Copyright: © The Wandering Tractor 2023
October 2023/24
OCTOBER 23/24
Maidenhead United Women 9 Selsey Women 0
Sunday 1st October 2023
FAWNL Plate Competition First Round
After a hectic Saturday it was nice to get back to one
game a day and enjoy a trip back to York Road. The
train was fine, everything on time after another train
strike on the Saturday. Maidenhead is just 9 miles
from where I live but with the vagueries of train
travel, it takes 1 hour 15 minutes and that includes an
half hour wait on the platform at Reading!
As usual with a visit to York Road, my first pit stop was
the tea hut and a Magpie burger. Top quality as usual,
quarter pounder with cheese, two rashers of bacon
and fried onions for £5. I managed to catch up with a
cold-ridden Neil Maskell, the matchday secretary and
programme editor, before heading off for a wander
around the historic stadium and a read of the free
printed programme.
Now this turned out to be a pretty eventful game so
be prepared for a long match report! Maidenhead
started quickly, kick off played back and a long ball for
Imogen Fisher to chase, Charlie Davey got to the ball
first but running towards her own goal under
pressure from Fisher had to concede the corner,
which was well defended. Next Jade Hockey played a
delightful ball through the defence for Simone
O’Brien to run on to and shoot which Selsey keeper
Nicole Robinson dealt with well.
O’Brien’s pace and movement was causing the
visiting defence all sorts of problems, great link up
play with Emily Norfolk resulted in O’Brien fizzing a
cross into the box but nobody could get on the end of
it. At the other end Shantelle Gray put Magpies keeper
Kenny Clarke under pressure following a back pass,
Clarke miscontrolled it and Gray ended up on the
floor when the keeper went to ground but no foul
given.
Emily Norfolk and Simone O’Brien again teamed up
down the right flank making an opening for Izzy
Stockton, her first shot from the edge of the area was
blocked and she recovered but hit the rebound just
wide. The first goal came in the 16th minute, a driving
run from defence from Sarah Thompson found
O’Brien who touched it on to Natasha Rasmussen, her
first time shot was brilliantly parried away by
Robinson but went straight to Fisher following up and
she stroked the ball into the empty net. 1-0
Maidenhead were in the mood for more goals and a
nice passing move between Stockton and O’Brien led
to the latter firing a shot just wide. Next Rasmussen
hit a rasping effort from 25 yards which Robinson
showed good hands to deal with it well. Stockton ran
onto a pass from Fisher, shook off a tackle from a
defender and sho low to the keepers right where she
saved well with her legs.
In the 23rd minute Selsey tried to break but could only
make it to the halfway line with Thompson hauling
back Phoebe Hamilton and being shown the yellow
card. Two minutes later the Magpies doubled their
lead with a fantastic goal. A superb ball from
Rasmussen found O’Brien in space on the right, she
slid in a lovely cross from the byline and Stockton was
there on the edge of the 6 yard box to side foot home.
2-0
Still the hosts weren’t satisfied and on the half hour
mark O’Brien got the goal her display deserved when
Fisher played her in and she fired into the far corner
across the keeper. 3-0
Emily Norfolk, who had been making me feel tired
with her endless running up and down the right,
linked up nicely with Rasmussen in the 35th minute,
Rasmussen flashed a cross into the box from wide
which was turned behind for a corner. The corner
caused chaos in the box as the visitors couldn’t clear
with the ball falling kindly for Imogen Fisher at the
back post and she made no mistake, firing home. 4-0
The visitors were struggling to defend the corners
being swung into the 6 yard box and it was from
another set piece Maidenhead added a fifth. Another
corner wasn’t dealt with and a Sarah Thompson
glancing header seemed to get the final touch. 5-0
Izzy Stockton got in behind the defence and nearly
sneaked one in at the near post but Robinson did well
to turn it behind for a corner. Simone O’Brien swung
another teasing corner into the 6 yard box where
Thompson planted a powerful header past the
stranded Robinson. 6-0
There was still time for yet another save from the
impressive Nicole Robinson in the Selsey goal,
Stockton won the ball back on the left, passed to
Rasmussen who turned the defender and fired low to
the keepers right but Robinson got down quickly to
save once more.
H-T: Maidenhead United 6 Selsey 0
A dominant half from the hosts and the scoreline
could have been a lot worse but for a string of great
saves from Robinson.
Selsey started the second half brighter, Isabelle
Wheatley latched on to a through ball and battled to
get the better of Ruth Topping, getting a shot away
which was saved by Clarke in the Magpies goal. On
another foray forward Thompson was again penalised
for pulling Phoebe Hamilton back following a mazy
run and received her second yellow, quickly followed
by a red card.
This didn’t seem to faze the hosts as they continued
to pour forward, a Stockton run into the area led to
another shot well saved by Robinson, then a brilliant
back heel through the legs of the defender by O’Brien
wasn’t rewarded as she was crowded out on the edge
of the box. A strong run from her own half by Imogen
Fisher, taking her past three Selsey players, before
hitting a powerful shot again well saved by Robinson.
In the 63rd minute Maidenhead had a seventh.
Rasmussen and O’Brien linked well again down the
left before putting over a great cross to Fisher at the
back post. She controlled the ball and saw her first
effort blocked but she picked up the rebound and
fired into the left corner for her hat-trick. 7-0
Selsey were battling hard and showing good
character but still couldn’t find a way to stem the
home side’s attacks. First O’Brien wriigled free inside
the area and got a shot away which Robinson was
again equal to, then, in the 72nd minute great feet
from Stockton saw her power through two challenges
before firing into the corner from inside the area. 8-0
Substitute Maisy West showed nice footwork of her
own moments later but was brought down with the
resulting free kick sailing straight into the arms of
Clarke. Another substitute, this time for the Magpies,
Macey-Nikiah Walters, introduced herself into the
game with a stunning effort from 25 yards out which
forced Robinson into a brilliant save to tip it over.
A fine run from Ruth Topping freed Stockton inside
the area but her shot went wide of the near post.
Walters frightening pace down the right and fired a
cross into Fisher but CharlieDavey closed her down
well and got an important block in. In the final minute
of the ninety Maidenhead made it nine. A beauty of a
pass from Tarran Williams found the run of Walters
and she buried it across the keeper and into the far
corner. 9-0
F-T: Maidenhead United 9 Selsey 0
A good win for the hosts and they will be happy with
the amount of chances they created while keeping the
door firmly shut at the back. Impressive performances
from Natasha Rasmussen who oozes quality in
midfield, Emily Norfolk who played her first 90
minutes at this level and didn’t look out of place with
a fine performance, Imogen Fisher with a fine treble
and Izzy Stockton too had a great game, looking
dangerous with every run into the area and two goals.
But there can only be one person for my player of the
match, a fantastic all round performance from Simone
O’Brien (just how many times did I write her name
down in the report??). So dangerous throughout with
Selsey finding her unplayable on the day.
Selsey are a young side, I’m told the average age of
their squad is under 19, and they battled hard
showing there is a lot of character in their squad.
Obviously the keeper, Nicole Robinson, had a blinder
but shout-outs also for Anwen Evans, Isabelle
Wheatley who has some engine, she chased after
everything including lost causes, and Phoebe
Hamilton. It can’t be easy at the moment but there
are encouraging signs for the future, hopefully they’ll
stick together and continue to develop over the
course of the season.
Tilbury 3 Stanway Rovers 0
Saturday 7th October 2023
Essex Senior League Premier Division
My longest single day trip including three hours of train
travel each way on four trains (good job there wasn’t a
strike this weekend!) and with a bit of walking involved
for good measure, with a trip to wander around Tilbury
fort planned. Because of this I had an early start and,
I’m pleased to say, everything went smoothly trainwise
for a change! I arrived in Tilbury just before midday.
I took a nice walk down to the Thames Estuary in the
autumn sunshine past the docks and watched the ferry
leave before walking on to the fort. Seeing all the gun
emplacements still there as if waiting for ghosts of
Lutfwaffe planes to come into view was quite surreal.
There was an old plane that flew over but I couldn’t
make out what it was. Check out my Instagram page
for a few of pictures.
After a quick stop off in the Worlds End pub it was on to
the ground. This was my first visit to Chadfields
although not the first time I’d seen Tilbury in action.
The first time was as a fresh faced 11 year old when
they played, and beat, Bracknell Town in the FA Cup
qualifying rounds in 1977 with the second time being
probably two or three years later at the much missed
Finchampstead Road, home of Wokingham Town in the
Isthmian League. So just 40+ years between seeing The
Dockers play!
Into the ground, which went well from the off with their
choice of matchday music, and one of my reasons for
wanting to visit Tilbury was seeing the pictures of one
of their selection of burgers on the Footy Scran Twitter
page. I can only say it didn’t disappoint and you can
see my review on my new Matchday Fayre page. All
their matchday food, and extremely high quality it is, is
produced by Eat Street Catering (@Eatstreetessex on
Twitter or X, whatever you want to call it). Definite
thumbs up from me for them!
So, onto the game. At the start Tilbury were sitting in
7th place in the ESL and on a good run, unbeaten in
four games and winning their last three by a 3-0
scoreline (two in the league and one in the FA Vase).
Stanway Rovers for their part were 19th having recently
parted company with manager Karl Duguid, and on a
bad run of four consecutive defeats.
The first half hour of the game was nip and tuck, both
sides battling for everything but not able to forge a
decent opening. The hosts looked the more dangerous
through the wickedly inswinging corners from Tom
Salter but the only real save either keeper had to make
was a smart save from Tilbury’s Page low to his left
after Tom Lewis made himself some space on the edge
of the area.
In the last minute of the half Tilbury broke through the
steadfast defence of the visitors when Dan Trendall’s
pace took him into the area where he crossed into the
box and Harry Donovan stooped low to head the ball
over the line. 1-0
H-T: Tilbury 1 Stanway Rovers 0
The second half began and the Dockers took control
from the off. Salter hitting an effort just wide from the
edge of the box, Roman Campbell just failed to get on
the end of a cross from Oli Spooner and Salter again
hitting a volley from 20 yards straight into the keepers
arms. Tilbury finally made all the pressure count in the
79th minute when Browne found Campbell in the area
and he stroked the ball past the keeper to double their
lead. 2-0
The Dockers made it three with just a couple of minutes
remaining after Spooner was upended inside the area
and Campbell comfortably struck the spot kick home. 3-
0
F-T: Tilbury 3 Stanway Rovers 0
An entertaining game in the unseasonably warm
autumn sunshine and a deserved victory for the hosts.
I really enjoyed my day out in Tilbury and shall return at
some point in the future!
Best of luck to both teams for the rest of the season.
Abbey Rangers Ladies 2 Fleet Town Women 1
Sunday 8th October 2023
Southern Region Women's Football League
Division One South
I mentioned on Twitter before the game that this time
last year I didn’t know Abbey Rangers existed. I guess
this is something that happens to a lot of clubs
throughout the country. If you don’t get any coverage
in the local media, how do you let people know you are
there and what you can offer? Abbey Rangers is a great
club with fantastic facilities (one of the best pitches in
the area) and they have built a really welcoming family
oriented community club. I’ve been back for both
men’s and women’s fixtures several times since my
first visit so they must be doing something right!
As you may know, I’m partial to a little food at a game
and Abbey have The Dug Out, a great place to grab
something to eat on a matchday. If you’ve been
following my journey since last year you’ll know they
had two different burgers that finished in my top five
from my games in 22/23 including the one I deemed
the best of the season. Check it out if you get a chance,
you won’t be disappointed!
After catching up with a few people I had the pleasure
of meeting on my travels last season, it was time for a
quick chicken nuggets and chips before heading out
into the autumn sunshine for the game. Who’d have
thought people would be turning up in t-shirts and
shorts for a match in early October?
The game started with Abbey on the front foot and they
fashioned a couple of early chances while the visitors
were still trying to settle. Lauren Timbrell saw an early
chance just beat the far post before Leah Robertson
ran onto a through ball in the area and managed to get
there before Ellie James in the Fleet goal but she just
couldn’t get enough on it to send it goalwards and that
allowed Abbie Burrows to clear.
Robertson was in action again soon after when she
made another clever run into the area and this time
she did get a shot in which was beaten away by James
at point blank range. Carla Hobbs had also started well
and she won the ball midway in the Fleet half and again
found the run of Robertson, who was causing the
visitors defence all sorts of problems with her pace, but
her effort went narrowly wide.
The waves of attacks continued for the hosts, Millie
Hackney tried her luck from outside the box which
James did well to parry away for a corner and from the
set piece Izzy Saunders saw her shot from distance
again well saved by the busy Fleet goalkeeper. Next a
lovely through ball from Bethany Easterman found
Hobbs in space but she blazed her effort over the bar.
It had been a blistering start from the home side but
they had nothing to show for it and Fleet slowly started
to claw their way into the match. A nice move between
Jade Ferguson and Jamie-Lee Osbourne made space for
the latter to get a cross in which Mel Anders managed
to block away for a corner.
Back at the other end, Lauren Timbrell was fouled on
the edge of the area and got up to take the set piece,
trying to curl it into the top corner but James was there
again to save. Lisa Smith had the next chance after the
ball fell kindly for her from a corner but again her effort
was too high. In the final action of the first half, a Carla
Hobbs run down the right flank where she twisted and
turned the defender inside out before firing a “come
and get me” ball across the six yard box but it was just
a yard in front of Smith running in and was cleared
away.
H-T: Abbey Rangers 0 Fleet Town 0.
Rangers would have gone into the dressing room
wondering how they weren’t ahead and carried on in
much the same vein after the break. A nice move down
the left led to Saunders finding Timbrell on the edge of
the box and her first time effort had to be tipped
around the post by James.
Fleet then had their best spell of the game so far, first
Ferguson nicked the ball in midfield and played it
through to Molly Greenaway whose shot was well
saved by Sadie Trotter. Then a mix up in the home
defence from a corner gave Ferguson the chance to
block a clearance and play in Beth Graves who fired
over.
At the other end a defence splitting ball played through
by Lucie Hill was picked up by Lisa Smith but she saw
her effort deflected just wide of the keepers near post.
Abbey finally got a bit of luck and made it count. Carla
Hobbs ran onto a great diagonal ball from Saunders
where she managed to just beat the keeper to the ball
and it rolled into the empty net. 1-0
The hosts double their lead soon after. They were
awarded a free kick on the edge of the area which Jess
Tripp managed to get up and over the wall and into the
roof of the net with James stranded. A cracking strike
from their free kick specialist! 2-0
To their credit Fleet looked to get get straight back into
the game and managed that minutes later when the
impressive Ferguson picked out the run of Teyla Poulter
and she coolly took the ball around Trotter and stroked
the ball home. 2-1
The visitors had their best spell in the game as they
pushed for an equaliser. Molly Greenaway chipped a
lovely free kick from the left flank into a dangerous
area which somehow the home defence managed to
scramble clear before a nice move down the left sent
Ferguson clear but Lucie Hill was there to make a great
covering tackle.
In the last action of an end to end second half, a
Saunders free kick from 20 yards out was saved by
James as the ball looked to be heading inside her near
post.
F-T: Abbey Rangers 2 Fleet Town 1
Abbey will probably be wondering how they didn’t win
this game by a wider margin but they will be
encouraged with the amount of chances they created.
Fleet for thir part battled on gamely and could have
nicked something from the game late on. There were
plenty of good things to build on for both teams
coming from today’s game.
An enjoyable game to watch and good luck to both
teams for the rest of the season. You’ll both probably
see me again at some point!
The least I say about my train journey home the better
too…
Badshot Lea 4 Chipstead 2
Saturday 14th October 2023
Isthmian League South Central Division
After experiencing an excellent visit to the Operatix
Community Ground last season, it was time to take a
trip back and see how they were getting on. Badshot
won promotion from the Combined Counties South in
22/23, finishing runners-up to Raynes Park Vale while
amassing 94 points and scoring over 100 goals. They
have started the season well so far in 23/24, finding
themselves just outside the play-off places at this early
stage. With the visitors being in and around the upper
reaches of the table too this promised to be a cracking
match-up.
As you’ll know from my previous reports, nothing is
ever easy with the rail system. The 20 mile trek from
where I live to Farnham would mean a journey time of
one and a half hours and entail catching three trains.
This time the system worked like clockwork and I found
myself waiting for a bus to the ground. Unusually this
was the leg that caused the delay with the bus being 20
minutes late, thank heavens for tracking on the app
being available otherwise I would have ended up
walking to the ground as I did last year and that is quite
a distance!
It was at the bus stop I met and started chatting to a
groundhopper making his first visit to Westfield Lane. A
really interesting man, he’s been to over 670 grounds in
the UK including all the current 92 English League
grounds (apart from Brentford’s new gound), all of the
Scottish League grounds and countless non-league
grounds up and down the country. Fascinating to hear
some of his experiences.
When the bus did finally turn up we reached the ground
around 2pm, entry was £10 and with an excellent
printed programme costing £2. As usual my first port of
call was to order my burger, this time I went for The
Moxy after taking on the fantastic Baggie Burger last
season and you can find out more about that on my
Matchday Fayre page.
So, onto the game. Badshot started the game well,
controlling the football and probing to find an opening.
In the 9th minute a nice passing move resulted in them
winning a corner on the right. The outswinging set
piece was headed back across goal by George Frise with
Adam New beating two defenders to the ball and made
enough contact for it to bounce into the right corner of
the net. 1-0
Badshot were now firmly on top and playing some
lovely patient passing football. Chipstead for their part
looked to be chasing shadows and struggled to cope
with the hosts high pressing game. Another passing
move led to an opening for Reece Robins, who beat the
offside trap only to be beaten to the ball by Chips
keeper Harrison Frith diving at his feet and taking the
ball cleanly.
The visitors had their first half chance midway through
the half when a diagonal free kick into the box from
Bradley Wilson was headed on but Badshot custodian
Myles Bowman gathered well.
The action was all coming at the Chipstead end with
them defending valiantly to turn away wave after wave
of home attacks. Kai Allsopp sent another dangerous
corner into the box from the right but this time New
couldn’t get on the end of Frise’s header and it was
cleared for a corner on the opposite side. A quick short
corner one-two between Baback Dehgani and Robins
made space for the former to whip another cross in
towards the far post where it was well defended by
Matt Kellet-Smith.
Chipstead then started seeing a bit more of the ball and
had their best spell of the half just on the half hour
mark. A lovely move down the left culminated in Martin
Sontan firing the ball into the box from the byline which
was blocked and fell kindly for Badshot keeper Bowman
to gather.
Badshot came back and doubled their lead in the 38th
minute. A storming run into the area from Allsopp
looked like it he was going to be muscled out by the
defender but Allsopp battled well, took it round the
outside to the byline, looked up and then cut a lovely
pass back to Lamin Ceesay who sidefooted the ball into
the net. 2-0
The hosts tried to kill the game off and, but for excellent
defending from Zohair Ali, looked likely to score
following another sweeping move across the pitch.
Chipstead nearly got themselves back into the game on
the brink of half time when a nice move down the left
finished with a good shot which was well tipped away
by Bowman.
H-T: Badshot Lea 2 Chipstead 0.
A fantastic first half of football which was about to be
succeeded by an even better second. The visitors came
out all guns blazing from the restart and in a total
reversal of the first, started causing the home side
problems. From a Wilson free kick wide on the right the
ball was cleared but only to Danyall Iqbal who struck his
shot well but it took a deflection to go out for a corner.
This was well defended and cleared to Ceesay who
controlled well and skipped past a challenge midway
inside his own half. He ran on with no support and two
defenders for company and tried an audacious lob from
fully 45 yards out which sailed over Firth’s head but also
the crossbar.
Jaden Edwards was causing problems for the Baggies
defence with his pace down the right in the second half
and in the 61st minute it was a great cross from him
which found Wilson’s run into the box and he glanced
his header across Bowman and into the far corner. 2-1
Chipstead’s tails were now up and they came close
again moments later, substitute Arlie Desanges had a
half chance just inside the area but he could only stab it
just wide. In the 66th minute the visitors got the
equaliser their play deserved. A smart pass from
Desanges found Daniel Berry on the edge of the box
and he showed good strength to shrug off a challenge
before calmly firing under the onrushing Bowman’s
legs and into the net. 2-2
The Chips nearly took the lead moments later but
Sontan fired over the bar from just outside the box.
Back came the hosts and in the 71st minute retook the
lead. A fine Rohart-Brown cross from the left was met at
the back post by Anuar Ceesay who finished nicely. 3-2
The visitors were still in this and Daniel Berry’s direct
running down the left flank was causing headaches for
Badshot Lea. One such run saw him gather the ball
inside his own half and outstrip two defenders to get to
the byline before pulling it back for Desanges on the
edge of the six yard box. The ball was just behind him
but he managed to gather and turn in one movement
but saw his effort blocked superbly by George Hedley.
Both sides were searching, the Baggies to seal the win
and Chipstead to get something out of the game and it
was the home side that prevailed. In the 89th minute
the visitors were looking to break but were stopped in
their tracks by an excellent tackle and cross from Anuar
Ceesay which was converted by Rohart-Brown at the
back post. 4-2.
Still the two sides went toe to toe in added time but
there was no further scoring in this enthralling game.
F-T: Badshot Lea 4 Chipstead 2
A fantastic game of football for a neutral, I’m sure the
supporters of the two sides might not agree and would
have experienced many ups and downs throughout the
90 minutes! A cracking advertisement for Step 4
football.
Good to catch up with Gavin Smith who I’ve known for
many years through his time at Bracknell Town, and to
all the fantastic people involved with the club from the
chairman down, thanks for another great day out and
I’ll no doubt see you again at some point this season
(after all, I do have a couple of extra burgers to try!)
Now plotting a first trip to Chipstead and will hopefully
see them later on in the season too. Good luck to both
sides for the rest of 23/24.
Ashridge Park Ladies 6 Wantage Town Women 0
Sunday 15th October 2023
Berks & Bucks FA Women’s Trophy Second Round
A first trip to Cantley Park to check out Ashridge Park
and the journey there went smoothly. The bus arrived
on time and I left myself plenty of time to find the
pitches which I needed as apparently I did a lap around
the place, walking for 20-25 minutes, where I could have
been there in ten! Still, you live and learn. The 3G
surface at Cantley is so much better than the one at
Bracknell Sports Centre, and looks massive, it’s apparent
someone there looks after it which they certainly don’t
seem to at Bracknell.
The game was a second round Berks & Bucks Women’s
Trophy match-up with the hosts being the hot favourites
for the tie considering they play two levels higher in the
TVCWFL. As expected Ashridge had most of the
possession in the early stages and won an early corner
following good work down the right falnk by Molly
Brookes. The corner was cleared well by the defence and
on the break Ellie Day went down with what looked like
a nasty injury. After being tended to she was helped off
the field and wasn’t able to return.
Something that would become apparent throughout the
game is Amy Linge is very good at taking corner kicks!
Time and again she crossed into a dangerous area in the
six yard box and that caused Wantage massive
problems throughout. After ten minutes she swung in
her first, meeting the run of Lauren Broadhurst but she
couldn’t get enough on it to steer it into the net.
After that it was shooting practice for Ashridge with
most being straight at Bells Rowan in the Wantage goal.
Broadhurst played in Lily-May Varney but her shot went
wide, Laura Comerford hit a couple straight to Rowan
and then Broadhurst, Varney and Katie Sayer tested the
Wantage keeper but she was having a game where she
was holding onto everything. Varney then had a good
run down the right flank before pulling it back into the 6
yard box but again Rowan just managed to grab the ball
in front of Sayer.
And so it continued, a lovely ball from Mia Leonard
splitting the defence played in Broadhurst and her shot
was well saved by Rowan again at her near post. After 32
minutes Sayer was played into space inside the area and
fired a shot at point blank range which Rowan did well
to parry and quickly recover to dive on the loose ball in
front of Comerford. Leonard was again the architect in
the next attack, this time feeding Varney inside the area,
she pulled the ball across, Sayer got a touch before it
ran through to Comerford with her back to goal. She
turned sweetly and got a shot away which just went the
wrong side of the post.
The hosts thought they’d broken through towards the
end of the half when Varney broke clear and put the ball
in the net but she had strayed half a yard offside. There
was still time for Rowan to punch away a free kick
floated in by Brookes and pull off another save from
Varney low to her right.
H-T: Ashridge Park 0 Wantage Town 0
A frustrating half for the hosts but credit to the visitors,
they battled away gamely with Sophie Green and
Chelsey Newport winning some important tackles. This
was always likely to be a floodgates open scenario once
Ashridge broke through the stoic defensive effort from
Wantage and it took them a minute into the second half
to do just that. Laura Comerford picked up the ball wide
right and played a lovely ball across the 6 yard box
where Lauren Broadhurst got the goal her play in the
first half deserved, tapping in from close range. 1-0
The same move nearly brought a rapid second, this time
Varney supplying the cross only to see Leonard sidefoot
it over. Subsitute Megan Averill made an instant impact,
picking up the ball 30 yards out, took two touches and
then hit a belter of a shot which just flew over Rowan’s
bar. The home side did make it two moments later
following more good work from Broadhurst, she picked
up the loose ball outside the box and fired a shot
goalwards. This time Rowan could only parry the ball
away and Sayer was well placed to beat her to the
rebound and steered the ball home. 2-0
Wantage had their first real chance of the game soon
after, Sara Comley hitting a shot from outside the area
which Kari Mietle saved comfortably. After that it turned
into the Grace Bull show. On as a substitute, she set up
the third with a great run down the right and cross
which picked out Sayer at the near post and she headed
the ball past Rowan with aplomb. 3-0
Megan Averill played another delicious ball through to
Comerford but she could only drag her shot wide.
Another wicked corner from Linge picked out the
intelligent late run from Broadhurst and she headed
powerfully past the stranded Rowan. 4-0
Moments later it was five, Bull again made a superb run
down the right flank sliding the ball across the 6 yard
box where Varney was there to slot the ball into the net.
5-0
Another storming run from Bull found Varney in the D
but Ange Cross managed to block, the deflection hitting
the bottom of the post and went out for a corner. This
time Wantage managed to clear the corner but it wasn’t
long before another exquisite through ball from Averill
found Sayer with her shot drifting agonisingly wide of
the post. Rowan was back in action moments later
saving another Sayer shot from an Averill through ball.
Grace Bull again terrorised the visitors defence with
another run and shot which Rowan palmed over the bar.
From another teasing corner by Linge, the defence were
in sixes and sevens and in the melee, Sayer took
advantage to complete her hat-trick. 6-0
F-T: Ashridge Park 6 Wantage Town 0
A good team performance from the hosts with everyone
playing their part. While having probably one of their
easier games, the defensive trio of Molly Brookes,
Rachel Stevens and Olivia Slom covered virtually every
chance Wantage made and linked up well going
forward. Ashridge also have very good options from the
bench with Averill & Bull particularly impressive in the
second half.
This will be all part of the learning experience for
Wantage. You certainly can’t fault them for heart and
commitment. Missing a few players through injury or
unavailability and also only having two subs, which was
down to one following Ellie Day’s early injury, it was
alays going to be a tough task.
They never gave up and battled to the final whistle
which is a good sign for the future. Wishing Ellie Day all
the best, hope her injury isn’t too bad and she makes a
speedy recovery. Good luck to Wantage for the rest of
the season.
Virginia Water 1 Woodley United 1
(Woodley won 4-3 on pens)
Saturday 21st October 2023
FA Vase First Round
So in the week that Storm Babet wreaked havoc around
the UK with social media showing the wind and deluge
that left many grounds underwater or storm damaged,
it was a blessing that this game survived. The Thames
Valley looked to have escaped the worst of the storm
and, although the pitch at Stag Meadow was heavy
from the rainfall, it was playable.
This looked to be a fascinating match-up in the FA Vase
First Round. The hosts, sitting in a play-off position in
the Combined Counties Premier North, were looking to
make their first appearance in the second round of the
competition for 48 years. For the visitors, sitting mid
table in the Combined Counties Division One table,
reaching this round had already surpassed their best
ever run in this competition so they would be looking to
create more history in this fixture. Thanks to FA
competitions guru Phil Annets, @favasefactfile on
Twitter, for that little snippet!
More rain was forecast for the afternoon but the game
at least started dry. Virginia Water began the game
quickly and had the first chance when Reece Gairy beat
the offside trap and raced onto a through ball. Sadly his
first touch was a little heavy which took him away from
goal and allowed a defender to get back and block his
effort.
In the 12th minute, a nice one two down the right flank
from the hosts released Andrio Brandao whose pull
back from the byline found Adam Sewell alone in the
area but he blasted over from close range. The waves of
attacks continued from the step 5 side and they came
close again minutes later when a Casey Boccaro free
kick from the left was swung in deep towards the back
post. Woodley keeper Killian Barrett misjudged the
flight and it found its way to Sewell again who saw his
header rebound off the base of the post and cleared
away to safety.
Woodley had been forced onto the back foot early on
but against the run of play, took the lead in the 23rd
minute. Tahir Carmichael produced a great tackle in
midfield and sent the ball wide left to Connor
Richardson. A burst of pace and good footwork took
him clear of the defence and he whipped a lovely cross
into the six yard box where Sid Gbla ran in to sidefoot
past Matthew Jones in the home goal. 0-1
Despite this setback Virginia Water continued to push
forward. A cracking Josh Blakebrough shot from 25
yards was brilliantly saved at full stretch by Barrett. On
28 minutes Bocarro and Brandao linked up well setting
up a chance for the latter but again Barrett was equal
to it, tipping it wide of the far post. The hosts looked
dangerous from set pieces and one swung in to the six
yard box caused panic in the visitors defence but was
eventually headed clear by Dan Watkiss from just under
the crossbar.
Woodley had a rare attack soon after where a nice first
time passing move between Connor Suckling and Rafa
Brandao released Gbla. He was on his own and had two
defenders for company but still managed to get a shot
on target which was well saved by Jones low to his right.
The home side had the final two chances of a
breathless half when first, Bocarro found space in the
area for a shot but could only fire it straight at Barrett
and then, just before half time, Bocarro hit another
fierce drive which deflected off a defender and over the
bar.
H-T: Virginia Water 0 Woodley United 1
An action packed first half where the Waters fashioned
a host of chances that they couldn’t take advantage of
and Woodley fighting a rearguard battle but took the
one real chance they made.
The second half started off in a similar fashion with the
hosts having the majority of the play. The rain began to
come down which made the surface more slippery. In
the 53rd minute the home side levelled when a Brandao
corner from the right was flicked on and fell between
Sewell and Gairy with the latter managing to poke the
ball into the Woodley net. 1-1
The goal seemed to galvanise the hosts and they
pressed forward looking to take the lead. Gairy had a
half chance when he slid in and knocked the ball past
Barrett only to see Joshua Nwokobia clear the ball from
just inside the right hand post. Brandao had another
shot saved by Barrett before the Woodley keeper pulled
off another stunning save from Bocarro. He saw his first
shot blocked just inside the area by Watkiss but reacted
quickest to volley a cracker goalwards only to see
Barrett claw the ball away to his right.
At the other end, a lung busting run down the right
wing and a nice one two with Gbla gave Manny Adu
Essah a chance to shoot inside the area but Jones
managed to save his effort with his legs. Soon after a
long throw from Watkiss fell to Nwokobia just inside the
area but he fired over.
In the final chance in normal time, James Goodey, who
impressed after coming on as a second half substitute,
picked up the ball on the right and drifted in past two
Woodley players but his attempt at a curler went well
wide. After 8 minutes of time added on in which both
sides desperately searched for the winner, the referee
blew the full time whistle and the match was to be
decided by penalties.
F-T: Virginia Water 1 Woodley United 1
Woodley took the penalty shoot out 4-3 with Virginia
Water missing their third and fifth penalties, one a
superb save from Barrett, and Woodley only missing
their fourth to spark jubilant scenes from all involved
with the visitors.
Make no mistake, Virginia Water are a good side and
made more than enough chances to win this game but
they came up against an inspired goalkeeper and will
probably feel they gave the ball away unneccessarily on
too many occasions. They worked the ball into some
good positions but the final ball let them down too
often.
This was a gutsy, resolute team performance from
Woodley and all their players deserve the plaudits after
following their coaches game plan to a T. Every one of
their players battled so hard against a team from the
league above and in the end deserved to take
something from the game.
Good luck to them in the next round. Go and make
some more history!
The excellent Marcus Rashid was there photographing
the game so to see his collection check out his website.
Berks County Ladies 3 Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies 0
Sunday 22nd October 2023
Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League
Developmental Division
A trip of all of 10 minutes down the road today to catch a
TVCWFL Developmental Division match between two
brand new teams in the area for me today. There were a
few familiar faces and it was nice to be able to catch up
with them and find out all about their new set-ups. The
other really pleasing thing was it wasn’t raining.
Hallelujah! It was actually quite sunny, albeit a little chilly
in the shade, which certainly made a change from the
last few days.
The game began at a furious pace and Berks County
nearly opened the scoring within a minute. A strong
header forward by Kiah Owen ran into the path of Jess
Brome-Mbaya who managed to shoot early but it just
went wide of the post. Next, a nice pass out to the right
wing found Leanne Harkins who cut back inside the
defender and put a cross into the box which was well
dealt with by Louise Galway in the Sumas goal.
It was a strong opening 15 minutes from the hosts but
their opponents were defending well and they struggled
to make any clear cut chances. Kiah Owen, who was
heavily involved in every attack for the hosts, came close
to opening the scoring after 16 minutes. A couple of deft
touches made herself some space on the edge of the
area but her shot flew just wide of the post. Owen then
linked up well with Harkins and Lucie Harvey which
ended with another shot on goal saved by Galway.
Wokingham & Emmbrook had their first chance of the
match moments later when the lively Genevieve Richards
picked up the ball from a throw and flicked it over her
head. This was picked up by Lauren Evans and her first
time effort went agonisingly wide of the far post with the
keeper beaten. At the other end, Harvey had another half
chance but could only put the ball into the side netting.
Evans had another chance for the Sumas soon after
when she cut inside Annalise Young and sent a shot
goalwards but County keeper Charlee Bradbury was
equal to it. Lydia Farruggio saw an effort saved well
down low to her left by Galway at the other end before
Wokingham won a free kick 25 yards out on the left side
of the box. Captain Megan Bartlett took it and it looked
to be heading into the roof of the net until Bradbury
managed to get her fingertips to the ball just under the
crossbar then catching the ball.
Kiah Owen again came close after picking up the ball
inside her own half and setting off on a long run before
firing another shot from just outside the box that Galway
again saved well. In the final attack of the half Owen
again went on a solo run, this time down the left flank,
which Galway could only parry away and Becky Drablow
managed to get to the ball in front of Farruggio and
clear.
H-T: Berks County 0 Wokingham & Emmbrook 0
Quite how this was goalless at half time I have no idea!
So many chances for the hosts but excellent goalkeeping
from Galway and a resolute defence had kept Berks
County at bay.
At the start of the second half the pattern of play was
similar with the home side powering forward and the
visitors defending well and trying to use the pace of
Richards and Evans to counter. The opening goal came in
somewhat bizarre circumstances. The ball was bouncing
around in the area and Caitlin Taylor went down after the
ball hit her and she was struggling to breathe. The game
carried on and Galway, worried about her teammate
stopped to help her and Amber Riddle rolled the ball into
the empty net. 1-0
I spoke to the referee after the game and he explained
that the visitors, bar the goalkeeper and the stricken
player, had continued to play rather than kick the ball
out so the goal would stand. The current laws of the
game state the official can only stop play for a head
injury which seems a farcical rule especially if someone is
struggling to breathe. So, there you go. That was the
reasoning behind it.
The Sumas reacted well and came close to an immediate
leveller when Evans hit a decent shot which somehow
Bradbury managed to scramble away to safety. Back
came Berks County and inevitably it was Owen who came
close to doubling the lead. She picked up the ball and ran
to the left side of the area before unleashing a shot
which took a deflection and that was enough to take the
ball past the far post.
Next Louise Galway was at the centre of events, pulling
off saves from Emma Gaywood, Harkins and Brome-
Mbaye, before getting a strong hand to Harvey’s attempt
to lift it over her after being put through. At the other
end Evans again made some space for herself on the left
and fired a shot across goal which whistled just wide of
the far post.
In the hosts next attack Lucie Harvey played a lovely ball
through the middle of the defence picking out Brome-
Mbaye’s run but she hurried her shot and the advancing
Galway saved with her legs. For the Sumas, Evans won
the ball in a tackle and ran in on goal but scuffed her
shot allowing Bradbury to gather. From this Bradbury
sent a long kick towards Owen, she headed it on into the
path of Brome-Mbaye who hit a clean strike but again
wide of the target.
The home side finally doubled their lead through Owen
after she picked up the ball on the left and surged into
the area before sliding it across Galway and into the
bottom corner. 2-0
Galway again kept Berks County at bay with a superb
double save from Farruggio, the second from point blank
range, and soon afterwards they did make it three when
Brome-Mbaye’s pace again took her clear of the defence
and this time she managed to poke it past the advancing
Galway and in. 3-0
There was still time for Galway again to make another
stunning save from Owen before the referees whistle
brought an entertaining game to a close.
F-T: Berks County 3 Wokingham & Emmbrook 0.
Good performances all round with Annalise Young, Kiah
Owen, Lydia Farruggio and Lucie Harvey all impressing
for Berks County, and Megan Bartlett, Lauren Evans and
Genevieve Richards doing the same for the visitors.
There can only be one candidate for my player of the
match though, a simply superb display from Wokingham
& Emmbrook’s goalkeeper Louise Galway.
Good luck to both sides for the rest of the season and it
certainly won’t be the last time I’ll be catching up with
both clubs in 23/24!
Bagshot 1 Bedfont 3
Saturday 28th October 2023
Cpmbined Counties League Division One
A hastily arranged replacement fixture for me as my
planned match at Burnham was postponed earlier in
the week due to a fixture issue with the league and then
heavy rain once more took its toll on many games in the
area. Krooner Park has a good playing surface so this,
together with the Thames Valley not getting the deluge
that swamped much of the southern and eastern
counties, meant that this game would go ahead with a
2pm kick off.
Entry to the ground was £7 and I received a warm
welcome from the hosts including a good chat with one
of their fantastic band of volunteers who manned the
turnstile about the difficulties facing clubs with few
volunteers to help them out and trying to compete
against teams with a much bigger playing budget.
There was a very dark and foreboding sky overhead
which would be a taste of things to come as I took my
place in the stand.
Bedfont started the game quickly playing some nice
football on the slick surface. They took advantage of the
pace of Cyril Ocansey early on, he raced onto a couple
of balls into space down the right flank, whipping in
dangerous crosses which Bagshot defended well. For
the next 20 minutes or so it was a very even match.
Bagshot’s Ezekiel Coker forcing a good save with his
legs from Sam Bersey and minutes later Bersey was
called into action again, this time tipping over Coker’s
shot.
Bedfont were making chances of their own when first, a
nice cross from Sekani McCalmon found the head of
Luke Dunn who saw his header well saved and then Ben
Bell had a shot from outside the area which was again
well gathered by the Bagshot keeper. Ocansey also had
a chance but his drive across the keeper went wide of
the far post. The pressure was building on the hosts as
Bedfont won consecutive corners which were again well
defended.
Then came a mad five minutes. In the 31st, Ocansey
expertly picked out the overlap from the full back Kieran
Brown and his cross into the six yard box from the
byline found Kildane Tesfu all alone and he coolly
sidefooted the ball home. 0-1
A minute later a Luke Bersey free kick to the near post
found the head of Luke Dunn and he made no mistake
glancing the ball past the stranded Baghot keeper to
double their lead. 0-2
In the 35th minute Ocansey again made an opening,
this time finding McCalmon just inside the area and he
smashed his effort into the back of the net to make it
three. 0-3
McCalmon was again involved on the verge of half time,
making a great run but his cross flashed across the box
beating everyone and was cleared.
H-T: Bagshot 0 Bedfont 3
Just before half time and during it the heavens opened.
I don’t think I’ve seen such a heavy downpour in quite a
while and that would make conditions much more
difficult in the second half. Bedfont continued to try to
play nice passing football but everything was a bit
tentative with the underfoot conditions early on. The
hosts had made a couple of substitutions and pulled a
goal back through Coker, firing past Sam Bersey to
reduce the deficit. 1-3
Bedfont came straight back and another good Luke
Bersey delivery from a corner found Harry Tubb but he
couldn’t get enough power on his header and the
keeper gathered safely. There then followed a delay to
the game after a member of the Bagshot bench was
dismissed for something he said to the referee which
led to an argument, the offender refusing to go and
both managers being talked to by the official.
By now the pitch was cutting up with the game getting
a little scrappy but Bedfont were still making chances. A
Bersey corner from the right found Charlie Lawrence
but he could only put his header over the bar under
pressure.
Another chance to add to the visitors lead came and
went towards the end of the game, Chris Martin-
Thomas picked up a long ball forward leaving a two on
two situation, he drew the defenders and slipped the
ball to McCalmon. His first touch was a little heavy and
the keeper saved well at his feet, the ball rebounded
back to Martin-Thomas who hit a first time shot which
was thwarted by a brilliant piece of defending by
Bagshot captain Kevin Beaumont. He chased back and
was there to head the ball clear from underneath the
crossbar.
The home side had one final chance in the closing
minutes, Coker picked up the ball outside the Bedfont
area and played a lovely ball with the outside of his left
foot but Sam Bersey had seen the danger and saved
well at the feet of the onrushing forward’s feet and
gathered safely at the second attempt.
F-T: Bagshot 1 Bedfont 3
A good game despite the conditions and deservedly
won by the visitors. Bagshot gave everything and
certainly don’t look to be a bottom two side. If they play
like this then hopefully they will be able to pick up
valuable points in future games and climb away from
the bottom of the table. Bedfont look a good side who
make a lot of chances, they look a good bet to be
involved in the play-off picture this season.
Thanks to Bagshot for their hospitality and to the many
Bedfont supporters I had the opportunity to chat to.
I’ve pencilled in a visit to The Orchard so I’ll be seeing
you again later in the season!