"We're Going To Wembley!"

FA Trophy First Round

Maidstone United 2-0 Salisbury City                                                          Attendance: 1,365

Maidstone United caused the biggest upset of the FA Trophy first round by knocking out last year’s semi-finalist’s Salisbury City, another scalp in their impressive form at The Gallagher Stadium.

It was a wet and miserable afternoon for spectators but the new stadium still brought in an impressive 1,365, just 300 under the average home game this year, but today the odds were stacked against them with Salisbury City fielding a whole host of players with vast experience in the football league.

But the first ten minutes it was neck and neck with both teams having fairly good chances to take an early lead only for lame shooting and the slippery surface getting the better of the forwards.

Impressing for Maidstone were both wingers, Alex Flisher and Warren Whitely, and it was them two combining that created the home side’s first real threat in the half. Flisher was facing the corner flag and looked to be going nowhere, until he cheekily back heeled it into the path of Whitely who, with a few step-over’s, went past one defender to the by-line where he drilled a low cross in only for James Clarke to clear ahead of Welford ready to pounce.

The game started to swing more into Maidstone United’s favour as the half progressed with the ball camped in Salisbury’s half the home side were starting to find gaps in the Salisbury defence.

It was Whitely again who found space down the right teasing the defenders with some more step-over’s which then opened space for himself to shoot at goal, only to shoot horribly over the bar.

Salisbury did have their chances though and on the half hour mark, the ex AFC Wimbledon midfielder, Ricky Wellard hit an absolute rocket from 20 yards out taking a slight deflection on its way to goal which rattled the crossbar.

But that proved the be Salisbury’s last chance of the half as five minutes later Flisher took one of his trademarks long throws where Ade Olorunda battled to win the flick on which found Nick Humphrey on the run to nod past the helpless Will Puddy and put the host’s 1-0 up.

The home fans were in raptures still celebrating by the time the second goal came. Three minutes before the end of the half Flisher picked up the ball 20 yards out and with one touch out of his feet hit a belter into the top left corner which then led to fans chanting, “we’re going to Wembley!”

The first half drew to a close and Maidstone were good measure for their lead and displaying why they are the only team representing the Ryman League South still in the competition.

There were slight worries at half-time if Maidstone had worked too hard in the first half and Salisbury were going to come out a changed team, and they did make one change bringing off Elliot Frear for their ever-present Daniel Fitchett, his first game of the season that he hasn’t started.

But the home side started where the left off and almost completed a carbon-copy of their first goal only with Shaun Welford taking Nick Humphreys place, but an awkward half-volley went wide.

It was getting very tense in the latter stages of the second half and it was getting frantic at the back for Maidstone with Salisbury finding space now and they couldn’t have come any closer when Fitchett rounded Mitten to shoot at an empty net only for birthday boy Tom Mills to run back towards his goal and intercept a certain goal.

The impressive Tim Olorunda copied his team-mates efforts moments later this time with a header off the line showing the home sides resilience.

Maidstone had weathered the storm and the last 10 minutes, as nervy as they were, the home side were coping much better with any attack from Salisbury and were able to hold up play more with Maidstone actually finishing how they had gone out all game, with the ball camped in Salisbury’s half and in the dying second Whitely could have added a deserved goal with a shot/cross that almost caught Puddy off-guard but he managed to scramble back and prevent the scoreline flattering Maidstone United.

After the game Maidstone United manager, Jay Saunders, revealed he has the upmost confidence in his team whoever he faces, “On our day we can give a lot of teams a good game,” he said.

Also with a huge win against a team two leagues above Maidstone Jay spoke about his ambitions for the club. “The main priority is getting out of the Ryman South,” he said, “I’m sure everyone at the club wants to get back in the league some day and AFC Wimbledon have proved it can be done.”

For now Maidstone can savour their sweet victory and Monday they find out their opponents in the second round, one thing is for sure that no team, after this result, wants to face Maidstone United at The Gallagher Stadium.

Maidstone United: Mitten, Mills, Osborne, Humphrey, Ward (Greenfield 17), Olorunda, Whitely, Phillips, Welford*, Olorunda (Bewick 82), Flisher (Woolery 85)Subs Not Used: Booth, Ibrahim

Salisbury City: Puddy, Udoji, Hart*, Clarke, Matthews, Wellard, Lewis, Sinclair, Frear (Fitchett 45), McPhee, White (Ademano 68)Subs Not Used: Scott, Baggridge, Clark

*Captains

Hurst by Name, Hurst by Nature

AFC Wimbledon 0-4 Southend United                                                         Attendance: 3753

A goal just before half-time by Gavin Tomlin left AFC Wimbledon deflated going into the break after a solid first half performance and Southend took full advantage of silly mistakes through Ryan Cresswell, a second from Gavin Tomlin and substitute Barry Corr rounding off the rout.

Although Kevan Hurst never got on the score sheet, unlike his obvious name-sake, Sir Geoff Hurst, he did provide assists for all four of Southend’s goals from a sublime flick to put Tomlin through for his first to three perfectly executed dead balls from which his team-mates happily obliged.

However AFC Wimbledon didn’t look like they were going to crumble to a 4-0 thrashing from the off when early on the ball was camped in Southend’s half with The Dons playing some decent football along the ground.

On eight minutes the impressive Jake Reeves found himself with a lot of space 25 yards out and was encouraged to shoot, and he didn’t disappoint with a cracking effort that skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Five minutes later and there big shouts for a penalty for Wimbledon for a handball against Ryan Cresswell but referee Bond waved away protests.

But for all the pressure the Southend United defence seemed to cope well with any phase of play that entered the final third and Paul Smith was never really tested with Jack Midson dropping deeper throughout the half to try and get involved in some play when he would have been better sticking in the box with Byron Harrison perhaps.

Then out of the blue on the 43^rd minute Kevan Hurst puts through Gavin Tomlin with a delicate little dink that caught the Wimbledon defence off-guard and with one touch away from the chasing Yado Mambo hits a thunderous shot across the helpless Neil Sullivan and leaving the home fans, and some away fans, stunned.

Wimbledon have been hampered with a massive injury list this season and top-scorer could well be another one added to that list as manager Neal Ardley took him off at half-time and in his replace young Charlie Strutton.

A goal before half-time knocks any teams’ confidence, but when you’re near the bottom and things aren’t going for you then it’s bound to open the floodgates.

That confidence knock definitely showed just two minutes into the half when Yado Mambo played what looked a routine head back to the keeper only for it to fall short and, if it weren’t for a quick reaction from Neil Sullivan to read the danger, Britt Assombalonga could have made the day a whole lot worse.

But it wasn’t until the 62^nd minute when Southend got their second. Hurst whipped in a corner that found Ryan Cresswell at the back post who jumped highest and nodded down into the ground to make it 2-0.

Southend really should have had more on the night and no chance was more blatant than when Hurst was through one-on-one with a player either side of him but chose to shoot himself, which proved to be the wrong decision with a very tame shot not even lifting off the ground into Sullivan’s grateful arms.

But moments later, on the 69^th minute, he redeemed himself, proving he may not have the strikers finish but is able to play the ball for strikers to finish. Hurst curled in a free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard box to find Gavin Tomlin on the run with no marker to nod home his second of the game and made it 3-0.

Substitute Barry Corr was able to get on the score sheet on the 90^th minute with Hurst collecting four assists for the game. Hurst played in another corner that bounced to Corr’s feet that had time to swivel and strike a powerful shot to finish Wimbledon off.

The result meant Wimbledon sit perilously close to the relegation zone whilst, in contrast, Southend United are on the verge of the play-off places.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Osano, Fenlon (Johnson 73), Mambo, Antwi, Long (Djilali 68), Francomb, Meades, Reeves, Midson, Harrison (Strutton 45).

Unused Subs: McNaughton, Jaimez-Ruiz, Harris, Merrifield

Southend United: Smith, Clohessy, Cresswell, Phillips, Barker (Prosser 73), Mkandawire, Timlin, Hurst, Laird, Assombalonga (Corr 70), Tomlin

Unused Subs: Eastwood, Bentley, Martin, Spicer, Woodyard

The football we never take notice of

I admit I probably should have published this blog before the match report and that was the plan before the game, but if you read through the main points in the match report you will understand I just had to write that first! In this blog I just want to give a brief word for women's football.

"Women can't play football, they belong in the kitchen!" is phrase used far too often when hearing women's football is on T.V, but something amazing happened this summer in the Olympics for Team GB when a women's side who struggle to bring in crowds in excess of 5,000 managed a (post-war) record attendance for a British women's football game when they beat Brazil 1-0.

You think that changed the perception on women's football? In an ideal world yes, but unfortunately not. Maybe participation has risen and that's something I wouldn't know but I was shocked when kick off approached at the Underhill stadium today between Barnet and Aston Villa ladies and a mere 52 fans came to watch what proved to be an incredible match (See last post for match report)

I couldn't fit in everything i wanted to say in the match report as the game had everything, but I wanted to actually give a word on the standard of football.

Tackles were flying in and i saw no prima-donna rolling around trying to get the opposition player booked. Some last ditch challenges from both defences; some slick passing through the midfield; and some great runs made by the forwards showed class all over the pitch. Now I'm not trying to say that this team can rival the Men's Barnet side (what with Edgar Davids tearing up the Underhill turf just days before the women step onto it) but it's a good enough standard to attract more than a few dozen people.

There's just no advertisement for the game. Go on to a big club website and a minute section on the ladies team is very hard to find let alone finding out Barnet have a ladies side. At the local bar I asked 5 locals if they knew the ladies team were playing... they all answered with no with two saying they didn't even know they had a ladies team!

Now I know it was Super Sunday and after a Saturday of watching their local team they're going to want to sit in the pub with a pint and watch the games, but even when I said the game was only £3 entry(and FREE for season ticket holders) they still refused. But this is something I see easily solvable.

A simple advertisement in the men's programme would not go a miss, maybe the local putting up signs of fixture lists for the women's team. Who knows because from what I've experienced there is nothing to help them out other than the few weeks of fame Britain's women football got at the Olympics.

Moan and groan over but I would definitely recommend finding out if any Ladies games are playing near you, plenty play in London, its cheap as chips so plenty of money for a half-time pint and full-time celebrations.

The FA Women's Super League is on in the summer months which gives you a great year of football, but for now here are links for the respective leagues:

Women's Premier League National Division - http://fulltime.thefa.com/ListPublicFixture.do?divisionseason=570707413&league=872938

Women's Premier League North Division - http://fulltime.thefa.com/ListPublicFixture.do?divisionseason=356824605&league=872938

Womens Premier League South Division - http://fulltime.thefa.com/ListPublicFixture.do?divisionseason=576717736&league=872938

There are too much leagues to advertise but please do check them out

Temperatures reach boiling point for Barnet

Barnet Ladies 0 - 2 Aston Villa Ladies

Barnet Ladies hosted Aston Villa at Underhill today and what was a tame first half soon erupted into a explosive affair that boiled over and saw some unsightly scenes for the home crowd.

A goal from Dani Petrovic and a penalty from Katie Wilkinson was enough to give Aston Villa the three points and push even closer to the promotion places in the FA Women's Premier League National Division.

But the win for Aston Villa was cast in the shadow of the last 15 minutes when a huge fight broke out after Barnet captain Danielle Murphy reacted badly to a challenge on her and although it wasn't much shock that Danielle Murphy was shown a straight red, there was some confusion over why Gemma Rudman was shown a straight red as well. As for Aston Villa the fact that only one of their players walked away with a yellow card proved a little unjustified.

That set the tempo for the final 10 minutes and Mark Sennett, the referee, was obviously struggling to control it and after what seemed a routine tactical block from Abbie Prosser was deemed more cynical by Sennett and pulled out a second yellow much to the bemusement of everyone.

The game started off a little tame with Barnet opting to change sides and start playing downhill, an advantage that is unusual to see on a League Two standard pitch. But Barnet were taking advantage of the slope and saw most of the possession in the first half.

Mark Sennett had a love affair with his whistle far too often in the first half opting to blow up on the softest of tackles, which started to grate on both sets of players, but none more so than the Barnet captain Danielle Murphy and eventually she saw yellow on 38 minutes after one too many moans.

"You three are killing the game!" ranted the Aston Villa coach just before half-time and that summed up the half with neither sides able to get any momentum going to really trouble either keeper, but Barnet were definitely the happier team going into the break.

But now Aston Villa were playing downhill and were taking full advantage of the slope in their favour with a few darting runs into the box by the impressive Emma Follis and Kelly Clarke.

On the 55th minute Aston Villa got their breakthrough finally when Dani Petrovic rose highest at the back post after a great delivery into the box from Folis to put the visitors ahead and 1-0 up.

Three minutes later it was the Follis and Clarke combination again that troubled Barnets defence when Aston Villa's number 11 managed to run with the ball past Jess Trimnell and find space and spotted the run of Follis with a beautiful low cross only for Alex Keown to get back just in time to stop a certain goal, something the Barnet left-back did all game.

Unfortunately the desperate defending from Barnet proved to be their catalyst on the 64th minute as Leanne Reidy brought down Clarke in the box and the referee had no choice to award a penalty, which was sublimely finished by, Aston Villa's number 9, Katie Wilkinson.

Barnet did have a few sniffs at goal with substitutes Chontele Lawrence and Holly Sandow impressing but were not clinical enough when they got the chance.

The game turned hostile on the 70th minute when a 50/50 challenge between Alex Keown of Barnet and Katie Wilkinson left Keown far worse off with screams that silenced the stands and players on the pitch. Tears could be heard from the left-back as she knew it was very bad and after five minutes of treatment on the field the stretcher was called and her right calf was bandaged up suggesting either an Achilles injury that will hopefully end up looking worse than it was.

Soon after that the game turned into a tough battling contest and eventually the challenges got out of hand with a tackle on Danielle Murphy stirring up a huge coming together which ended up with Danielle Murphy and Gemma Rudman being sent off, and Aston Villa being let off with a solitary yellow card.

As the game drew to a close Abbie Prosser was shown a very harsh second yellow card and even though Barnet were down to just 7 outfield players Aston Villa couldn't add to the lead and the referee decided against adding much time on probably for the best interest of the game.

Aston Villa did deserve the three points on the day as they were much more clinical infront of goal and made better use of the ball in the final third. Barnet however will have a week to get their heads back together and prepare for a tough test against Manchester City without potentially four first team starters.

Martin O’Neill Resurrects the Sleeping Black Cats

Martin O’Neill was given the position of resurrecting Sunderland’s season after Steve Bruce’s to some extent shock sacking. After seven games and 16 points out of a possible 21 he is well on his way to doing just that. Steve Bruce led Sunderland to 10th in the League last
year, their highest position for over 10 years, but Sunderland had failed to
build on that for the 2011/2012 season.

A mass overhaul in the summer caused a mix of excitement and confusion for the club’s fans and the latter turned into anger after the new-look side only won two games in the first 14 league games and led to the owners looking for a way out of their demise before it was too late.

In stepped Martin O’Neill, a man who had been out of the game for 16 months and had always been a manager well respected across the country and was once touted for the England job. His first task was to assemble his new team and bring his philosophy of beautiful football back to Sunderland. And with a battle of the bottom match against Blackburn, where better to win over your fans with a hard-fought 2-1 win with an injury time winner. He has managed to utilise squad players that were under-performing, the likes of Bendtner, Sessegnon and his two most surprising breakthroughs being young James McLean and Dong-Won Ji, and has managed to get the best out of them so far, something O’Neill is renowned for doing at all of his past clubs.

Six games later and he has got Sunderland up in 10th place and seemingly unstoppable. These points haven’t been so called easy games either with a win against table toppers Manchester City the stand-out result. But why was Martin O’Neill the man that was going to take Sunderland to the next level?

Martin O’Neill first led Wycombe Wanderers to gaining Football League status, the first time in the club’s history and then kept climbing the leagues to Division two. A spell at Leicester City saw him win the League cup twice which meant they were granted a place in the UEFA Cup each time. He then went on to manage his favourite boyhood club Celtic where, in his first season, he led them to win the domestic treble, the first time the club had done so since 1969.

His achievements at the club he loved kept on coming winning the League title three times, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup. His last club being Aston Villa in which he led them to three consecutive 6th place finishes in the Premier League before his departure in August 2010. His club record is outstanding and is exactly what Sunderland fans were looking for after a flurry of managers that hadn’t fulfilled fan potential in the past 10 years.

What Sunderland were looking for after the sacking of Steve Bruce was a man that can take the next step for the Football club, a man that can push for European places and get them to stay there. Martin O’Neill ticks all the right boxes and after a magnificent start to his career at Sunderland, which has led him to be named Manager of the Month for December; he is looking at a miraculous recovery for a club that was sitting in the relegation zone for the first half
of the season. Football is known as a game of two halves and after a diabolical first-half Sunderland will be hoping their fast start to the second half will continue and not fade out into full-time.