Wick 2 Tunbridge Wells 1

Match 1/17/1449 - Saturday, 1st June 2017 - Dave Knell Cup

Wick (1) 2 Mepham 38, Boughton 55
Tunbridge Wells (0) 1 Pinnock 68 (pen)
Headount: 62

Entrance: £3
Programme: Free
Mileage: 134/134
New Ground: 310

Season 2017-18 got underway with a nice trip to the south coast, a new ground and an opportunity to assess whether Tunbridge Wells supporters can approach the coming season with a little more optimism than they finished the last one.

It was a trouble-free ride down to Wick FC’s Crabtree Park, a ground that didn’t have a great deal of redeeming features but was tidy with a decent pitch that didn’t resemble some of the cabbage patches I’ve witnessed in past July’s.

As for the Wells’ fans sense of optimism, I’m sure there is no reason to get downhearted on one pre-season result.

The match was played to honour the memory of Dave Knell, a former committee member at Tunbridge Wells whose son is now programme and website editor at Wick.

As with almost every early-July pre-season friendly I’ve ever watched there was the usual lack of information with regard to team line-ups and I am indebted to Tunbridge Wells’ chairman Scott Bartlett, who was able to name all but a couple of names in two totally different sides that played 45 minutes each.

Tunbridge Wells first half team was the stronger of the two, at least the more recognisable, welcoming back Jake Beecroft, Dane Lutchford and Scott Whibley.

The home side created the early chances but a fine strike from the edge of the box by the industrious Beecroft that rattled the crossbar was the closest either side came to opening the scoring.

A new face, Alex Kendal was impressing at right back whilst Perry Spackman occupied an unusual position in midfield operating behind the front two of Josh Biddlecombe and Lutchford.

Unfortunately the referee decided to take centre stage after 37 minutes ordering the Tunbridge Wells bench to substitute Whibley after a mistimed challenge. In the argument that followed, Biddlecombe was also ordered off, but allowed to be substituted, for abusive language.

From the resultant free kick, Wick’s Ben Mepham’s shot took a deflection off the wall and into the net.

The Wells’ second half side was a mixture of presumably trialists and last year’s under-21’s with Reece Bartlett providing much promise for the coming months.

Ten minutes into the second period, Wick doubled their advantage with a nice move down the left hand side that culminated with a cross to the far post being converted by Bernie Boughton.

With Bartlett causing the Wickers defence problems with his direct running and shooting, the Wells inched their way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty after 68 minutes. A corner from the right had been headed towards the top corner from where a defender on the post kept the ball out with his hands. He escaped any action from the referee, who had evidently already given the penalty for shirt pulling. James Pinnock confidently converted from the spot.

The Wells finished the game strongly and perhaps were a little unlucky not to come away with a draw as Jay Prem brought a good save out of the goalkeeper, low to his left and Bartlett had a well-taken free kick tipped over the bar.

Manager Jason Bourne can certainly take positives from the return of Beecroft, who one can imagine will be a dominant figure playing at a couple of levels down from his capability and, on this performance, this could be a breakthrough season for Bartlett.

Tunbridge Wells U18 0 Sevenoaks Town U18 3

Match 141/16/1448 - Tuesday, 30th May 2017 - Kent Youth League Spring Cup Final

Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Sevenoaks Town U18 (2) 3
Headount: 75

Entrance: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/9,697

My season was over, stranded on a goal tally of 499 when, out of the blue, I received a text from a friend, quickly followed by another text from Tunbridge Wells Football Club informing me of a fixture at Culverden. The Kent Youth League Spring Cup was a competition of which I had no knowledge of its existence despite both these finalists having played four group games.

Word had obviously spread quickly as I would say that my estimate attendance of 75 is possibly a little conservative.

My 500th goal duly arrived after 25 minutes when a cross from the left was headed on at the near post to a waiting Sevenoaks player at the far stick to touch in. It would be nice to credit somebody with the goal but with no team sheet and a twitter request to Sevenoaks for their scorers going, at present, unanswered, he will continue to be unknown.

Sevenoaks were by far the better side and increased their lead after 36 minutes when a goalkeeping error allowed a close range header to score.

The Sevenoaks number seven, who took the eye with some skilful moments on the ball took advantage of another error when he intercepted a back pass that was always going to fall short of the goalkeeper to lob home the visitors third goal with four minutes remaining.

There was enough time remaining for the number seven to draw a couple of heavy challenges when it was clear that some of the Tunbridge Wells defenders were taking exception to what they perceived as piss-taking.

This time, it was the final curtain call. Pre-season 2017 is just four weeks away.

Lifetime match total: 2,700
Number of grounds: 309

Macclesfield Town 2 York City 3

Match 140/16/1447 - Sunday, 21st May 2017 - FA Trophy Final

Macclesfield Town (2) 2 Browne 13 Norburn 45
York City (2) 3 Parkin 8 Oliver 22 Connolly 86
Combined Attendance: 38,224
Played at Wembley Stadium

Entrance: £5
Combined Programme: £5
Mileage: 100/9,659

Match Report

Refreshed from a couple of drinks and plenty of football talk to while away the couple of hours between matches, we retook our seats fully expectant of a tight contest that would probably yield few goals, which would be shame as I needed a six goal thriller to finish my season on 500 goals.

My expectation was to rise very quickly as, by the 14th minute a goal had been scored by both sides. Macclesfield appeared to settle the quicker but went behind after eight minutes when Jon Parkin did what he has been doing for years, getting on the end of a cross from Danny Holmes to glance a header past ex-Gillingham goalkeeper, Scott Flinders.

The lead was not to last long though as the Cheshire side equalised six minutes later. An angled shot from Rhys Browne, who had an eye-catching afternoon, found its way under the body of the York goalkeeper, Kyle Letheren.

Twenty-two minutes had elapsed when Sean Newton’s cross across the face of goal allowed Vadaine Oliver a tap in at the far post.

Macclesfield responded well and should have been level long before their first half injury time equaliser. Letheren did well to turn away a shot from distance by Danny Whitaker and subsequently a close range save from the same player.

When the exciting Browne weaved his way from left and into a shooting position on the edge of the six yard box the hard work had been done but his shot sailed into the early evening sky.

But the Silkmen were not to be denied. Ollie Norburn powered in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top corner to earn well-deserved parity at the break.

Four first half goals, two left for the 500, I now had the group on my side. The game had been so open in the first half, a couple more goals seemed almost assured.

Macclesfield did their level best to help me achieve the magic figure but York were nothing if not resilient with the best chance of the half being cleared from the line by York’s Hamza Bencherif.

Time was slipping away when York, against the run of play, got their noses in front. A long ball out of defence found the bustling Parkin who wasn’t to be shaken off before firing in a shot that took a huge deflection and looped over the despairing Flinders. Aiden Connolly made sure the ball crossed the line but the goal was all about Parkin’s dogged persistence.

There were still four minutes remaining with another four to be added and now the group were willing the ball into the net from either side just to make the 500, in truth nobody came close before the referee brought down the curtain on the 2016-17 season.

Cleethorpes 0 South Shields 4

Match 139/16/1446 - Sunday, 21st May 2017 - FA Vase Final

Cleethorpes (0) 0
South Shields (1) 4 Finnigan 43 (pen) Morse 80 Foley 86,89
Combined Attendance: 38,224
Played at Wembley Stadium

Entrance: £5
Combined Programme: £5
Mileage: 100/9,659

Match Report

This year’s Non-League Finals Day took very much the same route as last year's with the Vase Final ending with, as a bare statistic, a one-sided scoreline and the Trophy Final going the way of a club newly relegated from the National League. But the day produced two very watchable matches; the Vase game was not as one-sided as the score suggests and a quite thrilling, surprisingly open, Trophy Final.

This year my ticket was bought within a group which added to the day greatly and also produced the ridiculously cheap ticket of just a fiver. For two games at Wembley? Don’t mind if I do!

Although South Shields didn’t quite bring as many down as Hereford last season but their 12,000-plus following dwarfed their opponents, Cleethorpes and was almost as many as York and Macclesfield combined for the senior final.

There was the thorny issue of whether the Northern League side had a right to be at Wembley at all after their Fourth Round tie at home to last season’s winners Morpeth Town was abandoned with just eight minutes remaining and South Shields losing 4-2 following a floodlight failure. There will always be a conspiracy theory that somebody pulled the plug. They went on to win the replayed game 4-0.

Right from the outset it became clear that Cleethorpes had an uphill battle of their hands as South Shields and were left to rely on their rather diminutive goalkeeper, Liam Higton, to keep the scoreline goalless.

Just as Cleethorpes were growing into the game, South Shields opened the scoring from the spot after Tim Lowe had clumsily brought down Gavin Cogdon, who will be remembered by Tunbridge Wells supporters as a scorer for Spennymoor in their Vase Final of 2013. Carl Finnigan calmly disposed of the penalty kick to give the Mariners a half-time lead but not before Higton produced a magnificent save to turn a shot from Cogdon onto the crossbar.

Higton repeated his heroics five minutes into the second period this time touching a fierce shot from David Foley onto the woodwork.

From about the hour mark, the Wembley pitch and quite possibly the occasion started to drain the energy from the legs of the Cleethorpes side with one or another player needing attention for cramp.

To their credit, the Lincolnshire side battled on and it was not until the final ten minutes that South Shields made the game safe and perhaps put a scoreline on the board that reflected their superiority but, if no-one else, Liam Higton didn’t deserve.

A free kick from Robert Briggs expertly detected the head of Dillon Morse at the far post after 81 minutes and with five minutes remaining an exquisite through ball, from ex-Gillingham favourite (as we were told by Jim Case), Michael Richardson sent Foley clear for a good finish.

Foley wrapped up proceedings with a shot from outside of the area into the top corner as Cleethorpes were begging for the final whistle.

So, once more (the eighth in nine Vase Finals), it is a Northern League side that have prevailed.

Pictures below courtesy of Wesley Filtness, who, from pitchside, was able to get front on shots!

AEI Sports 4 Staplehurst Monarchs Reserves 1

Match 138/16/1445 - Friday, 19th May 2017 - Maidstone District Charity Cup Final

AEI Sports (1) 4 Kamara 30,51 Minors 65,71
Staplehurst Monarchs Reserves (1) 1 Lambert 26
Estimated Attendance: 200
Played at Maidstone United

Entrance: £5
Programme: Included
Mileage: 18/9,559

As the season rushes towards its close, this was an unashamed bit of number ticking, although with my home town team, Staplehurst Monarchs, competing there was a certain amount of justification.

I have been unable to ascertain the actual line-ups, so have taken the programme listing as gospel, which I doubt is correct, so if you are Mo Kamsra or Brendan Minors and seeing yourself credited with a brace apiece and perhaps didn't even strike a shot in anger, then take the praise with a wry smile.

A very healthy crowd which I estimated to be in excess of 200 saw a game that for Step Seven proved to be very watchable with a couple of talented players who probably could be performing at a higher level.

AEI Sports, from Aylesford, were for the majority of the game superior to their opposition who had gone through their league season in the Kent County League Division Three Central and East managing just one victory whilst AEI finished sixth out of nine competing clubs.

AEI had the ball in the net after 12 minutes but this was ruled out for offside before Callum Wilkins, in the Monarchs goal, saved well from Alex Oni, one of the stand-out players of the evening.

Staplehurst were struggling to gain a foothold in the game but gave warning after 20 minutes when they had two shots blocked before Dan Ashton blasted over.

But, against the run of play, it was indeed the Monarchs that took the lead after 26 minutes when Callum Lambert was sent clear to touch the ball past the advancing Dan Ball with Sean Stanton unable to sort his feet out to clear before the ball crossed the line.

The lead was not to last long as a punch clear from Wilkins fell at the feet of Kamara who rifled a shot into the roof of the net.

The rest of the half was mostly one-way traffic in AEI's favour but Staplehurst survived to the break with parity.

AEI Sports got their noses in front early in the second period when Kamara turned in a corner having been given time and space on the edge of the six yard box to leave Staplehurst with an uphill battle.

AEI's Dan Ball was forced into activity a couple of times before they went 3-1 up sfter 65 minutes. Wilkins headed clear just outside his box but the ball was returned with a lob from 25 yards by Brendan Minors.

Six minutes later, Wilkins suffered an unfortunate moment that his performance didn't deserve when he received a back pass and tried to take the ball around Minors only to be tackled, leaving an empty net to score.

As said, the game was better than a mere number and well worth the time and effort.

Punjab United 2 Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club 5

Match 137/16/1444 - Saturday, 13th May 2017 - Kent County League

Punjab United (0) 2 Adams (pen) 51 Goodwin 90
Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club (2) 5 Flaher 6,62,81 Slater 22 Hook 47
Headcount: 45
New Ground: 309

Entrance: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 46/9,541

A little under four miles down the B261 an all-ticket attendance of over 3,000 were assembled to watch Ebbsfleet’s latest attempt to escape Conference South via the play-offs.

After last year’s interrogation by their quizmaster, Jim Case and myself decided to give this season’s bunfight a miss and opt instead for a groundhop to the Kent County League champions Punjab United. We were rewarded in a rather unexpected fashion.

The Gravesend-based club have won the league at their first attempt, almost at a canter and, with the addition of floodlights donated to them by Salford City, will next season compete in the Southern Counties East Division One.

Entrance to the game was free and I took my place alongside Jim in the 50-seater Atcost stand after taking photographs of the celebrating squad and supporters with their haul of trophies. It was unexpected when a tray of ham and salad rolls were handed around and, having had no lunch, I wasn’t about to refuse. This was quickly followed by a tray of sandwiches and then, the best samosa that I’ve tasted. There was even a chocolate donut on offer as a sweet but by now I felt that I was over-indulging the hospitality!

Unfortunately for Punjab, their hospitality off the pitch was matched on the lush green field as they produced a performance that failed to justify their champions title. Perhaps, their players diving into the samosas had a bearing!

Stansfeld went ahead after six minutes when the Punjab goalkeeper, Kelvin Arterton dropped a cross from the left at the feet of Nathan Flaher to touch in from close range.

After 22 minutes the visitors doubled their advantage Joe Slater was sent through to shoot past the advancing keeper.

Punjab showed glimpses of the form that has made them the champions and a good move saw Regan Payne in front of goal but he was unable to get the ball out from under his feet.

During the first half, Stansfeld showed more desire whereas Punjab looked to be suffering from a hangover but with a couple of minutes remaining in the half they brought two saves in a matter of seconds out of Joe Bannon that would have graced a game several steps higher.

The game was quickly out of Punjab’s reach in the second half when the Stansfield's George Hook picked out the top corner from 20 yards.

A converted penalty after 51 minutes from Luke Adams offered Punjab a route back into the game but a beautifully worked goal on the hour finished by Flaher snuffed out that hope.

Nine minutes from time, Flaher was sent through to complete his hat trick and make it 5-1 before a consolation headed effort from Ryan Goodwin gave a little respectability to the scoreline.

If Punjab are looking for patronage in SCEFL1 then free samosas are going to do it for me! Meanwhile, down the road, Ebbsfleet finally made it in the National League without a samosa in sight.

Metropolitan Police U18 2 Tonbridge Angels U18 1

Match 136/16/1443 - Wednesday, 10th May 2017 - Ryman Youth Champion of Champions Final

Metropolitan Police U18 (0) 2 Eze 65 Mitchell 81
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 Sollis 53
Attendance: 120
Played at Tooting and Mitcham
New Ground: 308

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: Included
Mileage: 106/9,495

The final hurrah for Tonbridge’s Under-18 side didn’t quite end as we hoped as the Metropolitan Police Under-18s hit back from a goal down to win the game with nine minutes remaining.

Tonbridge Angels Under-18 side will now break-up in its present format, some will leave for pastures new, some will stay to be within the newly-formed 17-21 year old age group which will be competing in the senior Suburban League next season.

That they fell short at the final hurdle should diminish the efforts of this talented group of players, not only from this season but also through the age groups for the last four years. Callum Adonis-Taylor, Sid Sollis and Liam Smith have all progressed to first team appearances whilst Tommy Chapman and Jack Fenton have been involved in senior squads.

The Champion of Champions Final was played at Tooting and Mitcham’s Imperial Fields on a bone hard, threadbare pitch that made any decent football difficult for both sides who spent the majority of the first half trying, and largely failing, to come to terms with the conditions.

Tonbridge carved out the first chance of the game when Chapman had a shot deflected for a corner and this was quickly followed by a five minute period in which the Angels were reduced to 10 men whilst Oliver Baker was treated for a bloody nose.

A cagey first half was to ensue, as said the pitch causing problems and neither side wanting to concede the first goal.

Metropolitan Police were forced into a substitution after 20 minutes when George Smethurst was replaced by Prince Eze, who went on to produce a performance that begged the question as to why he was on the bench in the first place.

What few chances that evolved were created from set pieces, Tonbridge’s from Chapman free kicks whilst the Met relied on the long throws from Luke Mitchell.

Lewis Mitchell made two smart saves at the end of the half to allow Tonbridge to go into the break on level terms. Firstly, a fine save low to his left to deny John Gilbert and an even better save acrobatically parrying away an effort from Jamie Autorino.

The Angels were forced into a half-time substitution when Chapman was replaced by Ziyad Ghali.

Mitchell was called into action again early in the second period brilliantly touching a shot from Eze.

Tonbridge finally opened the scoring after 53 minutes. A long ball forward was overhit but Sollis willingly chased it down. The goalkeeper got there first but cannoned his clearance into the body of Sollis for the ball the rebound into the net.

The Police responded with an equaliser after 65 minutes when a shot from outside of the box came back off the chest of Mitchell into the path of Eze who gratefully accepted the opportunity.

The game became stretched with half chances at both ends before the Met grabbed a goal which was ultimately to be their winner. A cross from the left was punched clear by the goalkeeper to a waiting Luke Mitchell who drove the ball back into the net.

The Angels made a concerted effort to rescue the game, including sending goalkeeper Mitchell forward for a corner, but without creating any clear opportunities.

After the final whistle, we talked to the new manager of the Suburban League group, Chris Wye about the game and his plans for the future. About the game, Chris agreed with our opinion that, overall, the Met Police probably just about deserved their win but he was disappointed that the goals had come from set pieces that could have been better defended.

For the future, he was asked about the possibility of having a blank piece of paper from which to assemble a side for next year. He said that he is expecting around 50% of the side to still be around and he would be supplementing those with players that would come from organised trial days.

Of his own coaching career, he says that he draws on the disappointment of a playing career that showed great potential at Basingstoke only to find that he and other youngsters were released when Eddie Howe became the manager. He felt that he suffered from some poor advice and now uses those experiences to, hopefully, point youngsters in the right direction and he added that he finds it satisfying when he sees a player that he has nurtured featuring in reports for all the right reasons.

One era closes and another begins, we finished our interview with Chris feeling a lot more optimistic than we had at the final whistle.

This squad have been the delight of my season. I became aware of their talent towards the end of last season and saw a couple of matches and quickly became hooked, so it is with great disappointment that they are now to break up. The Suburban League is going to be difficult to follow in the same way with it being a Saturday league but any opportunity that I can get to see them, I'll take. And, without doubt, I'll take an opportunity to see how those that have chosen to follow Jay Stubberfield to Margate are faring.

This was my first visit to Tooting and Mitcham's Imperial Fields. Certainly from the outside it looks very impressive. Inside, perhaps a little disappointing but the main grandstand is imposing and the cover behind each goal an interesting design concept. Just how dry you would remain on a day of driving rain, actually, I don't want to find out.