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Read hails 'best ever' season for Chipstead

Friday, May 04, 2012

"THIS has been the best season the club has ever had," admitted assistant manager Mick Read, despite being disappointed with Chipstead's tenth place finish in the Ryman League Division One South.

Challenging for a play-off spot for most of the season, a hard run-in saw Chipstead fail to win a game in April and Read believes internal disruption within the club did not help matters.

"Tenth place is as high as we finished last season which was a record at the club," Read explained. "And we would have beaten last year's points total had the win against Croydon Athletic not been wiped from the records.

"We were on quite a good run through February and into March, but when the chairman left so suddenly it disrupted things."

Chipstead have yet to appoint a new manager, but Read is confident there are many candidates within the club who could do the role well.

Despite the record-equally season, Read and Chips manager Mark Tompkins will always find room for improvement.

"I was speaking to the vice-chairman and he said it had been a really, really good season for the club," Read said. "But as management we will always look at what might have been - games where we could have got more points."

However, it was not a great final game of the season for the Chips who suffered an emphatic defeat to Whitehawk, the eventual Ryman South champions.

"We set ourselves up quite defensively because we had a few injuries," Read explained. "We let a couple of goals in during the first half and a couple in during the second, that's probably all there is to it."

But the High Road club have already started planning for next season, hoping to achieve their aim of a play-off spot.

Report courtersy of the Surrey Mirror

* * *

Tompkins' top seven bid turns to Stone

Thursday, April 19, 2012

MARK Tompkins saw Chipstead's hopes of a top seven finish end on Saturday - but he says a top 10 finish for Chipstead would represent a fantastic season.

The High Road club were defeated 3-0 by play-off chasing Maidstone United last Saturday.

Having finished 10th on 57 points last season - the club's highest in Ryman League Division One South - he wants to exceed that placing and total.

"I'm not going to go on too much about budgets," he said, "but some of the play-off teams have probably got themselves into a good position and then added money at the end of the season.

"We're not in a position to do that. I still look at it as a good season for the club, because to be even competing for a play-off place for so long is a great achievement. We were 10th last year and I don't think we've been out of the top 10 all season."

With two games to go his ninth-placed side, on 56 points, sit eight points below seventh-placed Worthing, ending top seven hopes.

"We've just got to look at playing Folkestone now and finish in the top 10," he added.

"It's probably where we should end up on the budget we had."

Maidstone scored two early goals, after which Chipstead had a goal disallowed, when Bruce Hogg's 25-yard drive was ruled out for a push. "We dominated possession in the second half, but just couldn't turn chances into goals," added the High Road boss.

"We've played teams all going for the play-offs and conceded sloppy goals at wrong times," he said of a third defeat in a row.

Midfielder Jason Goodchild, who joined Luke Coleman up front, is the only absentee this weekend, through suspension.

Courtsey of the Surrey Mirror

* * *

Tuesday 17th April 2012

We all knew that April was going to be a tough month for fixtures. We travelled to top of the league Dulwich and lost 3-0, and then played Godalming at home on Easter Monday. The game could have gone either way but Godalming took their chances and we missed quite a few. Last Saturday we travelled to Maidstone Utd who had to win to stay in the play offs. They won the game in the first twenty minutes when we made mistakes at the back and found ourselves 2 nil down. In the second half we played well but yet again the chances that fell to us we failed to put away. They scored their third in the last minute as we were caught pushing up looking for a goal and again we lost 3-0.

This Saturday we entertain Folkestone, another team who are fighting for a play off position and our last game of the season is away to third place Whitehawk who I quite fancy might win the league. It looks like the play offs will consist of Dulwich Hamlet, Bognor Regis, Folkestone and Maidstone United or Godalming. At the bottom it is a straight fight to the end between Burgess Hill and our near neighbours Whyteleafe.

On the injury front, Jordan Brown, Tom Battams and Fabian Bachelor are all out for the rest of the season. Martin Grant is out on loan at Epsom and Ewell and our manager Tommo has recalled Kofi Quartly from Erith Town.

The reserves won 3-2 at home to Colliers Wood to stay fourth in their league and the under 18s drew 1-1 at Carshalton Athletic to stay third in the Ryman Youth League. The third team won their first game for a month last Saturday beating Merstham Newton 4-3 and are currently lying sixth in the Redhill and District premier league.

This Saturday 21st we are holding our player of the year presentation night in the clubhouse from 8pm, entrance is free so all are welcome. I would like to thank all our supporters who have travelled to many grounds and beyond to cheer us all on. I hope to see you all next season.

Tompkins: Chips 'unlikely' to reach play-offs.

Friday, April 13, 2012

CHIPSTEAD boss Mark Tompkins has conceded defeat in his side's push for the play-offs after two losses over the Easter weekend.

The Chips went down 3-0 at title-chasing Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, before crashing to a 2-1 defeat at home to Godalming Town on Monday.

And Tompkins said that while it is not mathematically impossible for his side to reach the play-offs, being eight points off Worthing in fifth, realistically their hopes were over.

He said: "I think we are eight points off with three to play.

"It is not over mathematically, but it is unlikely.

"Those teams would have to lose all three."

Tompkins added that he had no complaints with the result at Dulwich on Saturday, adding that they were a good side, although he said he felt the home match with Godalming could have gone either way.

"We had a go on Saturday, but we didn't quite do enough," he said.

"But on Monday, it could have gone either way after Luke Coleman's goal brought us level.

"I thought there was only going to be one winner at that point, but we let in another and that was that."

The results leave the Chips in ninth place, one point behind local rivals Merstham after their 3-2 win at Whyteleafe.

But Tompkins said he was purely concentrating on his side, rather than local rivalry.

"We want to finish as high as we can. It is more about us - we have three tough games to go.

"If we finish above them then fine, but we have just got to do what we can do."

Next up for the Chips is a trip to face play-off chasing Maidstone United and Tompkins said he expected another tough encounter.

"We will go there and do our best," he said.

"But they will be wanting the points as they are still looking for a play-off spot."

Meanwhile, Chipstead have agreed to ground share with Combined Counties Premier League side Epsom & Ewell next season, with the Chips' reserves' side withdrawing from the Suburban League.

* * *

Saturday 7th April

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Last month Epsom and Ewell FC, from the Combined Counties league, approached Chipstead Football Club asking if we were interested in ground sharing with them next season.

We quickly arranged an officers meeting and discussed it at length and we voted unanimously to accept their offer.

This meant that we had to withdraw our reserve team from the Suburban League as we could not have all the extra games on the pitch.

This was a decision we did not make lightly but was necessary for us to compete and survive in the Ryman's league.

* * *

Friday 6th April

Chipstead have 'no fear' for tough run .

Friday, April 06, 2012 Surrey Mirror

CHIPSTEAD head into a hard run of games with "no fear," according to boss Mark Tompkins.

The Chips warmed up for a trip to face the league leaders Dulwich Hamlet with a 5-1 demolition of struggling Burgess Hill Town.

And Tompkins said he believes his side are good enough to win at Dulwich.

He said: "They are on a great run, but we believe we can turn them over.

"We are not going to go there with any fear and we won't go there to play for a draw - we are going there to win."

Tompkins said that he would know more about where his side could finish in the league after the Easter games against Dulwich and Godalming Town, adding that six points would put the Chips right in the play-off shake-up.

He said: "If we can get six points, we will be in the mix.

"But if we don't, we will still have had a good season."

The Chips currently lie eighth in the Ryman League Division One South table, following two successive wins against Ramsgate and Burgess Hill.

Fabian Batchelor, who joined the Chips from neighbours Whyteleafe, bagged his first two goals for the club in the latest win, while his strike partner Luke Coleman was also on target, alongside centre-backs Matt York and Rob Watkins.

Tompkins said: "It was good to see the two strikers score and the two centre-backs too, although Matt [York] is starting to become a little bit prolific.

"Fair play to Burgess Hill though, they had a right go at us.

"But it was a good win and a good performance from us.

"And we needed a good performance like that with the hard run of games we have coming up -we didn't want to slip up."

Including this weekend's games, Chipstead face five of the seven sides above them in their last five league fixtures, with Maidstone United, Folkestone Invicta and Whitehawk all still to play after this weekend.

And Tompkins said: "We are going to take one game at a time.

"We believe we can beat anyone on our day, but we will just see where we can get to."

Meanwhile, Tompkins added that he was fortunate to have a full squad to choose from at this stage of the season, heading into the hard run of fixtures.

* * *

Wednesday 4th April

For the second week running we have scored a goal in the first few minutes. At Ramsgate Matt York scored after two but last Saturday against Burgess Hill new signing Fabian Batchelor scored after 44 seconds. This gave the team a great start and they went on to record there biggest win of the season so far by winning 5-1. Luke Coleman scored a very good goal running onto a pass and chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. Matt York and Rob Watkins both scored from well rehearsed corners and Fabian scored his second goal with a good left foot shot from 20 yards out.

As we now enter the last few games of a very good season, I don't think the teams above us in the league are relishing the thought of playing us. The league title is wide open with three teams looking like winning it. Dulwich, Bognor and Whithawk are all separated by a few points and Chipstead are going to have a big say in the race as we have to play Dulwich and Whithawk.

Manager Mark Tompkins has been busy in the last few weeks wheeling and dealing before the signing deadline. He signed forwards Luke Coleman from Sittingbourne, Fabian Batchelor and Jay Garrick from Whyteleafe, Kane Rice a wide player from Hythe Town and the returning Ellis Conroy a full back. To balance the books he has released Julian Thompson, forward Kyle Hough has returned to Horley Town in the combined counties and goalkeeper Steve Northwood has signed for Maidstone.

On the injury front we only have one major problem with full back Jordan Brown still suffering with a groin injury which has kept him out of the team for the last three games. Matt York has a slight back strain but will be ok, and Tom Battams is now fully fit and trained well during the week.

The reserves have lost their last couple of games but should finish fourth in the league. The third team won 4-2 at South Park and still have four games left. Our under 18s beat Met Police 3-1 last Wednesday and stay third in a very strong Ryman youth league.

* * *

Sunday 1st April

Chipstead FC, from the Ryman's South League, were dealt a blow last month when their chairman Nigel Scarborough suddenly announced he was resigning due to personal reasons.
In his two years in charge he helped guide Chipstead football club to become a respectable Ryman club on and off the field. His organization and enthusiasm will be missed but the club fully understands the reasons for his decision.
The officers of the club will now step up their search for a new chairman and hope a suitable person will come forward in the next few weeks to carry on the good work Nigel was doing.

* * *

Tuesday 27th March

It was Jimmy Greaves who said football is a funny old game. I sensed during the weeks training that a few people were a little down and didn't fancy our chances at Ramsgate last Saturday. I have been to Ramsgate football ground about six times and I don't think I have seen a victory there as it is a hard place to go and play,and also it is a long journey.

I had just sat down in my seat when we went 1-0 up. We were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal, Bruce Hogg and Mattie York both stood over the ball and I said to Fordy that Bruce will have a crack at this one. As usual I got it wrong. The ball was rolled to Yorky who smacked it into the top left hand corner for a great goal. This set the standard of the display by the team. It was our best away performance of the season and we could of won by eight goals if we had taken our chances. The referee tried to help them by giving the most soft penalty decision I seen all season. I don't know how Tommo and the management team kept there cool when the referee pointed to the spot. We need not of worried as Martin Grant pulled off a great save to keep the ball out and the team in the game. Bruce Hogg scored the second with another great shot from outside the penalty area just before half time which is the perfect time to score. In the second half two goals from our new signing Luke Coleman made it 4-0, but as always we conceded a last minute goal to Ramsgate to make the final score 4-1. I think I saw Tommo smile as he was walking off the pitch at the end of the game.

This has set us up nicely for remaining fixtures starting with Burgess Hill this coming Saturday,followed by Dulwich away and Godalming at home on Easter Monday. I must mention Rob Watkins our centre back. One week ago against Bognor Regis he received a very nasty blow on the nose which required him to be taken off and a visit to the local hospital. A broken nose is a two or three week job but Rob trained on Thursday, declared himself fit and went out and played another good game at Ramsgate. If there is ever another war in this country I would like to be next to, or behind him in the trenches as he is as strong as an ox and one of the bravest players I seen.

Our reserve team had two good victories in the last week. They beat Chessington and Hook 5-0 on Tuesday night and last Saturday won 3-1 against a good Crawley Down team. The youth team beat Leatherhead 1-0 in the Ryman youth league on Wednesday and the third team drew 0-0 at South Godstone.

* * *

Tuesday 13th March

Its been a very busy couple of weeks for the Chipstead Football Club. We received the news that our chairman Nigel Scarborough had resigned for personal reasons. We all wish him well and he is invited to come and visit us anytime he wants to. In the two years as chairman, he worked very hard and has left us in a respectable position on and off the field.

Our manager Mark Tompkins has been busy wheeling and dealing in the transfer market for our tough run of fixtures at the end of the season. Hugo Langford has joined from Horsham FC as a coach to join our management team. Three players, goalkeeper Steve Northwood,forward Marcus Elliott and midfield player Josh James have all been released,along with full back Owen Davies who has gone to the USA for six months. To replace them he has signed Kyle Hough, Horley Towns leading goal scorer, forwards Fabien Batchelor and Jay Garrick from Whyteleafe. Luke Coleman from Sittingbourne, who can play upfront or wide right signed late last week. Also he has signed Jamie Beverage on Ryman forms from our youth team.

All four new signings went straight into the first team squad last Saturday when we beat Sittingbourne quite comfortably 2-0 with goals from Jordan Brown and Rob Watkins. The team played quite well and restricted Sittingbourne to just one shot on target which our keeper Martin Grant dealt with easily.On Tuesday we also beat our local rivals Whyteleafe 1-0 with ex leafe player Jason Goodchild scoring the only goal. These two victories has put us in good sprits for the visit of top of the league Bognor Regis. We played them on the opening day of the season and played very well only to lose to a last minute goal.

The ressies went to Corinthian Casuals on Saturday in the league cup with a very young side and I was told by manager Tony Stone that they played very well only to go out of the cup 7-6 on penalties after drawing 1-1. The youth team have had a mixed couple of weeks winning both there league games but lost 3-0 to Ashford Town in the league cup. Next Wednesday 21st March they are home to Leatherhead FC. The third team drew with top of the table Limpsfield Blues 2-2 but lost 7-3 on Saturday to AFC Reigate.

* * *

CHAIRMAN RESIGNS

Chipstead FC chairman, Nigel Scarborough resigned this week with immediate effect. He informed the officers of the club on Wednesday stating personal reasons for his decision. In his two years as chairman the club has grown to be a respected Ryman football club and he leaves the club in a good healthy position and we all wish him well. The officers of Chipstead will now sit down and discuss the future this week and hope to have a new chairman in place soon.

* * *

Monday 5th March

Chipstead FC chairman, Nigel Scarborough resigned this week with immediate effect.He informed the officers of the club on Wednesday stating personal reasons for his decision.In his two years as chairman the club has grown to be a respected Ryman football club and he leaves the club in a good healthy position and we all wish him well. The officers of Chipstead will now sit down and discuss the future this week and hope to have a new chairman in place soon.

* * *

Sunday 19th February

At last we had a game of football on a Saturday afternoon after two weeks of being snowed off. The last two Saturdays I have been watching the rugby on the TV and can anyone please tell me the rules of the game as I still cant work out what a foul or a penalty is in that oval shaped game.

Manager Mark Tompkins has tried to keep the lads fit by training in the snow and we did manage to get a friendly against Thamesmead last Wednesday evening, so the boys were still in good condition when we played at Corinthian Casuals last Saturday. Everyone is fit except forward Marcus Cassius who has a back problem. Also missing for two games is Jason Goodchild who is serving a two match ban for 10 bookings this season.

At Casuals we drew 1-1 and it was a case of dropping another two points not gaining one. As always this season we had the chances to win but could not get the ball in the net. Casuals were happy with the draw as they were wasting time while the score was still level. In the second half we were the only team that looked likely to win the game and in the non league paper their goalkeeper was named man of the match which was written by the Casual reporter. Two thirds of the season has now gone and we still have a chance of reaching the play offs, but we must turn the draws into victories.We are still in seventh place in the league which is well done to the lads.

The ressies have only played one game since xmas and yet again they have no game this coming Saturday. The youth are even worse off as they have not played since before xmas due to the weather. Last Saturday they played the ressies in a 90 minute practice game so as to get much needed match play ready for there fixture at Whyteleafe on Thursday 23rd weather permitting.They are still in the league cup where they are due to play Ashford Town away.

* * *

Casuals game a 'must-win'

Friday, February 17, 2012

MARK Tompkins reckons Chipstead must win at Corinthian-Casuals this weekend if they are to keep their Ryman League play-off dream alive.

The Chips boss takes his team to King George's Field on Saturday sitting seventh in the table eight points off the top five, having played a game less than their promotion rivals.

And Tompkins thinks anything less than three points will effectively end his team's Premier Division charge.

"I think Casuals are a very good side but it is the kind of game we need to win if we want to stay in touch with the teams in the play-off positions," he said. "They are having a very good season so we know it won't be easy but we have to go there believing we can win.

"To be honest it will just be nice to play a game as the weather has made things very difficult for us over the last couple of weeks. Our pitch is still covered in snow at the moment so if this game was at home I think it might be in doubt but from what I understand Casuals' pitch should be fine."

Chips, who have traditionally struggled, are exceeding expectations by maintaining their place in the promotion shake-up, although Tompkins is keen to keep the pressure off his players.

"We finished 10th last season and our target this year is to do better than that," he added. "Anything else is a bonus but we are going out to get as many points as we can and finish as high as possible.

"I don't know if we have reached as high in the table as possible for a club of our size and budget, we'll see. We've made huge progress over the three years that I have been here and I have seen the club grow on and off the pitch.

"The chairman has done a superb job off the field and the reserves and youth team have got stronger and stronger as well. We have some very good young players coming through and that is very important for us as we look to move forward."

Tompkins thinks it will be harder for his side to maintain their league position as teams start to approach the High Road outfit with a more negative mind-set.

"We used to be the division's whipping boys but I've noticed that teams are now coming to us and setting up more defensively," he added. "Suddenly a point against us is seen as quite a good result and we are going to have to learn to beat teams when they are making themselves difficult to break down."

The Chips boss revealed he will not be strengthening his squad for the run in. Tompkins had been linked with a striker but the unnamed player decided to stay with his current club.

* * *

Friday 10th February

Tompkins sets his sights on Whyteleafe double

Friday, February 10, 2012

It is a derby with added spice on Saturday with both Chipstead and Whyteleafe seeing the fixture as a "must-win" for their fight at opposite ends of the Ryman League.

Chipstead are just six points off their target of a play-off place this season, but at the other end of the Division One South table Whyteleafe languish seven points from safety. Chipstead won the reverse fixture 2-0 at Church Road, and with home advantage will be favourites for Saturday's match, but Mark Tompkins, who was the Ryman South's manager of the month for January, is not taking the derby game lightly.

"It is definitely an important game for us," Tompkins insisted. "It is a game we want to win. We know that whenever we play Whyteleafe it is a tough game though, it doesn't matter that they are down the bottom of the table; they will give us a tough game. That is what you get in these derbies.

"Whyteleafe have some good players now, you look at their team and think they shouldn't be where they are in the table, but we have only lost three games in the last 20, so it will be a good game."

Last weekend Chipstead's game away to Worthing was called off, while Leafe had a free weekend having originally been scheduled to play Croydon Athletic, who have now resigned from the Ryman League. But Tompkins was not letting a bit of snow stop his players preparing for a big run in to the end of the season.

"We have had training in the snow on the grass behind the main pitch. The players had a laugh and a joke and a bit of a snowball fight but fitness is important," Tompkins said. "Fitness was something I highlighted at the start of the season and we haven't missed a training session yet. It's important to have a good level of fitness and I think you can see we finish games as well as we start them."

With their close proximity there are number of players who have turned out for both sides. Forward Scott Simpson will be making his first return to High Road as a Leafe player on Saturday, and it will be only the second appearance in a Chipstead shirt for former Leafe midfielder Alec Brown.

"He actually came to me," Tompkins explained of his new signing Brown. "He obviously didn't feel he was getting a chance down at Whyteleafe and he's a good addition to our squad so I was happy to have him."

One signing that didn't quite come off for Tompkins was a new striker, but the manager has hopes that he might still add another forward before the March registration deadline.

"The striker I was after decided to stay at his club," Tompkins explained. "I'm still looking to get someone in before the deadline though. But maybe I will think again about that if people start scoring. Marcus Cassius has done okay, but it is about more than just the striker; everyone needs to start chipping in with the goals.

"If you look at the teams at the top of the table they have goals coming from everywhere, centre-halves included."

* * *

Monday 6th February

Tommo

Mark Tompkins has won the Ryman league south manager award for January. Chipstead were unbeaten in the league during the month winning 10 points from a possible 12.

* * *

Wednesday 1st February

Last weekend I said it was a very good day for Chipstead FC. This weekend it was a disappointing day. The first team should of won the game instead of drawing 1-1 against Hythe Town who are just below us in the league. (how many times have I said that this season. I think it is the seventh time. ) The second tem lost 1-0 away to bottom club East Grindstead and the third team lost 6-2 at Racing Epsom in the league cup. The first team trained well during the week and were in good sprits before the game. They were at full strength with only Callam Oshea missing,who is due back this Saturday. The team performed well but played into the hands of a very big, tall Hythe team. We kept knocking the ball up to our forwards which was dealt with quite easily by their big defenders. When we got the ball wide we looked dangerous and our goal came from a good low hard cross into the danger area in the box. We gave away a poor goal being caught square but apart from that our back four dealt with everything with ease. We are in the last third of the season and still have plenty to play for.We have a big game at Worthing this Saturday as they are just above us in the league.I still think it will be between Bognor or Whitehawk for the title and with Bognor losing Jason Prior to Wimbledon it might just tip the balance to Whitehawk.

Tuesday 24th January

Good afternoon and welcome. My name is Nigel Scarbrough and I am the chairman of Chipstead football Club. I would like to give an update of where we are as a club.

Buster and his team are doing a fantastic job with the under 6 year olds on Saturday mornings . Turn out has been very very good with numbers coming in between 60 and 70. The team work very well together and it is great enjoyment for the kids and the parents. It assists the club greatly

Richard Sargent has done a great job also in managing the youth section and the managers. Structure is in place to move forward and we are stronger than last year. We have a good set of youth managers and well done to the all for where they are so far

Our U18 youth side are strong this year and are being managed by John Eagon. At the time of writing they are sitting second in the league and have been playing very well we also have 5 of the team representing Surrey

The reserves started very strong and then dropped off slightly. They are getting strong again and have won the last two games. Tony Stone is using a few of the 1^st team squad and some under 18 players as well and this is making our set up stronger

The first team is sitting 7^th in the league and this is the highest they have ever been. It is without a doubt that we are stronger than in the past and even the games we have lost are usually by one goal only. Tommo is a top manager and has surrounded himself with a good management team. Our dream is to finish in the top 5 and go in the play offs this is a big dream but is worth going for

I would like to thank some new people that have joined this year. Tim Beckett our treasurer, Mark Budd our programme editor Jamie and Dave Junior coaching directors and Geoff Corner vice chairman seniors they are all doing great jobs. Also I would like to thank all staff that put it in for the club. Everyone does a great job and makes it work very well.

This is my second year as Chairman and without doubt the club is stronger than last year in all areas. It's good to see the supporters and I am sure that the more success we have the more support we will have. If I have left out someone who should be mentioned the I apologise. It is my intention to make this club as strong as possible and look forward to the future

Nigel Scarbrough

* * *

Monday 23rd January 2012

What a good weekend it was for Chipstead Football Club. The first team went to Walton and Hersham and won 4-1. The second team were 3-1 down but stormed back to win 5-3 against our near neighbours Merstham. The third team won 4-0 and remain third in the Redhill and District League. Five of our under 18 Ryman's youth team played for Surrey under 18s this Sunday against Sussex youth.

I was watching the first team squad train on Thursday night and after some fitness work with our coach Paul Gorman a game of head tennis was being played. This was a very competitive game with the losing team doing extra training while the winners had a hot shower. Matt York's team lost and they had to chose the worst head tennis player of the night to join them in the extra work. Midfield player Tom Battams was the unanimous choice so he had to join the losing team.

Manager Mark Tompkins came over to me and said that we will win on Saturday at Walton as he could see that the players were bubbling and showing plenty of energy and desire in the training. He and I could see it in their body language that they were ready to play a game.

We played Walton and Hersham on a very poor surface which was very bumpy and didn't allow both teams to play a passing game, as it took many touches to get the ball under control. Walton have some very good players with Ryman Premier experience plus they included Greg Andrews who scored 33 goals last year for Leatherhead FC. We started off brightly, as was shown in the training, and went into a four goal lead. It was disappointing to concede a goal just before the break due to not picking up our men from a set piece.

We were never going to let in four goals in the second half. We did defend a little too deep but our keeper was hardly troubled. Also Tommo had to move players around a bit as Rob Watkins pulled out in the morning suffering from flu. Callum O'shea is in Ireland for two weeks having a trial with Cork City. We wish him well.

MONDAY 16th January 2012

On Thursday evening I went to the club to watch a training session. Tommo and his coaching staff were using the pitch to coach the forwards on how to make runs to the near and far posts,how to get in front of your marker and how to delay theIr runs. Coach Paul Gorman had the wide men and full backs running onto the ball and sending in low and high crosses for the forwards to score.

This drill lasted about thirty minutes and I think I saw one goal scored. The crossing from the wide men was good, the runs by the forwards were also good but the finishing was two bob. Tommo tried to show them how to score but his knees kept letting him down.

Against an in form Crawley Down team on Saturday the lads put in an excellent performance playing a good passing game and doing the things that the manager and coaches were trying to teach them. After 52mins Russell Bedford received the ball wide on the right. He controlled it with his first touch, took the ball a couple a steps forward and then put in a superb low hard cross. Marcus Cassius lost his marker and darted in front of him to tuck it away first time.

All that practising on Thursday paid off and Marcus said after the game he was saving up the real thing for when it counted.

On the playing front Justin Hemmings,recently signed from Croydon Ath, has decided to move on. In the last few weeks Tommo has invited the youth team players to join in the training sessions with the first team squad.

The manager has been impressed with their skill and work rate and have signed five of the youth on Ryman's first team forms.

Friday 6th January 2012

What a strange game last week when we played Walton Casuals at home. We started off well with plenty of energy and put the Walton keeper under a lot of pressure and it was no surprise when we took the lead after nine minutes with a goal from new signing Marcus Cassius. It looked like we were in for a hatful of goals as we controlled the game and with Walton hardly getting into our half of the pitch,Steve Northwood the Chipstead goalkeeper didn't touch the ball for the first fifteen minutes. After 25 minutes the game changed when the Walton Casuals centre forward Glen Stanley kicked out at Matty York in front of the ref for the official to make an easy decision to issue a red card to Stanley. Ten minutes later the Walton skipper Lewington committed a foul which resulted in a yellow card only for him to tell the ref that he was a f-------- disgrace for which he received another yellow card ,hence turning it into a red so Walton were now down to nine men. Not much happened football wise and half time came which enabled both teams time to sit down and reorganize. Chipstead made a tactical change for the second half taking off a full back and putting an extra forward on making it three at the back and three playing up front. Walton defended very well and were happy to keep the score down to 1 -0. Chipstead who had most of the possession and passed the ball well could not find the net and got a bit frustrated in the end and it seemed were happy to play out the game in total control for a narrow 1 0 victory. Talking to our manager Mark Tomkins after the game he said he would have been happier to play against 11 men instead of 9. We had so much time and space at the back to knock the ball about but the final pass to our forwards wasn't good. Walton defended deep and their goalkeeper brought off some smart saves but I am a little disappointed we didn't score more. He added that he will work with his forwards at training and is confident with the forwards he has at the club the goals will come in the near future.

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Friday 6th January 2012

Play off target success rests on more goals

Friday, January 06, 2012

CHIPSTEAD will need to score more goals if they are to succeed in their aim for a play-off spot this season, according to manager Mark Tompkins.

The Chips recorded a slim 1-0 victory on Bank Holiday Monday over nine-man Walton Casuals, and that match was preceded by another match in which Tompkins' side only scored a single goal - a 1-1 draw in a derby match against Merstham on Friday.

"We need to go on a run of winning games rather than drawing," the Chips boss explained. "The main thing is if we are to get a play-off spot we need to start hitting the back of the net more regularly.

"We create enough chances, we are solid at the back, but we don't score enough goals. It is putting pressure on our centre-forwards but I told them that they need to start hitting the back of the net more."

And Tompkins hopes new signing Marcus Cassius, whose first goal for Chipstead was the winner against Casuals, will help the team in their push for the play-offs.

"That is why I brought in Marcus Cassius; to freshen things up a bit; he has pace and scored the winner on Monday," Tompkins said. "At his previous club, Erith & Belvedere, Marcus Cassius had been playing wide right so he is still getting used to playing up front but I brought him here to score goals and that's what he has done."

Many were expecting a glut of goals on Monday with Chipstead already a goal up and Casuals reduced to nine men, but Tompkins insists he wants more 1-0 wins from his team.

"Merstham was another game where we didn't take our chances; we were the best side but in the end it was a draw. We have to start taking those chances and then we might have beat them three or 4-1 as well," he said. "That has been the story of our season; not scoring enough goals where they count, we need more one-goal wins.

"I thought there was going to be more goals when Walton Casuals went down to nine but then again, I've seen that many a time and I wouldn't read too much into it."

Report courtesey of the Surrey Mirror

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_{Tuesday 3rd January}

Josh James has joined Whitstable Town

Both Jon Cartledge and Josh James have left the club for pastures new. Jon going to Whyteleafe and Josh joining Whitstable Town. We would like to thank them for their services to the club and wish them well in the future.

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Friday 23rd December 2011

We have played 21 league games to date, exactly half way into the season and the headmaster's report so far is doing very well but could do better.

We have lost six games so far in the league and only in two of them have we been beaten by the better team on the day. At Folkestone where we lost 2-0,they were much the better team in the second half and looked quite a useful side as proved when they went and beat Whitehawk the following week.

At Eastbourne on a wet and windy night, with a few players arriving late, we came second best all night, although I was told by their chairman, in the boardroom, it was the best display from Eastborne all year.

At Bognor on the opening day of the season we played very well, only to be beaten by a last minute goal. Earlier on we missed a few easy chances to win the game.

At home we lost to Dulwich 2-1. We were leading 1-0 with 15 mins left when we made two individual errors to let Dulwich win. In the Ramsgate game the score was 1-1 with a minute to go and we gave away a needless penalty to lose 2-1.

Against Maidstone in front of our biggest crowd so far we had a man sent off after 22 minutes when the score was 0-0 but went on to play well in the second half only to lose 1-0. Out of the five drawn matches only the Hythe game where we where the better team did we deserve to win.

In all I think we should have five more points which would put us in a play off position. From the eleven that started against Bognor in the first game of the season, nine players appeared on Tuesday at Faversham which, for Tommo, is very good.

Only three players in that team played for Chipstead last season so we are a new team. All the injuries are clearing up and that is down to our physios Malcolm Cooper and young Amy.

Looking at the league table Bognor Regis are the favorites to win the league with Dulwich Hamlet or Whitehawk finishing second. Folkestone, Maidstone and Worthing will be up with them so its going to be an interesting second half to the season.

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Monday 12th December 2011

I was asked last week who I thought was Tommos best signing this season.After last Saturdays game at Folkestone there is only one answer and that is our kit manager Tony Parsons. Tony was away for the weekend so I was volunteered into doing the job for the game.

I had to pick the kit up on Thursday night. Three large heavy bags. One with the red kit,another with the warm up tops, plus a bag with the subs warm suits. I then had to pack a crate of drinks for the players plus a large bag of sweets and choc bars also for the players but I am told our coach Paul Gorman likes the mars bars. This was then followed by 12 empty water bottles, bibs and cones for the warm up.

My boot was jam packed and so is half the back seat. I just had room to squeeze Curly in amongst the kit.

I set off early to arrive before everyone else, to hang all the shirts up, and place the shorts and socks plus training tops on the benches for the players. I then took the cones out to the pitch but I have forgotten to pack something. The training balls. We had to go and ask Folkestone if we could borrow a few. Oh the pressure of getting everything correct. At last I can relax a little as all the players start to arrive and find the changing room ready.

After the game it all starts again. Get the kit in the bags and into my car. At least the drinks are gone and the sweets have been eaten by Paul Gorman. All the kit has to be taken back to the club where I meet up with Stoney who takes it away to be washed. Hurry back Tony we miss you a lot and you are irreplaceable.

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LATEST NEWS FROM RYMAN SOUTH

DULWICH remained a point ahead of Bognor at the top of Ryman South on Saturday as both clubs won 2-0 at home while their nearest rivals faltered.

Two goals by Ishmail Kamara, after 25 and 61 minutes, were enough for Dulwich to stretch their 100 per cent home record to ten games as they saw off Burgess Hill, who slumped to the foot of the table. It could have been more; Andre Costa and Frankie Sawyer hit the woodwork.

Golden Boot holder Jason Prior moved into the lead in this season's race, taking his league tally to 22 with goals after 35 and 78 minutes for Bognor against Maidstone.

He won the prize with 38 goals last season and is well ahead of that pace, especially as 11 of the 38 came in the last four games. It was a second successive defeat for fourth-placed Stones, who also lost their first two matches of the season but won 12 and drew two of the 14 in between.

Whitehawk remained third but are five points behind Dulwich after their 1-1 draw at Chipstead. Jamahl Hughes hit the Chipstead bar in the first half but it was the hosts who went in front with a Julien Thompson header after 66 minutes. Josh Jones replied four minutes later.

There was a shock for fifth-placed Worthing, who went down 2-0 at Crawley Down. This second successive Saturday victory not only lifted the Anvils off the bottom but out of the relegation zone as well.

They were worthy winners, too. Fraser Logan put them ahead in the 16th minute, Tom Burton added another shortly before half-time, and more might have followed. Rebels' bad day got worse when Ryan McBride was sent off with ten minutes left.

Folkestone moved above Chipstead into sixth place, a point behind Worthing, thanks to Simon Austin's goal three minutes from time which gave them a 2-1 victory at Croydon Athletic.

Stuart King put Folkestone ahead soon after the interval but Darren Smith had a penalty saved by Charlie Mann and it looked as if Mann's effort would be rewarded when George Landais equalised with eight minutes left. Then Austin struck to dump Croydon into the relegation places.

Two goals by Craig Thompson set up Hythe's 3-1 home win over Merstham. He finished off a pass from Brendon Cass midway through the first half, then headed the second on 40 minutes.

Roscoe Dsane hit back immediately but Hythe made sure of the points when James Dryden fired home with eight minutes left.

Walton Casuals saw off visiting Ramsgate by the same margin in a scrappy affair. Glenn Stanley hit the Ramsgate bar during a goalless first half and Lee Cooper opened the scoring seven minutes after the break.

Liam Holden, with a penalty, and Richard Taylor stretched the lead before Ian Pulman's late consolation.

Two teams just above the relegation zone met at Whitstable and the home side came from behind to beat Whyteleafe 2-1.

A header by Fabian Batchelor gave Leafe the lead on the hour but substitute Gary Mickelborough turned things round.

He was brought down for a penalty, converted by John Paul Collier, in the 70th minute and scored the winner himself six minutes later.

Danny Green's header in the third minute of added time earned Corinthian-Casuals a point from a 1-1 home draw with Faversham, who had held the lead since the 24th minute when Danny Hockton headed in a corner.

Sittingbourne were held to a 0-0 home draw by Walton & Hersham. Cedric Abraham did manage to find the net for the hosts but was ruled offside.

There was frustration for Eastbourne Town, who were a couple of minutes away from a 2-1 home win over Godalming when the floodlights failed and the match had to be abandoned.

Nathan Crabb scored twice in the first 18 minutes but G's, who had Damien Smith sent off eight minutes before the interval, were handed a chance when Luke Denton put through his own net in the 82nd minute.

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Tuesday 6th December 2011