Where to start with this one, six goals, two red cards and chances galore.

Two early goals put SCR well in control, although Cadete had the first chance for the home side at 0-0 with a well controlled effort just wide of the post. Badshot Lea, playing with three centre backs will be asking questions as the first two goals were both through balls that opened them up. Fernandez latched on to a perfect pass from Henry to make it 1-0 slotting calmly past Lunn. The roles were reversed minutes later when Fernandez turned provider to set Henry away and he elected to dribble round Lunn and fire into an empty net. Badshot Lea won a few corners in the first half and with the towering presence of Matthews they were always a threat but SCR dealt with the danger.

Mac Ford caused problems for the visitors with a number of forceful runs at the heart of the defence and Cadete and Caubo worked tirelessly up front but were unable to force a comeback and on 43 minutes it appeared it was game over as Twum darted into the box and following a tangle with Dampha, the Referee, much to the disgust of the home fans, which was very vocal, pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty. Fernandez sent Lunn the wrong way, scoring his second and SCR’s third. In the melee after the goal being scored, Matthews was cautioned and sin binned.

Badshot Lea needed to register first in the second half to give themselves a chance of a comeback but on 50 minutes a sloppy pass from Upton was intercepted by Henry who immediately put Murphy-McVey through on goal and he effortlessly rounded Lunn and rolled in number 4. Game over? Not quite, as for some reason SCR got sloppy both at the back and up front and Matthews rose highest to head down on 71 minutes with Dean Rule applying the finishing touch from a yard out. There was tension from the SCR bench which translated on to the pitch with players beginning to argue a bit with each other instead of cruising to victory. Skipper, Michael Eacott, in the SCR goal kept calm and dealt with any advances from Badshot before turning defence in to attack with his booming clearances. One such clearance led to Twum darting down the right wing and being taken out by a lunge from Dampha that earned him a second yellow card and he departed. Murphy-Mcvey should have put the game to bed but tried to be a bit too clever and the effort was wasted. Henry then got himself sent off after lashing out at Carlisle making it 10v10 for the last few minutes. There was time for Matthews to again set up a goal with a header in to the six yard box that was poked in by Upton.

For the neutral this was an enjoyable spectacle but the Badshot Lea bosses will be none too pleased with some of the goals conceded and on the SCR side of things they will be scratching their heads at the way their side played after going 4-0 up. At the end of the day they secured 3 points at a tough place to visit and remain top of the table with a 4 point cushion. Maybe this is the season for Sutton Common Rovers but past history points to a good start to a season before falling away. This season however, it looks like the assembled squad is deep enough to carry a real threat. Time will tell with plenty of other teams wanting to knock them off the top.

The top 2 in the Premier League failed to register maximum points in their respective games with Knaphill held at home by a battling CB Hounslow and Ascot United suffering their second defeat of the season away from home. Hanworth Villa welcomed Ascot and recorded a fine 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Sam Merson and two from Brandon Barzey. They now have 10 points from 4 games which represents a fine start to the season. Knaphill were straight out of the blocks against CB Hounslow piling on early pressure but it was the visitors who took the lead when a square back four was penetrated on 12 minutes and the chance was well taken. Within a minute, Timmy Taylor picked out Danny Taylor who equalised with a classy finish. By half time CB Hounslow were 2-1 ahead and in the second half Knaphill struggled to assert any dominance until they levelled things. An in swinging free kick was inadvertently helped in to the net by a Hounslow defender. After this Knaphill created more with efforts created but not taken. John Cook, Knaphill Manager was left frustrated as the game concluded.

A Man of the Match performance from Brad Williams which included two goals, helped Sutton Common Rovers record a 3-1 victory over Cobham FC and sees them in fourth place with 10 points from 4 played. One of last seasons top performers in the league, Ollie Twum was also on the scoresheet with Cobham getting a consolation in injury time. Southall took all three points home from Molesey with a devastating first 45 minutes racing in to a 4-0 lead. This is how it stayed as they slowed down in the second half. Molesey continue to struggle as they look for consolidation this season following mass player changes as the season started. Comeback of the day saw Badshot Lea go down 2-0 by the 25th minute at home to Redhill but they dug in and claimed 3 points with a 3-2 win. Two assists from Mac Ford saw Billy Upton net twice and in between these goals, Tane Caubo netted.

Molesey and Redhill remain on zero points with Frimley Green just above them on 3 points. Their first win came today with a 4-0 thumping of Raynes Park Vale. Jordan Carter starred as he opened the scoring, chipping the keeper and Zac Hawker soon doubled the lead. A third was drilled home from distance by Aidan Phillips and Carter provided the fourth teeing up Jake Hawker for a tap in. Colliers Wood hosted Sheerwater with fours goals being shared. The visitors went ahead and then doubled their lead but were eventually pegged back. Camberley have previously beaten Ascot United this season but have lost their other three games. Today they went down 3-1 at home to Egham Town. Luke Maguire notched 2 and Sobalak got the other one.

This is just a Premier Division Round-Up for today.

For my first blog of the season I attended Chalfont St Peter v Ashford Town (Middx) in the Pitching In Isthmian Football League, South Central Division.

Luke Tuffs, the newly installed Manager of Ashford Town (Middx) has had a busy summer assembling a new look squad with no fewer than eight players making their league debuts in today’s fixture. However, it was a player returning from last season who was the match winner. Sam Humphreys curled in a beauty on 58 minutes at a time when the visitors were well on top.

Chalfont earned a penalty early on but Paul McCarthy flew to his left to make the save, the ball was crossed back in and a sitter was blazed over the bar. McCarthy was excellent throughout and was equal to everything thrown at him, not least in injury time with a fine point blank save at his near post.

George Spiers also stood out with an eye catching performance. He excelled in breaking up the play and almost gave Ashford the lead with a powerful header from a Harry Woodward corner.

On another day Chalfont, with more composed finishing might have got something from the game.

All in all it was a good day for the Tangerines, a win, three points and a clean sheet at a ground where they have struggled in the past. Luke Tuffs will enjoy the first three points of his career at this level as a Manager but will be working hard with his staff to look at what can be improved on for his new look squad.

MOTM – Paul McCarthy.

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League Premier Div.

Captain Bunyan led by example on Saturday with two goals to set up a fine away win at top two side Ascot United. A splendid first half performance by The Knappers saw them go in at half time 2-0 up and it could have been even more as they dominated play. Perry Coles set both goals up in similar fashion as he tricked and teased his way past Burden, the Ascot right back. In the 2nd minute his cross found Carlo Santoro and he finished impressively and 14 minutes later more trickery saw his flighted cross headed in by Matt Bunyan from six yards. Bunyan looked odds on to get a third before half time but another headed went just over. Kane Fitzgerald also gave Burden a real test with good close skills and Callum Abraham-Barlow was always there in support.

The home side were struggling to get any attacking momentum but with Ian Davies in their line up there is always a chance of a goal and he popped up before half time with an instinctive header that Jake Maddock did well to tip over as the ball bounced up off the artificial surface.

As expected, Ascot came out strong at the start of the second half and Knaphill had far less of the ball with George Spiers and Owen Roberts standing firm in the centre of the back four. Jack French and Sam Balogan worked tirelessly in front of them to stem the tide and Coles and Bunyan were always a threat when found.

On the hour, Ascot found themselves back in the game when that man Davies popped up to slip the ball past Maddock from 8 yards. It looked like a rehearsed free kick that worked to perfection. With their tails up Ascot found another gear and Knaphill had to hold firm and 5 minutes later Bunyan increased the lead to 3-1 with an emphatic finish from 18 yards that looped up and over Gray in the Ascot goal.

Ascot have won many games this season so they were not going to rollover even at 3-1 down and on 73 minutes it was game on again as Higgs scored for Ascot. From Knaphill it was a poor goal to concede as a long clearance from Gray caught Victor Ocansey out and his attempted touch got away from him allowing a square ball to be played to Higgs who slotted home. Knaphill were determined to hold on to the three points and managed to see the game out and in doing so climbed to 6th, 4 points behind Ascot who have played one game less.

With Ascot visiting Spelthorne Sports on Tuesday evening the chasing pack will be hoping for a draw so as not to widen the gap by too much. There is much football to be played with the obvious twists and turns to come so it would be unwise to predict who might win the league just yet.

On a wet, cold miserable day at the Guildford Spectrum Knaphill brightened the place up with a thoroughly comprehensive victory to earn their 10th point in four games.

Ex Knaphill keeper Aaron Bufton performed heroics to keep the score down with a string of fine saves. Following an early half chance for Guildford Knaphill went ahead on ten minutes when a great low cross from Callum Abraham-Barlow found the back of the net possibly off a Guildford defender as Matt Bunyan slid in on Bufton. Bunyan and debutant, Perry Coles were a constant threat all game and the midfield three of French, Fitzgerald and Bello-Balogun were simply unplayable. Chance after chance was created, Coles firing a free-kick over, Bunyan was denied by a brave save from Bufton and then Coles hit the post from out wide. It was a matter of time before the second goal arrived with Guildford’s Sean Mason clearing an effort off the line but the clearance fell to Carlo Santoro who fired a cross shot that deflected past Bufton on the half hour.

Knaphill keeper, Jake Maddock put a clean shirt on at half time and it wasn’t until the 91st minute that he got it dirty when he saved an effort from Tuan West. Two further goals from the away side wrapped up the victory with two assists from Fitzgerald, firstly crossing for Calvin Camara to sweep home from six yards only moments after being introduced and in the last minute a stunning ball across the six yard box was dispatched by Bunyan to finally get one past Bufton after bring denied previously on a few occasions.

Knaphill are on a fine run at present and will be looking to put pressure on the teams above them in the weeks ahead.

Camberley edged a very close game with an injury time penalty, taking the spoils back to Krooner Park. Sheerwater piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and were rewarded late in the second half but this was undone in injury time when Garstang smashed home from the spot. The penalty was a real gift with the forward going away from goal but a slight touch sent him sprawling and much to the disgust of the home fans the man in black pointed to the spot.

Neither keeper was particularly busy but both made saves at crucial times. Blame could be apportioned to the young Camberley stopper for Sheerwater’s goal as he was out muscled when attempting to punch a corner away. Shane Rideout wanted it more and his header looped in to level things up.

Camberley play an attractive passing game with plenty of movement and Sheerwater were guilty of standing off at times with no pressure on the ball. The home side upped the tempo as the second half wore on and made life difficult for Camberley. Before the equaliser, Timmy Taylor forced Plumley into a fine save from a rasping left footed effort and Hegarty smacked the crossbar with a header. Sheerwater also had the weapon of a long throw but in general the away side dealt with any danger.

Camberley had opened the scoring on the break following a Sheerwater corner. The ball was fed to Zak Nash and he took it in his stride before placing a left footed effort in to the bottom corner.

This impressive win takes Camberley Town up to fifth in the table and Manager Steve Brown must be happy with how things are progressing with one of the youngest squads in the division.

Both sides went into the game on the back of a defeat, Guildford losing at CB Hounslow Utd and Badshot Lea going down at home to Cobham.

A close game was expected but in truth Badshot Lea ran out comfortable winners. Nic Ciardini, one of the best players in the league showed what he is all about with two well executed goals in the first half and a towering header from Adam New early in the second sealed the three points.

Things might have been more interesting if Guildford City had managed to pull one back during the first half but a fantastic save from Kallum Lunn in the Badshot goal was just as important as the goals scored at the other end.

The opening goal came when a Guildford set-piece was cleared and a swift break ended with Ford getting in down the right hand side, he pulled the ball back and Ciardini opened his body up and side-footed home with his left foot. A perfect breakaway goal. A minute later he was in again as a long pass from skipper, Liam Roberts sent him through and after a twist and a turn he beat Zack Basey with a firm strike.

Guildford didn’t throw the towel in but their play was slow and always gave Badshot Lea a chance to get their shape right and defend well. A couple of chances came and went in the first half and in the second half Lunn was rarely troubled. At the other end, Basey made two or three good saves to keep the scoreline down. The biggest plus on the day for the home side was the performance of young centre-back Billy Irving. He may have been outfoxed by the far more experienced Ciardini, for the second goal but all in all he enjoyed a very good contest with the ex Farnborough man, (when Farnborough were a decent side). He reads the game well, knows when to challenge and when to hold off and he uses the ball well keeping it simple. Manager, Chris Balchin will be very keen to keep hold of this young talent.

Guildford City Secretary, Barrie Underwood always produces a decent match report with no bias towards his own side so this is just my view of the game as a neutral. If you have comments please contact me on twitter @mclem66

Scorers: Nic Ciardini 2, Adam New and Assists: Ford 2, Roberts.

Change of League today with a visit to Ashford Town (Middx) who hosted Harlow Town in the BetVictor League – South Central Division.

A 90th minute scrambled effort from Matt Rush saw the visitors return home with all three points. The game was reaching boiling point and spilled over in injury time with a player from each side dismissed following a pushing and shoving match in the centre- circle. Harlow skipper, Oliver Gnandi levelled things up on 7 minutes with a towering header, this after Daniel Brown had smashed home from 15 yards in the 3rd minute. Ashford keeper, Sam Mason made a fine save from a penalty midway through the first half and also saved the follow up. Both sides supporters grew increasingly frustrated with the Referee as the game progressed and a few of these made their feelings known as the three officials departed the pitch at the conclusion of the game. The final straw for the home fans was seeing the Referee blow for full time as soon as Scott Todd delivered a corner into the area. Surely he should have let the play run until the outcome of the corner was over. Ashford remain bottom with 2 points from 8 games whilst Harlow Town move up one place to 4th.

Meanwhile, Combined Counties League team, Abbey Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup following a great run to the Third Qualifying Round with defeat at home to Whyteleafe FC in front of just under 300 supporters. The visitors were just too strong and goals from Ronald Sobowale (57) and Junior Aikhionbare (63) were enough to see them through to Mondays draw.

In League action Ascot United remain unbeaten with another win on the road at Balham. The home side went ahead but Ascot were 2-1 up at half-time and this is how it stayed. Balham being reduced to 10 men in the first half didn’t help their cause. Colliers Wood suffered a big defeat at CB Hounslow (5-1) and had two men sent off so a bad day at the office for them. Top performer for CB was Simpson-Last who chipped in with 2 goals. Elsewhere, promoted Sheerwater earned their first away win in the league at this level with 3-0 success at Hanworth Villa. Also getting three points today were; Badshot Lea, Camberley Town, Egham Town, Molesey and Southall. Banstead moved off the bottom with a 1-1 draw at home to Spelthorne Sports.

In midweek, Tuesday night, Ascot will host Guildford City in their first home game this season on their brand new pitch. Entry on the evening is FREE so why not make an effort to attend.

Three Combined Counties League Clubs were in action this weekend in the FA Cup, Abbey Rangers, Badshot Lea and Balham. In the 2nd qualifying round it is Abbey Rangers who fight to live another day with a replay on Tuesday evening at home to Walthamstow FC of the Essex Senior League. Abbey took the lead through Cousins in the first half with Walthamstow coming on strong after the break. When Bentley was sent off for Abbey things looked ominous and Billy Jones scored a cracker to level things up but a tremendous defensive effort was enough to earn the replay. Walthamstow boss, Ryan Maxwell felt his team started poorly but probably should have won the game and looks forward to the second game. Hopefully there will be a large crowd and the CCL will see a team in the next round.

Badshot Lea and Balham bowed out with Badshot Lea going down 4-0 at home to Hayes & Yeading Utd who are two leagues above. The CCL side started strongly with Jordan Carter heavily involved early on. Badshot did create many chances over the 90 minutes but the difference in finishing was all important and the pick of the goals was a lovely swivel and volley from Toby Little. Man of the Match for Badshot Lea goes to Lunn who made some amazing saves.

Balham were involved in an eight goal thriller at home to Royston Town FC. In front of 233 fans Balham twice went ahead and then found themselves 3-2 down. Piers Oldland made it 3-3 on 75 minutes but goals by Royston on 79 and 88 saw them through to the draw on Monday.

In CCL league action leaders Ascot United made it 6 wins in a row, all away from home. They recorded a 4-0 victory at Banstead Athletic with two apiece from Laflin and Bennett. Colliers Wood are third after a fine win at Southall. Molesey swept aside inconsistent Spelthorne Sports 6-0 and promoted side, Sheerwater are up to 6th on 11 points after defeating Redhill 1-0. Knaphill had a good day with a 4-2 home win against Raynes Park Vale. Five goals were shared in the first half and the game was finally made safe in the 93rd minute courtesy of a strike from Camara. At the bottom are Banstead and perhaps surprisingly, Guildford City who have 3 points out of a possible 18.

In Division 1 it was top v bottom as Jersey Bulls recorded win 8 with a 5-1 victory over Eversley & California. Epsom & Ewell are again a bit up and down this season with 3 wins and 3 losses (plus 1 draw), losing 4-1 at home to AFC Hayes. The biggest margin of victory came at Cove with the home side conceding 6 and scoring none. Sadly, Godalming Town seem to be struggling at Division One level with five defeats already but they recorded their first win at home to FC Deportivo Galicia, 3-0.

Badshot Lea and Abbey Rangers were the headline makers on Saturday, both travelling to higher league opposition and returning victorious. Abbey were under the cosh for long periods but held firm against Whitehawk and just before full time they broke away and Bradley Sweeney applied the finishing touch to record a famous victory. Their reward is another away trip when they will visit Walthamstow FC from the Essex Senior League.

Meanwhile, Badshot Lea secured an excellent win at South Park, courtesy of goals from Williams, a 25 yard screamer, Medcraft finishing off a fine cross from Carter and ex Farnborough legend, Nic Ciardini, scoring from the half-way line just after South Park had pulled a goal back. A home tie now awaits against Hayes & Yeading Utd of the Southern League Premier South (Step 3).

A third side from the Combined Counties, also made it through with Balham again winning away from home against a familiar opponent in Horley Town. A first minute goal from Tom Read set them on their way to a 3-1 success. Jack Robinson scored the second on 6 minutes and with virtually the last kick of the game a cross cum shot from Adebayo was turned into his own net by a Horley defender. Balham’s reward is a home tie against Royston Town.

The remaining CCL teams failed to progress with Sutton Common Rovers exiting on Friday evening at home to Beaconsfield Town. Spelthorne Sports had a very difficult tie away to Hartley Wintney and they competed really well but succumbed to a 3-0 loss.