City but Barwell, ahead from a penalty after twenty minutes, dropped to sixth when St Albans City equalised before the break before scoring twice in the second half to complete a 3-1 away success while Chesham United scored twenty minutes before the interval to secure a 1-0 win at Bedford Town. AFC Totton scored a goal in each half to defeat Redditch United 2-0, leaving the visitors just two points above the drop zone, while Chippenham Town were also left two points from danger when Arlesey Town scored four times in the second half to complete a resounding 4-0 home victory, but Frome Town moved up four places when they recovered from going behind after eleven minutes to win 2-1 at home against Hitchin Town, who replaced their hosts in the bottom two.
Division One Central - On Friday evening second in the table Godalming Town scored four minutes before half time, having gone behind seven minutes earlier, and struck again in the opening minute of the second half to complete a 2-1 victory at Daventry Town. Leaders Burnham, ahead in the first minute and two up at the interval, completed a 3-2 win at Uxbridge while third placed Rugby Town scored three goals in the final eighteen minutes to record a 3-0 home win over second from bottom North Greenford United and fourth in the table Royston Town scored in the eleventh minute to defeat visitors Chertsey Town 1-0. With Biggleswade Town's match at Guildford City postponed, Beaconsfield SYCOB moved back into the play-off places with a 3-0 home win over bottom club Woodford United, who have now conceded a hundred goals, and Slough Town, three ahead at half time, maintained their challenge with a 5-2 win at Fleet Town while Chalfont St Peter scored four times before the break on the way to a comprehensive 5-1 home win against AFC Hayes. Aylesbury twice came from behind in the first half to share a 2-2 home draw with Ashford Town (Middx) while Thatcham Town scored a goal in each half and, despite conceding an own goal seven minutes from time, went on to record a 2-1 home win over Barton Rovers but Leighton Town, who had also twice come from behind, lost 3-2 at home when Northwood scored mid way through the second half.
Division One South & West - Poole Town, having gone behind, took the lead before half time and scored two more after the break to complete a 4-1 home win over Didcot Town and move to the top of the table as Hungerford Town, who conceded a penalty in each half, slipped to second when they lost 3-0 at fourth placed Merthyr Town while third placed Swindon Supermarine, a goal up at half time, scored eight minutes from time to win 2-0 at Tiverton Town and fifth in the table Yate Town continued their good form with a 2-1 home win over Bridgwater Town. Paulton Rovers scored four minutes before the interval to win 1-0 at Clevedon Town while Cirencester Town scored twice in the first twenty-one minutes to win 2-0 at Abingdon United and Shortwood United, who went behind after just six minutes but equalised ten minutes later, scored on the stroke of half time to win 2-1 at Evesham United. Sholing, behind after just five minutes, scored eight minutes before and two minutes after the break to secure a 2-1 home win against Mangotsfield United while a goal eighteen minutes into the second half gave Taunton Town a 1-0 home win over Wimborne Town. The relegation clash between Bishops Cleeve and Winchester City and North Leigh's home match with Cinderford Town were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
7 March 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Semi-Final - Premier Division Frome Town went behind in the seventeenth minute but scored twice in six first half minutes to reach the Final with a 2-1 home victory over Division One Central Slough Town.
Premier Division - On Monday Barwell struck eighteen minutes from time to move up into third place with a 1-0 victory at Hitchin Town leaving the home side still just two points above the drop zone. Leamington, who went behind a minute before the interval, grabbed a 1-1 draw at Chesham United with a goal three minutes from time and increased their lead at the top of the table as second placed Hemel Hempstead Town, three goals down just after the hour mark, went down 3-1 at home to Weymouth, who moved back into play-off contention, while third in the table Stourbridge scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory at Banbury United. Cambridge City, who took the lead with just seven minutes remaining, were held to a 1-1 draw at home when bottom club Kettering Town levelled three minutes from time and Arlesey Town, behind after two minutes and again three minutes before the break, equalised in time added on at the end of the first half to secure a 2-2 home draw with Bideford. Redditch United drew 0-0 at home with Bashley while Bedworth United moved up two places and out of the bottom two when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 home win over Bedford Town.
Division One Central - Top of the table Burnham, ahead after nineteen minutes, needed a penalty three minutes from time to take a point from a 2-2 draw at Aylesbury while fifth placed Biggleswade Town conceded a goal a minute from time to lose 1-0 at Uxbridge. Daventry Town went behind in the opening minute but equalised in the second half to draw 1-1 at home with second from bottom North Greenford United but Ashford Town (Middx) scored twice in the first half to win 2-1 at home against AFC Hayes while bottom of the table Woodford United remain pointless after Chalfont St Peter scored three times in the second half to complete a comprehensive 5-1 away victory.
Division One South & West - Mangotsfield United's home game against Didcot Town on Monday was abandoned just four minutes into the second half following an injury to a player from the home side who were two goals ahead at the time. Second in the table Poole Town took the lead with twenty minutes remaining and then added three more to complete a 4-1 home win over Taunton Town and move to within two points of the leaders with four games in hand but Merthyr Town missed the chance of moving back into third place when they were held 0-0 at home by Cirencester Town while fifth placed Yate Town scored seven minutes from time to secure a 2-1 win over Tiverton Town who had equalised three minutes after the home side had opened the scoring on the half-hour mark. Evesham United, ahead after twelve minutes, scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-0 home win against Wimborne Town while North Leigh scored three times before the interval on the way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Bridgwater Town. On Wednesday third in the table Swindon Supermarine, behind a minute before half time, equalised eleven minutes after the break before securing a 2-1 home win over sixth placed Paulton Rovers with a goal three minutes from the end while bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve conceded three goals in the second half to crash 4-1 at home to Cinderford Town. On Thursday Bridgwater Town conceded three goals in the first half on the way to a crushing 5-0 home defeat by Shortwood United.
4 March 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington, a goal behind at the interval, conceded two goals in the second half to lose 3-0 at Gosport Borough, who moved up to fourth place, leaving Hemel Hempstead Town to close the gap in second place when, after trailing by the odd goal in five at the break, they equalised with eleven minutes remaining and added another in the third minute of time added on to complete a 4-3 home win over Bedford Town and Stourbridge remained in third place when two goals in the final seven minutes gave them a 3-1 home victory against Bideford. Barwell slipped a place to fifth in the table and needed a goal two minutes from time to take a point from a 1-1 draw after hosts Chippenham Town had gone in front from a penalty three minutes earlier and Weymouth stayed in touch with the leading pack when a goal in each half helped them to a 2-1 win at Hitchin Town but Cambridge City lost for the third game in a row when Chesham United secured a 1-0 home win with a goal in the second minute while St Albans City conceded a goal in the fourth minute of time added on to lose 1-0 at home to St Neots Town. AFC Totton, who had taken the lead with fifteen minutes remaining, had to settle for a 1-1 away draw when bottom of the table Kettering Town equalised five minutes from the end and Banbury United, ahead at the break, also conceded an equaliser five minutes from time to draw 1-1 at home with second from bottom Bedworth United but Bashley scored on the stroke of half time to win 1-0 at home against Arlesey Town while Redditch United, a goal ahead at half time, moved up two places and were replaced in the bottom three by their visitors when they scored in time added on to win 2-1 at home against Frome Town.
Division One Central - Burnham stayed on top of the table when three goals in each half gave them a resounding 6-0 home victory over Leighton Town, who have now conceded twenty-one goals in their last four games, while second in the table Godalming Town scored twice inside the opening ten minutes on the way to a comfortable 4-0 home win over Chalfont St Peter and third placed Rugby Town, a goal ahead at the break, stayed level on points and just one behind the leaders, when they completed a 3-0 victory at Northwood. Royston Town came from behind to win 2-1 at second from bottom North Greenford United and moved into fourth place replacing Biggleswade Town, who were held 1-1 at home by Aylesbury, while Beaconsfield SYCOB, a goal ahead at the interval, maintained their challenge when they scored three times in the second half to complete a comprehensive 4-1 win at Barton Rovers and Guildford City, two ahead at half time, recorded a 3-1 win at Ashford Town (Middx). Slough Town were held to a 1-1 home draw by Daventry Town with both goals coming from the penalty spot but Uxbridge scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at bottom of the table Woodford United while AFC Hayes drew 1-1 at home with Thatcham Town and Chertsey Town scored just before the half hour mark to defeat visiting Fleet Town 1-0.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town and Poole Town played out a 0-0 draw in the big first against second clash at Hungerford while Swindon Supermarine, a goal down after seven minutes, scored three times before the interval to complete a 3-1 home win over Sholing and move into third place replacing Merthyr Town, who went down 2-1 at sixth placed Paulton Rovers after conceding twice in the opening twenty-four minutes, while Yate Town held on to fifth place despite being held 2-2 at Cinderford Town after being two up at half time. Cirencester Town, goalless at the interval, scored three times in the second half to stay in touch with the leading pack with a 3-1 home victory over Clevedon Town but Tiverton Town lost further ground when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Bridgwater Town while Shortwood United scored just after the half hour mark to record a 1-0 home victory over bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve. Wimborne Town, behind after eight minutes, took the lead from a penalty with fifteen minutes remaining but had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when Abingdon United equalised eight minutes from time while Didcot Town lost 1-0 at home to a first half strike by Evesham United but North Leigh, who took the lead from a seventh minute penalty, completed a 2-0 victory at second from bottom Winchester City with a goal a minute before the break. In the day's other match, Mangotsfield United, two behind five minutes into the second half, lost 2-1 at home to Taunton Town.
27 February 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Semi-Final - Arlesey Town, having gone behind in the first minute, drew level with a fourteenth minute penalty and scored again thirteen minutes from time to secure a place in the Final with a 2-1 win at Leamington.
Premier Division - On Monday Chesham United, a goal ahead at half time, conceded a penalty eight minutes after the interval but an own goal ten minutes from time and a strike in time added on gave them a 3-1 victory at Hitchin Town. With Leamington on Red Insure Cup duty Hemel Hempstead Town missed the opportunity of closing the gap on the leaders when they conceded five goals in the second half to crash to a 6-1 defeat at St Neots Town but Gosport Borough moved into the play off places when they scored three times in the opening twelve minutes on the way to a comprehensive 6-1 victory at St Albans City while Cambridge City made the long trip to Bideford only to concede a goal in time added on to lose 2-1. Bashley scored twice in the first fifteen minutes to win 2-1 at home and extend Chippenham Town's dismal run without a win to thirteen matches while second from bottom Bedworth United were held to a 0-0 draw in their vital home game against third from bottom Redditch United.
Division One Central - On Monday Beaconsfield SYCOB, ahead at half time, conceded a penalty on the hour mark but then scored twice, including an own goal eight minutes from time, to move into the play-off places with a 3-1 home win over Daventry Town. Third in the table Rugby Town scored twice before half time to secure a 2-0 victory at Aylesbury and move level on points with second placed Godalming Town while Royston Town, three ahead at the interval, moved back into the play off places when they scored five times in the second half to record a resounding 8-0 home win over Leighton Town but Guildford City, despite leading at half time, lost ground on the leading pack when Uxbridge scored twice after the break to win 3-2 at home. Slough Town, still with several games in hand on the teams above them, maintained their challenge when three first half goals gave them a 3-0 win at AFC Hayes while second from bottom North Greenford United, three up at the break, secured a 4-1 home victory against Chertsey Town to move ten points clear of the relegation place as well as close the gap on their visitors to eight points.
Division One South & West - Merthyr Town scored mid way through the second half to stay in touch with the leading pair with a 1-0 win at Shortwood United while Yate Town, ahead shortly before the break, secured a 2-1 home win against Didcot Town with a goal six minutes from time which took them into the play off places. In Tuesday's other game Cinderford Town, trailing as early as the second minute, twice came from behind before securing a 3-2 home win over Sholing when they scored with twenty minutes remaining. On Wednesday leaders Hungerford Town went behind after four minutes at Clevedon Town but scored three times before the interval on their way to a comprehensive 5-2 victory while fourth in the table Swindon Supermarine, who had taken a third minute lead, secured a 2-1 home victory with a goal eleven minutes into the second half, five minutes after Abingdon United had drawn level.
25 February 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington slipped to a 1-0 home defeat when Chesham United scored sixteen minutes into the second half but second placed Hemel Hempstead Town failed to take advantage when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Gosport Borough while third in the table Stourbridge scored eighteen minutes from time to win 1-0 at Frome Town and Barwell stayed level on points when they scored two minutes before the break to record a 1-0 victory at Arlesey Town. Weymouth moved into the play-off places when two goals in the opening fifteen minutes gave them a 2-0 home win over St Albans City but Cambridge City, who had conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time, dropped to eighth in the table when Bedford Town secured a 2-1 home win with a goal in the fourth minute of time added on while AFC Totton, two up after twenty minutes, lost 3-2 at home to Banbury United who also scored the winner in time added on. Bideford drew 0-0 at home with St Neots Town while Chippenham Town, two behind at half timel, scored twice after the break to secure a 2-2 draw at Bedworth United to send the home team into the bottom two and Hitchin Town, two ahead in the opening ten minutes but pegged back level eight minutes after the interval, scored shortly before the mid way point of the second half to win 3-2 at home against Bashley to leapfrog their visitors and move four points clear of the danger zone. In the day's remaining game Redditch United moved out of the bottom two when they scored twice in each half to complete a 4-1 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Burnham, ahead after twelve minutes but trailing two behind soon after the interval, scored three times in the final twenty-five minutes to secure a 4-3 victory at Daventry Town and move two points clear at the top of the table while second placed Godalming Town, two down in the opening twenty-three minutes, snatched a 2-2 draw at AFC Hayes with a goal a minute from time but third in the table Biggleswade Town, who took the lead from a penalty in the opening minute but conceded an equaliser ten minutes later, were reduced to ten men twenty minutes from time but scored ten minutes from time to secure a 2-1 win at Barton Rovers. Fourth in the table Rugby Town scored four times in the first half on their way to a convincing 6-2 home victory over Uxbridge and Beaconsfield SYCOB scored in the first half to win 1-0 at home against Royston Town and move to within two points of their visitors while Guildford City, who took the lead with a first half penalty, completed a 3-1 home win over Northwood. Slough Town scored four minutes before half time to win 1-0 at Ashford Town (Middx) while Chalfont St Peter, three ahead at half time, completed a resounding 7-1 home win over bottom of the table Woodford United but Aylesbury, ahead from a thirteenth minute penalty, conceded two goals in each half, including two penalties, to crash 4-1 at home to Fleet Town. In the day's other game North Greenford United moved seven points clear of the bottom when two second half goals, including one in time added on, gave them a 2-0 win at Thatcham Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town scored ten minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at Evesham United and second placed Poole Town struck after thirteen minutes to secure a 1-0 home victory over Mangotsfield United but third in the table Merthyr Town, ahead in the first minute, had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at Sholing while fourth placed Swindon Supermarine, who had gone behind in the seventh minute, kept up their challenge with a 3-1 victory at second from bottom Winchester City. Yate Town, two goals up at the interval, confirmed their play-off credentials with a 3-0 home win over fifth in the table Paulton Rovers and Cirencester Town, who had taken the lead twenty minutes from time, conceded an equaliser six minutes from the end but secured a 2-1 win at Tiverton Town when they scored with just two minutes remaining. Shortwood United scored seven minutes from the end to secure a 1-0 home win over Didcot Town while North Leigh scored twice in the closing fourteen minutes to record a 2-0 home victory over Wimborne Town but Taunton Town, behind five minutes into the second half, scored seven minutes from time to take a point from a 1-1 home draw with Abingdon United while Bishops Cleeve moved to within a point of safety when a goal four minutes into the second half gave them a vital 1-0 home win against Clevedon Town. Cinderford Town's home match with Bridgwater Town was postponed owing to a frozen pitch.
20 February 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Fourth Round - Slough Town, a goal ahead at the interval, doubled their lead from a penalty mid way through the second half to book a Semi-Final tie at Frome Town with a 2-1 home win over Northwood who scored with two minutes remaining.
Premier Division - Leamington opened up an eight point lead at the top of the table when they scored in time added on to win 1-0 at fourth from bottom Hitchin Town on Monday. On Tuesday Bedford Town, a goal ahead at the interval, moved to within three points of the play-off places when two second half goals secured a 3-0 home win over fourth in the table Barwell but AFC Totton, a goal behind at the interval, opened up a two goal lead with sixteen minutes remaining but had to settle for a 3-3 draw when visiting Arlesey Town scored twice in the final twelve minutes. Bideford, a goal up at half time, scored twice in the second half to complete a comfortable 3-0 home win over third from bottom Bedworth United while second from bottom Redditch United lost 2-0 at home when Banbury United scored twice in the opening nine minutes of the second half. On Wednesday St Albans City doubled their interval lead five minutes into the second half and scored again in time added on to win 3-0 at Frome Town while Weymouth, trailing after just three minutes, scored three times in each half, including twice in the final three minutes, to complete a comprehensive 6-1 away victory against bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Burnham scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at home against Chertsey Town and take over top place on goal difference from Godalming Town who scored twelve minutes before the end to win 1-0 at home against Barton Rovers while Daventry Town, trailing from the fourth minute, secured a 1-1 home draw with a second half strike against Thatcham Town. Slough Town scored twice in the first half and completed a 3-0 home win over second from bottom North Greenford United with a goal in the final minute and Chalfont St Peter took a sixth minute lead at Leighton Town on the way to a comfortable 3-0 win while Northwood, a goal up after fourteen minutes but level at the break, went behind early the second half but went on to secure an impressive 5-3 home win against AFC Hayes. On Wednesday Aylesbury struck on the hour mark to inflict a 1-0 home defeat on Guildford City.
Division One South & West - Poole Town moved to within two points of the leaders, with four games in hand, when a goal in the tenth minute of the second half secured a 1-0 home win over Evesham United while third in the table Merthyr Town, two ahead six minutes after the break, completed a narrow 3-2 home victory over fourth placed Swindon Supermarine and Paulton Rovers kept up their play-off challenge with a penalty on the hour mark giving them a 1-0 home win against Abingdon United. Bridgwater Town drew 0-0 at home with Wimborne Town and Cinderford Town, behind after just four minutes, secured a 1-1 home draw with a goal against Mangotsfield United a minute from time while Tiverton Town, trailing to a fifth minute penalty and two down early in the second half, scored twice in the final ten minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw at Shortwood United. On Wednesday Sholing recovered from going behind in the second minute to lead at half time before going on to complete a 3-1 home win bringing an end to Yate Town's fourteen match unbeaten run and Taunton Town, four goals ahead six minutes into the second half, had to hold off a spirited fight back by second from bottom Winchester City to win 4-3 at home while bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve, who took the lead six minutes before the interval, lost 2-1 at home when North Leigh scored a penalty in the final minute after equalising eight minutes from the end.
18 February 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Leamington returned to winning ways when a goal just before the mid-way point of the second half gave them a 1-0 victory at St Neots Town and second placed Hemel Hempstead Town, three ahead early in the second half, conceded two goals in the final ten minutes but held on to win 3-2 at third in the table Stourbridge while Barwell retained fourth position when a goal five minutes before the interval gave them a 1-0 home win over AFC Totton. Meanwhile Cambridge City, a goal ahead after five minutes, held on to the final play place when they completed a 2-0 home win against Weymouth with a penalty ten minutes from time and Gosport Borough scored eight minutes before the break to win 1-0 at home against Bedworth United to extend their unbeaten run to eighteen matches and send the visitors into the bottom three while St Albans City stayed in touch with the leading pack with a 4-3 home win over Bideford. Bedford Town scored thirteen minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at Bashley while Chesham United, a goal behind after seventeen minutes, secured a 1-1 home draw with Frome Town when they scored two minutes into the second half but Banbury United conceded two goals in each half to crash 4-0 at home to Hitchin Town who moved out of the bottom three and Chippenham Town, despite twice being in front, lost 3-2 at home when second from bottom Redditch United scored the winner in the second minute of time added on. On Sunday bottom of the table Kettering Town went down to a 3-1 home defeat after conceding three goals in the first half to Arlesey Town.
Division One Central - The day was marred by the abandonment of two matches, Uxbridge against Aylesbury after six minutes and Royston Town against Rugby Town midway through the second half, owing to serious injuries sustained by Chris Owens of Uxbridge and Robbie Banks of Rugby Town. Top of the table Godalming Town, two ahead after twenty minutes, had to settle for a point from a 3-3 home draw when Ashford Town (Middx) scored in time added on at the end of the game leaving second placed Burnham, who recorded a 5-1 home win over Thatcham Town, to draw level on points while Biggleswade Town stayed within a point of the leading pair when they completed a 3-1 home win over AFC Hayes. Beaconsfield SYCOB, a goal down at half time, scored three times in twelve second half minutes on the way to a 3-2 victory at Northwood and Guildford City also scored three times in the second half to send bottom club Woodford United to a 3-0 home defeat while Daventry Town scored four in the first half on the way to a resounding 5-1 win at Chertsey Town but Slough Town conceded a goal five minutes from time to lose 1-0 at home to Chalfont St Peter. Barton Rovers, trailing at the interval, scored twice in the second half to win 2-1 at second from bottom North Greenford United and Leighton Town scored after nineteen minutes to inflict a 1-0 home defeat on Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town, ahead from a penalty mid way through the first half, had to settle for a point from a 1-1 home draw when Yate Town extended their unbeaten run to fourteen games with an equaliser on the stroke of half time while second placed Poole Town drew 2-2 at third in the table Merthyr Town who had a player sent off in each half and Swindon Supermarine also had to settle for a point from a 0-0 draw at home with Evesham United. Paulton Rovers, a goal up at the break, moved back into the play-off places with a 3-1 home victory against North Leigh and Cirencester Town, a goal behind after just five minutes, completed a 3-2 home win over Sholing but Didcot Town, who went behind on the stroke of half time, needed a goal a minute from time to take a point from a 1-1 home draw with Cinderford Town. Wimborne Town added a second half penalty to their seventeenth minute opener to win 2-0 at home against Tiverton Town but Clevedon Town, who took the lead after thirteen minutes of the second half, conceded a penalty eight minutes from time to draw 1-1 at home with Taunton Town while Abingdon United also scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 win at home against bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve and Mangotsfield United scored seven minutes before the interval to secure a 1-0 home victory over second from bottom Winchester City.
13 February 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Fourth Round - Slough Town's tie with Northwood was postponed on Tuesday and again on Thursday
Premier Division - Third in the table Stourbridge, having taken the lead on the stroke of half time, scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-0 home win over AFC Totton while Weymouth, ahead just before the half hour mark, moved up a place to seventh when they scored from a penalty ten minutes into the second half on their way to a 2-1 home victory against Frome Town.
Division One Central - All Tuesday's matches were postponed.
Division One South & West - Second in the table Poole Town, ahead after half an hour, conceded an equaliser fifteen minutes from the end but completed a 2-1 victory at Paulton Rovers when they scored again a minute from time and moved to within five points of the leaders with five games in hand while Yate Town moved into the play-off places when they increased their unbeaten run to thirteen matches with a 3-1 home win over Wimborne Town. Didcot Town continued their recent good form when a thirteenth minute goal gave them a 1-0 home victory over Shortwood United and Cirencester Town also recorded a 1-0 home win when a goal in the thirteenth minute of the second half was sufficient to defeat Mangotsfield United but Tiverton Town's poor run continued when Abingdon United, ahead from an eighth minute strike, scored in the final minute to win 2-0 at home. In Tuesday's other match Cinderford Town, behind in the fifth minute, scored twice before the interval to defeat visiting Clevedon Town 2-1. On Wednesday Swindon Supermarine strengthened their play-off credentials when, having trailed by two goals at the break despite going ahead in the thirteenth, scored three times in the second half to secure the points with a thrilling 4-3 home victory over North Leigh while Sholing moved up six places when they too scored three second half goals to record a 3-0 home win over bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve.
11 February 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Barwell, who took a third minute lead and added two more before the break, moved up to fourth place when they completed the surprise of the day with a resounding 6-0 win at top of the table Leamington leaving Hemel Hempstead Town, who won 1-0 at Cambridge City with a goal twenty minutes from time, to move back to within five points of the leaders and send their hosts down a place to fifth while third placed Stourbridge, ahead at half time, were held to a 1-1 draw at Chesham United when the home side scored six minutes after the break. Gosport Borough scored twice in each half to move within one point of the play-off places with a 4-2 win at Banbury United and St Albans City also kept up their challenge with three second half goals giving them a 3-0 home win over second from bottom Redditch United but AFC Totton, who went behind from a penalty a minute before the interval, crashed to a 4-0 defeat at third from bottom Hitchin Town. Weymouth raced into a two goal lead in the first twenty minutes before going on to win 2-1 at home against Bedworth United while Bedford Town, trailing after two minutes, scored in the third minute of time added on to snatch a 1-1 home draw with Chippenham Town but St Neots Town lost 1-0 at home when Frome Town scored after just three minutes. Arlesey Town took the lead ten minutes into the second half but Bideford scored eight minutes later to secure a point from a 1-1 home draw while Bashley, trailing at the interval, scored three times in the final seventeen minutes to record a 3-1 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Godalming Town scored with fifteen minutes remaining to win 1-0 at home and replace visitors Biggleswade Town at the top of the table while Rugby Town, level at half time after taking a seventh minute lead, scored nine minutes from time to move into second place with a 2-1 home victory over Chertsey Town and Royston Town moved up to third with goals in the tenth and eleventh minute giving them a 2-0 win at Uxbridge. Burnham dropped a place to fourth when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by sixth placed Beaconsfield SYCOB while Guildford City, four ahead at the interval, completed a resounding 6-0 win at Leighton Town and Slough Town, despite going behind after twelve minutes, scored twice before the break to secure a 2-1 home win against AFC Hayes. Barton Rovers took a third minute lead which they doubled two minutes after the break but had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at Northwood and Ashford Town (Middx), behind at half time, scored twenty minutes before the end to draw 1-1 at home with Chalfont St Peter while Fleet Town, two ahead at the interval, scored three times in the final twenty minutes to complete a comfortable 5-0 home win over bottom of the table Woodford United.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at play-off hopefuls Paulton Rovers and second in the table Poole Town won 1-0 at home with a fifth minute goal against North Leigh but fifth placed Tiverton Town lost ground on the leading pack when they were held 0-0 at home by Cinderford Town. Yate Town, ahead from a seventeenth minute penalty but level at half time, scored three minutes after the interval to extend their unbeaten run to twelve matches with a 2-1 victory at Cirencester Town and Didcot Town, ahead from a first half own goal, scored four times in the second half to complete a resounding 5-1 win at Taunton Town while Shortwood United scored three in ten second half minutes to inflict a 3-0 home defeat on Mangotsfield United. Clevedon Town, who took the lead in time added on at the end of the first half, secured the points with a 3-1 home win over Sholing and Evesham United, level at half time after going behind in the sixth minute, scored twice after the break to complete a 3-1 victory at second from bottom Winchester City.
7 February 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup Fourth Round - On Tuesday Arlesey Town, who took the lead three minutes before the break, scored five times in the second half to book a place in the Semi Finals with a 6-0 home win over Didcot Town and on Wednesday two more Premier Division sides progressed at the expense of Division One South & West clubs when Frome Town, who twice went behind, scored in the final minute to win 3-2 at home against Sholing while top of the table Leamington, trailing at half time, scored three times after the break to win 3-1 at home against Cinderford Town.
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town moved back to within eight points of the leaders when, having scored twice in the opening seven minutes, they completed a 2-1 victory at Chippenham Town, extending the home side's run without a win to eleven matches, while third in the table Cambridge City returned home from Bashley with a point from a 0-0 draw but fifth placed Barwell, despite scoring in the final minute, went down 2-1 at home to Gosport Borough. AFC Totton, behind eight minutes before the break and again on the stroke of half time, scored three times in the second half to complete a 5-2 home win over Weymouth and St Neots Town, ahead at the break, conceded an equaliser five minutes into the second half but soon after scored twice in five minutes to record a 3-1 home win over Chesham United.
Division One Central - Biggleswade Town took over at the top of the table when they scored sixteen minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at home against Rugby Town, who dropped two places to fourth, and Godalming Town dropped to second when a second half penalty gave Burnham a 1-0 home victory which lifted them into third place while fifth placed Royston Town scored twice in the final ten minutes to secure a 2-0 home win over Thatcham Town to stay just a single point off the summit. Elsewhere, AFC Hayes, ahead from a penalty after the break, conceded an equaliser with just a minute remaining but scored twice in time added on to record a 3-1 home victory over Fleet Town and Barton Rovers, ahead at half time, scored a minute from the end to win 2-1 at home against bottom of the table Woodford United while Aylesbury, two goals behind at the interval, scored twice in the second half to secure a home point from a 2-2 draw with Chalfont St Peter. On Wednesday Guildford City, having fallen behind to a penalty, equalised nine minutes before half time to secure a 1-1 home draw with Slough Town.
Division One South & West - Cirencester Town conceded a goal in the fourth minute of time added on to lose 1-0 at North Leigh while Evesham United, a goal ahead at the interval, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Abingdon United scored midway through the second half. On Wednesday Paulton Rovers moved into the play-off places when a third minute goal gave them a 1-0 victory at bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve while Taunton Town, having taken a fourth minute lead, went behind just after the half hour mark but equalised a minute before the break to secure a 2-2 home draw with Mangotsfield United.
4 February 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town missed the opportunity of closing the gap on leaders Leamington when, despite having taken a first minute lead, they conceded an equaliser with three minutes remaining before going down 2-1 at home to Chesham United when the visitors scored again in the third minute of time added on while third placed Stourbridge also lost at home when Bedford Town scored in the second half to win 1-0. Fourth placed Cambridge City, however, scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Bedworth United and fifth in the table Barwell scored six minutes before the interval to win 1-0 at home against third from bottom Hitchin Town. Gosport Borough were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Weymouth but St Albans City, level at half time having taken the lead from a ninth minute penalty, scored a minute after the break before going on to complete a 3-1 victory at Arlesey Town and AFC Totton, ahead in the third minute, defeated visiting Bashley 2-0. Frome Town drew 0-0 at home with Banbury United and St Neots Town conceded a goal on the stroke of half time to go down 1-0 at second from bottom Redditch United while performance of the day belonged to Bideford who, after scoring three in the first half, completed a resounding 7-1 victory at Chippenham Town, who seemed already well beaten when they were reduced to ten men early in the second half. On Sunday Leamington, a goal ahead at half time, completed a 3-1 away victory against bottom of the table Kettering Town to stretch their lead at the top of the table to eleven points.
Division One Central - Godalming Town, ahead after seven minutes, returned to the top of the table with a comfortable 4-2 victory at second from bottom North Greenford United while Rugby Town dropped to second when, having gone behind to a penalty five minutes before the interval, they lost 2-1 at Guildford City but third placed Biggleswade Town scored twice in each half to secure a 4-2 home win over Ashford Town (Middx). Fifth placed Royston Town, who took a fourteenth minute lead, were prevented from leapfrogging their visitors when Burnham secured a 1-1 draw with an equaliser in the third minute of time added on but sixth in the table Beaconsfield SYCOB, two up after just five minutes, completed a 4-2 home victory over Fleet Town while Daventry Town, three ahead at half time, had a comfortable 4-1 win at Chalfont St Peter. Chertsey Town, three up just after the half hour mark, held on to win 3-2 at home against Uxbridge and Aylesbury, three goals ahead five minutes into the second half, held off a spirited fight back to win 4-3 at AFC Hayes. Thatcham Town scored nine minutes before the break to record a 1-0 home win over Leighton Town while Northwood, three ahead at half time, left Woodford United still looking for their first point when they completed a 5-0 away victory.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town lost 1-0 at home when Cirencester Town scored in the first half and second placed Poole Town, a goal behind at half time, went down 3-0 at Shortwood United but third in the table Merthyr Town, who had gone behind in the tenth minute, scored five minutes before the break and again with ten minutes remaining to win 2-1 at home against bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve and Swindon Supermarine scored after just five minutes to win 1-0 at Cinderford Town. Fifth in the table Tiverton Town, a goal down midway through the first half, crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Didcot Town while Paulton Rovers lost 1-0 to a first half goal at Sholing and Wimborne Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Clevedon Town. Yate Town scored four times in the second half to complete a 6-1 home win over Winchester City extending their unbeaten run to eleven matches and sending their visitors into the bottom two replacing Taunton Town who, having taken a first half lead, scored a penalty fifteen minutes from time to complete a 2-0 victory at North Leigh.
30 January 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Third from bottom Hitchin Town went behind on the stroke of half time and conceded a second seventeen minutes after the break but hit back with two goals in the final eighteen minutes to secure a valuable point from a 2-2 home draw with St Neots Town. On Tuesday Leamington, ahead after twelve minutes, moved eight points clear at the top with a 3-1 victory at fifth placed Barwell while Banbury United scored twice in the first half hour to secure a 2-0 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town. The matches at Bashley and Bideford against Chesham United and Bedworth United were postponed.
Division One Central - Beaconsfield SYCOB's home match against against Daventry Town was postponed on Monday owing to a waterlogged pitch. On Tuesday Rugby Town, two up at the interval, went to the top of the table when they converted a penalty in time added on to wrap up a 4-0 home win over Ashford Town (Middx) while AFC Hayes scored twice in the first half and added three more after the break to complete a comprehensive 5-0 victory at Leighton Town and Chalfont St Peter, level at half time after going ahead with an own goal, scored twice in the final thirteen minutes to complete a 3-1 win at Fleet Town. Aylesbury's match with Burnham and Woodford United against North Greenford United were both postponed.
Division One South & West - Mangotsfield United's home match against Didcot Town was postponed on Monday owing to a waterlogged pitch. In the only game to survive on Tuesday, Wimborne Town recorded a 1-0 home victory over Shortwood United thanks to a first half own goal but Cinderford Town against Bishops Cleeve, Merthyr Town versus Taunton Town, Poole Town against Swindon Supermarine, Tiverton Town versus Paulton Rovers and Yate Town's home match with North Leigh were all postponed.
27 January 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leamington, who took the lead with a first half penalty which also saw the home side reduced to ten men, completed a 2-0 victory at Arlesey Town to move five points clear at the top of the table and third placed Stourbridge, who went ahead in the second minute but conceded an equaliser a minute later, scored three second half goals to secure a 4-1 home win over third from bottom Hitchin Town while Gosport Borough, leading by the odd goal in three at the interval, scored in the seventeenth minute of the second half to move up to sixth place with a 3-1 home win over Chesham United. AFC Totton took the lead with a penalty six minutes before half time and doubled their lead two minutes after the break to set up a 2-1 home win over St Neots Town but Chippenham Town conceded twice before the interval to suffer a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Banbury United.
Division One Central - Third from bottom Chertsey Town scored a first half penalty to record a 1-0 win at home against top of the table Godalming Town while, in the only other game to beat the weather, Guildford City scored twice in each half to record a 4-1 home win over Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town scored with just eight minutes remaining to win 1-0 at home against bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve and increase their lead at the top of the table to eight points and sixth placed Paulton Rovers scored in the opening minute to win 1-0 at Wimborne Town while Yate Town continued their rise up the table when two early second half goals gave them a 2-1 home win over second from bottom Taunton Town. Evesham United were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Cirencester Town while Didcot Town, behind after six minutes and again just after the half hour mark, scored three in the final twenty minutes to secure a 5-2 home victory over third from bottom Winchester City and Sholing, ahead on the stroke of half time, also scored twice in the final twenty minutes to win 3-0 at home against Abingdon United to leapfrog their visitors into eighteenth place.
23 January 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - All games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were postponed owing to the continued bad weather.
Division One Central - All six matches scheduled for Tuesday were postponed
Division One South & West - Tuesday's three matches and the two scheduled for Wednesday were all postponed
20 January 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - It was a bleak picture throughout the Division except in the far west where Bideford's match against AFC Totton went ahead and ended in a 1-1 draw when the visitors, who had gone behind after thirty-four minutes, equalised two minutes after the interval.
Division One Central - All matches were called off because of the heavy snow.
Division One South & West - All matches were postponed due to the heavy snow.
16 January 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Leamington took over at the top of the table when they won 4-0 at Weymouth with all their goals coming in the second half while Arlesey Town, two up at half time, moved up to sixth place with a 3-1 victory at Banbury United. Gosport Borough were held 0-0 at home by Frome Town but AFC Totton scored twice in each half to complete a 4-0 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - In the only game to beat the weather Uxbridge, who took the lead two minutes after the break, scored eight minutes from time to secure a 2-1 win at AFC Hayes.
Division One South & West - Top of the table Hungerford Town scored fourteen minutes from time to win 1-0 at Winchester City but Poole Town stayed five points behind the leaders with five games in hand when they scored twice in each half to complete a comprehensive 4-0 home win over Cinderford Town. Mangotsfield United scored three goals in the first nineteen minutes to secure a 3-0 home victory over bottom of the table Bishops Cleeve and Didcot Town scored three in the last quarter of the match to also record a 3-0 home win against third from bottom Taunton Town.
14 January 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town took a fourth minute lead at Arlesey Town but the home side hit back from a penalty three minutes later before taking the lead in the second half, again from the spot, and going on to beat the leaders 3-1 leaving Leamington, who scored twice in the opening seventeen minutes, to move to within a point with four games in hand when they won 2-0 at home against Frome Town while Stourbridge scored a second half penalty to win 1-0 at bottom of the table Kettering Town and move into third above Cambridge City who lost 1-0 at fifth placed Barwell to a goal scored in the opening minute of the second half. St Albans City went behind soon after half time to third from bottom Hitchin Town but took a point from a 1-1 home draw with a goal seven minutes from time but Bedford Town, a goal ahead at the interval, completed a comfortable 3-0 win at next to bottom Redditch United while Gosport Borough extended their unbeaten run to twelve matches with a 0-0 draw at Chippenham Town. St Neots Town, a goal down after four minutes but ahead at half time, recorded a 3-2 home win over Bedworth United and Banbury United scored on the half hour and the hour to win 2-1 at Bideford who scored in the final minute. AFC Totton against Weymouth and Bashley's home match against Chesham United were postponed following heavy rain on the south coast.
Division One Central - Leaders Godalming Town went behind after five minutes at Uxbridge but hit back with three goals before half time before going on to win 4-1 while second placed Burnham remained a point behind when a goal a minute from time gave them a 1-0 home win over Chalfont St Peter and third in the table Rugby Town, three in front at the interval, also kept up their challenge with two second half goals completing a comfortable 5-0 home win against Barton Rovers. Aylesbury drew level twice before the interval but lost 3-2 at fourth placed Royston Town, who scored thirteen minutes into the second half, while fifth in the table Biggleswade Town scored four times after the break to record a resounding 4-0 victory at Leighton Town and Beaconsfield SYCOB, leading from a tenth minute own goal, scored twice in the final twenty minutes to complete a 3-0 home win over second from bottom North Greenford United. Meanwhile Daventry Town went a goal behind with just six minutes remaining but secured a 1-1 draw at Northwood with an equaliser four minutes later but Guildford City conceded a goal in each half to lose 2-0 at home to AFC Hayes. Slough Town, a goal up at the interval, conceded an equaliser two minutes into the second half but went on to complete a comfortable 4-1 win at bottom of the table Woodford United and Thatcham Town, two goals behind ten minutes before half time, scored three times after the break to complete a 4-2 victory at third from bottom Chertsey Town. Fleet Town's match at home to Ashford Town (Middx) failed to beat the weather.
Division One South & West - A goal in the eleventh minute gave leaders Hungerford Town a 1-0 home win against fourth placed Swindon Supermarine while third in the table Merthyr Town, a goal ahead at the interval, scored twice in the final twelve minutes to complete a 3-0 home win against Mangotsfield United. Wimborne Town, ahead from a twelfth minute penalty, had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when Didcot Town twice came from behind while Clevedon Town, trailing at half time, scored in time added on to snatch a 1-1 home draw with Evesham United and Cirencester Town, behind in the sixth minute, secured a 2-2 home draw with Cinderford Town. In the day's other match Abingdon United lost 2-1 at home to Winchester City while the following matches were postponed due to the predicted bad weather - Bishops Cleeve v Bridgwater Town, Paulton Rovers v Poole Town, Sholing v North Leigh, Taunton Town v Shortwood United, and Yate Town v Tiverton Town.
Funeral of Jimmy Knox
The Funeral Service for Jimmy Knox will be held at 1.30pm on Friday 18 January at
St. Andrew's Church
Church Street
Rugby
CV21 3PT
with the wake at the 'Valley'
'The VS Bar'
Rugby Town FC
Butlin Road
Rugby
CV21 3SD
9 January 2013
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Chesham United continued their climb back up the table when a goal two minutes from time gave them a narrow 2-1 home win over second from bottom Redditch United and extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
Division One Central - Burnham moved into second place when they scored six times in the first half on the way to completing a resounding 7-0 home win over bottom club Woodford United while a goal in the fifteenth minute gave fifth in the table Biggleswade Town a 1-0 home victory to move four points ahead of visitors Beaconsfield SYCOB but Daventry Town missed the opportunity of moving up a place when they were held 0-0 at home by Aylesbury. Barton Rovers, a goal up at half time, completed a comfortable 3-0 win at Chertsey Town and Thatcham Town took a fourth minute lead before going on to secure a 2-1 home win against Uxbridge.
Division One South & West - Second in the table Poole Town moved to within two points of the leaders with four games in hand when, after taking the lead after seven minutes, they went on to a 3-1 win at Winchester City and Merthyr Town moved up to third when a seventh minute strike gave them a 1-0 victory at Bridgwater Town while Yate Town moved up to eleventh and extended their unbeaten run to nine games with a comfortable 3-1 home win over Cirencester Town. On Wednesday Swindon Supermarine's match with Abingdon United was abandoned at half time owing to fog with the home side two goals ahead.
Red Insure Cup Third Round - Northwood, languishing in the bottom half of Division One Central, took a first minute lead and scored the winner a minute before the break as they inflicted a surprise 2-1 defeat on visiting Premier Division leaders Hemel Hempstead Town while Leamington scored two minutes from time to go through 1-0 at Barwell and Arlesey Town, two up at the interval, secured a Quarter Final place when they won 2-1 at Bedford Town. Didcot Town won 3-2 at Shortwood United with the benefit of an own goal two minutes from time and Cinderford Town, a goal up after seven minutes, completed a 4-2 victory at North Leigh while Slough Town, trailing to a tenth minute own goal but level by the interval, took the lead in the third minute of extra time and completed a 3-1 home win with a penalty a minute from time. On Wednesday Sholing, two ahead just after the half hour mark, needed a goal in the third minute of time added on to go through 4-3 at home against Wimborne Town who had drawn level with just seven minutes remaining while Premier Division Frome Town, trailing at half time, equalised in time added on and, having gone behind again in extra time, scored a penalty seven minutes from time to go through 3-2 at home against their Division One South and West oponents, Paulton Rovers.
Club News
Frome Town - Former Manchester United legend Lee Sharpe visited Frome Town today to hand over a cheque of £50,000 from The Football Pools. Sharpe, who has ties to the West country through his time at Torquay United and Exeter City, was in Frome on behalf of The Football Pools to reward Gary Collinson, Community Development Officer at Frome Town, with the official cheque. Celebrating its 90th season in 2012/13, The Football Pools is the world's oldest and most popular football gaming company and ran a National competition in November to find two UK football clubs deserving of winning a 90 day makeover costing up to £50,000. To enter, applicants stated clearly why they thought their club merited the £50,000 funding and demonstrated how this donation would be used for the good of the club. Frome Town AFC join St Helens Town Junior Football Club in Merseyside as the two winning clubs to have been selected by The Football Pools' panelists Gordon Banks, Roger Hunt, Tony Green; Sportech Director of Corporate Affairs, Richard Boardley and Street Games Chief Executive Jane Ashworth.
Founded in 1904, Frome Town has had a significant input into football coaching across local primary schools. Outside of football, the club engages and accommodates other sports and activities including martial arts, disability classes, festivals, carnivals and charities. A delighted Collinson commented "On behalf of everyone involved with the club I would like to thank The Football Pools for this extremely generous award. When I entered our application a month ago I did not dream that I would be standing here today with Lee Sharpe receiving this cheque. This Club is so important to the community of Frome, not just our 20 football teams and 300 members but to our many other organisations. With this funding we can improve facilities, increase membership and continue to thrive as a football club. To all present here today can I urge you to get involved where possible over the 90 Days - volunteer help, funding, media interest will all help us ensure this club gets the makeover it deserves. The 90 Day Community Challenge is another example of The Football Pools' endless work to help improve the beautiful game whilst changing the lives of those involved in it" said Lee Sharpe, who made 193 appearances for Manchester United between 1988 and 1996. "I am confident that the community of Frome will get behind this activity in January and make a real difference. I look forward to returning after the 90 days to see the difference they have made."
Richard Boardley, Director of Corporate Affairs, Sportech added "Over the last four decades, The Football Pools has donated hundreds of millions of pounds into the game and this latest program will provide that essential lifeline for Frome Town to re-build and modernise their facility. I am sure the project will make a difference to Frome and wish them good luck with the activity. The 90 Day Challenge is part of our 'In the 90th' campaign which runs all season
Leamington - The Club is saddened to announce the passing of former Manager Jimmy Knox, who passed away at 2:50pm on 24th December 2012. Jimmy had played in the professional game with Raith Rovers and briefly with Coventry City before moving to Rugby Town in 1958. He played and managed at Oakfield before the club folded in 1973, when he took over at Brakes.
He presided over some of the most successful seasons in the club's history, winning the Southern League Cup, their first promotion to the Premier Division, and appearances in the 1st and 2nd Rounds Proper of the FA Cup. The biggest achievement though was leading the club into a position to qualify as founder members of the Alliance Premier League (Now the Football Conference Premier Division) in 1979, at a time when the Southern League was considered to be the strongest of the divisions below the Football League.
Jimmy left the club early in November 1980 after an FA Cup defeat by Barton Rovers, believing he could not take them any further. He was not out of management for long however and just two months later he took over at VS Rugby and, within his first couple of seasons there, he brought Southern League football back to the town and led the Valley to victory in the FA Vase. There was further success during his 11 year spell at Butlin Road with Southern League and Birmingham Senior Cup victories plus promotion to the Premier Division for the first time in 1987, the same season that Brakes dropped out of the League. Jimmy left VS Rugby in 1992 but continued to live in the town. The club extend their condolences to Jimmy's friends and family at this difficult time.
Rugby Town (Tribute to Jimmy Knox) - Jimmy Knox, who was one of Non League football's most successful players and managers, passed away on the afternoon of Christmas Eve 2012 aged 77. Jimmy died a little over 4 months after the death of wife Mary on 16th August 2012. Jimmy suffered a stroke shortly before his wife's death and they leave four children, Caroline, Steve, Kate and Jackie and their families.
One of Jim's greatest achievements was, without doubt, leading VS Rugby out at Wembley Stadium to win the FA Vase on April 30th 1983 with a 1-0 victory over Halesowen Town. He had done this in only 27 months after taking over the Valley when they were a struggling West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division side. Added to the FA Vase success was Jim's pride of having his son, Steve, playing for the side on that and many other glory days. James H Knox, who was born in Brechin, Angus in Scotland on November 26th 1935 was picked at the age of 14 for the North against South in a Scottish trial and later gained a Scottish Under-16 cap whilst with Dundee. Following Army Service he joined Raith Rovers for whom he played for five seasons making several appearances for the first team. During the 1956/57 season Coventry City became interested in Jimmy and finally persuaded him to join the playing staff at Highfield Road, where in the 1957/58 season he made 2 first team appearances in Division 3 South and also made regular appearances in their Football Combination side as a goalkeeper. At Coventry he met fellow Scot Ian Jamieson, who in November 1958 was appointed Player/Manager of the now defunct Rugby Town. Jamieson's first signing was that of Jimmy Knox on the 25th November 1958, the eve of his 25th birthday. Four days later on the 29th November he made his debut in a 2-0 defeat by Cheltenham Town in the Southern League North Western Division.
During his first two seasons, Jim played as an inside forward but he received a severe knee injury which threatened an early end to his playing career. However, such was his courage that after a month he made a comeback in a more defensive role. In 1960 he was appointed captain. This spell at Rugby lasted six seasons in which he appeared in two losing Birmingham Senior Cup Finals and the side that won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division at the end of the 1961/62 season. He was awarded a testimonial match at the end of the 1963/64 season having played a total of 267 games and scoring 58 goals. Prior to the start of the 1964/65 season. Jimmy signed for Lockheed Leamington where he captained them to the Midland League championship and stayed for two seasons before moving to Corby Town. Jimmy played exactly 100 games and scored a total of 18 goals for Corby Town.
In April 1968 Jimmy re-joined Rugby Town to the end of the season and helped the club to regain their Premier Division status. At the end of the 1967/68 season Jimmy joined Banbury United as a player at the age of 32, playing in two cup games. Season 1968/69 would see Jimmy primarily play in the half back line making 47 appearances in all competitions and the following season saw Jimmy return to Rugby Town for the third and final time. During the next two seasons the Oakfield based club finished 5th and 6th in the League and lifted the Birmingham Senior Cup for the first time in 1970-71 with captain Jimmy playing an important part in these triumphs.
In 1970 Alan Vest resigned as manager of Rugby Town and Jimmy was appointed as Player/Manager at the start of the 1971/72 season. The following two seasons saw him put together a team which finished 4th in the League in both seasons and reach the FA Trophy 2nd Round for the first time. This was achieved despite continuing financial difficulties, which finally led to Rugby Town ceasing to exist at the end of the 1972-73 season. Jimmy left Rugby Town in March 1973 to become manager of Lockheed Leamington where he remained until 1980. At the Windmill he guided the then AP Leamington to much success in the FA Cup, Southern League and into the newly formed Alliance Premier League which became the Conference, Premier League. In 1973-74 season AP Leamington won the Southern League Cup and followed this up by winning the Championship Match against Premier Division winners Dartford. In 1975-76 he took them to the First Division North Runners-Up position and promotion into the Southern League Premier Division.
All good managers need good backroom staff as well as good players and Jimmy Knox was no exception, having the calming influence of ex Coventry City player Bob Ward as his assistant at all his three clubs. In January 1981, Jim and Bob joined struggling VS Rugby. With Jim living in Rugby it was the obvious move but a big gamble on his part. Already at the club for the previous 6 years was Barrie Fergusson and he played a vital part in the fitness of the players in his role of Coach/Physio. With Jimmy Knox in charge for the first time at Bilston on 31st January 1981 the side lost 4-1 and only won once in his first 13 games. However, the last of those was a 0-0 draw away at Shifnal Town and that was the start of a 9 match run which saw only one defeat and 5 wins. Relegation was avoided in this first season with a 5th from bottom finish and the club went from strength to strength. Then 1981-82 saw a much improved campaign with an 8th place finish although a first day win was followed by 8 defeats and a draw. !982-83 saw the amazing run to Wembley and 7th place in the League. The FA Vase success was followed by admission to the Southern League. In 1983/84, the first in the Southern League, saw a 10th spot in the Midland Division and a Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-Final defeat by Halesowen Town.
In 1984 Jimmy Knox was honoured by his adopted town, being awarded the title of 'Rugbeian of the Year'. Jim's success was continued in 1984/85 with 5th spot in the league and runs in the FA Cup and Southern League Cup with a Midland Floodlit Cup Final victory against Conference club Nuneaton Borough, 3-2 over two legs after extra time with victory clinched at Manor Park. In the FA Cup First Round Proper only a last minute Ray Train equaliser prevented VS beating Northampton Town in a 2-2 draw at the County Ground. The replay saw a massive Butlin Road attendance of 3,961 who witnessed a 1-0 defeat and Cheltenham Town knocked the side out of the League Cup Semi-Final, 3-2 over two legs. In 1985-86 another League club was taken to a replay in the FA Cup First Round Proper when Orient were held to a 2-2 draw at Butlin Road before losing a snow affected replay by 4-1. 1986-87 saw VS enjoy more FA Cup success under the Knox/Ward management. Exempt until the Fourth Qualifying Round, VS visited Wycombe Wanderers and recorded an resounding 5-1 victory with Dave Draper scoring a hat-trick to set up a Firsst Round Proper tie, this time at Bristol City who were glad to see the back of VS with late goals in a 3-1 home win. VS Rugby went on to win the Southern League Midland Division title with a final game of the season 3-0 victory at Merthyr Tydfil, who could also have won the League as could Leicester United. 1987-88 was the first season in the Premier Division and this time Jimmy's men knocked out both Nuneaton Borough and Atherstone United for the right to entertain Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup Second Round Proper, drawing 1-1 at Butlin Road before losing the delayed replay at Twerton Park by 4-0. 1988-89 saw the next part of the Knox success story continue with a 3rd place in the Southern League Premier Division and a Birmingham Senior Cup victory 1-0 over Bromsgrove Rovers at The Hawthorns after knocking out Aston Villa in the Quarter- Final and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Semi-Final, both following replays. The following season 1989-90 Valley were again prominent in the League and at the end of the season there was more silverware at Butlin Road when firstly the League Cup was won in a two legged final against Peter Taylor's Dartford, then, for the 2nd time, the Midland Floodlit Cup, defeating Redditch United 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns and finally the Leamington Charity Cup. In addition in the Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-Final a narrow 2-1 defeat by WBA at The Hawthorns followed a 0-0 draw at Butlin Road.
1990-91 was something of an anti-climax but a tremendous FA Trophy run through to the Second Round Proper saw a crowd of 1,835 witness a very close encounter with Martin O'Neill's Wycombe Wanderers side with Mr O'Neill admitting that a 1-0 victory flattered his side who were the eventually winners of the Trophy. On Wednesday 14th August 1991 VS Rugby played and beat a strong Manchester United side 1-0 in a Testimonial Match as recognition of Jimmy's ten years in charge at Butlin Road. United Manager Alex Ferguson honoured a long standing verbal agreement made through a younger brother of Jimmy, Archie, who was United's Assistant Manager before his move to Glasgow Rangers. The 1991-92 season saw Jimmy restore the glory days with another chance of promotion to the Conference on the cards when, for the second time in four seasons, VS Rugby finished third in the Southern League Premier Division and the Birmingham Senior Cup was won again with a Birmingham City side being well beaten 3-0 at The Hawthorns.
The close season that followed saw Jimmy Knox resign as Manager of VS Rugby in a fall out with chairman Roy Gallimore over pay. He felt he could not agree to changes that would have drastically cut his pay during the close season. With Jimmy Knox gone, after 11 years in charge, VS Rugby were relegated at the end of the next season, 1992-93, for the first time in the 37th season since formation. In the Summer of 1993 Chairman Roy Gallimore put the club into liquidation. Jimmy Knox remained in football in a Scouting capacity for Glasgow Rangers.
7 January 2013
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, who scored twice in the first six minutes and were four goals ahead at the break, completed a 5-2 home victory over bottom of the table Kettering Town but second in the table Leamington conceded three goals in the opening thirty-five minutes on the way to a 5-1 defeat at fourth placed Stourbridge while Cambridge City, behind midway through the first half, won 2-1 at home against St Albans City having equalised from the spot before hitting the winner two minutes from time. Barwell kept up their challenge when they scored twice in the first eleven minutes on their way to a 2-1 win at Banbury United but sixth placed Weymouth were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Chippenham Town while Gosport Borough scored twice before the interval to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games with a 2-0 home win over Bideford. Bedford Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Arlesey Town but Chesham United scored three times in each half to complete a resounding 6-0 home win over AFC Totton while Frome Town, who had taken the lead eight minutes into the second half, had to settle for a home point from a 1-1 draw when Bashley equalised from a penalty twenty minutes from time.
Division One Central - In the battle of the top two Godalming Town drew 2-2 at home with Rugby Town but third in the table Royston Town, despite having taken the lead just after the half hour mark, lost 4-2 at Daventry Town while fourth placed Burnham took a fourth minute lead and went on to record a resounding 6-1 victory at Barton Rovers even though the home side had equalised in the tenth minute and Biggleswade Town came from a goal down to win 5-1 at home against Chertsey Town. Beaconsfield SYCOB, a goal behind midway through the first half, equalised three minutes before the break before securing a 2-1 win at Thatcham Town with a goal in the second minute of time added on while Ashford Town (Middx), a goal behind three minutes after the interval, scored three times in fifteen minutes to win 3-1 at home against Leighton Town but Guildford City, a goal behind after nine minutes but level at half time, lost 2-1 at Chertsey Town when the home side scored eighteen minutes from time. Slough Town, although still having several games in hand over the clubs above them, lost ground when, having taken a half time lead, they lost 3-1 at home to Uxbridge but AFC Hayes, two up at the break, completed a 3-0 home win over bottom of the table Woodford United and Aylesbury also secured a 3-0 home win after leading Northwood by two at half time while second from bottom North Greenford United conceded twice in six second half minutes to lose 3-1 at home to Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town conceded a first half goal to lose 1-0 at Mangotsfield United but second in the table Poole Town also lost when a goal in the second minute of time added on gave visiting Yate Town an unexpected 3-2 victory while third placed Swindon Supermarine's run of eleven games unbeaten came to an end when they lost 2-1 at home after going behind in the second minute to Wimborne Town. Fourth in the table Merthyr Town took advantage of the teams above them losing when, after going behind in the first half, they won 3-1 at North Leigh but Tiverton Town, who had taken the lead seven minutes after the break, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Taunton Town equalised five minutes after going behind while Paulton Rovers, ahead after five minutes, completed a 3-1 victory at Bridgwater Town. Clevedon Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Winchester City while Cirencester Town, two ahead at the interval, had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw when hosts Didcot Town scored twice in the second half but Shortwood United, who had trailed at half time after taking the lead, lost 3-2 at home to bottom of the table Sholing and Cinderford Town, behind in the twenty-eighth minute, scored five minutes before the break and twelve minutes into the second half to record a 2-1 home win over Taunton Town.
Club News
Chippenham Town - Ipswich Town have agreed a deal to sign defender Tyrone Mings from Chippenham Town. The 19-year-old impressed boss Mick McCarthy during a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday and will be available for selection once the paperwork has been processed. Mings came through the Southampton Youth Academy alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but did not make the grade at St Mary's. After his release he moved to non-league football with Yate Town before joining Chippenham who were then managed by his dad, Adie.
Richard Boardley, Director of Corporate Affairs, Sportech added "Over the last four decades, The Football Pools has donated hundreds of millions of pounds into the game and this latest program will provide that essential lifeline for Frome Town to re-build and modernise their facility. I am sure the project will make a difference to Frome and wish them good luck with the activity. The 90 Day Challenge is part of our 'In the 90th' campaign which runs all season
Hitchin Town - Manager Carl Williams has brought Colin Payne in as Assistant Manager in a bid to improve the Club’s fortunes. Payne, who had a brief spell as Hitchin Manager between 2009 and 2010 narrowly missing out on promotion in 2010, brings considerable experience to the club. The 8-2 defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town was the catalyst for the change. Williams said after that defeat “I want to apologise to our fans and our officials for this result. It was unacceptable and an embarrassment for us all. I know we have to turn things over at the club and I have been very loyal to a number of players for too long. This ends now.”
Payne is happy to return to the club he left after amassing 100 points and over 100 goals in 2009/10. He departed for Hemel Hempstead but has been a regular visitor to Top Field since. “I deeply regretted leaving Hitchin as it is a proper football club with great fans and great people. We have a job to do to keep this club in the Premier Division and Charlie and I will give 110% to that cause.”
Williams added that, owing to the sub-standard performance at Hemel, he will not call on the Supporters’ Trust for this week’s wages. “People pay into this Trust week-in week-out and they deserve better than they are getting at the moment. We will start to freshen up the squad in the next few weeks and I am confident we can get out of trouble.”
Leighton Town - It turned out to be an unlucky thirteen months in the job for Craig Wells who quit as Manager of the Club after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Uxbridge. His resignation comes after it emerged that the club’s players had not been paid since early November. Despite Town struggling near the foot of the table, Wells insists he quit for ‘non-football reasons’ and that he was not prepared to ask his players to train and play for free any longer. With Wells and assistant boss Richard Batten leaving the club, it is unclear who will manage the team at Woodford but Club Chairman Richard Graham said that a team will take to the pitch to take on the League’s bottom side and that they will fulfil their fixtures this season.
“Some people may jump ship but I’m trying to steer us in the right direction” said Graham. “The club hasn’t been making the money that it should be. That is partly because we haven’t been getting enough fans through the gates. Every business is having a difficult time at the moment but I’m trying to do what is right for the club. The President and my Vice Chairman are right behind me. Craig and Richard are gone now and good luck to them.”
Northwood - The Club’s recently appointed manager Mark Burgess has completed the recruitment of his backroom team, appointing Dean Lenihan, Greg Phillips and Simon Huggett to important roles.
Burgess said “My assistant Dean Lenihan was a youth player with Luton Town but had to stop playing at a young age through injury. He was on the coaching staff at Hendon but l persuaded him to join me at Northwood. Greg Phillips is well known at Northwood, having worked with Gary Meakin, and he has a key role, informing me of the player progression and is helping me to build a squad Greg played 154 games for Northwood and scored fifty-three goals and is a Northwood legend. Simon Huggett had trials with Newcastle United and played for Kingsbury Town, Hendon and Chertsey Town but found it hard to devote his time to football after having a family at a young age and was pleased when I presented him with the opportunity to get back into football and join my coaching staff.”
Additionally, Errol Dyer and Roger Linton were recently installed as the Reserves’ management team while Dave Fox and Richard Elderfield will continue their excellent work with the Isthmian Youth League squad.
St Albans City - The Club's interim Chairman Nick Archer and owners Lawrence Levy and John McGowan have announced that Caretaker Managers, James Gray and Graham Golds, have been confirmed as Joint Managers of the club with immediate effect. Owner Lawrence Levy said “After the recent run of excellent results, particularly the outstanding 3-0 win against an unbeaten Leamington team, the Board felt that it was only right to confirm their appointment as managers. We know that the team will continue to support them in their new role.”
James Gray
Interim Chairman Nick Archer added “James and Graham have formed a great working partnership and impressed in their role with the midweek youth team, which made them the right men for the job. Elevating people already at the club has great advantages and, personally, I am looking forward to the new era and to the second half of the season. We received a significant number of high calibre applications for the position and are grateful to all those who expressed an interest.”
Owner John McGowan commented “The Board is committed to strengthening the management team and the squad to ensure a sustainable future for the club. Promoting talented people from within is part of that long-term vision and we delighted that James and Graham have agreed to become the managers.”
2 January 2013
New Year's Matches
Premier Division - Top of the table Hemel Hempstead Town went behind two minutes into the second half and conceded another goal eight minutes from time to go down 2-0 at AFC Totton while Leamington, two up at half time, scored four times after the break to complete a resounding 6-1 home victory over Bedworth United and move to within one point of the leaders with four games in hand and Cambridge City, who had taken a first minute lead but trailed at the interval, scored twice in four second half minutes to win 3-2 at St Neots Town and move into third place replacing Stourbridge who, despite leading at half time, lost 2-1 at Barwell. Weymouth held on to the final play-off place despite losing 2-1 at Bideford but St Albans City, trailing to a tenth minute penalty, crashed 6-2 at home to Chesham United while Gosport Borough, trailing at the interval, scored seven minutes from time to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Bashley. Arlesey Town, three up by the midway point of the first half, recorded a 3-1 home win over third from bottom Hitchin Town but Chippenham Town, two up at half time, had to settle for a 2-2 draw when visitors Frome Town scored twice in the final fifteen minutes. The Holiday fixtures were completed on Wednesday when bottom of the table Kettering Town, two ahead at half time, completed a 3-0 home victory over Bedford Town to make it four wins out of their last five matches.
Division One Central - Leaders Godalming Town took the lead on the stroke of half time and scored again three minutes after the break on their way to a 3-0 win at Fleet Town while second placed Royston Town scored three times in the second half, including a penalty in time added on, to record a 3-0 home win over Barton Rovers and third in the table Rugby Town scored twice after the interval to complete a 2-0 home win over Daventry Town, in the process setting a new Club record of nine successive Southern League victories. Beaconsfield SYCOB, trailing to a first half penalty, scored from the spot themselves eight minutes after the break to share a 1-1 draw with tenants Slough Town and Guildford City were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Thatcham Town while Uxbridge, a goal behind seven minutes into the second half, equalised just before the hour mark and scored again twenty minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against second from bottom North Greenford United. Chalfont St Peter, two up at half time, won 2-1 at Chertsey Town while Leighton Town, despite leading three times in the first half, conceded three goals after the break to lose 5-3 at home to Aylesbury.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town scored four times in the first half on their way to a comfortable 6-1 home win over Didcot Town while second in the table Poole Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Wimborne Town in front of a 726 gate, the Division's highest attendance of the season, but third placed Swindon Supermarine's run of ten successive victories came to an end when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Cirencester Town. Fourth in the table Tiverton Town also had to settle for a point from a 0-0 draw at Taunton Town but fifth placed Merthyr Town scored in the second minute of time added on to win 1-0 at home against Evesham United and Paulton Rovers scored twice before the interval to secure a 2-0 home victory over Mangotsfield United. Bridgwater Town went a goal behind two minutes before half time but equalised ten minutes after the break to secure a 1-1 draw at Clevedon Town but North Leigh scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Abingdon United while Yate Town, ahead from a twentieth minute penalty, completed a 3-1 home win over Shortwood United and bottom of the table Sholing scored twice in each half to win 4-1 at home against third from bottom Winchester City.
30 December 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Weymouth, who went behind after twenty four minutes but levelled before the break, moved into fifth place when two second half goals gave them a 3-1 home victory over St Neots Town while, in the only other game to beat the weather, Chesham United, two goals down at the interval, scored twice in the final twelve minutes to snatch a point from a 2-2 home draw with Barwell.
Division One Central - Ashford Town (Middx), ahead just before the half hour mark, scored three times in the final sixteen minutes to complete a comfortable 4-0 home win over Northwood while Royston Town scored twice in the first half to set up a 2-1 victory at Chalfont St Peter. All the day's remaining games failed to beat the weather.
Division One South & West - In the only game to beat the weather, Didco
27 December 2012
Boxing Day Action
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, who had taken an early second half lead, were held to a 1-1 home draw by fifth placed St Albans City who equalised in the fourth minute of time added on while second in the table Leamington, a goal behind at the interval, lost 3-0 at Banbury United and Cambridge City lost 2-1 at home to Arlesey Town and were replaced in fourth by Stourbridge who scored three minutes from time to win 1-0 at home against second from bottom Redditch United. Weymouth rose two places to sixth when a first half strike gave them a 1-0 home victory over Bashley and Bedford Town moved up to seventh with three second half goals giving them a 3-0 home victory over St Neots Town but Barwell, ahead two minutes into the second half, had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw when hosts Bedworth United equalised in the second minute of time added on. Gosport Borough scored in the first half to record a 1-0 home win over AFC Totton while Chesham United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Chippenham Town but Frome Town conceded a goal just after the hour mark to go down 1-0 at home to Bideford. At the foot of the table third from bottom Hitchin Town, who had twice equalised from penalties, went down 4-3 at home as bottom of the table Kettering Town recorded their third victory of the season.
Division One Central - Godalming Town scored a goal in each half to complete a 2-0 home win over Guildford City to go top of the table with Rugby Town's game at Aylesbury postponed and third placed Burnham, a goal down at the break, losing 2-0 at Slough Town, the home side's fifth successive victory. Biggleswade Town moved up a place to fifth when two goals in six first half minutes helped them to a 2-1 home win over fourth in the table Royston Town and Beaconsfield SYCOB, two ahead at the interval, won 3-1 at Chalfont St Peter to rise to sixth while Daventry Town, one up at the break, won 3-0 at home over bottom of the table Woodford United. Ashford Town (Middx) took the lead four minutes into the second half but needed a goal five minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against Chertsey Town and Barton Rovers, who took the lead after fifteen minutes, completed a 3-0 home win over Leighton Town while Thatcham Town, ahead from a fourth minute penalty but trailing two behind at half time, lost 4-2 at home to Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town, three goals ahead at the interval, completed a comfortable 4-1 win at North Leigh but none of the next five clubs in the table played because of the weather. Cirencester Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Shortwood United but Wimborne Town, a goal ahead at half time, completed a comfortable 4-1 victory at Winchester City and Evesham United scored twelve minutes from time to secure a 1-0 home win over Bishops Cleeve. Third from bottom Yate Town scored a second half goal to win 1-0 at Mangotsfield United and second from bottom Didcot Town scored just after the half hour mark to also win 1-0 at home against Abingdon United.
24 December 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - In the only game to survive the weather St Albans City moved into fifth place when they scored twice in each half to complete a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Banbury United.
Division One Central - All matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town brought an end to Bridgwater Town's run of seven successive victories when they scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at home and return to the top of the table. No other game survived the weather.
19 December 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Second in the table Leamington, two goals behind midway through the first half, scored before the break but suffered their first home defeat of the season when they conceded a last minute goal to go down 3-1 to Gosport Borough while at the other end of the table Hitchin Town recovered from Saturday's heavy defeat when a fourth minute goal moved them out of the bottom two with a 1-0 victory at Bashley and bottom of the table Kettering Town, who had conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time, scored seven minutes into the second half to record their second win of the season with a 2-1 success at Barwell. In the evening's other game Banbury United, trailing at half time, equalised seventeen minutes from time and scored again five minutes later to win 2-1 at home against AFC Totton. On Wednesday evening, Bedford Town, two ahead at the interval, completed a 3-2 victory at Frome Town.
Division One Central - Bottom club Woodford United, leading by 4-2 at half time, were left still looking for their first point when they conceded a penalty twenty minutes from time and two further goals in the final twelve minutes to lose 5-4 at home to Leighton Town.
Division One South & West - Poole Town, ahead after eight minutes, scored three times in the final fifteen minutes to move to the top of the table with a resounding 4-0 victory at Didcot Town, who slipped into the bottom two after Yate Town, a goal ahead at half time, completed a 3-1 home win over Cinderford Town. Fifth placed Merthyr Town had to twice come from behind to secure a 2-2 home draw with bottom of the table Sholing while Bridgwater Town, ahead after four minutes, made it seven successive wins and moved into sixth position when they scored twice in the opening eleven minutes of the second half to complete a 3-0 home victory over Winchester City.
16 December 2012
Weekend Action
FA Trophy Second Round Proper - Chesham United conceded two goals in two first half minutes and three more after the break to lose 5-1 at home to Conference Premier Barrow but the final score was somewhat harsh on the home side.
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, two goals up at the break, ran riot in the second half scoring six times to complete a resounding 8-2 home win over second from bottom Hitchin Town and second placed Leamington, behind after twenty five minutes but level from the spot seven minutes before the break, secured a 2-1 home victory over Bideford with a goal thirteen minutes into the second half but third in the table Cambridge City were held to a 0-0 home draw by AFC Totton while Stourbridge maintained their challenge with a goal eighteen minutes from time giving them a 1-0 win at Bashley. Chippenham Town took the lead in the seventh minute and again with eight minutes remaining but had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw when fifth placed St Neots Town scored from a penalty two minutes from time but St Albans City won 3-1 at Bedworth United with all the goals coming before the interval and Barwell conceded a goal after fifteen minutes to lose 1-0 at home to Weymouth while Bedford Town recovered from going behind in the second minute to complete a 3-1 home victory over Banbury United. Arlesey Town lost 1-0 at home when Frome Town scored seven minutes into the second half but Gosport Borough, four ahead three minutes into the second half, continued their move up the table with a thumping 7-0 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Leaders Rugby Town completed a 3-1 win at AFC Hayes after a goalless first half while second in the table Godalming Town, trailing at the break, scored in the first minute of the second half and again nine minutes from time to win 2-1 at Northwood and third in the table Burnham, two ahead at the interval, completed a comfortable 3-0 victory at fifth placed Guildford City but fourth placed Royston Town, a goal down at half time, had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw at Ashford Town (Middx). Daventry Town scored six minutes before half time to secure a 1-0 win at Fleet Town and Uxbridge scored twenty minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at Leighton Town while Barton Rovers, twice trailing in the first half, scored two goals in five minutes soon after the break to win 3-2 at Chalfont St Peter. Thatcham Town, who had lost their previous six games, scored four times in each half to record a resounding 8-1 victory at Woodford United leaving the bottom club still seeking their first point.
Division One South & West - Top of the table Hungerford Town conceded a goal in each half to lose 2-0 at Taunton Town leaving Poole Town, two ahead in just eight minutes, to move within two points of the leaders with four games in hand when they completed a comfortable 4-0 win at Abingdon United while third placed Swindon Supermarine scored in each half to make in ten wins on the trot with a 2-0 home victory over Bishops Cleeve but fourth placed Tiverton Town, who went ahead with two goals in the opening six minutes of the second half, had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home when Evesham United scored twice in the final thirteen minutes. Merthyr Town, two ahead at the interval, kept in touch with the leading pack with a comfortable 3-0 win at Wimborne Town while Paulton Rovers, a goal up after two minutes but trailing at the break, continued their rise up the table with an exciting 4-3 victory at Didcot Town but Cirencester Town conceded three goals in each half to crash 6-1 at home to Bridgwater Town, who have now put together a run of six successive victories. Shortwood United moved up into eighth place with a 2-1 win at Winchester City while North Leigh, who went a goal behind with seventeen minutes remaining, scored in the third minute of time added on to snatch a 1-1 home draw with Mangotsfield United while Yate Town took the lead after two minutes but had to also settle for a 1-1 home draw when Clevedon Town equalised just four minutes later.
12 December 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - On Monday, second from bottom Hitchin Town, two behind at the interval, lost 3-0 at home to third in the table Cambridge City who extended their unbeaten run to eight matches while all Tuesday's scheduled matches were hit by the freezing conditions.
Division One Central - On Monday, Beaconsfield SYCOB scored with fifteen minutes remaining to secure a 1-0 home win over Leighton Town while on Tuesday, four of the five scheduled fixtures fell foul of the freezing conditions. The game that was played was a top of the table clash in which Rugby Town, a goal down after twenty-seven minutes but level two minutes before the break, scored with twenty minutes remaining to secure a 2-1 home win over Royston Town and take over top spot from their visitors.
Division One South & West - All six fixtures scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were postponed owing to the freezing conditions.
9 December 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town took an eighteenth minute lead at Bideford but the home side drew level before the break before opening up a two goal lead on their way to a 3-2 victory and second placed Leamington, two down at half time, slumped to a 3-0 defeat at St Albans City leaving third in the table Cambridge City, two up at the interval and four ahead before the midway point of the second half, to close the gap on the leading two with a 4-2 win at Redditch United. Fourth in the table Stourbridge, a goal behind at the interval, equalised from a penalty with thirteen minutes remaining and went on to win 2-1 at home against Chippenham Town when they scored in the third minute of time added on while fifth placed Barwell, three ahead at half time, secured a 3-2 win at Frome Town, despite the home side scoring twice in three minutes just after the hour mark, but sixth in the table St Neots Town, a goal down after just two minutes but level a minute later, went down 3-2 at home to Gosport Borough who started the day third from the bottom. Weymouth, ahead after just four minutes, scored five minutes after the break on the way to completing a 2-1 home win over Arlesey Town but Bedworth United , two down at half time, scored twice after the break to draw level but conceded an own goal with fifteen minutes remaining to go down 3-2 at AFC Totton and Bashley, a goal down at the interval, lost 3-1 at Banbury United and Bedford Town lost 2-0 at second from bottom Hitchin Town who scored a goal in each half. On Sunday, bottom of the table Kettering Town, two ahead after twenty five minutes, scored two minutes after the interval to record their first win of the season with a 3-1 home victory over Chesham United, who are left just three points above the relegation zone having won only one of their last eleven matches.
Division One Central - Royston Town, a goal ahead at half time, went back to the top of the table when a goal in time added on gave them a 2-0 home victory over AFC Hayes and Godalming Town, three up at the interval, moved into second place with a 4-0 home win over still pointless Woodford United while Burnham, two behind at the break, lost top spot when they slumped to a 3-0 home defeat by Biggleswade Town but Rugby Town kept up their challenge with a 2-1 home win against Chalfont St Peter. Guildford City took a fourth minute lead at Daventry Town but had to settle for a 1-1 draw when the home side scored ten minutes into the second half while Beaconsfield SYCOB, a goal down in the first minute, conceded a goal five minutes from the time to lose 2-0 at home to Ashford Town (Middx) but Slough Town converted a penalty with six minutes remaining and scored again in time added on to complete a 3-1 victory at Chertsey Town. Uxbridge scored seven minutes after the break to win 1-0 at home against Northwood and Barton Rovers added a second half penalty to their first half strike to complete a 2-0 home win over Fleet Town but North Greenford United conceded a goal in the second minute of time added on to go down 4-3 at home to Leighton Town while second from bottom Thatcham Town, two behind after half an hour, lost 2-1 at home to Aylesbury.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town, two ahead at the interval, needed a goal in time added on to secure a 3-2 home win over Cinderford Town but second placed Poole Town completed a comfortable 3-0 home win over Cirencester Town when they scored twice in the opening eight minutes of the second half while third in the table Swindon Supermarine made it nine successive wins when a goal fifteen minutes from time gave them a 2-1 victory at Clevedon Town. Fourth placed Tiverton Town had to overturn a two goal half time deficit to take a point from a 2-2 draw at Sholing, a result which saw the home side drop into bottom place replacing Yate Town who, having taken a sixth minute lead with an own goal, scored six minutes from time to secure a surprise 2-1 away victory over fifth in the table Merthyr Town. Mangotsfield United, a goal up at the interval, conceded a penalty with a minute remaining but won 3-1 at home against Wimborne Town while Abingdon United lost 3-0 to Shortwood United with all the home side's goals coming before the break but Paulton Rovers, despite going behind in the fourteenth minute, completed a 2-1 home win over Winchester City. Taunton Town, a goal down after six minutes but leading by the odd goal in five by half time, scored two minutes after the break to win 4-2 at Evesham United and move out of the bottom three to be replaced by Didcot Town who, after taking an eleventh minute lead, conceded four times in the second half to lose 4-1 at Bishops Cleeve.
Red Insure Cup Third Round
Barwell v Leamington
Bedford Town v Arlesey Town
Frome Town v Paulton Rovers
North Leigh v Cinderford Town
Northwood v Hemel Hempstead Town
Sholing v Wimborne Town
Shortwood United v Didcot Town
Slough Town v AFC Hayes
To be played week commencing 7th January 2013
Club News
Ashford Town (Middx) - People of all ages in the Ashford and Stanwell area can look forward to decades of high-quality sport after Ashford Town (Middlesex) Football Club secured £37,650 from Sport England’s Protecting Playing Fields Olympic legacy. The Club will use the investment to restore a disused, dangerous pitch at the Robert Parker Stadium site, creating a new place for all of the club’s 19 teams to train and play. The Protecting Playing Fields Fund is part of the £150 million Places People Playlegacy programme that is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country. Every sports facility that receives funding will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark - celebrating the link to the Games.
General Secretary, Gareth Coates, said “We are thrilled to have secured this investment which means we can continue to grow as a club. One of the key aspects of the Olympic legacy is to increase participation in sport and the restoration of this pitch will help us to opportunities to play for the whole community.”
Overall, 163 projects have benefited from a total of £7.8million of investment from the three rounds of Protecting Playing Fields funding, with 495 pitches and nearly 1,900 acres protected and improved, and 57.4 acres of land purchased.
Beaconsfield SYCOB - James Pritchard has left his role as Manager at Hellenic League Premier Division club Flackwell Heath to take over at Beaconsfield SYCOB. The former Heathens’ boss took charge of SYCOB for the first time last Saturday, earning an impressive 1-0 win at high-flying Guildford City. Former Windsor FC Assistant Manager Jim Melvin will be Pritchard's number two at Holloways Park.
Didcot Town - The Club advises all other football and sports clubs to be aware if they are offered a Hayter three gang mower for purchase. The mower (similar model as shown in the illustration) was stolen from Didcot Town Football Club this weekend. The vehicle registration number is PX04 CXJ and the VIN number 924A001498.
If you are offered a mower of this type and are unsure of the validity of the vendor please contact Didcot Town Football Club, who will forward the information to Thames Valley Police. It would appear that this was a targeted robbery as the machinery was in a double locked brick construction building within a locked security fenced compound area and not on public view. A large van or trailer would have been needed to transport it. The Club doubt there is any way determined thieves can be stopped without having a security compound manned 24 hours a day but it may be worthwhile all sports clubs checking their security arrangements for grounds equipment - just in case.
Northwood - Manager Gary Meakin left the Club following the match against Guildford City in order to take over at Isthmian Premier Division Wingate & Finchley but it wasn’t without some soul-searching that he decided to move on.
Meakin told the Club’s website “It is with a very heavy heart that I leave Northwood Football Club to take up the position as Manager at Ryman Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley. News of their interest came as a surprise shortly after the home game with Royston Town and for a couple of days after then I did much soul searching about moving on from the club before finally deciding that at this stage in my fledgling managerial career it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Having had spells here at Chestnut Avenue on three occasions as a player, coach and then a manager, the club obviously has a special place in my affections which made the decision to leave even more difficult.
“I would like to go on record to thank all the people at the club who have helped me immensely since I have been here as manager, which obviously includes people like Chairman Ian Barry, Secretary Alan Evans and website and programme king Ken Green. There are too many others to mention them individually but their help and support has been invaluable, including the familiar friendly faces that I see in the crowd both home and away, always offering a cheery word of support, win lose or draw, for which myself and the players have always been very grateful. I also thank the players for all their efforts for me, in sometimes difficult circumstances, they always did myself and the club proud when pulling on the Northwood shirt. I wish the club the very best for the remainder of the season and will do all I can for Greg Phillips until a new manager is appointed.”
St Albans City - Interim Chairman Nick Archer and Owners Laurence Levy and John McGowan have announced that club captain James Gray and under-18 Team Manager Graham Golds will take over the management of the First Team until the appointment of a new First Team Manager. Nick Archer said “When we spoke to the players they were pleased with our choice, which was the unanimous decision of the Board. James is highly respected by his team mates and is a good motivator. He and Graham will make a great team”
Laurence Levy added “We are committed to developing a sustainable community club and are investing heavily in the long term future of St Albans City FC. We will be announcing a number of new initiatives in the near future, all of which we are sure will be well received by supporters and local residents alike.”
The appointment of Gray and Golds follows the sacking on Monday of David Howell and his Management Team following a recent run of poor results. Nick Archer had thanked Howell and his team for all their efforts during their eighteen months in charge and wished them the best for the future..
Thatcham Town - The Club’s Management Committee has released the following statement regarding the managerial position at Waterside Park.
“It is with regret that the Committee of Thatcham Town Football Club have to announce that Neville Roach has resigned from his position of first-team manager for personal reasons. The club would like to go on record to thank him for his time and effort he put into the club during his time at Waterside Park and also his hard work in rebuilding the team over the summer. We would all like to wish him well for the future. Scott Tarr will be caretaker-manager until an announcement regarding an appointment is made in the near future. There is also a change for the reserve team as manager Andy Allum has been relieved of his duties. Louie Tallet has taken the role of caretaker-manager.”
5 December 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Cambridge City extended their unbeaten run to six matches and moved up to fourth place in the table when a goal nine minutes into the second half gave them a 1-0 home victory over fourth from bottom Banbury United while Chesham United lost 2-1 at home when Weymouth equalised three minutes after going behind to a twenty-first minute own goal and then scored the winner twelve minutes after the interval.
Division One South & West - Merthyr Town moved up into fifth place when four second half goals gave them a resounding 4-0 away victory over top of the table Hungerford Town on Monday. Wimborne scored twice in the opening seven minutes on their way to a convincing 5-1 home victory over third from bottom Taunton Town while Shortwood United went a goal down after just six minutes but scored twice in the following ten minutes to secure a 2-1 home win against Evesham United.
Red Insure Cup Second Round - Paulton Rovers, three up at the interval, moved into the Third Round with a 4-1 win at Tiverton Town while Slough Town went through 1-0 at Aylesbury thanks to an own goal in the second period of extra time.
3 December 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town bounced back from their shock midweek defeat to hold on to top spot with two goals in each half giving them a resounding 4-0 home win over Redditch United but Leamington, a goal ahead at the interval, remain just three points behind with five games in hand after completing a 2-1 home victory over AFC Totton while third in the table St Neots Town, ahead after just three minutes but trailing at half time, scored twice in the opening twelve minutes of the second half only to slip to a 4-3 defeat at Arlesey Town when they conceded two goals in the final five minutes. Fourth in the table Stourbridge, who took the lead on the stroke of half time and doubled it soon after the break, had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at Cambridge City when the home side equalised in time added on and fifth placed Barwell were held 1-1 at home by Bideford while Chippenham Town, one ahead at the interval, moved up to sixth place with a 3-0 home win over bottom club Kettering Town. Bedworth United scored soon after the midway point of the second half to record a 1-0 home win against Frome Town while St Albans City conceded a goal in each half to lose 2-0 at Bashley and Bedford Town went down 2-0 at home as Weymouth scored twice in the second half. Chesham United, despite going behind in the third minute, brought an end to a run of eight games without a win when they completed a 3-1 home victory over Banbury United while third from bottom Gosport Borough were held to a 0-0 draw at home by second from bottom Hitchin Town.
Division One Central - Burnham moved to the top of the table with a 2-1 win at Northwood, replacing Royston Town, who went down 3-1 at Slough Town, while Guildford City missed the opportunity of leading the table when they lost 1-0 at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB with the goal coming eight minutes before the interval but Rugby Town kept up their challenge when, after going behind in the fourteenth minute, they scored twice before the break to win 2-1 at Leighton Town and sixth placed Biggleswade Town also stayed in touch with the leading pack when, having scored three times in the opening twenty minutes, they completed a 5-0 home win over North Greenford United with two late goals. Ashford Town (Middx), ahead in the ninth minute, completed a 3-2 home win against Daventry Town and AFC Hayes won 3-1 at home against Barton Rovers while Chalfont St Peter scored twice in the first half to secure a 2-0 home victory over Thatcham Town. Uxbridge, three goals to the good midway through the second half, completed a 4-2 win at Fleet Town when they scored five minutes from time after the home side had hit back with two in five minutes while bottom of the table Woodford United, who had shared six first half goals with third from bottom Chertsey Town, were left still looking for their first point of the season when they conceded four goals after the break to crash to a 7-3 home defeat. Aylesbury's match against Godalming Town was postponed
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town, a goal ahead at the interval, completed a 3-1 victory at Wimborne Town and Poole Town, also a goal up at half time, won 2-1 at Tiverton Town to leapfrog their hosts into second place while Swindon Supermarine moved into third place with two goals in the final ten minutes giving them a 3-1 home win over Mangotsfield United but fifth placed Cirencester Town, in front at the break, conceded three goals in the second half to lose 3-1 at home to Paulton Rovers. Merthyr Town stayed just behind the leading pack, with games in hand, when they scored two late goals to complete a 3-0 win at Winchester City but Clevedon Town, a goal down after just six minutes but level at the interval, went down 3-1 at Abingdon United and North Leigh, behind at half time, conceded two goals, including a penalty, in the final ten minutes to lose 3-1 at home to Evesham United. Bridgwater Town scored a goal in each half to complete a 2-0 win at Didcot Town while Cinderford Town lost 2-1 at home when Shortwood United scored eight minutes from the end. Second from bottom Sholing took a two goal half time lead but third from bottom Taunton Town scored twice after the break to secure a share of the points from a 2-2 home draw and bottom of the table Yate Town, who went ahead from an eighth minute penalty, were denied their third win of the season when visiting Bishops Cleeve scored in time added on to snatch a 1-1 draw.
28 November 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Trophy First Round Proper - Merthyr Town, a goal down at the interval, scored thirteen minutes into the second half only to go down to a 2-1 home defeat when Conference South Tonbridge Angels scored in the fourth minute of time added on.
Premier Division - Hitchin Town's home match with Barwell was postponed on Monday evening. On Tuesday, Chippenham Town, a goal ahead at the break, moved up four places and leapfrogged their visitors when they scored twice in the first twenty minutes of the second half to complete a 3-0 home victory over AFC Totton while Bideford, two up at half time, scored two in the final ten minutes to win 4-0 at home against bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Uxbridge, who took the lead six minutes before half time, found themselves a goal behind a minute after the break but secured a point from a 2-2 home draw with Daventry Town when they scored midway through the second half.
Division One South & West - Winchester City, a goal ahead at half time, scored three times after the break to secure a 4-0 home win over Didcot Town.
Red Insure Cup Second Round - Yate Town, trailing at the interval, equalised just before the midway point of the second half but conceded a goal five minutes from time to go out 2-1 at home to Cinderford Town. On Wednesday Frome Town, three ahead at the interval, scored twice in the first seven minutes of the second half on their way to a 5-2 home win over Bridgwater Town while Sholing scored just after the hour to inflict a 1-0 defeat on their Premier Division visitors, Gosport Borough.
Club News
Evesham United - Paul West has accepted the permanent position of First Team Manager at Division One South & West club Evesham United. After applying for the job, the position was discussed at a committee meeting where it was decided to give him another opportunity as Manager. He will also continue in his youth development role at the club.
West had a four year career in the Football League with Port Vale, Bradford City, and Wigan Athletic, before moving on to Evesham via Morecambe. He spent nine years playing for Evesham making over 300 appearances, including a spell as club captain, and was appointed as the Club’s Manager in 2006 before stepping down in November 2011. He led the club to the Division One Midlands title in 2007/08 as well as two Worcestershire Senior Cup final victories. The 2008/9 season saw him guide Evesham to the FA Cup First Round for the first time in their history and also reach their highest ever league position of ninth in the Premier Division.
St Albans City - Ian Ridley has made the surprise decision to tender his resignation as Chairman of thw Club. The Directors and shareholders of the club are committed to building a sustainable and successful football club and football experience for the St Albans district and surrounding community. Ian Ridley is an outstanding sports writer and, with his in-depth knowledge of the game, he has been instrumental in rebuilding the football club over the last eighteen months.
The Club Vice Chairman, Nick Archer, will take on the role of Interim Chairman for the foreseeable future.
25 November 2012
Weekend Action
FA Trophy First Round Proper - Chesham United scored twice in the first half and, despite conceding a goal with sixteen minutes remaining, moved into the Second Round with a 2-1 home victory over Conference South Bath City while AFC Totton went behind at Forest Green Rovers early in the second half but deservedly drew level with twenty minutes left only to suffer the heartbreak of going down 2-1 when their Conference National hosts scored in time added on.
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, a goal down at the break, conceded three goals in sixteen second half minutes to crash 4-0 at Banbury United while third in the table St Neots Town scored from the spot with eight minutes remaining to draw 2-2 at home with fifth placed Barwell. Fourth in the table Stourbridge took the lead early in the second half but had to settle for a point from a 1-1 home draw when fourth from the bottom Gosport Borough scored with fifteen minutes left but sixth placed St Albans City conceded a goal in each half to go down 2-0 at home to Chippenham Town. The only other match to start on Saturday was abandoned at half time when the pitch became waterlogged with the score at 0-0 between Redditch United and visitors Bashley. On Sunday bottom of the table Kettering Town, playing their first home match at Corby, took a twelfth minute lead but went behind before the break and conceded two more in the second half to go down 4-1 against Bedworth United.
Division One Central - Royston Town completed a 3-2 home victory over Guildford City to take over at the top of the table from their visitors while fifth placed Rugby Town, a goal ahead just before the half hour mark, scored in the final minute to record a 2-0 home win over Fleet Town. Sixth in the table Biggleswade Town stayed in touch with the leading pack when two goals in each half gave them a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Thatcham Town and Chalfont St Peter, who took the lead in the fourth minute but conceded an equaliser three minutes later, scored on the stroke of half to secure a 2-1 victory at Uxbridge.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town scored with twenty minutes remaining to record a 1-0 victory at home against Tiverton Town and take over at the top of the table from their visitors while Clevedon Town, ahead at the break, conceded an equaliser in the first minute of time added on but scored themselves two minutes later to win 2-1 at home against North Leigh and leapfrog their opponents into sixth place. In the only other game to start, Evesham United raced into a 3-0 lead against visiting Wimborne Town only for the match to be abandoned seven minutes before half time when the floodlights failed.
21 November 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Cambridge City moved up to eighth in the table when a goal on the half hour gave them a 1-0 home victory over Chesham United stretching the visitors' run without a win to eight.
Division One Central - Burnham, behind to a penalty on the half hour, scored five minutes after the break and again in the final minute to win 2-1 at home against Uxbridge and move into third place in the table while Rugby Town, four goals ahead with eight minutes remaining, let in two late goals but moved up to fifth with a 4-2 home victory over Thatcham Town.
Red Insure Cup Second Round - On Monday North Leigh scored on the stroke of half time to win 1-0 at Hungerford Town while Shortwood United, having raced into a two goal lead in the opening fourteen minutes, went through with a 3-1 victory at Mangotsfield United. Bedford Town, twice behind, scored from a penalty with five minutes of extra time remaining to defeat Hitchin Town 3-2 while Premier Division leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, a goal down at the break, scored five times in the second half to win 5-1 at Central Division Chertsey Town and Daventry Town, who came from two goals down to level the scores with nine minutes remaining, conceded with two minutes to go to lose 3-2 at home against Barwell. Didcot Town scored two minutes into the second half to win 1-0 at home against Beaconsfield SYCOB and Northwood also won 1-0 at home with a goal on the hour against Ashford Town (Middx) but North Greenford United crashed out 6-2 at home to AFC Hayes. Arlesey Town, a goal down on the stroke of half time, drew 2-2 at home with Biggleswade Town but went on to win on penalties after the visitors had forced extra time with a goal in the fourth minute of time added on while in the tie between the second and fourth clubs in the Premier Division, Stourbridge went out 2-1 at home to Leamington who hit the winner with eleven minutes remaining. On Wednesday Wimborne Town, ahead from a seventeenth minute penalty, scored with a minute remaining and again in time added on to complete a 3-0 home victory over Poole Town.
19 November 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town, who took the lead three minutes after the break but were pulled back level when fourth placed Stourbridge converted a penalty, scored mid-way through the second half to complete a 2-1 home win and stay in top place while Leamington scored three in the opening twenty minutes to record a 3-0 home win over St Neots Town and move above the visitors into second place while Barwell, ahead three minutes after the interval, became the third member of the top five to lose when AFC Totton scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to secure a 2-1 home win. St Albans City went down 1-0 at Bideford when the home side scored with fifteen minutes remaining and Bedford Town completed a bad day for five out of the top seven when Bashley scored with three minutes left to chalk up a 1-0 away victory. Cambridge City scored mid-way through the second half to keep in touch with the leading pack with a 1-0 victory at Weymouth while Arlesey Town, one up at half time, scored twice after the interval to complete a 3-0 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town but Frome Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Chesham United. Redditch United's thirteenth minute strike proved unlucky for visiting Chippenham Town who lost 1-0. Bedworth United scored a first half penalty five minutes after going behind to secure a 1-1 home draw with Gosport Borough but Hitchin Town, behind at the interval, lost 2-1 at home to Banbury United and slipped into the bottom two.
Division One Central - Guildford City went to the top of the table when they scored twice in each half to win 4-1 at home against bottom club Woodford United and, with overnight leaders Royston Town's match at Rugby Town being curtailed by floodlight failure, Godalming Town, a goal up at the break, scored three times in the final thirteen minutes to complete a resounding 5-1 victory at Ashford Town (Middx) and move into second place while Burnham scored twice in the first half to inflict a 2-0 home defeat on Thatcham Town. Beaconsfield SYCOB conceded two goals in two minutes shortly before half time to lose 2-0 at home to Northwood but Biggleswade Town were held to a 1-1 draw at AFC Hayes while Burnham, ahead from a seventh minute penalty, completed a 2-0 win at Thatcham Town with a goal five minutes before the interval. Aylesbury, two goals up at the break and again mid-way through the second half, scored two more in the final three minutes to complete a resounding 5-2 home win over Uxbridge and Slough Town won 2-1 at Chalfont St Peter with all the goals coming in the final twenty minutes while Barton Rovers recovered after going behind in the seventh minute when they scored soon after the break and again in the final minute to win 2-1 at home against second from bottom North Greenford United. In the day's other match Leighton Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Fleet Town.
Division One South & West - Tiverton Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at home against Wimborne Town and move into top spot replacing Hungerford Town, who shared four first half goals with their hosts but conceded two goals in six second half minutes, lost 4-2 at Yate Town as the home side at last repeated their recent cup form to record only their second League success of the season. Swindon Supermarine recorded their seventh successive win when two goals in the final fifteen minutes gave them a 2-0 victory at Evesham United while Merthyr Town equalised twice only for hosts Poole Town to secure a 3-2 home victory with a goal two minutes from time and fifth in the table Cirencester Town, two ahead in the opening nine minutes, needed a goal in time added on to win 3-2 at second from bottom Sholing but North Leigh were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Paulton Rovers. Bridgwater Town scored twice in the first thirteen minutes to win 2-0 at Shortwood United and Mangotsfield United, two ahead after eighteen minutes, completed a 4-3 win at Winchester City but Cinderford Town, who took a first minute lead before falling two goals behind by the interval, grabbed a point from a 3-3 draw at home when they scored a penalty in time added on while Taunton Town raced ahead with three goals in the opening twenty minutes before going on to win 3-2 at home against Clevedon Town. The day's other fixture between Bishops Cleeve and Abingdon United fell foul of heavy overnight rain.
14 November 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup First Round Proper Replays - Cambridge City, three behind at the interval, scored on the hour but then conceded three goals in four minutes to lose 6-1 at MK Dons while Slough Town, who fell behind through an own goal in time added before the interval, forced extra time when they scored just before the mid-way point of the second half but went out on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1.
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying Replays - Chesham United, trailing at the interval, fought back in the second half and scored two minutes from time to progress with a 2-1 home win and Merthyr Town also won 2-1 at home against Shortwood United after a goalless first half.
Premier Division - Leamington, behind after eighteen minutes but level at the break, moved into second place when a goal fourteen minutes from time gave them a 2-1 home victory over bottom club Kettering Town but fifth in the table Barwell were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Chippenham Town and St Albans City drew 2-2 at home with the help of a goal two minutes from time against Bedford Town while AFC Totton shared four first half goals as Hitchin Town secured an away point from a 2-2 draw. Arlesey Town, a goal behind at the interval, equalised eleven minutes into the second half but conceded a penalty with a minute remaining to lose 2-1 at home to Bashley while Gosport Borough, who took the lead on the stroke of half time but fell behind eleven minutes after the break, scored in the final minute to win 3-2 at home against Banbury United to move out of the bottom two and leapfrog their visitors in the process.
Division One Central - Chalfont St Peter scored eight minutes from time to record a 1-0 home victory over Leighton Town while Northwood, three ahead at half time, scored with a minute remaining to complete a comfortable 4-1 win at Thatcham Town. On Wednesday second in the table Guildford City, behind in the fifteenth minute but leading six minutes into the second half, conceded two goals in the final four minutes to go down 3-2 at home to Ashford Town (Middx).
Division One South & West - Second in the table Tiverton Town moved to within three points of the leaders when, after being level at the break, they scored twice in the opening fourteen minutes of the second half to win 3-1 at North Leigh while Swindon Supermarine, behind after fifteen minutes but level at half time, moved up to third place when an early second half goal secured a 2-1 victory at Didcot Town. Paulton Rovers, who had taken the lead after sharing a four goal first half, were held to a 3-3 draw at home when Taunton Town scored with two minutes remaining while bottom of the table Yate Town, who took the lead on the hour, slipped to a 2-1 home defeat when Abingdon United scored twice within six minutes. On Wednesday Poole Town went behind seven minutes after the interval but equalised five minutes later to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Bishops Cleeve and move up to third place on goal difference while Clevedon Town, a goal ahead at the break, completed a 3-2 home win over fifth placed Cirencester Town.
12 November 2012
Weekend Action
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying - Team of the Day were AFC Totton who took the lead on the stroke of half time and added two more by the hour mark to record an impressive 3-0 home win over Conference South Basingstoke Town. They will be joined in the hat for the next Round by Chesham United who, having gone behind in the sixth minute, scored just after half an hour to draw 1-1 at Canvey Island and Shortwood United, who took the lead in the fourteenth minute, and their visitors Merthyr Town who scored two minutes from time to also draw 1-1. Elsewhere Didcot Town, who had taken the lead three minutes before the interval, lost 2-1 at home to Conference South Dorchester Town, who scored five minutes into the second half and again in time added on while Sholing lost 1-0 at home to Conference North Oxford City, and Hitchin Town, behind in the fourth minute, equalised from the spot after twenty seven minutes but went out 2-1 when their Conference South hosts Tonbridge Angels scored eight minutes later.
Premier Division - Top of the table Hemel Hempstead Town, two goals ahead ten minutes after the break and again with eleven minutes remaining, had to settle for a point at second from bottom Gosport Borough as the home side scored twice in the final ten minutes to draw 3-3 while St Neots Town, who scored four before the break and added a fifth seven minutes into the second half, moved into second place but not before visiting Bideford scored three goals in six minutes to make the final score 5-3. Fourth placed Stourbridge went behind in the ninth minute but scored six minutes into the second half to secure a home point from a 1-1 draw with Frome Town while Barwell, ahead in the first minute, moved up to fifth place when a second half penalty completed a 2-0 home victory over Arlesey Town but St Albans City dropped out of the top five when, after conceding two goals in the opening eighteen minutes, they went down 3-2 at home to Weymouth who scored the winner with six minutes to go. Cambridge City, a goal down after nine minutes but on level terms at half time, converted a penalty seven minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against Bedford Town but Bedworth United, a goal ahead five minutes before the break, had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town when the home side scored with two minutes remaining while Kettering Town, returning to action after a month, lost 1-0 at home when Redditch United scored in the final minute.
Division One Central - Royston Town, a goal behind after six minutes and again five minutes later, equalised ten minutes from time and added another in time added on to win 3-2 at home against Beaconsfield SYCOB and take over top spot from Godalming Town who, having gone two behind after eighteen minutes, lost 3-1 at home to AFC Hayes while Guildford City moved into second place when a penalty in time added on gave them a 2-1 win at Northwood but Burnham, twice in the lead, had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at home when Daventry Town equalised with ten minutes to go. Biggleswade Town, a goal ahead at the break, scored from the spot with a minute remaining and scored again in the fourth minute of time added on to complete a 5-2 home win over Barton Rovers and Rugby Town, who scored twice in the opening half hour, won 2-1 at Uxbridge while Slough Town, two up at half time, scored four times after the break to record a resounding 6-1 home victory over Ashford Town (Middx). Fleet Town scored in the eighteenth minute to win 1-0 at home against Aylesbury but Chertsey Town, twice in the lead, were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Leighton Town while Thatcham Town, a goal ahead at half time, moved out of the bottom three when they scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-0 win at second from bottom North Greenford United.
Division One South & West - Leaders Hungerford Town, a goal behind at half time, scored twice after the break to win 2-1 at home against Evesham United but second placed Tiverton Town had to settle for a point froma 1-1 draw at fifth in the table Cirencester Town while Poole Town, a goal up at the interval, moved into third with a 3-0 victory at Mangotsfield United and Swindon Supermarine scored twice in each half to move into fourth place with a 4-0 home win over Winchester City. Wimborne Town equalised from a penalty just after the half hour mark, having gone behind seven minutes earlier, before going on to win 2-1 at home against North Leigh with the winning goal coming in the third minute of time added on but Cinderford Town went down 1-0 at Bridgwater Town when the home side scored after the break and Clevedon Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bishops Cleeve. Abingdon United scored three times in the first half to defeat visiting Taunton Town 3-0 and Paulton Rovers scored fifteen minutes from time to complete a 3-2 home victory over bottom of the table Yate Town.
Club News
Hitchin Town - On November 17, Hitchin Town hosts its third “Forces Day” and the Club looks forward to welcoming members of the Armed Forces and their families to the game against Banbury United at Top Field. As in previous years, the event has been organized in conjunction with 254 Medical Regt TA, based in Bedford Road. The Club wishes to thank Captain Jim Macfarland and his men for their continued support.
For the second year running, the Club will have a special mascot on the day. This year, nine year-old Mckenzie Hale, whose father is currently serving in Afghanistan, will be at the game along with his mother and family. Invitations have been extended to the RAF at Henlow and Chicksands and all three pre-service units (cadets) along with veterans of the Royal British Legion. During the afternoon there will be a collection for the British Legion.
7 November 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup First Round - Gosport Borough, who took the lead in the third minute and again in the twentieth, found themselves trailing ten minutes into the second half but scored with seven minutes remaining to make it 3-3 before going through 4-1 on penalties after neither side was able to score in extra time.
Premier Division - St Albans City scored twice in the second half to inflict a 2-0 home defeat on Redditch United and move into the top five while AFC Totton, a goal ahead at the break, scored twice in the final twelve minutes to complete a 3-0 victory at Bashley. Cambridge City scored three in the second half to record a 3-0 home victory over Bedworth United but Bideford, who took the lead twenty minutes after the interval, conceded two goals in the final eight minutes to lose 2-1 at home Chippenham Town.
Division One Central - Leaders Godalming Town went behind in the seventh minute but scored twice after the break to secure a 2-1 home win over Thatcham Town while Royston Town, also trailing at half time, scored three times in the second half to move into second place with a 3-2 victory at Northwood and Guildford City, two up at the interval, went third after a comfortable 3-1 win at Chertsey Town. Burnham stayed in touch with the leading pack when a penalty in the third minute of time added on gave them a 1-0 home win over Fleet Town while Rugby Town, who took a two goal lead in the first nine minutes of the second half, needed a strike in the penultimate minute to complete a 3-2 away win after Slough Town had drawn level with eight minutes to go and Uxbridge, three ahead at the interval, scored twice in two minutes to complete a 5-3 win at Ashford Town (Middx), who had fought back to equalise with thirteen minutes remaining but Barton Rovers, three ahead just before the hour mark, held on to win 3-2 at home after Aylesbury hit back, scoring twice in the following nine minutes.
Division One South & West - On Monday, Hungerford Town scored twice before half time to complete a 2-0 home win over Abingdon United and open up a four point lead at the top of the table as second placed Tiverton Town had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw after twice coming from behind at Mangotsfield United. Cirencester Town, ahead at the break, missed the chance of moving up to third place when they conceded two goals in the final six minutes to lose 4-2 at home to Bishops Cleeve while Evesham United, leading ten minutes after the break, lost 3-2 at Cinderford Town when the home side scored with two minutes remaining. North Leigh also missed the opportunity of closing the gap on the leading pack when Didcot Town scored in the first half to record a 1-0 home victory while Shortwood United, a goal down after just three minutes, scored early in the second half to take a home point from a 1-1 draw with Clevedon Town. On Wednesday Swindon Supermarine scored three times in the first half to secure a 3-0 home win over bottom club Yate Town and move up three places to mount a challenge on the leading pack
FA Cup Second Round Proper
Both Evo-Stik League Southern clubs left in the FA Cup will have to wait to learn who their Second Round opponents will be should they win their own replays. Slough Town, now the lowest ranked club remaining in the Competition, if they can win their home replay with Mansfield Town, will face an away trip to either Conference Premier Lincoln City or League One Walsall who also face a replay after a 1-1 draw. Cambridge City on the other hand, if successful in their replay at MK Dons, have been drawn at home to League Two opposition in the shape of either York City or AFC Wimbledon who also replay after a 1-1 draw.
Club News
Beaconsfield SYCOB - Byron Walton has resigned as First Team Manager of the club. A former Hayes, Aylesbury United and Chesham United forward, he had been in charge at Holloways Park since June 2011 and had previously managed Bracknell Town, Aylesbury United and Windsor & Eton. Potential applicants are asked to send a CV by October 23rd 2012 to Mr Robin Woolman, either by post to 13 East Crescent, Windsor, Berks SL4 5LD or email robin.woolman@btinternet.com.
5 November 2012
Weekend Action
FA Cup First Round Proper - Cambridge City defended magnificently to earn a replay with MK Dons when, although under constant pressure from the League One side, they secured a 0-0 home draw and even managed to create one or two chances to spring a surprise. On Saturday, Slough Town followed Cambridge City's example when they travelled to Conference Premier Mansfield Town and secured a replay with an brilliant 0-0 draw. Arlesey Town, a goal behind at the break, conceded two goals to lose 3-0 at League One Coventry City, a disappointing yet excellent result in front of a gate of 6,594 and Yate Town, despite going behind to a third minute own goal, put up a tremendous performance hitting the post and bar before League Two high flyers Cheltenham Town scored from a corner mid way through the second half and added another in time added on to give them a flattering 3-0 home win.
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, trailing to a goal just before the half hour mark but in front at the interval, completed a 3-1 victory at Frome Town with a goal in time added on and second in the table Leamington scored after just seven minutes to defeat visiting Chippenham Town 1-0 but third placed St Neots Town were held to a 2-2 home draw by Bashley. Fourth in the table Stourbridge scored four times in the second half to complete a resounding 5-1 win at Weymouth while Bedford Town moved into the top five when a first half goal gave them a 1-0 home win over Gosport Borough, who dropped into the bottom two, but St Albans City, two down in the first twenty minutes, went down to a 3-0 defeat at AFC Totton. Bedworth United, having gone behind, scored four minutes before half time to secure a 1-1 home draw with Chesham United while Bideford raced into a two goal lead in the first five minutes only to be pegged back by two goals in two minutes, including a fifteenth minute penalty, but secured the points when a penalty ten minutes from time gave them a 3-2 home win over Hitchin Town.
Division One Central - Leaders Godalming Town scored four goals in the first half to set up a 4-1 victory at Leighton Town and second in the table Beaconsfield SYCOB, who took the lead two minutes before half time, scored three after the break to complete a 4-0 home win over Chertsey Town while third placed Royston Town, three ahead at half time, recorded a 5-0 home win against bottom of the table Woodford United. Fourth placed Guildford City, trailing at the break, scored twice in the final three minutes to win 3-2 at home against second from bottom North Greenford United and Burnham, having fallen behind just after the half hour mark, equalised six minutes before the break and went on to win 3-2 at Rugby Town while Biggleswade Town, two up at the interval, completed a resounding 5-0 victory at Chalfont St Peter but Daventry Town conceded two goals in the final fifteen minutes to lose 2-0 at home to AFC Hayes. Northwood took the lead in the seventh minute and went on to win 2-1 at Fleet Town while Uxbridge went down 1-0 at home when Barton Rovers scored twenty minutes into the second half and Thatcham Town, two up at the interval, needed a goal five minutes from time to give them a 3-2 home win after Ashford Town (Middx) had levelled with two goals in six minutes.
Division One South & West - Top of the table Hungerford Town raced into a two goal lead in the opening twelve minutes and went on to win 2-1 at second from bottom Sholing while Tiverton Town moved into second place with three second half strikes giving them a comfortable 3-0 home win over Winchester City and Merthyr Town, having lost their last two games, also won 3-0 at home against Didcot Town to move into fourth place above Cirencester Town, who were held to a 0-0 draw at third from bottom Taunton Town. North Leigh, who went behind twelve minutes from time, struck five minutes later to secure a 1-1 home draw with Shortwood United while Evesham United lost 1-0 at home when Bridgwater Town scored six minutes from the end. Abingdon United, a goal ahead at half time, scored twice after the break to complete a 3-0 home win over Cinderford Town but Clevedon Town, who had taken a sixteenth minute lead, scored ten minutes from time to take a point from a 2-2 home draw with Mangotsfield United.
Kettering Town - Board Statement
‘The Board is pleased to announce that Kettering Town FC has satisfied all the conditions placed on it by the League within the time frame set and, as a consequence, the registrations/transfer embargo has been lifted with effect from today, 1 November 2012. However, the Directors believe that it would be unrealistic for the Club to be in a position to sign sufficient players in time to field a team for this coming Saturday’s fixture at Barwell and, therefore, has reluctantly decided that the match be postponed. It is also recognised by the Board that the Club still has several other issues in need of urgent attention, not least the power supply to Nene Park, and will be closely monitoring its progress in the hope that all matters can be satisfactorily and speedily settled to enable the Club to retain its place in the League and complete all of its scheduled fixtures for the current season. The Board, nevertheless, is mindful of its responsibility to all of the League’s Member Clubs and, while wishing to be as helpful as possible to any Club experiencing difficulties of any kind, must ultimately make decisions that are within the bounds of League Rules.’
31 October 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying Replays - Hitchin Town, a goal up at the interval, scored twice in the second half to complete a comfortable 3-0 home win over Wingate & Finchley and set up a Third Round tie at Conference South Tonbridge Angels. On Tuesday Didcot Town took the lead just before the half hour mark and added a second deep into time added on to win 2-0 at home against Poole Town but Uxbridge, behind to an own goal in the fifth minute, took the lead five minutes into the second half before eventually going out 4-2 at Isthmian Premier Division Canvey Island. Arlesey Town, who had taken the lead in the sixth minute and again a minute after the interval, conceded a goal in the penultimate minute of extra time to go out 3-2 at home to Cray Wanderers.
Red Insure Cup First Round - Mangotsfield United went behind early in the second half but scored twice in the final twenty minutes to win 2-1 at home against holders Clevedon Town. On Tuesday Leamington, a goal up at the break, scored nine minutes into the second half on the way to a 2-1 victory at Rugby Town.
Division One Central - Burnham went behind on the hour at Chalfont St Peter but scored twelve minutes later to rescue a point from a 1-1 draw but Slough Town, a goal ahead at the interval, scored twice in three minutes early in the second half to win 3-0 at Leighton Town while Ashford Town (Middx) scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at Woodford United who remain rooted at the bottom of the table still looking for their first point.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town went to the top of the table on goal difference when, having taken the lead early in the second half, they scored twice in ten minutes to win 3-1 at home against Shortwood United, who had equalised courtesy of an own goal. On Tuesday Tiverton Town, two ahead at half time, went into third place with a convincing 3-0 victory at Merthyr Town and North Leigh moved up into fifth when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 home win over Winchester City while Bridgwater Town, two ahead at the interval, moved out of the bottom two with a 3-0 home win over Bishops Cleeve.
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying
Canvey Island v Chesham United
Tonbridge Angels v Hitchin Town
Sholing v Oxford City
AFC Totton v Basingstoke Town
Didcot Town v Dorchester Town
Shortwood United v Merthyr Town
29 October 2012
Weekend Action
FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying: - Division One South & West clubs Sholing and Shortwood United took Premier Division scalps with 2-1 victories at Chippenham Town and Weymouth respectively but Taunton Town, three down at half time, crashed out 5-1 at Chesham United while Division One Central Uxbridge earned a replay with a 3-3 home draw against Isthmian Premier Division Canvey Island. In an all Premier Division clash AFC Totton, two ahead at the interval, won 3-2 at home against Gosport Borough while Merthyr Town, two ahead at the break, won 5-1 at fellow South & West opponents Wimborne Town. Hitchin Town, trailing two behind just after the half hour mark, scored from a penalty thirteen minutes from time to draw 2-2 at Wingate & Finchley and Division One South & West leaders Poole Town, a goal behind at half time, were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Didcot Town. Despite fighting back with two goals in the final ten minutes, Bedford Town lost 3-2 at home to Maidstone United and Bridgwater Town conceded twp penalties on the way to a 3-0 defeat at Isthmian Premier Bognor Regis Town. On Sunday Arlesey Town drew 0-0 at Cray Wanderers but Burnham, despite pulling a goal back on the stroke of half time, lost 2-1 at Isthmian Premier Division Kingstonian.
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town, two behind at the interval, lost 3-1 at home to Leamington who moved into second place, five points behind their hosts but with four games in hand, and fourth placed Stourbridge conceded seven minutes from time to lose 1-0 at home to Bedworth United while Barwell moved up to fifth when a goal just after the hour mark gave them a 1-0 win at Redditch United. In the day's other game Bashley took the lead on the stroke of half time and added three more after the break to win 4-1 at home against second from bottom Bideford.
Division One Central - Godalming Town took over at the top of the table from their visitors when a second half strike gave them a 1-0 win over Daventry Town while Beaconsfield SYCOB, two ahead at the break, moved into second position when they scored four in the second half to complete a resounding 6-0 victory at bottom of the table Woodford United and Royston Town scored with fifteen minutes remaining to win 2-1 at Chertsey Town and move into third place. Biggleswade Town, ahead at the break, scored eight minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against Guildford City causing the visitors to slip two places to fourth and Rugby Town won 2-1 at second from bottom North Greenford United who had been a goal up at half time while Ashford Town (Middx) drew 1-1 at home after trailing to Aylesbury at the interval. Slough Town recovered after going behind in the second minute to win 3-1 at home against Fleet Town and Northwood, two ahead at the break, scored a penalty four minutes into the second half to defeat visiting Leighton Town 3-0 but AFC Hayes, behind after eight minutes, lost 3-1 at home to Chalfont St Peters while Barton Rovers scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at home against third from bottom Thatcham Town.
Division One South & West - Cirencester Town, who had taken a twenty-fourth minute lead, scored eleven minutes from time to move into third place with a 2-1 home win over Abingdon United replacing Tiverton Town who, after taking the lead just after the half hour mark, lost 2-1 at Swindon Supermarine while Evesham United scored three times after the interval to win 3-0 at home against bottom of the table Yate Town. Cinderford Town, ahead after sixteen minutes but level at the break, completed a 4-3 home victory over North Leigh but Winchester City conceded two goals in the final twenty minutes to lose 2-0 at home to Bishops Cleeve and Clevedon Town scored six minutes before the interval to inflict a 1-0 home defeat on Paulton Rovers.
24 October 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying Replays - Yate Town, who conceded two late goals on Saturday, fell behind just before the break at Newport County but a penalty twenty minutes from time took the tie into extra time. The Division One South & West club then deservedly booked a First Round Proper tie at League Two Cheltenham Town with two goals in the second period of extra time giving them a superb 3-1 victory. In the night's other tie Gosport Brough took the lead on the half hour mark against Slough Town but their Central Division visitors scored twice after the break to win 2-1 and earn an away First Round tie at Mansfield Town of the Conference Premier Division.
Red Insure Cup First Round - Floodlight failure caused the abandonment of Mangotsfield United's home tie with Clevedon Town as the teams were about to enter extra time with the scores level at 3-3. Wimborne Town, a goal ahead at the interval, scored twice in the second half to defeat Premier Division Bashley 3-0 and on Wednesday another Premier Division club was eliminated when Sholing, ahead on thirteeen minutes, scored five minutes after the interval to win 2-1 at home against AFC Totton.
Premier Division - A second half strike gave top of the table Hemel Hempstead Town a 1-0 home victory over Cambridge City.
Division One Central - After a goalless first half Beaconsfield SYCOB scored twice in the final six minutes to win 3-1 at home against Barton Rovers. On Tuesday Guildford City went back to the top of the table with a point from a 2-2 draw at Fleet Town while Burnham recovered from being two goals down at the interval by scoring three times in the second half to complete a 3-2 win at Leighton Town and Royston Town scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 home victory over North Greenford United. Biggleswade Town, leading by two goals mid-way through the second half, conceded three times in the final fourteen minutes to lose 3-2 at Aylesbury and Rugby Town, despite taking a fourteenth minute lead, went down 2-1 at home to Northwood while Thatcham Town moved out of the bottom two with a 1-1 home draw against AFC Hayes. On Wednesday Godalming Town, after a goalless first half, scored twice in the opening twelve minutes of the second half at Chalfont St Peter but were prevented from going back to the top of the table when the home side scored from the spot with twelve minutes to go before making it 2-2 five minutes from the end.
Division One South & West - Leaders Poole Town, a goal up at the interval, were held to a 1-1 draw at home when second placed Hungerford Town equalised with three minutes remaining and fourth in the table Merthyr Town slipped to a 1-0 home defeat when Paulton Rovers scored with just five minutes left while Evesham United, behind in the fifth minute but level at the break, conceded two goals early in the second half on their way to a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Didcot Town. On Wednesday Shortwood United scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Bishops Cleeve.
21 October 2012
The FA Cup First Round Proper
Cambridge City v Milton Keynes Dons
Cheltenham Town v Yate Town
Coventry City v Arlesey Town
Mansfield Town v Slough Town
Weekend Action
FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying - Bottom of Division One South & West Yate Town almost pulled off the result of the Round when they entertained Conference Premier Division leaders Newport County. The Conference side took a seventh minute lead but heroic goalkeeping and creditable defending prevented them adding to their score before the interval. The home side took the game to their lofty opponents after the break and pulled a goal back after five minutes before striking twice more in the following twenty minutes to deservedly open up a two goal lead belying the eighty nine places between the two sides. With a minute remaining Newport broke away to reduce the arrears before making it 3-3 with a goal from a corner in the fourth minute of time added on. Elsewhere, Cambridge City, a goal ahead after two minutes, won 3-2 at AFC Totton while Arlesey Town scored after twenty-eight minutes to win 1-0 at Didcot Town but Chippenham Town, who played most of the second half with ten men, lost 1-0 at Gloucester City when the Conference North side scored in time added on at the end of the game. On Sunday Slough Town and Gosport Borough played out a 0-0 draw and will replay at Gosport on Tuesday.
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town, a goal ahead after nine minutes, held on to top spot when they scored twice after the break to win 3-0 at Bedford Town while St Neots Town moved into second place with a 3-2 home win over fifth in the table St Albans City but Stourbridge, two up inside the first five minutes, had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at second from bottom Bideford. Frome Town scored early in the second half to record a 1-0 home victory over Redditch United and Weymouth, despite twice trailing before the interval, scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-2 home win against Hitchin Town but Bedworth United conceded four goals in the first half as Banbury United won 4-0 to stroll to their first away win of the season.
Division One Central - Daventry Town, one ahead at the interval, took over at the top of the table when three second half goals gave them a crushing 4-0 victory at second from bottom Thatcham Town but Godalming Town, two goals ahead two minutes into the second half, slipped to their first defeat of the season when Biggleswade Town scored three minutes from time to complete their comeback and a 3-2 home win while Guildford City moved up to second place with a goal mid-way through the second half giving them a 1-0 home win over Leighton Town. Beaconsfield SYCOB won 2-1 at home against Burnham to leapfrog them into fourth place while Royston Town, who had twice taken the lead in the first half, scored two goals after the break to complete a 4-2 home win over Uxbridge but Rugby Town were held to a 1-1 draw at Chertsey Town and Ashford Town (Middx), a goal behind at the interval, conceded again in time added on at the end of the game to draw 2-2 at Chalfont St Peter. Aylesbury scored just before the half hour to win 1-0 at North Greenford United while Barton Rovers, ahead after five minutes, recorded a 2-1 home victory over Northwood and Fleet Town scored twice in the second half to inflict a 2-0 home defeat on bottom of the table, and still without a point, Woodford United.
Division One South & West - Leaders Poole Town conceded two goals in each half to crash to a 4-0 defeat at North Leigh but second placed Hungerford Town, a goal behind after three minutes, scored four minutes into the second half to complete a 2-1 home win against Paulton Rovers while third in the table Tiverton Town, a goal ahead at the interval, scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to complete a 3-1 win at Cinderford Town and Merthyr Town recorded a 3-2 home win over Abingdon United to hold on to fourth place. Cirencester Town scored a goal in each half and, though conceding a penalty in time added on, completed a 2-1 home win over Taunton Town while Winchester City, ahead after five minutes, scored in the final minute to win 2-0 at Evesham United but Wimborne Town, trailing to a first half penalty, scored from the spot themselves ten minutes after the break to draw 1-1 at home with Bishops Cleeve. Swindon Supermarine scored twice in each half to record a resounding 4-0 win at Bridgwater Town, who slipped into the bottom two, while Mangotdfield United scored ten minutes before the interval to win 1-0 at Shortwood United and Sholing moved out of the bottom two with a 4-2 home win over Clevedon Town.
17 October 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Red Insure Cup First Round - Beaconsfield SYCOB scored twice in the second half to eliminate their Premier Division visitors, Chesham United, 2-0 and Hitchin Town scored in the twentieth minute and added another early in the second half to also record a 2-0 home victory over St Neots Town. On Tuesday evening five Division One clubs progressed at the expense of Premier Divsion opponents - Aylesbury, trailing by two goals at the break, fought back in the second half to win 3-2 at home against Cambridge City, Paulton Rovers, two up at the break, completed a 3-0 victory at Chippenham Town, Poole Town, who took the lead on the half-hour went on to record a 3-0 home win over Weymouth, North Leigh came from behind to win 2-1 at Banbury United, and Bridgwater Town, behind after six minutes, levelled on the hour to draw 1-1 at home with Bideford after extra time and went on to win 5-4 on penalties. Hungerford Town were the highest scorers of the evening winning 6-0 at Thatcham Town while Cinderford Town scored four times inside ten minutes at the start of the second half to win 5-1 at home against Bishops Cleeve and Stourbridge scored twice in each half to seal a 4-1 home victory over Redditch United. Meanwhile in the other two all Premier Division clashes, Hemel Hemstead Town twice came from behind to win 3-2 at St Albans City and Barwell scored four minutes from the end of extra time to win 2-1 at Bedworth United. There were away victories for Daventry Town, 5-3 at Abingdon United, Ashford Town (Middx), 2-1 at Burnham, Slough Town, 1-0 at Chalfont St Peter, Yate Town, 2-0 at Merthyr Town, and Didcot Town 5-1 at Woodford United with four of their goals coming in the final eighteen minutes. AFC Hayes recovered from going behind to win 3-1 at home against Uxbridge and there were also home wins for Biggleswade Town, 1-0 over Royston Town, and North Greenford United who defeated Godalming Town 4-2. Rugby Town's home tie with Leamington was abandoned owing to floodlight failure with fifteen minutes remaining and the visitors leading 1-0. On Wednesday Frome Town scored ten minutes before the interval to win 1-0 at home against Cirencester Town and Shortwood United scored sixteen minutes from time to record a 1-0 victory at Swindon Supermarine while Chertsey Town, a goal behind after sixteen minutes and trailing by two with just twelve minutes to go, forced extra time with a goal ten minutes from time before scoring twice in the first three minutes of extra time to inflict a 5-3 home defeat on Guildford City.
14 October 2012
Non-League Day Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead, two ahead at the break, scored four times in the second half to move to the top of the table with a resounding 6-1 home victory over Bedworth United and Leamington scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Bashley while St Neots Town scored fourteen minutes from time to move into third place with a 1-0 win over Stourbridge who slipped to fourth. St Albans City conceded two goals in the final twelve minutes to share the points in a 4-4 home draw with Barwell while Bedford Town were held to a 2-2 draw at Chesham United when the home side equalised in time added on and Arlesey Town picked up a point from a 0-0 draw at Chippenham Town. Hitchin Town, a goal up at the break, scored just after the mid-way point of the second half to complete a 2-0 home win over Frome Town and Redditch United won 2-1 at home against AFC Totton while Cambridge City, a goal ahead at the interval, scored from the spot in time added on to win 2-1 at Gosport Borough. In the day's remaining game Banbury United, a goal behind after seven minutes, went down 3-1 at home to Weymouth.
Division One Central - For the second game running top of the table Godalming Town conceded a goal in time added on to draw 1-1 at home with North Greenford United and Guildford City lost their hundred percent record and dropped to third place when Rugby Town scored four times in the opening thirty-five minutes on the way to completing a resounding 6-1 home victory leaving Daventry Town to take over second position with a 2-1 home win over Chalfont St Peter while Burnham had to settle for a point from a 1-1 home draw when Royston Town scored a second half penalty seven minutes after going behind. Beaconsfield SYCOB scored eleven minutes after the interval to win 1-0 at Fleet Town while Ashford Town (Middx), a goal up after just three minutes, scored three times in the second half to complete an impressive 4-0 home victory over Biggleswade Town and Uxbridge scored twice after the interval to record a 2-0 home win against Chertsey Town but AFC Hayes, despite being two ahead after thirty-three minutes, crashed 6-2 at Aylesbury. After going behind Slough Town completed a 3-1 home win over Barton Rovers when they scored in time added on and Northwood, after being held to a goal each at half time, scored four after the break to win 5-1 at home against Woodford United, leaving the bottom club still looking for their first point, while Leighton Town, a goal up after three minutes, completed a 3-1 home win over second from bottom Thatcham Town.
Division One South & West - Top of the table Poole Town scored three times in the second half to complete a 3-0 home victory over Shortwood United and Hungerford Town, two ahead at the break, scored in time added on to win 3-0 at Cirencester Town while Merthyr Town, trailing by two goals at the interval, fought back to level the scores before also striking in time added on to move into third place with a 3-2 win at Bishops Cleeve. Tiverton Town, who went a goal up from the spot on the stroke of half time, were pegged back early in the second half and had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw with Didcot Town and Evesham United also took a point from a 0-0 draw at Mangotsfield United. Wimborne Town slipped to fifth in the table when they lost 3-1 at Clevedon Town but North Leigh scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Taunton Town and Winchester City conceded an equaliser a minute from time but benefited from an own goal three minutes into time added on which gave them a 2-1 home win over bottom of the table Yate Town. Swindon Supermarine, trailing at the break, scored three minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against Cinderford Town while Abingdon United, two ahead at half time, won 3-1 at home against Bridgwater Town and Paulton Rovers moved up five places and out of the bottom four when two goals in three minutes mid way through the second half gave them a 2-0 home win over second from bottom Sholing.
10 October 2012
League Statement
I can confirm that the League has ordered the postponement of Tuesday's Premier Division fixture between Leamington and Kettering Town. The decision was not taken lightly but was made after the League Secretary had been in communication with both Clubs and was based on the distinct likelihood that Kettering Town would be unable to field sufficient players in the game, particularly as they had failed to field eleven players for their home match against Bashley on Saturday. It was considered that it would be totally unreasonable and unfair to Leamington FC and its fans to merely wait until this evening to see whether or not Kettering Town would turn up with eleven players and members of the League's Board were hurriedly contacted so that a decision could be reached. I can also confirm that the Board, at its meeting last Wednesday, placed a registrations' embargo on Kettering Town and that this will continue until such time as the conditions surrounding it have been satisfied. At the time the embargo was placed the Club had a more than sufficient number of players registered with the League to fulfil their commitments but a large percentage of these were on Monday cancelled by the Club, for reasons best known to themselves. The League will make no further comment until such time as there is a change in the situation. Ken Turner, Chairman
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup Third Round Qualifying Replays - Hitchin Town, a goal down at the break, levelled from a penalty early in the second half but went out 2-1 at home when Hastings United scored the winner with twenty minutes remaining. Cambridge City, despite going behind eight minutes before the break, scored three times in the second half to record a superb 4-2 victory at Bishop's Stortford while Gosport Borough, a goal down at half time, scored three in twelve second half minutes to complete an excellent 3-1 home win over another Conference South side, Bath City. Elsewhere Chalfont St Peter conceded two goals in the final ten minutes to go out 3-1 at Bishop's Stortford and Barwell also went out to Conference North opposition when hosts Workington won 2-0 with both goals coming in the last fourteen minutes.
FA Trophy First Round Qualifying Replay - Sholing conceded two goals in the opening fourteen minutes and, despite hitting back through an own goal, were still two behind at the break but drew level just after the mid-way point of the second half before scoring a winner in time added on to go through 4-3 at home against North Leigh.
Premier Division - Bedford Town moved into sixth place when a goal in each half secured a 2-0 home win over top of the table Stourbridge while Hemel Hempstead Town moved into second place with a 0-0 draw at Chesham United and a goal in the eighteenth minute gave St Albans a 1-0 home victory against Arlesey Town which was sufficient for them to secure third position. St Neots Town missed the opportunity of going top when they conceded two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half to lose 2-1 at home to Redditch United who consequently moved out of the bottom four while Banbury United, ahead after seven minutes, were held to a 1-1 home draw by Frome Town.
Division One Central - Top of the table Godalming Town, a goal up after twelve minutes, lost their hundred percent record when visiting Chertsey Town scored in the fifth minute of time added on to secure a 1-1 draw but fourth placed Daventry Town scored three times before the interval to win 3-0 at home against Barton Rovers and Biggleswade Town, ahead after nine minutes, were held to a 1-1 draw at Northwood when the hosts scored two minutes into the second half while Royston Town, who went behind with twenty minutes remaining, needed a goal in time added on to snatch a 1-1 draw at Leighton Town. Beaconsfield SYCOB scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Uxbridge and Rugby Town recorded a 2-0 home win against bottom of the table Woodford United while Slough Town, despite going behind, completed a 4-1 home win over Thatcham Town but Ashford Town (Middx), who went two behind with just fifteen minutes remaining, scored three times in eleven minutes to take the points with a 3-2 home victory over North Greenford United.
Division One South & West - On Monday Cinderford Town, two ahead at half time, scored in time added on to complete a 3-1 victory at Mangotsfield United. Wimborne Town took the lead on the stroke of half time and went on to complete a 3-0 victory at Paulton Rovers and take over second place from Cirencester Town who dropped to fifth in the table when they lost 3-1 at home with Evesham United, as a consequence, moving a place above their hosts. In Tuesday's other match, bottom of the table Yate Town collected their first points of the season when they scored four in the first half on their way to a resounding 5-2 victory at Taunton Town. On Wednesday evening Bishops Cleeve took the lead early in the second half but conceded goals on the hour mark and ten minutes from the end to lose 2-1 at home to Hungerford Town while Merthyr Town, ahead after just five minutes, completed a 2-1 victory at Clevedon Town.
7 October 2012
Weekend Action
FA Cup Third Round Qualifying - It was an excellent day as only one Evo-Stik Southern side lost out of eight ties against Conference opposition. Arlesey Town raced into a three goal lead in the opening seven minutes against Conference North unbeaten leaders Brackley Town before going through 4-3 while Slough Town scored shortly before the break to win 1-0 at Margate and Didcot Town defeated visiting Maidenhead United 1-0 with a goal five minutes from the end of the first half. Gosport Borough conceded a penalty four minutes from time to draw 1-1 at Bath City but Barwell scored in the final minute to draw 1-1 at home against Workington and Chalfont St Peter also drew 1-1 at home when they scored seven minutes from time against Bishop's Stortford. Cambridge City held visiting Billericay Town 1-1 as both sides scored own goals in the first seven minutes of the second half but Northwood conceded two goals in each half to go out 4-0 at home against Boreham Wood. AFC Totton, three ahead at the break, held off a second half challenge from Merthyr Town to go through 3-2 at home and Yate Town, ahead in the fourth minute, scored four minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against North Leigh while Chippenham Town put out Badshot Lea with a 3-1 home victory. Hitchin Town twice came from behind to earn a replay with a 2-2 draw at Hastings United but in the other tie against Isthmian League opponents St Albans City lost 1-0 at home to Lowestoft while Sholing slipped to a surprise 3-1 home defeat to Blackfield & Langley of the Wessex League.
Premier Division - Stourbridge, two ahead at the interval, moved to the top of the table when three second half goals took them to a 5-0 home win over Chesham United while Hemel Hempstead Town scored twice in each half to win 4-1 at Redditch United and go second and St Neots Town rose to fourth place with a 2-1 victory at Frome Town. Bedford Town, trailing after fifteen minutes but ahead at the break, scored an early second half penalty to complete a 3-1 home win against Bideford and Bedworth United scored either side of half time to win 2-0 at home against Weymouth while Bashley, a goal up at half time, scored six times after the break to record a resounding 7-0 win at bottom of the table Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Top of the table Godalming Town scored twice in seven second half minutes to maintain their perfect start with a 2-0 win at Barton Rovers and Guildford City, a goal up at half time, also maintained their hundred percent record when a goal five minutes from the end gave them a 2-1 home win over Uxbridge while third placed Burnham scored four times in the first half to record a convincing 4-0 win at Chertsey Town. Fourth in the table Daventry Town scored a penalty in the penultimate minute to win 2-1 at North Greenford United and AFC Hayes moved into fifth place with a comfortable 3-1 home win over Ashford Town (Middx) but Beaconsfield SYCOB, a goal down at the interval, lost 2-1 at home to Rugby Town. Royston Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Fleet Town and bottom of the table Woodford United were left still looking for their first point when visitors Aylesbury scored with twenty minutes remaining to win 1-0.
Division One South & West - Poole Town, three ahead six minutes into the second half, held off a fightback by the home side to win 3-2 at Evesham United and move five points clear at the top of the table as second placed Cirencester Town drew 2-2 at Wimborne Town thanks to a penalty a minute from time. Cinderford Town scored a goal in each half to complete a 2-0 home win over Winchester City but Hungerford Town, a goal behind at the interval, conceded two goals in the final ten minutes to lose 3-1 at home to Clevedon Town while Shortwood United, despite going behind in the fourteenth minute, scored three times in the final twenty minutes to complete a resounding 5-1 home victory against Paulton Rovers. In the day's other game Bridgwater Town, a goal down after thirteen minutes, rescued a point when a penalty ten minutes from time gave them a 1-1 home draw with Mangotsfield United.
Club News
Kettering Town - There were chaotic scenes ahead of Kettering Town’s 3-0 home defeat to Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round at Nene Park on Saturday.Rumours surfaced ahead of the game that manager John Beck had left the club after another dreadful week that saw his assistant Dean Greygoose depart as well as players Ben Gerring and Ed Palmer. However, Beck arrived at the ground as normal to take charge of the team but, after a series of meetings between him and officials at the club, he was eventually escorted from the stadium with Chief Scout Alan Doyle taking charge of the side for the tie.
The players were watching on pretty bemused by the whole situation and, before the game, a Kettering spokesman said: “John Beck will not be taking the game today. Alan Doyle is in charge. More details will be released on John Beck’s status. John Beck will meet the Chairman Imraan Ladak either today or in the next couple of days.”
North Greenford United - The Club's Committee has appointed Neil Shipperley as first team manager for a second term. Shipperley managed the first team for the second half of last season, taking over from Steve Ringrose in December 2011, and will again be assisted by Mark Nicholls and Matt Penfold. He will also be assisted by Gary Farrell, who has had many years managerial experience at local clubs, as well as Don Bennett and Bren Briggs.
Bennett and Briggs joined the club during pre-season and were voted onto the Committee at the Annual General Meeting. Briggs will continue in his role as first team physiotherapist. Shipperley has appointed Steve Matthews and assistant to run the Reserves. Like Gary Farrell, Matthews is a very experienced manager who has worked at a number of local clubs. Shipperley's appointment comes after the club decided to part company with manager Jon-Barrie Bates and his team.
Winchester City - The Club has announced that manager Guy Butters has left to further his coaching career with npower Championship high-flyers Brighton. Chairman Paul McCarthy only has praise for the departing manager: “I would like to thank Guy for all his hard work, he is a terrific leader and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.” Butters had got the team playing attractive and exciting football as he led the club to win the Wessex League Premier Division title with an impressive 104 points, scoring an incredible 138 league goals As an ex-defender he always made sure that the defence were pulling its weight and last season they only conceded thirty-nine goals, less than one goal a game.
McCarthy added “We were lucky to have someone of Guy's calibre at the club. It's not many clubs at this level who are fortunate enough to have a manager who has played at the top level for clubs like Spurs and Portsmouth. Having spoken to Gus Poyet at Brighton, we've been told that Guy has a very exciting future ahead and is getting more involved with the set-up at the AMEX stadium.”
The Citizens are just one point outside the play-offs and six off the top, the club is pleased to announce that James Taylor is going to be taking over as the new manager. Taylor is very experienced at this level and will be looking to take the club forward and continue Butters` good work.
3 October 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Trophy First Round Qualifying Replays - Division One South & West leaders Poole Town scored twice in each half to inflict a 4-0 home defeat on Premier Division Bashley and Bridgwater Town also flew the South & West flag when, having taken a first half lead, they scored six minutes from the end and again in time added on to complete an impressive 3-1 victory at Premier Division Hemel Hempstead Town while Uxbridge, two ahead at the break, won 3-1 at Royston Town. Leamington, who had given away a two goal lead on Saturday, themselves came back from two down to draw 2-2 at home with Belper Town only to go out on penalties after neither side was able to score in extra time and Rugby Town went out 1-0 at Stafford Rangers when the home side scored from the spot in the first minute of extra time while Wimborne Town, who conceded in time added on at the end of normal time, drew 3-3 at home with Premier Division Banbury United when each side scored in extra time before going through 6-5 on penalties.
Premier Division - Bedford Town scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Chippenham Town and move above their hosts while Weymouth, behind at the interval but leading twice in the second half, were held to a 3-3 draw at home by Gosport Borough.
Division One Central - Chalfont St Peter, three goals ahead mid-way through the second half, completed a 3-1 victory at Northwood.
Division One South & West - Cinderford Town's home match against Bishops Cleeve was abandoned just before the mid-way point of the second half when heavy rain made the pitch unplayable with the visitors leading 2-0.
Red Insure Cup Preliminary Round - Bishops Cleeve booked a home tie against Cinderford Town in the First Round when they won 5-4 on penalties after drawing 3-3 at home with Evesham United despite going two behind in the first period of extra time.
30 September 2012
Weekend Action
FA Trophy First Round Qualifying - Taunton Town pulled off the result of the day when a first half goal gave them a 1-0 victory at Premier Division Frome Town while Bedford Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division Grantham Town and Burnham, two goals behind nine minutes into the second half, staged a fight back to go through 4-3 at home against Waltham Abbey. AFC Totton, ahead after seven minutes, scored two minutes after the break to win 2-0 at home against Bideford and Arlesey Town, despite going a goal behind, went through 2-1 in the other all Premier Division tie at St Albans. Premier Division Chesham United needed a goal three minutes from time to win 2-1 at Division One South & West Bishops Cleeve and there were victories for other Premier Division sides with Chippenham Town scoring twice in each half to record a 4-0 home win over Swindon Supermarine, Hitchin Town who defeated visiting Sittingbourne 3-1, Gosport Borough, who scored three times in the second half to go through 4-0 at Slough Town, and Weymouth, who won 3-0 at home against Tiverton Town. Didcot Town completed a comfortable 3-1 home win over Cinderford Town but Merthyr Town needed an own goal in time added on to progress with a 1-0 home win against Chalfont St Peter while Shortwood United scored four times in the second half to win 4-0 at home against Guildford City, unbeaten leaders of Division One Central. Wimborne Town scored in the fourth minute of time added on to secure a replay with a creditable 1-1 draw at Premier Division Banbury United while Poole Town grabbed a 1-1 home draw against Premier Division Bashley with a goal in the final minute, and Bridgwater Town booked a second chance with a 2-2 draw against Premier Division visitors Hemel Hempstead Town. North Leigh drew 2-2 at home with Sholing after being a goal behind at the break and Uxbridge scored in the final minute to draw 2-2 after visitors Royston Town had gone ahead for the second time a minute earlier. Leamington, two ahead at half time, conceded two goals after the break to draw 2-2 at Evo-Stik Division One South strugglers Belper Town and Ashford Town (Middx), trailing at half time, drew 1-1 at Isthmian League Grays Athletic, while Rugby Town, ahead at half time, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw with Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division Stafford Rangers. Barton Rovers, four down at half time, crashed 5-0 at home to Coalville Town and there were also defeats for St Neots Town, 3-2 at Chasetown, Cambridge City, 4-1 at Enfield, Bedworth United, 3-1 at Hednesford Town, Kettering Town, 3-0 at home to Concord Rangers, Barwell, 1-0 at Kings Lynn Town, Redditch United, 2-1 at Nantwich Town, Woodford United, who conceded three times after the interval to go down 3-0 at Rushall Olympic, Stourbridge, 1-0 at home to Ilkeston Town, and Chertsey Town, who went down 3-1 at Wealdstone despite having taken a twelfth minute lead.
Division One Central - AFC Hayes, two ahead at the interval, scored four times in the second half to complete a resounding 6-0 home victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB while Daventry Town scored nine minutes from time to win 1-0 at fourth in the table Biggleswade Town.
Red Insure Cup First Round - Northwood, three goals up at half time, cruised through to the Second Round with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Fleet Town.
26 September 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Replays - Hitchin Town, two goals ahead at the interval, added a third in the first minute of the second half and went on to win 5-0 at home against Whitehawk. Merthyr Town, level within four minutes of going behind just after the mid-way point of the first half, drew 1-1 after extra time at Hungerford Town before going through 5-4 on penalties. On Wednesday Northwood, a goal up at the break, scored twice in the second half to win 3-0 at AFC Dunstable.
Division One Central - Biggleswade Town, ahead in the third minute, moved into fourth place when they scored again with twenty minutes remaining to win 2-1 at home and leave bottom of the table Woodford United still looking for their first point while Uxbridge, two goals behind at the interval, scored three times in the second half including the winner in the final minute to record a 4-3 victory at North Greenford United.
Division One South & West - On Monday Mangotsfield United, who had taken an eleventh minute lead, needed a goal in the second minute of time added on to snatch a home point from a 3-3 draw with Paulton Rovers. Tiverton Town, ahead in the third minute, moved into second in the table when they scored from the spot three minutes from time and seven minutes after Taunton Town had equalised, also from a penalty, to win 2-1 at home while in Tuesday's other match Clevedon Town scored nine minutes from time to secure a 1-1 home draw with Didcot Town.
Red Insure Cup Preliminary Round - Aylesbury, behind in the nineteenth minute but level by the break, scored with ten minutes remaining to win 2-1 at home against Barton Rovers and book a home tie with Cambridge City in the First Round. Bishops Cleeve's home tie with Evesham United was postponed on Wednesday evening due to a waterlogged pitch.
24 September 2012
Weekend Action
FA Cup Second Round Qualifying - On Friday Didcot Town, a goal behind at half time, scored three times after the break to move into the Second Round Qualifying with a 3-1 home win over Clevedon Town. Yate Town, pointless in the League, pulled off the surprise result of the day with a 2-1 home victory over Conference North Oxford City and North Leigh scored nineteen minutes into the second half to inflict a 1-0 defeat on their Conference South visitors, Havant & Waterlooville, while Premier Division AFC Totton, two ahead a minute after the break, came away from Conference South Truro City with a 3-2 victory. Arlesey Town scored in the final minute to win 1-0 at home against Dulwich Hamlet while St Albans City, who scored four times before the break, completed a comfortable 6-2 win at Ashford Town (Middx) and Barwell, one up at the interval, scored twice in the final eleven minutes to win 3-2 at home against Bedworth United in an all Premier Division tie. Chippenham Town, trailing at half time, scored twice after the break to win 2-1 at Division One South & West Bishops Cleeve while Cambridge City completed a 3-1 home win over Grantham Town and Chalfont St Peter scored mid way through the second half to record a fine 1-0 victory at Isthmian Premier Division Carshalton Athletic. Sholing completed a comfortable 3-1 win at Gillingham Town and Gosport Borough scored twice in the first half to win 2-0 at home in another all Premier Division clash against Bideford. Merthyr Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Hungerford Town while Northwood, ahead after just five minutes, drew 1-1 at home against AFC Dunstable and Hitchin Town, trailing at the interval, scored eleven minutes into the second half to secure a replay with a 1-1 draw at Whitehawk. Elsewhere there were defeats at the hands of Conference clubs for for Weymouth who, despite going ahead, went down 3-1 at Basingstoke Town, Kettering Town lost 1-0 at Boston United, Daventry Town conceded four goals in the final twenty minutes to lose 4-0 at Conference North leaders Brackley Town, Leamington went out 3-2 at Corby Town despite having taken a fifth minute lead, Frome Town lost 2-0 at home to Weston Super Mare, Thatcham Town lost 2-1 away at Gloucester City, and St Neots Town lost 2-1 at home to Boreham Wood. On Sunday Slough Town, three ahead at half time, booked their place in the Third Round with a 5-1 home win over Eastbourne Town.
Division One Central - Top of the table Godalming Town, a goal up at half time, maintained their perfect start to the season with a 3-1 victory at Royston Town, at the same time inflicting the first defeat of the season on their hosts, while second placed Guildford City also kept their hundred percent record with two goals in each half giving them a 4-2 home win over Barton Rovers while Burnham, who scored three times in the ten first half minutes after going behind, moved into third place with a resounding 5-1 home win against North Greenford United. Biggleswade Town moved up four places to fifth when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 victory at Fleet Town but Beaconsfield SYCOB, behind at the break, dropped to sixth place when they were held 1-1 at home by Aylesbury while AFC Hayes scored three minutes from time to record a 1-0 win at Chertsey Town.
Division One South & West - Leaders Poole Town, behind to a sixth minute penalty, scored twice in four minutes early in the second half to win 2-1 at home against Bridgwater Town while Cirencester Town, two ahead after thirteen minutes, moved into second place with a 3-1 home win over Winchester City and Tiverton Town scored twelve minutes from time to defeat visitors Shortwood United 2-1 and take over third place. Evesham United, a goal ahead at the break, moved up two places to fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Paulton Rovers, who slipped into the bottom two allowing previous occupants, Mangotsfield United, a goal up after five minutes, to move up four places with a 2-1 victory at Abingdon United. Wimborne Town slipped from second to fifth in the table when they lost 3-1 at home to Cinderford Town and, in the day's other game, Taunton Town, despite going behind in the eleventh minute, took the points with a 3-2 home win over Swindon Supermarine.
Red Insure Cup First Round - Premier Division Bedford Town, a goal ahead at half time, scored four times after the break to defeat visiting Division One Central Leighton Town 5-0.
Club News
Banbury United - Team boss Ady Fuller and his assistant Paul Lamb left ahead of Tuesday night’s Premier Division game against Bideford. Fuller told the Banbury Guardian that he was offered a Director of Football post at Spencer Stadium but left after Jed McCrory - part of the club’s new ownership group - brought in a new management team ahead of last the game. That management team is Edwin Stein, the brother of former top-flight footballers Brian and Mark Stein, and former Evesham United Manager and McCrory friend, Paul West.
Fuller said “They wanted me to be the Director of Football. I had a think overnight and hadn’t made a decision and they have now brought in a new management team. I have now resigned. I’m very raw but the writing was probably on the wall.”
Stein and West have been regular figures at Spencer Stadium this season as McCrory’s influence at the club started to grow. McCrory, who last week said that West’s presence at Banbury United games this season was purely in his capacity as a friend, has said the door remains open for Fuller to return to the club if he so wishes. He said “We offered Ady a position to help take this football club forward as a unit because we think he would be a valuable asset to the team and the wider club. He understands the requirements of the club but he asked for time to think about it. The door remains open for both Ady and Paul Lamb - I have nothing but respect for either of them. Hopefully Ady will have a think about it and come back to me, join us, and help bring the club together.”
Chippenham Town - Adie Mings is to leave his post as Director of Football at Chippenham Town in order to take up a position with Premiership side Chelsea. Mings first became involved with his home town club over twenty years ago as a youth team player before breaking into the first team. He then moved on to play Non-League football for several of the south-west's top sides. Mings finished his playing career with the Bluebirds before becoming Assistant Manager and then spent over six years as Manager. His duties with Chelsea will include being Chief Scout in the South West for twelve to sixteen year olds, monitoring loan players, as well as being involved with Chelsea's under-21 development team. At half time in the match with Hitchin, Chippenham's Directors held a pitch presentation ceremony when Mings received a fitting ovation from the crowd.
The Club has signed seventeen year old goalkeeper Conor Thompson from Gloucester City. Thompson has represented Northern Ireland at both under-16 and under-17 level and also played for Swindon Town Youth. His father Paul also played in goal for Chippenham in the 2002-2003 season.
The Club has also signed defender Tyrone Mings from Yate Town. Mings previously spent several seasons at Southampton's Academy and played for Bristol Rovers Youth side in 2010-11 when he also had a trial for England Schoolboys. Until recently Mings' father, Adie, was Director of Football at the Bluebirds before taking up a post with Chelsea as reported above. Nineteen year old Tyrone hails from Chippenham and is expected to go straight into the squad that travels to Banbury United on Saturday.
Clevedon Town - The Club's FA Cup Second Round Qualifying tie at Didcot Town has been brought forward to Friday 21 September kicking off at 7.45pm.
Didcot Town - the Club has appointed Gary Elkins as their new First Team Manager. The ex-Wimbledon, Fulham and Swindon Town defender had been in caretaker charge following the resignation of Dave Mudge in August. Immediately after Didcot had drawn with Paulton Rovers in the FA Trophy on Saturday Club Chairman John Bailey offered Elkins the role on a permanent basis “The committee have indicated unanimously that Gary is the right person to take over as First Team Manager and I would like to wish him the very best. We try to give managers time here at Didcot because we like stability from the top down. He has played at the highest level in club football and has the respect of the players.”
Speaking after the Paulton game Elkins added “I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered the job full-time and I didn’t hesitate to accept it. The hard work continues but I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
The Club's FA Cup Second Round Qualifying home tie with Clevedon Town has been brought forward to Friday 21 September kicking off at 7.45pm.
Woodford United - The Club has appointed former Yeovil and Birmingham striker Howard Forinton as their new Manager after the departure of the long-serving Phil Mason. Mason was relieved of his duties following a poor start to the campaign. Chairman Andy Worrall said “The decision was not taken lightly to remove Phil from his position after so many years of service to the club.”
Howard Forinton
Mason had two spells as Manager at Byfield Road starting in 2006 after a playing career that was ended professionally by injury suffered in a car crash while at Newcastle United. He went on to play for the likes of Blyth Spartans, Kettering Town, Worcester City, Brackley Town, Oxford City, Aylesbury United and Banbury United before joining Woodford as a player in 2003/04.
Forinton returns to Woodford for a second time after spending part of the 2009/10 season at Byfield Road as a player. The much-travelled striker has spent his recent years with neighbouring Banbury United and Daventry Town but has also had spells with the likes of Redditch United, Halesowen Town, Farnborough Town, Oxford City, Stevenage Borough, Yeovil Town, Torquay United, Peterborough United, Blackpool, Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City.
19 September 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Trophy Preliminary Round Replays - Merthyr Town, a goal ahead at half time, scored three after the break to complete a comfortable 4-0 win at Fleet Town and Poole Town, two up five minutes into the second half, progressed with a 3-1 home win over Beaconsfield SYCOB while Wimborne Town also scored three times after the interval to complete a 3-0 home victory over Clevedon Town. Paulton Rovers, ahead with fifteen minutes remaining, conceded two late penalties to go out 3-2 at home to Didcot Town and Swindon Supermarine scored in time added on to win 3-2 at Yate Town while Shortwood United, held 0-0 at home by Mangotsfield United after extra time, went through 5-4 on penalties but Biggleswade Town conceded two goals in each half to crash out 4-1 at Halesowen Town.
Premier Division - Leamington, a goal behind at half time, scored in the final minute to stay at the top of the table with a 1-1 draw at Redditch United while Stourbridge, three up at the interval, scored five times in the second half to complete a resounding 8-1 home win over Banbury United and move into second place replacing Hemel Hempstead Town who, despite scoring first, went down 4-2 at home to St Neots Town. Fourth in the table Barwell, who conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time, scored early in the second half to secure the points with a 2-1 home win over Bedford Town while St Albans City stayed in fifth position when a first half strike gave them a 1-0 victory at Gosport Borough and Arlesey Town continued their bright start to the season with two first half goals giving them a 2-0 home win against Chesham United. AFC Totton scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at home against Bideford while Chippenham Town scored nine minutes from time to record a 1-0 home win over Bashley and Bedworth United scored in the thirty-third minute to also secure a 1-0 home win against Hitchin Town. In Tuesday's other game Cambridge City, a goal behind after just two minutes, moved out of the bottom two when two goals in the final seven minutes gave them a 2-1 victory at Kettering Town leaving their hosts at the foot of the table still looking for their first win. On Wednesday evening Frome Town scored a goal either side of half time to complete a 2-0 home win over Weymouth.
Division One Central - Burnham moved into fourth place when they came from behind to win 3-2 at Ashford Town (Middx).
Club News.
Ashford Town (Middx) - the club has been selected to host an international match between the Great Britain Deaf Football squad and their counterparts from Greece. The match will take place on Saturday, 22nd September and the kick-off time is dependent on the travel arrangements of the Greek side and will be confirmed as soon as possible. It is hoped that the match will kick-off at the traditional time of 3pm. Admission will be £5 for adults and £1 for children.
A club spokesman said "We are honoured to be staging this important international match and are delighted that Great Britain Deaf Football has chosen the Robert Parker Stadium. We hope that our supporters and other local football fans will turn out in force to see what should be an excellent game."
The match is a final qualifier for the 2013 Deaflympics which will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Deaflympics have been running since 1924 when they were staged in Paris. The Games are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee and run along similar lines to the Olympics and Paralympics which is why the football involves Great Britain rather than the four home nations. Because of the specific issues facing deaf athletes, the Deaflympics are held separately to the Paralympics. Great Britain are the most successful football nation in the history of the Deaflympics, having won the gold medal six times including the first event in Paris in 1924 and the 2005 tournament in Melbourne and will hope to book a trip to Sofia with victory at the Robert Parker Stadium. However, they will be wary of the Greeks, who defeated Serbia in the first round of qualifying by 4-2. Great Britain are one of the six seeded teams in the 16 nation European qualifying competition, which ensured them a home draw. Europe has six places in the sixteen-team football tournament at the 2013 Deaflympics so the winners of the six Second Round knockout ties qualify.
17 September 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Top of the table Leamington, who had themselves conceded two penalties, scored twice, including a penalty, in the final ten minutes to take the points with a 4-3 home win over Arlesey Town while Hemel Hempstead Town maintained second spot when a first half goal gave them a 1-0 victory at Weymouth and Stourbridge moved into third place with a 1-0 win at Hitchin Town with a goal ten minutes from time. Barwell scored five times in the first thirty-four minutes to wrap up the points with a resounding 5-0 victory at Bashley while St Albans City recorded a 2-1 home win over bottom of the table Kettering Town but Chesham United slipped to sixth when Gosport Borough inflicted a 3-0 home defeat on them with all the goals coming in the second half and St Neots Town, who had won their last four games, went down 3-1 at home when AFC Totton, trailing from the seventh minute, also scored three after the break. Frome Town won 2-1 at Cambridge City to send their hosts tumbling into the bottom two and Bedford Town lost 1-0 at home when Bedworth United scored ten minutes before the interval but Banbury United recorded their first win of the season with a goal seventeen minutes from time giving them a 1-0 home victory against Chippenham Town while Bideford, two ahead on the hour mark, completed a 3-2 home win over Redditch United.
Division One Central - Uxbridge scored three times before the half hour and added another in the second half to secure a comfortable 4-0 home win over bottom of the table Woodford United.
FA Trophy Preliminary Round - Only nine clubs definitely made it through to the First Round Qualifying although a further fourteen secured replays to give themselves a second chance. Bridgwater Town, two behind in the first twenty minutes but level at half time, scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to go through with a 4-2 win at Abingdon United but Chertsey Town scored three times in the first half on the way to a 4-1 home win over Tilbury while Guildford City's nine men won 3-2 away against Cirencester Town's ten and a first half strike gave North Leigh a 1-0 win at Godalming Town. Royston Town scored four times in the second half to comfortably defeat visitors Aveley 5-1 and a second half penalty gave Tiverton Town a 1-0 victory at Thatcham Town but Ashford Town (Middx) scored three times before the break to win 5-1 at Walton Casuals and Sholing won 2-1 at Winchester City. There were 0-0 draws at Beaconsfield SYCOB, Didcot Town, Mangotsfield United, and Swindon Supermarine setting up replays at Poole Town, Paulton Rovers, Shortwood United, and Yate Town respectively. Biggleswade Town, two behind at the interval, scored twice in three minutes early in the second half to secure a 2-2 home draw with Halesowen Town and Wimborne Town, ahead after six minutes, needed a goal two minutes from time snatch a 2-2 draw at Clevedon Town while Fleet Town scored six minutes from time to draw 1-1 at Merthyr Town. Aylesbury went out 2-1 at Grays Athletic, Daventry Town lost 4-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic, North Greenford United, one ahead at the break, lost 3-1 at home to Tooting & Mitcham United, Northwood crashed out 4-0 at home to Leatherhead, Leighton Town went down 3-0 at Rainworth Miners Welfare, Evesham United lost 1-0 at Stamford, and AFC Hayes, despite having taken the lead, lost 3-1 at Wroxham. On Sunday Slough Town, reduced to ten men during the first half but ahead at the break, progressed with a 2-1 home win over Hungerford Town.
12 September 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup First Round Qualifying Replays - Division One South & West Hungerford Town scored two goals in three first half minutes to take a Premier Division scalp with a 2-0 win at Banbury United and Division One Central Daventry Town went through 3-2 after extra time at Kings Lynn Town while Leamington, a goal behind after just three minutes, drew level five minutes before the break before securing a 2-1 win at Stourbridge with a goal in time added on. Merthyr Town, ahead on the stroke of half time, scored twice in the first nine minutes of the second half to record a comfortable 3-0 home win over Cinderford Town and Weymouth scored three times in the opening half hour to also win 3-0 at home against Totton & Eling as did Kettering Town against Wisbech. Ashford Town (Middx), 3-0 against Dunstable Town, Bedworth United, 1-0 against Rugby Town, and Gosport Borough, 3-2 against Bashley, all took extra time to win their home ties while Royston Town, two ahead after just twelve minutes, were pegged back level mid way through the second half before going out 3-2 at home when Isthmian Premier Division Wingate & Finchley scored in the first period of extra time and Godalming Town went out away from home on penalties after holding Dulwich Hamlet 2-2 after extra time. On Wednesday Frome Town scored twice in each half to move comfortably into the next round with a 4-0 home win over Larkhall Athletic while Bideford went into extra time with the score at 1-1 and needed two goals in the second period to win 3-2 at Bodmin Town having gone behind before the break.
10 September 2012
Weekend Action
FA Cup First Round Qualifying - Division One Central Northwood pulled off the result of the day with a 1-0 victory at Premier Division Chesham United while Royston Town forced a replay when they drew 1-1 at Isthmian Premier Division Wingate & Finchley. Four Premier Division clubs hit the goal trail with Cambridge City winning 7-0 at home against Huntingdon Town, AFC Totton won 6-0 at Swindon Supermarine, and there were 5-0 victories for St Neots Town at home to Peterborough Northern Star and Hitchin Town at Ware. Division One South & West clubs were also in the goals with Bishops Cleeve and North Leigh winning their home games 6-0 and 6-1 respectively over Bracknell Town and Wantage Town while Clevedon Town won 5-0 against visiting Sherborne Town. There were away wins for Arlesey Town, 1-0 at Barton Rovers, St Albans City, 3-1 at Harrow Borough, Thatcham Town, 3-1 at Marlow, Yate Town, 2-1 at Winchester City, and Didcot Town, 1-0 at Windsor. Barwell won 3-0 at home against AFC Wulfrunians and there were also home wins for Chalfont St Peter, 3-2 against Newport Pagnell Town, Chippenham Town, 3-1 over Mangotsfield United, Slough Town, 4-1 over Lingfield, and Sholing, 4-0 against Melksham Town. Seventeen other clubs earned replays as Bashley drew 1-1 at home with Gosport Borough, Bideford were held 2-2 at home by Bodmin Town, Cinderford Town drew 1-1 with Merthyr Town, Daventry Town were held 1-1 at home by Kings Lynn Town, Ashford Town (Middx) drew 2-2 at Dunstable Town, Taunton Town, Frome Town, and Kettering Town were held 0-0 at Gillingham, Larkhall Athletic, and Wisbech Town respectively, Hungerford Town held Premier Division visitors Banbury United 1-1, Leamington and Stourbridge drew 2-2. Rugby Town drew 1-1 at home with Bedworth United, and Weymouth were held 2-2 at Totton & Eling. Guildford City went out 3-0 at home to Kingstonian, Hemel Hempstead Town suffered a surprise 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Waltham Forest, Redditch United lost 3-0 at home to Hednesford Town, Uxbridge conceded two goals in the final two minutes to crash out 4-3 at home to Berkhamsted Town, Bedford Town lost 1-0 at Waltham Abbey, and Biggleswade Town went out 2-0 at Wealdstone. On Sunday, Godalming Town, ahead early in the second half, conceded a late penalty and face a replay at Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday after drawing 2-2 at home.
Division One Central - Burnham, having trailed to a penalty, equalised five minutes before the break and went on to complete a 2-1 home win over AFC Hayes and Fleet Town recorded a 3-1 victory over visiting Chertsey Town while second from bottom Aylesbury, behind from a penalty on the stroke of half time, scored from the spot themselves six minutes from time to take a point from a 1-1 home draw with Leighton Town.
Division One South & West - Wimborne Town, a goal up at the break, moved into second place with a 3-1 win at Abingdon United while Tiverton Town scored six minutes from time to secure a point from a 1-1 draw with Bridgwater Town.
4 September 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - On Monday evening St Albans City scored twice in the opening half hour to move into fourth place with a 2-0 victory at Hitchin Town. Hemel Hempstead Town, behind after ten minutes, held on to top spot despite going down 2-1 at home to Arlesey Town who moved into third spot level on points with the leaders and Chesham United who moved into second with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Bashley while St Neots Town made it four wins in a row when they completed a 3-1 victory at Bedworth United. Cambridge City moved away from the bottom three when a goal in the final minute gave them a 2-1 home win against Barwell and Bedford Town, a goal down at the interval, scored twice in the second half to complete a 2-1 home victory over Redditch United while Weymouth, trailing by the odd goal in five after a storming first half, scored seventeen minutes from time to secure a home point with a 3-3 draw against AFC Totton. Gosport Borough conceded two first half penalties but levelled the scores early in the second half but visitors Chippenham Town secured the points when they made it 3-2 seven minutes from time while Banbury United, ahead on the hour, were still left looking for their first win of the season when Bideford secured an away point from a 1-1 draw with a goal in the third minute of time added on. On Wednesday Leamington scored twice in the final twenty minutes to secure the points with a 2-0 victory at Frome Town but Stourbridge were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Kettering Town who are still looking for their first win of the season.
Division One Central - Godalming Town, three ahead at the interval, maintained their hundred percent record and top spot with a comfortable 4-1 home win over Uxbridge while second in the table Guildford City also kept up their perfect start when an own goal a minute from time secured a 4-3 win at AFC Hayes but Royston Town, behind after four minutes, dropped their first points of the season when a penalty ten minutes from time gave them a 1-1 draw at Aylesbury. Beaconsfield SYCOB scored in each half to win 2-0 at North Greenford United while Ashford Town (Middx) scored four times after the break to complete a resounding 5-0 home victory over Fleet Town and Daventry Town also kept in touch with the leading pack when a goal shortly before half time gave them a 1-0 home win against Northwood. Biggleswade Town twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 home draw with Leighton Town while Slough Town, a goal up at the break, completed a 4-0 home win over Woodford United, leaving the visitors still looking to open their account, and Rugby Town scored in the final minute to win 1-0 at Barton Rovers. Thatcham Town secured their first points when two penalties in the final fifteen minutes gave them a 2-0 home win over Chertsey Town but the evening's other game at Chalfont St Peter was abandoned when the floodlights failed nine minutes from time with Burnham leading 1-0 from a third minute strike.
Division One South & West - On Monday evening Merthyr Town scored twice after the interval to inflict a 2-0 home defeat on Mangotsfield United and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Poole Town went to the top of the table when a goal early in the second half gave them a 1-0 home win over Paulton Rovers while Winchester City dropped to second when a penalty with twenty minutes remaining gave Abingdon United a 1-0 away victory but North Leigh, trailing six minutes into the second half, scored three times in twelve minutes to go third with a 3-1 home win over Sholing. Cirencester Town, 2-1 winners at Cinderford Town, and Evesham United, who beat visiting Clevedon Town 3-2, occupy fifth and sixth places just three points behind the leaders but Wimborne Town, ahead after six minutes, had to settle for a 2-1 draw at Didcot Town while Tiverton Town scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at home against Yate Town and leave the visitors still looking for their first point. In Tuesday's other game Shortwood United, trailing at half time, recorded their first win when two goals after the break gave them a 2-1 home victory over Taunton Town. On Wednesday a second minute strike wa sufficient for Swindon Supermarine to take the points with a 1-0 home win over Hungerford Town.
FA Cup Preliminary Round - Bishops Cleeve struck in the first and last minutes to secure a 2-1 win against Ascot United who scored their consolation goal in the third minute of time added on.
2 September 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, in front at the interval, dropped their first points of the season at fourth placed Barwell when the home side made it 2-2 seventeen minutes from time while Leamington kept up their unbeaten start and moved into second with a goal in the fourth minute giving them a 1-0 home win over Cambridge City, leaving the visitors languishing near the foot of the table, and Stourbridge, sharing f.ur goals at the break, scored twice in the second half to win 4-2 at St Albans City. Chesham United, ahead from a penalty ten minutes after the break, conceded a spot-kick themselves with fifteen minutes remaining to lose 2-1 at Bideford and give the home side their first points of the season while Arlesey Town were presented with a point when an own goal two minutes from time gave them a 1-1 home draw with Gosport Borough but St Neots Town, trailing early in the second half, scored twice in two minutes in the last quarter of an hour to win 3-2 at home and leave Banbury United still looking for their first win. Hitchin Town, trailing to a penalty as early as the second minute, struck four times in the following twenty-six minutes to inflict a 4-2 home defeat on Chippenham Town but Frome Town had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw at Kettering Town, another club still looking for its first win, while Bashley scored in the first minute of time added on to win 1-0 at home against Bedworth United. Redditch United were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Weymouth but AFC Totton scored twice in the first half to record their first win of the season with a 2-0 home victory over Bedford Town.
Division One Central - Three clubs maintained one hundred percent records with Godalming Town, a goal up at half time, winning 3-0 at Rugby Town, Royston Town coming from behind to win 2-1 at home against Daventry Town, and Guildford City completing a 3-2 home win over Chalfont St Peter. Biggleswade Town, a goal up after two minutes and two ahead at the break, scored a resounding 4-0 victory at Chertsey Town while Beaconsfield SYCOB won 2-1 at home to leave Thatcham Town still looking for their first point but Barton Rovers, having recovered from being two goals down, conceded with four minutes remaining to go down 3-2 at Burnham. Northwood, two up after just ten minutes but back to all square seven minutes into the second half, took the points with a 3-2 home win over Aylesbury while Uxbridge, two behind at the interval, came back in the second half to also complete a 3-2 home win over Slough Town and Ashford Town (Middx) won 1-0 at Leighton Town with a penalty twenty minutes from time. AFC Hayes recorded a 3-1 win at Woodford United to leave the home side atill looking for their first point while Fleet Town scored three times in the second half to complete a resounding 4-0 home win against North Greenford United.
Division One South & West - Winchester City, despite going a goal behind, held on to top spot when three second half goals gave them a 4-1 win at Clevedon Town while Poole Town and Hungerford Town stayed level on points with the leaders with a 3-1 win at still pointless Yate Town and a 2-1 home victory over Mangotsfield United respectively. North Leigh, a goal behind at the break, scored six minutes into the second half to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Merthyr Town while Wimborne Town scored just before the half hour mark to secure a 2-1 home win over Swindon Supermarine and Cirencester Town scored a goal in each half to complete a 2-0 home win over Didcot Town but Evesham United went down 1-0 at Abingdon United with the winning goal coming three minutes into the second half. Taunton Town, a goal behind after ten minutes, scored three times after the interval to complete a convincing 4-1 home win over Cinderford Town but Bishops Cleeve were beaten 3-2 at home by Tiverton Town while Sholing, ahead after ten minutes, scored a penalty on the half hour to complete a 2-0 home win over Shortwood United. In the day's other game Paulton Rovers took a first minute lead but previously pointless visitors Bridgwater Town levelled by the interval and added three more in the second half to complete a resounding 4-1 victory.
Club News.
Clevedon Town - Clevedon Town Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Bristol City legend Scott Murray. In a long and illustrious career Scott made 354 appearances and scored 74 goals for City in two spells between 1997 and 2009. He also represented Fraserburgh, Aston Villa, Reading, Cheltenham Town, Yeovil Town and Bath City. On Bank Holiday Monday he made a great start on his debut by scoring the opening goal in Clevedon’s 2-0 victory at Bridgwater. Manager Micky Bell is delighted that Scott has brought his vast experience of the game to The Hand Stadium to help Clevedon Town move forward.
With an eye to youth, Clevedon have also signed exciting 16 year old defender Liam Lester. Liam, who is the son of Clevedon legend Steve Lester, made his debut in a pre-season friendly and is described by Micky Bell as ‘a name to watch out for’.
Didcot Town - Dave Mudge has resigned as Manager of the Club citing personal reasons for his decision. Mudge had been Didcot manager for almost a year after taking over from Francis Vines a few weeks into the 2011/12 season. He managed to steer Didcot away from the relegation zone, the club eventually finishing in sixteenth place, but his most notable achievement with the Railwaymen was taking them to the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy. It was the furthest the club has ever gone in the competition and included memorable victories at Worthing and a 3-1 win at Conference South side Bromley along the way.
Explaining his reasons for departure Mudge said “Firstly I want to thank Didcot Town FC for the opportunity of being manager since September 2011 but it is with great sadness that I have reached a decision to resign from the post with immediate effect. The main reason is the impact it is having on my business. The journey from my home to training is a 110-mile round trip and that also has become a factor as is the time I'm away from my family. I have given a lot of thought to this in the last few days and it is not a knee-jerk or rash decision. I hope everyone respects my reasons to leave and again I thank the club and everyone connected with it for the great time I've had. I wish Didcot Town a successful season and hope they go from strength to strength.”
Didcot Chairman John Bailey said “I'd like to thank Dave for his efforts while at the football club. He came to us at a difficult time last season when we were rock bottom of the league. He turned things round with passion and in a hugely positive way and we are extremely grateful for his hard work and dedication over the past year. We wish him well in the future.” An interim management team of ex-Fulham, Swindon Town and Wimbledon player Gary Elkins alongside Richard Peirson and Ian Concannon has been asked to cover first-team affairs while the club considers its options for the remainder of the campaign.
Leamington - The Club will proudly welcome three local Olympians to The New Windmill Ground this Saturday when the Brakes face Arlesey Town in the Southern League Premier Division. Kelly Sibley (Tennis), Nigel Murray (Boccia) and Mandip Sehmi (Wheelchair Rugby) will be the club's guests of honour for the afternoon. Coventry based company LTI, who manufactured the Olympic Torches, have agreed to bring a torch to the stadium providing supporters with a unique opportunity to pay homage to three of Team GB's Olympic heroes, who will be presented to the crowd in their Team GB Tracksuits at half time and also take the opportunity to have a photograph taken with them and the torch.
The match is being sponsored by Warwick School in a special promotion that sees all of their pupils given free entry for the game with accompanying adults admitted for £5. LTI are match-ball sponsors and a bucket collection will be held at half-time for the respective charities of both bodies (Warwick School - Pancreatic Cancer Research) and (LTI - Warwickshire Air Ambulance) with proceeds split equally between the two.
Taunton Town - TheClub is pleased to announce another Main Sponsor who has agreed to support the club for the 2012/13 season. Somerset Pumps who supplied the club’s irrigator pitch watering system in 2011 have agreed to sponsor the Youth Team’s training kit for the forthcoming season which kicks off with an FA Youth Cup match away to Chard Town on Tuesday 4th September. Chairman and Chief Executive Kevin Sturmey said “I am very pleased we have managed to secure Somerset Pumps as the Youth Team’s training kit sponsor and thank Phil Champion who has continued to support the club after becoming a sponsor last season.”
Somerset Pumps are one of the reasons for the pitch improvements at Wordsworth Drive. As part of a sponsorship deal in 2011 they supplied an irrigator which allows watering at any time of the year in conjunction with the rainwater harvesting in which the club has invested. Director of Somerset Pumps' Phil Champion added “We have been delighted to supply an irrigator to the club to help improve the Wordsworth Drive playing surface and sponsoring the Youth Team’s training kit further cements our relationship. We have been working with Taunton Town since 2011 and would be happy to advise any club wishing to investigate pitch watering systems. Please visit our website www.somersetpumps.com for more information.”
29 August 2012
Mid-Week Matches
FA Cup Preliminary Round - Woodford United, one down at half time, conceded two goals in five second half minutes to lose 3-0 at Dereham Town of the Eastern Counties League. Bishops Cleeve's home tie with Ascot United, abandoned on Saturday, again fell to the weather and was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch - the game has been rearranged for next Tuesday, 4th September.
FA Cup Preliminary Round Replays - Paulton Rovers, who had led on Saturday, took a two goal lead in the first eighteen minutes but, having had their lead cut by a penalty a minute before the break,conceded two goals in the second half to lose 3-2 at Taunton Town and Leighton Town also lost a two goal lead to go out at home to Spartan South Midlands St Margaretsbury but Ashford Town (Middx) scored twice in the first half hour to win 2-0 at Tring Athletic. Uxbridge, who came from two down on Saturday, scored five times after the break following a goalless first half to defeat Wembley 5-0 in the replay and earn a home tie with Berkhamsted.
28 August 2012
Bank Holiday Matches
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town, trailing at the break, scored four times in the second half to continue their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 home win over AFC Totton while Chesham United, two ahead after twenty minutes, stayed unbeaten with a 2-1 home win over St Albans, who replied with a second half penalty, and Arlesey Town scored just after the half hour to record a 1-0 win at Hitchin Town. Barwell scored twice in the final twenty minutes to inflict a 2-0 home defeat on Stourbridge and Leamington, two ahead at half time, completed a 3-0 victory at Bedworth United while St Neots Town, three ahead at half time, won 5-0 at Cambridge City with the home side being reduced to ten men just before the break and a player from each side also being dismissed near the end. Frome Town scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 home win over Chippenham Town but Bedford Town were held 1-1 at home by Kettering Town while Weymouth, trailing after seventeen minutes, scored three times after the break to win 4-2 at home against Bideford and leave the visitors still looking for their first point. Banbury United were held 0-0 at home by Redditch United and Bashley also secured a point from a 0-0 draw at Gosport Borough.
Division One Central - Three teams remain with one hundred percent records - Royston Town won 3-1 at Barton Rovers thanks to an own goal four minutes from time and a further goal in time added on, Godalming Town won 2-0 at home with a goal in each half against Fleet Town, who were left still looking for their first point, and Guildford City scored twice in the final seven minutes to win 3-1 at Thatcham Town. Daventry Town scored three times after the break to win 4-1 at home against Rugby Town and Chalfont St Peter, trailing early in the second half, scored two late goals to record a 2-1 home win over Chertsey Town while Northwood, two ahead at the interval, scored four times in the second half to record a resounding 6-0 victory at AFC Hayes. In the day's other match Slough Town were held to a 1-1 'home' draw by their landlords, Beaconsfield SYCOB.
Division One South & West - Winchester City, ahead after seven minutes, went to the top of the table with a 2-0 home win over Sholing and Poole Town won 1-0 at home with a first half strike against Wimborne Town while Hungerford Town, trailing after fifteen minutes, scored twice in the final twelve minutes to win 2-1 at Didcot Town. Evesham United scored from the spot in the final minute to grab a point from a 1-1 draw with visiting Merthyr Town and Swindon Supermarine also had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Cirencester Town equalised two minutes from time but North Leigh, four goals ahead five minutes after the break, scored eight minutes from time to end a spirited fight back from Abingdon United and complete a 5-3 home win. In the day's other game Clevedon Town scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Bridgwater Town leaving the home side still looking for their first point.
26 August 2012
Weekend Action
Premier Division - Hemel Hempstead Town completed a resounding 6-0 win at Bashley to go to the top of the table as the only club remaining with a hundred percent record while St Albans City, two ahead after just seven minutes, moved into second with a 4-0 home victory over Frome Town and Stourbridge continued their good start with a 4-2 win at AFC Totton. Overnight leaders Barwell dropped their first points when they lost 3-1 at home to Chesham United and Hitchin Town also lost their hundred percent record when they went down 3-0 at Leamington while Arlesey Town joined them on six points when a thirteenth minute strike gave them a 1-0 home win over Bedworth United. Chippenham Town recorded their first win of the season when they got the better of visiting Cambridge City with a 4-3 scoreline while Redditch United, trailing after three minutes, won 3-2 at Gosport Borough, Bedford Town won 3-0 at Bideford, leaving the hosts still looking for their first point, and St Neots Town, two ahead at the interval, opened their account with a 4-2 home victory over still winless Weymouth. In the day's other game Kettering Town, who took the lead with a seventeenth minute penalty, drew 1-1 at home with Banbury United, leaving both clubs still looking for their first win of the season.
FA Cup Preliminary Round - Sholing and Barton Rovers, who both won their ties on Friday evening, were joined in the First Qualifying Round by Northwood, Biggleswade Town, Chalfont St Peter, Cinderford Town, Merthyr Town, Clevedon Town, Thatcham Town, Didcot Town, Godalming Town, Daventry Town, Guildford City, Swindon Supermarine, Royston Town, Hungerford Town, Mangotsfield United, North Leigh, Slough Town, Rugby Town, Winchester City, and Yate Town while Ashford Town (Middx), Paulton Rovers, Taunton Town, and Leighton Town face replays and Bishops Cleeve and Woodford United also have to play their ties again following abandonments. On Sunday Shortwood United went out 1-0 at Highworth Town but Uxbridge, two down at the interval, scored two goals in two minutes mid way through the second half to earn a replay from a 2-2 home draw against Wembley in front of the ESPN cameras and a crowd of 754.
22 August 2012
Mid-Week Matches
Premier Division - Barwell, a goal ahead at half time, scored twice in time added on to complete a 4-1 home win over Banbury United while Hitchin Town raced into a two goal lead in the opening nine minutes on the way to a 3-2 win at St Neots Town and Hemel Hempstead Town, a goal behind at the interval, also made it two wins out of two when two second half goals gave them a 2-1 victory at Kettering Town. Stourbridge, trailing after just ten minutes, took a point from a 1-1 draw at Leamington and St Albans City, two ahead at the break, completed a 3-2 home win over Cambridge City but Chesham United, ahead after just seven minutes, had to settle for an away point when AFC Totton made it 1-1 in the final minute while Bedworth United took an away point from a 0-0 draw at Redditch United. Bashley completed a 2-1 home win over Frome Town and Gosport Borough scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Bideford while Arlesey Town, ahead after fifteen minutes, defeated visiting Bedford Town 2-1. In Tuesday's other game Weymouth took a point from a 2-2 draw at Chippenham Town after going two down in the opening fourteen minutes
Division One Central - A goal in each half gave Godalming Town a 2-0 victory at Beaconsfield SYCOB to continue their perfect start to their return to the League. Barton Rovers kept their second successive clean sheet with a 2-0 win at Woodford United while promoted Royston Town made it two wins out of two with a 4-2 home win over Chalfont St Peter and Guildford City won 2-1 at Slough Town to also stay one hundred percent. Rugby Town were held to a 2-2 home draw by Biggleswade Town while Leighton Town went down 3-2 at home to Daventry Town but AFC Hayes took the points with a 3-0 victory at Fleet Town and Burnham completed a 2-0 home win over Aylesbury. North Greenford United lost 2-1 at Chertsey Town while Uxbridge took the points from a nine goal thriller with a 5-4 home win against Thatcham Town and Ashford Town (Middx) completed a 3-1 victory at Northwood.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town, ahead on the half hour mark, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Winchester City equalised midway through the second half. Evesham United made it two wins out of two with a 2-1 victory at Yate Town while Swindon Supermarine completed a 3-1 win at Abingdon United while Cinderford Town were held to a 1-1 draw at Clevedon Town. Poole Town also drew 1-1 at Taunton Town but Wimborne Town scored in time added on to win 4-3 at home against Bridgwater Town and Merthyr Town scored in the final minute to grab a 1-0 home win over Shortwood United. Cirencester Town lost 3-1 at home to North Leigh but Paulton Rovers completed a 2-1 home victory over Tiverton Town. Bishops Cleeve, trailing by two goals five minutes before the break, scored on the stroke of half time and again five minutes from the end to earn a 2-2 home draw against Mangotsfield United while Sholing also drew 2-2 at home when Didcot Town, who had gone behind eight minutes after the interval, equalised on the hour.
20 August 2012
First Day Action
Premier Division - Stourbridge scored twice in each half to start the season with a resounding 4-1 home win over Arlesey Town and Hitchin Town also started in style with a 3-0 home victory against Redditch United while Cambridge City secured the points defeating visiting Bashley 3-1. Bedworth United took maximum points from their first ever Premier Division appearance with a 2-1 home win against fellow promotees Bideford but Gosport Borough lost 2-1 at home when Barwell scored in the third minute of time added on and St Neots Town, despite going ahead, fell to a 2-1 defeat at Chesham United. Frome Town, one down after twenty minutes, completed a 3-1 home win over AFC Totton while Hemel Hempstead Town, ahead after just five minutes, made a winning start with a 2-1 home victory over Chippenham Town. Banbury United, trailing at the break, scored twice in the final ten minutes but had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw when St Albans City equalised in the fifth minute of time added on and Leamington scored two minutes from time to take a point from a 2-2 draw at Bedford Town while Weymouth were held to a 0-0 home draw by Kettering Town.
Division One Central - Slough Town, a goal ahead at the break, scored four times in the second half to record a resounding 5-0 home win over Northwood while Rugby Town, a goal behind just before the half hour, completed an impressive 4-1 win at Ashford Town (Middx) and Barton Rovers took the points from a 3-0 home win over Chertsey Town. Leighton Town took a three goal half time lead before going on to win 3-1 at AFC Hayes and Guildford City completed a 2-1 victory at Aylesbury while a goal just before the half hour mark gave Beaconsfield SYCOB a 1-0 win at Daventry Town. Biggleswade Town, despite going a goal behind, completed a 3-1 home win over Uxbridge and Chalfont St Peter, trailing to an own goal after eight minutes, recovered to defeat visiting Fleet Town 2-1 while Godalming Town won 1-0 at home against Burnham by means of a first half penalty. An own goal mid-way through the second half gave North Greenford United the points from a 1-0 home win over Woodford United while newly promoted Royston Town, ahead from a fourth minute penalty, scored a second before half time to make a winning start with a 2-0 victory at Thatcham Town.
Division One South & West - Hungerford Town came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Bridgwater Town with a goal four minutes from time and Cinderford Town, two ahead at the break, completed a 3-1 home win over Paulton Rovers while Didcot Town scored a goal in each half to defeat visiting Yate Town 2-0. Evesham United scored on the stroke of half time to record a 1-0 victory over Sholing to make it a winning start in their new stadium while Cirencester Town scored three minutes before the break to win 1-0 at Mangotsfield United and Bishops Cleeve, a goal ahead after eight minutes, won 3-1 at North Leigh. Poole Town scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 home win over Clevedon Town while newly promoted Winchester City made a winning start with a 3-2 home victory against Taunton Town with four of the goals coming in the final ten minutes. Newcomers Shortwood United took a point from a 2-2 home draw with Wimborne Town and Merthyr Town, two ahead mid-way through the second half, also had to settle for a point when hosts Swindon Supermarine made it 2-2 with five minutes remaining while Tiverton Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Abingdon United.
From the Chairman
Well here we are again at the start of yet another season. Pre-season friendlies are all done and its now down to the bread and butter of League games though soon to be interspersed with the early rounds of the FA Cup with all the hopes, aspirations and, dare I mention, financial insentives that that great Competition holds. I hope to attend as many matches as possible during the season although a second new knee scheduled soon may curtail my travelling for a while. Nevertheless, I would like to wish all players, club officials, and supporters a successful but, most importantly, enjoyable season. I am sure that you will all, in the process, enhance the reputation and the proud history of our great League.
Ken Turner, Chairman
The BBC Non-League Show
The BBC Non-League Show returns this Sunday - Bigger than ever before!
This Sunday will see the first broadcast of the all new 5Live Non-League Football Show. As always this show is about promoting Non-League Football and the great quality of stories and above all people that make it so special. This is where you come in! We'd love your stories - you can email at nonelague@bbc.co.uk but we would also love your voices! If you have a smartphone or access to recording equipment, record 30 seconds about your story, your club, your match report, or just your thoughts on a non-league topic and we could hear you on the show! Just email in any format to nonleague@bbc.co.uk - think of it as an audio letters' page and your chance to get your club heard nationally. Just make sure you start the message with your name and club.
We are recording every Saturday night at 8pm so have a deadline of 6.30pm for that night's show but we can play your content out throughout the week via Twitter (www.twitter.com/nonleagueshow and Audioboo www.audioboo.fm/nonleagueshow).
You are our eyes and ears! So, if something happens at your club or match and you can't record it, please just drop me an email at nonleague@bbc.co.uk. It would also be great if you could carry our logo and link on your websites please - the link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m5gsx for websites or, if you want to promote anywhere, www.bbc.co.uk/nonleague.
Many thanks as always, here's hoping we can make a big noise for Non-League across the globe!
Caroline Barker
Club News.
Clevedon Town - the Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul McLoughlin as First Team Coach and the signing of influential midfielder Alex Russell. Both men bring with them vast experience of the game and Manager Micky Bell (right) says that these signings show Clevedon Town's ambition to move forward by bringing in high quality coaches and players.
In a long playing career Paul (left) represented, among others, Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Championship level and Hereford United He was a member of the Clevedon Town team that won the double of the Southern League Midland Division Championship and The Somerset Premier Cup in 1999. Liverpool born Alex (centre) started out in the Liverpool youth team and, in a long and distinguished career, went on to win promotions at four different league sides - Cambridge United, Torquay United, Bristol City and Exeter City. He joins Clevedon from Conference South side Bath City. He made his Southern League debut for the Club in the Championship Match at Brackley Town on Saturday. Clevedon gave a great account of themselves against a team that will start the season two leagues above them and went into the break level at 1-1 after Joe Flurry's 20th minute equaliser cancelled out the home side's opening goal on 6 minutes from Brett Solkhon. Brackley re-established their lead on 57 minutes when substitute Gary Mulligan arrived at the back post to head home. Clevedon worked hard to get back into the game and in the 90th minute Flurry was inches away from turning in a cross to take the game into extra time but the Conference North side held on for a narrow 2-1 victory.
Taunton Town - Martyn Rogers has been appointed Assistant Manager of the club. His appointment was disclosed by manager Leigh Robinson who said: "Martyn brings a wealth of experience to the club and I'm delighted to have him on board. This is very good news for the club and shows how keen we are to progress”
Rogers, who is 57, played for Bristol City, Exeter City, Bath City and Weymouth, before going into management. He was boss of Tiverton Town for twenty years before quitting in May of 2010. Robinson added “Martyn has had two years out of the game and comes to us very refreshed.” He takes over from Jaimie Carwardine, who only joined Taunton in July but has been forced to step down for ‘personal reasons.’ Carwardine will re-join Taunton as a third member of the club’s management team later in the season.
July/August 2012
Club News.
Arlesey Town - The Club's physio Len McMain will be spending the summer at the Olympics as he has been selected as a medical team leader for the cycling events at the velodrome and the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby at the O2 arena. This is a big honour as he was selected out of 2,500 candidates and will be a change as he normally spends his summer months touring abroad with the Great Britain Lions International rugby team as their physio.
Club stalwart Jim Anderson received his award for 50 years' service to football from Bedfordshire FA Vice President Richard Robinson at the recent County AGM. Jim, who started playing senior football in Bedfordshire soon after he left the Army in 1949, played for Luton Amateurs, Vauxhall Motors and others. As he finished playing he qualified as a Physio and worked with Flitwick, Ampthill, Beds FA, and Luton Town before joining Arlesey Town in 1981. He was Physio for Arlesey when they won the FA Vase in 1995 at Wembley. At the tender age of 83 he is still serving on the Club's management and football committees and can still be found on match days serving behind the bar in the Boardroom.
Aylesbury - The Club's medical lead Liz Carson will be looking after the athletes at the Beach Volleyball during the London 2012 Olympics. Liz, who is a Sports Chiropractor, says "It is a real honour to be involved and all the lads at the club are very envious of my role"
Banbury United - One of the Club's officials has received news that he has been selected for the 2012 Olympics. Nigel Porter will not be sprinting against Mr Bolt or even playing tennis against Andrew Murray but will be part of the Events Team staging eight football games at Wembley Stadium. The games will be played from the 29th July through to the Final on the 11th August. Nigel will find out his exact role during the training which begins at Wembley on the 5th February. (Nigel reckons his tea making in the Banbury boardroom is the best in the League).
Barwell - Premiership referee Howard Webb will be take charge of the pre season game at Barwell on Tuesday 7th August (kick-off 7.30pm) when the visitors will be Hinckley United
Chippenham Town - The Club is very pleased to announce the appointment of Alyn Owens as Club Chaplain. Born in South Wales and educated at schools in Leicester, Reverend Owens attended Bristol University before being ordained at St Helens in Lancashire and has held a life long interest in sport. As a teenager he supported Leicester City whilst before his retirement in 2003 he held a season ticket for Watford and since moving to Wiltshire has regularly supported the Bluebirds. Reverend Owens will be available to all staff, players and supporters should they wish to discuuss concerns over any issues. He is now looking forward to the new season with Chippenham.
Vice Chairman Neil Blackmore stated, “We are very pleased to have Reverend Owens on board as part of our commitment to the community.”
Cirencester Town - The Club is pleased to announce that long serving first team player, Scott Griffin, has been appointed Office Manager and Football Secretary and will be start his new role on 17th July 2012 on a full-time basis. Speaking to the local press, Griffin stated “I’m excited by the challenge. For ten years I worked in the financial sector and I’m now serving out my notice in an administrative post within the NHS in Gloucester. I start at Ciren on July 17. I looked at all the ground’s empty advertising boards at the end of last term and I said to Hughesie and Steve (Abbley) that I could fill them. We’ll soon see whether I am right. I went to a sporting dinner at Swindon Town’s County Ground last week - it was a Who’s Who of businesses in the area - and I think I did some valuable networking. I am hoping to land running”
Evesham United - After an absence of six years football returned to the Vale when Evesham United Old Boys took on Manchester United Legends at the Robins' Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium. A crowd of around 1700 saw the stadium opened by Ron Atkinson and then witnessed United record a comfortable 4-1 victory. Remarkably, despite heavy showers in the morning following on from the deluge on Friday, the afternoon remained dry. The new pitch holding up very well.
A section of the large crowd that turned up for the opening of the Jubilee Stadium
Clayton Blackmore fired the Red Devils into a 10th minute lead and then Andy Ritchie doubled the lead just 60 seconds later. A mistake by David May allowed Matt Coppin to pull one back for the Old Boys before Blackmore then got his second and Manchester's third from the penalty spot after Alan Mcloughlin had been upended in the box by Evesham keeper Dave Adey. The scoring was completed before half time when Deniol Graham grabbed the Legends fourth from close range. Further chances fell the Legends way after the break but Russell Beardsmore, Peter Davenport and Mike Duxbury all failed to find the target. Evesham's best opportunity was created by Keith Brown who found Paul West, but the former Robins manager steered his shot wide with only keeper Fraser Digby to beat.
Legends: Digby, Irwin, Albiston, May, Duxbury, Martin, Mcloughlin, McIlroy, Ritchie, Blackmore, Davenport. Subs: Thornley, Beardsmore, Graham
Old Boys: Adey, Smith, Brown, Fleetwood, Davies, Hall, Candy, Coppin, West, Campbell, Brain. Subs: Taylor, Stevens, Cotterill, Emms, Russell, Wright, Saunders. Whittington, Hands, Clarke, O’Neill
Paulton Rovers - Former Yeovil Town favourite has returned to coaching with the Division One South & West club. Paul Thorpe, who made 144 appearances for the Glovers between 1984-90 and scored 11 times, has teamed up again with Nick Bunyard at Paulton. The pair first worked together at Rovers' former Division One South & West rivals Frome Town and were on the sidelines together again for Paulton's resounding 8-0 pre-season friendly success over Radstock Town last week.
Thorpe said he had been looking to return to a hands-on role in the game but had to be patient for the correct vacancy to emerge. He said: "Nick is someone who is very professional and this was a good opportunity to join a club playing at a good level. I had a look around with the intent of getting back into the game locally but nothing became available. I was told about this role and I thought it was the right type of opportunity. I have had offers in the past but they were not right. When you are coaching at this level you know the players are interested and wanting to improve and will get into the training sessions. It will be hard work and time consuming but I want to get in there and really get stuck into the job."
Thorpe said he was impressed with the North Somerset club's infrastructure, boosted by 2009's FA Cup First Round clash with then-npower League One club Norwich City. "It is very impressive and there is work being done to the ground," he said. "They are quite an affluent club and it is good to see a club growing like they are. They have had success in the past couple of years with the game against Norwich and they are utilising the money well."
Sholing - At the recent AGM of the club the following changes were accepted and agreed upon.The new Chairman, Mr Sean Whelan, is the Managing Director of Whelan Pest Ltd and has been involved with local football for some years. As a previous investor in Eastleigh FC when they were rising through the ranks and with his experience he hopes to establish Sholing FC to a similar level of football if possible.
Trevor Lewis, the previous Chairman, has stepped down for a younger man to take the club forward but remains on the Management Board as a Director to ease the handover. The club appreciates all that he has done over the years and hopes the years he has put in were worthwhile and enjoyable. Trevor has helped develop the club from early playing days in the Southampton Junior Leagues to the Chairman of an established Southern League club
Slough Town - The Club's new signings Ashley and Dave Deeney had a lucky escape on Tuesday night when they were involved in a car crash on the way home from a pre-season friendly. The brothers had just helped the Rebels claim a 3-0 win at Flackwell Heath and were on their way back from Wilks Park when their car was hit close to the M40. The collision wrote off Ashley Deeney's car and left the other vehicle lying on its roof. The police closed the road off for three hours while investigating the accident.
Deeney admits he was a touch shaken by the incident but was relieved he and his brother both escaped with just bumps and bruises. He said: "It was pretty mad. We were on the way back from the game and going round a roundabout on our way to the M40 when some boy racers hit us from behind at about 70mph. They spun my car around and theirs toppled over. We were there for about three hours as the police blocked off the road. My car 's a total write off but the main thing is that everyone was alright. One of the guys in the other car was arrested for dangerous driving. It was pretty bad. The police said, looking at the accident, we were lucky to walk away without any serious injuries."
St Neots Town - After conducting several interviews, the Club has announced that Iain Parr has been appointed as the new Manager/Head Coach. Parr has accepted the role with immediate effect, having been part of the Peterborough United coaching staff and, after speaking to them at length, they gave him such a glowing report that the Saints invited him to apply for the position. Parr’s qualities outshone everyone, he is a top coach and holds UEFA B and UEFA A Part One coaching licences which gives him coaching skills at the highest level.
Chairman Mike Kearns said “I am very happy with this appointment. Iain has shown all the credentials we are looking for to take our football club forward. Not only is Iain a highly qualified coach but a local man who supports St Neots Town. He came to the club to watch the team on a regular basis last season and is familiar with the style of football our club plays and is well aware of the quality of our playing staff. Continuity is the key to continued and future success and in Iain we believe that we have the right man in place to take the whole club onwards and upwards and help us achieve our ambitions on and off of the pitch.”
Parr has moved swiftly to put in place his new management team for the coming season with the appointment of assistants will be Andy Davies and Steve Kuhne. Davies is a UEFA"A" licenced coach and has been in the professional game as a coach for some time while Kuhne is a former Saints’ legend.
Swindon Supermarine - New College will work closely with Supermarine in the upcoming season in a bid to help young players continue their development. Academy manager Ian Howell wants to replicate the relationship the college had with the Southern League club when he was Assistant Manager to Mark Collier there in the noughties. To that end, the college’s best players from their Hellenic League side will also sign for Marine, giving them the chance to both train and play at a higher level. One of the most well-known ‘graduates’ who previously made the jump was striker David Pratt, who later went on to play for Chippenham and Basingstoke and is now at Maidenhead. In recent times Jamie Prictor and Jon Beeden have made the jump to Southern League football and both played for Marine in the last campaign. As part of the link-up, New College’s Hellenic League team will have use of the Webb’s Wood Stadium pitch for home games, having previously played elsewhere on the South Marston site.
Howell, who is also a youth coach at Premier League giants Chelsea, explained “For New College it means we’ve got a nice structure in place where we can bring lads in at 16, develop them into our programme, and have a link with a club at a higher level, so we can push them through. Even though we’re a football club in our own right, we don’t have players staying for five or six years because they move on whereas a lot of the players we play against will naturally go through to the first teams of those clubs. We can’t do that as we’re never going to go into the Southern League. We want New College and Supermarine to be closer than we have been in previous years and this will give the players the chance to step up to a better level of football. They deserve the opportunity.” Howell added that Supermarine’s current position in the footballing ladder made it easier to set up the link between the clubs. “Supermarine had been playing in the Southern Premier and that level was too big a step up for many of our young players” he added. “But because they are now playing in Division One South & West, that will make it a slightly easier transition for an 18 or 19-year-old.”
A handful of the New College group will start training at Marine next week and Manager Dave Webb, a close friend of Howell, was delighted to begin the link-up. “The players are testing themselves in the Hellenic League and they have a direct link to a Southern League club - to me it makes perfect sense” he said. “We will dual-sign some of their lads this year, certainly half a dozen and maybe more and introduce those that are doing well into games. They have got some very talented players there and we’re not going to carry a massive squad so we need good quality back-up. The added advantage of working with them is it means you might see more people coming through the gates when New College aren’t playing.”
Taunton Town - The Club is pleased to announce two important appointments within their youth structure and the formation of a footballing link with the Town’s Richard Huish College. Trevor Jenkins has been selected as the new Head Coach of the Taunton Town Under 18 team whilst Gavin Step will be the club’s Youth Development Officer. Jenkins, who is a UEFA B licensed coach, will combine his new role at Wordsworth Drive with his responsibilities as Head Coach at Richard Huish College. He has over 16 years of coaching experience and is also a Head Coach at the Somerset FA Girls Centre of Excellence and the Director of Arsenal Soccer Schools in the South West. He commented “I am excited to be given this opportunity to work with the youth team at Taunton Town; they are an important part of the club and both Gavin and I aim to develop the players to enable them to reach their full potential. I am looking forward to meeting the players, some of whom I already know through my current role at Richard Huish College, for their first training session.” Taunton Town recently staged their Under 18 trials day but the club stress that the door still remains open for any young player who may have missed the trial.
To arrange a trial or for more information, please email youth@tauntontown.com.
The association between Taunton Town and Richard Huish College, cemented by the dual role of Jenkins, will enable both parties to benefit. Harry Lee, Assistant Sports Development Manager at the college, said “This link is a fantastic opportunity to provide a very comprehensive programme to our stronger footballing students as well as a club pathway for them to progress and develop their game.”
The appointment of Step is another positive initiative being taken by Taunton to formalise the development of youth football at the club. Step is currently studying for his UEFA A license and is employed by the FA as a Skills Coach as well as being a Head Coach at the Somerset FA Girls Centre of Excellence. He remarked “I am very pleased to have joined Taunton to join an ambitious group of people looking to move the club forward. My role will be to oversee and develop the youth structure and build on the foundations laid last season under Jamie Ward. I will work closely with both Trevor and First Team Manager Leigh Robinson to help produce players capable of making significant contributions at senior level both immediately and in the future. A main focus of my role will be to develop other age group teams in the future where we feel it will help the club progress.”
Commenting on the new structure, Club Chairman Kevin Sturmey said “I am delighted to welcome Trevor and Gavin to Taunton Town and look forward to all of us working together to build on the foundations already in place. They both bring a wealth of coaching experience and want to work as part of a team, dovetailing very nicely with our new manager Leigh Robinson and our philosophy that young and dynamic team players will help Taunton Town achieve our ambitions to be a sustainable, progressive club. Linking with Richard Huish College is another exciting chapter for the future and another positive phase in developing our relationship with the local community.”
Wimborne Town - The Club's U14's Development Team are looking for friendlies against good quality development sides or proven successful sides from fellow Southern League Clubs. Deemed to be a pilot scheme for Wimborne Town Football Club, the team are looking to broaden their experience beyond Dorset and play challenge matches against good quality opposition. The ideal idea would be on the day teams are playing Wimborne Town in League or Cup games, then the U14 Challenge match could be played with a 12 noon kick off with the teams then staying on to watch the first team play, thus enhancing the gate and the potential revenue.
The games Wimborne Town are looking for would be home and away, so it becomes a reciprocal arrangement subject to dates and availability. Although not set in stone that the teams should come from the Southern League South & West as other invites would be gratefully accepted.
- Nine players represent County team
- Dorset Division 1 Champions
- Dorset Cup Champions
- Dorset Challenge Cup Champions
- Hampshire Cup Semi Finalists
Interested parties should contact Paul Miller at wimbornefc@aol.com or call 07970 746607 or Simon Cassin at sipeter@hotmail.co.uk
30 June 2012
Club News
AFC Hayes - Following the resignation of Danny Vincent due to personal and work commitments, the Club has confirmed the appointment of Ian Crane as their new manager. Last season Crane was in charge at Spartan South Midlands League side Harefield United, a club he took over prior to Christmas 2011 and he managed to lead the side away from any relegation troubles. Crane has extensive experience of local football and AFC Hayes are expecting him to use his contacts to attract new players to the club. Crane's Assistant will be Terry Vincent and he has asked resident kit-man Terry Welch to continue in his position
Frome Town - The Club’s new kit sponsors have revealed they are delighted to be involved with the Frome Town and are excited at the prospect of seeing their company on the front of the Robins’ kit for the new season. Blindmans Brewery were announced over the weekend as being the new name on Frome’s home and away kit for the 2012/13 campaign. Blindmans are based at Talbot Farm in Leighton and are co-owned by Paul Edney and Lloyd Chamberlain who bought the company back in 2004 and they have overseen the successful business that has seen them supply their real ale to the Houses of Parliament and nationally through Wetherspoons. Over the past twelve months they have branched out to include bottling their product and will be launching the range in several supermarkets over the coming months on a regional basis.
Co-owner Chamberlain has had a long association with the Robins having previously been a player and then managed both the Under 18’s and Reserves before stepping up to the position of goalkeeping coach under current manager Darren Perrin and he was delighted to now be able to help the Club in another way. “As a company we are so pleased to be able to support Frome Town who have progressed so quickly over the last few years and it’s an honour to have the opportunity of seeing our name on the front of the kit”.
The players will also wear new warm up t-shirts for the new season from the brewery and the Venue & Sports Bar will continue to sell the best real ale in the area with the Clubs own branded range called '1904'. Frome Town FC would like to thank everybody at Blindmans Brewery for their support. The photograph shows Paul Edney and Lloyd Chamberlain with the Club’s commercial manager Ivan Carver and Chairman Jeremy Alderman at the launch of the new deal.
Kettering Town - Acting Chairman, George Rolls, has wasted little time in confirming John Beck, who had been strongly linked with the post, as the Club’s Manager. The 58-year-old has enjoyed a fine managerial career, most notably with Cambridge United and more recently at Histon where he was assistant boss to Steve Fallon. Now he is the new man to lead Kettering as they bid to bounce back from a double demotion and Rolls is certain he is the right man for the job.
John Beck
“I think John’s record speaks for itself,” Rolls said “You just have to look at the success he has had at clubs he has been at. There aren’t many managers out of work who can match it. At this point in Kettering Town’s history, he is the ideal appointment. He knows our expectations and he is a disciplinarian. He will get our players organised. He knows promotion is our aim. I know he will get some good players in at the right price.”
St Neots Town - After several weeks of discussions, Premier Division club St Neots Town have confirmed that Dennis Greene’s position as football club manager has become untenable, it is with great sadness that the club can confirm his resignation late on Friday evening. The club have accepted this. A statement from the club reads - 'With the utmost respect in mind for all that Dennis has achieved over the last two seasons the club will not comment any further and wish Dennis every success in the future.'
Greene led the club to back-to-back promotions, winning the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division in 2011 and the Division One Central title in 2012.
Swindon Supermarine - Two years ago he hadn’t even heard of Swindon Supermarine but now Jez Webb is the club’s new Chairman. The 44-year-old was named as interim chairman Keith Yeomans’ replacement at Marine’s Annual Meeting last night following a vote and has set out his vision for the future of the Division One South & West outfit. Webb first became involved at Supermarine back in 2010 when Marcus Cook, a member of the committee that runs the club and a regular customer of Webb’s company, HJ Webb & Son, asked him if he would provide sponsorship. A resident of Great Coxwell near Faringdon, Webb elected to sponsor the stadium in exchange for naming rights and has remained involved ever since.
The new chairman said “I hadn’t heard about Supermarine before Marcus mentioned it but two years on I was honoured to be asked to be chairman. The one thing that got me from the off was everyone was warm, friendly and welcoming, right through from the committee to the players and supporters. One of my main goals is to make people in and around Swindon aware of the club. I want them to know what quality football is played - just because it’s Non-League doesn’t mean it’s non-standard. What I’d love to achieve at the club is more of a family atmosphere, I’d like to make it a three or four-hour experience on match days. I’m going to try and get the attendances up because I don’t think people know what fun can be had up there. I’m absolutely convinced that there are supporters out there that would love to come along and support us, especially if Swindon Town aren’t playing or have a long away trip atlhough we’re not competing against them. It’s going to be difficult and won’t be a one-season thing, it’s going to take time. I just feel I’ve got something to offer the club and drive it forward, it’s more a case of wanting to help the club rather than the title of Chairman."
Charter Standard League Award
The Evo-Stik League Southern has become the highest ranked League in the National Leagues System to celebrate being awarded the prestigious Charter Standard League Award. The Award was presented by FA Chairman, David Bernstein, at Wembley prior to the FA Trophy Final to League Chairman Ken Turner and Development Director Brian McCarthy accompanied by Kevin England of the Bedfordshire FA.
Left to right: Ken Turner (League Chairman), David Bernstein (FA Chairman), Brian McCarthy (Development Director), and Kevin England (Bedfordshire FA)
The relatively new concept of Charter Standard Leagues works in exactly the same way as the earlier developed Charter Standard Club Award. The award is a flagship initiative awarded by The FA and assesses the ability of a League to provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable football experience against a standard set of criteria. It also encourages the League to continually develop, giving direction and purpose through a carefully written and robust Development Plan. The development plan allows the League and its officers to work closely in initiatives that will hopefully improve the football experience for all in which the League’s member clubs operate.
League Chairman Ken Turner commented, “I am delighted that the Southern League has achieved The FA Charter Standard League award. This is a great testament to the hard work of those member clubs that have achieved the Charter Standard status and above and more importantly underlines the commitment of clubs to develop all levels of football within their communities. We are indebted to Kevin England who has worked closely with Brian McCarthy over the past eighteen months through the various stages and processes necessary for the League to qualify for the Award. We fully appreciate, however, that this is only the start and the League’s Board is fully committed to continue on the path to maintain the status we have worked so hard to achieve.”
Kevin England added, “As a Step 3 League the 65 Clubs within the League are spread over 3 Divisions and 17 Counties and it has been a mammoth task initially to meet the criteria for the award. Having achieved the status for the League we now aim for one hundred percent of Clubs to hold Charter Standard status and delivery of the League’s Development Plan with support of the FA and Counties across the League.”
20 June 2012
The Southern League Board
Wimborne Town Vice Chairman Paul Miller was elected to the Southern League`s Board of Directors for the next three years at the League's Annual General Meeting at the Palace Hotel in Torquay on Saturday 16 June 2012. Paul, who has been a Director at Wimborne for seven years said: “I’m over the moon to be elected. The club has now established itself at Southern League level and it’s an honour to represent the League, and also, in some respects the more southerly clubs in the Southern League. I would like to publicly thank the two chairmen I have worked under, Ken Stewart and Nick O`Hara, for the grounding and benefit of their experience which I have been able to draw upon over the last seven years. This in turn has given me the experience needed to take on such a role.”
Paul Miller
Retiring Director John Croft, President of Clevedon Town, was re-elected for a further three years but Swindon Supermarine Secretary Judi Moore, who had been on the Board for six years, had decided not to stand again.
The Board 2012/13
Ken Turner (Chairman)
John Eastment (Vice Chairman)
Terry Barratt (Hitchin Town)
Dave Bissex (Paulton Rovers)
Graham Bloxham (Bedworth United)
John Croft (Clevedon Town)
Brian McCarthy (Chesham United)
Paul Miller (Wimborne Town)
Keith Allen (President)
Anthony Hughes (Vice President)
Peter Faulkner (Life Member)
Club News
AFC Hayes - Danny Vincent has resigned as Manager of the Division One Central club due to personal and business commitments. Vincent has been associated with AFC Hayes for several seasons and was Assistant Manager to Joe Mitchell when the club won the Middlesex Senior Cup and finished in 9th position in the Southern League Division One South & West in season 2008/2009. He left the club at the end of the season to join Mitchell at Beaconsfield before re-joining AFC Hayes at the beginning of season 2010/2011 as assistant to Dale Welch. On Welch's resignation at Christmas 2010, Vincent took over as First Team Manager and helped guide the side to safety. In season 2011/12, Vincent, with the help of coach Colin Murphy, set about assembling a side that for much of the season was challenging for a play-off position. A dip in form after Christmas saw the club finally finish in a very creditable 10th place. Vincent believed in playing football on the ground, eschewing the long ball option, and his team certainly played to this philosophy.
Ashford Town (Middx) - Following the unfortunate demise of Bedfont Town, we were approached by the Ladies’ Section of the Club and, following discussions, Ashford are delighted to announce that Bedfont Town Ladies have joined the Club and will be playing in the Greater London Women’s League next season as Ashford Town Ladies. The Ladies’ home matches will be taking place on Sunday afternoons at Short Lane next season, kicking off at 2.00 pm and they will be hoping to replicate the success that they enjoyed in season 2011-2012 when they won their division to earn promotion into Division One South of the League for next season. They also did the double by beating AFC Phoenix in the Final of the Russell Cup, thanks to a solitary goal scored by Lucy Easton.
Ladies’ General Secretary Stewart Cook will continue in the role for the 2012/13 season along with Dani Levy (Fixtures Secretary), Kate Davies (Treasurer), Karrin French-Wollen and Vicky Kobus (Social & Fundraising). Manager Kate Cook has also committed to next season where she is relishing the challenge of the GLWFL Division 1 South. A representative from the team/officers, to be decided shortly, will also join the ATMFC main committee by invitation.
An Ashford spokesman said “We have been after a fully-fledged ladies’ team for years and it would seem that we have now acquired a very successful one, who we hope will become fully fledged members of the club for the forseeable future. It is incredible that, having been without a female team for so long, we will now have two next season, with a junior girls’ team also coming along under the managership of Tyrone Fernando. We welcome them all to the Club”.
Banbury United - One of the Club's officials has received news that he has been selected for the 2012 Olympics. Nigel Porter will not be sprinting against Mr Bolt or even playing tennis against Andrew Murray but will be part of the Events Team staging eight football games at Wembley Stadium. The games will be played from the 29th July through to the Final on the 11th August. Nigel will find out his exact role during the training which begins at Wembley on the 5th February. (Nigel reckons his tea making in the Banbury boardroom is the best in the League).
Bedfont Town - The club has confirmed that it will not be competing in the Southern League next season and is unlikely to run a senior men's section in 2012/13. The Peacock's three year journey at Step 4 came to an end on Tuesday when the club were unable to secure an affordable facility for next season and satisfy the League's requirements. The decision came the day after the Manager left and Acting Chairman Garry Haylock felt he had no other option but to walk away from the project at The Orchard. The club also confirms its resignation from the Capital League for its Reserves. The successful Ladies' Team will decide on their future at an AGM to be scheduled shortly
Daventry Town - Darren Foster has joined Daventry Town from Daventry United. After ten years at United the club decided to shut up shop at the end of last season. Foster joins Mark Kinsella as his Assistant at the Town and brings a wealth of player knowledge from the local area. He was the youngest manager in the United Counties League when at 21 years old he took charge at Daventry and his playing credentials are Coventry Academy, Daventry Town and Ford Sports in the United Counties League. He brings with him his assistant from last season Neil Champelovier, Neil will act as Coach/Scout alongside Andy Reece. Neil lists Northampton Town, Cogenhoe United, Woodford United, Aylesbury United, Oxford City, Banbury United, Brackley Town, and Daventry United as former clubs and his knowledge of players in the Northants area is second to none.
Other news from Communications Park is that extensive pitch work has begun which will give the team an excellent surface for next season.
Shortwood United - The Club has announced the signing of Jody Bevan as Player Coach. Bevan is a highly regarded and experienced striker who has signed for the club from Cirencester Town. He started out as a youth player at Gloucester City, eventually going back to play for their first team in January 2006. His first spell at Cirencester was from the summers of 2003 to 2005 and he was a prolific scorer when they were successfully promoted to the restructured Southern League Premier Division.
Jody Bevan
Bevan had two other spells at Cinderford Town and his other clubs include Weston-super-Mare, where he was a fans' favourite as he helped them secure promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, and Trowbridge Town. He re-signed for a second spell at Cirencester in August 2009 from Cinderford Town.
Shortwood boss John Evans said “Jody's experience will add to the squad. He is looking to take his first steps in management and coaching and I have been looking to add to my staff. His Southern League experience and knowledge will be of great benefit to the club both on and off the field.”
Taunton Town - Former Wellington manager Leigh Robinson is the new boss of Taunton Town. Thirty-one-year-old Robinson, who also had a successful spell as Assistant Manager of Bridgwater Town, takes over from Paul West, who was sacked last month after being in the job for three seasons. The Devon based Robinson was one of five applicants who were interviewed by the Club's Board on Saturday.
Club Chairman and Chief Executive Kevin Sturmey said “Leigh was very impressive and comes to us highly recommended. He is also a qualified coach. All the candidates were impressive but Leigh was outstanding.”
8 June 2012
Club News
AFC Totton - The Club has confirmed former Bashley boss Steve Riley and his assistant Chris Ferrett as their new management team. Netley Common-based Riley, 46, had been in pole position to replace Stuart Ritchie at the Testwood Stadium helm after parting company with Bashley. He has signed a two-year contract with the Stags. Having previously played for Bash, the former Navy PTI returned to the New Forest club as player-coach in August 2005 and took control two months later. He masterminded the club’s surge to the Southern League Division One South & West championship in 2007 and has kept them in the Premier Division ever since, reaching the Play-off semi-finals in 2008. He takes over a talented Totton side who, in their first season as a Southern Premier club, finished runners-up to Oxford City in the Play-off final and reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in club history. Former AFC Bournemouth trainee Ferrett was Riley's player-coach and right-hand man at Bashley, having previously played as a left winger/full-back for the likes of Havant, Basingstoke, Dorchester and Salisbury.
Steve Riley
Aylesbury - Craig Faulconbridge says he is ‘absolutely buzzing’ after being named as the new Manager Aylesbury of this week. The veteran striker was overjoyed at the club’s decision to hand him the job after Steve Smith vacated the role. Faulconbridge said: "I don’t think my feet have touched the ground yet." The appointment comes after Chairman Danny Martone said he wanted a more experienced incumbent for the Manager’s seat but has instead opted to continue with his ‘tradition of giving a young guy a go.’ However, the Chairman insisted his decision was vindicated. An excited Martone said: "The difference between Craig and Steve is that Craig has had experience at a managerial level. He’s also coached at this level, whereas Steve had none of that. This is a new season and a new beginning for us."
Craig Faulconbridge
Faulconbridge, has previously coached Oxford United under-16s to an unbeaten season and had a spell coaching at Didcot Town. After the Moles struggled in an unexpected relegation scrap under rookie boss Smith, the former Coventry City player insisted it would be different story next season, both in terms of their league position and approach. "I want to be in the top five. I don’t like losing. I’m a winner and I always have been. I want to win at all costs. I want to change our mentality. I want to win at all costs. If we are going down 2-0 in the 90th minute, I want to see us still trying. A team is only beaten when the final whistle is blown." As far as tactics are considered, many may accuse Faulconbridge of naivety after he insisted he would love to adopt ‘Barcelona’s approach.’ "I want to hammer home that if we are in a position to attack, we attack as one. If we lose the ball we’re going to have a 10 second rule where we do all we can to win the ball back as hard as we can. It demands a lot of fitness to do it but it’s possible."
Despite his new role, the 34-year-old stated he would not be hanging up his boots just yet. He admits ensuring players no longer thought of him as their ‘matey mate’ would be key. "They have got to show me they want to play and they might need to change their attitude towards me. They have got to earn the shirt and then keep it." Smith’s troubles with some of the club’s fans have not deterred the new man, who says he will not be daunted by their expectations, saying: "I like the fact they want to be involved. But I’m not going to be influenced by what they say." With big friendlies coming up against Oxford City and Maidenhead United in July, the new man is now busy attending trial days to identify players to bring in. "My major area to strengthen is midfield. There was no real cover for us last year and with Sonny French not back till September we will need to get somebody in."
One new man who will be coming through the door will be an Assistant Manager with an announcement expected within the next week. However, there is further mystery after Martone revealed Faulconbridge did have a competitor for the managerial post. "There was one other to seriously rival Craig. Unfortunately, he had other factors which would mean delaying his appointment. It was too much of a risk to take to only have a few weeks left before the start of the season and no manager in place." Despite the complications involved Martone did admit the mystery man could join the club in future in a different capacity. For now though the focus is on what Faulconbridge can deliver and the striker was full of attacking spirit. "It’s going to be quality. We are going to have a really good season."
Bashley - The Club has announced the appointment of Frank Gray as their new Manager. Following an interview session of the short-listed candidates the committee unanimously agreed on Gray and his Assistant Gary Murphy as their new Management Team. Gray had a very distinguished career with Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and also won thirty-two Scottish caps. He boasts an impressive CV having worked under legendary bosses including Don Revie and Brian Clough during a distinguished playing career. An experienced manager on the non-league circuit, the 57-year-old joins Bash following his exit from Basingstoke Town in February.
Frank Gray
Chairman Richard Millbery said: "We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious and successful manager and that we look forward to what he can bring to the club."
Bideford - New Assistant Manager Rob Dray can help Premier Division new boys Bideford look further afield for players. The former Bridgwater Town manager will join Sean Joyce in the dug-out as the Robins step up to the higher division next season.
Rob Dray
Joyce, the long-serving manager, said "He is a good acquisition for us. I have got Devon and Cornwall sorted and he has got good connections in Somerset. I could have brought in one of my really good friends like Ian Down but he's probably not going to know anything I don't already know. It's not jobs for the boys. Rob is very keen, very hungry and he's got desire to manage again. I said come along and see how we do things. Hopefully he learns from that and potentially he can manage again."
Dray, 43, was dismissed by Division One South & West side Bridgwater last season. "He took over at Bridgwater at a difficult time when they were struggling and he kept them up," said Joyce. "Last season they expected to push on a bit further and I think he got dealt a bad deal. Considering what he was working with, I thought he did well again. When he got the sack I kept in touch with him and invited him to watch a couple games."
Hemel Hempstead Town - The club havs announced the appointments of Dean Brennan to the position of First Team Manager and Stuart Maynard who will become Assistant Manager. The club believe that the pair are ready for the challenge to manage at this level and feel that this new engagement will be beneficial to both parties, such is their desire to succeed.
Brennan began his career at Sheffield Wednesday before earning a two-year contract at Luton Town. The midfielder then enjoyed an illustrious career in non-League football with spells at Stevenage, Grays Athletic, Lewes, AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge City, Chesham United, and Hemel Hempstead. At the age of 29, he was appointed interim manager of Hemel Hempstead in March 2010 in a bid to avoid relegation after the sacking of previous incumbent Gary Phillips. Together with Assistant Manager and Watford legend. Luther Blissett, Brennan went on to amass enough points in the remaining nine games that eventually saw Hemel Hempstead earn a reprieve to stay in the Premier Division as well as win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup and St Mary's Cup. He went onto Dunstable Town at the start of the 2011/2012 season as player/coach, scoring against Chesham United as they went through to the FA Cup 3rd round qualifier and finishing second in the Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division with an impressive 99 points.
Born in Aylesbury, Maynard began his career with Watford as an apprentice followed by a brief spell in Holland. He enjoyed a successful non-League career playing for St Albans, Aylesbury United, Enfield, Hitchin Town, Dunstable Town, Chesham United and Barton Rovers. Before joining Hemel Hempstead, both were professional scouts and have secured a number of signings at League and non-League level, including many placements in the Southern League Premier last season.
Leamington - Football fans from all over the Midlands and beyond have been invited to an evening at the races which is being staged at Warwick Racecourse on Monday June 18th from 6pm. The event is the brainchild of The Brakes’ Trust (the Supporters’ Trust for Leamington FC) and Warwick Racecourse. Hosted by the Trust, the aim is to bring football supporters an evening of entertainment during the close season. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to wear their team’s colours to add to what will already be a stunning spectacle. Anyone wearing their club's shirt will gain admission on the night for only £5.
Huw Williams, Managing Director of Warwick Races, is excited at the prospect of the followers of the two popular pastimes coming together at the event, saying “The idea is to promote and engage the followers of both sports to participate in one another’s disciplines.”
Peter Bowen, Vice-Chairman of the Brakes Trust, explained that, following a successful race night last year, it was decided to broaden and extend the event to Trusts and Supporters’ groups within a mile of the racecourse. “We are delighted. The good relationship established with Huw Williams is part of our plans to get closer to the business, sporting and local community. It shows how attitudes have changed over recent years when fans are made welcome to the Sport of Kings and encouraged to socialize amongst themselves and race goers outside the football season.”
Ben Shave, Development Officer at Supporters Direct, the umbrella organisation for Supporters’ Trusts in the UK and Europe, described the event as “a great example of the positive work that Trusts are doing up and down the country. As Community Benefit Societies, the Brakes’ Trust and their colleagues are committed to improving the communities they serve and developing relationships with other local businesses. It promises to be a great night!” It is hoped that if successful the event will become an annual one. For more information, please visit www.warwickracecourse.co.uk or www.brakestrust.com
North Greenford United - The Club claim to have struck management gold with the appointment of Jon-Barrie Bates as First Team Manager. Bates joins North Greenford United from the now defunct Bedfont Town where he spent a successful time as a player, even taking up the reins as caretaker manager. Bates will be joined by Garry Hedges as first team assistant manager and Daniel Butler as first team coach. Also joining his backroom staff are Colin Baptiste and Gemini Henry who will take up the reserve team reins, bringing with them a wealth of coaching experience. Bates will be hoping to add to his backroom staff prior to the beginning of pre-season.
Jon-Barrie Bates
Bates said: “This is an exciting time for North Greenford and I have a great management and coaching team joining me. The club is ambitious and we have a great chance to push for something this season, I am really looking forward to the challenge."
Redditch United - Manager Simon Redhead has wasted little time in continuing his plans for the new Premier Division season by appointing Kim Casey as the club's coach. Casey, who has left his role as coach at Midland Alliance neighbours Alvechurch to take up the same position at the Reds, completes the new managerial trio at the Valley Stadium, which also includes Player/Assistant Manager Asa Charlton. However, Casey's departure from Lye Meadow comes as a blow to Alvechurch, especially as it has happened in the same week in which joint manager Graham Scott has left and dropped down two levels to join Midland Combination Division One side Bromsgrove Sporting.
Kim Casey
Speaking about Casey's arrival, United chairman Chris Swan said: "This is another great appointment for the club. Not only is Kim an experienced player and UEFA B qualified coach with some ten years of experience at Conference North level, he has also coached at a very successful time for the club where the club won back-to-back promotions. This combination will provide us with the winning formula as we enter the exciting pre-friendly matches before the start of the season."
Casey, who scored a club record 73 goals in 68 games in his first season for Kidderminster Harriers and also played for Cheltenham Town and Wycombe Wanderers, added: "The team has shown some real talent and ability over the last season, especially in the last few games. We will be building on consistency and encouraging our young players to develop their obvious talent. It is great to be back working at Redditch."
Stourbridge - The Club has announced that Andy Pountney has become the new Chairman. In a reversal of roles, Ian Pilkington will remain on the club's Board of Directors as Vice Chairman.
Pilkington explained "It's a natural progression really and the timing feels right. Andy has been involved for two years now and has gained a full understanding of how a semi-professional football club like ours operates and all the work that goes on behind the scenes. He has a good range of contacts and will bring a fresh energy to the role as we look to continue to push forward."
Pountney commented "I feel honoured to be asked to take over at the helm of the Glassboys. In his three years as Chairman Ian has presided over a particularly successful time in the club's history and we will continue to work together along with the other members of the Board to develop the club further both on and off the pitch. This is a very exciting time to be involved with Stourbridge Football Club and I am already looking forward to the start of the 2012/13 season."
Swindon Supermarine - Dave Webb has revealed it was an ‘absolute honour’ to be appointed manager of Evo-Stik League Southern club Swindon Supermarine and says the opportunity was too good to turn down. Webb left the hot seat at Hellenic Premier outfit Highworth in order to take the equivalent role at the South Marston club, having won two trophies in four seasons at The Elms. Webb will continue to operate with Lee Spalding as his assistant while it is hoped that Marine’s 2011/12 joint player-boss Gary Horgan, who days ago turned down the chance to become the club’s sole manager, will fulfil the role of first team coach alongside Spalding.
Lee (Spud) Spalding (left) with Dave Webb
Having met with club officials on Monday night, a deal was quickly done to bring Webb to Marine and now he cannot wait to get started. “Plans are in place for the club moving forward and I’m really excited about what we could potentially do,” he said. It’s an absolute honour. I’m going to get the opportunity to manage the best non-league team in the town and what more can you ask for? I had 12 great seasons at Highworth as a player and a manager but this opportunity might not come along again and I just felt the timing was right. It’s just a fantastic opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Webb expanded on his plans to make Horgan a part of the coaching team, believing a player-coach role would suit the former joint boss ideally. “Gary wants to continue to play and I think that’s extremely difficult to do when you’re trying to manage as well.” added Webb. He’s still got something to offer as a player and I’m hoping to convince him that he can do that alongside a coaching role. I see him and Spud (Spalding) working together, they are both experienced and both have played a good level of football.”
Supermarine issued a statement to the press yesterday, in which the club thanked Horgan and fellow joint boss Matt Robinson for their efforts. The statement said:
‘The chairman (Keith Yeomans) and committee of Swindon Supermarine FC announce a new management team to take the football club into the 2012/13 season. They are pleased to welcome new manager Dave Webb and his assistant Lee Spalding to the Webb’s Wood Stadium. The former Highworth Town duo will take over the managerial position from joint managers Gary Horgan and Matt Robinson with immediate effect. The committee is hopeful that both Gary and Matt will still be involved as players and also Dave is speaking to Gary with a view of him assisting with the coaching of the players. The chairman and committee would like to publicly thank both Gary and Matt for their commitment and dedication over the last 15 months as joint managers in what were difficult times.’
Thatcham Town - Neville Roach, the new manager of the club has announced his mangement team ahead of the new season. Scott Tarr joins as assistant Manager from Hartley Wintney. He played alongside Roach whilst they were both at Basingstoke Town. Martin Williams also joins from Hartley Wintney as Player-coach. Williams will be well known to many at Thatcham after a period playing for Reading between 1995-2000 where he made 127 appearances and scored twenty-six goals and he also enjoyed a League career playing for, amongst others, Luton Town, Reading, Colchester United and Swindon Town.
Scott Tarr
31 May 2012
Club News
Arlesey Town - At a committee meeting on 8 May Arlesey Town confirmed the return of Manny Cohen as Club Chairman. Mr Cohen left the position earlier in the season for personal and health reasons. Although the Club had been trying to fill the vacant position and find right person to lead them they were unsuccessful but with Mr Cohen's health now restored he realised how much he missed being with Arlesey Town and reapplied for his ‘old position’ back. Mr Cohen said “I did not realise how much I would miss football and Arlesey in particular. The club finished their first season at their highest level in their history and successfully stayed in the Southern League Premier Division. With the new season comes new challenges and I look forward to working with the committee, staff, and players to help steer the club to even greater success.”
Bedford Town - Due to a promotion at work, Ady Hall has retired as manager of Bedford Town. He had discussed the work promotion with Chairman David Howell last November and it was his wish to see the current season out before making an official announcement to retire. The promotion involves much more of Hall's time and, as a consequence, any commitment to football management would be too great to take on. He has stated that he has really enjoyed the last 11 years, as reserve manager, then first team assistant manager, and finally first team manager and is pleased that the team has improved and finished in its highest league position for some time.
Discussions regarding Hall's successor have been taking place over the last few months and the club has announced that former manager Nick Platnauer will be taking over with immediate effect, assisted by former Northampton Town player and Long Buckby Manager Adam Sandy. Steve Jackman will carry on as first team coach.
Bridgwater Town - Kevin Milsom, who has been caretaker-manager since the sacking of Rob Dray at the end of March following a string of poor results, is the new boss of Bridgwater Town Milsom, who is 51, played for Cirencester Town, Clevedon Town, Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater before turning to management. He has steered Bridgwater to four victories since taking charge and was the favourite to get the job. The club ended the season with a 3-2 home win over Didcot Town and finished fifteenth in the table. Milsom said: "I have really enjoyed my time in charge so far and I could not have asked any more from the players. They have expressed themselves and played with no fear.They showed plenty of character in fighting back to beat Didcot after falling a goal behind."
Chippenham Town - The Club has unveiled ambitious new plans for next season. The Bluebirds intend to host a second team at Hardenhuish Park, working alongside FC Chippenham. The intention is to provide a pathway of football for local players from Chippenham's under-18 team through to the second team and ultimately the first team. The new team will play in the Wiltshire County League or possibly higher. To these ends the Club is pleased to announce that present manager Adie Mings will become Director of Football in order to co-ordinate the three sides and present first team defender Nathan Rudge has been appointed Player Manager for season 2012-2013.
Hemel Hempstead Town - The Club has announced that Manager Mark Eaton and his Assistant Alan Biley have left the club with immediate effect. Eaton and Biley only joined the Tudors towards the end of the 2011/12 campaign following the departure of Tommy Widdrington to Eastbourne Borough.
In a statement, the club said: “Both the club, Mark and Alan agreed that it was in the best interests of both parties that we part company. We as a club would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark and Alan for all of their efforts in what has been a difficult season for all involved at the club. We wish them well for the future.”
Hitchin Town - Hitchin Town Football Club wishes to respond to the recent press announcement made by the Trustees of the Hitchin Cow Commoners Trust and New Road (Clifton) Limited. A meeting took place on Thursday May 10 between the Cow Commoners and representatives of the football club. At this meeting, the proposed development of new sports facilities – including a stadium for the club – was outlined. Hitchin Town has not been party to the planning of this development and has not agreed to relocate to this site. While the club welcomes dialogue about a future development in order to allow Hitchin Town to continue playing football at senior level, the club does have misgivings about the proposal and considers there are a number of serious issues that need to be resolved before such a proposal can be pursued. These include the difficulties of gaining planning permission on a green belt site. With these things in mind, the club requires far more granularity to be provided before it can determine the suitability of the proposal, particularly as it will bring to an end over 80 years of football at Top Field. Furthermore, the club intends to enter into dialogue with all stakeholders before making any far-reaching decisions about the future site of Hitchin Town FC. The club looks forward to further discussions with the Cow Commoners on the subject and is committed to keeping its supporters and the Hitchin public informed of its decisions on the matter.
Leamington - The Club has announced that former Brakes’ player Darren Bradley will take over as the Manager of the new Midland Floodlit Youth League Under 18 team next season. Bradley has managed the current Under 16 team for a number of years with many of those players hoping to take the step up to the youth team level. The coaching set up will include the existing backroom staff of Henry Jordan, Dan Ward and Leigh Phillips with Bradley hopeful that he will be able to announce additional experienced support to his management team in the coming weeks.
The main sponsors for the Youth Team are Quantum Manufacturing Ltd, based on Heathcote Industrial Estate in Warwick. They are a Press Toolmaking Company of 20 years experience. Managing Director Carl Corton said “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to support the Youth Team of Leamington Football Club. I am a local businessman who wants to put something back into the community and it's great to be in at the start of what is hopefully a long and exciting journey”. Also sponsoring the team is Club Director Graham Moody who is Managing Director of Coventry based Minuteman Press. Their name will be on the club tracksuits and management kit.
Left to Right: Darren Bradley (Manager), Leigh Phillps (Coach), Mark Davidson (Chairman Development Squads), Carl Corton (Sponsor - Quantum Manufacturing Ltd), Jim Scott (Chairman Leamington FC), Dan Ward (Coach), Graham Moody (Sponsor Minuteman Press), Henry Jordan (Coach), Monica Moody (Minuteman Press).
Alongside the Midland Floodlit Youth Team, Brakes will also register an additional team to play in the Midland Junior Premier Under 18 League on Saturday mornings, which will act as a feeder team to the full youth team. The Leamington FC Development Squad section are also seeking to establish new teams at Under 12, Under 13 and Under 15 age groups giving them a full range of teams from Under 12 to Under 18 level. Development Squad Chairman Mark Davidson is keen to hear from potential coaches and sponsors for these additional new teams.
Club Chairman Jim Scott said “We are delighted to announce Darren as the Youth team Manager. As you would expect, we had a lot of interest in the position but in the end it was a unanimous decision that continuity would be the best way forward as Darren and his team have worked with most of these players since they were 11 years old. We are taking ambitious steps by seeking to set up four additional teams at new age groups for the Development Squad section. This would give us an elite player pathway right through junior football, and our long term aim is these local young players feeding into the first team. In two years we will look at the feasibility of an Under 21 team to bridge the gap between the youth and first teams but at the moment there are no plans for a reserve team so we need to ensure we have the right structures and people in place to get the youth section right.”
Trials for all age groups of the Leamington FC DS section will take place on Saturday 26th May and Saturday 9th June at Stockton Sports and Social Club, Napton Road. Stockton. The Youth Team and Under 18 Saturday team trials will be incorporated together and will take place between 11.00am - 1.00pm on both days. To register for trials, contact manager Darren Bradley on 07717 620789.
The Under 16 trials will be held between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on both dates. To register for trials, contact manager Richard Holt on 07824 565422.
The Under 14 trials are from 12.00pm until 2.00pm, again on both dates, and to register for trials contact manager Andy Jeffries on 07827 320310.
Coaches and sponsors interested in being involved with the new teams should contact Mark Davidsion on 07990 934587.
Paulton Rovers - The club have announced that first team manager Mark Harrington has decided to stand down from the role. 'Harry' has served the club with great distinction as a player, captain, and manager and the club management are extremely grateful for all the hard work he has put in on their behalf over many years and are hoping that he will continue to be involved with Paulton Rovers in some capacity in the very near future.
The club has announced that his former assistant, Nick Bunyard, has agreed to become manager for the 2012/2013 season. Bunyard had two spells at Winterfield Road as a player, having been originally signed by Darren Perrin from Frome Town and then followed his manager to Chippenham Town, before re-signing for Rovers. He also played for Forest Green Rovers, Weston-super-Mare, Bath City and Mangotsfield United. He was appointed assistant manager by Mark Harrington in January 2012.
Bunyard will be assisted by another former Rovers’ player, Paul Thorpe, who, in addition to playing over 500 first team games for Yeovil Town, brings a wealth of experience having previously managed at Frome Town.
"Everyone at the club wishes Nick and Paul every success for the forthcoming season and negotiations are already under way regarding players and pre-season friendlies" read a club statement.
Redditch United - Redditch United have today appointed a management team in a bid to build for the future. Simon Redhead and former Reds' favourite Asa Charlton will head up the trio with a soon to be announced coach completing the set-up ahead of pre-season.
"Too often in the past, clubs have relied too much on one person." Chairman Chris Swan explained. 'What we are introducing is a three-tier approach - an exciting three-pronged attack on the Southern League. In Simon Redhead we have a manager who can seek out and nurture the best local talent, we will have a coach who will develop that talent and, in Asa Charlton, we have a player and assistant manager who can inspire them out on the pitch."
After interviewing a number of candidates, the Reds' Chairman said it was the pair’s passion for the Club that convinced him to give them the chance to build a successful side - both on and off the pitch. "I sat down with a number of very good candidates and I am sure all of them could have done a good job at Redditch United," Swan explained, "But in Simon and Asa we have two people passionate about the Club and desperate for the Reds to do well. It was their pride and passion that shone through and those are traits needed to manage and be successful at this Club. Redditch United means an awful lot to many people and players and managers who have been involved over the years rarely stray too far!"
Redhead, a no-nonsense defender with Alvechurch and Studley, managed the Club before when they were in the Conference North twelve months ago. Since then he has been scouting for a number of clubs. "When the Chairman offered me the opportunity to return to the Club there was no hesitation" Redhead said. "The past year has seen me working with a number of clubs, scouting for new talent and developing some excellent non-league contacts. I am excited about working with the players who finished the season at the club and enhancing the squad. I am also looking forward to working with Asa to bring a top coach to The Valley."
Asa Charlton has had two spells with The Reds including the club's first year in the Conference North. He left the Club to join League Two outfit Mansfield Town and his other clubs include Corby Town, Leamington and Worcester City. "Redditch United’s results are pretty much the first I look for on a Saturday" Charlton admitted. "I have made a lot of good friends in football but most of them have been during my time at Redditch - it is a club that is dear to me. There's just something special about driving down that hill to the ground."
The Reds' Chairman added "Simon has always been an excellent man-manager and he has now added to his contacts over the last year. Asa is Redditch through and through and someone who is keen to learn the management side of things alongside his playing duties." The arrival of Redhead and Charlton means there will be no role for Mark O’Callaghan who had been Graham Hyde's number two. "I would like to put on record how impressed I have been with Curly during his time with Redditch United" Swan added. "I wish him all the best for the future and I am confident he will soon be back in management."
Stourbridge - The Directors of Stourbridge Football Club are absolutely delighted to confirm that Bhandal Dental Practices have agreed to sponsor all the Stourbridge Football Club sportswear for the 2012-13 campaign. Mr Baljit Bhandal from Bhandals has confirmed that they are delighted to continue to support the football club by agreeing to invest several thousand pounds to sponsor all the teams' sportswear next season. He feels that it is very important for the company to continue sponsoring Stourbridge Football Club and in doing so, show that their company are willing to invest into the local community.
Mr Hugh Clark President presenting FA Cup signed shirt to Baljit Bhandal
(Photo taken by Andrew Roper)
Next season Bhandal Dental Practices will be sponsoring every team operating under the Stourbridge Football Club banner which will consist of the first team who compete in Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division, the Youth team in the Midland Floodlight Youth League, six junior teams who will be competing in the Midland Junior Premier Leagues on a Saturday morning, six further junior teams competing on a Sunday in the Stourbridge and District League and two girls' teams in the Central Warwickshire Football League. There will be a total of 16 teams ranging from under-12 up to adult level wearing the Bhandal's logo on their shirts next season.
Andy Pountney, the Vice-Chairman, commented that the Club were delighted to be continuing their long standing relationship with Bhandal Dental Practices. He remarked "It is very important when building the infrastructure of a football club that you try and get as much backing in as you can. With the support of the Bhandal's deal it does take some of the pressure off but also allows us to have a strong foundation to build the club on. It also confirms that we will not be resting on our laurels. After the season we have just experienced and the support and profile we have generated from the FA Cup run and our strong showing in the League we will aim to build on that next season. I would also like to add a big thank-you from everyone at Stourbridge Football Club to all the supporters, sponsors and everybody who has been connected with the club over the last season. It has been a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you all in the new season."
17 May 2012
Club News
AFC Totton - Hampshire FA has announced that Hawk-Eye, one of the two IFAB (International FA Board) approved companies along with GoalRef, will commence testing at the Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final sponsored by BSA Regal Group between Eastleigh FC and AFC Totton on 16 May 2012 at Southampton FC which will be the first ever ‘live’ match with these conditions. EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Science) will be testing both systems between 10 May 2012 and the beginning of June. It is important to stipulate that only the EMPA observer in the stadium at the Final will have access to the goal line technology system readings and will not be utilised by the match officials.
Hampshire FA Chief Executive Neil Cassar commented “We are delighted to be working with IFAB and FIFA on the testing of goal line technology and fully support the initiative. Whilst the system will not be utilised by the match officials, it is particularly pleasing that the Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final has been selected as the live match for testing which will be the first of its kind”
Leamington - The Club has announced that the much speculated transfer of Brakes striker Jacob Blyth to npower Championship side Leicester City has been completed for a nominal fee. Blyth will join City’s development squad for the 2012/13 season under the guidance of development coach Steve Beaglehole. The Foxes are giving him an opportunity in the professional ranks following his seventeen goals for the Brakes last season.
Leamington Chairman Jim Scott said “We are delighted for young Jacob. He has been given a wonderful opportunity but this is merely him placing his foot on the first rung of the ladder. He will need to put in a lot of hard work over the next season. It also reflects well upon our club. We want young talented players to come and challenge for a place in our first team. Manager Paul Holleran took a chance on Jacob fifteen months ago and he grabbed that opportunity and has developed further under the guidance of Paul and his coaches. He was never in the professional ranks as a youngster and it is to his credit that he has come through as a late developer.”
Holleran said “I am delighted that a club of Leicester's size has come in and taken a punt on Jacob. They were one of a number of clubs who have been down to the New Windmill this year looking at us and he's attracted a lot of attention. I think at times it has affected him as there have been a lot of agents about but he took the right advice while this was going on which was just to concentrate on Leamington, work hard and see what happened at the end of the season. It is the first-team management that are behind the signing - it's Steve Walsh, Craig Shakespeare and Nigel Pearson who have watched him and signed him. He'll be working straight away at Leicester because he's got to get into the kind of condition that is required in pre-season but it just gives him a great opportunity. He'll have full-time training working at one of the best training grounds in the country. It's great for Jacob and it's great for Leamington that we can get a player from Step 3 of non-League to one of the biggest clubs in the country. It's a fantastic opportunity for him and I'm sure like me that the Brakes’ supporters will take great interest in watching how he gets on at Leicester. He'll be hard to replace but we're obviously delighted that he's got such a big move and if he has a good pre-season who knows where it will take him? Leicester have dealt with the whole situation very professionally and they've been very fair with Jacob and with Leamington Football Club.”
Stourport Swifts - The Club has staged its Annual Golf Day at Kidderminster Golf Club in aid of funds for the football club. The Golf Day, sponsored once again by OGL Computer, took place on Thursday 10 May and was fully subscribed with 20 teams. The event was played as a Stableford competition and teams were made up of four members with players coming from local businesses including OGL Computer, Big Print Shop, Dolland & Aitchison, The Community Housing Group as well as being led by individuals such as Patrick Smith, Kidderminster Golf Club's Professional player and sponsor of Stourport Swifts, ex-Swifts' and Kidderminster Harriers' Manager Phil Mullen along with a host of others. There were 80 players taking part in total and over £1500 was raised for the Walshes Meadow side.
The prize ceremony took place after a lunch and prizes were received by those teams finishing from first to fifth-place. Sponsor OGL's own team, captained by Group Managing Director Paul Byrne, won the event with a score of 85 points. In second place were the 'Roy Matthews' team with 80 Points. Third was a team led by Stourport Swifts' Manager, Rod Brown, with 79 Points. Fourth place was taken by Kidderminster Golf Club's Professional player, Patrick Smith's Team with 78 points. While the final team in the prizes were the 'Tacal Developments' side which finished fifth with 77 points.
Swifts' committee member and organiser of the event, Lionel Newton, commented "Events such as these are the lifeblood of clubs like Stourport Swifts. They generate hugely vital funds and to once again be supported by OGL Computer is truly appreciated by everyone involved with the football club.
"OGL Computer has been a supporter of Stourport Swifts for a number of years now amongst our support of other initiatives within the Wyre Forest area and beyond. We are very happy to once again be involved with the Golf Day at Kidderminster Golf Club and to be main sponsors of the event." OGL's Operations Director, Neil Morris said.
8 May 2012
Bank Holiday Monday - The Finale
Premier Division Play-off Final - Oxford City, a goal ahead six minutes before the break, conceded an equaliser five minutes into the second half but went on to complete a 4-2 home win over AFC Totton to earn their place in Conference South next season.
Division One Central Play-off Final - Bedworth United, ahead after nineteen minutes but all square at half time, scored twice after the break to secure a place in the Premier Division with a 3-1 home victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB.
Division One South & West Play-off Final - Goaport Borough, trailing at the break, levelled in time added before scoring two more in the first eight minutes of extra time to complete a 3-1 win at Poole Town and book a place in next season's Premier Division.
Division One Central - Runners-up Slough Town scored twice in the first eight minutes of the second half to set up a 2-1 win at Woodford United.
Saturday Match
Division One Central - Barton Rovers at last completed their final game of the season but a penalty scored eight minutes into the second half condemned them to a 1-0 home defeat by Chertsey Town.
Club News
Bishops Cleeve - Manager Alex Sykes is the special guest on Stroud FM’s local football radio show ‘The Locker Room’ with Richard Joyce on Thursday evening at 7pm. Sykes will be on the show to discuss his first season in management, exactly a year on from when he stepped up from his assistant managerial role at the club, as well as his exciting playing career which saw him feature for the likes of Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gloucester City, Bath City and many others.
The Cleeve boss is a figure who knows the Southern League very well having competed in the League across three decades, winning back to back promotions with Forest Green in the nineties as well as promotion with Gloucester City, finishing as the Tigers’ top goal scorer in the year they beat Farnborough to go up. Under Sykes’s management this season the Villagers have recorded their highest ever league finish and reached the Gloucestershire Senior Cup final where they lost to Bristol City at Ashton Gate. On the way to the final, Cleeve had knocked Syke’s former club Forest Green out of the competition as well as Football League outfits Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers.
To listen in on Thursday evening to the program visit the Stroud FM website at www.stroudfm.co.uk and choose to ‘listen live’. If you are unable to listen to the live show you can listen again to the podcast, again on the Stroud FM website, in the listen again section and this will be available shortly after the live show has finished.
3 May 2012
Midweek Matches
Premier Division - AFC Totton took the lead mid-way through the second half and added a second in time added on to win 2-0 at home against Bedford Town and move into third place to set up a home Play-off semi-final against Chesham United.
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals - Runners-up Oxford City scored eighteen minutes from time to go through to Monday's Final with a 1-0 home win over Cambridge City. Their opponents will be AFC Totton who, two ahead at half time, conceded twice in four minutes soon after the break but scored themselves on the hour to win 3-2 at home against Chesham United.
Division One Central - North Greenford United, ahead after just two minutes but pulled back a minute later, scored five minutes from time to record a 3-2 home win over Aylesbury but Slough Town's match at Woodford United was again hit by the weather.
Division One Central Play-off Semi-Finals - Bedworth United, trailing to a thirteenth minute penalty, scored twice in the closing fifteen minutes to win 2-1 at home against Uxbridge and book a place in the Final on Monday. After both sides failied to score in normal time Slough Town took the lead in the first half of extra time but Beaconsfield SYCOB equalised from a penalty after the break before hitting another with six minutes remaining to go through with a 2-1 'away' victory.
Division One South & West Play-off Semi-Finals - On Monday evening a goal seventeen minutes into the second half gave Gosport Borough a 1-0 home victory over Sholing to book their place in Bank Holiday Monday's Final. On Tuesday Poole Town, ahead just after the mid-way point of the first half and two up at half time after adding a second from the spot, conceded a goal two minutes after the break but held off a spirited Hungerford Town to record a 2-1 home win and set up a home semi-final tie against Gosport.
