So an eighth place finish for the 1^st team in our first season in senior football has to be a satisfactory one given the speed of our rise in the last 3 seasons  - 4 years ago we languished 3 leagues below in the local Aldershot League! Manager James Griffin is not standing still though and is already looking to bolster his squad for next season. “ To mount a serious assault on the league we really require a little more experience and I will be looking to add 4 or 5 senior players to our existing squad for next season. I would hope our facilities and the progressive nature of our club will help in this quest.

Our facilities rave reviews have even attracted England Under 19`s who boast many present and future premiership players. England will be preparing for the under 19 European  Championships at Eversley over the coming weeks.

Matt Stamp thought he had put us one up on 10 minutes, only for his strike to be harshly ruled offside. On 15 minutes the home side took the lead, a long clearance seemed to be under control , only for the normally reliable Wil Neville to miss time his back header allowing the Frimley striker to score and put his side 1 up. Stamp equalised shortly after looping his header from Matt Neemes free kick over the onrushing home keeper.

Second half chances fell to Stamp who hit the crossbar and Neemes who fired wide but as the game became more and more stretched it was Frimley Green who enjoyed most of the possession and at the end of the game the more likely to snatch a late winner.

One game to go until the end of a satisfactory 1^st season in CCL1!

Team: Groves, Morgan, W Neville (capt), Spilsbury, Smith, Firth, S Taylor, Thorn, Neems ( G Evans), Stamp (Boultwood), Scully

10 minutes later and it was 1-0 though, a deft pass with the outside of Wiggins right boot found Kieron Thorn unmarked to fire home from 6 yards. Despite late first half pressure from Hounslow it remained 1-0 until half time.

2 minutes in to the second half it was 1-1, Chris Webster (replacing Ross Hogston at half time),was harshly adjudged to have handled inside the area and Gary Franklin fired home the equaliser from the penalty spot. Chances came and went at each end with both keepers pulling off super stops. As the pace slowed it looked as though the game would peter out to a draw until Eversley went to sleep from a Hounslow long through in the 89^thminute allowing Bait Silwa through to fire home the winner.

Team: Rowe, Wiggins, W Neville, Hogston (Webster), D Taylor, Morgan ( G Evans), S Taylor, Thorn (B Worboys), Neems, Stamp, Scully

Here`s how our opposition saw the game (taken from Westfield F C website):

Westfield produced a solid display to become the only side to do the double over league new boys Eversley this season.

The visitors unbeaten in 8 games have enjoyed a fine debut season at step 6 but found themselves a goal down inside the 90 seconds as Asif Hussain (pictured) raced clear to continue his rich vein of goalscoring form. Eversley were much improved after the break and could have equalized but for a world class save from Sion Gallent, but with 8 minutes left Hussain once again was put through to round the keeper and seal all 3 points and Craig Moore first victory as manager. The match also saw John Comer return to the backroom staff for the rest of the season.

Team: Giles, Morgan (G Evans), Wiggins, W Neville, D Taylor, Mahoney (Giggs), S Taylor, Thorn, Neemes, Stamp, Scully

On an incredibly poor pitch it was difficult to pass the ball more than 5 yards without a 45 degree bobble and both sides struggled to make this look anything other than a division 5 Sunday morning blow out. Going up the slope in the first half Neemsey was causing problems down the left and created a couple of good opportunities which this led to a succession of early corners. Most were cleared by the burly Chobham centre half with seal (the sea creature not the singer) like audio to boot with every one of his touches! One eluded him and was won by Skeddy, the ball fell to Stampy who toe poked the ball home from 3 yards to put the Boars up on 18 minutes. Chobham came storming back but the only real danger came from our own making when Gilesy failed to grab hold of a through ball and only Hoggie`s cover prevented an equaliser.

The referee was obviously getting very bored by the lack of quality and from the half hour mark decided to make this a game to remember. A Chobham free kick on the halfway line with Skeddy the required 10 yards away. Free kick taken, Skeddy jumps and lands on exactly the same spot with no advancement whatsoever - ref blows – books him for encroachment! Now Skeddy looks baffled most of the time but even his perplexity was plain to see.

Half time came without any further incident- we stayed out as Joey wasn`t able to walk to the changing room. This was Joey`s (as well as Wil, Skeddy, Twiggy and Hoggie`s) 5th game in 6 days and fatigue was setting in so much that Joey went through the whole of the first half without saying a word!

The second half started in much the same vain but we dominated the start with Chobham now uphill. Then on 60 minutes Giggsy is pulled up for a foul and the referee calls him over for a chat……

( Now anyone who knows Giggsy knows that he doesn’t drink, doesn`t smoke, doesn`t have girlfriends, doesn`t swear and an has even considered a career as a monk such is his exemplary behaviour.)

30 seconds of chat then 30 seconds of more chat with Giggsy smiling and keeping shtum…. then a red card. When asked what it was for the referee relied for pulling his socks up and not looking at him when he was talking to him. Giggsy doesn’t look at anyone! He`s far too shy that`s all. …So a red card, a ban, a fine, …..all for being partial to the occasional blush!

So down to 10 men and the unfortunate Chris Allen, who had just come on for Skeddy was then substituted himself for Twiggy as we tried to shut up shop. Chobham seized there chance and started to get on top. The fading Joey was replaced by Johnny Mahoney and we held firm. Twiggy was then struck by a high boot in the eye and required treatment… No problem there but the referee then made him wait not just for our free kick, but another goal kick and an attack by Chobham before letting him back on…. a staggering 70 seconds (we timed it) later! By this time the normally respectful management were doing their pieces but the more we did the more Mr Nash played with us…. A Chobham header out for a goal kick with no Eversley player around…..yes you`ve guessed it….Chobham corner!

By this time both sets of players were seeing the funny side of it apart from Wiggy and the Chobham number 16. Only handbags and a little namecalling. Wiggy took umbrage at being called ugly and slow. I`m not slow he replied!

The score line in the end appeared a more flattering one as Stampy scored two late goals on the break to complete his hat trick. Some very credible performances from Powder, Wil, the never flustered Hoggie.. oh and not forgetting the choirboy in central midfield.

Team: Giles, Webster, Wiggins, Hogston, W Neville, Neemes, J Taylor (Mahoney), Giggs, Morgan, Sked ((Allen – (D Taylor)), Stamp(3)

Craig Smith put the Boars 1 nil up on six minutes converting a 20 yard free kick expertly in the corner but this was cancelled out on 18 minutes as Luke Farrugia was put through by Mat Brunt to fire home from just inside the box, giving Luca Groves no chance in the Eversley goal. Chances were few and far between but Hartley Wintney looked the more dangerous as Eversley sat too deep inviting them on. Both sides had injury problems with Eversley losing Craig Smith and Hartley Ray Spence, both to hamstring pulls. Keeper Groves then injured his ankle in a melee of players as he punched clear a cross.

If the first half was arguably edged by Hartley then the second half was unquestionably edged by the Boars as they pressed further up the pitch and started dominate the midfield. The tireless quartet of Kieron Thorn, Mark Morgan, Steve Taylor and Matt Neemes outworked and outfought their counterparts and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 55 minutes. Dan Taylor supporting from full back and fired in a low shot which Hartley keeper fumbled and Darren Sked beat his marker to the ball to fire home to make it 2-1.The pressure continued and a succession of corners caused the Hartley defence some angst but at 2-1 they were still in the game. Penalty appeals were turned down at both ends and the temperature rose with some fiery tackles flying in from both sides. The referee did an excellent job in controlling matters without being overly officious.

With 10 minutes to go Hartley went for broke and got more bodies forward in search of an equaliser. In truth the sub keeper Giles was never troubled as defenders Hogston and Wil Neville marshalled the team home to a deserved victory.

Team: Groves (Giles), Morgan, W Neville (capt), Hogston, D Taylor, Smith (Wiggins), S Taylor, Thorn, Neemes, Sked, Scully ( Stamp)

The inclement weather made this one of very few matches to be played in the CCL and this game was supposed to be at Frimley Green but a waterlogged Frimley pitch saw this game switch to Fox Lane.

Eversley have been struggling for any sort of consistency all season and after last week s heavy defeat shuffled the pack starting striker Darren Sked in central midfield and giving Gareth Evans his first team start of the season.

The Boars started much the brighter and dominated the early exchanges. After 20 minutes they could have taken the lead on a handful of occasions – Gareth Evans lofting a free kick just over the bar and then firing wide after been set through by Kieron Thorn. Steve Taylor also failed to trouble the keeper with 2 gilt edged chances.

At the other end the centre back partnership of Ross Hogston and Wil Neville were rarely troubled.

It was though Frimley Green who took the lead against the run of play on the half hour mark as keeper Giles blasted his attempted clearance straight at the Frimley Green striker who tapped the rebound into an empty net.

The Green then enjoyed their best spell of the game has a stunned Eversley failed to trust their passing game and started to force the play in search of an equaliser. The Eversley bar was rattled and the home side were fortunate to go in just a goal down.

Half time seemed to come at the right time as The Boars started the second have with a more controlled approach and added purpose. They were rewarded on 53 minutes when Steve Taylor found Sked just inside the box to swivel and find the corner. It was now all Eversley and the introduction of debutant Matt Neemes gave Eversley extra balance and width.

After going close with his first touch he sent a precision cross for Evans to fire home the winner from close range. A Steve Taylor drive was superbly tipped wide and brother Dan Taylor could also have scored with two late chances.

A deserved victory nevertheless and a moral boosting 3 points ahead of bank Holiday Monday`s derby against Hartley Wintney.

Team: Giles (Sam), Morgan, W Neville (capt), Hogston, D Taylor, Woods (Wiggins), Thorn, Sked, S Taylor, Evans, Stamp (Neemes).

On 33 minutes it was 2-0 as Baker latched on to a Cardona through ball to finish calmly and it was no more than the home side deserved. Only striker Darren Sked for The Boars seemed to offer any resistance and proved a real handful for the Knaphill defense, but with little support, his efforts were more often than not a futile cause.

With their only real effort on goal worthy of comment  on 44 minutes Eversley made it 2-1. Wil Neville planted a high free kick in to the Knaphill box and Dan Taylor rose above the onrushing Shelly to head home.

What should have been a catalyst for a second half comeback proved in the end to be a mere consolation as one minute later Fox grabbed his second as the visitors shot themselves in the foot once again after failing to set up properly for a Knaphill long throw.

In the second half Eversley matched up Knaphil`s 4-5-1 formation and immediately seemed more comfortable. Sam Scully and Matt Stamp brought saves out of Knaphill`s Shelly and for the 1^st time in the match Eversley looked a threat. Any chance of a comeback was ruthlessly thwarted though as Knaphill exposed a tame Eversley defense once more on 55 minutes. Nick  Darnell was just too sharp at the near post and finished off a slick counterattack to kill the game. Further misery ensued as Dan Taylor saw red for a second yellow and Wil Neville fumbled a cross to the feet of Ricky Hogsden to make it 5-1 and complete the rout.

Only Steve Taylor and Darren Sked  and Dan Taylor (whose sending off was extremely harsh) came out with any credit for the visitors after this inept display.

Team: Neville, Morgan, Spilsbury (Cole), Webster, D Taylor, Thorn, Hogston, S Taylor, Scully (Evans), Sked, Stamp

]]> http://www.eversleyfootballclub.co.uk/2010/03/30/knaphill-5-1-eversley-sat-27th-march-ccl1/feed/ http://www.eversleyfootballclub.co.uk/2010/03/16/eversley-1-4-croydon-municipal-challenge-cup-semi-final/ http://www.eversleyfootballclub.co.uk/2010/03/16/eversley-1-4-croydon-municipal-challenge-cup-semi-final/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:18:58 +0000 admin http://www.eversleyfootballclub.co.uk/?p=1539 Croydon Municipal breezed in to the final of the league cup with a convincing if somewhat flattering 4-1 victory at Fox Lane. It could have been a different story  on a day when the Boars were nowhere near their best but arguably still had the chances to win this game.As early as the 1^st minute the visitors had keeper Francis Ameyaw to thank as he clawed Sam Scully`s close range effort in the 1^st minute. By the 3^rd minute Eversley were 1-0 up as Matt Stamp fired in a left foot strike from 20 yards.  This excellent start only served to fire up the visitors who soon to a stranglehold on the game with Croydon skipper Terry Fennessey dominating the middle of the park. A couple of long range efforts were dealt with by Luca Groves who only had the call up moments before kick off as Adrian Giles failed a fitness test. 5 minutes before the break came the turning point of the match, as a long Ameyaw clearance was allowed to bounce. An onrushing Groves mistimed his punch and flattened the Croydon striker to concede a penalty which Hinds duly dispatched to make it 1-1 at half time.

Eversley bought on the Taylor brothers to replace Wiggins and Hogston in an attempt to provide a more competitive edge and started the second half much brighter. Stamp had two gilt edged chances, one cleared off the line but the pace of Croydon`s Adam Rea was a constant threat for the visitors on the break. It was indeed Rea who put the visitors ahead after the inspirational Fennessy had won yet another header and set his side on the attack.

As the clock ticked The Boars piled forward replacing Morgan with the more offensive Stuart woods but a resilient Croydon defence were now foot perfect and Eversley never looked like getting back in to the game. Two late strikes by Butler and Rea with his second after defensive mistakes by Eversley in the last 5 minutes put a gloss on Croydon`s victory but it was unquestionably a deserved one nevertheless.

Team: Groves, Morgan (Woods), Wiggins (D Taylor), Spilsbury, Webster, Smith, Hogston (S Taylor), Thorn, B Worboys, Stamp, Scully

Right from the first whistle the appetite for a big game seemed there for Eversley with Bradley Worboys and Ross Hogston stamping their authority in the centre of the park. Kieron Thorn`s darting runs and cute through balls were latched on to by a fired up Matt Stamp and Sam Scully who both had a sense of urgency in their work and commitment up front.

Early chances fell to both strikers with Stamp`s cross shot well saved by keeper Peter King and Scully firing over from 20 yards. King was brought in to action again on 15 minutes handling expertly a 20 yard free kick from Scully. Worcester Park were being denied the ball and, being down the slope in the first half, often resulted to the long ball to tall striker Gary O`Leary. O`leary`s aerial prowess caused problems but defenders Spilsbury, Wiggins and debutant Chris Webster defended stoutly. Worcester Park`s Richard Ingram`s near post drive was dealt with comfortably by stand in keeper Wil Neville who commanded his area expertly to belie his relative inexperience.

The home side had caused Eversley some real problems out wide in their earlier encounter this season but the shoe was on the other foot today as Mark Morgan and Craig Smith dominated these areas against the talented Knowelden and Chaney from Worcester Park. Both were first forward on the attack and first back when defending, epitomising the Boars appetite which was proving difficult to cope with.

So often this season we have witnessed the mercurial skills of Sam Scully. Sam can blow hot and cold but today he was pipping and causing the Worcester Park centre back all sorts of problem with the ball at his feet. This skill and trickery gained Sam his 17 goal of the season, making him the league`s joint second highest scorer,  and put Eversley one up on 27 minutes.

Receiving a through ball from Hogston, Scully darted in to the box, dragged the ball one way then the other, finding space was there was none, then clipping a right foot shot over the oncoming King - a wonderful finish.

Worcester Park roared straight back in to action and enjoyed their best period of the game forcing a number of corners. A poor clearance resulting in a Knowelden volley just over the bar the only real cause for concern before the break. At the other end Webster headed just over from a Scully corner moments before the half time whistle.

The expected Worcester Park onslaught never came in the second period and it was Eversley`s turn to use the slope to their advantage. If it was the Sam Scully show in the first half then it was definately the Matt Stamp show in the second. Covering every blade of grass and working tirelessly up front Stamp could have had the game won on 55 minutes. A burst of pace from Craig Smith down the left, who sent Stamp clean through and bearing down on goal. A clumsey challege from behind or a professional foul from Worcester Park`s Darren Beale? - only he knows but it was just outside the box and had to be a straight red with Stamp about to pull the trigger and no covering player. The referee unbelievably produced only a yellow to the amazement of everyone else at the game. Stamp fired the free kick over and it remained 1-0.

This nearly cost the Boars dear as only the finger tips of Wil Neville rescued Eversley at the other end, touching Chaney`s cross off the tip of David Knoweldon`s toe on to his knee and fortunately for the visitors the ball cleared the cross bar.

On 70 minutes the visitors got their just deserts and went two up. Stamp again proving too hot to handle, beating his marker and firing in to the corner after Thorn had intercepted Worcester Park yet again in the middle of the pitch.

Ross Hogston pulled up moments later with a pulled hamstring and must now be a major doubt for next weeks cup semi-final. Steve Taylor, himself returning from injury, picked up the baton and, whilst Worcester Park piled on the pressure, it was the now counter attacking Eversley who looked more like to increase their lead.

Eversley now go in to their semi final next week with renewed enthusiasm after this performance but will Mr Hyde appear two weeks on the trot….. or will it be back to Dr Jeckall. Kick off is at 2.30pm at Fox Lane, Eversley.

Team: W Neville, Wiggins, Webster, Spilsbury, Morgan, Smith, B Worboys, Hogston (S Taylor 72), Thorn, Stamp (Sked 92), Scully

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