SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 47
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have anything to contribute, please do get in touch by email- [email protected] You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @Sydwessex You are more than welcome to use any material (excluding attributed photographs) but it would be appreciated if any material used is acknowledged. It is hoped you enjoy reading this each week. With readership quite widespread, not only within our own competition, but across the three counties and beyond- if ANY club has anything they’d like to have published in here, whether that be a request for helpers, promotion of forthcoming events, items required or available for sale please contact the Newsletter Editor. As a general reminder- Match Reports, player news and photos are always welcome- it is your Newsletter!
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 47
ALL OFFERS RUN FROM 1 MARCH TO 31 MAY 2021. AVAILABLE IN BRANCH OR TO ORDER. OFFERS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 47
ARE YOU LISTENING ?
Now broadcasting on Sunday 14:00 to 16:00
The Sydenhams Wessex Football League Show is the official podcast of the Sydenhams Wessex League. We’re on air live from the 103.9 Voice FM studios in Southampton from 14:00 to 16:00 every Sunday and you can also listen live on www.voicefmradio.co.uk from anywhere in the world. You can listen again afterwards, normally just one hour after the show has finished via the same website and there is also a Voice FM App you can download to your Phone I-Pad or Computer device. Our aim is to promote all local football but specifically the 38 teams of the Sydenhams Wessex League. So far, we have had managers, chairmen, players, press officers and secretaries joining us as studio guests and phone guests; from many Sydenhams Wessex League clubs, as well as guests from local teams both higher up and lower down the pyramid. This is your show and is a platform for your club to promote its events and raise its profile. If your club produces post-match interviews, please either email us a copy of the audio or give permission for us to play them on air straight from your website or social media sites, as we will aim to play them on the show. Please come and join us one Sunday, at the moment, no guests will be allowed in the Studio, but please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Sunday, 23 May 2021 Page 3 of 15
SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 47
LEAGUE NEWS
The date of the AGM has been moved to and confirmed as to Sunday 13th June commencing at 10:30, this will give sufficient time for the annual accounts to be audited and then sent out to all Clubs. Subject to confirmation by the AGM, the League season will start with a Premier Division fixture list during the midweek commencing Monday August 2nd. The first Division One fixture list will be on Saturday August 7th but, for Division One clubs playing F.A. Cup matches on that day, will have their fixtures brought forward into the prior midweek. Christmas Day and New Years Day fall on a Saturday next season. The Board decided that there would be a full fixture list on Monday December 27th and Monday January 3rd, both of which are Public Holidays. The Wessex Football League are currently looking for a Competition Secretary for 2021/22 season. All enquiries should be made to Greg Dickson: [email protected] or on 07496804555 Should anyone be interested please read the Job Description on the next page and note that the closing date for applicants is 31st May.
WESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE - COMPETITION SECRETARY – JOB DESCRIPTION
The Competition Secretary should: Have previous experience of a similar role, preferably with an interest in football. Be computer literate, with working knowledge of Word and Excel. Be contactable by telephone and email, throughout the day and evening [times to be agreed with successful candidate]. Advise/support club secretaries as required. Refer communications to relevant officers. Liaise with and support Board members as required. Answer emails promptly; if the email requires action, send an acknowledgement. Administer correspondence in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association and The Football Association Standardised Rules which specifically refer to the role of the Competition Secretary. Have working knowledge of The Football Association Standardised Rules and Wessex League Directives. Develop working relationships with The Football Association; Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset County Football Associations. Represent the League at meetings with external bodies as required. Arrange dates and venues for Board Meetings, the AGM and ad-hoc meetings. Compile the agenda for meetings with the agreement of the League Chairman, forward to Board members seven days in advance of the meeting. Papers for the AGM should be forwarded to attendees 14 days prior to the meeting. Deal with correspondence arising from meetings and the AGM; including letters and or fines as appropriate. Copies of fines correspondence should be forwarded to the League Treasurer and Ground Grading Officer. Ensure fines are paid to the league treasurer within the agreed time schedule. Compile club’s directory prior to the commencement of the season, providing same information to the league IT Administrator for publishing to the league website. Supply clubs competing in Football Association competitions (FA Cup and FA Vase) with pennants when playing opponents from other leagues. Forward ground availability information, from the application form to the League Fixture Secretary. Liaise with the League Treasurer and MJM Sports Ltd to ensure that sufficient quantity of footballs are in stock. Access to the site: mjm-sports-ltd.Monday.com, the successful candidate will need to contact MJM Sports Ltd for a password.
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 47
Key Dates Ensure the League is sanctioned by The FA via the online process, liaise with the League’s Finance Officer to make payment of the required fee prior to the commencement of the playing season. Confirm that clubs have the necessary Public Liability insurance cover prior to the season commencing. 14 days prior to start of the season – confirm that clubs have the required level of player insurance January 31st – Proposed alterations to rules to be received with a proposer and seconder. Following ratification by the board these should be sent to The Football Association for approval. When ratified by The Football Association, advise the Board. February 1st – Contact clubs who hold trophies from the previous season; advising that trophies should be returned by 31st March in good condition and engraved. March 31st – issue application forms: pitch availability forms and agreements for the following season. These to be returned by April 30th; record any changes and forward to the League I. T. Administrator for publishing to the website prior to new season. End of playing season – send trophy agreement to clubs who have won trophies; agreements to be returned within fourteen days. Maintain a diary of Board members’ holidays to ensure that individual roles are covered while they are away, ensuring that matters are dealt with accordingly.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
It would be expected that this list will grow from week to week, so please do get in touch- contact me by email at [email protected] to get your games added. Please contact us so we can promote your games and advise of clubs from outside our area looking for similar arrangements. Please do NOT forget that the HOST team also MUST obtain sanction from their County FA before the game is played. Games are subject to change at little or no notice. In the summary below, [*] indicates a neutral venue for this game. At time of writing we understand that the first games in the 2021/22 FA Cup will be on Saturday 7 August, so please bear that in mind when booking games, and allow for the fact that as in previous seasons, we may have a round of League fixtures prior to that week. Pre-season fixtures and tournaments are listed IN GOOD FAITH, but please note that the League have no control over the proposed schedules. Spectators are strongly recommended to check nearer the time if making a special journey.
DAY DATE HOST . OPPONENTS Friday 02-Jul Fawley v Hamble Club 19:45 Saturday 03-Jul Blackfield & Langley * Lymington Town 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Exmouth Town v Verwood Town 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Fleetlands v Moneyfields 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Horndean v Havant & Waterlooville 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Hythe & Dibden v Verwood Town 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Paulsgrove v Baffins Milton Rovers 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Salisbury v AFC Portchester 15:00 Saturday 03-Jul Winchester Castle v Amesbury Town 15:00 Tuesday 06-Jul Arundel v Baffins Milton Rovers 19:45 Tuesday 06-Jul Bush Hill v Blackfield & Langley 19:45 Tuesday 06-Jul Folland Sports v Horndean 19:45 Tuesday 06-Jul Petersfield Town v Amesbury Town 19:45 Tuesday 06-Jul Stockbridge v AFC Stoneham 19:45 Friday 09-Jul Fawley v AFC Stoneham 19:45 Saturday 10-Jul AFC Stoneham v Crawley Down Gatwick 15:00 Sunday, 23 May 2021 Page 5 of 15
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Saturday 10-Jul Alresford Town v Cribbs 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Amesbury Town v Westbury United 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Horndean v Hartley Wintney 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Hythe & Dibden v Broadbridge Heath 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Newport IOW v Baffins Milton Rovers 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Paulsgrove v Moneyfields 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Ringwood Town v Wincanton Town 15:00 Saturday 10-Jul Sherborne Town v Bournemouth 15:00 Tuesday 13-Jul AFC Stoneham v AFC Totton 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Amesbury Town v Colden Common 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Andover New Street v Salisbury 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Blackfield & Langley * Poole Town 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Selsey v Horndean 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Steyning Town v Moneyfields 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Whitchurch United v Winchester Castle 19:45 Tuesday 13-Jul Wincanton Town v Shaftesbury 19:00 Wednesday 14-Jul Fawley v Bashley 19:45 Saturday 17-Jul AFC Stoneham v Knaphill 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Bashley v Hartley Wintney 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Blackfield & Langley * Basingstoke Town 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Bournemouth Sports v Downton 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Bush Hill v Bournemouth 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Cribbs v Amesbury Town 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul East Cowes Victoria v Brockenhurst 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul East Preston v Moneyfields 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Fleetlands v Baffins Milton Rovers 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Horndean v Chichester City 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Hythe & Dibden v Abingdon United 15:00 Saturday 17-Jul Whitchurch United v Midhurst & Easebourne 15:00 Tuesday 20-Jul Baffins Milton Rovers v Worthing 19:45 Tuesday 20-Jul Bashley v Sholing 19:45 Tuesday 20-Jul Bush Hill v Brockenhurst 19:45 Tuesday 20-Jul Horndean v Gosport Borough 19:45 Tuesday 20-Jul Ringwood Town v AFC Stoneham 19:45 Wednesday 21-Jul Amesbury Town v Andover New Street 19:45 Friday 23-Jul Fawley v Alresford Town 19:45 Saturday 24-Jul AFC Stoneham v Ascot United 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Amesbury Town v Verwood Town 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Baffins Milton Rovers v Chichester City 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Bashley v Winchester City 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Blackfield & Langley v Sholing 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Bournemouth v Downton 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul East Cowes Victoria v Colden Common 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Fareham Town v Salisbury 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Horndean v Bognor Regis Town 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Hythe & Dibden v Sholing 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Westfields v Moneyfields 15:00 Saturday 24-Jul Whitchurch United v Brockenhurst 15:00 Tuesday 27-Jul AFC Stoneham v Bemerton Heath Harlequins 19:45 Tuesday 27-Jul Baffins Milton Rovers v Dorking Wanderers 19:45
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Tuesday 27-Jul Blackfield & Langley v Liphook United 19:45 Tuesday 27-Jul Bournemouth v Infinity 19:45 Tuesday 27-Jul Calne Town v Amesbury Town 19:45 Tuesday 27-Jul Westfield v Moneyfields 19:45 Saturday 31-Jul Baffins Milton Rovers v Winchester City 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul Bournemouth v Basingstoke Town 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul Bournemouth Sports v Ringwood Town 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul New Milton Town v Brockenhurst 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul Shaftesbury v Gillingham Town 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul Sherborne Town v Amesbury Town 15:00 Saturday 31-Jul Stockbridge v Fawley 15:00
RESULTS ROUNDUP
Thursday 20 May Portsmouth Senior Cup Final [2019/20] Baffins Milton Rovers 1-1 Moneyfields Tommy Scutt 90+1 pen [5-6 on penalties] Steve Hutchings 42 Saturday 22 May Sydenhams League Cup Final Hamworthy United 3-1 United Services Portsmouth Steve Devlin 4 James Franklyn 70 Eddie Hodge 14 Ollie Davis 82 Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Final Hartley Wintney 4-0 Folland Sports Kingsley Eshun 4, 37, 78 Ben Wright 58
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Tuesday May 25th Hampshire Senior Invitational Supplementary Cup Semi Final Brockenhurst v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Friday May 28th Hampshire Senior Invitational Supplementary Cup Final Subject to confirmation Brockenhurst v Ringwood Town OR and change at short Ringwood Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins notice. Venue depends on the winners on Tuesday evening.
CLUB NEWS
Shaftesbury have acted quickly to their Managerial roles and have appointed Ollie Cherrett to the hot seat. He is accompanied by Wayne Smith, Chris Hart, Will Robinson and Max Frampton who were all in the dugout at Hurn Bridge in 2020/21. Andover New Street have parted company with Manager Danny Dolan, whilst at Victoria Park Bournemouth have announced a new Management team, with Phil Brown talking the hot seat, assisted by Lee Middleton. Brown had been in a similar role at Bournemouth League side Bournemouth Manor for a number of years. Sunday, 23 May 2021 Page 7 of 15
SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 45
TA TA TADLEY
Tadley are one of the outposts of the Wessex League geographically, being in the North of the County and very adjacent to the Berkshire border, but have made their mark over recent seasons culminating in promotion to the Premier Division. There has been football in Tadley since the early 1900’s but the present Club was formed in the modern era – their words - in 1989 and started life in the North Hampshire League. The story moves forward to 1995/96, twenty five years ago, and follows the progress made in that time, In that season they finished as runners up to Ringwood Town in Division Three of the Hampshire League. Besides Tadley and Ringwood the only other side in the Division that is now in the Wessex League was Hamble Club, while the Division included such as Mayflower, Yateley Green, Swanmore, Awbridge, Sherborne St. John (a village near Basingstoke), Four Marks, Braishfield, and the Covies (From Farnborough) as well as the Reserve sides of Winchester City and Moneyfields. The Club joined the Wessex League in 2004/05, changing their name from Town to Calleva at the same time, and finished eighth in Division Three behind the Champions, Colden Common. In 2006/07, with the Division re-named as Division Two, they were runners up to Fleetlands. The following season they moved to their current home, Barlows Park, and celebrated the move by topping the table, finishing with 102 points, eight clear of Laverstock & Ford, whilst Blackfield & Langley and AFC Portchester were in the lower reaches of the table. Promotion was not gained on either occasion, presumably because of the Ground Grading Criteria. The Division had become Division One and after four poor seasons they were invariably in the promotion stakes, once missing out on the last day of the season, before third place in 2017/18 saw them reach what had almost become a Holy Grail to the Club, the Premier Division, for the first time. This rewarded the vast improvements made to the Ground, improvements that are still continuing under the astute Chairmanship of Sandy Russell, while Danny Dolan’s managerial skills over the seasons also played a major part. They finished in a highly respectable eighth place in their first season and have held their own in the two truncated seasons that followed. The Club are also now regular entrants in both the FA Cup and Vase. If one may interject a personal note, I played at Tadley long before the “Modern Era” mentioned earlier and one never really looked forward to the fixture there. Tadley, as a village, had a rather unfair reputation in those far off days and their football team always seemed to consist of players taller and bigger than the opposition, and at a time when sportsmanship existed and cautions and dismissals were never encountered, they were a little more physical than most! Also, they always won when we took our Charabanc ride to the Village. Incidentally Calleva relates to an Iron Age Settlement that was between Tadley and Silchester. Originally nicknamed the Broom makers that has seemed to have been swept aside in recent years. Tadley today is a thriving village/small Town and the Football Ground and Club are always enjoyable to visit and long may it continue in all respects. Having written this on Tuesday morning it was subsequently announced that Tadley have been moved to the new Step Five Division that comes under the umbrella of the Combined Counties League next season. We are sorry to lose them and we wish them well
BUILDBASE FA VASE FINAL
The result of this years final was Warrington Rylands 3-2 Binfield. Sunday, 23 May 2021 Page 8 of 15
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SEASON 2021-22
With the FA having completed their lengthy restructuring of the Pyramid – subject to appeals (and there will no doubt be a number of those) – we now know the Constitution of the Wessex League for next season and of all the Leagues around us. The publication of the Leagues brings to an end the host of unqualified rumours and, thankfully, the wilder rumours relating to the Wessex League proved totally unfounded. There have inevitably been changes but probably fewer than expected. THE PREMIER DIVISION This increases from twenty Clubs to twenty-one which is unfortunate. It makes life harder for the Fixtures Secretary and also means, especially at the start of the season, that there will be Clubs without a game on a Saturday. The process of increasing the number by one involves the “loss” of three Clubs countered by four additions. Leaving the Division are Lymington Town, Fleet Town and Tadley Calleva. LYMINGTON have taken promotion to the Southern League and we wish them well as they contemplate trips to Barnstaple and Bideford rather than Brockenhurst and Bashley. It is a different world and they no doubt have some ground problems to overcome whilst the administration side of things is more complex and certainly more unforgiving. FLEET TOWN requested a move to the Combined Counties League, citing travel and player problems if remaining in the Wessex League, and have been granted their wish. TADLEY CALLEVA have in effect drawn the short straw with a move to the new Division formed at Step Five that will be administered by the Combined Counties League. It is not a move the Club wanted, for whilst the travelling may be marginally better it will cause problems as regards player availability given that a large number of their squad are based in Hampshire and south of Tadley. We are sorry to lose them and wish them well. Coming in to the Division are Moneyfields, Alton, Hythe & Dibden and United Services Portsmouth. The last three have been promoted from our First Division; and we congratulate them and wish them well at the higher level. MONEYFIELDS took voluntary relegation from the Southern League and the FA, not for the first time seem to have bent their own Rules. Voluntary relegation is always assumed to be a drop of two Divisions, as happened with Blackfield & Langley and Andover Town, but Moneyfields have only dropped one level and could be said to having denied another Division One Club promotion, However, we welcome them back after a four year absence. THE FIRST DIVISION This has also increased by one Club, from nineteen to twenty, which at least gives the League an even number. This has been done by promoting the three Clubs already mentioned and introducing four new sides, though one, FLEET SPURS, does not really merit the description “new”. They moved from the Wessex League to the Combined Counties League some four seasons ago in slightly acrimonious circumstances in that they approached the FA after the closing date for such applications and the FA chose to bend their rules. Whether they will be happy to return is unknown and it does seem slightly perverse in the FA moving Fleet Town and Fleet Spurs in opposite directions, but we extend them a warm welcome. Also moving over from the Combined Counties League are ASH UNITED who, despite being based in Hampshire – Ash is a couple of miles from Aldershot – have been in the Combined Counties League since the late 1970’s so a big change for them and we look forward to their becoming part of Wessex. On a personal note, my last visit to their Youngs Drive home was on the occasion of their best FA Vase run, a 4th Round tie against Tow Law Town, which the visitors won 3-0 in front of a crowd of a little over 400. The remaining two newcomers, Bush Hill and Infinity, are much closer to home. Both have been stalwarts and leading lights in the Hampshire Premier League in recent seasons and have long sought promotion. BUSH HILL will play at Test Park, the former home of Team Solent, whilst we understand that INFINITY will continue to ground share with Hythe & Dibden. Good wishes to both in their new environment.
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On a more general note, there were eight Clubs from Step Seven who applied for promotion who could be described as being in the Wessex League catchment area. Two of the eight, Bush Hill and Infinity, have been promoted as above whilst Gillingham have gained Western League status. The remaining five, Fleetlands, Stockbridge, Dorchester Sports, Hamworthy Recreation and Kintbury will remain at Step Seven. One of our former Clubs, AFC Aldermaston, have moved from the Hellenic League to the Combined Counties – there cannot be many Leagues left for them to join – and look to be ground sharing with Thatcham Town this coming term; whilst Clubs in the Western League Premier Division will be counting their mileage for the season. The Division has had an influx of Clubs from Cornwall including Mousehole, which is just east of Penzance. There are some Bristolians amongst that Division, with Bitton, Brislington and Keynsham, plus Odd Down- southern side of Bath all close to a 200 mile one way trip and Dorset outfit Bridport which is not much less! Let’s hope for their sake the Fixtures Secretary is not hampered too much when considering such long trips- extraordinarily this is Step 5 football. Finally, and with no relevance at all to our League, the FA have obviously had to dig deeply in to Step Seven to find Clubs to fill the gaps at Step Six across the Country resulting in promotion for such as Faversham Strike Force, Staplehurst Monarchs, London Samurai and Worcester Raiders. All we can hope for now in every respect is a normal season.
SALISBURY HOSPITALS CUP
The draw has been made for the above competition. Rules have been circulated to the eight clubs participating. More details to follow, although the organisers did indicate this was for a 2020/21 competition, each team will play three times with the winner of each group will go forward to meet in the Final which is scheduled to be at Laverstock & Ford. It is my understanding that there will also be a competition for 2021/22.
Group 1 Group 2 1. Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1. Andover Town 2. Downton 2. Laverstock & Ford 3. Shaftesbury 3. Amesbury Town 4. Shrewton United 4. Salisbury Development
MATCH REPORTS
THURSDAY 20 MAY BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 1-1 MONEYFIELDS PORTSMOUTH SENIOR CUP FINAL Moneyfields kept their nerve to retain the Portsmouth Senior Cup following a penalty shoot-out against Baffins Milton Rovers at Fratton Park writes Simon Carter. Marley Ridge converted the winning spot-kick to give his side a 6-5 victory after Baffins had forced penalties with the last kick of normal time. Moneys were within seconds of the trophy thanks to talisman Steve Hutchings’ superb first half lob. But there was late drama as the clock ticked towards the end of the four added minutes of play in the second half. Referee Rob Ablitt stunned Moneys when he pointed to the spot after Curt Da Costa had bundled over Callum Dart in front of a Fratton End containing fans for only the third time since early March 2020. Tommy Scutt made no mistake from 12 yards, confidently burying his spot-kick past Steve Mowthorpe. Shortly after, Scutt was again putting the ball on the spot as he was first nominated taker in the shoot-out. Again he scored, with Hutchings comfortably levelling. James Cowan’s effort went in off the bar and, though Baffins keeper Charlie Searle went the right way, he couldn’t keep out Connor Hoare’s effort for 2-2. Sunday, 23 May 2021 Page 10 of 15
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Charlie Williamson was first to miss, sending his penalty high and wide into the Fratton End. But the scores remained level when Searle stopped Conor Bailey’s spot-kick. Rudi Blankson and Charlie Osborne converted for Baffins either side of Joe Briggs finding the net. That left Ed Sanders having to score Moneys’ fifth effort, which he did with ease. Into sudden death and Billy Connor gave Baffins the advantage once more. The pressure was building on young Danny Burroughs in reply, but he rolled in his spot-kick with a nonchalance that defied his age. Moneys keeper Steve Mowthorpe then produced his first save, beating out Dale Mason’s penalty. The scene was now clear for Ridge to step up and fire home the spot-kick that saw Moneys retain the trophy - 731 days after they had hammered Paulsgrove at Fratton Park to win it previously! Though Baffins had left it incredibly late to grab a draw in normal time, they had certainly deserved it. On the balance of play, in terms of possession and chances created, a draw was easily a fair result. Indeed, it was the Wessex Premier Leaguers who carved out the better chances before Hutchings bagged his 231st goal in Moneys colours. Neither side had entered the final with a great deal of competitive action to their name. Moneys had played just once since early December, their 3-1 Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final win against Fareham last month, while Baffins had played just two friendlies since their last Wessex League game at Portchester on December 15. Baffins handed a debut to ex-Horndean left-back Fuzz Kanjanda and, due to a shortage of centre halves, partnered striker Rudi Blankson with Josh Dean at the heart of defence. Moneys fielded 10 of the team that had started against Fareham, with Ridge - in for Fred Penfold - their sole change. In front of an 831 crowd, easily a record for a Portsmouth Senior Cup final, Baffins could have been two goals up inside the opening 11 minutes. Blankson was afforded a free header from a second minute corner but didn’t even get his effort on target. Then a sloppy pass from Burroughs was cut out by ex-Moneys striker Miles Everett, who threaded a lovely through ball into Blu Boam’s path - only for Mowthorpe to spread himself and save the shot. Moneys’ main attacking outlet was a long ball up front to Hutchings, and it was the captain who gave them the lead three minutes before half-time. Sanders launched a long pass forward which Burroughs flicked on and, in the blink of an eye, Hutchings produced an opportunist finish - a lovely lob over the stranded Searle from the edge of the penalty area. Assistant boss Danny Thompson was in charge of Baffins with manager Shaun Wilkinson serving a touchline suspension. His half-time words obviously had an effect as Rovers started the second half well. After Scutt’s 25-yarder had sailed well wide, a James Cowan free-kick was deflected off the wall for a corner. From the flag-kick, Callum Dart curled an effort just wide from 18 yards. Baffins had a penalty appeal for handball waved away before Moneys gradually found their feet as an attacking force. Sub Penfold ran from central midfield before unleashing a 25-yard shot that wasn’t too far away on 72 minutes. Shortly after, Moneys were inches away from doubling their lead when Hoare fired a low shot against the base of Searle’s left-hand post. Dart jinked his way into a dangerous position in the Moneys area, but chose to pass instead of shooting, while Hutchings scooped a 12-yard shot over the bar at the other end. As the fourth official held up the board stating an extra four minutes, Baffins won a corner - only to waste it, hitting the first Moneys defender. Then they had a free-kick and failed to even get it into the penalty area. But Da Costa’s clumsy foul on Dart gave Baffins the lifeline their overall performance had merited. Way back in October 2019, many months before we’d heard of Covid-19, Baffins began that season’s Portsmouth Senior Cup campaign against Hampshire Premier Leaguers Infinity. After a late leveller, they eventually won on penalties.
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The Infinity boss that night, Thompson, saw Baffins’ campaign end the same way it had begun. For the stand- in boss, therefore, it was two penalty losses in the same competition - albeit 509 days apart! TEAMS Baffins: Searle, Williamson, Kanjanda (Osborne, 82), Dean, Blankson, Burgess, Everett (Connor, 77), Cowan, Scutt, Boam (Mason, 80), Dart Moneyfields: Mowthorpe, Giddings (Knight, 57), Bailey, Sanders, Da Costa, Burroughs, Briggs, Ridge, Hoare, Hutchings, Haitham (Penfold, 61).
SATURDAY 22 MAY HARLEY WINTNEY 4-0 FOLLAND SPORTS HAMPSHIRE SENIOR INVITATIONAL CUP FINAL Ultimately the 3 level difference between the two teams showed as greater fitness and cutting edge took its toll on a valiant Follands side though for much of the first half they remained in contention giving the home side a scare right on the half time whistle writes Roger Allen. Follands had the first shot on goal but Jamie Craven's shot was comfortably collected by Hartley's keeper Luke Williams. This was simply the prelude for Hartley to go up the other end and take the lead from a corner in the 4th minute. Josh Webb was on set piece duty and his far post corner was headed back across goal falling at the feet of Kingsley ESHUN who was allowed to turn and squeeze the ball home through a forest of legs. Both teams exchanged chances as the game settled with Hartley's Toby Raggett shooting wide and for Follands, Ethan Anders heading narrowly wide from a Fabio Manual cross. There then followed a prolonged period of midfield play but just after the half hour Raggett and Eshun swapped wings which quickly paid dividends. Firstly Raggett had a shot well saved by Henry Newman, Follands keeper, but then on 37 minutes ESHUN cut in from the left and scored with a powerful shot from a near impossible angle with ball going through the keeper's legs. The referee played 3 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half and the final action was a Follands corner which resulted in an Anders' header cannoning down off the underside of the bar and somehow failing to cross the line before the home defence scrambled the ball away. HT 2-0 Follands again had the first chance of the second half when Arshia Sheibatzadeh failed to make decent contact with a diving header from a Manual cross. Shortly after Ben Wright for Hartley was released by Sam Argent for a run on goal but his low shot was well saved by Newman. Just before the hour Hartley put the game out of reach with a 3rd goal. Raggett jinked his way to the by line and crossed for WRIGHT to score low past Newman. And shortly after Newman was called into action again as Webb spotted the goalkeeper off his line at a free kick from just inside the Follands half. His kick was inch perfect but Newman just got back in time to tip the ball over the bar. Newman made another good save on 73 minutes when Dom Griffiths broke through though he was unable to beat the keeper who was fast becoming Follands' man of the match. However he was powerless to stop ESHUN completing his hat trick on 78 minutes with yet another powerful finish. The final chance of the game fell to Follands when we ended how we began with Williams saving from Craven's free kick. So Hartley were worthy winners of the Invitational Cup - Covid willing - the one and only time the competition will be played. FT 4-0
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 45
SATURDAY 22 MAY HAMWORTHY UNITED 3-1 UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH SYDENHAMS LEAGUE CUP FINAL Hamworthy United were victorious in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup final after a 3-1 win over United Services Portsmouth at AFC Portchester, writes Cliff Pledge. With the game in the balance it was Hammers’ substitute Oliver Davis whose late goal settled the game and ensured the cup would be heading to Dorset. Having dominated the first half, scoring two early goals, it had been a much more even second half with USP pulling one back and having chances to draw level. Despite Services’ strong rally few in the crowd of 322 would deny that Hamworthy deserved the victory. It was a much-anticipated match between the team who had been top of the Premier Division when the season was curtailed and the Division One side who had gone furthest of all the League’s clubs in the FA Vase. United Services had dominated local headlines with their run to the semi-final and but for lady luck might have been double-booked with a trip to Wembley on the very same day. The game was played in challenging conditions with a blustery wind throughout, but it was Hamworthy who were quickest to settle. In a blistering first 14 minutes the Premier Division side took full control of the game and a 2-0 lead. Eddie Hodge came close to opening the scoring with a low shot in the second minute but Hammers fans only had to wait until the 4th minute before they had a goal to cheer. Referee Tom Berry decided Sonny Harnett-Balkwill’s foul on Cameron Munn was just outside the penalty area and from the free kick Steve Devlin drove a low free kick into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Just 10 minutes later they had doubled their lead; Matthew Neale showed great skill as he attacked from the left and his well-timed pass was side-footed home by Eddie Hodge for 2-0. Devlin, who had scored a hat-trick of long-distance goals in the semi-final, had another effort from range but his shot was always rising over. The Hammers threatened to extend their lead further during the half but Neale’s cross from the right was headed over by skipper Lee Francis and as the interval drew nearer Neale looked set to score himself but was denied by a save from Tom Price. United Services, playing on their sixth Saturday out of seven, had not shown what they were capable of and had been limited to half chances; a dangerous delivery from the left from Elliott Turnbull that neither Declan
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 45
Seiden nor Jack Chandler could get a head to, a well-executed Seiden volley over the top and a Jordan Pile swerving free kick that Turnbull directed towards goal, but straight at keeper Shane Murphy. It had been an extremely comfortable first half for Hamworthy and as the teams came off for half-time no doubt the United Services boss Glenn Turnbull realised he had to make his final team talk for the club count to get a reaction from his players. HT Hamworthy United 2 United Services Portsmouth 0 It had rained throughout the first 45 minutes but the sun came at the Crest Finance Stadium for the second half. Also changing for the better was United Services’ performance. Murphy was called into his first save in the 57th minute, doing well to tip over Harnett-Balkwill’s header. From the resulting corner the same player, at the opposite post, put another header just wide, protesting that he had been fouled. There was no Tyler Moret to save Services today, he performed heroics with two goals at the death in the semi-final the previous Saturday, but today he had to miss the game with injury. Instead it was a familiar source of goals that brought United Services back into the tie – James Franklyn. With 20 minutes to go he was well placed to score from close-range, his 19th of the season, the assist coming from substitute Josh Hazell’s first touch. Three minutes later Hazell curled a free kick into the penalty area and Tom Cain burst into the area but headed over the bar. That proved to be United Services’ best chance to force extra-time, although later Callum Glen appealed he was fouled in the area, then Seiden hooked a shot over the bar as the game became both frenetic and feisty. At the other end there were more skills from Neale but Price made a save to deny him from close range again. If referee Mr Berry hadn’t been too noticeable in the first half the same could not be said for the second, with a flurry of cards shown. The decision to sin-bin Harnett-Balkwill for dissent left United Services down to ten men in the closing stages, the player incensed the referee had not spotted an incident that had left him with blood on his face. With eight minutes to go the cup final was settled – Hodge had his shot saved but Oliver Davis followed up to fire in a shot of his own, which deflected past Price to win the game. Later still Hodge unselfishly squared to Davis when well placed to score himself, but Hodge was adjudged offside. FT Hamworthy United 3 United Services Portsmouth 1
LINE UPS: Hamworthy United: Shane Murphy, Declan Randall, Chris Clarke, Steve Devlin, Tony Rolls, Adam Costello, Eddie Hodge, Lee Francis © [Max Buckler], Cameron Munn [Ollie Davis], Dan Cann, Matt Neale [Drew Ecott-Young]. Unused subs: Tom Cooper, Jamie Filkins. United Services Portsmouth: Tom Price, Jack Chandler [Dan Sibley], Elliott Turnbull [Josh Hazell], Sonny Harnett-Balkwill, Tom Cain, Tom Jeffes ©, Jordan Pile [Harry Sargeant], Callum Glen, Andy Todd, Declan Seiden, James Franklyn. Unused subs: John Cass, Frankie Paige. Referee: Tom Berry
In the presentation that followed Devlin was awarded man of the match, the officials and the runners-up collected their medals before it was the turn of the victors to claim theirs and the ultimate prize – the cup itself. Lee Francis lifted the trophy aloft and the celebrations began (see photo at beginning of article, reproduced courtesy of Cliff Pledge). It had been a decent match and a good occasion, during the game both sets of supporters had been in good voice and afterwards both sets of players could be heard singing in their changing rooms.
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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 45
It is the second time the Hamworthy have won the competition, their previous triumph coming back in 2005 – and the first time in nine years it has been won by a Dorset club. For Tim Sills it was his first trophy as a manager and the upturn in fortunes since his arrival surely means many will be tipping the club for more success in the new season. There was plenty of talk on social media afterwards to remember Steve Harvey, the former chairman, who had sadly died earlier in the season and who had made the bold decision to appoint Sills. For Glenn Turnbull it was his final game as United Services Portsmouth manager, with Moneyfields his next assignment. But he leaves Services with a fine legacy, with all manner of club records broken in his two-year tenure; departing in the week that the FA had announced their promotion. Reaction on the game from both managers will be broadcast on the Sydenhams Wessex League Football Show this afternoon.
THE LAST WORD
The new allocations for 2021/22 have been released by the FA. We see a number of changes, and these are featured in the article above. First of all we lose Lymington Town who have been awarded with promotion, and a spot in the Southern League, South Division. We also say farewell to Fleet Town and Tadley Calleva both move to the Combined Counties. Fleet go into the new Premier Division South with Tadley in the Premier Division North New arrivals see Bush Hill (who intend to be renaming and branded as Millbrook in time for kick off) and Infinity come in from the Hampshire Premier League and another new team is Ash United, coming from the Combined Counties. Two other clubs are re-joining. Moneyfields took voluntary resignation from the Southern League and go to our Premier Division, whilst Fleet Spurs come back in the First Division from the Combined Counties. Finally it is congratulations to Alton, Hythe & Dibden and United Services Portsmouth who will be gracing the turf of the Premier Division next season. Good luck to all teams joining, moving or leaving- let’s hope we all have a good season. There is an appeal period of seven days which is available to any club wishing to do so, we understand there is a fee of £100.00, so by the time some of you read this, then any such club will be out of time.
Clubs are thanked for completing the recent Clubs Programme survey which has helped us identify the short and long term priorities for clubs within the league. Based on the information provided, Laura Smith (the League's FA Club Consultant) is currently developing an action plan. The plan will include ways in which we (the league and the FA) can help you achieve your priorities over the coming months. Some key themes emerged through the survey; areas which are a priority for many clubs in the league. These include finance, partnerships, facility improvements and volunteers. It is these areas in which support will be focused in the short term. Laura is keen to hear from clubs in the league who feel any of the above themes are a strength for them; she would like to speak with clubs who believe they could share some best practice with other clubs so you can learn from each other as well as through the other information and resources which will be provided. Do contact Laura on [email protected] or 07851 445704 if you would like to discuss any of the above or if you need any assistance with your off pitch work; she would be pleased to hear from you.
The League Cup draw for 2021/22 will be announced on the radio show this afternoon. To allow for the recent restructure of 21 Premier Division teams and 20 in the First Division, there will be nine First Round ties- and 23 byes to a 16 match Second Round. Who will the holders, Hamworthy United be paired with? Tune in to find out.
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