Dartford 1 Welling United 0

Match 65/11/952 - Sunday, 13 May 2012 - Conference South Play-off Final

Dartford (1) 1 Noble 3
Welling United (0) 0
Att. 4,088

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 56/4,890

Match Report

Dartford emerged from the Conference South play-off to stake their place in the Conference for the first time since 1986 when the division was known as the Gola League. As the team that finished second behind champions Woking, it is fitting that they were the team to win a tight encounter against a Welling side that didn’t have the cutting edge to complement the amount of possession they enjoyed.

In front of a sell-out 4,000-plus crowd, a fantastic turn-out considering the mouth-watering spectacle that the final day of the Premiership promised (and lived-up) to be, Dartford struck in just three minutes, Lee Noble stunning the visitors with a well struck shot from 25 yards that nestled in the bottom left hand corner.

That was the beginning of an opening period of 20 minutes in which Welling could not get any sort of foothold in the game. Elliott Bradbrook headed wide from a long throw and crosses into the box were causing Wings’ keeper Craig Holloway and the thousand Welling fans at the opposite end several heart stopping moments.

Going into the last 20 minutes of the half and still just the goal behind, Welling inched their way back into the game and it took a superb saving tackle from Tom Bonner when Loick Pires was about to pull the trigger on the visitors’ best chance of the half.

This was actually quite a defining point in the game as the pattern was set with Welling’s dangerous pairing of Pires and Louis Cumbers well shackled all afternoon by a disciplined Darts back four with Lee Burns and Luke Wilkinson outstanding.

Cumbers managed to get free just the once but his cut back to Joe Healy who blazed over the bar to once again fail to work Louis Wells in the Dartford goal.

The second half continued in much the same vein with chances at a premium, most of them going Dartford’s way as Welling enjoyed their 50% of the possession but by the end of the game Wells had not had a shot in anger to save.

The whistle blew to the jubilation of the home support who have enjoyed massive success with a strong support base since their move to Princes Park. The club are ready for the Conference and I guess there were more than a few sore heads among their fans on Monday morning when they woke up to the realisation that those nice comfortable Ryman and Conference South trips to places such as Tonbridge are no more and now they are faced with 600 mile round trips to places such as Gateshead and Barrow but with the equivalent excitement that ex-League clubs such as Lincoln City and Stockport County now stand on an equal footing alongside their local rivals Ebbsfleet.

Good luck to Dartford, it is wonderful to see two Kent sides in the premier non-league Division, just one more step away from the Football League and who is to say that the last step is one too far.

Gillingham 2 Morecambe 0

Match 64/11/951 - Saturday, 5 May 2012 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 2 Lee, 18, 76
Morecambe (0) 0
Att. 4,382

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/4,834

Match Report

Gillingham’s first meaningless final game of the season for five years proved to be exactly that . . . a lifeless affair that was won by two Charlie Lee goals to ensure that the club finished, as last season, one place outside of the play-off places.

Lee collected a clearance, strode forward to 25 yards from goal and struck a daisy-cutter that eluded Morecambe’s keeper Barry Roche to nestle into the bottom corner after 18 minutes. On 76 minutes a delightful through ball from player of the year Danny Jackman sent Lee through on goal to side foot home from eight yards. Lee sensed his opportunity for a hat trick and had another couple of efforts that were high, wide and not too handsome.

The season ends with a home win but the final verdict can only conclude that this season has once again ended in failure and this is the time to ask the questions why. Andy Hessenthaler’s stewardship of the club is brought into question and we will know early next week whether he is going to pay the ultimate price.

It doesn’t take the Einstein equivalent of a football guru to figure out where it all went wrong. Gillingham scored more goals than anybody else in the Division, but conceded more than any of the teams that ended above them, so quite obviously it was the abject failure to defend that cost them dear, but why?

Hessenthaler’s defence would be that injuries have not allowed him a consistent back four and whilst all clubs suffer injuries in the course of a season, he does have a point. Gillingham have had more than their share of long term loss of players this term. In pre-season there was the loss of Adam Birchall, with the goals scored column in very positive territory it could be argued that, in fact, his loss was covered. My counter argument would be that had Birchall been fit all season then the money that was expended on Joe Kuffour, Gavin Tomlin and to a lesser extent Rowan Vine could have been better spent on defenders when the injuries started to bite in that area.

The paramount loss of the season, in my opinion, was that of Barry Fuller. From the moment his season ended in mid-September, the back four became unbalanced with square pegs being forced into round holes. Matt Fish, who had only featured from the bench in the opening games, came into the side and struggled to find his feet at Football League level. Charlie Lee, a waste at right back, and Matt Lawrence, at 37 no longer having the legs for the position, filled in but without any sense of security. Teenager Jack Evans held the position for February before Fish came back, found a bit of confidence and secured his place to the end of the season.

The other flank was hardly a success story either. Joe Martin may have held down the position for most of the season but his form hasn’t been great and two sendings-off have led to suspensions.

How many central defensive pairings can you fit into one season, for consistency the fewer the better, but in Gillingham’s case it amounts to eight. Lawrence and Andy Frampton were the opening pairing, but their lack of pace was exposed as soon as defensive midfielder Jack Payne was injured. Garry Richards was drafted in after spending the early weeks on the bench, but a car crash of a defensive performance at Wimbledon, when Fish, Lawrence, Richards and Frampton were dismantled with ease led to angry scenes on the Kingsmeadow terraces. Simon King, who spent time on loan at Plymouth to get games after his lengthy lay-off, has never been fit enough to complete a consistent run in the side and when Richards broke his leg in March the catalogue of woe was virtually complete. If there is a silver lining to come out of this carnage it is the emergence of Connor Essam who has been ever-present since mid-February and has looked a fine prospect.

That for me, is the case for Hessenthaler’s defence (or lack of it). Whether Mr Scally sees it this way, the coming week will tell. It has to be said that, in a Radio Kent interview on Saturday evening, Hess came across far less confident of his position than he had previously. The week will also see the announcement of the departure of several players, 19 are out of contract and a complete overhaul of the squad is to be expected, whoever the manager may be.

Gillingham missed out by the equivalent of one victory and there are many choices of where those elusive couple of points could have been earned. The shocking decision of Scott Mathieson the allow an equalising goal for Bradford when his linesman has given offside is an example of circumstances beyond anybody’s control whereby the loss of all three points at home to Wimbledon after being 3-1 up was simply down to woeful defending.

Gillingham failed to find a consistency throughout the season to deserve a promotion that should have been attained with the “best squad ever assembled in Paul Scally’s time” and a budget supposedly among the best in the Division. We wait with interest to see who carries the can for the failure.

Boreham Wood 4 Tonbridge 2

Match 63/11/950 - Saturday, 28 April 2012 - Conference South

Boreham Wood (2) 4 Montgomery 8, Jones 45, T. Olorunda 78 (o.g.), Effiong 81
Tonbridge (1) 2 Piper 18, Collin 66
Att. 275

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 136/4,789
New Ground: 249

Match Report

This last game of Tonbridge’s inaugural season in Conference South took on the title of an alternative play-off match for eighth place, but they came across a Boreham Wood side that with the benefit of home advantage had a little bit more desire to end the season with a flourish.

Tonbridge and Gillingham’s season have followed a similar path, although Gillingham have a game to play and could finish anywhere between eighth and eleventh, at present both sit in ninth position and the reason both have missed out on play-off places is that despite scoring plenty of goals they have conceded in equal measure. So it was with this visit to Boreham Wood, Tonbridge enjoyed their fair share of the possession but gave the ball away far too often and were caught on the counter attack to the tune of four goals, could have been more, but then could have scored more themselves.

The Wood looked a very capable side with a strong back line, which says a lot for Tonbridge that they punctured it twice, and a sharp attack which included Omer Riza, an experienced, well-travelled striker who began life as an apprentice at Arsenal, played at the top level in Turkey before returning to England to eventually arrive at a Histon side that made it to the Conference in 2010.

The home side were quick out of the blocks and ahead in eight minutes. Following a scenario that became a feature of the game, Tonbridge lost the ball in midfield and two passes left Graeme Montgomery with the task of beating Lee Worgan from 10 yards which he did with ease. Tonbridge were level within 10 minutes after a weak clearance to the edge of the box saw Chris Piper score from 18 yards.

Tonbridge found a bit of momentum and had a goal chalked off for offside before a fine counter attack ended with full back Mark Jones finishing off a move with a shot into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.

The visitors equalised 20 minutes into the second half when Frannie Collin converted with a close range header for his 29th goal of the season before two quick goals ended Tonbridge’s resistance. A cross from the left was turned into his own net by Tim Olorunda on 78 minutes and three minutes later substitute Inih Effiong benefited from Tonbridge once again losing the ball in a dangerous area to wrap the game up for the home side.

Frannie Collin crashed a shot against the bar to deny himself a 30th goal of a season where he has ended as the League’s leading goalscorer by a country mile.

Meadow Park was a tidy stadium with a fair sized main seated stand along one length of the pitch whilst on the other was a terraced covered enclosure which once more, as Tonbridge supporters, we look on with envy as being perfect for our needs. Nothing fancy, only three steps high, but perfectly fit for purpose. Behind both goals was uncovered terracing. The pitch looked in really good condition considering it was the last game of the season and had a week’s worth of persistent rain on it, but there is an alarming slope into one corner where the level must fall about two feet in the space of just 15 yards or so.

Boreham Wood take the coveted eighth spot and in doing so on such meagre attendances that is to be admired. The attendance of just 275 was their third highest of the season and at a bare minimum at least the 75 was made up of visiting supporters. Tonbridge ended the season within the top ten and back in August the vast majority would have taken that with pleasure.

Gillingham 3 Swindon Town 1

Match 62/11/949 - Saturday, 21 April 2012 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 3 Kedwell 26 Whelpdale 57,90+5 (pen)
Swindon Town (0) 1 McCormick 80
Att. 6,390

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/4,653

Match Report

Gillingham produced their best home performance of the season to win the best game of the season against, ultimately the best team in the Division. Results elsewhere, leave Gillingham’s quest for a play-off spot hanging by a thread, which makes the victory over arch rivals Swindon all the more frustrating.

This week was season ticket renewal time and it was with a certain amount of reluctance that the button was pushed to remove £342.50 from my wallet. Encouragement was needed following a frustrating season and the home side delivered with a performance that defied recent form.

Swindon Town will eventually be crowned champions, with Crawley and Torquay dropping points they were ensured promotion, but their 1,245 travelling support were made to wait for their title-winning celebration.

This match had endured a strange build-up. At one point it appeared that it would be staged behind closed doors as a dispute between the home club and Kent Police led to Medway Council issuing a prohibition notice forbidding the attendance of the paying public. The dispute that echoed the one that had led to a similar notice being issued prior to the Stoke City FA Cup tie was ultimately resolved, to the satisfaction of the Police but not to that of chairman Paul Scally, suggesting that this particular dispute will surface again sometime in the future. Meanwhile, the champions-elect were embroiled in their own internal dispute as a number of players were disciplined by manager Paulo Di Canio following a night out to celebrate the birth of a team mates’ baby prior to their midweek defeat at Aldershot. The exclusion of Luke Rooney denied Gillingham fans the opportunity of offering him a “warm welcome”.

Gillingham spent the first 20 minutes of the game chasing shadows as Swindon gave every indication that they would be celebrating the title come five o’clock. Their slick passing game was to be admired as they piled pressure on a Gillingham defence not known for their resilience in recent weeks. But, today they stayed strong with Connor Essam’s young legs complementing Andy Frampton’s old head to restrict the visitors to a John Bostock free kick into the side netting during the opening stages.

So, with Bostock and Matt Ritchie running through Gillingham’s midfield almost at will, it was somewhat surprising that the home took the lead on 26 minutes. There was nothing subtle about the goal, a long throw from the right by Charlie Lee to the near post, from where a looping header by Danny Kedwell sailed over the stranded Swindon ‘keeper, Phil Smith, into the far corner. It was much against the run of play, but from that moment Gillingham found a confidence that, bar a nervy last ten minutes, led to a well-deserved victory.

There was a lot to admire in this performance. Apart from the central defensive pairing that made last ditch tackles and got their heads onto virtually everything thrown at them, there were outstanding displays from both full backs, Matt Fish and Joe Martin, both of which have endured justifiable criticism this season. In centre midfield, Lewis Montrose came through a torrid first half in which he laboured against the strength and pace of Bostock, to play an instrumental part in the strong second half showing, whilst Chris Whelpdale was pure quality, at last we are seeing the player we witnessed during his loan spell last year.

An unlikely surge upfield from Fish ended with a shot from the edge of the box that was saved by Smith before a 20-yard strike from Montrose crashed against the bar with the keeper helpless.

A triumph of persistence doubled Gillingham’s lead seven minutes into the second half. Firstly Montrose won a tackle leaving Whelpdale to ride a couple of challenges before delicately, deliciously chipping the ball over the keeper into the far corner to the rapturous acclaim of the Rainham End.

Whelpdale struck a post before Swindon found a way back into the match with ten minutes remaining. Alan McCormick played one-two that allowed him to run unchallenged and strike from the edge of the box to set up a nervy finish that wasn’t helped when the referee indicated five extra minutes to be played. With no trainer having been on the pitch, it appeared that Mark Halsey’s Wembley watch had been borrowed.

By now the Swindon contingent were celebrating anyway. News of results elsewhere had filtered through and they were responding to the arms aloft theatrics of Di Canio on the touchline. They were not to be quietened by a last kick of the match penalty, awarded after a trip on Curtis Weston, and converted by Whelpdale to wrap up a convincing 3-1 victory for the home side.

The unlikely chase for a play-off spot continues at Northampton next Saturday, with Gillingham knowing that nothing less than another win will be good enough whilst keeping fingers crossed that Crewe and Oxford suffer reversals in their last two matches. That we are looking for favours elsewhere is so frustrating given the quality of this performance.

Beckenham Town 3 Tunbridge Wells 0

Match 61/11/948 - Saturday, 14 April 2012 - Kent League

Beckenham Town (2) 3 Curran 25, Turner 36 (pen) Fofana 60
Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Att. 65

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: £1.00
Mileage: 78/4,608

Match Report

Beckenham was not where I expected to be at the beginning of the week, but it was a decent place to end up. Not a new ground, having been once before in 1992 when Tonbridge were finally emerging from their time in the Kent League, but new to That’ll be the Day.

Tunbridge Wells’ remarkable win at champions-elect Herne Bay on Bank Holiday Monday had opened up a realistic chance of finishing runners-up in the Kent League but were surprisingly swept aside by a Beckenham Town side that, on the day, showed why they have scored a lot of goals this season. The small crowd of just 65 was boosted by 20 or more that had travelled from Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and it was something of a surprise when the home side went ahead in the 28th minute through Nick Curran, but once ahead Beckenham dominated the game with the Wells struggling to contain the pace of Elstrom Die and Ben Slade.

A soft penalty, hotly disputed by the visitors, converted by Jamie Turner before half time gave the visitors an uphill struggle in the second half.

Once again, the Wells held the upper hand in the early exchanges of the second half but, on the hour, a daisy-cutter of a shot from Malik Fofana somehow found its way past Dean Nash, much to the amusement of his team mates who obviously could not believe what they had seen.

The Wells huffed and puffed in their attempt to mount a comeback, but despite a couple of efforts that went close they were comprehensively beaten and deservedly so.

Eden Park Avenue hasn’t changed a lot in the intervening 20 years between visits although there appears to be the on-going erection of a longer covered enclosure than the four “bus shelter” types that occupy a couple of positions behind one goal, and one on each of the sidelines. Straddling the half-way line is a small seated stand that would sit around fifty people. The changing rooms and clubhouse are combined in a cricket pavilion type structure.

Elsewhere, at my destinations that might have been, Gillingham’s threadbare mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs remain with a goalless draw at Oxford, whilst Tonbridge also gained a point at Weston-super-Mare.



And here is Beckenham's all-seated, two seater cantilever standAnd here it is . . . full!

Gillingham 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 2

Match 60/11/947 - Easter Monday, 9 April 2012 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Vine 58
Dagenham & Redbridge (1) 2 Woodall 38, Green 73
Att. 5,773

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/4,530

Match Report

The producers of television’s soap operas have a technique that is called “the hook”. It is the last scene of the episode and it is written to leave the viewer wanting to know the outcome and therefore tuning in again next time. Gillingham, by default, exercised their own version of the hook this Easter weekend. Following their draw at Bristol Rovers, it was my judgement that play-off hopes had been extinguished and because of that I would make the choice to turn my back on the season ticket in favour of visiting Woking, champions-elect of Conference South, for Tonbridge’s game.

But, on Good Friday evening, the hook was exercised and Oxford’s defeat at Northampton left Gillingham just three points adrift and still realistically in with a chance. Loyalty told my heart that Priestfield was the place to be on Monday and my head listened. Why oh why, could I not have followed my instincts as my reward for patience that has been running on empty for weeks was a truly appalling performance that coupled with results elsewhere has finally put to bed that misguided optimism.

I cannot believe that footballers go into any match, especially at this point in the season, with a “don’t care” attitude, but something didn’t click with the home side and the result was a performance where they were second best to a Dagenham side, for whom the three points virtually assures their Football League status for next season. The East London side were sharper, made better choices and thoroughly deserved their success.

This season has been a complete enigma. On one hand, nobody has scored more goals than Gillingham and for that reason alone it would indicate an entertaining season, but in truth, it has been far from that. Too many times three goals have not been enough to stave off defeat as inept defending has cost them dear, and this game was no different. On this occasion, question marks would be levelled against the young goalkeeper, who could have done better for both goals.

Neither side coped with the blustery conditions and the standard of football was poor to say the least. In the 38th minute Gillingham produced their best moment as Jack Payne broke clear and into the box but overran the ball allowing Daggers’ keeper Chris Lewington to smother at his feet. From the goalkeeper’s hands in a direct move, Abu Ogogo broke down the right, got inside Joe Martin to crack in a shot that Paulo Gazzaniga failed to hold and Brian Woodall was on hand to tap in the rebound to the delight of the 300-odd visiting fans.

It was no surprise that the half-time whistle was greeted with a chorus of boos and Gillingham’s reaction was positive at the beginning of the second half.

Dagenham opened with an effort from Josh Parker that was well saved, one-handed by Gazzaniga before Chris Whelpdale lobbed the goalkeeper only to see his effort was cleared from in front of the line. On 58 minutes, Rowan Vine levelled the score with a fine goal. The striker, on loan from QPR, got free down the left hand side and from the edge of the box curled a shot into the far corner. It was a great strike and should have given Gillingham the lift to complete the victory but it was the visitors that responded the better.

Dominic Green gave the home side due warning when he had a shot saved by Gazzaniga before, in the 73rd minute, showing a good turn of pace, he cut inside Danny Jackman, leaving Payne trailing in his wake, before planting a shot, that skipped off the wet turf and over the sprawling dive of the young keeper.

Gillingham had no response and the final whistle effectively sounded the end of a thoroughly frustrating season. There have been worse seasons than this one, there have been far worse times for the club, but this term began with high expectations and they have been far from fulfilled. Where Gillingham go now is entirely in the hands of chairman Paul Scally. Andy Hessenthaler has failed to fulfil the remit and the vast majority have lost patience and want change. My own opinion has changed in these last few weeks, I didn’t want to listen to my head because my heart wanted Hess to succeed, but the penny has dropped and with season ticket purchase pending, a fresh start is needed to convince myself and many others that it is going to be money well-spent. Whether the chairman can put his loyalty to Hess to one side to make that fresh start is going to be the hook that draws the punters back for another tilt at getting out of the bottom tier in August.

Tonbridge 2 Dover Athletic 3

Match 59/11/946 - Saturday, 7 April 2012 - Conference South

Tonbridge (2) 2 T Olorunda 9, Collin 28 (pen)
Dover Athletic (2) 3 Dixon 15, Bricknell 25, Huke 88
Att. 940

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/4,485

Match Report

As Shane Huke rose high above a static Tonbridge defence to power a header into the net two minutes from the end of a pulsating Kent derby, new life was breathed into Dover Athletic’s play-off challenge whilst expunging the home side’s more modest ambition of finishing above their bitterest of rivals.

As the season enters its final straight, for Tonbridge the wear and tear is beginning to show and the bench that a couple of months ago looked quite strong was now threadbare with a couple of teenagers making up the numbers. Olly Schultz was unable to play as a term of his transfer from Dover last month and when Ben Judge was forced from the field with 20 minutes remaining the lack of height at the centre of defence became the telling factor in allowing Huke his unchallenged header.

Dover’s own poor form, albeit principally at Crabble, contributed to a smaller than usual following from the coast, but the attendance still amounted to a respectable 940. Unfortunately, this is a fixture with a bit of history and there was a fracas in the bar at half-time that needed a police presence to maintain order. Having not been in the bar, it is not for me to apportion blame.

The first half-hour of the game was a breathless, totally captivating period. Four goals, some do or die defending and good goalkeeping. Tonbridge took the lead on nine minutes; a Rory Hill corner was smacked against the bar from a Sonny Miles header and makeshift central defender Tim Olorunda was on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range.

The lead was not to last long, after 15 minutes Terry Dixon forced the ball home after his initial header had been brilliantly parried by Lee Worgan. A ball that looked to being going out was chased down by Donovan Simmonds and from his cross Dixon got his opportunity.

Dover went ahead on 25 minutes with a converted penalty by Billy Bricknell. Lee Browning lost the ball in midfield and a single pass from Simmonds sent Bricknell through on goal. Worgan, plunging at the striker’s feet, brought him down to earn a yellow card and concede the penalty.

Once again, albeit in reverse order, the lead was not to last as Tonbridge were themselves awarded a penalty a couple of minutes later. Frannie Collin weaved his way past Dover’s 17-year-old debutant Lloyd Harrington before the youngster stretched out a leg to bring the Tonbridge goal machine to the ground. Collin got up to convert the penalty and regain parity.

Although there were no more goals, until the winner, the game continued to ebb and flow through an absorbing second period. Worgan made good stops to thwart Bricknell and Dixon and there were last ditch blocks made by Olorunda and Judge whilst at the other end, Jaimez-Ruiz made saves from Chris Piper and Collin.

Ten minutes remained when a fine diagonal pass from Collin was collected by Hill who cut inside and cracked a shot against the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten. That was to be Tonbridge’s chance to win the game, but when Dover got there’s they took it. Barry Cogan swung in a corner from the right and Huke powered in his header to win the game to the delight of the travelling contingent who were fully aware that a point from this game was not going to be enough.

Tonbridge’s poor record this season in Kent derbies sadly continues, in eight games this season they have failed to win any and managed just four draws. It is much to their credit that they have kept the season alive until four games from the end, but it will now become a test of their character to see the season out without it drifting aimlessly away with patched-up players running on empty.