Buckingham Athletic knocked out the holders of the Buckingham Senior Charity Cup, Daventry Town, to set up a local derby tie with Winslow United in the last four.
Jack Menday
Sam Olawale (13 & 54) grabbed a double while Jack Menday was also on target as the Athletic defeated 9-man Daventry, who received red cards on 64 and 71 minutes.
Thanks to Colin Howkins for the updates.
Penn & Tylers Green Ladies – 0
Buckingham Athletic Ladies – 5
18.11.2018
Buckingham Athletic eased through this Berks & Bucks County Cup fixture at Penn & Tylers Green on a bright but cold Sunday afternoon, four different goal scorers saw the visitors through to the next round in a game that in effect was done & dusted by half time as they lead by three goals, any early second half hopes of a comeback were soon dashed by two goals in a minute to kill off the hopes of their hosts. A nasty leg injury that caused a ten minute delay saw the second half stretch out over an hour, some alert goalkeeping by Penn keeper Jessica Smith as well as the goal frame kept the score line down as the Athletic squad warmed up nicely ahead of their trip to league leaders Caversham next weekend.
It took the away side a while to get going and their first few attempts to feed the front line saw Smith able to warm her hands on a regular basis, one such attack saw Kerry Stapleton feed Gemma Ball in midfield who in turn fed a pass through the eye of a needle for Evie Hawkins to chase after but the home keeper raced twenty yards out from her goal to get there first and bravely slide in to clear. A delivery from Ball then saw Hawkins try and strike first time as she ran diagonally against its flight but she could only watch as it rolled harmlessly for a goal kick, a corner from Alex Miller saw Stapleton steel in on the edge of the six yard box to get her head to the cross but the ball bounced off the outside of the post and out to safety.
Jade Copas tried her luck from eighteen yards forcing Smith away to her left to save with a defender on hand to clear, a poor goal kick moments later saw Dani Roberts intercept and feed Hawkins where her attempt saw the keeper having to sink to her knees to save with both hands. Athletic eventually took the lead on eighteen minutes, Stapleton collecting the ball some twenty-five yards out before looking up and delivering the perfect dipping drive that eluded Smith at full stretch and nestled in the top corner. Roberts then tried getting in on the act when she powered her way forward with a twenty yard run into the box, her shot saved by the feet of Smith in what was a prelude of things to come later in the game.
Evie Hawkins bags her second of the game
Buckingham doubled their lead on twenty-seven minutes when Hawkins was again fed in on goal and this time beat Smith to it tucking past the shot stopper to effectively seal the game. Athletic continued to press and hurry the home defence every time they had possession, Ball chased down a loose pass to set Hawkins away again but off balance she fired wide, ahead of a long clearance saw the blue defence struggle as the slippery pitch allowed a rare chance for Penn with Rebecca Meller firing wide of Ellen Fenables right hand post.
A free kick to the visitors then saw Ball go for goal from twenty-five yards, the shot sailed inches over the outstretched hand of Smith and the top of the crossbar, but with five minutes of the half remaining Hawkins bagged her second latching onto a pass from her captain to fire home first time from just inside the eighteen yard line. H/T: 0-3
Athletic persevered with their predation after the halftime break, Hawkins screwed a shot wide from the right of goal, whilst Stapleton robbed a defender out in the corner of the pitch, turning in on goal and ghosting past her she released a dipping drive that shadowed the woodwork as it landed over the netting. An injury to a Penn player then saw a ten minute delay in proceedings, and from there the game was very stop start with various substitutions, offsides and waits for retrieval of balls. After the game finally restarted an away throw into Roberts just inside the opponents’ box saw her turn and spiral a shot beyond the far post, again another warmer for what was to come later!
Nicole Britten gets on scoresheet
A cross from Stapleton was fired wide by Ball, a through ball for Hawkins to chase after was signalled as offside just as she was about to pull the trigger and another attempt from Roberts saw Smith having to parry with both hands and collect after the bounce. A ball played from the left wing saw four blue shirts in the middle queueing to shoot, it fell to Copas who lifted high over the top, but on seventy minutes the fourth goal arrived when Hawkins turned provider robbing a defender on the wing, going past her she then delivered into the six yard box where Nicole Britten simply could not miss, firing high up into the net.
Within a minute Roberts got the goal she had worked tirelessly for, bursting through the Penn defence from outside the area she smashed goal wards where Smith couldn’t hold on despite getting to it, the whole team celebrating her overdue reward. Hawkins was millimetres away from her hattrick when Alex Miller sent her on her way to face Smith one on one, rounding the keeper she fired towards the empty net from the right of the box only to watch the ball come off the inside of the post and back along the goal line to the opposite upright where a defender almost made a hash of the clearance but somehow Smith recovered to jump on the ball.
Miller got down the wing and delivered the best cross of the afternoon inch perfect onto the head of Ball who six yards out headed over, Stapleton was unlucky not to add to her tally when a run through the Green’s defence saw her skip a number of tackles and as she rounded the keeper a last ditch block came in to divert for a corner, the last chance fell to Hawkins who was again thwarted by the knees of Smith as she fired from the right of the area. F/T: 0-5
Please Note: If you use any of our material or images, please ensure you credit sportsshots.org.uk
THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF
‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’
BY KAREN BROWNE
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek
And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt
With hundreds of turkeys in the USA looking to book their holidays this week, the crisp Autumnal weather turns it thoughts to that dreaded word of snow life continues in the land of Spartan South Midlands League football.
WEEKEND’S HEADLINES
Clean Slate finally break their duck egg points tally after having their initial win wiped out following the resignation of Tring Corinthians AFC. Bovingdon booked a Divisional Cup semi-final place in their debut SSML season and an up and coming young SSML referee made his debut on the line at Edgware Town having a good game by all accounts. The 31 games seeing 129 goals (an average of 4.16 per game). Kieran Doughty (Pitstone & Ivinghoe) and Luke Lindsay (Stotfold U25) weighed in with hat-tricks.
17 November Stats: 31 games played of which 16 were home wins, 12 were away wins and 3 were draws.
(Most League Wins – all Divisions): 13 Biggleswade FC, Tring Athletic, 12 Hadley, Hillingdon Borough, 11 Arlesey Town, Harefield United, Broadfields United.
(Most League Draws – all Divisions): 7 Leighton Town, Edgware Town, 4 Colney Heath, Wembley, Oxhey Jets, Cockfosters, Crawley Green, Stotfold.
(Most League Defeats – all Divisions): 13 Hatfield Town, 12 Stotfold, 10 Harpenden Town, Wembley, Risborough Rangers, Brimsdown, Codicote.
Average Saturday Goals: 4.10 (2072 goals from 505 games).
Unbeaten:
(Division One League): Harefield United.
(U25 Development Division League): Berkhamsted Development.
Without a Win:
(Premier Division League): Stotfold.
Most Goals Scored:
(Premier Division League): 48 Biggleswade FC.
(Division One League): 56 Enfield Borough.
(Division Two League): 31 Bovingdon.
(U25 Development Division League): 26 Berkhamsted Development.
Most Goals Conceded:
(Premier Division League): 45 Stotfold.
(Division One League): 60 Hatfield Town.
(Division Two League): 43 Clean Slate.
(U25 Development Division League): 27 Harpenden Town Development.
Fewest Goals Conceded:
(Premier Division League): 12 Tring Athletic.
(Division One League): 10 Harefield United.
(Division Two League): 5 Old Bradwell United.
(U25 Development Division League): 4 Holmer Green Development U25.
Fewest Goals Scored:
(Premier Division League): 14 Stotfold.
(Division One League): 15 Hatfield Town.
(Division Two League): 9 Clean Slate.
(U25 Development Division League): 3 Holmer Green Development U25.
Saturday’s Highest Attendances: 139 Arlesey Town v Cockfosters, 108 Biggleswade United v Leighton Town and 89 Colney Heath v Potton United.
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 211 Baldock Town v Arlesey Town, 203 Biggleswade FC v Biggleswade United and 202 Tring Athletic v Berkhamsted (FA Cup).
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 351 Winslow United v Easington Sports (FA Cup), 257 Harefield United v Winslow United and 177 Buckingham Athletic v Winslow United.
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 101 Aston Clinton v Pitstone & Ivinghoe, 92 Bovingdon v Old Bradwell United and 90 Bovingdon v Sarratt.
Season’s Leading Goalscorers to date (Premier Division Clubs): 16 Jonathan Lacey (Leverstock Green) Alex Marsh (Biggleswade FC) 15 Ashton Campbell (Tring Athletic), Kieran Turner (Tring Athletic), Tom Coles (Biggleswade FC), 14 Lorrell Smith (Arlesey Town).
Season’s Leading Goalscorers to date (Division One Clubs): 18 Tage Kennedy (Enfield Borough) 17 Harry Dalton (Winslow United) 16 Leonard Farhall (Harefield United).
Season’s Leading Goalscorers to date (Division Two Clubs): 20 Nathan Skelton (Mursley United) 14 Joshua Smith (MK Gallacticos) 12 Albie Hall (Pitstone & Ivinghoe).
Saturday 17th November
PREMIER DIVISION
Tring Athletic and Biggleswade FC continue to rule the roost in the Premier Division as both recorded wins on Saturday, leaders Tring Athletic winning 3-0 at London Colney whilst Biggleswade FC secured a 4-1 home success over lowly Harpenden Town. Hadley and Arlesey Town head the chasing pack, Hadley coming from a goal behind at the break to win 2-1 at relegation threatened Wembley while on front of the day’s biggest crowd (139) Arlesey Town also overturned a half time deficit at home to defeat another of the relegation threatened clubs Cockfosters 3-1. Life at the bottom is often cruel as Stotfold found out again when conceding a late winner to lose by the odd goal in five at Edgware Town. A old favourite of the SSML returned on Saturday, this time in the colours of North Greenford United FC, however prolific striker Lewis Putman failed to get on the scoresheet as his new club suffered a 2-3 home defeat against Leverstock Green, the winner coming in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The day’s biggest Premier Division winners were Oxhey Jets, fresh from their week off following their special Remembrance game last week they overcame visiting London Tigers 5-0. Biggleswade United made it six league games without defeat as they continue their climb up the table with a 3-0 home success over Leighton Town, a result that lifted the hosts into sixth place. Elsewhere Potton United won 2-1 at Colney Heath and Crawley Green and Baldock Town battled out a 1-1 draw. Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below.
3-1 Arlesey Town v Cockfosters (Opposition Own Goal, O’Brien, Lamond) / (Beattie) Attendance: 139
4-1 Biggleswade FC v Harpenden Town (A Marsh [pen], Richardson, Cookman, R Inskip) / (Stewart) Attendance: 86
3-0 Biggleswade United v Leighton Town (Andrews, Parkinson, Williams) Attendance: 108
1-2 Colney Heath v Potton United (Shaw) / (Danobrega, Ansell-Carter) Attendance: 89
1-1 Crawley Green v Baldock Town (Lobjoit) / (Robertson) Attendance: 54
3-2 Edgware Town v Stotfold (Hunte [2], Doyle) / (Barker, Da Silva) Attendance: 66
0-3 London Colney v Tring Athletic (Campbell [2], Riddick) Attendance: 61
2-3 North Greenford United FC v Leverstock Green (McLeish [2]) / (Flanagan, Smith, Witham) Attendance: 58
5-0 Oxhey Jets v London Tigers (Brennan, Kerley, Giordmaina, Payne, Lawford) Attendance: 33
1-2 Wembley v Hadley (Unknown) / (Hammond, Wright [pen]) Attendance: 55
DIVISION ONE
It’s a case of deja-vu at the top of Division One, the top three sides all recording victories, leaders Harefield United edging out Wodson Park by the odd goal in three at Preston Park. Broadfields United grinding out a 1-0 win at Bedford thanks to a first half header from Harry Henley. Hillingdon Borough finding the target five times as they saw off visiting Brimsdown 5-2. At the foot of the table the bottom two met as Amersham Town hosted Hatfield Town, going into the game the hosts had a three point advantage and this was to double as they ran out 6-1 winners. Codicote slipped back into the bottom two as their trip to Enfield Borough saw the hosts rediscover their shooting boots to come out on top by winning 6-3. Risborough Rangers picked up three much needed points with an odd goal in five win at Buckingham Athletic. Two first half Rob Hastings goals brought about a 2-0 win for Rayners Lane at FC Broxbourne Borough while the North Beds ‘derby’ saw Langford edge out Ampthill Town by the odd goal in three. The day’s other action saw a solitary goal success for Buckingham Town over visiting London Lions. Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below.
6-1 Amersham Town v Hatfield Town (Squires-Adams [2], Henry, Mann, Mongston, Unknown) / (Unknown) Attendance: 19
0-1 Bedford v Broadfields United (Henley) Attendance: 20
2-3 Buckingham Athletic v Risborough Rangers (Bines, Stimpson) / (McLachlan, Pykett, Woodfine) Attendance: 75
1-0 Buckingham Town v London Lions (Gardner) Attendance: 40
6-3 Enfield Borough v Codicote (Browne [2], Bangura, Kennedy, Sesay, Opposition Own Goal) / (Bennett [2], Arnott) Attendance: 22
0-2 FC Broxbourne Borough v Rayners Lane (R Hastings [2]) Attendance: 26
2-1 Harefield United v Wodson Park (Baldwin, Farhall) / (Handy) Attendance: 62
5-2 Hillingdon Borough v Brimsdown (Unknown) / (Nalbant, Saywood) Attendance: 30
2-1 Langford v Ampthill Town (Morris [2]) / (Unknown) Attendance: 44
DIVISION TWO CUP Quarter Final
Hosts Bovingdon swept aside the challenge of Grendon Rangers 7-1 to earn themselves a home semi-final date with either Sarratt or Aston Clinton. Full result and goalscorers (where known) listed below.
7-1 Bovingdon v Grendon Rangers (Unknown) / (Janecki) Attendance: Unknown
DIVISION TWO
Bottom club Clean Slate recorded their first points of the campaign with a thrilling 4-3 success against their visitors The 61FC (Luton). At the top of the table Berkhamsted Raiders moved level on points with Bovingdon as they saw off the challenge of visitors Totternhoe by a 3-0 scoreline. Pitstone & Ivinghoe moved up to third win an emphatic 7-0 win over Unite MK replacing Mursley United who went down 0-4 at home to the current team in form Old Bradwell United. The day’s other fixture saw a goalless draw between New Bradwell St Peter FC and MK Gallacticos. Full results and goalscorers (where known) listed below.
3-0 Berkhamsted Raiders v Totternhoe (McMahon, Ibarra, Brookes) Attendance: 45
4-3 Clean Slate v The 61FC (Luton) (Unknown) / (Unknown) Attendance: 10
0-4 Mursley United v Old Bradwell United (Darryl Smith [2] [1 pen], Valentine, Green) Attendance: Unknown
0-0 New Bradwell St Peter v MK Gallacticos Attendance: 36
7-0 Pitstone & Ivinghoe v Unite MK (Doughty [3], Aquila, Hall, Mellor, Reynolds) Attendance: 30
ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY Second Round
Sarratt’s hopes of a quarter-final place were dashed when beaten 0-3 at home against Essex Olympian League side FC Hamlets. Full result and goalscorers listed below.
0-3 Sarratt v FC Hamlets (Saidy, Heatley, Sango-Ishmael) Attendance: 30
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION CHALLENGE TROPHY First Round Second Leg
Biggleswade United U23 booked a quarter-final tie with Berkhamsted Development after drawing 2-2 at Holmer Green Development U25 to progress 4-3 on aggregate. Full result and goalscorers (where known) listed below.
2-2 Holmer Green Development U25 v Biggleswade United U23 (Biggleswade United U23 win 4-3 on aggregate) (Unknown) / (Agyemang, Alleyne) Attendance: Unknown
UNDER 25 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Table toppers Berkhamsted Development remain unbeaten after a solitary goal win at Leighton Town Development while Buckingham Athletic Development kept up the pressure with a 4-2 success at Harpenden Town Development. Stotfold U25 hauled themselves off the bottom with a 5-2 win over visiting Ampthill Town Development. The day’s other game saw Kempston Rovers Development retain third spot following their 2-1 success at AFC Dunstable U21. Full results and goalscorers (where known) listed below.
1-2 AFC Dunstable U21 v Kempston Rovers Development (Unknown) / (Bakogeorge, Moscaritolo) Attendance: Unknown
2-4 Harpenden Town Development v Buckingham Athletic Development (Branch [2]) / (Heritage, McAndrew, Parr, Willis) Attendance: Unknown
0-1 Leighton Town Development v Berkhamsted Development (Unknown) Attendance: Unknown
5-2 Stotfold U25 v Ampthill Town Development (Lindsay [3], McEvoy, Mosley) / (Unknown) Attendance: Unknown
AND FINALLY
Every team has them, I talking excuses for failing performances and results, poor pitches, bad referees, a striker that couldn’t hit a barn door with a shovel or a goalkeeper who is frightened of more crosses than Dracula. However in the world of darts they have managed to come up with a new one ………………….. farting
Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, with both Gary Anderson and Wesley Harms denying responsibility for the “rotten egg smells”.
Two-time world champion Anderson, 47, won Thursday’s match 10-2 to progress to the quarter-finals, but Dutchman Harms, 34, was quick to explain his sub-standard performance by accusing his Scottish opponent of leaving a “fragrant smell”.
He told Dutch TV station RTL7L: “It’ll take me two nights to lose this smell from my nose.”
World number four Anderson was not best pleased by the accusation, saying the smell had definitely come “from the table side” at the Aldersley Leisure Village.
“If the boy thinks I’ve farted he’s 1,010% wrong,” he told The Sun. “I swear on my children’s lives that it was not my fault. I had a bad stomach once on stage before and admitted it. So I’m not going to lie about farting on stage. Every time I walked past there was a waft of rotten eggs so that’s why I was thinking it was him. It was bad. It was a stink, then he started to play better and I thought he must have needed to get some wind out”.
Remember to tune into Three Counties Radio (Herts, Beds & Bucks) and a show all about local non-league football- The show is live every Monday evening from 7.00pm – 8.00pm and is the perfect opportunity to catch up with our local non-league scene at all levels. Both presenters of the show are on twitter, and to follow what’s coming up in the next show make sure you give them a follow, Ollie Bayliss is @Ollie_Bayliss and Luke Ashmead is @Ashmead72
Mursley United – 0
Old Bradwell United – 4
17.11.2018
Mursley United were convincingly beaten by Old Bradwell United on Saturday, a fortuitous opener saw the visitors lead at the break but then three goals in twelve minutes early after the restart saw the points head back to Milton Keynes. Bradwell stretched their winning run to twelve games, and surely must be contenders come the end of the season on this showing, which Mursley assistant manager Jamie Lands admitted afterwards had been a tough afternoon for his players up against a very good side with quality & experience all over the pitch, and had the away side taken their chances in the first half the scoreline could have been a whole lot worse, but the hosts now have a week off to regroup and welcome some faces back into the squad as they await news of their next round of matches in the Spartan South Midlands League.
Old Bradwell won a free kick in the first minute twenty yards out which Scott Valentine smashed over the crossbar, and from there they dominated the early stages with Ben Green in particular enjoying attacking the left wing, his first foray into the danger area saw him run his marker ragged before fizzing a cross right along the six yard box but no one was anywhere near getting on the end of it. The hosts saw an early corner flicked on at the near post with a back heel but keeper Liam Jahn was alert enough to gather at the second attempt, their next attack almost cost dearly when it broke down and the visitors moved the ball very quickly up to Darryl Smith but from thirty yards he fired straight at home custodian Dan Willett.
Old Bradwell opener
Valentine crossed from the left which saw Smith head wide although a flag may have intervened had it gone in, a pass across midfield then saw Peter Maxey release a dipping drive that flew just a couple of feet over the bar. On fourteen minutes the Milton Keynes side took the lead, a free kick some twenty five yards out saw Valentine curl the ball into the box where it eluded everyone including the outstretched arm of Willett and tucked inside the far top corner. Green then curled a low effort straight at the Mursley keeper after cutting in from the flank, and moments later the same player saw a determined run across the eighteen yard line result with a shot that Willett had to save with his feet with a defender on hand to clear.
Old Bradwell then missed a glorious chance to double their lead when a cross from the right found Green in the middle of the box but somehow he managed to just help the ball out for a goal kick without threatening the net at all, Smith was next to set his sights when played in over the top, shoulder to shoulder with a defender he won the battle but fired wide of the post with the whole target to aim at. On the half hour mark the hosts wasted a great chance when Jamie Sylvester burst forward from midfield into the Bradwell half with Nathan Skelton in space to his right he opted to shoot but dragged his effort across goal and wide, centre half Jacob Hack at the other end fired straight at Willett from twelve yards. H/T: 0-1
The home side won an early corner after the restart that caused panic in front of goal ending with Austin Dickson getting a shot away that was blocked inside the six yard box and somehow cleared to safety, play switched straight up the other end where a clearance from the Mursley defence fell to Valentine who blazed over the crossbar. With just six minutes of the half played a penalty gave Old Bradwell the chance to double their lead, Toby Cribb was clean through when a tackle from behind saw him felled and the referee point to the spot despite the protests of the Green backline. Smith despatched the spot kick which signalled a dominant ten minute spell for the visitors.
Darryl Smith scores from spot
Zach Ferris crossed from the right to find the head of Cribb but a lack of power took the ball into the waiting gloves of Willett, but on fifty-six minutes it was three when Green received a pass on the left of the box and despite a nudge he managed to scoop the ball around the keeper and into the far corner. Eight minutes later Smith grabbed his second when gaining possession just left of goal he turned his marker one way then the other before rifling home. With the game done & dusted Mursley made a triple substitution to liven things up, but Old Bradwell managed to see the game out without too much trouble.
Valentine almost got on the scoresheet late on, Willett did well to block with his feet from close range as the midfielder had space to explore, the loose ball was played back in to Smith for a glorious chance to cap his afternoon with a hatrick but he pulled his shot wide of the post. There was still time for Green to have one last break down the left and into the box before unselfishly squaring into both Smith and substitute Ross Butler in the middle but it had just too much on it as it rolled away for a goal kick. F/T: 0-4
Please Note: If you use any of our material or images, please ensure you credit sportsshots.org.uk
Sports Shots is absolutely delighted to announce that Mark Carter Brickwork have taken on a sponsorship package with us for twelve months.
We have had a long association with Mark and Annie Carter, who have worked hard in supporting us since we started the website.
We very much appreciate this kind and generous gesture.
Their sponsorship means that their logo appears on every page of our website, as with all our sponsors.
Please support Mark Carter Brickwork for all your requirements in this area.
Saturday 17th November 2018
Mursley United v Old Bradwell United
Spartan South Midlands Division Two
The Playing Field
K.O. 2.00pm
Mursley United FC
Mursley United host Old Bradwell on Saturday in a game which sees the Spartan South Midlands League Division Two third placed side welcome eleven consecutive wins under their belts Old Bradwell who oddly sit ninth in the table having only played five league games to date. Their wins are obviously mostly from cup competitions which sees them still in every competition they entered at the start of the season, and if they win their games in hand on those above would comfortably sit top of the pile, so a tough test for Mursley as they look to put some pressure on Bovingdon & Berkhamsted Raiders who are the only two teams above them going into this week-ends round of fixtures.
Ahead of the game Sports Shots caught up with Mursley keeper Dan Willett, and firstly midfielder Tom Brazier to ask him when he joined the club and how he feels the squad is this year:
I joined at the start of this season and this is my second spell at the club, having played for them a couple of seasons ago. I am enjoying my time at the club and I believe we have a great squad this year capable of challenging at the top end of the league
Dan also joined this summer:
I only joined Mursley this season from New Bradwell St Peter, formerly Loughton Manor. Jamie (Green) messaged me to see if I fancied moving over, things weren’t quite right at my previous club and there seemed to be a good squad here and it’s always a nice pitch to play on. I seem to have settled in well here and have been very well looked after by the committee and management, I feel we have a good tight nit squad now and with a couple of additions we could be right up there
Dan Willett
Which players have impressed the keeper so far?
Nathan Skelton has been superb for us this season, scoring twenty goals already which is definitely what you need if you’re going to be up there. Michael (Joseph) at centre back is the calmest man I have ever played football with, and also the best centre back I’ve ever played with
Tom agreed on the striker nomination:
Stand outs so far this season have been Nathan Hawkins, Jamie Green & Nathan Skelton. Nathan has been very solid defensively for us at either centre half or right back, Jamie breaks up the play and gets the ball forward very well for us, whilst Skelly has already scored a brilliant amount of goals for us to win games this season. But everyone in the squad has contributed well, leaving us in quite a strong league position
What is Tom’s position in the team and who are his role models?
My preferred position is probably left wing, this suits me well being left footed but I am also comfortable on the right wing or upfront. Famous footballers I look up to are Lionel Messi or Eden Hazard, who are good on the ball and create something out of nothing, I am looking to create and score goals in a similar style to this type of player
Dan looks a little closer to home for his inspiration:
I have always played in goal since I was six years old, I did give up when I was about fifteen until I joined Old Bradwell when I was nineteen. I suppose my dad really is my mentor, he was the one who got me in to football when I was young, and he doesn’t miss many of my games
We asked the shot stopper how high he feels the club can finish and who their main rivals would be:
I think we could be right up there at the end of the season, we probably need another goal scorer and a central midfielder to sure things up, but we certainly have decent enough squad now to challenge for the top. Old Bradwell will be right up there this season and they are a real force, Bovingdon have started really well but their discipline could be a problem for them, then the usual sides like Aston Clinton will be a challenger
Tom Brazier
Tom echoed those comments:
Ideally I would like to finish in the top three this season and I believe that is realistic with the level of player and management we have at this club. Our main rivals will be Bovingdon who have started well, Old Bradwell & Aston Clinton who I would not be surprised to see climb the table
A surprise defeat at Sarratt last week saw a first league defeat in five, how did Tom view the game?
It was very frustrating to lose as we felt that was a winnable game, and a great opportunity to keep our momentum going. The game was played in poor conditions due to heavy rain which I feel affected the game, we started poorly which saw us two goals down and this lost us the match, it was a shame not to get something after a much improved second half
Dan blamed the pitch and also a decision going against the defence:
We lost last week on a pitch that can only be described as a lake, there were puddles all over the pitch where we just couldn’t pass the ball like we normally would. We were also done by the officials not giving a clear offside for their first goal, which frustrated us and we switched off which led to their quick fire second
Out of all cup competitions now, does the keeper see this as a good thing?
We are out of all of them now which is disappointing, we would have liked to have progressed in a couple of them, but it could be a blessing to us, leaving us to just concentrate on our main goal and get promoted at the end of the season
Tom agrees:
It’s slightly disappointing to not have a cup run but the league is our main focus so hopefully we can make the most of being able to concentrate on the league
Old Bradwell are the form team of the division, how does Tom view the game ahead?
I am expecting a very tough game on Saturday in what should be a close game. I don’t know too much about them but we need to focus on playing well & hopefully this will be enough for the three points. We have been working hard in training and have been in good form excluding the Sarratt game
Being a former player Dan knows what they are all about”
Old Bradwell have started really well this year and it was only a matter of time really before they started to click. Playing there for four years I know almost all the players & what they are capable of, they have quality all over the pitch and we are all aware that they will be dangerous going forward
Rounding up, we asked Dan what he thinks has been his and his sides best game of the season so far:
I think my, and the team’s best game this year was the one against Winslow United in the cup, we played well and took the game to them to the last few minutes, it took a great save from their keeper to keep the score at three-two. Putting eight past Clean Slate always looks great as well.
I would like to thank Paul Warnecki for the gloves for the season so far, and the continued support that Sports Shots gives to the local non-league clubs around the area
Tom picked a different memory:
I would say our best game was the five-one win over Unite MK where we looked very good going forward. Personally, this was also a good game for me, getting a goal and a few assists!
Sports Shots would like to thank both Dan & Tom for their time this week
Saturday 17th November 2018
Bovingdon v Grendon Rangers
Spartan South Midlands Division Two Cup
Green Lane
K.O. 2.00pm
Grendon Rangers who are unbeaten in three games face a stern test this Saturday as they travel to top of the table Bovingdon in the Division Two cup, but there is hope as recent results show that the league newcomers have only won three of their last seven games in all competition and one of those was thanks to a penalty shoot-out. Bovingdon have made an impressive start to their life in South Midlands football after their transfer from the Hertfordshire League last summer, they currently fly high at the summit with a healthy points lead over their nearest rivals, they are the leagues’ highest scorers with thirty-one goals from just ten games, and are yet to taste defeat at Green Lane, so Steve Jackman’s squad are in for a test this weekend if they are to progress in the competition.
Ahead of the game Sports Shots caught up with attacking midfielder Luke Tavener to ask how his season has been so far, and what targets he set back in the summer:
It’s been a good start for me personally, being able to get myself into the team after having a couple of seasons of inconsistency due to work commitments, it’s been good to be able to string some games together. In terms of personal targets it’s just been to get myself back fully fit and get some match sharpness going, and to get myself a regular place in the team
Luke Tavener
How has the season started under the new manager and his squad, are there any players in the team that could play at a higher level?
We started a bit slow in the league but with a new manager and a new group of lads we knew it was going to take some time for everything to fall into place. The whole group has impressed me really, I have played with a few of the lads before at different clubs but feel we have a great balance between youth and experience within the squad. In terms of lads playing below their level there may be a couple but I wouldn’t want to name them and boost their ego’s any further!
What teams have impressed this season in the league?
Bovingdon were very impressive when we played them, and their league form definitely shows they would be a match for most team in division one. Elsewhere in the division there are teams with several players who have played in the division above so the league is looking really competitive this year
Despite the league position for Grendon, they are on a roll of three games without defeat, has a corner been turned?
I think over the last few games we have really shown we are a match for anyone in this league, hopefully we can take that level & attitude into our games in hand, which will give a much higher and truer league position for us
Two weeks ago Grendon beat New Bradwell with three red cards in the game, how was the game from a Rangers point of view?
I don’t think there was too much between the sides until the dismissals really, but after seeing them reduced to nine men and us down to ten we showed great attitude & made the extra man count. We put in a decent performance to see us come from behind to win the game
Grendon conceded seven to Bovingdon earlier this season, what does Luke think his side need to do differently this time around?
It was a really tough game, being the third game of the season and having a few lads away it really wasn’t our day. I think we were maybe more focused on the opposition that day instead of sticking to our game, that along with giving away a few sloppy goals gives us a lot of motivation to put things right this Saturday
How have the squad prepared for the game, and is there any squad news?
We’ve had a great preparation for this game, not having a game last Saturday we’ve had two really good sessions over the past week working on different bits to take into this game and hopefully come out with another positive result to keep this run of form going. We have a couple of lads unavailable but we are confident the group we have are good enough to give anyone a game
Finally, we asked Luke how much the club has turned around in the last few months:
I think the club have struggled over the past few years getting consistency in terms of both management and the squad, however that is definitely something we seem to have solved. I think the gaffer has got us all really onboard with his ideas and we’re all pushing in a positive direction together. Now it’s all about keeping the squad we’ve currently got together, showing what we’re capable of as players and giving the club the results it deserves for the efforts of everyone that go into it
Sports Shots would like to thank Luke for his time this week
Saturday 17th November 2018
Buckingham United v Marsh Gibbon
North Bucks League Intermediate Division
Lace Hill Sports Centre
K.O. 2.00pm
Buckingham United who sit second in the North Bucks & District Intermediate Division have the chance on Saturday to get within three points of the league leaders Marsh Gibbon as they face off at Lace Hill, and with it get the chance to avenge their only league defeat of the season to date when they lost to their guests back in September. United have made a solid start to life in their new division and would otherwise be happy with seven wins, and a draw from their opening nine games but Gibbon have blown everything away in their path having won nine and drawing one of their first ten games, Wing are within touching distance if they win their games in hand but this week-end sees first v second in what will be a keenly contested top of the table clash.
Ahead of the game Sports Shots caught up with United keeper Harry White & asked how he joined the club initially, and how it had been since joining:
I joined Buckingham United as I knew the chairman here and he was hounding me to come over and sign on. Club life is good, Adam Bray & Matt Hawes run the club really well, our squad is good and I think we have a good chance this season of doing well
Harry White
Which of the squad members has stood out this season?
Conna Sirett had had a good season and scored some vital goals, even though he has the longest toes at the football club!
Has Harry always played in goal, and does he have any role models in the pro game?
I’ve always played in goal but on Sunday’s I play up top for the United Sunday side, and I have a recent second half hattrick in the bag. My goal keeping role model is Kasper Schmeichel
With the club sitting second in the table, who are United’s biggest title rivals this year?
I think we can win this league and our biggest rivals will be Bletchley Park
The only defeat of the season for his side came at Marsh Gibbon, how does Harry think his team need to adapt to reap some revenge?
Our defence need to make sure they win the ball in the air, when we played them last time they were very direct and our centre backs struggled against them
We asked what the keeper feels has been his best game this season so far:
My best game has to be last weeks draw with Bletchley Park, saving a penalty and keeping the game to a draw with ten men, a huge point in the end!
What have the squad done this week in preparation for the game, and any players to watch out for?
We trained this week on Tuesday, it was a great session and the lads were buzzing in training. Their strongest player is their striker, a good finisher in front of goal
Finally, where does Harry think his team can finish this season?
I think we will be league winners this season!
Sports Shots would like to thank Harry for his time this week
THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF
‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’
BY KAREN BROWNE
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek
And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt
TUESDAY 13th NOVEMBER/WEDNESDAY 14th NOVEMBER
MIDWEEK HEADLINES
As I was watching Torpoint Athletic beating Godolphin Atlantic in the depths of Cornwall there was a few games taking place involved the SSML clubs. The midweek action brought about a couple of cup shocks whilst there were no major changes at the top and bottom of the league tables. The wait for a Stotfold win continues and I hear rumours that local bookmakers have odds that Christmas will arrive first.
13/14 November Stats: 13 games played of which 5 were home wins, 7 were away wins and 1 draw.
Highest Midweek Attendances: 69 Baldock Town v Biggleswade United, 66 Enfield 1893 v Leverstock Green and 63 Biggleswade FC v MK Gallacticos.
THE BUILDABASE FA VASE Second Round
Leverstock Green moved into the Third Round of the Buildabase FA Vase when their delayed tie at Enfield 1893 was finally played in midweek, Green coming from a goal down to win 4-1 to book a trip to current Eastern Counties League Premier Division leaders Histon in the next round. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
1-4 Enfield 1893 v Leverstock Green (Odukoya [pen]) / (Dixon (og), Condon, Flanagan, Blunden) Attendance: 66
LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY Second Round
Division One Buckingham Athletic set up a Third Round tie at Potton United with a 3-1 win over Division Two side Unite MK. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
3-1 Buckingham Athletic v Unite MK (Carter [2] [1 pen], Menday) / (Lothian) Attendance: 28
LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY Third Round
MK Gallacticos pulled off a giant-killing act when the visiting Division Two club knocked out the Premier Division’s second placed club, Biggleswade FC, with an odd goal in five win. The result earns the Milton Keynes based club a quarter final date with either Crawley Green or Baldock Town. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
2-3 Biggleswade FC v MK Gallacticos (L Marsh, McCafferty) / (Ahmed, Acquaye, Smith) Attendance: 63
PREMIER DIVISION
The midweek Premier Division action saw Hadley move to within four points of the league leaders (Tring Athletic) win a solitary goal success at Harpenden Town. At the other end of the table bottom club Stotfold picked up a useful point after a 1-1 draw at London Colney. Full results and goalscorers are listed below.
0-1 Harpenden Town v Hadley (Clarke) Attendance: 39
1-1 London Colney v Stotfold (Maxwell [pen]) / (Francis) Attendance: 41
DUDLEY LATHAM MEMORIAL (PREMIER DIVISION) CUP Quarter Final
(Sponsored by S & T Sales and Marketing)
Tring Athletic booked a semi-final trip to either Biggleswade FC or London Tigers with a 2-0 success at Cockfosters while for Baldock Town their 2-0 home success against Biggleswade United has earned them a trip to London Colney in the semi-finals. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
0-2 Cockfosters v Tring Athletic (K Johnson [2]) Attendance: 54
2-0 Baldock Town v Biggleswade United (Bull, Barker) Attendance: 69
DIVISION ONE
Winslow United moved up into fourth place as they continued their fine league form with a 5-2 win at lowly Codicote with Harry Dalton netting the midweek’s only hat-trick. Above them Hillingdon Borough maintained their third position with a 4-2 home success over Buckingham Town. Tuesday’s other Division One fixture saw Rayners Lane defeat visiting Wodson Park in a mid-table clash. Full results and goalscorers are listed below.
2-5 Codicote v Winslow United (Massey, Nevin) / (Dalton [3], Kedzierski, Parsons) Attendance: 56
4-2 Hillingdon Borough v Buckingham Town (Ballaid, Greenidge, Morgan, Peter) / (Shrieves, Gardner) Attendance: 33
2-0 Rayners Lane v Wodson Park (Etienne, Hastings) Attendance: 40
DIVISION ONE CUP Quarter Final
A solitary goal early in the second half was enough for Broadfields United to progress into the semi-finals at the expense of hosts FC Broxbourne Borough. Broadfields United now have a hone tie with the winners of the London Lions/Langford tie. Full result and goalscorer are listed below.
0-1 FC Broxbourne Borough v Broadfields United (Smith) Attendance: 50
BEDS SENIOR TROPHY Second Round
Division Two Totternhoe shocked Division One Bedford in this outstanding Second Round tie of the Beds Senior Trophy, the visitors winning by the odd goal in three to earn themselves a quarter final tie at Bedfordshire County League side Queen’s Park Crescents. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
1-2 Bedford v Totternhoe (Smith) / (Horgan, Whitby) Attendance: Unknown
WEST HERTS ST MARYS CUP Quarter Final
Division Two Bovingdon gave it all in their quarter-final tie and former SSML side Berkhamsted before going down by the odd goal in three. Bovingdon’s cause was not helped when having two men sent off following the penalty decision that led to the winner. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.
2-1 Berkhamsted v Bovingdon (Godfrey, Bateman [pen]) / (Welsh) Attendance: Unknown
AND FINALLY
Once again our wonderful game serves up another jewel that baffles us.
A ref who used a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide the kick-off of a Manchester City Women’s Super League match has been suspended. David McNamara left his coin in the dressing room before City’s home game against Reading on October 26. So he got the two captains – City’s Steph Houghton and Reading’s Kirsty Pierce – to play a round of the popular kids’ game. The incident left the 1,015 in attendance at the City’s Academy Stadium baffled. The Football Association has now suspended McNamara, who last weekend was fourth official at the FA Cup first round clash between Chorley and Doncaster Rovers, for three weeks, starting on November 26.
The FA said McNamara ‘accepted a charge of ‘not acting in the best interests of the game’. A coin toss to decide kick-offs is a requirement under the laws of the game.
FA women’s refereeing manager Joanna Stimpson told The Times that the McNamara’s mistake was ‘a moment of madness’. She added: “The referee forgot his coin and in that moment, in a TV game, he was really pushed for time, it was a moment of madness.” He obviously thought it was the right thing to do, he probably walked away, or the second afterwards, thought it wasn’t the right thing to do. “It’s not defendable. He should have been more prepared, he should have had a coin but he didn’t. It was disappointing, it’s not appropriate, it’s very unprofessional. “The laws of the game state you toss a coin. I can’t think it’s something we are going to ignore. He wasn’t taking the mick out of the game, it was just a really poor decision.”
Referees at some grassroots football matches are planning to use the rock, paper, scissors game at kick-off to show support for a suspended official. They are angry at the decision to ban David McNamara after he used the same method in place of a coin toss. One referee told BBC Sport why he would use rock, paper, scissors at the start of a junior match this weekend. “I will be doing it to show support. It will probably serve as a light-hearted way to introduce myself to both captains,” said the Derbyshire-based ref, who asked to remain anonymous. Others will do so as well but not admit it publicly for fear of reprimand. It is unclear how many officials at amateur matches will follow suit, with estimates ranging from dozens to hundreds.
For those SSML captains if ever faced with the above situation statistics favour calling ‘paper’
Manager Jake Honor has looked ahead to Buckingham Athletic Development’s trip to face their Harpenden Town counterparts this Saturday.
Jake Honor
Honor’s side has impressed with their excellent start to the season, earning him praise from first team manager Neil Griffiths during a recent Sports Shots YouTube TV interview.
After progressing into the last sixteen of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup last Saturday, they return to league action, currently sitting second in the table.
Honor told Sports Shots:
Our squad for Saturday is looking strong. We are only without Dan Hassell who is still making his way back from injury and Jamie O’Hara who is away. Charlie Wright has been called into the first team squad which is great for him. So I’d consider us at pretty much full strength.
Dan Hassell
The season so far has been very positive. We’ve had some solid performances in both the league and the county cup and that has only made the mood around the team even more optimistic.
We travel to Harpenden, who suffered a heavy defeat last weekend at league leaders Berkhamstead, so we will need to make sure we bring home the 3 points and keep the pressure on them at the top!
Latest @SpartanSMFL table pic.twitter.com/vNL5Pfl0o9
— Sports Shots 📷⚽🏏📰 (@sportsshotsnews) November 15, 2018
Our main aim is to have fun, in a safe environment, so that all of our goalkeepers can reach their full potential to improve -whether that be at grassroots, club level or professional club academy. Paul Warnecki has now developed over 20 goalkeepers into professional club academies. Goalkeeper Warz connections can even help some of our older Goalkeepers to attain scholarships in the USA.
Read More...
ValuTins offers an expert Car Wrapping service to individuals and businesses, with options to suit any budget for everyone. With a fully fitted workshop, we have expert staff helping clients to save time and money. We are based in Aylesbury and we have 14 years' experience in: car windows tinting, car full wrap head /tail lights polish/tinting.
Read More...
People in Flow help organisations to make the most of their people by energising workplaces and reducing stress. People in Flow enhance teamwork, ensure your focus of people support and development is aligned to performance needs, lift organisation health, and provide impactful management training. Customers receive new insight based upon our founders’ recent book ‘Go Beyond’, system led analysis, effective transformation labs, team and individual coaching, and purpose driven change support. People in Flow work with organisations with over 250 employees.
Read More...
We are a small family run Landscape and Property Maintenance company based in Buckingham. We offer a range of services which includes painting and decorating, wallpaper hanging, full landscape and garden design and construction, roofing repair, general property and garden maintenance/upkeep and many more. For a free and friendly quote please don't hesitate to contact us.
Read More...
As every person, injury and condition is different we treat each case individually and will discuss a bespoke programme with each and every client. Some of the services we offer are: • Sports injury rehabilitation • Mobilisation • Whiplash treatment • Injury prevention and treatment • Spinal manipulation and correction • Massage in Pregnancy, pre, post and beyond • Strengthening and conditioning • Sciatica treatment • Stress and anxiety management • Nutritional advice and planning • Personal training • Weight loss
Read More...
