Tuesday 30th March 2010

Tompkins lost for words

MANAGER Mark Tompkins was "lost for words" after Chipstead conceded two goals in either half of Tuesday night's 4-1 defeat to Met Police.

Restricted to only a handful of goal-scoring opportunities, the Chips never looked like they were going to get anything from the game after going a goal down within five minutes.

Chipstead have not won a Ryman Division One South game in seven attempts, and are increasingly getting dragged into the relegation dogfight.

They have picked up just two points in that time as they fight to stay above the bottom two.

In contrast, Met Police came into the match off the back of a 2-0 victory over top of the table Croydon Athletic.

Chips face the Rams on Monday at the Keith Tuckey Stadium, in less confident mood than over Christmas, when Chipstead held them to a 2-2 draw at High Road.

Goalkeeping coach Julian Leigh, providing words in place of the speechless Tompkins, admitted the Chips were below par.

"I think the best side won. They were better all round the park than we were and they had more desire than us," he said.

"We had a spell of 20 or 25 minutes where we got the goal and looked like we were going to get back into it.

"But then we conceded the somewhat bizarre third goal and heads dropped sadly.

"The difference between the two sides was desire, we just didn't have enough.

"I think what really showed it was the fourth goal.

"It was in stoppage time and we had a free-kick, they broke and there were three or fourth of our guys in the box, but they scored."

New Chipstead goalkeeper Matt Bromby did not give the most confident performance, but Leigh believes there is better to come.

"I think Bromby might be disappointed with the first goal, but I think he pulled off a couple of good saves in both halves," he said.

"Overall I know there is more to come from him because I've seen him play so I know what he can do. If I was marking him out of 10 I would probably give him a six."

Chipstead, who host Horsham on Saturday, face Croydon on Easter Monday knowing they are just three points off Whitstable Town in the drop zone.

Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror

* * *

Chipstead's injury Crisis

Thursday, March 18, 2010

MARK Tompkins believes Chipstead need three or four wins from their remaining 10 games to guarantee staying up.

But he will not rush injured players back into action at promotion-chasing Walton & Hersham on Saturday as he strives to that aim.

The High Road boss watched in frustration as his side narrowly failed to take a point from high-flying Godalming Town, losing 1-0 at home despite having four players injured.

With a fixtureless midweek "coming at the right time," Chilpstead travel to Walton on Saturday before a trip to Ashford Town next Wednesday for what Tompkins says is a "vital" game.

"We need to win that, or worse case scenario draw," he said. "We can't afford to lose."

Striker and captain Scott Simpson (groin), midfielder Allan Matthews (hamstring) and defender Louis Hollingsworth (thigh) all missed last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Godalming.

Ray Freeman, who has injured ribs, came on as a substitute.

"We had a go at Godalming," said Tompkins, whose side have lost four of their last five Ryman One South games, "we're just not getting the rub of the green.

"We had a goal disallowed and hit the post. It's not going for us at the minute. We put in a good performance on Saturday, we just didn't get a result."

Defender Nathan Green went closest for the hosts at the end, with a 25-yard strike.

Tompkins hopes that his injured players, who are keeping physiotherpist Malcolm Cooper busy, will be back within "two to three weeks."

He added: "We need three or four wins out of the last 10 games and we'll probably give them another week's rest.

"We don't want to bring them back too early because if they get injured further they will be out for a month and that will be the end of the season."

Tompkins hopes to take Saturday's performance into the Walton match and is aiming for points. "It won't be easy. They are trying to get into the play-offs."

Courtesy of the Surrey Mirror

* * *

Mathews takes Chipstead plaudits

Thursday, February 18, 2010,

Mark Tompkins was eyeing moving up another couple of places by the end of the week with the games coming thick and fast for Chipstead.

A rule saying games should be rescheduled within 42 days of postponements mean Chips have to travel to Sittingbourne tonight (Thursday) while Tuesday's planned home game with Corinthian Casuals was called off.

But after a 1-0 win over Chatham last Saturday Tompkins says the team fears nobody - even if injuries mean they can rarely name the same starting XI.

The team spirit is so good that the squad has been booked in to Butlins for an end-of-season holiday in May.

While another Sean Rivers strike was enough to beat Chatham, midfielder Alan Mathews was man of the match.

Boss Tompkins said: "He broke everything in midfield and won all the second balls.

"If you spoke to Sean he would say the service he is getting at the minute is tremendous.

"AJ Morrison is in fine form and Ray Freeman is back on the other wing. Sean is really happy at the club. He's on fire at the minute and there's a good team spirit. We're all going to Bognor at the end of the season for a 70s week."

The striker's goal gave him 13 in the league, making him joint second highest scorer. He is on a par with Martin Grant - who netted most of his 13 for Walton Casuals before a switch to Walton & Hersham - and only three behind Gary Noel, of second placed Croydon Athletic, one of Rivers' old clubs.

Victory took Chipstead to fifth from bottom.

Tompkins knows other teams could catch up but he said: "I'd rather have points in the bag than games in hand."

Having dented Chatham's ailing play-off hopes, another top five candidate awaits tonight and one in the top five, Worthing, host the Chips at the weekend.

Tompkins said: "We drew 0-0 at home with Sittingbourne with a team much weaker than we've got now. It won't be easy, but we'll be full of confidence after three clean sheets in a row."

That is in part due to James Wastell, who he described as "the best keeper in the league", and defenders James Russell and Nathan Greene.

"Worthing beat us 2-1 at home with two goals early on and we dictated play for 80 minutes."

Arron Smith (groin) and Louis Hollingsworth (stomach) are out, frustrating Tompkins' attempts to name the same 11.

Report courtesy of the Surey Mirror

* * *

Chipstead 'not at races' in Merstham derby

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Chipstead manager Mark Tompkins said his side were "not at the races" when suffering a 1-0 defeat to Merstham on Saturday.

And he says players on the bench now have the right to knock on his door after their local rivals ended a five-game unbeaten run.

One, Michael Donovan, is likely to get the chance because Louis Hollingsworth needs another stomach operation, the first having kept him out for two months.

Tompkins is confident his settled squad can start another run of points-gaining games at Sittingbourne on Saturday, then Ashford Town next Wednesday - weather permitting.

Keeper James Wastell was named man of the match, but Tompkins felt that gave an unbalanced view of the game.

"I don't know about that - we had four one on one chances," the manager observed, unsurprisingly saying that the Chips would work on their finishing in their first matchless midweek for a month.

"One of my players wanted to pass in the six yard box instead of shooting and I can't understand that."

While not naming him, Ray Freeman had two one-on-one chances, AJ Morrison and Scott Simpson another each.

"We didn't take our chances. Wastell was given man of the match but I can't remember him making that many saves.

"On Saturday we weren't really at the races. We showed Merstham in the previous game [a 3-0 win on Boxing Day] what we were capable of and if we'd played like that again we'd have beaten them comfortably.

"I did tell the boys beforehand that Merstham would be up for it. Whether we over-indulged over the New Year I don't know.

"With the side we've got now I don't think we're frightened of anyone.

"But the boys have got to be up for games. We can't carry anyone.

"You can't keep players happy on the bench but while the team is winning you can't change it. Now the players who aren't in the side can knock on my door."

Donovan and James Russell are both players Tompkins wants to integrate into the first team and with Ray Freeman taking time out to visit relatives in the next few weeks there will be opportunities for those on the sidelines.

Chipstead are much-changed in personnel since the drawing 0-0 at home with 10th placed Sittingbourne, with only one or two of the squad left.

"They are a bit hit and miss, they go on runs and then lose a few but we go into the game positive," he said, adding that the trip to bottom placed Ashford was "another six pointer", where Chipstead will be looking to add to victories over fellow lowly-placed teams Horsham YMCA and Whitstable in recent weeks.

Courtesy of Surrey Mirror

* * *

I'm Glad to be back!

JAMES Wastell helped Chipstead claw their way out of the bottom two in the Ryman South on Tuesday night then declared: "It's good to be back."

Several fine saves by Wastell (pictured) kept fellow strugglers Whitstable at bay after Mark Tompkins' men racked up a 3-0 half-time lead.

And super stopper Wastell reckons the High Road outfit are better equipped to compete in the division than last year's team who finished in the bottom two.

The 32-year-old left the club where he began as a junior in the summer.

There are still pictures of him in junior teams "when I had hair" on the walls in the clubhouse before he left for an apprenticeship at Welling.

But having balanced his new job as a scaffolder with his favourite sport while playing for Horley, Wastell could not resist the call when Tomkins, an old pal from their Whyteleafe days, came calling.

After a confident display of keeping, he said: "I enjoyed myself. It is nice to get three points and a clean sheet - especially after Saturday."

On that occasion, Chips were given the runaround by Tommy Hutchings of Leatherhead, who scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.

"It's good to be back at the club. I was at Horley but I wanted to play at a higher standard and I'd played with Tommo who's a good friend.

"I was here in pre-season, but I'd started a new job as a scaffolder. I had the option to work Saturdays, but I've got a good boss."

The new job, compared to the old one of a delivery driver, took a "bit of getting used to," but getting up to the chill of 6am was no problem for a goalkeeper who plays in short sleeves.

Eyeing another victory at another struggling team, Horsham YMCA, on Saturday, he said: "This season I think we've got a young side and a better footballing side than last year.

"Definitely when we gel, as there have been a few changes, we can start moving up the table. We've got the team to do it. The quality is there. Last year there was not as much quality as we have now. We had more experience, but I think we will do well. Tommo has brought in some good signings."

He paid tribute to new boy Russell Bedford, the right back, and praised the centre backs James Russell and Mathew Donovan, but also two-goal scorer Sean Rivers, who now has eight goals in eight games. "That's what you need," Wastell said, "someone who will put chances away, alongside Scott Simpson."

Credited by some for playing a major part in getting Chipstead to the fourth qualifying round against Torquay in the FA Cup last season, he said: "It was a great day at Torquay - I'd love to do it again, maybe next year."

Courtesty of the Surrey Mirror

* * *

Chipstead benefit from players dropping down

Thursday, November 12, 2009

MARK Tompkins always felt it would take time to build a squad at Chipstead, because players would try their luck at other "bigger budget" clubs first, writes Ian Lamont.

But after a narrow Isthmian League Cup defeat to Godalming on Tuesday the High Road boss said Chips would be highly confident of another win at Ashford Town (Kent) to match last weekend's 4-2 win at Eastbourne Town.

Last week he picked up striker Sean Rivers.

The forward, who started and finished last season at Whyteleafe, scored twice last Saturday after signing from Godalming Town.

"Sean looks a goal threat. When the ball comes into the box we need someone to go and attack it.

"He was at Walton and Hersham in pre-season and I tried to get him then and didn't realise at first he had gone to Godalming.

"I fancy he will score goals for us, but we need to contribute more from all over the park.

"We've come a long way since the start of the season.

"We're a low budget club and I said all along it would take six to eight weeks.

"Players try out at your Suttons and Carshaltons and then come back to this level and we're gradually getting a settled squad."

After a 2-1 defeat to Godalming, both sides fielding some squad players, he said: "We can match them as a squad, but we've still got to cut out the individual errors and start taking our chances.

"The most pleasing thing last Saturday was when they scored their second goal we didn't go into our shell as we normally do."

James Russell (hamstring) was among those rested on Tuesday, along with livewire winger Ray Freeman.

Chips have another cup tie next Tuesday, hosting Walton Casuals in the first round of the Surrey Senior Cup. Tompkins declared: "I think they are beatable. We played them up here and drew 1-1. We should have beaten them and we're a lot stronger now."

Victory would bring a tie against Lingfield, a division lower in the Sussex County Division One, with the winners at home to Colliers Wood or Egham.

"It's important to have a cup run," said Tompkins. "It keeps the season alive and it does give the squad players a run as well."

First comes the trip to Ashford, which Tompkins called "another six pointer" after Saturday's win took Chips out of the bottom two.

Tompkins said: "From Saturday to Tuesday to Saturday we're going in full of confidence."

Coutesey of the Surrey Mirror

 * * *

Mark Tompkins, manager of Ryman league Division One South club Chipstead, is refusing to get carried away by the club's impressive pre-season form.

The Chips have won four and drawn one of their friendlies so far, the last being a 3-1 win over Erith Town, but former Croydon manager Tompkins  is urging restraint about the results however.

"The results don't really mean that much, pre-season is about fitness and preparation," he said.

"I've managed a team before when they've had a great pre-season then lost five games in a row.

"We've got a tough first game against Burgess Hill Town and then Dartford who are a big club with a large budget, but on the plus side, that match is at home."

Chipstead have two friendlies left, away at Loxwood this Saturday then at home to Ryman Premier side Carshalton Athletic on August 8th.

New signings for Chipstead are still being negotiated but definitely joining the team are Ray Freeman, formerly of Maidstone United, Matt Howard, the Tooting & Mitcham United midfielder, and young talent Duwayne Morris from Sevenoaks Town.