SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS

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1 WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER. If you have anything to contribute, please do get in You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - over 3,600 of you have!! If there s anything you d like to see in the newsletter, - news from your club, requests for players, match reports and photos please them to Editor (address in the banner above). HAT TRICK COUNT- WEEK 21 3 Jake Rawkins grabbed a hat trick on Tuesday in Bemerton Heath Harlequins Wiltshire Senior Cup win to reach the Semi Final. At Test Park Hisham Kasimu bagged another hat trick this campaign in Team Solent s 3-2 win over Cowes Sports. Sam Griffin also scored three, in Blackfield s 3-0 win on Saturday. LEAGUE CLEAN SHEETS COUNT- WEEK 21 LEAGUE GOALS 6 COUNT- WEEK PLAYER AND CLUB NEWS Alresford Town have been able to secure the dual registration signing of goalkeeper Tarrell Annakie from Sutton United the 18 year old keeper comes to Arlebury Park having already featured against Luton Town and Arsenal in pre-season for the U s. We heard from Fareham Town with an interesting statistic, in the 52 games they have played in 2017 to date (as at last Saturday) there were 211 goals at an average of 4.05 goals per game. At 6 a time for adults that's just 67p per goal! New signing at Cowes Sports Mike McEnery made his debut on Saturday, and managed to get his name on the score sheet. A new Manager has been appointed at Whitchurch United, Glyn Cherrett taking over the hot seat after the departure of Carl Bennett during the week. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 1 of 17

2 ENGLAND WORLD CUP 2018 AND BELGIUM The third of England s opponents in the Group stages of the 2018 World Cup, Belgium, are both better known than the other two and are considerably higher in the FIFA World Rankings, sitting in fifth place between Argentina and Spain and ten places above England, and must, even at this point in time, be favourites to top the Group. This will be the twelfth occasion on which Belgium have reached the Finals with their best performance being in 1986 when the reached the last four before going out two nil to Argentina. Both the winners goals came from Diego Maradona but as to whether they were scored with head, feet or hands is not easy to establish now. Strangely Belgium s overall record against England in Internationals is poor with only one win in twenty one meetings and way back in the 1920 s the Countries met on nine occasions with England scoring thirty six goals across the nine fixtures. Belgium s only success came in 1936 but as to whether that augurs well for 2018 is anybody s guess, moreso given the talent the Country can now draw upon. Tottenham s Jan Vertonghen is the most capped player in the Country s history and will have as team mates in Russia such as Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany (injuries permitting) Thibault Courtois, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne without mentioning Marouane Fellaini! The current Manager is Roberto Martinez who enjoyed some success in the Premiership but too often failed to get the balance right between attack and defence, and there are mutterings in Belgium now as to the tactics employed being too defensive. Football is the most popular Sport in Belgium and domestically there are three main Nationwide Leagues followed by a raft of Regional and Provincial Competitions. The top three Leagues are known as the Pro League, the Second Division and the First Amateur Division. The Pro League has sixteen Clubs and the current Champions are Anderlecht who have been in the top tier since 1935 and have been Champions on 34 occasions and runners up 25 times. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup twice and the EUFA Cup once which are the only successes Belgium has had in the main European Club Competitions. The Pro League boasts sixteen Clubs and is run on a format very different to over here though Scotland have something vaguely similar. All sixteen Clubs play each other home and away between July and March with a three week break at Christmas with the normal three points for a win and one for a draw. At the end of that time the lowest Club is relegated at the end of the season while the top six go into a Play off League and carry forward half the points gained in the first stage of the season. The six Clubs then play each other home and away with the three points for a win and one for a draw and the points gained are added to those carried forward to produce an eventual Champion. But if anyone thinks that is complicated Division Two has a completely different format. There are eighteen Clubs who play each other home and away over the course of the season but the season is split into three periods - one of ten matches and two of twelve matches. A league table is compiled for each period starting afresh each time and the three tables are then combined to find the Champion who is automatically promoted. The top placed Club from each period, barring the Champions, join with the fifteenth Club in Division One for play offs to find the second Club promoted to the Pro League. Given all that it is perhaps better if Division Three is left alone for one can only wonder as to what format is in place there! That is football in Belgium with the Country currently enjoying something of a golden period as regards players. The last line to this piece suggests England awaits. Given Mr Southgate s penchant for selecting players who cannot get into their Club side and the class of De Bruyne and Hazard, perhaps the words in trepidation should be added. England awaits. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 2 of 17

3 Did you know our main sponsors Sydenhams are now on twitter and Facebook So please do give them a follow or like to keep up with all their latest news and to ensure any trip to the Sydenhams branches are as effective as possible over the New Year holiday period, please look at their opening hours below- note ALL locations are closed on January 1 st, or check on their website! BUILDERS MERCHANTS, TIMBER AND KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Abingdon Bath Boscombe Bournemouth Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom Devizes Gillingham Guernsey Building Supplies Maiden Bradley Newport (IOW) Poole Ryde (IOW) Salisbury Sandown (IOW) Southampton Warminster Wickham Winchester 8am-5pm 8am-5pm 7am-5pm 7am-4:30pm 8am-5pm 7:30am-4:45pm HIRE BRANCHES & CREDIT CONTROL Blandford Hire Devizes Hire Dorchester Hire Frome Hire Gillingham Hire Newport Hire (IOW) Ryde Hire (IOW) Swanage Hire Warminster Hire CREDIT CONTROL 7:30am-5:30pm 7:30am-5:30pm 8am-5pm Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 3 of 17

4 A DAY FROM CHRISTMAS PAST SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS Eleven years ago, in 2006, as this year, December 23rd was a Saturday and there was virtually a full programme of matches in the Wessex League so here is a look back on the games played compared to this time round writes John Gorman. As ever the Premier Division comes first with the games in alphabetical order as per the scheduled fixtures with first up AFC TOTTON scoring the only goal of the game against BEMERTON. Totton s side included Ross Bottomley (now at Lymington) and Hamble Club s Matt Troon while Mike Gosney, currently spearheading Andover Town s promotion push, was on the bench. Long time servants Graham Mankin and Jack Slade were in the Bemerton line up and they had two players amongst their substitutes Joe Sanger and Nic Turpin who have since notched a fair number of Wessex League goals between them. COWES SPORTS were granted a pre-christmas trip to ALTON and went down by the odd goal in three to a home side that included Nat Sherborne who has since become part of the furniture at AFC Totton. The Islanders included keeper Gary Streeter and one imagines a then youthful Craig Insley, as well as Alex Przespolewski (now at East Cowes Vics) and Charlie Smeeton who also served Newport and Winchester well in his time. Another Island side, BRADING, were also on the road with BOURNEMOUTH the destination but as with Cowes it was a fruitless journey with the Poppies scoring three without reply. Keeper Jason Harvell and Lamin Dibba lined up for the home side with current Christchurch Manager Ollie Cherrett on the bench and one Scott Sanderson, now with Alton, netted his first goal for the home side; whilst between the posts for Brading was Simon Moore, who has since carved out a professional career with Brentford, Cardiff and Sheffield United. Brading also featured well known beach footballer Giancarlo Giancovich- now on the books at East Cowes Vics- in their starting line up. FOLLANDS played host to BROCKENHURST and despite the presence in their side of the much travelled Iain Calder, the greatly experienced Andy Darnton and current Lymington Manager Dave Lewis, went down by two goals to nil courtesy of strikes from Ben Osborne and Ian Ward. Eventual Champions GOSPORT BOROUGH were held to a one all draw at Privett Park by CHRISTCHURCH, who finished some thirteen places below them in the table, with Gosport owing their point to an own goal, whilst northwards on the A3 at HORNDEAN, the visitors to Five Heads Park were WIMBORNE TOWN. The Dorset side were to finish sixth in the table with Horndean in the lower reaches, but on the day Horndean triumphed by three goals to one with Gary Austin on the score sheet. Wimborne included Scott Joyce, Stewart Kearns and Ollie Phillipson- Masters whose father will be remembered by Saints fans of a certain vintage. Two games to go and just two goals on a day when goals overall were at something of a premium. POOLE TOWN welcomed FAREHAM TOWN to Tatnam in a game that featured some well known names. The home side included Max Frampton, Dan Cann (now with Hamworthy United), long term Bournemouth midfielder Fawzi Saadi and Richard Glenister; with Fareham fielding Warren Hunt, Lee Webber and Owen Elias (the latter s beard and flowing hair was later to become a feature in the Southern League with Andover). The result was a win for Fareham courtesy of a Jamie Laidlaw goal and the game is probably somewhere near the forefront of the current illustrious Fareham Secretary s memory bank. The last game on the list was another one nil victory for SHOLING over LYMINGTON TOWN. The long service of Sholing players over the years has oft been mentioned and applauded and in the ranks that day were Marc Diaper, Kevin Gibbens, Barry Mason, Marvin McClean and Tyrone Bowers, who scored the goal, but not for once Kevin Brewster (a rare omission) while Scott O Rourke was in goal. Lymington had defensive stalwarts Dave Marden and Carlo Tate but on the day they had to give second best. A smaller number of matches in Division One starting with a Wiltshire derby as AMESBURY TOWN hosted WARMINSTER TOWN and went down by two goals to one. Danny Finnegan and Craig Wheeler were in the blue of Amesbury the latter is still at Amesbury now whilst Warminster included Ashley Wain who had graduated to Club Secretary by the time they left the League. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 4 of 17

5 ANDOVER NEW STREET with, as now, a team of largely local players went down to ALRESFORD by the only goal of the game, scored by current Hamble Club Manager Ben Kneller whilst their local rivals, STOCKBRIDGE, travelled to EAST COWES VICS and returned home with the points. Vics included Keiran Ford, who is on their books this season and also Jamie O Rourke who went on to score many goals at a higher level. FARNBOROUGH NORTH END and US PORTSMOUTH shared four goals and the points in north Hampshire and there was another draw, one all this time, at HAYLING UNITED where FAWLEY were the visitors. The home side included Nathan Kirby and Jack Salter-Vaile both of whom subsequently featured for AFC Portchester amongst others. Top scorers of the day were LISS ATHLETC who made the cross country trek to LAVERSTOCK & FORD and ran out winners by five goals to two with Steve Harding, who has since scored countless goals for Liphook, and Stuart Green among the scorers. Green has since successfully featured for Alresford and Winchester and is now at Salisbury. The final game was at the By Pass ground where ROMSEY scored twice without reply against PETERSFIELD with Tom Donaldson, as now, in their line up. There was also a Division Two with a number of Clubs now in the Hampshire Premier League plus such as Tadley, Whitchurch and Totton & Eling whilst Hamble Club finished fifteenth out of sixteen. The only Club to feature who may well not exist now was Wellow. Those playing in the Division for various Clubs included Paul Coventry, now at Tadley, Simon Everitt and Liam Gilbert at Colden Common, Sam Knowles at Fleet Spurs while a certain Paul Doswell wore Totton & Eling s colours. QK Southampton finished bottom and used sixty players during the course of the season and Roger Moore, presumably wearing the number seven shirt, played for Clanfield. And a last link, one imagines, with the present. Leading goalscorer for Division Two Champions Fleetlands was Lee Baldacchino- no doubt related to the present AFC Portchester striker and goalscorer. The Final Honours Board for the season read as follows: - TOP THREE PREMIER DIVISION DIVISION ONE DIVISION TWO Gosport Borough Hayling United Fleetlands AFC Totton Alresford Town Tadley Calleva Sholing Romsey Town Wellow BOTTOM TWO PREMIER DIVISION DIVISION ONE DIVISION TWO Ringwood Town Amesbury Town Hamble Club Folland Sports Andover New Street QK Southampton MATCH REPORT- SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 2006 BOURNEMOUTH versus BRADING TOWN WESSEX LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Christmas came early to Victoria Park this afternoon writes Mike Robins with a highly pleasing 3-0 victory over our Island visitors Brading Town, not only was it a win, but it was our first maximum of the seasonfollowing our opening day victory. On a bitterly cold day, kicking towards the Winton End; we opened our account on just six minutes, when a Gary Langrish free kick was floated into the box and Leigh Phillips won the header. His knock down found Lamin DIBBA unmarked just a yard off the line and he was able to tap it home. Just four minutes later we nearly doubled our tally following another Langrish free kick. The game could have well been all done and dusted as early as the 26th minute though. I didn t witness the incident but a Brading player saw red for something off the ball in the penalty area and the resulting penalty from Phillips was well saved by the keeper. It wasn t particularly well struck, but I am sure will get a penalty again and convert it next time. Brading had to reorganise following that dismissal and can count themselves lucky that the rather long and vocal protestations from one player in particular only resulted in a caution. Anyway, the adage about playing against ten men certainly seemed to come into play, although Poppies had a great deal of possession, it was very difficult to break down a very resolute Island side, they got behind the ball well and indeed created several chances, not least in the final minutes of the first half, when a Dave Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 5 of 17

6 Greening effort was somehow scrambled off the line by Paul Cuglietta. His clearance didn t get that far though and just seconds later he had to clear the line again. Had that chance gone in Brading could well have gone in on a high, and who knows what would have happened. Anyway, deep into added on time the ball was played up the field and a colossal header from Dibba was somehow cleared off the line by a Brading defender as well. Around the hour mark Jack SWANN had the chance to extend our lead from a Langrish cross, but his header was very well held by the keeper, but his chance did come on 74 when he latched onto a good through ball, before controlling it under pressure and slotting home hitting the net between the post and the keeper. It was all over some three minutes later when Swann played a defence splitting ball that Scott SANDERSON was able to slot home under the advancing keeper from around six yards out to open his scoring account with the Poppies. A fourth nearly came with ten minutes remaining when Brading keeper Simon Moore denied a long punt down the field that was being chased by James Bailey-Pearce, but although that would probably have been deserved would have detracted from a good spirited display from our visitors. CHRISTMAS QUIZ [No prizes, but the answers will be in the next edition] 1 Traditionally where is the birthplace of Saint Nicholas 2 What colour is the mineral malachite 3 What date is St Stephens Day celebrated 4 What four countries have a land border with Latvia 5 What is a "Munro" 6 What is Ailurophobia 7 What is Coco Chanel's real first name 8 What is Melaleuca alternifolia better known as 9 What is the capital city of Venezuela 10 What is the collective noun for a group of Rhino 11 What is the name of the day that follows Thanksgiving Day in the USA 12 What nationality is Malala Yousafzai 13 What sport do you associate with Essendon Bombers 14 What was the Flight Number of the aircraft that disappeared on 8 March What was the name of the Foo Fighters debut album 16 What was the title of One Direction's debut single 17 When was Camberwick Green first aired 18 When was the first Olympic games of the modern era held 19 Where are the headquarters of Interpol 20 Where did Queen Victoria die 21 Where does Spongebob Squarepants live 22 Where is Timbuktu 23 Where might you find the island of Tresco 24 Where was Eric Bristow born 25 Who invented the Lava Lamp 26 Who is Brian Hugh Warner better known as 27 Who is Ivor the Engines driver 28 Who is the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated 29 Who piloted Thunderbird 4 30 Who provided the narration for Roobarb and Custard Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 6 of 17

7 Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 7 of 17

8 WILTSHIRE SENIOR CUP 2017/ /17 WINNERS- Swindon Supermarine Quarter Final [details for the Semi Finals not yet available] Bremhill 0-3 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Chippenham Town 3-1 Chippenham Park Royal Wootton Bassett Town 2-5 Highworth Town Westbury United 0-1 Salisbury Clubs will have had their Appointments list and updated contact list by the time you read this. Please use them to contact the Officials that have been appointed for games in January! WHISTLE STOP What would you do if you were the Referee in a number of scenarios. Answers in the next Edition. 1) You arrive at the ground and upon checking the pitch markings you discover the club have nondangerous artificial playing surface material to mark out the white lines. What do you do? a) Play the game but report the matter to the relevant association b) Postpone the game as the pitch doesn t comply with law c) Play the game as normal as this material is allowed in law. d) None of the above are correct in law 2) You commence the second half of your game and notice that the number 14 is now playing. You ask him when he came on as you weren t informed, and he tells you he was a substitute at half time. What do you do? a) Stop the game, and caution him for entering the field of play without your permission b) Allow him to continue playing as normal but report the matter to the relevant association c) Wait for the next stoppage in play, and then caution the player for entering the field of play without your permission d) None of the above answers are correct in Law. 3) The hands and/or arms of which players are to be considered when determining if a player is in an offside position a) The attackers b) The defenders c) The goalkeeper d) None It seems one or two clubs continue to be unaware of the Programme Awards this season. If your club are interested in entering, please get in touch with the editor for details of where to send your entries. There is still time. However, we shall soon be asking for the second batch for consideration. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 8 of 17

9 BOURNEMOUTH SENIOR CUP 2017/18 - THE STORY 1 st Round Bashley 6-0 Bournemouth Manor Brockenhurst 6-0 Hamworthy Recreation Reserves Downton 3-1 Bournemouth Sports Hamworthy United 10-0 Lower Parkstone CFC Lymington Town 7-0 Bournemouth Electric Poole Town 4-0 Westover Bournemouth BYES: Sway, Verwood Town Quarter Final Bashley 3-2 Hamworthy United Downton 4-3 Poole Town Brockenhurst 3-5 Lymington Town Verwood Town [5-4 on pens] 3-3 aet Sway Semi Final Bashley 1-0 Downton Lymington Town 1-2 aet Verwood Town Final - at Hurn Bridge, Tuesday 19 December Bashley 3-2 Verwood Town MIDWEEK RESULTS ROUND UP Tuesday 19 December 2017 Wiltshire Senior Cup Quarter Final Bremhill 0-3 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 41 Jake Rawkins [3] Bournemouth Senior Cup Final Bashley 3-2 Verwood Town 222 Kabba Jack 7, 63 James Guthrie 27, 58 Conor Whiteley 50 North Hants Senior Cup 2nd Round Andover Town 8-0 Winchester Castle Reserves 84 George Farrelly [2] George Hallahan [2] Ryan Penny Aaron Nesbeth McAulie Stubbs Alex Dockree Wednesday 20 December 2017 First Division Whitchurch United 1-5 Tadley Calleva 83 Taurean Manders Paul Coventry [2-1 pen] Scott Kinge Brett Denham James Tennant Thursday 21 December 2017 First Division United Services Portsmouth 3-1 Folland Sports 43 Josh Smith 11 George Day 74 Miguel Perez 37 Luke Chalcraft 61 Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 9 of 17

10 Friday 22 December 2017 Premier Division AFC Portchester 0-1 Fareham Town 278 Scott Hamilton Hamble Club 1-1 Sholing?? Mike Byrne 74 Le Wort 8 MIDWEEK MATCH REPORTS Mike Cranidge writes BASHLEY 3-2 VERWOOD TOWN Bournemouth Saturday Senior Cup Final Bashley s Cup in a Match fit for a Final This, the first Cup Final of the season, was played out in a low fog that, under the excellent M.A. Hart Stadium floodlights, turned the field of engagement into a surreal warm glow of refracted light. A fitting backcloth for the excellent sporting contest that followed. Bashley were virtually unchanged from the team that beat Shaftesbury on Saturday with Joe Coombes, who has played in all the previous rounds, replacing Bashley no.1 Mike Edgar in goal; and whilst Bashley s influential defender Lewis Aimson was absent on occupational duty, Verwood were pleased to welcome back their semi-final hero Ron Frost after a one-match ban. Bashley showed their intention from the start and it was no surprise when they went ahead after six minutes. A quickly taken free kick sent Harry McGrath free down the right and his perfect cross found Kabba JACK in an ideal position to do what he does well and that was to score with a determined flourish. Conor Whiteley was also at his arrogant best and came close to adding a second when, after a bullish run on goal, he was left expressing his frustration as Verwood keeper, Isaac Haigh, pulled off a remarkable double save. The Potters eased themselves into the game helped by a series of defence stretching long throws from giant centre-back Frost, throws that were the downfall of Lymington in the semi-final. However, it was not Frost but former Bashley striker Matt Vining that drew first blood when, in the last minute of the half, his cross-goal pass was slotted home under the body of the diving Coombes by James GUTHRIE. Within minutes of the restart Bashley re-took the lead and it was classic WHITELEY. He is becoming something of a dead ball expert and his free kick from 25 yards was in the net before Verwood keeper Haigh could mount any semblance of resistance. Bashley s lead was short lived and again it was GUTHRIE who did the damage with a shot from close range after stealing the ball from an unsuspecting defender. Bashley fought back and it was the inform pair that again tormented the back-peddling Town defence: Whiteley, after a driving run down the middle, miscued his finish allowing the impish JACK to take over scoring duty by lashing the errant ball into the net and receive the plaudits of the packed Bashley contingent clustered behind the goal. The Premier side now eased into top gear with a demonstration of slick passing and attacking football and it was only the goalkeeping skills of man-of-thematch Haigh that kept the Bash goal tally to three. An excellent, exciting, well organised contest enjoyed by a crowd of 222 with both teams a credit to the Wessex League. Joe Brown writes AFC PORTCHESTER 0-1 FAREHAM TOWN Fareham Town claimed the local bragging rights in the El Creekio derby last night with a 1-0 victory at near neighbours AFC Portchester. Thanks to a second half goal from Scott Hamilton. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 10 of 17

11 5 minutes into the match and the visiting Town survived a scare as the hosts had an early chance to go in front in the match when former Fareham player Joe Bye struck a long range effort which smacked the top of the cross bar much to the relief of Fareham supporters. Then 5 minutes later and Fareham created a chance to go in front when winger Matt Simm with a fierce low effort at goal had forced Cameron Scott into a low diving save with his feet then fellow Town winger Ashley Tattersall followed up with the rebound but his effort was blocked down by a Portchester defender. 23 minutes of the match and Douglas pulled off a brilliant low diving save to deny Bobby Scott and to keep the score at 0-0. HT 0-0. On 66 minutes Fareham took the lead when striker Scott HAMILTON pounced on a calamitous error by Cameron Scott who under no pressure dropped the ball almost straight onto the foot of Hamilton who calmly placed the ball into the centre of the net to put Town 1-0 up. Then four minutes later Hamilton nearly scored again to double Fareham's advantage when Simm displayed some excellent running on the wing and he whipped in an excellent cross which Hamilton did really well to reach the ball, but his headed effort flashed wide at the right hand side of the goal. 67 minutes and Portchester attempted to equalise when Bobby Scott struck a poor effort which Douglas collected safely into his hands. 78 minutes and Portchester had a man sent off when winger Joe Noakes received a 2nd yellow card for a late tackle on Tattersall. Then on 79 minutes Hamilton once again nearly scored his 2nd goal of the match when he successfully blocked down a poor clearance from the Portchester keeper, but the keeper just did enough to clear the ball off the line. Deep into injury time on 93 minutes Simm played a pinpoint low pass into the box which found Hamilton and his low driven shot beat the keeper but it was cleared off the line by a Portchester defender. FT AFC Portchester 0 Fareham Town 1 SATURDAY RESULTS ROUND UP Saturday 23 December 2017 Premier Division Alresford Town 3-1 Petersfield Town 49 Craig Harding 57, 68 Luke Kendall 15 Ben White 75 Andover Town 2-0 Shaftesbury 130 Zach Glasspool Jay Silver Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0-0 Portland United 41 Blackfield & Langley 3-0 Bournemouth 60 Sam Griffin [3] Brockenhurst 1-1 Bashley 156 Mark Barker 90 pen Kabba Jack 41 Hamworthy United 2-1 Amesbury Town 82? Joe Williamson Lymington Town 2-2 Newport (IoW) 50? Charlie Urry 50, 60 Team Solent 3-2 Cowes Sports 36 Hisham Kasimu 47, 61, 80 John McKie 13 pen] Mike McEnery 83 AFC Stoneham 4-0 Verwood Town 55 Will Harris Sergio Caballero OG Luke Beckerley Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 11 of 17

12 SATURDAY MATCH REPORT Andover New Street 3-2 Romsey Town 43 Callum Sweeney [2]? Shane Lock Laverstock & Ford 3-2 Downton 80 Chae Sykes [2] Tyler Rutten Adam Bourner Ben Smith New Milton Town 1-1 Ringwood Town 65 Steve Flynn Lee Vint Totton & Eling 4-0 Alton 102 Luke Shergold Luca Cordeddu Callum Kitcher Rian Drake Gary Day writes TEAM SOLENT 3-2 COWES SPORTS This match between 18th and 19th in the Premier Division table proved to be a close affair with Team Solent putting a rather poor first half showing behind them to hit back and win in the second half. Solent defenders Thorn and Olumuyiwa got in important interceptions early in the game but Cowes were awarded a penalty when a weaving run by McKie resulted in him being upended; McKIE took the kick and sent Solent keeper Collins the wrong way to give his side an early lead. Collins was called upon to block a Phillips effort with his legs and soon after, Furmidge stole a yard on a home defender but headed off target. Solent survived an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box for hands by Collins following a back-pass (and for the first time ever I have seen a keeper shown a yellow card for handling inside his penalty area for an offence that results in an indirect free-kick; this must surely not be right?). It didn t work out for Solent in the half, unusually playing a long ball game, as Cowes held onto their lead at the break, their back-line looking quite comfortable. HT: 0-1. Solent came out for the second half with a bit more urgency and Dacres-Smith slotted a neat pass through to enable KASIMU to shoot past the keeper, the ball just having enough energy to trickle into the far corner. This sparked Solent into a great spell of attacking football with Cowes keeper Hatt saving from both Kasimu and Obeng whilst Obeng had a further chance that was off target. When Kasimu put Wiseman in a good position, Cowes defender Bryan made a fine tackle but soon later a scuffed effort from around 20-yards by KASIMU found the corner and Solent were in front. Cowes had not been as prominent around the Solent box but a dangerous low cross by McKie went straight across the face of the home side s goal. A lovely Solent move with Dacres-Smith, Wiseman, Orvis and Mitford involved, it was passed on to Kasimu whose fine shot was equalled by an outstanding save by Hatt. Further chances came to Kasimu, once being tackled robustly, albeit fairly, by the advancing Hatt and another from an extremely tight angle which went wide. Wiseman s pass to KASIMU resulted in Solent increasing their lead, he swept past a defender and struck a firm shot through the keeper to net his third goal. Only ten minutes remained but Cowes got one back when substitute McENERY was left free in the middle to guide a well-placed header into the far corner from a left-wing cross. Solent held onto their narrow advantage from there. FT: 3-2. Kasimu has now scored 22 goals in his brief spell with Team Solent so far and that includes four hat-tricks! Well done to the entire team who put behind them a fairly lack-lustre first half and then stepped up with their more normal flowing passing game in the second half to go on and take three vital points. Solent up to 15th, as high as they ve been in the Premier Division so far in the season. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 12 of 17

13 LEAGUE STANDINGS AND RESULTS GRID AS AT SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER 2017-PREMIER DIVISION RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Andover Town Blackfield & Langley Hamworthy United Sholing Alresford Town Lymington Town Horndean AFC Portchester Hamble Club Portland United Baffins Milton Rovers Shaftesbury Bemerton Heath Harlequins [*] Fareham Town Team Solent Bournemouth Bashley Brockenhurst Cowes Sports Newport (IoW) Amesbury Town Petersfield Town [*] Points adjustment Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 13 of 17

14 LEAGUE STANDINGS AND RESULTS GRID AS AT SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER FIRST DIVISION RANK FIRST DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Tadley Calleva Andover New Street AFC Stoneham Christchurch Romsey Town Laverstock & Ford United Services Portsmouth New Milton Town Alton Ringwood Town Downton Totton & Eling Whitchurch United Fawley East Cowes Victoria Hythe & Dibden Verwood Town Folland Sports Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 14 of 17

15 WEEK TWENTY-ONE ROUND UP Just three games on Tuesday all postponed from the previous week. Bashley collected the first silverware of the season with a three two victory over Verwood in the Bournemouth Senior Cup Final at Christchurch writes John Gorman. Kabba Jack scored twice for the winners as did James Guthrie for Verwood as Bashley put their name on the trophy for the fifth time, having last won it in An attendance in excess of 200 was no doubt welcomed by the organisers having re-constituted the Competition this season after a fourteen year break. Bemerton moved into the last four of the Wiltshire Senior Cup with a three goal victory over Wiltshire League side Bremhill, who beat Amesbury in the previous round, with Jake Rawkins claiming all three goals whist the third game marked the first appearance of the North Hants Cup on the schedule this season. As is sometimes the case in these Competitions the Draw through up a total mismatch with Andover Town coasting to an eight nil victory over Winchester Castle Reserves with six different names on the scoresheet. One game on Wednesday with a decisive result in the North Hampshire derby at Whitchurch as Tadley run out winners by five goals to one two goals for Paul Coventry against his former Club and four goals in the first 24 minutes - and took over at the top of the Division One table. In the earlier meeting between the two Clubs at Barlows Park Tadley scored five without reply and in doing so re-confirmed their dominance. A rare game on a Thursday as US Portsmouth made it five wins in a row with a three one defeat of Follands and moved up to sixth place in the table. Two Premier Division Games on Friday with Hamble Club and Sholing sharing two goals and the points as the visitors extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches and remain in third place overnight. AFC Portchester have few peers when it comes to selling and promoting fixtures and proved that again by attracting a crowd approaching 300 for the game with Fareham. Unfortunately, The Creeksiders had not read the script and a Scott Hamilton goal, the only one of the game, gave them the three points and extended their unbeaten run to five matches. However, it was hardly a Festive Friday as the two games between them collected fifteen cautions and three dismissals. On to Saturday and two postponements because of wet pitches Horndean versus Baffins in the Premier Division and the Waterside derby between Fawley and Hythe and Dibden in Division One. Andover Town maintained their lead at the top of the Premier Division with a two goal win over a stubborn Shaftesbury side at the Portway and a Sam Griffin hat trick, the only one of the day, secured a three goal victory for second place Blackfield and Langley over Bournemouth, With Sholing dropping two points the previous evening Hamworthy United took over third spot after their two one defeat of Amesbury, their sixth win in seven matches. Lymington were held to a two all draw by Newport at the Sports Ground a good point for the visitors for whom Charlie Urry scored both goals while two Craig Harding goals helped Alresford to a three one win over the luckless Petersfield who stay marooned at the bottom of the table. The biggest attendance of the day, 156 and thanks that all the attendances were reported was at Brockenhurst where the Forest Derby with Bashley finished all square with Kabba Jack s strike for the visitors being cancelled out by a late second half Mark Barker penalty. Portland travelled to Bemerton and the nil nil draw was the fifth game in a row that they have taken just the one point whilst Cowes Sports opened the scoring at Team Solent before going down by the odd goal in five. So, Christmas arrives with Andover Town and Blackfield and Langley looking secure at the top of the table whilst Newport, Amesbury and Petersfield are in need of a change of fortune at the bottom. The top match in a reduced Division One programme was at Charlton where Andover New Street bounced back from last week s defeat to come from behind to beat fellow promotion contenders Romsey Town three two with Callum Sweeney scoring twice. AFC Stoneham climbed in to third place with a four goal defeat of Verwood town and two goals from Chae Sykes helped Laverstock and Ford to a three two victory over Wiltshire rivals Downton. Totton and Eling made it four wins in a row with four different names on the score sheet in the four nil victory over Alton the visitors again failing to replicate their home form on their travels and New Milton and Ringwood shared two goals and the points at Fawcett Field with Steve Flynn, almost inevitably, claiming the home side s goal. With Christchurch not in action Tadley Calleva s midweek win at Whitchurch means they top the table on goal difference from Andover New Street but just four points cover the top six sides. Happy Christmas to all. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 15 of 17

16 FIXTURES UPDATE SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS Tuesday 26 December 2017 PREMIER DIVISION Newport (IoW) Friday 29 December 2017 PREMIER DIVISION AFC Portchester Saturday 30 December 2017 PREMIER DIVISION Andover Town Baffins Milton Rovers Bournemouth Fareham Town Hamble Club Lymington Town Portland United Shaftesbury Sholing FIRST DIVISION Downton East Cowes Victoria Fawley New Milton Town Ringwood Town Tadley Calleva Saturday 6 January 2018 BUILDBASE FA VASE 4th ROUND Blackfield & Langley Newport (IoW) Westfields PREMIER DIVISION Amesbury Town Andover Town Bashley Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bournemouth Cowes Sports Hamworthy United Petersfield Town Shaftesbury FIRST DIVISION AFC Stoneham Fawley Folland Sports Hythe & Dibden v Cowes Sports v Horndean v Alresford Town v Hamworthy United v Team Solent v Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Blackfield & Langley v Brockenhurst v Bashley v Amesbury Town v Petersfield Town v Andover New Street v Romsey Town v Totton & Eling v Christchurch v Verwood Town v Folland Sports v Bracknell Town v Bradford Town v Hamble Club v Lymington Town v Brockenhurst v Horndean v AFC Portchester v Portland United v Baffins Milton Rovers v Sholing v Fareham Town v Alresford Town v United Services Portsmouth v Romsey Town v New Milton Town v East Cowes Victoria Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 16 of 17

17 Laverstock & Ford v Christchurch Ringwood Town v Andover New Street Tadley Calleva v Alton Verwood Town v Whitchurch United Tuesday 9 January 2018 Sydenhams League Cup 3rd Round Hamble Club v Alresford Town Russell Cotes Cup Quarter Final AFC Portchester v AFC Stoneham Andover Town v Paulsgrove Fareham Town v Sholing Saturday 13 January 2018 PREMIER DIVISION AFC Portchester v Hamworthy United Alresford Town v Lymington Town Baffins Milton Rovers v Shaftesbury Blackfield & Langley v Cowes Sports Brockenhurst v Bournemouth Fareham Town v Amesbury Town Hamble Club v Andover Town Horndean v Petersfield Town Newport (IoW) v Team Solent Portland United v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Sholing v Bashley FIRST DIVISION Christchurch v Whitchurch United Downton v Alton East Cowes Victoria v Verwood Town Fawley v Andover New Street Folland Sports v Laverstock & Ford New Milton Town v Tadley Calleva Totton & Eling v Romsey Town United Services Portsmouth v Ringwood Town Monday 15 January 2018 Southampton Senior Cup Quarter Final Team Solent v Blackfield & Langley The winners of the Hamble Club Alresford tie will travel to Fawley in the Quarter Final PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO ALTERATION AT SHORT NOTICE- PLEASE CHECK WITH THE HOME CLUB BEFORE TRAVEL It is the night before Christmas, and all through the house nobody stirred except the Editor of the Newsletter. Merry Christmas to all, have a good one everyone, AND don t over indulge too much, aside from Boxing Day on the Island, THE NEXT ROUND OF GAMES IS AT THE weekend!! Thanks to all who have contributed TO THE NEWSLETTER THIS SEASON. HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE READ. Sunday, 24 December /18 Edition #28 Page 17 of 17