STAINES TOWN (Wheatsheaf Park)

I travelled south more in hope than expectation as the arctic weather conditions once again played havoc with the fixture list. The original plan was to take in the Braintree Town v Bishop's Stortford game, but a call to check if the game was going ahead was met with a lukewarm response "we are hopeful, but there is a lot of water on the pitch after we cleared the snow away" Eek! This was not the bright and cheery response I wished for! Next on the list was Staines Town who were a lot more upbeat "no problems with the pitch, it has passed a morning inspection and its DEFINITELY on" Bingo!! So it was in the direction of Wheatsheaf Park I pointed the car.

Neither team are pulling up any trees, so far, in the league this season and both are languishing in the bottom half of the table. For Staines I suppose consolidation in the main aim this season after promotion in May, but they have also had the big distraction of an FA Cup run (they recently lost to Millwall in round 2 after a replay), as for Hampton they are clearly suffering a hangover from last season after missing out on not only the title (they ran Wimbledon all the way to the final weekend) but getting beat in the play offs by Hayes and Yeading.

Todays match was the return fixture from Boxing Day (non-league football sensibly play their "derbies" over the holiday period) in which Hampton were looking to avenge a 4-1 drubbing at The Beaveree.

It was a lively open game, with both teams playing on the counter attack. Hampton started the brightest and had two great chances to take the lead within the first 15 minutes, when Karl Beckford fired wide from six yards when it seemed easier to score and then Orlando Jeffrey headed wide when completely unmarked. They were soon made to pay for these misses. A cross from the right found its way through to Dean Thomas who fired home from the edge of the six yard box. Staines doubled their lead right on half time when a long kick upfield from 'keeper Louis Wells was allowed to bounce by the Hampton centre back and Ali Chaaban nipped in to fire past Matt Lovatt in The Beavers' goal. This was effectively game over.

The second was dominated by Staines, as Hampton offered little as an attacking force. In the 69th minute Jon Scarborough (who had a 'mare today) conceded a needless free kick right on the edge of the area and Ali Chaaban smashed it home and just five minutes later he completed his hat-trick when he latched onto an attempted Scarborough backpass to shoot past the helpless Lovatt. This sent the majority of th 871 crowd home very happy and as the t-shirts on sale in the shop say "Who needs Ali G when we've got Ali C"

            

Friday 1st January 2010
Conference South
Staines Town 4-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough
Attendance: 871



FOOTNOTE: The game at Cressing Road was ON and Braintree Town Won 2-0.