Newhaven 3 Crowborough Athletic 2
Saturday 4th March 2023
Southern Combination Football League Premier

A first dip into the Southern Combination League and probably my longest one day journey of this project so far with a round trip of around 200 miles. Newhaven have been on my list of clubs to visit since meeting the superb sports photographer, Kyle Hemsley, on a trip to Beckenham back in October, with the Trafalgar Ground being one of three Sussex grounds he recommended visiting. This match promised much with Newhaven sitting on top of the table, winning five consecutive league games scoring 28 goals in the process (and over 100 goals in the season), while Crowborough were also in sparkling form, winning six out of their previous seven league games and sitting sixth in the table.

My journey there was, on paper, a pretty simple one. Although the total journey time was due to be 2hrs 45 mins it involved three connections, an hour to Clapham Junction, another hour on to Lewes and a ten minute jaunt to reach Newhaven. Once there I’d planned on a gentle wander around the centre of Newhaven, a look at the harbour and then head towards the ground. Unfortunately the train gods weren’t with me as a points failure at Balcombe causing carnage, a 45 minute wait at Gatwick and knock on delays for the rest of the journey meant it took just over 4 hours. A good job I’d decided to go early!

Once I finally reached Newhaven I did have time for a brief wander around, taking in the marina and climbing the hill to the fort to take pictures of the marina and harbour (see pictures below) before heading to the Trafalgar Ground.

Entry to the ground was £6 plus £1 for another excellent printed programme. I’d been told the burgers were good at Newhaven and, as regular readers will know, I’m partial to a burger or two, so ordered their cheeseburger with fried onions. I’m pleased to say it lived up to the recommendation so I settled down with that, the programme and a decent pint of Somersby cider (for the record the burger was £3.50 and the pint a very reasonable £3.70).

Oh and I had to get the obligatory picture of the ferry in the background when it arrived just before the game! Kyle had even sent me a message to remind me this would happen, and to be honest, it was something I fancied seeing for myself. Another iconic non-league photo ticked off now, to go with the backdrop at Fisher!

So onto the game and it was a pretty even opening ten minutes, the two sides sparring with each other with the visitors probably just edging the opening minutes. Newhaven did create probably the best chance in that time when Ian Robinson found Harry Reed at the far post but his shot was well saved by Martin Grant in the Crows goal and the loose ball was cleared.

There was a close call as Crowborough’s Harry Forster put Lucas Murrain through but he was adjudged to have just strayed offside. Ian Robinson looked a constant danger down the left flank for the hosts and another run and chipped cross found Lee Robinson with Grant getting down well to save his effort. Hesitation in the Newhaven defence led to the opening goal. They allowed the ball to bounce and Forster nipped in and played a lovely ball across the six yard box where Harvey Killick was able to pass the ball into the back of the net. 0-1

The Dockers responded well, a lovely run and cut back into the box fell to Lukas Franzen-Jones whose flick at the near post was deflected just wide. From the resulting corner the ball was floated to an unmarked Henry Watson at the far post and he made no mistake with his header. 1-1

A 50-50 challenge in midfield resulted in Ian Robinson getting shown a yellow after discussions between the referee and the linesman. Meanwhile Crowborough’s Forster was having a big influence in this half and he fashioned another half chance for the visitors, clipping a cross over to Ollie Hyland but his effort just drifted wide of the post.

A decent spell of possession followed as the hosts looked to go ahead. A good move ended with a rasping shot from Franzen-Jones which Grant could only parry away and fell to Lee Robinson who snatched at it and the ball sailed over the bar with the goal gaping. Franzen-Jones came closer moments later following another great run from the impressive Ian Robinson but saw his effort from 25 yards cannon back off the crossbar.

The visitors were now just holding on as Newhaven pressed forward. A through ball put Lee Robinson clear inside the area but Grant narrowed the angle well, made himself big and saved with his legs with Robinson just running out of pitch as he attempted to turn the loose ball in. On 42 minutes Grant was again called into action pulling off a full length save Ian Robinson but this time the rebound was picked up and played back across the six yard box where Lee Robinson managed to tuck the ball away. 2-1
With so many chances at both ends I’ve no idea how there weren’t more goals but it was a very entertaining half!
H-T: Newhaven 2 Crowborough Athletic 1

The second half was a quieter affair where two good teams had spells of possession but there were still chances. A cracking effort from fully 30 yards by Marcin Ruda crashed off the post and away to safety early on for the Dockers, and, after Forster had been fouled on the edge of the area, the free kick from Tom Pearson managed to beat the wall but went straight into the hands of Jake Buss in the home goal.

in the 52nd minute the visitors were level. Some lovely play by Harvey Killick and his cross was met at the far post by an unmarked Pearson to level the scores at 2-2.

The Crows had another chance shortly afterwards when Pearson found Rory Salter down the left and his cross was met by Forster under pressure but just went over the bar. On the hour Newhaven retook the lead, a great through ball found Ian Robinson who took it into the area before calmly stroking the ball past Grant and into the bottom right hand corner. There were claims of offside but the officials waved them away. 3-2.

And, surprisingly that was the end of the scoring. Both sides were still creating chances Buss was forced into a diving save after more good work from Forster in the build up, Pearson tee’d up Charlie Bennett who dragged his shot wide and one final lung busting run from Lee Robinson took him clear into the area where he slid it past Grant but also wide of the far post. Crowborough pushed for an equaliser in the last ten minutes but the home defence held firm.
F-T: Newhaven 3 Crowborough Athletic 2

It was an excellent game especially for the neutral between two very good teams. Newhaven always looked like they had goals in them, missing a couple of golden opportunities today but you can see why they’ve already hit the century goals mark in the league this season but take nothing away from Crowborough, they are a very good side and will probably feel they could or should have taken something away from this game. Newhaven knew they’d been in a battle in this game and the celebrations from the hosts at the end of the game told you how happy and relieved they were to take the three points.

Another enjoyable day at the football despite the travel woes and I was fortunate to meet some interesting people including Paul and Dave, the former who played for a lot of the teams in the area and has a vast knowledge of non-league football and Dave who is a highly regarded sports photographer with an encyclopedic knowledge of non-league grounds up and down the country. Great to meet you both!
Thanks to Newhaven for the welcome and hospitality and I wish both teams well during the run-in.

Abbey Rangers 2 Colliers Wood United 1
Saturday 11th March 2023
Combined Counties League Premier South

It’s always a pleasure to return to the Moor and catch up with the lovely people involved in making Abbey Rangers such a friendly and welcoming club to visit. I got there around half past one after an uneventful 45 minute journey although the first train was absolutely rammed with people going on to Twickenham for the Six Nations England v France game. First off, I had to make the difficult choice between the two best burgers I’ve had on my travels this season and eventually plumped for the slightly lighter of the two, the Dirty Burger, as I planned to try their chicken nuggets, their best seller, later on. It was delicious as always (as were the nuggets later, little wonder they are a best seller!)

I went for my usual wander around the ground and was delighted to see David, a referee’s assessor I’d met and chatted to at Horley a few weeks previously, was covering this game. Seeing and talking about a game through an officials eyes is something I’ve been fortunate enough to experience a few times now on my journey this season and it’s something I’ve found fascinating.

The game kicked off at 3.04pm and Abbey started well, making the first chance early on. Good play in the centre and an excellent pass from Micky Coppinger released Ferrell Danso down the right and his cross was met by Charlie Postance but he could only put his header over. The visitors came into the game and were on top for a decent spell with Abbey guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply. Their first chance came when a neat turn and pass from Billy Oram in midfield found the overlapping full back Harry Murphy, he crossed to William Kendall but he got underneath it and the ball looped over the bar.

A long ball over the top from Harry Pointing found the run of the pacy Shaike Kamara but his hurried shot went straight into the arms of Sam Gray in the Rangers goal. Abbey came back and Postance pounced on a loose ball and tried an audacious lob from fully 40 yards which just went over the top. There was a coming together on the half way line where Tijani Eshilokun fouled Postance but also claimed he’d been stamped on. Plenty of handbags and shouting went on with the referee eventually booking the Abbey forward. From the free kick Eshilokun took out Ross Murdoch and received a yellow of his own.

The game was a bit tetchy for a spell after that but still neither team had troubled the opposing goalkeeper. That was until just before half time when the visitors came up with a moment of quality. A good run down the left by Aaron Jenkins, his pass found Murphy who whipped in a cross to the near post where it was met by a diving header from Kendall which gave Gray no chance with the ball nestling in the bottom right hand corner. 0-1

Colliers Wood were buoyed by the goal and almost made it two when a free kick from Oram beat Gray but Abbey managed to scamble the ball clear at the far post. The visitors probably deserved their lead at half time and looked the more dangerous of the two teams.
H-T: Abbey Rangers 0 Colliers Wood United 1

The second half started in the same vein with the visitors looking the more likely to score, first Kendall saw an effort go just wide of the post and soon after Jenkins had a decent effort which again drifted wide. Abbey then began to take control of the game and Postance had a half chance when the ball fell to him in the area but his first time shot was saved well by the legs of Daniel O’Donovan. Abbey were now in full flow and pushing hard for an equaliser as the Wood were being pushed further back, just trying to weather the storm.

The hosts came close when only some good defending and fierce blocking kept them at bay, the ball finally falling to Coppinger but the half chance was blasted over the bar. Abbey did get the reward for their constant pressure when Carrod hit a cross shot which keeper O’Donovan appeared to punch into his own net. 1-1

Colliers Wood tried to respond first forcing Gray into a decent save, before a lovely move down the left. Kamara played a dangerous ball across the six yard box which Gray could only parry out to Kendall but he was thwarted by a superb last ditch block by full back Tommy O’Neill.

Both sides went looking for a winner as the heavens opened with the ball going from end to end, and the deciding goal came from a ball over the top which substitute Isaac Monene latched onto and calmly stroked the ball past O’Donovan to open his account for Rangers on his debut. 2-1
F-T: Abbey Rangers 2 Colliers Wood United 1

An impressive fight back from the hosts and they celebrated picking up the three points from this hard fought encounter. Abbey looked the better team in the second half but still had to be wary of the threat on the break from their opponents pacy forward line. Colliers Wood will probably feel they should have taken something from this game and did create the clearer cut chances, just couldn’t convert them. I’m also guessing David, the officials assossor, would probably have had to spend some considerable time writing up his report following this game!

Another entertaining day at Addlestone Moor despite getting a tad wet on the walk back to the station. Thanks once more for the fantastic hospitality from the people at Abbey Rangers, it’s always a pleasure to catch up with you all and not to mention enjoying pigging out on the food!

Finchampstead 5 Slough Heating Laurencians 0
Saturday 18th March 2023
Thames Valley Premier League – Premier Division

After the overnight rain had wreaked carnage on the local non-league scene and, with the game I had been down to go to at Woodley postponed around midday, the search was on for a late local alternative that I could get to (which didn’t involve trains with the strike on). Andrew Batt once again came to my rescue and we headed off to Finchampstead for the 2pm kick-off and my first taste of level seven of the pyramid this season.

The game started pretty evenly for the first five minutes but then the hosts started to take control. They were having some joy with the ball over the top for their pacy forwards to run onto and the first goal came from such a ball. Nick Payne lifted the ball over the Slough defence for Joel Day to run onto, beating the offside trap, and he ran into the area and lashed the ball across Jon Evered in the visitors goal and into the far corner. 1-0

Slough responded and won a free kick midway in the Finch half. James Core took it and launched it towards the top left hand corner where Jack Davis did well to tip the ball over at full stretch. Back came Finchampstead, Alex Woodhead and Joel Day combined well to fashion a chance for the latter in a similar position to the goal but this time Day went for the near post and Evered saved well. The hosts continued to press and, following a nice move down the right flank, the ball fell to Aqeel Butt on the edge of the area but he saw his powerful effort tipped over the bar by the Slough custodian.

The pressure finally told in the 17th minute when good work from Dylan Parmar down the left found Day in space. Day picked out a great run from Woodhead and he calmly slid the ball past Evered to double the hosts lead. 2-0

Slough tried to get a foothold in the game and won a corner which was driven in by Ellis Fuller over Davis towards the far post but they couldn’t get a clean header and the ball bounced out to safety. Adam Mills, the central defender, brought the ball out from the back and went on a great run down the left, getting to the byline and carried on towards the goal, flicking it up at the last minute which Evered just managed to get a touch to and allowed him to gather the loose ball before Day could get a shot away.

Mills was in action down the other end minutes later when Fuller drove another quality corner into a good area where Mills was on hand to head clear. At this point Slough were having a good spell but without really troubling Davis in the Finch goal. The final chance in the half came for Finchampstead. Following excellent play in the build up by Nathan Collins, his slide rule pass found Day free in the area once more and his shot beat Evered but whistled just past the far post. A good half was brought to a close moments later by referee Ethan Stacey.
H-T Finchampstead 2 Slough Heating Laurencians 0

The hosts started the second half quickly and, barely a minute into it, had increased their lead. A great run and pull back from Woodhead down the right was picked up by Aqeel Butt on the edge of the area and he made no mistake, blasting past Evered. 3-0

Some great work form Parmar winning the ball back, working the ball into space before getting a shot away was stopped by Evered who had a little juggle and a couple of attempts to gather before securing the ball. More nice football from the hosts led to the fourth in the 52nd minute. A pinpoint cross from Parmar found Day in space inside the six yard box and he made no mistake with his header. 4-0

Next we had another stunning mazy run by Mills from his own half and he managed to get a shot away in the area which was blocked away for a corner by the keeper. Day took the corner but the ball went over everyone and was picked up by Nick Payne and his cross back into the box was controlled by James Payne and rifled past Evered to make it five after 62 minutes. 5-0

Slough went looking for a consolation and almost got it when Scott Lovering chested down a cross with his back to goal and tried an overhead kick which went wide of the post. Sub Alex Lacy made a great run into the area, latching onto a quality through ball from Casey Howe and his ball across the six yard box looked certain to give Day a chance for his hat-trick but he was foiled by a brilliant piece of defending by Shakeen Gumbs at the far post.

The game was getting a little fractious and Jordan Young was sin-binned amongst quite a few niggly tackles. As Finch looked to take advantage of the numerical advantage, Day found himself in space in the box once more and this time his shot was cleared off the line by Chris Perks. After Young re-entered the fray he seemed to lose his head with a series of tackles and dissent and was given his marching orders by Mr. Stacey. The hosts played out the final minutes to take a well deserved three points.
F-T: Finchampstead 5 Slough Heating Laurencians 0

A comfortable win for the hosts and they had chances to have won by a much wider margin. A good game and a very pleasant visit to a new ground on a wet day!

Alton 3 Guildford City 0
Saturday 25th March 2023
Combined Counties League Premier South

Well, what a cracking day that was. There’s a story behind how I ended up at Alton. I had three possible fixtures for this Saturday and, being totally indecisive, I ran a Twitter poll to ask my followers which game I should attend. With Alton taking 45% of the vote, I travelled for my first visit to The Exclusive Networks Stadium for the Combined Counties Premier South match with Guildford City. The journey started with a bit of a blip as the bus broke down on the first leg but I’m happy to say that was the only mishap and all of the train connections ran smoothly.

This match was a contest between two teams currently flirting with the wrong end of the table. Just two points separated the two sides with Alton sitting in 15th on 30 points and Guildford 18th on 28 points but having three games in hand on their hosts, so a win for either side here could push them away from the relegation zone. As this was on Non League Day, Alton had a special promotion on with admission being just £3, a superb 48 page printed programme for £2 and were offering £1 off your first beer among other promotions. A brilliant initative which looked to work with a decent attendance.

As per usual I had the biggest burger on offer, two quarter pound burgers with bacon and cheese slices for £4.50, and enjoyed a lovely pint (or two) of Henneys cider from a decent selection of bottled beers and ciders, definitely the best choice of the season thus far, at a very reasonable £3.50. Pre-match food and drink despatched it was time for a wander around the ground.

So onto the game, made a little more tricky for both sides by a keen wind blowing from the skatepark end (top middle picture). The first attack of note came after Archie Larkham, Richie Hunter and Louis Russell combined well down the right with the latter putting a dangerous cross into the six yard box where it was blocked by the Guildford defence and cleared. Alton managed to win the ball back to keep the pressure on, before crossing from the left where it fell to Hunter but his snapshot could only find the side netting.

Guildford broke away down the other end with Alex Body finding space inside the area and he managed to get a shot away but Lewis Mees narrowed the angle well to block away. It was pretty much end to end as both sides traded punches (not literally!) and made more interesting by the ball holding up in the wind. The visitors made the next opening with Leon Dadey and Alex Body linking up well down the left leading to a shot from the edge of the box which was well saved by Mees.

In the 20th minute Alton took the lead. A long throw from Guildford’s Jamie Pearce was won well by Ed Dryden on the halfway line and his header was well controlled by George Bowerman. With his back to goal and a defender behind, he managed to hook a delightful ball over his head and into the path of Luke Perkins who calmly slotted the ball past Stuart Norman in the visitors goal. 1-0

Guildford tried to respond straight away and won a free kick on the edge of the area where Body struck a shot under the wall but straight into the arms of Mees. Alton went hunting for a second and a decent diagonal ball found Bowerman in space on the left. His cross was well controlled at the far post by Perkins but he lifted his shot over the bar.

The visitors had the next chance with a break down the left. Shi Oconer cut inside to find space and hit a shot towards the near post where it just went wide. Alton had the final chance of an all action half with Jamie Phillips winning the ball in midfield and playing a nice through ball for Bowerman to run onto but Norman did well to smother on the edge of the area.
H-T: Alton 1 Guildford City 0

The second half started with Alton very much on the front foot. They had an early chance where keeper Norman came out to the edge of the area and the ball was played goalwards only to be cleared by Dadey (if someone coming in at half time hadn’t been standing up in front of me in the stand I’d have been able to describe that better!). Moments later another surging run and cross down the right by Russell was met by a flicked defensive header which did just enough to take the ball away from Bowerman lurking at the back post.

Guildford won a free kick midway inside the Alton half minutes later, Thomas Brunton’s cross into the box was initially cleared but fell to Ashley Hitchinson whose shot from the edge of the area was gathered well by Mees. From a ball over the top Siph Mdlalose played Bowerman in again but Hitchinson managed to get back to clear before Bowerman could pull the trigger.

At the other end Alex Body nearly capitalised on a defensive error but Phillips spotted the danger and came across to cover well. In the 72nd minute Trevor Caborn came on as a substitute for Alton and a minute later set up their second goal. Caborn’s pace took him past the Guildford defence and into the area where he saw Mdlalose free on the edge of the area, he cut it back nicely for him to stroke the ball past the helpless Norman and double the hosts lead. 2-0

In the 80th minute Caborn was again in the thick of the action, finishing nicely across Norman into the far corner following a great run and through ball from the tireless Louis Russell. 3-0

Another run from Caborn found Bowerman in space but he could only watch as his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the far post, It was a shame as he deserved a goal for a very good all round performance. Guildford had plenty of the ball in the remaining minutes and added time but never really looked like scoring as the hosts saw the game out for a convinvincing and deserved win. Attendance: 302
F-T: Alton 3 Guildford City 0.

Another great day out and Alton are a cracking little club. Very welcoming and I’ll certainly be back at some point next season and not just for the burgers and cider! Thank you for your hospitality and the very best of luck to both sides for the remainder of the season.