Damage in the Box!: Southern League

Showing posts with label Southern League. Show all posts

GODALMING TOWN (Wey Court)

A bonus Sunday FA Cup game down in leafy Surrey as Godalming Town took on Dulwich Hamlet in a 1st Qualifying Round tie.

You have to admire the clubs thinking as they hoped a Sunday game would reward them with a decent crowd, hence the switch. I guess they wouldn't have been disappointed with a 300+ gate.

The early 2pm kick off meant an early start for us, everything was going swimmingly until we encountered the dreaded M25 where an accident was causing long delays.

At one stage it was rather worrying but we reached our turn off and arrived at the ground in good time to snaffle our programmes, then head off into town to pay a visit to The Star, a local GBG entry, where it's fine selection of ales went down a treat on a baking hot day.

Wey Court is about a mile out of Godalming itself, in Farncombe, and has been the home of The G's since the early seventies.

Dulwich Hamlet are familiar foes to Godalming having played each other three times last season in Isthmian League and Cup before Godalming were moved across into the Southern league Central in the annual close season shake up.

It was Godalming that made the early running before Dulwich settled into their rhythm and slowly started to take control of the game. It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead, Dean Carpenter (23) blasting home a low 25 yarder, which clipped the inside of the post on it's way home.

Hamlet then took their eye off the ball and let the G's back into the game. They equalised just before half time when a superb cross (pictured right) was buried at the back stick by Johnnie Dyer (43). A great header.

The home side took the lead soon after the break when substitute Antonio Simeone (52) struck home a brilliant free kick, which flew into the top corner.

Hamlet looked like they has shot their bolt as Godalming took control but there was a game changing moment with the introduction of Turkish substitute Erhan Otzumer. The debutant proceeded to run the show for the remainder of the tie.

With just minutes remaining Carl Wilson-Dennis went through one on one, with just Jake Somerville in the home goal to beat, and was brought down by the Godalming number one. The referee booked the 'keeper (pictured above left) but Otzumer (88) dispatched the penalty (pictured right) with aplomb to take the game to a replay on Tuesday.

Sunday 9th September 2012
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Godalming Town 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet
Attendance: 311

BEDWORTH UNITED (The Oval)

A bonus game today. Having previously though my English season of groundhopping was over, I stumbled upon this fixture in the morning. Having assumed most of the play off final had taken place whilst I was out of the country, it was a pleasant surprise to be able to take in a final today.

Bedworth United were taking on Beconsfield SYCOB for the right to play in the Southern Premier League next season. Bedworth finished 3rd in the regular season, beating Uxbridge to reach the final, whilst Beaconsfield came with a late surge to finish 6th then, surprisingly, beating Slough Town in the play off semi final.

Conditions were appalling today as it rained heavily all day, easing off as the game progressed, the pitch looking particularly heavy. However both teams produced an absorbing contest which was a thoroughly enjoyable watch, despite the tension of the occasion.

'The Greenbacks' always looked the more threatening and took the lead after 19 minutes when Ashley Robinson poked home after his initial header was saved. Beaconsfield, however, did look dangerous on the break and they were soon level. After 23 minutes an attempted back header was misjudged by the advancing 'keeper and in the confusion Victor Osubu nipped in to fire home into the unguarded net.

Bedworth restored their lead on the hour when Mitchell Piggon was put through and his low shot flew into the net, via a slight deflection off the lunging defender. Beaconsfield did their best to force extra time but, as they committed men forward, deep into stoppage time, Ashley Spencer was allowed the freedom of the park to run through and seal the victory.

The final whistle sparked a pitch invasion by fans celebrating the fact that the win sealed Bedworth's first ever promotion in their 65 year history.

Monday 7th May 2012

Southern League Division One Central Play Off Final
Bedworth United 3-1 Beaconsfield SYCOB
Attendance: 830

CHESHAM UNITED (Meadow Park)

A cheap train deal, booked months ago, led me once again to the capital. Obviously when I booked it was in the hope that there would be a game that still had something riding on it, and not just an end of season dead rubber.

When I set off on my journey at a ridiculously early 5.15am (that's why it was cheap!) the plan was to take in Harrow Borough v AFC Hornchurch but, having studied the tube maps, and being influenced by the opportunity to partake in a few pints of real ale, I opted in the end for Chesham United v Frome Town.

Thinking about get back to Euston after the game, Chesham, being at the end of the Metropolitan line, would be the more easier journey ie no changes. It was therefore to Meadow Park I headed.

For Chesham this was a vital game in their quest to get into the end of season lottery that are the play offs. At the start of play they occupied the final play off berth (5th place) but there were just 6 points separating 2nd place and 7th place, so it was all up for grabs.

Frome Town on the other hand were comfortably in mid-table and had nothing to play for but pride. As it turned out this was good for the homesters as they comfortably cruised to a two goal victory.

Once James Potton rose, completely unmarked, to head 'the Generals' into a 12th minute lead there was only going to be one winner. They doubled their advantage on the half hour mark when Potton turned provider for Chris Watters to side-foot home.

The second half was pretty much an non-event as Frome never looked like troubling Shane Gore in the Chesham goal and the homesters seemed quite content with what they'd got.

The visitors cause was not helped when Josh Brigham was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Bruce Wilson. It looked a bit harsh from where I was stood, admittedly this was in the clubhouse as, by this time, the heavens had opened.

The result lifted Chesham up to second place, with AFC Totton and Cambridge City losing, but they still need a win at Leamington next Saturday to be certain of securing their place.

Meadow Park is a decent set up, with a large stand and plenty of covered terracing. There is an arena stand behind one of the goals, which I'm not particularly fond of, so in my eyes that is the only blot. However, on a positive note, from this end of the ground you do get fantastic views of the surrounding hills, as the town of Chesham is located in the Chess Valley, so at least you do have something better to focus on!

The final act of the afternoon was to get the tube back to Euston and head to the fantastic Bree Louise for a couple of cheekies. This fabulous establishment is just 2 minutes from the main entrance at Euston and has plenty to keep you going, being handpulls or on gravity.

I opted for Milestone - Maid Marian, Tring - Side Pocket of a Toad, Itchen Valley - Hampshire Rose and Ascot - On the Rails. Very nice they were too, a fine way to end the day.