Thurrock (1) 1 Sutton 12
AFC Hornchurch (0) 0
Attendance: 481
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 80/8,775
Match Report
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Thurrock 1 AFC Hornchurch 0
Match 128/16/1435 - Wednesday, 26th April 2017 - Ryman North Play-off Semi-Final
Thurrock (1) 1 Sutton 12
AFC Hornchurch (0) 0
Attendance: 481
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 80/8,775
Match Report
A second Ryman play-off game in a couple of days produced matches as different as chalk and cheese, whereas the previous evening's encounter was one of the best games I've seen this season, this one was dour. To add to an uncomfortable watch, I cannot ever remember being at a play-off game where it has been so cold.
Thurrock (1) 1 Sutton 12
AFC Hornchurch (0) 0
Attendance: 481
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 80/8,775
Match Report
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Greenwich Borough 3 Corinthian Casuals 4
Match 127/16/1434 - Tuesday, 25th April 2017 - Ryman South Play-off Semi-Final
Greenwich Borough (2) 3 Eisa 4 Sweeney 34 Wilson 83
Corinthian Casuals (2) 4 Okojie 18 (pen), 76 Dillon 23 Maan 59
Attendance: 427
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 76/8,695
Match Report
Corinthian Casuals successfully overcame a number of hurdles to reach the Ryman League South Play-off Final. Their goalkeeper, and captain, Danny Bracken suffered a nightmare opening when, after less than four minutes, a speculative shot from Mohamed Eisa struck a divot to loop over his diving body giving the home side a dream start.
Having equalised from the penalty spot after 18 minutes, Casuals received a further setback when Coskum Ekin was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lewwis Spence three minutes later.
A breathless opening 20 minutes that was about to continue to a thrilling climax.
Greenwich Borough (2) 3 Eisa 4 Sweeney 34 Wilson 83
Corinthian Casuals (2) 4 Okojie 18 (pen), 76 Dillon 23 Maan 59
Attendance: 427
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 76/8,695
Match Report
Having equalised from the penalty spot after 18 minutes, Casuals received a further setback when Coskum Ekin was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lewwis Spence three minutes later.
A breathless opening 20 minutes that was about to continue to a thrilling climax.
Saturday, 22 April 2017
Gillingham 2 Fleetwood Town 3
Match 126/16/1433 - Saturday, 22nd April 2017 - League Cup One
Gillingham (1) 2 Cairns (o.g.) 38 Donnelly 65
Fleetwood Town (0) 3 Hunter 54 Ball 80 Dempsey 90+1
Attendance: 8,760
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 58/8,619
Match Report
All eyes turn to Walsall on Tuesday evening with the hope that they can save Gillingham from relegation by beating Port Vale, because the Gills sure as hell are not going to do it by their own volition.
In his post-match interview Adie Pennock stated that he thought "they had played well against a good side and gave a good account of ourselves." Really? Not from where I was sitting. The first 45 minutes are not going to be 45 minutes that I'm given back anytime soon, even given the own goal that had given his side the lead.
If his side has deceived my eyes and played well then the result lays squarely on Pennock's shoulders. It was his substitution of Cody McDonald, that brought derision from the home support, presumably to preserve the 2-1 lead, but within 30 seconds that lead had disappeared.
As the game entered its final throes, Pennock, once again, going for preservation, replaced the sponsor's man of the match, Lee Martin and the goalscorer, Rory Donnelly and in the first minute of time added, four passes, each one played into Fleetwood players with time and space, cut open the Gillingham defence to score the winner. Football Genius ... I think not.
The club had done its best to create a last day atmosphere by flooding the Medway Towns with free tickets by the handful shoved through the letterboxes. But to create an atmosphere you need people to be excited by what they are watching and those new to Priestfield must have wondered if they would have been better off at home watching their paint dry.
But, they were given an unexpected moment to cheer when after 38 minutes a corner from Martin was headed against a post by Zesh Rehman with the rebound crossing the line off the back of the Cod goalkeeper, Alex Cairns.
The lead was to last 10 minutes into the second half when a shot from 25 yards by Ashley Hunter that left Tomas Holy rooted to the spot.
Holy was, once more, a mere spectator as a shot across the face of goal from Bobby Grant struck a post.
Gillingham were back in front after 65 minutes. A free kick, awarded for a foul on McDonald on the edge of the box, was shot low through the wall and found the net via the far post.
Jake Hessenthaler smacked a shot against a post and the finishing line, and safety, was within sight and Priestfield responded accordingly but they were stunned into silence when with 10 minutes remaining a free kick was headed on and David Ball had the freedom to volley into the net.
With a little game management, a draw would have been a good result with Port Vale losing at home to Bolton, but Gillingham conspired to throw away the points when Fleetwood played their way through non-existent challenges to leave Kyle with a tap in from the centre of the goal.
Gillingham (1) 2 Cairns (o.g.) 38 Donnelly 65
Fleetwood Town (0) 3 Hunter 54 Ball 80 Dempsey 90+1
Attendance: 8,760
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 58/8,619
Match Report
All eyes turn to Walsall on Tuesday evening with the hope that they can save Gillingham from relegation by beating Port Vale, because the Gills sure as hell are not going to do it by their own volition.
In his post-match interview Adie Pennock stated that he thought "they had played well against a good side and gave a good account of ourselves." Really? Not from where I was sitting. The first 45 minutes are not going to be 45 minutes that I'm given back anytime soon, even given the own goal that had given his side the lead.
If his side has deceived my eyes and played well then the result lays squarely on Pennock's shoulders. It was his substitution of Cody McDonald, that brought derision from the home support, presumably to preserve the 2-1 lead, but within 30 seconds that lead had disappeared.
As the game entered its final throes, Pennock, once again, going for preservation, replaced the sponsor's man of the match, Lee Martin and the goalscorer, Rory Donnelly and in the first minute of time added, four passes, each one played into Fleetwood players with time and space, cut open the Gillingham defence to score the winner. Football Genius ... I think not.
The club had done its best to create a last day atmosphere by flooding the Medway Towns with free tickets by the handful shoved through the letterboxes. But to create an atmosphere you need people to be excited by what they are watching and those new to Priestfield must have wondered if they would have been better off at home watching their paint dry.
But, they were given an unexpected moment to cheer when after 38 minutes a corner from Martin was headed against a post by Zesh Rehman with the rebound crossing the line off the back of the Cod goalkeeper, Alex Cairns.
The lead was to last 10 minutes into the second half when a shot from 25 yards by Ashley Hunter that left Tomas Holy rooted to the spot.
Holy was, once more, a mere spectator as a shot across the face of goal from Bobby Grant struck a post.
Gillingham were back in front after 65 minutes. A free kick, awarded for a foul on McDonald on the edge of the box, was shot low through the wall and found the net via the far post.
Jake Hessenthaler smacked a shot against a post and the finishing line, and safety, was within sight and Priestfield responded accordingly but they were stunned into silence when with 10 minutes remaining a free kick was headed on and David Ball had the freedom to volley into the net.
With a little game management, a draw would have been a good result with Port Vale losing at home to Bolton, but Gillingham conspired to throw away the points when Fleetwood played their way through non-existent challenges to leave Kyle with a tap in from the centre of the goal.
Friday, 21 April 2017
Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Whitehawk U18 3
Match 125/16/1432 - Thursday, 20th April 2017 - Ryman Youth League Cup Final
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Smith 8 Chapman 59
Whitehawk U18 (2) 3 Sisimayi 35 Coltherd-Walls 44 Broughton 49
Attendance: 123
Played at Whyteleafe FC
Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 86/8,561
Tonbridge’s Under-18s fell agonisingly short in the Lucas Fettes Ryman Youth League Cup Final at Whyteleafe losing to Whitehawk, who completed a treble having previously won the South Division of the League by a clear eight points and the Sussex Youth Cup.
The suspensions of their talismanic striker Sid Sollis and goalkeeper, Lewis Mitchell proved to be a burden too heavy to carry but they fought to finish with a rally that had the well-organised Sussex side defending for their lives.
Henry Ikeije tested the Whitehawk goalkeeper, Jordan Hawkins with a comfortable save in the opening minute before Whitehawk took the ascendancy in the opening period including having a goal disallowed for offside when Anesu Sisimayi’s header found the net.
However, it was the Angels that took the lead after eight minutes when a cross from Tommy Chapman picked out Liam Smith on the right hand angle of the six yard box who struck a ferocious shot into the far corner of the net.
The game took on a cagey stage following the opening goal with neither side registering a shot on target for the best part of 30 minutes.
Whitehawk equalised after 35 minutes when Tonbridge were caught out by a quickly taken free kick that allowed George Coltherd-Walls to cross for Sisimayi to head home.
A minute before the break Whitehawk scored a second goal when a shot from outside of the box by Billy Barker was parried, low to his left, by Henry Lovering but only into the path of Coltherd-Walls who was left with the easy chance of slotting into an unguarded goal.
After just four minutes of the second period, the Angels were left with a mountainous task when Lewis Broughton, the Whitehawk left back, surged to the edge of the box and fired in a shot that Lovering could only help into the net.
With the supporters that had made the journey to Surrey urging their side to keep their heads up, the Angels fought back and were unlucky when a shot from Connor Watson was brilliantly cleared from the line.
Just before the hour mark, Tonbridge were right back in the game when a defence splitting pass from Watson sent Chapman clear to finish clinically from the left hand side of the box.
Liam Smith, who had been switched to left back, following the substitution of the injured Jardell Conteh, did well to clear from the line to keep the Angels in contention.
In the final ten minutes, the Angels poured forward to find the equaliser with skipper, Callum Adonis-Taylor joining the attack as the Tonbridge coaching staff gambled with leaving three at the back.
As it was, Whitehawk stood firm, with Adonis-Taylor firing over the best opportunity of the period whilst Lovering produced a good save to deny Coltherd-Walls.
There was a massive consolation on the night when news came that Merstham had been held at home by Ashford in their final league match leaving the Angels with the opportunity to win the East Division with a victory over Kingstonian at Banstead next Thursday.
Action shots: Dave Couldridge
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Smith 8 Chapman 59
Whitehawk U18 (2) 3 Sisimayi 35 Coltherd-Walls 44 Broughton 49
Attendance: 123
Played at Whyteleafe FC
Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 86/8,561
The suspensions of their talismanic striker Sid Sollis and goalkeeper, Lewis Mitchell proved to be a burden too heavy to carry but they fought to finish with a rally that had the well-organised Sussex side defending for their lives.
Henry Ikeije tested the Whitehawk goalkeeper, Jordan Hawkins with a comfortable save in the opening minute before Whitehawk took the ascendancy in the opening period including having a goal disallowed for offside when Anesu Sisimayi’s header found the net.
However, it was the Angels that took the lead after eight minutes when a cross from Tommy Chapman picked out Liam Smith on the right hand angle of the six yard box who struck a ferocious shot into the far corner of the net.
The game took on a cagey stage following the opening goal with neither side registering a shot on target for the best part of 30 minutes.
Whitehawk equalised after 35 minutes when Tonbridge were caught out by a quickly taken free kick that allowed George Coltherd-Walls to cross for Sisimayi to head home.
A minute before the break Whitehawk scored a second goal when a shot from outside of the box by Billy Barker was parried, low to his left, by Henry Lovering but only into the path of Coltherd-Walls who was left with the easy chance of slotting into an unguarded goal.
After just four minutes of the second period, the Angels were left with a mountainous task when Lewis Broughton, the Whitehawk left back, surged to the edge of the box and fired in a shot that Lovering could only help into the net.
With the supporters that had made the journey to Surrey urging their side to keep their heads up, the Angels fought back and were unlucky when a shot from Connor Watson was brilliantly cleared from the line.
Just before the hour mark, Tonbridge were right back in the game when a defence splitting pass from Watson sent Chapman clear to finish clinically from the left hand side of the box.
Liam Smith, who had been switched to left back, following the substitution of the injured Jardell Conteh, did well to clear from the line to keep the Angels in contention.
In the final ten minutes, the Angels poured forward to find the equaliser with skipper, Callum Adonis-Taylor joining the attack as the Tonbridge coaching staff gambled with leaving three at the back.
As it was, Whitehawk stood firm, with Adonis-Taylor firing over the best opportunity of the period whilst Lovering produced a good save to deny Coltherd-Walls.
There was a massive consolation on the night when news came that Merstham had been held at home by Ashford in their final league match leaving the Angels with the opportunity to win the East Division with a victory over Kingstonian at Banstead next Thursday.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Charlton Athletic 3 Gillingham 0
Match 124/16/1431 - Monday, 17th April 2017 - League One
Charlton Athletic (2) 3 Pearce 20 Holmes 31 Mageness 54
Gillingham (0) 0
Attendance: 12,449
Entrance: £20 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 82/8,475
Match Report
An Easter Monday afternoon that began with a large Gillingham following amounting to over 2,000 fans buoyed by Saturday's win against Bristol Rovers ended with abusive songs being sung at their own team and ugly confrontations with a player.
Gillingham won't go down, almost unbelievably there are four teams who, if they are not worse, are in a more parlous position than the Kent side. Famous last words, with that horrible afternoon at Wycombe in 2010 serving as a powerful reminder that the worst can happen and with Justin Edinburgh waiting to inflict revenge on his former employer.
Simply put, Gillingham cannot defend and that is the principle reason why they are in the position they are. In the opening 20 minutes of this game they were more than the equal of their south London hosts, but abject defending saw Jason Pearce score with a free header inside the six yard box following a corner from Ricky Holmes, the best player on the pitch.
Ten minutes later, with a free kick conceded on the edge of the box, Holmes' shot found its way through the wall and between the diving Tomas Holy and his right hand post leaving the Gills with an uphill task that was never going to be completed.
The ineffectual Bournemouth loan pair of Joe Quigley snd Harry Connick were replaced during the break but when, early in the second half, the Gillingham defence was cut to shreds leaving Josh Mageness to sweep the ball home from close range there was to be no comeback and the Gillingham support quickly turned against their team.
Nobody likes to hear abuse being heaped on their own team, but the supporters frustration is easily understood. This has been a dire season with the change in managership not supplying the usual new regime bounce. Too many players are just not good enough with others that might have the necessary quality not playing for this manager or the last.
In my humble opinion, whether Pennock retains the job or not, the coach next season should be handed a blank sheet of paper and told to start again. Josh Wright, who is undoubtedly the player of the season, is being sought by higher level clubs and, if we learn anything from the Bradley Dack scenario, it is that heads get turned. As for Dack, he can go and sulk somewhere else.
I've never been as close as I am now to not renewing my season ticket. Two games remain for my enthusiasm to be rekindled sufficiently to hand over my money.
Charlton Athletic (2) 3 Pearce 20 Holmes 31 Mageness 54
Gillingham (0) 0
Attendance: 12,449
Entrance: £20 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 82/8,475
Match Report
Gillingham won't go down, almost unbelievably there are four teams who, if they are not worse, are in a more parlous position than the Kent side. Famous last words, with that horrible afternoon at Wycombe in 2010 serving as a powerful reminder that the worst can happen and with Justin Edinburgh waiting to inflict revenge on his former employer.
Simply put, Gillingham cannot defend and that is the principle reason why they are in the position they are. In the opening 20 minutes of this game they were more than the equal of their south London hosts, but abject defending saw Jason Pearce score with a free header inside the six yard box following a corner from Ricky Holmes, the best player on the pitch.
Ten minutes later, with a free kick conceded on the edge of the box, Holmes' shot found its way through the wall and between the diving Tomas Holy and his right hand post leaving the Gills with an uphill task that was never going to be completed.
The ineffectual Bournemouth loan pair of Joe Quigley snd Harry Connick were replaced during the break but when, early in the second half, the Gillingham defence was cut to shreds leaving Josh Mageness to sweep the ball home from close range there was to be no comeback and the Gillingham support quickly turned against their team.
Nobody likes to hear abuse being heaped on their own team, but the supporters frustration is easily understood. This has been a dire season with the change in managership not supplying the usual new regime bounce. Too many players are just not good enough with others that might have the necessary quality not playing for this manager or the last.
In my humble opinion, whether Pennock retains the job or not, the coach next season should be handed a blank sheet of paper and told to start again. Josh Wright, who is undoubtedly the player of the season, is being sought by higher level clubs and, if we learn anything from the Bradley Dack scenario, it is that heads get turned. As for Dack, he can go and sulk somewhere else.
I've never been as close as I am now to not renewing my season ticket. Two games remain for my enthusiasm to be rekindled sufficiently to hand over my money.
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Tonbridge 1 AFC Sudbury 0
Match 123/16/1430 - Saturday, 15th April 2017 - Ryman Premier
Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 78
AFC Sudbury (0) 0
Attendance: 554
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/8,393
The opening 45 minutes of this game was played in an almost funereal atmosphere as, supporters and players alike, at Longmead seemed to be suffering a collective hangover from Wednesday evening's Cup Final debacle.
AFC Sudbury arrived in Kent in their own last chance saloon as relegation would be confirmed by defeat at Tonbridge.
The Angels opened the game on the front foot, Nick Wheeler had a shot at the goalkeeper and a surging run from full back Ugo Udoji ended with a shot that was wide. But, it was to be another half-hour before the home side was to register a shot on goal, in the intervening time it was Sudbury who took the game to their hosts. Sam Corcoran shot narrowly wide and Jonny Henly made three saves to deny Liam Wales and two headers from Adam Tann before Vas Karagiannis finally ended the shot drought.
The second half took on a different look as Tonbridge finally found a way of getting Wheeler in the game. Alex Akrofi did well to send Wheeler on his way and his cross found the head of Nathan Elder whose goalbound header was brilliantly saved by Marcus Garnham.
Normal service had been duly resumed on the Wheeler/Elder partnership as Wheeler fed the big man with crosses that he headed over in the 55th minute and wide five minutes later.
There was a sense of inevitability that the partnership would eventually break down the Sudbury defence and it finally came 12 minutes from time when Elder headed home Wheeler's free kick from close range.
As the hosts failed to find a second goal, Sudbury seeing the trap door opening before their eyes threw their goalkeeper forward for their last corner kick. Nothing came of it and their one season stay in the Ryman Premier was ended.
For Tonbridge the last chance saloon stays open for another day, this time in Folkestone, for whom a relegation place alongside Sudbury looms large.
Pictures: Dave Couldridge
Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 78
AFC Sudbury (0) 0
Attendance: 554
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/8,393
AFC Sudbury arrived in Kent in their own last chance saloon as relegation would be confirmed by defeat at Tonbridge.
The Angels opened the game on the front foot, Nick Wheeler had a shot at the goalkeeper and a surging run from full back Ugo Udoji ended with a shot that was wide. But, it was to be another half-hour before the home side was to register a shot on goal, in the intervening time it was Sudbury who took the game to their hosts. Sam Corcoran shot narrowly wide and Jonny Henly made three saves to deny Liam Wales and two headers from Adam Tann before Vas Karagiannis finally ended the shot drought.
The second half took on a different look as Tonbridge finally found a way of getting Wheeler in the game. Alex Akrofi did well to send Wheeler on his way and his cross found the head of Nathan Elder whose goalbound header was brilliantly saved by Marcus Garnham.
Normal service had been duly resumed on the Wheeler/Elder partnership as Wheeler fed the big man with crosses that he headed over in the 55th minute and wide five minutes later.
There was a sense of inevitability that the partnership would eventually break down the Sudbury defence and it finally came 12 minutes from time when Elder headed home Wheeler's free kick from close range.
As the hosts failed to find a second goal, Sudbury seeing the trap door opening before their eyes threw their goalkeeper forward for their last corner kick. Nothing came of it and their one season stay in the Ryman Premier was ended.
For Tonbridge the last chance saloon stays open for another day, this time in Folkestone, for whom a relegation place alongside Sudbury looms large.
Gillingham 3 Bristol Rovers 1
Match 122/16/1429 - Friday, 14th April 2017 - League One
Gillingham (0) 3 Wright 64 McDonald 90,90+5
Bristol Rovers (0) 1 Bodin 73 (pen)
Attendance: 5,916
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 58/8,355
Match Report
There is still work to do but the manner in which this win was celebrated, on and off the pitch, suggested that avoidance of the drop was within touching distance. Although Bristol Rovers arrived with their own play-off aspirations this was considered by most to be the most winnable of Gillingham's remaining fixtures.
Those were the stakes for a must win game and, given a draw would suit neither team, a cagey first half ensued with neither side wanting to be chasing the game in the second period.
For the purist, and Gillingham supporters in particular, the quality of the game was poor with the home side doing what they have done all season, giving the ball away with careless abandon.
From the outset of the second half the game opened up with both sides in search of the vital victory. Both sides had chances, Josh Wright shot wide after being set-up by the hard-working Cody McDonald and, for the visitors, Billy Bodin wasted a chance dragging a shot hopelessly wide after being sent clear.
Gillingham took the lead on 64 minutes when, following a long throw by Mark Byrne, the ball fell to Wright who lashed it home from the edge of the six yard box.
Synonymous with Gillingham's season and their absolute inability to keep a clean sheet, Bristol Rovers equalised within 10 minutes via an awful bit of defending from Deji Oshilaja, who needlessly dragged Tom Lockyer to the ground just inside the box on the right hand side. Bodin converted from the spot with a shot straight down the middle.
The vital win went the way of the home side as the game entered the final minute of normal time. A huge kick through the centre from Gillingham's goalkeeper, Tomas Holy, found McDonald surrounded by two towering Rovers defenders. The striker wriggled his way clear and from the right hand side of the box unleashed a ferocious shot that rocketed into the top corner between Joe Lumley and his near post.
Route One was repeated in the final seconds of the match when a ball over the top was seized upon by McDonald who ran on to lob the advancing Lumley to celebrate with his manager who had sped down the touchline to hail his striker.
Gillingham (0) 3 Wright 64 McDonald 90,90+5
Bristol Rovers (0) 1 Bodin 73 (pen)
Attendance: 5,916
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 58/8,355
Match Report
Those were the stakes for a must win game and, given a draw would suit neither team, a cagey first half ensued with neither side wanting to be chasing the game in the second period.
For the purist, and Gillingham supporters in particular, the quality of the game was poor with the home side doing what they have done all season, giving the ball away with careless abandon.
From the outset of the second half the game opened up with both sides in search of the vital victory. Both sides had chances, Josh Wright shot wide after being set-up by the hard-working Cody McDonald and, for the visitors, Billy Bodin wasted a chance dragging a shot hopelessly wide after being sent clear.
Gillingham took the lead on 64 minutes when, following a long throw by Mark Byrne, the ball fell to Wright who lashed it home from the edge of the six yard box.
Synonymous with Gillingham's season and their absolute inability to keep a clean sheet, Bristol Rovers equalised within 10 minutes via an awful bit of defending from Deji Oshilaja, who needlessly dragged Tom Lockyer to the ground just inside the box on the right hand side. Bodin converted from the spot with a shot straight down the middle.
The vital win went the way of the home side as the game entered the final minute of normal time. A huge kick through the centre from Gillingham's goalkeeper, Tomas Holy, found McDonald surrounded by two towering Rovers defenders. The striker wriggled his way clear and from the right hand side of the box unleashed a ferocious shot that rocketed into the top corner between Joe Lumley and his near post.
Route One was repeated in the final seconds of the match when a ball over the top was seized upon by McDonald who ran on to lob the advancing Lumley to celebrate with his manager who had sped down the touchline to hail his striker.
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