WINCHMORE
HILL FOOTBALL CLUB
Season 2006-2007
First XI
Season 2006-2007
GREENLAND
CUP 2006 - REVIEW
A new look Winchmore Hill side opened their campaign with an
impressive first few outings, remaining unbeaten in the group, but
not qualifying for the final of a tournament Hill have won twice in
the last three years.
The new regime under Ben Willis’ management started away at Old
Harrovians with Assistant Manager Geoff Hurst in charge. After
a sloppy start Hill soon raced through the gears and were three-nil
up at half-time thanks to goals from debutante Kris McHale (2) and
captain Neil Hurst. Three soon became five with
Elsewhere in the side their were recalls for George Wainwright and
Joe Hackworthy both of whom slotted in nicely alongside the
stalwarts Shane Foley, Andy Carter, Barry Chaters, Tim Corrick and
Hurst.
Match two saw us entertain Old Hamptonians at a windswept Firs Farm.
Fresh from thumping Old Owens 4-0 the visitors played Hill off the
park in the first half and led by a goal but a change in personnel,
attitude and wind direction saw Hill come back strongly in the
second period and the match was tied at one apiece with a penalty
from McHale.
The final group game saw us play perennial adversaries Old Owens.
Despite a few injury concerns Willis was able to name a strong
starting line up giving a full first team debut to teenager Andy
Barrell who was plucked from the sevens via the reserves and looked
immediately good enough to retain his place in the squad. I
wonder how many other hidden jewels are being hidden by club
captains down the sides? In a fairly open game Hill went in
front through a well worked set play giving Hackworthy his debut
First XI goal only for Hill to be pegged back just before the break.
Both sides squandered chances to win the match meaning Hamptonians
progress to next weeks final while Hill’s attention switches to
embarking on their league campaign away at
Overall things are looking good. Despite losing a few players
Hill’s squad looks strong with a couple of new faces and a couple
deservedly recalled from the reserves. The manager is intent
on playing a new system which needs refining but will certainly
bring the best out of this talented group of players. Three
points next week will grease the wheels nicely!
East
Barnet Old Grammarians 0 Winchmore Hill 7
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 16 September
Hill issued an ominous statement of intent on the opening day of the
new league campaign with a seven goal thumping of a hapless East
Barnet side. Manager Ben Willis handed league debuts to Kris
McHale and Andy Barrell while another new recruit Chris Ingram was
on the bench. After two hard fought victories against the same
opposition last season Hill knew that the Old Boys would look to
impose themselves on the game early on but this proved to be
impossible as it was the reigning AFA Champions who settled into
their stride nicely with the new fluid formation causing all manner
of problem to the home side.
When EBOGs did venture forwards they found the Hill back four to be
in commanding form and behind that the unflappable Andy Carter
produced one superb save when called upon to deal with a speculative
long range shot. At the other end McHale and company were
asking questions, which, for the time being were being answered by
the East Barnet rearguard. However, with Shane Foley and
Matthew Knights energising Hill in midfield, the dam was soon to
burst.
The opening goal when it arrived was a beauty and typified Hill’s
flamboyant approach to the game. Pete Gyles and Chris Davison
swopped passes down the left hand side before releasing Beyer down
the flank. He in turn picked out the onrushing Neil Hurst at
the far post who headed home to give his side the lead. Cue
the mayhem. Hill sides of old may have settled back into
second gear and soaked up pressure but this time the handbrake was
well and truly off and soon Hill were awarded a penalty when
Davison’s mazy dribble was brought to an illegal halt inside the
area. Up stepped McHale who made no mistake. Moments
before the break the game was all but over when the magnificent
Davison curled in a pinpoint free-kick for Joe Hackworthy to head
into the top corner to cap a superb all round display from the Hill
centre half.
With the new management teams words of encouragement and advice
still ringing in their ears Hill set about their opponents with even
more vigour in the second period and the fourth goal duly arrived
when the mercurial Beyer scooped the cheekiest of finishes over the
home goalkeeper. Wonderful. By now EBOG had seemingly
given up the ghost and when Hurst volleyed home a fifth from another
Davison pass it was now a case of how many. Soon after it was
six when the ball transferred quickly through the feet of Foley,
Knights and Hurst, before Beyer drilled home his second of the
match.
On came Tim Corrick, Keith Gyles and Ingram and still Hill showed no
signs of letting up with some scintillating attacking football and
when the tireless Knights’ shot was only parried, Corrick followed
up to make it a magnificent seven for Willis’ men.
Quite a start to the new season then for Hill, who at times played
some wonderful football. The new players have fitted in well
and morale and confidence is sky high. Sterner tests will
follow but for now a marker has been laid down to future opponents
and a benchmark been set for this team to compare itself to.
19 cup finals to go!
Southern
Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 23 September
Winchmore Hill had their pockets
picked late in the day in Hayes on Saturday when two late goals cost
the AFA Champions all three points and a place at the top of the
table. Having seemingly done enough to win the match Hill
pressed the self-destruct button and will need to learn quickly if
they are to mount a challenge for the title.
Hill were forced to make changes with Shane Foley, Rod Beyer and Tim
Corrick all unavailable meaning a full debut for Chris Ingram and a
promotion for Adam Graves. On a superb pitch both teams looked
to attack from the offset and there were half chances at either end
before the game settled down. Hill looked threatening down the
flanks with both Chris Davison and Neil Hurst very much to the fore,
linking well with Kris McHale up front.
The second half started at a frenetic pace with Andy Carter making a
superb save from a one on one before Hill immediately responded
immediately with
There was still time for Hill to snatch a share of the spoils but a
combination of good defending and poor decision making meant that
Ben Willis suffered the first defeat of his regime. Next week
sees Hill visit Old Owens in what promises to be yet another
sensational battle between the two old foes.
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 30 September 2006
Another bad case of deja-vu for
Hill as reigning champions Old Owens came from behind to take all
three points in a pulsating encounter at
Ben Willis was again forced to make changes to his starting line up
with both Andy Carter and Joe Hackworthy unavailable meaning the
player manager started his first game of the season. Chris
Grey deputised in goal and made an immediate impact with a superb
save to deny Sam Sullivan’s early long range drive. Hill
responded immediately with Chris Davison forcing the Owen’s keeper
into a smart save. As expected much of the game was played out
in the middle of the park with neither team able to gain the
ascendancy in a tight and tense opening forty-five minutes.
The second half proved to be a much more open affair as the game
became stretched with both teams looking to gain the advantage and
it was Hill who took the lead on the hour when Rod Beyer’s sublime
pass put Kris McHale in on goal and he made no mistake in rounding
the keeper and slotting home to put the AFA champions in front.
The lead lasted just five minutes though when a fine strike from
distance levelled the scores. Game on.
What ensued was an enthralling passage of play as both sides looked
to win the game and it was Hill who came closest to doing so when
Neil Hurst ran from inside his own half and left fly from long range
only to see his effort rebound back off the inside of the post.
Owens broke immediately and took the lead with a well worked goal.
The margins were that fine. Hill poured forwards hoping to
salvage something from the match but in doing so allowed the hosts
more time and space to settle the match as chances came and went at
both ends. Then, in the dying moments, substitute Chris
Ingram’s overhead kick crept agonisingly over the bar and from the
resulting goal kick a long ball caught Hill high up the pitch
allowing Anthony Mann to clinch the match with a third goal with
almost the last kick of the game.
After three consecutive away games Hill will look to get back on
track with their first home game of the season next week when they
entertain Civil Service. The Paulin Ground needs to become a
Fortress.
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 7 October 2006
After two weeks of
frustration and disappointment, Hill got back on track with a
clinical yet at times patchy display in front of their own fans on a
sumptuous playing surface. Or as Barry Chaters’ visiting
father put it in his typically succinct Mackem manner; “canny in
the first half like, f*?*ing awful in the second”. Why
write a match report when clearly you can use ten or so words?
Hill though were determined to prove actions speak louder than
words. With Andy Carter suffering an injury in training during
the week, Chris Grey again proved a more than able deputy but it was
at the other end of the pitch where the home side really showed
their class. Just ten minutes were on the clock when Rod Beyer
sprung the offside trap from a superb cross field pass from Chaters
only to be unceremoniously upended ten yards outside the area by a
downright clumsy challenge by the (un)Civil keeper. No-one
likes to see red cards handed out willy-nilly but this was as stone
cold a case for giving one as you get. Referee’s
decision…goal kick! Bizarre. Hill reacted in the right
manner and just moments later Beyer was at it again only to be
felled this time by the centre half. Penalty to Hill. Up
stepped Kris McHale but his effort was saved smartly by the
aforementioned away custodian. It wasn’t to be McHale’s
match but luckily for Winchmore there were plenty of others who
excelled on the day.
Civil then had their best spell of the match and came close to
scoring on a couple of occasions only to be denied by first the
crossbar and then a brilliant last gasp block by Chaters. His
father, now on pint number six for the day looked on admiringly.
So did his ten team-mates. This proved to be the catalyst for
Hill as Shane Foley started to dictate the play from the middle of
the park and soon Matthew Knights and Chris Davison looked
increasingly threatening in what was turning out to be a wonderfully
compelling and very open game. Then, with half-time looming
Hill raced through the gears with a clever move down the inside left
channel. Peter Gyles found Davison who in turn released Neil
Hurst into space. Having accelerated away from the
attentions of a couple of Service defenders the skipper swapped
passes with McHale before firing low into the corner to give the
hosts the lead. More chances came and went as Hill went into
the break a goal to the good and by now well in charge of
proceedings.
The second half started with Hill left in no doubt about the
instructions from the management. Score a second goal and
finish the match off. The visitors had other ideas though and
it was they who started by far the brighter as they went in search
of an equaliser. Time and again though the Hill backline stood
firm and was bolstered midway through the half by the introduction
of debutante Martin Branagan who immediately thundered into his
first challenge. This seemed to give Hill the spark of impetus
they needed and just moments later the lead was doubled when
Visibly deflated by this, Civil were suddenly ragged and Davison,
Beyer, Knights, Foley and Branagan all had chances to extend the
lead but the last rites were eventually administered in the end by
Hurst, who completed his hat-trick late on after turning smartly to
give himself space. Job done.
A pleasing overall performance from Big Ben’s men who will now
look to build some momentum with the visit of Nottsborough to the
Paulin Ground next week.
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 14 October
This game was won and lost in
ten crazy second half minutes on Saturday as some kamikaze defending
from the hosts enabled an impressive Nottsborough team to take the
points in emphatic fashion. Bizarrely enough much of the game
was relatively even with the visitors playing the better football
and Hill always looking a goal threat but it was the clinical manner
in which ‘Boro capitalised on Hill’s errors that was to be the
feature of the game.
The opening goal arrived after twenty minutes when the tricky Nathan
Violet broke free down the left hand side and delivered a teasing
cross that could only be turned into his own net by the unlucky Ben
Willis. This spurred Hill into action though, and they enjoyed
their best spell of the match in the following passage of play and
felt aggrieved not to go into the break on level terms. First
Chris Davison missed a great chance after pouncing on a rebound from
Rod Beyer’s shot. Moments later both Davison and Matthew
Knights were denied clear runs on goal by a linesman's flag.
Then to add insult to injury Neil Hurst was bundled over in the box
but this time there was no intervention from the officials.
Frustration soon turned to embarrassment though as Nottsborough tore
Hill apart in the opening spell of the second half as a combination
of poor decision making and superb finishing saw Hill concede four
further goals in a matter of minutes.
A shocking result for Winchmore then who will need to redouble their
efforts and do some serious soul searching if things are to improve.
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 21 October
Big Ben Willis went in to this Southern Amateur League
encounter with many questions on his mind. What exactly had happened
last weekend? How were all the boys going to find their way to Old
Salesians without the superior navigational skills of 118 Hurst?
The big man’s preparations were not helped by local tabloid
reports that Hurst had been spotted arranging to go to a wedding
fair on the day of the game, McHale had been spotted at Kings Cross
(not the train station for his so called trip to Liverpool), Lonny
Robinson had put on 3 stones since his last appearance for the Hill
and Davo was spotted down London at 3am Friday with a bottle of
tequila and two Aussie blondes.
2:00 arrived and the questions continued, “should we go for pink
or blue bridesmaids dresses, will almonds be ok for favours, who
will do the flowers?” Meanwhile Ben gave his team for the day, 4,
5, 1 with Newton, K. Gyles and Corrick in for the injured Willis and
the (missing to other commitments pair of Hurst and McHale). Also
joining up with the purple army was the returning Lonny Ray
Robinson, and when the boys started to get changed it was clear that
the rumour was indeed true and he had in fact turned in to a heavy
weight boxer.
The stand in captain Chaters decided to lose the toss, as he
cleverly read the mind of the Salesians skipper, and knew he would
manage to get kick off and choice of ends by calling wrong. Hill
kicked off and played with a high tempo in the opening exchanges.
Both teams tried to get a foothold in the game and both managed to
make it difficult for their opponent to get in to any kind of
rhythm. Most of Hills attacks were going through the impressive
Newton who was winning his physical battles and bringing others in
to the game. Davo had a thunderbolt brilliantly blocked and Matty
was thwarted on numerous occasions from not quite breaking the last
line of defence. The game was calling out for a Barn Storming run!
At the other end Chaters and Foley were dealing with most of the
more direct Salesians attacks, and Barrell and the ever impressive
Gyles were always in the right place at the right time when called
upon.
As the first half closed in, Corrick and Knights were beginning to
get on top and feeding the wide men on numerous occasions,
unfortunately most of the good work from K. Gyles and Roddy was too
far away from the Salesians goal.
Hill took to the field in the second half, determined to
push on and win the game. Newton once again was giving the opposing
back line an uncomfortable afternoon and Roddy and Matty were
getting in to more threatening positions, unfortunately the
Salesians rear guard was holding firm and some last minute blocking
and tackling was keeping the Hill at bay. At half time Ben’s
astute evaluations led to the wise words he chose “the only way
they are going to score today is from a set play, they have two lads
that can head a ball, make sure we mark them and we will be ok”
unfortunately for the Hill, some of the team took his words of
wisdom a little too literally. Salesians were awarded a free kick as
a gust of wind blew their right winger over (never been a foul in a
month of Sundays!) The free kick arrived in from the right, both the
danger men marked, a Salesians midfielder somehow found himself in 4
acres of space, after swinging a cat, doing the hokey-cokey and
smoking a cigar, he decided to head the ball past the little
Welshman 1 – 0 Salesians. Carter proceeded to shout
cviehrijdncnrecn (well that’s how it sounded).
Previous week lost 5 – 0, players missing, torrential rain, the
winds blowing in your face and your 178 miles from home, 20 min to
go – time to find out what your made of boys. Thankfully for Big
Ben the next 20 min gave him plenty to be optimistic about.
The Hill began to stand up 2 inches each, winning battles all over
the field and passing the ball with speed and precision. Time and
again they cut through the Salesians midfield, Sugar Ray Lonny
Robinson replaced the hardworking K. Gyles to add some extra E17
class, indeed it was the Stratford 3 that linked together on
numerous occasions, showing some very good play in tight situations.
Rod was getting involved a lot more and Matty was driving forward,
imposing himself on the game. Newton was linking things together
with intelligent forward play. The Hill were finally rewarded for
their good play When Rod received the ball on the edge of the box, a
jig to the left, a shuffle to the right, smash, bottom corner 1 –
1. The heavens then decided to open as Winchmore pushed forward
again and again in the last 10 although time after time they just
seemed to fall at the final hurdle.
A game we could and possibly should have won, however at 1 – 0
down with 15 to go we should take hope from the way we battled back
to take a point. More worryingly will pink go with the blonde hair
and can we really have the large bouquets on each table? Thanks
should go to the 10 Winchmore supporters that made the 356 mile
round trip, they really did make the difference. MoM Jack Newton who
brought along everything you expect from him as well as some nice
touches.
Questions for the Gaffer to ponder this week:
Are there any more Wedding Fairs coming up on Saturdays? Has
Davo got a drink problem? Will Sugar Ray Lonny Robinson ever become
world heavy weight champion of the world? Will Lucy run out of
tablecloths after making Jack yet another shirt?? Is Tim really in
the priory receiving anger management treatment?? Answers on a
postcard.
AFA Middlesex and Essex Senior Cup
Saturday 28 October
Hill arrived in North-West London in good spirits and
dressed up to the nines on Saturday as Chairman Bob finally came
good on his promise of a new kit. Gone were the purple hot
pants that look great on your bird if you can persuade her to wear
them but make Ben Willis look like Dirk Diggler on a bad day.
In there place some far more roomy white numbers that looked far
better unless you are Matty Knights in which case you look like a
team mate of Stanley Matthews and Charles Charlie-Charles. The
new men’s size socks mean that Shane Foley will no longer need to
steal from the kit bags of our junior teams. So it was no
surprise that when the team shunned a team photo (only when you win
something Bob!) before the game, that our very own Aussie convict
was seen shunning the team’s warm up to pose for the camera’s.
Looking rather portly Shano defended himself by claiming that the
camera adds ten pounds. From this I can only deduce that half
of
Luckily for Hill though Foley
refocused his attention back on the game in time to curl in a peach
of a free-kick after just five minutes. This spurred the
visitors into life as for the opening twenty minutes of this fixture
the purples reigned supreme. Moments later Tim Corrick’s
fierce low drive was pushed onto the post by the home goalkeeper and
Knights was unlucky to see his effort from the rebound go over the
bar.
Undeterred Hill continued to dominate proceedings and it wasn’t
long before the lead was doubled. Rod Beyer and Chris Davison
combined well down the left and the latter’s pinpoint cross was
headed home by Neil Hurst. Just five minutes later the game
was effectively over when Andy Barrell released
From this point onwards the game went a little scrappy although Hill
created further chances to extend their lead with Beyer, Knights,
Davison and Pete Gyles all going close. Early in the second
period it looked as though a fourth goal had been added by
substitute Kris McHale only to be denied for offside. At the
other end of the pitch Lyonians rarely threatened with Andy Carter
and Barry Chaters marshalling the defence wonderfully. With
twenty minutes remaining McHale saw a sweetly struck penalty rebound
back off the post and away to safety but Hill were not going to be
denied the victory that their performance so richly deserved and
youngster Andy Barrell nearly put the icing and cherry on the cake
with an audacious effort from the half way line that sailed over the
keeper but unluckily bounced inches over the crossbar.
Fantastic stuff.
All in all a very pleasing days work for Winchmore Hill who return
to Lyonians in the league next week. Nothing less than more of
the same will do. The cameras may be there again - get down
the gym Foley!!!
Old
Lyonians 0 Winchmore Hill 4
Southern
Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 4 November
A strange autumnal day on
Saturday as Hill struggled to hit the heights of the previous week
yet managed to win by a greater margin as the hosts capitulated in
the second half after a bright start.
Ben Willis brought Adam Graves back into the starting line-up for
the absent Tim Corrick in an otherwise unchanged eleven.
Despite all the pre-match talk about starting quickly and matching
the hosts undoubted zeal, Hill were a shadow of themselves in the
opening exchanges as Lyonians looked to avenge the Middlesex Cup
defeat. Hill were simply not at the races as first Lyonians
were denied by an offside flag and then the woodwork (twice).
Luckily for Hill, in Matthew Knights they have a player at the top
of his game at the moment. Winchmore’s pocket rocket lit up
Bonfire weekend with a quite superb goal after twenty minutes.
Latching onto a fine through-ball from Peter Gyles, Knights sped
through the middle before steadying himself and unleashing a
howitzer into the top left hand corner and Catherine wheeling away
to celebrate.
The game continued to be an even contest though as Lyonians
continued to work harder than Hill all over the pitch but were
unable to fashion any more chances of note thanks largely to the
blossoming central defensive pair of Barry Chaters and Shane Foley.
Then, as half-time approached Lyonians were reduced to ten men when
a player was sent off for foul and abusive language and with him
went the host’s chances in the game.
The second period was one-way traffic as Hill finally clicked into
gear. The lead was doubled ten minutes in when Rod Beyer did
to the Lyonians defender what Robbie Keane did to Khalid Bouhlarouz
on Sunday only to be clumsily felled in the area. Up stepped
Chris Davison to score remarkably his first goal of the season.
Hill poured forwards in search of more goals and it soon
arrived when Chaters raking cross-field ball sent Kris McHale
galloping down the left and his cross was tapped home by Beyer for a
goal his performance deserved. By now Hill, and Davison in
particular were irrepressible and three soon became four when the
outstanding Knights and Beyer combined to set up Davison for his
second. Hill could and should have extended their lead further
but the three points were secure and the players know that tougher
tasks lie ahead, starting with the return of the Danish Viking to
the Paulin Ground for this weeks AFA Senior Cup tie for the start of
the trophy defence.
Winchmore
Hill 7 Old Camdenians 0
Amateur Football Alliance
Senior Cup – Round Two
Saturday
11 November
Cup holders Winchmore Hill began their defence of ‘The
Big One’ with a resounding 7-0 victory over a hapless Old
Camdenians side on Saturday, the match all but over inside 45
minutes as the hosts raced into a six goal lead. There was
welcome return to the Paulin Ground for Kris Sonne who, despite
having little impact on the game, still found time for one more
outrageous drag back that put Shane Foley on his ample posterior
much to the amusement of everyone. Beyond that most of the
Great Dane’s attacking fervour was saved for the Queens Head later
in the evening when despite a shimmy here and a shake of the hips
there, he still couldn’t score.
Back to the match though and Hill were mindful of avoiding any cup
upset and respected the opposition we were faced with. This
respect was clearly mutual on both sides as the opposition
goalkeeper got a chance to play against his boyhood hero and
opposite number Andy Carter. Before the game had even begun
Carts was signing all sorts of paraphernalia for his special fan
including a Panini Football sticker of the angry Welsh stopper from
the 1978/9 album. Clearly spurred on by this, the Camdenians
‘keeper was in inspired form saving on a number of occasions in
the opening exchanges and keeping things on an even keel. Time
and again he was on hand to pluck crosses from the air or tip goal
attempts round the post never forgetting to gaze admiringly down to
the other end of the pitch when the chance permitted.
Suddenly disaster struck for our star-struck hero though as Carter
slipped from his lofty pedestal and broke a boyhood dream.
Receiving back-pass from Peter Gyles ‘The Special One’ proceeded
to first trip over the ball before seemingly retaining his composure
only to promptly toe punt the ‘hot potato’ unceremoniously into
nearby Southgate. It was ugly. At the other end of the
pitch a heart had been broken. Clearly devastated by this, the
Camden goalkeeper proceeded to concede six goals in twenty minutes
as Hill took full advantage of his tearful, blurred vision.
First Chris Davison bore down on goal and finished with aplomb
before the ever-impressive Matthew Knights combined well with Rod
Beyer to double the lead. Next Neil Hurst teed up Jack Newton
for a third before turning provider again for Davison to grab his
second. When Beyer and Hurst made the score five then six the
game was up.
The second half was a rather disjointed affair with not much
happening at all but there was still time for Knights to score his
second to make a magnificent seven for Hill after some good approach
play from debutante Dan Gallagher.
Hill’s players then spent the early part of the evening locked in
a highly competitive table-tennis tournament before helping Sonne to
drown his sorrows in style. Everyone that is except Mr Carter
who was last seen walking to the car park hand in hand with you know
who.
AFA Middlesex & Essex Senior Cup
Saturday 18 November
The 1st XI would like to dedicate this victory to the memory of
Roger Sharp
This was definitely a case of better late than never as Hill
clutched victory from the jaws of defeat in an afternoon of high
drama at Mill Hill. Winchmore Hill’s decision making left a
lot to be desired all day. Firstly Ben Willis decided to get
into Tim Corrick’s hairdresser’s car for the trip to the ground
which was a remarkably good impression of Hightower ripping out the
front seat of a car and steering from the back seat in the
Anyway the match was all set up for a cup upset. A
hard-working home side took the fight to Hill on a poor playing
surface and had the better of the opening exchanges.
Eventually Hill got going and enjoyed their best period of the match
before half-time as Chris Davison, Neil Hurst and Matthew Knights
all went close to scoring. Davison, the best striker of the
ball in the club, was having particular trouble on the uneven
surface but did the groundsman a favour by trimming most of the
branches of the trees behind the goal the Hill were attacking.
Hill started well too in the second half but soon the game became
disjointed and changes needed to be made. Adam Graves asked to
be taken off as he couldn’t run a usual service because of leaves
on the pitch. On came Tim Corrick who immediately set Hill in
motion linking well with
As time wore on you felt that one goal might be enough and the
plucky hosts sensed a scalp was there for the taking. The pacy
centre forward was coming more and more to the fore and as Hill’s
passing got worse the home side’s belief grew conspicuously.
Then with fifteen minutes to go slack defending was punished by the
aforementioned striker and Hill were standing at the cash point on
the verge of being mugged.
However, buoyed on by
Civil
Service 2 Winchmore Hill 4
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 25 November
Winchmore Hill stretched their
unbeaten run to six games with a hard fought victory in a six goal
thriller at a rain soaked Dukes Meadows on Saturday. It was a
game that had everything: goals, individual brilliance, mistakes,
controversy, yellow cards and a red one – more of that later.
Most of the Hill side arrived in good time despite Jack Newton’s
travel arrangements but the Redbridge Three were late as usual, this
time because they had been filming ‘House Party 3 – Lost in
Ben Willis named an unchanged squad with Joe Hackworthy and Kris
McHale both still injured and Keith Gyles visiting a girlfriend over
in
The match started at a frenetic pace on a pitch that was heavily
under water. Hill were first to everything and went in front
inside ten minutes when Matthew Knights and Neil Hurst combined well
down the right to fashion an opportunity for Jack Newton which he
took with considerable aplomb. Civil’s response was as
spectacular as it was instantaneous. Ross Peebles found space
to shoot from distance and his stunning, dipping shot caught Andy
Carter on the hop as it crashed in off the underside of the bar.
Peebles was to prove a constant threat throughout the match.
Back came Hill with a series of attacking sorties on the home goal
and the men in purple, white and black were soon back in front when
Rod Beyer’s cross/shot eluded everybody and crept into the far
corner. By now the game was becoming a little heated as
decisions were constantly questioned and tackles flew in on a
rapidly deteriorating pitch. Just after half-time the game was
all square again when Peebles finished superbly from a tight angle.
Game well and truly on.
The game ebbed and flowed with both teams looking to take all the
points and it was Hill who were asking most of the questions and
their endeavours were duly rewarded in somewhat controversial
fashion as Peter Gyles broke down the left and delivered a pinpoint
cross for Rod Beyer who smashed in his second of the match to cap
what was an outstanding individual performance from the mercurial
one. Civil cried foul over the referee’s decision to
overrule the linesman’s flag but nothing could detract from
Beyer’s divine intervention. Chances came and went at both
ends before Hill deservedly extended their lead and clinched the
match when Jack Newton waltzed round both defender and goalkeeper to
fire home.
The match was somewhat marred at the end by a disgraceful two-footed
lunge by one of the Service substitutes whose brief appearance was
curtailed even further by a straight red card. Luckily for
Peter Gyles, his victim, the injury sustained to his right foot will
not stop him from using it at full capacity (i.e. standing on it)
and he should be fit for next week’s AFA Cup clash with Old
Actonians.
Old
Actonians Association 1 Winchmore Hill 2
AFA Senior Cup – Third Round Proper
Saturday 2 December
On the first day of Christmas we
all went to Leeds. After a scrappy and utterly forgetful match in
which a Matthew Knights brace put the reigning champions into the
last sixteen of the AFA Cup the team ventured en masse up north for
an entirely unforgettable weekend of electric banter, madness and
mayhem.
The stinker jacket was passed on from Shane Foley (who it fitted
rather snugly) to Adam Graves who is the only bloke I know whose
appearance was improved by this garish orange monstrosity. It
covered up his sky blue tank top for starters but with Andy Barrell
also donning similar attire it made them look like The Communards.
Just three hours later Graves was heard singing ‘Don’t Leave Me
This Way’ after he injured himself falling down a flight of stairs
at Leeds train station having left his bag on the 6.00pm Intercity
Flyer from Kings Cross. We didn’t see him for the rest of
the weekend. Rumours that Tim Corrick had hired a contract
abductor in order to get his place back in the starting line up are
thus far unsubstantiated.
On the weekend that a bloke called Willis was crowned King of the
Jungle it seemed rather apt that our own illustrious leader had to
baby-sit a group of animals who had been let out of the zoo.
The team performance continued at a high tempo and there were mating
calls aplenty as ex-Leeds uni students Chris Davison and Pete Gyles
used their local knowledge of the turf to good effect. The shoot on
sight policy was taken literally by a number of the boys and
initially there was some careless finishing in the box but as time
wore on the radars were honed to precision and the results were
instantaneous.
After a brief flirtation with a dodgy nightclub in which Andy Carter
was far too old to be in the troops went on the prowl in Tiger Tiger
where Gylo treated one lucky lady to some ballroom dancing which
looked far less camp than his solo stuff. After a warm down
and performance analysis over breakfast on Sunday morning the
weekend took an entirely expected diversion otherwise known as an
all-dayer starting with a hilarious round of drinking games (was
that ibble dibble or wobble wibble Carts?) on the train, drinking
the buffet car dry before continuing the high jinks in Covent Garden
where frantic phone calls to other halves were being made to explain
the severe train delays. What a weekend.
On the first day of Christmas there were…
12 players singing
11 drunken monkeys
10 shots of Chartreuse
9 Pinot Grigios
8 chicken kebabs
7 different bars
6 Barry Chaters
5 goldschlagers
4 texting birds
3 wibble wobbles
2 goals from Knights
And a place in the last sixteen.
Winchmore
Hill 1 Old Wilsonians 0
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 9 December
Hill moved up two places to
second in the table with a hard fought 1-0 victory over top flight
new boys and fellow high flyers Old Wilsonians. Ben Willis was
forced to shuffle his pack as Peter Gyles’ weekly dancing slot at
G.A.Y. sent his back into spasm. Chris Davison was also
missing with sympathy pains. This meant a recall for Kris
McHale which was to prove all important, while Andy Barrell, Tim
Corrick, Neil Hurst and Rod Beyer all played in different positions
to usual, highlighting the versatility within the squad.
The visitors arrived at the
Paulin on the back of five consecutive league wins and full of
confidence having come from behind to steal the points in the
reverse fixture back in September. Indeed it was Wilsons who
started the brighter on a surface that betrayed the recent inclement
weather. However, once Hill had re-familiarised themselves
with the surroundings (three home games out of fifteen until this
point!) the hosts began to dictate the play in what was an enjoyable
game for the ample crowd. Despite an open and expansive
approach from both sides neither keeper was really tested and it
became clear that the opening goal would be critical.
With this in mind Adam Graves took it upon himself to stamp his
authority on the game (and in doing so win back some credibility in
the dressing room after his
1-0 at the break and the second half was as open as the first with
both teams looking to attack in numbers this resulted in a tireless
game of classic end-to-end football. At one end Neil Hurst’s
shot just squeezed past the post while at the other Os Akkaya was
pulling the strings for
Broomfield
3 Winchmore Hill 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 16 December
Winchmore Hill’s recent run of
good form came to an abrupt halt with an utterly abject and lifeless
display against fierce local rivals
The first goal arrived when Hill cleared their lines only to allow
Jimmy Jacobs time and space to shoot from the edge of the box and he
duly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner with clinical
precision. Just ten minutes later and still Hill were
affording their neighbours too much room and again Jacobs fired home
from long range albeit this time with the help of a deflection.
Eventually Hill sprung into life and could and probably should have
gone into the break on level terms. First Neil Hurst headed
just over the bar before both Rod Beyer and Matthew Knights came
close to reducing the arrears but 2-0 at the break it stood.
After a fearful ear-bashing at half-time Hill attacked with far more
gusto after the interval and just five minutes in were rewarded when
Beyer teed up
With half their league games now played Hill’s title challenge
looks all but over but with two enormous cup ties coming in January
there is still much to play for. If there is a repeat of
Saturday’s performance in either of these games defeat is
inevitable. Only the players themselves can have any impact on
how the team fares in these games. Only 100% commitment to the
cause it acceptable.
Despite Saturday’s doom and gloom there have been plenty of
reasons to be cheerful in the first half of the season. The
form of Matthew Knights in particular as well as goals coming from a
number of areas of the pitch mean that Hill are a potent attacking
force while the defence has always been reliable. These plus
an improvement in the fitness of the team means that 2007 can still
be a cup winning year for Big Ben’s men.
In time honoured tradition the squad Christmas wish list is as
follows:
Andy Carter – another pair of guacamole trainers (no Velcro
please!)
Andy Barrell – a first XI goal and/or The Communards Greatest Hits
Pete Gyles – a girlfriend with a
Barry Chaters – ‘Hofopoly’ to catch on a make him his fortune
Shane Foley – a warm-up routine that involves sitting around doing
nothing
Joe Hackworthy – an injury free 2007
Paul Strouts - likewise
Tim Corrick – more anger management courses
Adam Graves – ‘A survivor’s guide to sleeping rough’
Matthew Knights – anything Prada
Chris Davison – a non-virtual girlfriend
Neil Hurst – 3 more goals
Rod Beyer – Matty to play Magic FM in his car
Jack Newton – the rest of Dick van Dykes outfit
Kris McHale – PMA
Joe Bennis – a
Ben Willis – more desire, more passion, two cups.
Winchmore
Hill 4 East Barnet Old Grammarians 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 6 January
Winchmore Hill started 2007 with a victory that took them to the top
of the table at a rain soaked Paulin Ground on Saturday. Admittedly
the league position is a false one given a number of teams have
games in hand but with crucial cup games in the coming weeks it was
important to resume the season with a confidence building win.
The game looked in doubt after torrential rain left parts of the
ground under water but credit to groundsman Martin Charters who
after some pre-match work was able to produce a remarkably good
playing surface given the inclement weather. Manager Ben
Willis decided to go with a different formation and Rod Beyer was
unfortunate to lose his place in the starting line up but he was
still to have an enormous impact on proceedings.
Hill started superbly and most of the opening fifteen minutes were
played in the EBOG half as the hosts zipped the ball across the
greasy surface and Kris McHale was denied by some last ditch
defending with the goal at his mercy. EBOGs though were made of
sterner stuff than the poor side we encountered on the first game of
this season and came back into the game strongly, enjoying some good
possession and were only denied the lead by a linesman’s flag.
After the good football of the opening quarter of the match
came a poor passage of play in which neither team could string more
than three passes together and the game became disjointed. An
injury to Matthew Knights didn’t help although immediately Beyer,
his replacement, instilled some much needed calm and quality in the
Hill side and moments later he teed up Neil Hurst whose shot struck
the outside of the post. 0-0 at the break.
The start of the second half coincided with an enormous, incessant
downpour which made the conditions much trickier but as others
struggled around him the mercurial Beyer, Hill’s Denzel
Washington, walked on water through the
Further chances came and went before again the tempo of the game
seemed to drop off and the visitors took full advantage with a well
taken goal ten minutes from time although questions should be asked
of Hill’s defending. Despite this Winchmore Hill were
determined to finish the game off and the clinching third goal
arrived five minutes from time when Hurst beat two defenders before
firing home to seal the points. There was still time for Beyer
to set up Adam Graves for his debut first team goal in the final
minute to give the scoreline a fair reflection.
A
decent performance overall but Hill will need to replicate the
passion, desire and ball retention shown in patches here for an
entire match next week when they visit West Wickham in an
enthralling AFA Senior Cup tie.
West
Wickham 1 Winchmore Hill 0
AFA Senior Cup Round Four
Saturday 13 January
Cup holders Winchmore Hill
crashed out of the AFA Senior Cup in the cruellest of manners on
Saturday as an eighty-eighth minute winner at Corkscrew Hill sent
the hosts into the quarter finals. In a repeat of last
year’s quarter final that Hill won but the only goal of the game
in extra-time the match was again a very close encounter but despite
strong defences on both teams and a tricky playing surface the game
was a good one.
Hill were forced to change their line up again with Matthew Knights
injured and Joe Hackworthy returning to the starting line up after
an extended spell on the sidelines. The match started at a
high tempo as both teams looked to score that all important first
goal and Jack Newton and Kris McHale were proving to be a handful
for the Wickham back three. Much of the match was being played
in the middle third of the field with only the odd isolated chance
at either end and the closest either side came to scoring in the
first half was just before the break when Andy Carter made a fine
save from a well struck free-kick.
The second half proved to be a far more open affair as Hill in
particular looked to show more attacking intent and Neil Hurst had
two chances in close succession, the first went wide of the post and
the second was struck firmly on the volley but unfortunately for
Hill straight at the home custodian. At the other end the
Wickham forwards were coming more and more to the fore and Hill had
to be at their best defensively to keep the hosts at bay and as time
ticked on the game looked more and more as though it was going to go
to extra-time and perhaps even penalties.
However,
Purple Hearts were broken late on when the Sky Blues broke down the
Hill left and from the resulting cutback a Wickham midfielder just
about found the bottom corner to send his team into the quarter
finals of The Big One. A crushing defeat for Hill who must now
win their Middlesex Cup quarter final at Meadonians on Saturday week
to retain any hope of winning some silverware this season.
Winchmore
Hill 3 Alleyn Old Boys 0
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 20 January
This was very much a game of two
halves as Hill first overcame the elements, and then overpowered
their opponents to register a three-nil victory at the Paulin Ground
on Saturday. With Matty Knights failing a late fitness test
and both Adam Graves and Chris Davison unavailable Ben Willis was
once again forced to shuffle his pack with teenager Joe Bennis
coming into the starting line up for his full debut.
Hill struggled for most of the first half as the strong winds meant
that much of the action was played out in the home sides half but
despite having territorial advantage and a lot of possession the
visitors rarely threatened the home goal with Andy Carter’s
handling impeccable throughout and the outstanding Barry Chaters
marshalling his defence to good effect.
Goalless at half time with not a lot to cheer about but you felt
that Hill, having weathered the storm in the opening period, would
have too much for their opponents in the wind assisted second half.
This proved to be exactly the case as a rejuvenated home team
dominated the match to take the points. The opening goal
arrived on the hour when Kris McHale and Neil Hurst combined well to
release Joe Bennis who sprinted clear and was only denied by a good
low save by the goalkeeper. Rod Beyer’s resulting corner was
headed into the top corner by
As
time wore on Hill continued to threaten and were eventually rewarded
when from another corner,
Old
Meadonians 2 Winchmore Hill 1
AFA Middlesex & Essex Senior Cup – Quarter Final
Saturday 27 January
Winchmore Hill were knocked out
of the elusive Middlesex Cup in a blaze of controversy on Saturday
as a resilient Old Meadonians team rode their luck to win by the odd
goal in three to reach the semi finals. Both teams are in
periods of transition and having won all five of the previous AFA
Senior Cup’s between them but having both been eliminated from
that competition this year, this match had a lot riding on it.
The much anticipated tie kicked off late due to a late arriving
linesman (more of him later) but once underway the match started at
a ferocious pace with the Hill setting about their task with verve
and intent. Within ten minutes the visitors were rewarded for
their excellent start when Rod Beyer fired home after Meads had
failed to clear their lines. Hill continued to dominate
proceedings but were unable to extend their advantage and this
proved to be costly as the AFC champions levelled things up when an
unmarked Alex Hugh-Jones headed home from a corner. Suddenly
it was Meads who were buoyant and Hill struggled to contain them and
went behind ten minutes later when Colin Hawkins teed up his strike
partner who finished with considerable aplomb. Two nearly
became three moments later only for Barry Chaters to clear from the
goal line when it appeared the ball may have crossed the line.
A controversial call from the assistant referee who seemed more
concerned with keeping the ‘crowd’ on the sidelines and not
behind the goal, where clearly the renovation of the South Stand was
considered a safety risk.
A half of two halves in which Meads had finished the stronger and
there were some stern words in the Hill ranks during the interval
which had the desired effect as the visitors completely dominated
the second half, laying siege on the home goal. Chances came
and went with Chris Davison, Joe Hackworthy and Beyer all going
close. Hill continued to pour forwards but time and again were
denied either by errant finishing, last gasp defending or sheer bad
luck. This was compounded with fifteen minutes to go when Hill
broke down the left with Neil Hurst and Davison combining well and
the resulting cross was superbly curled into the top corner by the
onrushing Matthew Knights. Elation for Hill and a well
deserved equaliser. Unfortunately the aforementioned linesman
hadn’t been involved in the game for at least ten minutes and
decided to rule the goal out, citing that the ball had gone out of
play. Bizarre, frustrating and ultimately costing Hill the
chance of any silverware this season.
Undeterred Ben Willis rallied his troops for one last push to take
the game to extra-time, the least Hill deserved but it was not to be
as Shane Foley and Hurst were denied by some fantastic if desperate
defending for which the hosts should be applauded for. Hopefully
they will go on to win the cup.
A devastating afternoon in
Winchmore Hill 2 Old
Owens 1
Southern Amateur League – Senior Division One
Saturday 3 February
This had everything.
Thrills, spills, cards, questionable behaviour and a baying crowd.
Still, enough about the Hill skipper’s birthday party, the
game played out between these two old adversaries just hours before
was every bit as action packed.
Owens brought their unbeaten league record to the Paulin Ground on
Saturday knowing that a win would edge them ever closer to the
title. Hill, on the other hand were still reeling from two cup
defeats that were bitter pills to swallow and their league campaign
had long since faltered. Still, with eight games left the AFA
champions knew that they could still have a real impact on where the
league crown ends up as the two sides lined up for their sixth
meeting in ten months.
As expected, the match started off at a terrific pace with both
sides looking to attack. Much of the action was played out in
a congested midfield area with neither team giving an inch. Joe
Bennis, Hill’s teenage starlet was beginning to enjoy some room
down the flanks and from one such foray Hill should have gone in
front only for Adam Graves to miss his kick with the goal gaping.
After stemming the flow of his nosebleed from being that far
up the pitch he returned back to more familiar surroundings and did
what he does best. Owens had their moments too but rarely
threatened Andy Carter’s goal and a scoreless first half was a
fair reflection.
The blue touch paper was lit for the second half and it certainly
went off. Within just five minutes man of the match Bennis the
Menace was at it again, causing Owens defenders problems with his
blistering pace and he was unceremoniously kicked in the air. Matthew
Knights offered the referee his own opinions on what he thought of
things and this soon escalated out of control when one yellow card
was followed swiftly by another to make it a red. Moments
later Ricky Sutter was given too much room by a Hill side still
trying to reorganise and he fired a superb shot into the top corner
from long range. A goal and a player down, things looked bleak
for the home side.
However rather than sitting back and waiting to be beaten Hill
swiftly took the initiative and were soon level on both counts.
Neil Hurst clipped a fine ball in behind the Owens defence and
Chris Davison nipped in front of both defender and keeper only to be
upended by Brunning. Red card for the professional foul and up
stepped Davison to fire home an unstoppable spot kick. Game
on.
What resulted was a compelling game of football as the additional
space meant for some fine attacking football from both teams. The
cards kept coming as well. Kris McHale took his yellow card
tally for the season level with his goals tally for the season while
Rod Beyer was booked for the first time ever. In the same
incident Owens went down to nine players after some verbals. Then
for the match winner and when it arrived was a peach. Peter
Gyles always seems to save his best performances against his old
school mates and this was no different. Rumours that he is
looking to follow David Beckham to the MLS to spend more time with
his American Beauty were fuelled even further on Saturday after a
performance that was less Andy Hinchcliffe and more Roberto Carlos.
Without a first team goal in almost three years but with Gail
blowing kisses from the sideline, the Hill defender went on a lung
busting run almost the length of the pitch, swapping passes with
Graves,
There were further chances for
Hill to extend their lead while Carter made a fine save from Sutter
but eventually the referee brought an end to proceedings. Owens
remain alongside Nottsborough as favourites for the title but
Hill’s spirited display has given them reason to keep plugging
away this term while the performance of Bennis bodes very well for
the future as well as the present.
West
Wickham 3 Winchmore Hill 0
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 17 February
If Winchmore Hill could be excused for missing four key players
including both centre halves meaning a total reshuffle at the back
then they certainly couldn’t be excused for an utterly abject team
performance from the players who did take the field.
Hill started slowly and got worse and found themselves a
controversial goal down after fifteen minutes. Controversial
or not it was the least the hosts deserved. Confidence swept
through the home ranks as their young side visibly grew in stature
as the game wore on. Hill were hanging on for dear life,
waiting to get a chance to rest and regroup at the interval but
things went from bad to worse just before the break when after
several near misses, Andy Carter was left stranded when a shot he
had covered took a wicked deflection and went into the bottom
corner.
Changes were made at the interval as Manager Ben Willis came on to
try and sure up the Hill rearguard and for a ten minute spell Hill
looked like themselves and Neil Hurst should have reduced the
deficit only to see his shot clear the crossbar. This period
of pressure was all too brief though and Wickham scored a third with
twenty minutes remaining which on the balance of play was a fair
reflection.
Despite
the obvious holes left with player unavailability this performance
was a real head-scratcher. After such a good run of recent
form the season has again been fatally punctuated by a completely
limp performance. This was by far the worst Hill display that
this author has ever been involved in. A reaction next week is
an absolute must.
Alleyn
Old Boys 0 Winchmore Hill 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 24 February
Winchmore Hill reclaimed top spot in the league table on
Saturday after a well-deserved 1-0 victory in South London against
Alleyn Old Boys. With five games left Hill must look to put as
many points on the board as possible and see where that leaves them.
If the title hopes have gone a place in the top four must be the
next aim.
Ben Willis again rang the
changes this weekend with Chris Davison, Pete Gyles, Kris McHale,
Jack Newton and Andy Barrell all missing for one reason or another.
This meant a recall for Danny Gallagher up front while debutante
Liam Patrick took his place alongside him. After weeks of
heavy rain this game must have been in doubt and one half of the
pitch was truly awful – a combination of quicksand and heavy mud
meant that the half Hill were attacking in the first period had to
be navigated like a trench warfare military exercise.
Nonetheless Hill set about their task with intent and despite an
early scare it was the visitors who were asking all the questions.
First Joe Hackworthy headed wide after arriving unmarked from a
corner and moments later the Hill centre half went close again only
to drag his shot past the post. Moments later new boy Patrick
almost capped an impressive debut when after combining with strike
partner Gallagher he bore down on goal but again the finishing touch
eluded Hill. The hosts had one or two moments themselves but
by and large Andy Carter was rendered a vocal spectator.
The second half proved to be a much more one-sided affair as Hill
enjoyed the better playing conditions. The deadlock was almost
broken minutes after the break when Neil Hurst ran from inside his
own half and jinked inside to tee up Rod Beyer who was denied by a
smart save. Wave upon wave of Hill attacks ensued as Tim
Corrick, Hill’s best performer on the day, and Adam Graves
completely dominated the midfield, allowing Hill’s potent
attacking weapons plenty of possession. Beyer, Hurst and
Matthew Knights were working well in tandem and it was this trio who
fashioned the goal that proved to be the match winner. Beyer
released Knights down the left and after some smart interplay
between the pair, Knights was able to pull the ball back to an
onrushing Hurst who delivered the ‘coup de grace’ to the move of
the match. This was Hurst’s 100th competitive First XI goal,
a special moment and more importantly a goal in a winning cause.
Willis
freshened things up bringing on Joe Bennis and Danny Brennan
(combined age 35) and both were soon into their stride and Hill
should have extended their lead but with Hill’s experience at the
back (Carter and Foley – combined age 70) there was never any real
threat to the visitors lead and the points were sealed.
Winchmore
Hill 2 Broomfield 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 3 March
Hill extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with
a hard earned victory over fierce local rivals
Saturday’s game was played out in front of a packed out Paulin
Ground and it was Hill who started brightly with new signing Liam
Patrick causing mayhem at the back for the visitors with his pace.
From one such foray Patrick worked himself and opening and crossed
for the several Hill players in the box. Unluckily for
The score remained 2-1 at the break but it was now
This certainly wasn’t Hill’s most fluid performance of the
season by any stretch but there was again a steely resolve about the
side that seemed to have gone missing at
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 10 March
Stalemate at the Paulin Ground on one of those days where you just
felt that nobody was ever going to score. A strong prevailing
wind and a bumpy playing surface made this a tricky encounter for
both sides although there was some good football played in amongst a
lot of fragmented play.
A young Salesians side marshalled by seasoned campaigners James
& Michael Ayres started brightly and dominated the opening
exchanges. Hill, again missing both centre halves as well as a
number of other players, took a while to get going but went close to
breaking the deadlock twice in quick succession after fifteen
minutes. First, Liam Patrick sprinted down the right and made
space for himself to cross to Neil Hurst whose header shaved the
post. Moments later Rod Beyer’s silky balls skills linked
well with the pacy youngster Joe Bennis and the former’s rasping
drive thumped against the upright, rebounded back onto the
goalkeeper’s back and went out for a corner.
The second half saw Salesians come into the match again and were
denied by a smart low save from Andy Carter while at the other end
the hosts huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the house down.
Just when the game looked to be ended in a damp squib
Three games to go – more consistency in terms of availability is
required for these games if they and next season is to be a success.
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 24 March
The list of absentees from the Hill squad on Saturday made for
depressing reading. Before picking his side (not too tricky a
task when only 11 plus the manager are available) Ben Willis had to
contend with the following tale of woe:
M.Knights – suspended
J.Hackworthy – injured knee
A.Graves – injured knee
C.Davison – pulled hamstring (at last he’s pulled something)
K.McHale – pulled heartlage
D.Brennan – doing homework
So Big Ben reinstated himself in
the heart of the Hill backline and put in a sterling performance in
what was to prove to be his final match as Hill manager. The
opening exchanges were lively as Lyonians, staring down the
relegation battle looked to salvage something from an entirely
forgettable season for then. Unfortunately it was to get worse
before he can get better for them. Hill looked a threat each
time they ventured forwards but time and again were let down by
their final pass. Then, with thirty minutes on the clock Tim
Corrick fed the electric Liam Patrick who sprung the offside trap
and finished coolly – he is starting to look like a real find for
the club. Moments later the game was effectively up for the
visitors when their skipper and most effective attacking threat was
sent off for something he said to the ref.
Half-time was spent talking about the need to keep the work rate up,
score a second goal and then go on to win the match convincingly.
This was to be so. With only five minutes of the second period
gone Hill carved Lyonians open down the right flank and Jack Newton
picked out Neil Hurst with a wonderful cross which the Hill
skippered fired home on the half-volley.
Suddenly it was one-way traffic as Hill exploited the extra space.
Daddy Carter was rendered a spectator back in the Hill goal as he
looked on admiringly to see Andy Barrell cap a fine individual
performance with his debut First XI goal. Three then became
four when after smart interplay between Rod Beyer and Shane Foley
Hurst was on hand to score his second of the match. Hungry for
more, the hosts by now were irrepressible and when
Hill stay top with two games to go. The aim must be to finish
as high as possible and give two performances worthy of the outgoing
manager’s high standards.
Winchmore
Hill 0 West Wickham 2
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 31 March
Hill succumbed to a third defeat of the season to an ever impressive
Hill started brightly and were unlucky not to go in front on fifteen
minutes when Mark Owlett made a good low save from Neil Hurst’s
shot after the Hill skipper had been cleverly set up by Liam
Patrick. Then from another Hill attack the hosts gave up
possession too easily and the visitors broke quickly and went in
front from a well taken lob. Back came Hill looking to level
the match but more sloppy defending saw West Wickham go further in
front after half an hour.
Hill continued to probe and
Eventually Hill came back into the game as Matthew Knights and Liam
Patrick combined well on a number of occasions but the resolute
Wickham defence stood firm and the game ended 2-0. Wickham
move onto the AFA Cup Final where they will hope to take Hill’s
crown while Winchmore Hill have some work to do if they are to enjoy
title challenges and cup success again in the near future
Nottsborough
2 Winchmore Hill 3
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 28 April
A Hill squad down to the ‘bare
bones’ in Harry Redknapp speak produced a superb display at
Tolworth on Saturday which denied Nottsborough (for now anyway) the
chance to be crowned champions of the SAL. Caretaker Manager
Geoff Hurst was missing the services of Shane Foley, Tim Corrick,
Ben Willis, Adam Graves, Joe Hackworthy, Neil Hurst & Kris
McHale which meant full first team debuts for both Danny Brennan and
Graham Sawkins, both of whom impressed greatly in a pulsating
encounter.
Nottsborough, having beaten West Wickham during the week need just a
point to secure the title but they will have to wait a little longer
after this patchwork Hill team produced one of the finest Hill
displays in recent memory. The visitors started brightly with
Liam Patrick and Jack Newton combining well up front. Down the
right Matthew Knights and Rod Beyer were causing Nottsborough all
kinds of problems meaning many of their star turns were unable to
have any impact. However, with twenty minutes on the clock
Hill gave the ball away too cheaply and within seconds were punished
by the clinical Alex Ewin whose composed finish ought to have
settled the home nerves. Many teams with absolutely nothing to
play for and missing several players would have caved in at this
point (as we have seen on a few occasions in recent times from an
unnamed team) but Hill thankfully are made of the right stuff and
immediately set about Nottsborough in search of an equaliser.
We didn’t have to wait too long either as Hill carved the hosts
open and Rod Beyer pounced to notch his tenth goal of the season.
Suddenly it was the hosts who looked panicked and before long Hill
went in front when after some sterling work down the left by Sawkins,
the predatory Liam Patrick slammed home a second. Much of the
talk at half time involved weathering the inevitable response,
keeping up the fantastic work rate and looking to attack and use the
ball intelligently. The best laid plans were left in tatters
just a minute into the second half though when poor marking from a
corner allowed Ewin to level the scores. You now felt that the
momentum was with the hosts but Hill redoubled their efforts once
more with the midfield four working tirelessly back and forth.
With twenty five minutes remaining Hill were back in front when a
mesmeric run down the left from Jack Newton (yes read it again if
you need to) left two Nottsborough defenders flailing around at his
feet while he teed up Patrick for what was to prove to be the
winner.
Nottsborough continued to press forwards in search of salvation and
only a stunning reaction save from Andy Carter kept Hill in front
but finally after fantastic game of football referee Pat Morrissey
brought an end to proceedings. Hill, heroes all, can be very
proud of this performance and with the bonus of finding a couple of
new players to go with the obvious quality that still remains in the
squad there are more reasons to be cheerful about next season under
a new manager.