SSMFL D2; Mursley duo confident of league success this season

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on SSMFL D2; Mursley duo confident of league success this season

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

SSMFL D2C; Tough game for Grendon – midfielder doesn’t Luke Bov-vered

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on SSMFL D2C; Tough game for Grendon – midfielder doesn’t Luke Bov-vered

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

NBDL; Harry adamant that United are White on target to finish top of the table

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on NBDL; Harry adamant that United are White on target to finish top of the table

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

SSMFL; INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF 16.11.2018 – South Midlands League update #29

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on SSMFL; INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF 16.11.2018 – South Midlands League update #29

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’

SSMFL DD: Ath U25 boss positive ahead of Harpenden encounter

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on SSMFL DD: Ath U25 boss positive ahead of Harpenden encounter

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!

 

ESS CD1: Blaik previews big week for Thame as they face top two within three days

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on ESS CD1: Blaik previews big week for Thame as they face top two within three days

Thame United assistant manager Stuart Blaik has spoken to Sports Shots as they face a trip to second-placed Corby Town on Saturday before hosting leaders Bromsgrove Sporting just three days later.

Stuart Blaik

Thame have had some tough games in recent weeks, with their FA Trophy defeat at Royston last weekend against a particularly good side in Blaik’s opinion.

I thought Royston were a class outfit and a great club. I felt we put up a good showing and it is always small margins. We took the lead early on then we had a one-on-one which we didn’t convert. At two-nil it’s a different game but they showed their quality and came back at us. David Mooney up front for them has been at clubs like Reading and Southend for example.

We missed some chances in the second half to narrow the scoreline but I felt we gave a good account of ourselves with our display.

This week has been a quiet one at The ASM Stadium, but Blaik expects little in the way of changes as this weekend they head to a Corby Town side he tipped to be up at the top come the end of the season.

Corby present another big game for us and we know they will be good side. We go there then face Bromsgrove at home on Tuesday but we are looking to get something from both games.

Thame expect to be at full-strength with Dan West available after picking up a head injury last weekend.

Dan got a nasty cut over his eye which needed hospital attention and ten stitches. He has been given the all-clear to play by the Doctors.

SSMFL D1: Griffiths praises Ath but he insists the standards must be maintained

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on SSMFL D1: Griffiths praises Ath but he insists the standards must be maintained

Buckingham Athletic boss Neil Griffiths has spoken to Sports Shots as his side return to Spartan South Midlands League, Division 1 action when Risborough Rangers visit in an all-Bucks derby on Saturday.

Neil Griffiths

In his first campaign, Griffiths has seen his side excel in cup competitions. After going down to a late narrow defeat in the FA Vase at FC Clacton, the Stratford Fields-based outfit are still fighting on all fronts.

In the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy they have reached the last eight and are awaiting the draw as the last of the remaining ties are played out to a conclusion.

The league’s Division 1 cup sees them in the last four with a trip to play at the winners of neighbours Winslow United or Hatfield Town.

A Buckingham Senior Charity cup tie against holders Daventry Town is scheduled in the next few weeks.

Their last outing saw the Athletic progress into the 3rd round, last sixteen, with an away encounter to face Potton United at the Hutchinson Hollow in a game still to be arranged.

Firstly, Griffiths spoke of the latest game:

Tuesday’s night’s cup progress has come at a cost, Robbie Carter has picked up a hamstring injury. Hopefully it’s not too bad but we’ll know more over the coming days. Seun Soetan is in contention to be back fit. It has been good news on Dan Staley and Jack Carter, they are getting closer. Jordan Appleton and Ryan Kelsey are also working their way back.

It’s a fantastic testament to the depth of quality we have in the squad. It gave me great pleasure to give Nathan Bell-Toxtle from the under 18’s game time on Tuesday. It’s a fantastic advert for the structure we have at the whole club.

Plus we are also working hard to bring a signing in shortly.

Griffiths was quick to praise his side in recent weeks.

Our current form has been absolutely superb, we’ve won 5 from 5 with some very convincing victories along the way. We have to ensure we continue our intensity, there is still plenty of work to do. We are in a great moment, that moment has to continue though.

The cup run, mentioned earlier, has impacted on their league fixture schedule but the Athletic manager is focused on the weeks ahead.

You always have to look forward, those wins are in the bank now. If we win our games in hand we can go fourth, eight points off the top two.

The next 3 league games are at home against teams beneath us. That said Mark Eaton will want to make a good start at Risborough and Brimsdown will be keen to avenge Saturday. We would be naïve to think these games will be anything other than tough.

Kick off at Stratford Fields is 3pm on Saturday.

Setterfield praises “United Winslow” & “local and football community” after mindless attack

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on Setterfield praises “United Winslow” & “local and football community” after mindless attack

Winslow United chairman Andy Setterfield has heaped praise on the club’s committee, players and followers as well as the community after last Sunday’s mindless and vindictive act of vandalism.

Andy Setterfield

After being awoken early on Sunday morning to be told of what happened, Elmfields gate is definitely more Winslow United than ever.

After the initial Why?, the mood has been one of it is not going to ruin us and this was born out on Tuesday evening when we had 20 plus supporters making the journey to Codicote to support the players.

Winslow United Pitch Attack

The disbelief at what happened has more than rippled out. The love that has been returned highlights that people really want the best for the club.

The reaction from both the local and footballing community has been unbelievable, both in terms of offers of help and just messages of support. Including one from a team in Charleston, South Carolina!

The biggest question being asked is how is the pitch and when can the club return to playing at the gate.

We have had a visit from Total Sports Ground Maintenance who kindly came and gave us some free advice on the best course of action. Work has started on repairing the goalmouths and a big thank you has to go out to Sean at Winwood Construction for providing some of his lads to help. We will continue to work on to repair the areas over the coming days and then
I think it will be a case of just seeing how it look after that.

In terms of getting back playing, obviously we want to be playing back at the gate as soon as possible. The club not playing at home means lost revenue, but we need to make sure that the effected areas are safe to play on.

The club still appealing in line with the Police investigation on this for people to give information.

Yes we are still appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on the evening of the 10th.

In the face of adversity, bore from a vindictive act, the ironic thing is that it has actually added fuel to the love of yellow and blue. Something that is not lost on a determined Setterfield.

My feelings are that it has certainly united the club. We are now more determined than ever to be successful.

If you are interested in helping the club financially through sponsorship or private donation then you still can.

Setterfield has set up a ‘Go fund me’ page

www.gofundme.com/winslow-united-football-club

Alternatively you can contact Setterfield direct –
07703 117443

 

ESS CD1: Bonham ‘upbeat’ as Aylesbury head to leaders Bromsgrove

November 16, 2018 / / Comments Off on ESS CD1: Bonham ‘upbeat’ as Aylesbury head to leaders Bromsgrove

Aylesbury manager Paul Bonham is upbeat as his side head to face Evo Stik South, Central Division 1 leaders Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday.

Paul Bonham

Looking ahead to the weekend trip, the Moles boss told Sports Shots:

We have a couple of players away this week but I’m happy with the squad – this will give some players a great opportunity to come in on Saturday . Bromsgrove have gained some great momentum and are coming off the back of a 5-1 win against North Leigh. Having already played them we know how tough this will be but we have prepared well this week and are looking forward to the challenge they bring. Its not in the team’s nature to sit back and soak it up, we will be going with confidence and our plan will be too get something from the game.

Since Bonham took charge at The SRD Stadium he has been more than happy with the start in the dugout.

If you had given me 6 points from the last 4 games, I would have snatched your hands off. We have had a really tough run of fixtures but have proved we can compete at this level. We were disappointed with the performance against Berko (Berkhamsted) and felt we didn’t do ourselves justice but have come away with some positives which we will take into Saturday’s game.

Bonham is happy with the collective, especially the attitudes in the camp ahead of a big game at the weekend.

We have made some changes to playing staff, a few leaving but have brought in some new faces who all need time to settle down within the squad. On the whole I’ve been pleased with the squad and we are all working so hard to make sure we are ready for the game against Bromsgrove.

TVCWFL; Buckingham Athletic Ladies 6-3 Barton United Ladies

November 13, 2018 / / Comments Off on TVCWFL; Buckingham Athletic Ladies 6-3 Barton United Ladies

Buckingham Athletic Ladies – 6

Barton United Ladies – 3

11.11.2018

A switch of venue less than two hours prior to kick off saw this fixture reversed back to Stratford Fields where the visitors only had eleven players for the ninety minutes, but they battled well and it took four attempts for Buckingham to take the lead before they managed to hold on to it and secure the points. Two goals in the final eleven minutes finally killed off the Barton resistance, yet another hattrick for leading scorer Evie Hawkins was secured in the final minute and after the game manager Carmen Robinson admitted it will be extremely difficult to replace her goals next season when the striker goes off to university.

From the kick off home skipper Kerry Stapleton released Alex Miller down the left channel where she drilled a shot low that beat United keeper Hollie Randall but came back off the foot of the post and across the open goalmouth, running in Hawkins pushed her effort wide of the target, moments later Barton threatened when Beverley Hirons was sent racing through the home backline but some alert goalkeeping from Ellen Fenables allowed her to accelerate and clear the danger, and a ball that looked lost when played down the Athletic right saw Hawkins chase it down and squared across to Stapleton who left footed curled around the top corner.

A corner to the hosts was flicked on inside the area towards the back of the box where a United player trying to head clear only managed to put the ball back into the eighteen yard area where Stapleton managed to control before seeing her shot canon off her marker for another corner, a goal kick was then headed back over the Barton backline for Hawkins to again get away but she could only help the ball on its path wide, and Nicole Britten sprung the offside trap as she scampered down the wing but she pulled her cross behind everyone in the box, it did reach Gemma Ball who controlled ahead of firing over the crossbar.

The hosts took the lead on eighteen minutes when a corner swung in found Stapleton whose initial shot was blocked but it offered her a second chance that took a deflection to loop over Randall and the spin meant it bounced in, but the lead lasted just five minutes as a cross from the visitors right found Courtney Sumner alone in front of goal where she swivelled to fire past Fenables. It wasn’t long before Hawkins was on the prowl again, a tackle from behind almost floored the Swans striker but she persevered to get her shot in which the keeper got enough on to stun with a team mate on hand to thump to safety.

Evie Hawkins opens scoring

Buckingham won a free kick on the edge of the penalty arc which Stapleton & Ball stood over mulling their options, the captain dummied her run for Ball to then angle an effort over the top, and within a minute their guests had a free kick in a similar position at the other end which Francesca Woolfe took and grazed the top of the netting as it sailed over. Just past the half hour mark the hosts regained the lead when a simple pass down their right from deep in their own half saw Hawkins away on goal again, despite the attention of two defenders she fired home from sixteen yards out.

Stapleton then had a run down the left and her shot came back off a defender where it was met on the eighteen yard line by Sam Jolley who drilled low past Randall’s right hand post, and a minute before the break a long upfield punt saw Sumner in behind the blue defence but always off balance she lifted over the top. As it seemed the half was done, the last action saw Barton grab their second equaliser when Hirons was threaded in between the defence and her shot took enough of a deflection of her marker to take it past Fenables and into the net. F/T: 2-2

Shortly after the restart Miller ran at the visiting defence but fired wide, her next attack saw her square behind the line of red shirts to Hawkins who sliding in could only steer wide, the next attack saw Hawkins down the flank beating the visitors attempted offside trap and accelerating off from her marker she was denied by a brave dive at her feet by Randall. From the goal kick the hosts retook the lead for the third time on fifty-two minutes, a simple header back downfield saw Stapleton all on her own, some hesitation arose as the wait for a flag that didn’t come allowed her to race away before blasting home giving the keeper no chance whatsoever.

Moments after the goal the captain was in again this time firing across goal and narrowly wide of the back post, but just seven minutes after going behind the visitors equalised again when a free kick lifted into the Athletic area wasn’t cleared and two United players almost got in each other’s way trying to shoot but Hirons eventually scooped home from close range. Back came the home side again, Miller down the left curled an effort inches wide of the upright, but on sixty-five minutes Hawkins grabbed her second of the afternoon when released straight down the middle to outpace her marker and from just inside the area fire home the seventh goal of the game.

Kerry Stapleton rifles home

This time there was no way back for the away side as their hosts pushed on from here, a ball over the top saw Stapleton down the flank and into the box but her shot was well saved by Randall with a defender on hand to thump to safety, Ball then collected in midfield and riding two tackles she slipped a pass through for Hawkins to chase, shoulder to shoulder with a defender and with the keeper coming out she went for goal only to watch her effort roll about two yards wide of the post, at the other end a long range looping effort from Sumner never had Fenables in any real trouble as she gathered with both hands.

Another Buckingham cross saw a block that rolled out to Jade Copas who slammed her shot against a red shirt, she collected again moments later and initially lost the ball under her feet but quickly regained her composure to lose her marker and go for goal, the ball landing on top of the netting. United then almost gifted their hosts another goal when a back pass towards Randall was never going to make it and Hawkins nipped in but as she went to pull the trigger the keeper was out to avert the danger by launching downfield.

On seventy-nine minutes Buckingham scored their fifth and effectively killed the game off once and for all, Hawkins was released away down the right and as she attacked the ball on the edge of the area both her, the Barton keeper and a defender all collided leaving the Athletic striker to go and collect out wide, as she attempted to cross into the box the Barton custodian was running back to cover and unfortunately her attempt to clear saw her slice into her own net. Stapleton then explored acres of space down the left before trying to find bodies in the middle, a block saw her get a second chance which she blazed over the bar.

A goal kick saw Copas intercept out wide, she laid off into the path of her skipper who travelled into the area but Randall was out quick to dive bravely at her feet, ahead of a superb pass down the right from Dani Roberts saw Hawkins away again and into the box, her effort however straight at the goalkeeper. As the clock ticked over into added time, Copas found Hawkins out wide and her cross cum shot sailed over the outstretched glove of the keeper and into the back of the net for her third of the game. F/T: 6-3

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After the game Sports Shots caught up with the Ath manager Carmen Robinson, captain Kerry Stapleton & midfielder Gemma Ball: 

For match photography please click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmvGkvid

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