Last weekend, 30th and 31st August and 1st September a whole host of Combined Counties League sides were in Cup action.

On the Saturday I watched a very impressive performance from Frimley Green as they saw off Lydney Town of the Hellenic League. Goals from ex-Knaphill men Nathan Thomas and Sam Hamer and one from Nick Thumwood saw them safely through to the next round. A late consolation from Lydney was all they had to show from a hard working performance. Ward, the Frimley skipper kept everyone on their toes with plenty of positive encouragement and his defensive partner, Flounders, was voted man of the Match.

Knaphill travelled down to face Storrington FC of the Southern Combination League and came away with a resounding 6-0 victory, helped by two goals apiece from Fitzgerald and Manpono. They will now entertain Tunbridge Wells in the next round, a team they have faced (and beaten) in recent seasons.

Badshot Lea visited one of their previous Landlords at Ash United and fell behind but goals from Connolly and Thripp saw them proceed. Guildford City were not so fortunate as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Glebe which means they are already out of both major competitions this season already. Raynes Park Vale were involved in a 10 goal thriller at Lydd Town that ended 5-5 after extra time. Hanworth Villa brushed aside Marston Shelton Rovers running out 5-1 winners. An entertaining game between two Division One sides, Tooting Bec and Walton & Hersham saw the visitors win 4-2 although it was a close game until late on. Newcomers to the CCL, Westside, came through in extra time at Forest Hill Park courtesy of strikes from Webster and Simpson. An eventful game saw Sandhurst Town race in to a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes away at Clanfield 85 FC but then had a player sent off and ended up losing 7-3.

On the Sunday, Bagshot FC put in their best performance of the season to defeat Broadbridge Heath FC from the Southern Counties Football League Premier Division with a wonder strike from Josh Nice and a bullet header from Alex Jeffers. Impressive for Bagshot were Michael Chapman and Ben Roberts. Bagshot now travel to Redhill in the next round.

Congratulations to all the other winners who I have not mentioned and good luck in the next round.

A 16th minute goal from Fareham Town striker, Simon Woods clinched victory on the road in this Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at the Surrey Hire Stadium. In blisteringly hot conditions it was a tough task ask to get back into the game but all the time it was only 1-0 there was hope.

Knaphill started slowly and gave the visitors too many sights at goal early on with Richard Ossai punching a dangerous cross away on 6 minutes and two minutes later Garry Austin muscled his way through before lobbing Ossai but only finding the side netting. In their next attack a right wing cross was handled by Daniel Taylor and the Referee, Ollie Davies awarded a penalty. Fortunately for Knaphill the spot kick was wasted by Curt Robbins who blazed his attempt over the bar.

The Knappers registered their first effort on 12 minutes with Carlo Santoro smacking an effort high and wide. On 16 minutes Woods got what proved to be the winner. Receiving the ball 40 yards from goal he twisted and turned past three defenders before firing under Ossai from 16 yards. Although close control and skill created the chance, Knaphill will be kicking themselves for allowing the chance without putting in a worthwhile challenge.

Knaphill did come into the game after falling behind forcing some corners and from one of these, Dale Burnham volleyed a good chance wide, having saud that he did well to get on the end of the cross. In the 42nd minute another corner led to panic in the Fareham six yard box with two efforts well blocked. Just before half time Marcus Mealing reacted quickest to another corner but only managed to stab his effort against the post.

Knappers Manager, Luke Tuffs opted for a change at half time with Burnham replaced by Victor Ocansey. There was a second penalty appeal for the visitors in the 50th minute as Woods went down but the Referee cautioned him for simulation. Knaphill’s best chance of the second half came on 55 minutes when Mealing went on a mazy run, similar to Woods for Fareham’s goal, but he opted to try and lift the ball over Ross Casey who managed to claw the ball away. Credit to both sets of players for not wilting in the searing heat but any goalmouth action became sporadic. Kane Fitzgerald, Knaphill’s most positive player on the day was also cautioned for simulation when on another day a referee might have given a penalty. There was no grandstand finish as Fareham were solid at the back apart from a couple of dodgy clearances from Casey and try as he might, it wasn’t Matt Bunyans day for Knaphill as he was constantly crowded out. Both side made use of their substitutions and as the final whistle sounded it was the large contingent from Fareham who went home happy as their FA Cup adventure continues. As for Knaphill they will have to recover quickly with Sheerwater visiting on Monday for an 11.30am kick off.

Knaphill – Ossai, Davies, Taylor, Fitzgerald, Spiers, Burnham, Santoro, Bello-Balogun, Mealing, Bunyan,Sackey.

Subs Used – Ocansey, Welch, Manangu

Fareham Town – Casey, Messingbird, Harris, Wilcox, Jones, Moody, Settle, Robbins, Woods, Austin, Stockford

Subs Used – Slade, Cooper

Hanworth Villa 1-2 Camberley Town
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier Division
Saturday 17th August 2019
An entertaining game at Rectory Meadow saw Camberley Town travel the short distance along the M3 and return to Surrey with all three points recording their first win of the season.
An even first half saw the hosts lead at the break but a stirring second half performance from Camberley resulted in goals from James Baxter and Adam Wareham. If it wasn’t for Terry Buss in the Hanworth goal the score-line could have been six or seven one. He thwarted Harry Rapley on no fewer than four times with wonderful saves, all one handed and all tipped around the post.
Hanworth Villa created a very early chance when Sinclair crossed from the right to Ryan Esprit who miss-kicked but the ball fell invitingly to Foster who saw his effort hit the inside of the post. Rapley was denied by Buss in the 5th minute when his powerful low strike was expertly turned around the post at full stretch. The next chance saw Villa’s Louis Taylor head over from 10 yards.
On 11 minutes Billy Upton incensed the home crowd and players with a late challenge on Esprit with calls for a red card heard loud and clear. However, the Referee deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card. Camberley had the next attempt following a patient build up but Mark Jordan saw his shot go high and wide. Play flowed from end to end with Sinclair for the hosts wasting a good opportunity after a neat interchange with Foster and at the other end Rapley was again denied by a strong hand from Buss turning the effort around the post for another corner. Soon after, Rapley picked out the run of right back, Sam Hutchings and his effort forced Buss to make another save.
Villa seemed to have lost their rhythm as the half wore on but out of nothing they took the lead on 40 minutes. Kwabena Osei knocked a long ball up to Sinclair who was competing with Dan Jewell and he won the battle before rounding Plumley in the Camberley goal and slotting in. There was time for one more effort in the half as Bebb tried his luck from distance with Buss tipping it over for yet another corner. The corner was dealt with comfortably and the half drew to a close.
The second half began with Camberley on top, dictating the tempo and Hanworth really struggled to get anything going. Matt Russell really came into the game in the second half for Camberley and he produced some great skill on 53 minutes to fashion a chance that beat Buss but just crept past the post. With pressure mounting, the equaliser arrived on 63 minutes with Russell heavily involved. He set off on a run in front of the Villa defence before exchanging passes and then crossing to the near post where James Baxter spun his marker and poked the ball past Buss into the far corner. The hosts tried to hit back with Regis who got in a good position but wasted the chance with a weak effort. The excellent Buss then gifted Camberley a chance to go ahead as he presented the ball to Rapley with the goal at his mercy but he opted for power from 18 yards and his effort was too high. Rapley then had the next chance with another fine run and shot but the alert Buss this time made another fine save. On 76 minutes Wareham found space in the Villa box but his effort went past the far post. Six minutes later he was presented with another chance and this time more central. He took a touch as Buss and a defender charged out but he picked his spot beautifully and guided the ball into the corner. The lead was fully deserved but Hanworth had one more decent chance to level matters with a free kick on the edge of the area in injury time. Regis took responsibility and his effort was on target but was straight at Plumley who held on. Just before the final whistle, substitute, Daniel Gibbs shot high and wide from 25 yards.
My Man of the Match goes to Harry Rapley who was a constant threat and but for Buss he could have scored three times at least. Camberley have a nice mix of experience and youth whilst Hanworth looked threatening but faded badly in the second half.
Hanworth Villa – Buss, Twumasi, Nutbeam, Bersey, Taylor, Powell, Osei, Regis, Sinclair, Foster, R Esprit.
Subs Used – Gibbs, J Esprit, Navarro
Camberley Town – Plumley, Hutchings, Jordan, Stepney, Upton, Jewell, Wareham, Bebb, Baxter, Rapley, Russell.
Subs Used – J Pilling.

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division

Hard work and togetherness won the day for the home side with Sheerwater defeating one of the fancied teams in the division by 2 goals to 1.

It was a great beginning to this season’s adventure for the newly promoted side with Manager, Peter Ruggles the hero, saving a late penalty and making some vital saves after replacing the injured Richard Shelley twenty minutes from time.

It was 0-0 at the time but three minutes later “The Sheers” edged in front when the industrious Shane Cheeseman notched from inside the six yard box. His all-round display proving that hard work is rewarded.

Guildford were the more composed team on the ball but too many times they played one pass too many which played into Sheerwaters  hands with men behind the ball. Most of their efforts were from range with Shelley equal to them as was Ruggles when he came on.

With the hosts heading for victory a crazy last few minutes ensued. On 83 minutes Ruggles came out bravely to deny Guildford but four minutes later a superb individual effort from Ryan Dacres-Smith stunned the home fans and levelled things up. He surged forward from deep past a couple of players before unleashing a powerful effort into the bottom corner giving Ruggles no chance. His reaction was to race and retrieve the ball and place it on the centre spot. With time ticking down Guildford broke forward and following a rash challenge just inside the area the Referee immediately awarded a penalty. Ruggles to the rescue as a poor attempt by Campbell enabled the keeper to dive to his right and palm the ball away.

Into stoppage time with a large chunk due to Shelley’s injury and the winning goal was scored.  The ball was worked down the right and crossed low with Danny Taylor nipping in between defender and keeper to stab home from six yards despite the efforts of a Guildford defender on the goal line.

‘The Sheers’ managed the game well thereafter and collected their first 3 points of the campaign.

With City putting together a decent squad and having a successful pre-season they were surprisingly ordinary today and will look to bounce back as soon as possible.

As for Man of the Match my vote goes to Chris Machay who will be one to watch this season.  Not far behind him was Guildford’s Billy Irving.

Sheerwater – Shelley, Cheeseman, Leighton, Hegarty, Kellet-Smith, Letch, Scannella, Dore, Rideout, Machay, D Taylor.

Subs Used – Bowden, T Taylor, Ruggles

Guildford City – Norman, Nzelo, J Ogunseye, Woodhouse, Mason, Irving, E Ogunseye, Dacres-Smith, B Ogunseye, Harding, Ocansey.

Subs Used – Webbe, Campbell, Siaw.

Welcome to my blog which mainly covers Step 5 of non-league football and my local league, the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League. I have an interest in many sports but mainly football with associations, past and present to Knaphill FC, Woking FC, Aldershot Town FC, Farnborough FC and the now defunct Bisley FC.

My aim is to watch matches and produce a report and conduct interviews after the game. I hope you will enjoy what you read and hear. Any constructive comments are most welcome.

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