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2008-09
Kofi Quarteys effort goes just wide v Burgess Hill Town
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 25th April 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 0 - 2 Burgess Hill Town
Chipstead potentially closed out their fling with the Ryman League, as they lost to Burgess Hill Town at High Road.
The performance of the relegated hosts did nothing to convince spectators that they deserve to stay up, of which there is still an outside chance, subject to unsuccessful applications from teams promoted from the lower leagues.
The Hillians, who only last week won the fight for survival, completely overshadowed Chips.
The lackluster display from the hosts commenced in the third minute. Without a recognized fullback seeing that Ashely Reid, Jamie Findlay and Mr. Consistent Chris Head were all out, Chips were exposed on the wing all game.
And Steve Harper was released into space on the left, where he clinically slotted past James Wastell for an impressive 17th league goal of the season.
The Hillians pressed with authority, and for all their chances could and maybe should have reached double figures.
John Landsdale's 30 yard drive flashed inches wide of the scrambling Wastell's frame, Peter Martin only poked at Wastell after running clear, and only a tremendous challenge from 17 year old debutant Ryan Wood thwarted Lloyd Cotton putting himself on the score-sheet .
Chips persisted, but didn't appear to have the key to unlocking their own front doors, let alone the solid Burgess Hill backline. In the meantime they did threaten with attempts from Domonic O'Shea and Nathan Campbell, but never looked like bursting the net.
A stunning piece of individual skill warranted a second for the West Sussex outfit. Martin broke on the left and hooked a shot over Wastell and off the crossbar.
Landsdale's fizzing volley came close, prior to Lawrence Buchmann this time denying Cotton with a covering tackle, as the attacking midfielder got ready to pull the trigger.
But Toby Philips eased their pains for the interval. Cotton's scuffed shot turned into the perfect assist, when Philips poked under the keeper from 6-yards. The linesman didn't raise his flag, and the deafening silence that greeted the goal signified a side completely drained by the pressures of a frenzied season.
Nick English made two changes and with it switched to a back three. As the only remaining substitute, Goalkeeper Paul Smith may have been anticipating having to lead the line, as an injury to striker O'Shea minutes later caused a lengthy stoppage. O'Shea soldiered on, as did referee Darren Blunden after bizarrely taking the ball to his face.
Wastell's gloves ridded of efforts by Wes Tate and Harper respectively, as the second period conformed to a similar pattern of the first.
An O'Shea rocket tested Callum Christie, and the keeper needed two attempts to pounce on his strike soon after. Meanwhile Buchmann and Mark Pulling went into the book for a clash, but Chips never seemed intent on anymore fighting- on either front.
Pulling somehow managed to find the body of Aaron Cole-Bolt over the gaping net. Cotton found the post with a glancing header, previous to a terrific Wastell save on Martin's nod.
In a season that started so brightly, the performances since the turn of the year mean Chipstead, whether they are given a revival or have to return back to the Combined Counties League, will have work to do this summer. Enough said.
TEAM; Wastell; Campbell; Wood (Aslan 52); Oakins ©; Buchmann; Brown; Quintyne (Cole-Bolt 52); Kiffin; O'Shea; Quartey; Smith
Subs unused- P Smith
Goals; None- Attendance; 89 - Match rating; ***
By George West
* * *
Laurance Buchmann & Kofi Quartey can only watch as the Godalming keeper makes a fine save.
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 18th April 2009
Godalming Town 4 - 2 Chipstead
Chips failed to produce the goods when it mattered in the battle to avoid the relegation places and cannot now improve on 21st place when they play their closest competitors next Saturday at the High Road.
Lagging four points behind Burgess Hill it's down to pride to want to finish the season just one point behind them and not four. Conditions at Godalming were difficult for both sides, an uneven surface and blustery conditions resulted in a pretty poor match although six goals for the crowd that were only looking for entertainment were not disappointed. It was a lively start from both sides with end to end play with no final quality when it mattered. The home side edged the possession stakes and duly took the lead on 25 minutes when Glen Stanley nipped in to finish.
Within ten minutes Chips needing to make an impact on the match substituted Alec Brown and Liam Oxley for Reis Aslan and Baptiste Bogle. Within two minutes they were back on level terms when a fine combination of passes released Kofi Quarty to fire home past Rodney
Chiweshe. However five minutes before the break Chips defence let a long clearance from Chiweshe bounce and Stanley always looking sharper than his markers neatly lobbed the advancing Paul Smith. Chips settled into the second half the better of the two sides and again drew level when Bogle took advantage of a yard of space to slot past Chiweshe.
Chips conceded an unnecessary penalty when Gavin Quintyne felled Phil Williams who wasn't a threat to goal but it gave Stanley his hat trick for the afternoon sending Smith the wrong way with his spot kick. Chips created some half chances and committed more men forward but
Their offside tactic failed them and Brahim Eloumani ran clear to put the result beyond the visitors reach.
TEAM; P Smith; L Buchmann; N Campbell; D Oakins; A Cole-Bolt; A Brown; J Smith; G Quintyne; L Oxley; K Quarty; J Kiffin; Subs; R Aslan (A Brown) ; B Bogle (L Oxley) J Findlay(J Kiffin)D Coleman & J Wastell (not used)
Merstham keeper saves from Jordan Kiffin
MATCH REPORT
Monday 13th April 2009
Ryman League One South
Merstham 0 - 0 Chipstead
Chipstead face the considerable task of winning their remaining two games for a chance of survival, after they were held to a stalemate by Merstham at the Moatside.
With relegated Crowborough Athletic proving no contest, Burgess Hill Town move 4-points clear of Chips, equipped with a far superior goal difference and the fact that Chips haven't tasted victory in ten games.
Had the visitors possessed a finishing touch to match their dominance, all could be different.
Arguably Chips' players of the season, Fred Fleming and Daryl Coleman, served their suspensions after the drama two days previous. In came new signing Lewis Sayle-Holmes, while Nicky English continued to deploy overlapping wingers with his 4-3-3 style formation.
Merstham threatened first as Michael Morgan's drive brought out a smart diving stop by James Wastell. And after quarter of an hour, that man did so again as Wastell just managed to claw out his deflected set-piece. With the remainder of the match only ever encouraging one-way traffic, Morgan was the only menace to the Chips frame from the lackluster hosts.
Amid all their possession, Chips finally brought fans to their feet with 25 minutes on the clock, with the terrific Jordan Kiffin at the heart. Kiffin darted inside, fed off Domonic O'Shea, and curled a shot off the crossbar from 20 yards; the keeper helpless. A minute later Kiffin found the crossbar again, though this time as a stray cross floated goal-wards.
The winger Kiffin just couldn't be handled in the opening period, and has seen that Josh Smith hasn't been missed one bit over the last two games. Again he instigated a move, which conjured up the best opportunity of the match. A quick one-two with Gavin Quintyne put him clear, where he chose to drag-back to O'Shea. The hapless O'Shea skied it.
Nathan Campbell came up from the back to head over Kiffin's corner, before Kiffin pulled wide of the near-post.
With all their chances, Chips could have been out of sight, and a weak effort by O'Shea on the stroke of half-time summed up the severe lack of conviction up-front.
The hosts were almost gifted an opener as the second half got underway, seeing that Chips dithered for a lifetime before clearing the danger when Kwabena Agyei beat Wastell to a through-ball.
A much quieter 45 minutes was in store, but Chips appeared the only side capable of rustling the net.
The lively substitute Reis Aslan along with Kiffin, came close with pot-shots.
Chips began to reignite their pressing towards the end of the half, and O'Shea squandered a gaping opportunity. Crisp football saw Kiffin flick into O'Shea to the right of the six-yard box. Judging by his performance going forward, the striker was the last man Chips wanted it to fall to, and he skewed horribly wide of the far-post.
English pulled off front-man Baptiste Bogle for the more defensive Lawrence Buchmann, obviously weary of the typicality that would be their opponents nicking it late on. Aygei's late shot finding the net would have been so conventional of Chips' season, but fortunately Chris Head got the block.
Kiffin was close to grabbing his and his side's deserved goal in stoppage time, but the impressive Ian Chatfield got down well to his effort.
Considering their recent freefall, Chipstead will feel relief from this point, but are now going to need something special to remain in the Rymans League.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay; Head; Campbell; Oakins ©; Sayle-Holmes (Brown 67; Quintyne; Cole-Bolt (Aslan 51); O'Shea; Bogle (Buchmann 85); Kiffin
Subs unused- Reid; P Smith
Goals; None- Attendance; 154 - Match rating; ***
By George West
* * *
James Wastell couldnt stop Met Police scoring this equaliser on Saturday
Saturday 11th April 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 2 Metropolitan Police
9-man Chipstead were once again squeezed from a worthy point, as Metropolitan Police used this eventful tie to strenghtened their place in the play-offs.
The hosts went in at the break in a strong position to take a point towards their relegation dogfight, when the game became shrouded in controversy. On route to the dressing room, a number of altercations took place and referee Rob Allum picked out his red card and dismissed both Fred Fleming and Daryl Coleman. Considering their side's current state of affairs, it was stupidity by the green and white men involved, and those left on the pitch couldn't resist a Police onslaught.
Nicky English had a strong squad at his disposal, barring the absence of Josh Smith, and his team began the game on-top.
Jordan Kiffin had an early flick-header cleared off the goal-line, and then fired into the side netting after a mazy run.
The winger finally found some luck however, to give Chips a surprise lead. Kiffin's volley on the edge of the box somehow squirmed through the bodies and into the net.
Baptiste Bogle was next up for some shooting practice, but Will Packham's gloves held his two efforts.
All seemed to be looking rosy for Chips, but try telling that to the High Road faithful. In a pattern that mirrored their last three home games, their opponents grabbed a goal from nowhere.
Nick Humphrey came up from the back for a corner, where his towering header put the scores level at the break.
Then came the theatrics. A clash between Fleming and Nathan Simpson led to both being given their marching orders, and this sparked a melee outside the changing rooms. Allum pulled out Coleman to be the third man to take an early bath.
With the spectator confusion on the lack of numbers barely resolved, Domonic O'Shea nearly surfaced a brand new talking point. The number nine just missed Bogle's cross with a bicycle kick.
There was then a goal disallowed. Substitute Liam Baitup delightfully side-footed into the corner of the net with his first touch, only to be penalized for offside.
A fizzing 30 yard attempt by Stuart Harte came back off the crossbar, as the Blues finally began to take advantage of the gaps in Chips' backline.
Baitup then found one of these gaps- given acres on the left side when Harte pumped forward a free-kick. The ball cannoned to him, and he clinically volleyed past James Wastell.
The home side were forced to throw men forward, but at the expense of any defensive unit. Metropolitan Police looked the only side who could grab another goal, and only the outstanding efforts of Wastell denied them of that.
Baitup received the ball in an ocean of space on the half-way line, but after making his way to the penalty box, was denied by the diving keeper. Michael Cobden ran clear to have his effort tipped away, before Gary Drewett's strike flicked onto the crossbar off Wastell's body, with fans ready to put their mortgage on him scoring from six-yards.
Wonders from Wastell; guilt-edged misses by the Blues. The keeper went forward for the last-ditch corners to try to make them pay. O'Shea's header was plucked off the post by Will Packham to see that Chips' Ryman League credentials remain on a thread.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay; Head ©; Oakins; Fleming (Sent off 45); Coleman (Sent off 45); Quintyne; Brown; O'Shea; Bogle (Aslan 77); Kiffin - Subs unused- Cole-Bolt; P Smith
Goals; Kiffin 24 - Attendance; 96 - Match rating; ****
By George West
Fleet keeper collects the ball from the head of Fred Fleming
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 4th April 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 0 - 2 Fleet Town
Chipstead slipped into the drop-zone, courtesy of both an undeserved defeat to title-chasers Fleet Town and rivals Whyteleafe doing no favors in losing to Burgess Hill Town.
Chips controlled proceedings, and kept the Blues well in the shadows in the opening period. But Fleet nicked victory with two breakaway goals in the second-half.
Nicky English set up a 5-man midfield operation, with no recognized striker upfront seeing that Danny Oakins moved to centre-back. The line-up reflected a game-plan to remain stubborn, and hope to steal a goal from the on-form team of the Rymans South.
The hosts shone in the opening period. Dominant in the middle of the park and searching going forward, a finishing touch was all that required for a perfect half's work.
Nathan Smart really should have put the Blues ahead in a rare opportunity from 8 yards.
But from then all it was all green and white. The visitors weren't given another sniff from a defence led by the superb Oakins, who used his familiar attacking instincts to also instigate their first real chance. He lifted over the bar after leading a superb counter from the centre-circle. Jordan Kiffin was twice a pinpoint from glory; glancing Chris Head's cross over before David Smalley just managed to get down to his flick.
Chips were much the happier with the interval scoreline, but both clubs sought a win for their very different reasons.
Kiffin had a great chance after the break, however his effort to beat the stranded Smalley was blocked by Steve Noakes.
Play headed straight down the other end and Darren Wheeler broke away, fired under James Wastell and set a cruel but not unanticipated blow on the home side.
Chips threw on two forwards in Baptiste Bogle and Liam Oxley, but with it sacrificed the final ball.
The tempo of the game went down a notch, but it was nothing to do with the efforts of the sub Bogle, who looked particularly dangerous. The striker's 73rd minute shot was blocked before it could supply a stern test on the keeper's gloves. Steve Hemmings spared Smalley's and his side's blushes when he poked away after the keeper spilled a tame Josh Smith effort. This was with the other substitute Oxley poised to put the ball into the net. Paul Harkness then denied Oxley on the goal-line as his shot somehow found its way through the bodies.
Despite still being shadowed in possession, Fleet settled the tie with 10 minutes remaining. Again Wheeler broke on the left, and substitute Darren Campbell precisely nodded his cross past Wastell.
This sends Chipstead two points below safety with four games left, and the meeting with Burgess Hill Town on the final day could be increasingly substantial.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay (Oxley 77); Head; Oakins; Fleming ©; Coleman; Quintyne (Bogle 65); Cole-Bolt; Brown; Kiffin; Smith Subs unused- Aslan
Goals; None - Attendance; 119 - Match rating; ***
By George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 24th March 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 1 Ashford Town (Kent)
Chipstead played out a 1-all draw with play-off hopefuls Ashford Town, as High Road endured a very timid evening of football.
Domonic O'Shea's header found the net to foresee a justified result, in both sides taking away a point.
Nick English selected a strike force of Danny Oakins and O'Shea for his team's 7th game in March- the scorers of 3-2 victory in the last outing between the sides back in September. Meanwhile Baptiste Bogle deputized after the weekend's star-man Jordan Kiffin injured himself in the warm-up.
It was Oakins to whom the first chance arose. Chris Head had been appointed the new owner of the captain's armband prior to kick-off, and was the owner of the early free-kick in which Oakins headed just wide. On the back of the weekend's thrilling game with Kingstonian, the chance would have had many believing they were to be awarded with another master-class. They couldn't have been more wrong.
The remainder of the half was played out around the centre circle, with opportunities at a scarcity. A goal was desperately needed, but both sides were lacking of the final ball.
Josh Smith skipped around the defence to the bar-line, but his cross was knocked away from O'Shea by Craig Wilkins, with the striker certain to break the deadlock. At the other end, Stanley Muguo was a whisker from getting a touch to turn Mitchell Sherwood's cross past James Wastell.
There was more action from the physiotherapists, as the Nuts and Bolts were forced to retire Danny Lye for Ryan Briggs due to a knock, while Bogle, who only started due to Kiffin's injury, was unable to continue subject to a leg injury.
Smith appeared to be the only player on the pitch capable of breaking down one of the backlines, however his shot let him down as he received Oakins long ball and tore inside. O'Shea was close to breaking clear on goal through the challenge of Sean Ray, but the referee's half-time whistle couldn't be more anticipated.
On the return of the second period, the game went the opposite way of the temperatures and heated up.
Five minutes in and entertainment value already doubled. Wastell couldn't have got more than a finger to Shawn Beveney's header to send the ball dancing in the air, before it clipped the post and made an exit from the danger.
Then Chipstead countered at the other end, as that man Smith darted inside. Again he miscued his shot, but it trickled to Oakins who unleashed a first-time strike that cannoned off the inside of another post.
Sherwood was twice blocked by full-back Head on the edge of the area, as the second half persisted in being better than the first. Wastell then punched a corner off the head of the lurking Sherwood from inside his six-yard box.
Ashford Town were rapidly playing themselves back into the game, but their goal was still an injustice on the tie when it came. It was Paul Jones that popped up behind the Chips backline on the end of a Beveney knock on, and he prodded past the onrushing Wastell. Appeals for offside were ignored and the deadlock was finally broken.
Chips fought back to change a scoreline that would have pushed them closer towards relegation. And the opportunities they created seemed to all fall to O'Shea- back in the Chips squad after returning from university.
The striker curled wide of the frame from 18 yards immediately after the opener, as he gradually moved closer to a place on the score-sheet.
He was soon to be denied from on the goal-line, as he glanced a header from Fred Fleming forward; only for Jimmy Elford and keeper Sebastian Barton to unconvincingly halt between them.
O'Shea finally grabbed the equalizer as he rose highest to meet Head's corner; the ball somehow creeping into the right netting through the flapping leg of Charlie Glygoe.
Substitute Reis Aslan was then presented with a glorious position to give them a lead. Gavin Quintyne's ball dribbled over the top of the Nuts and Bolts wall courtesy of the head of the tracking Ray, where Aslan had just the keeper to beat. The shot merited the attacking instincts of a man with one goal to his name all season, as he sliced horribly over the bar.
Both sides hunted what would have been a vital winner for their respective campaigns, though neither had the creativity the break down the stubborn defences.
Smith's last-ditch cross was crying out for a finish, but Oakins run was an inch too late.
Whilst their opponents now appear out of the play-off race, Chips maintain the same two point cushion above the drop, after Burgess Hill Town managed to hold Godalming Town.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay; Head ©; Campbell; Fleming; Brown; Quintyne; Smith; Oakins; O'Shea; Bogle (Aslan 37) Subs unused- Cole-Bolt; Garner; Coleman
Goals; O'Shea 79 - Attendance; 130 - Match rating; ** By George West
* * *
Wastell in Chipstead goal watches a high ball that went over the crossbar v Kingstonian
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 21st March 2009
Chipstead 2 - 3 Kingstonian
Chipstead succumbed ever-closer towards the relegation places, as a spirited fight-back couldn't prize a point off a classy title-chasing Kingstonian.
The skill and pace of the visitors just couldn't be matched as they opened up a 3-0 lead, but as they tired, Chips took the chance to display some of their finest football of the season in pulling themselves back to within touching distance. Touching distance was as good as they could manage, but the contest was a real treat for the healthy High Road attendance figure.
It was Chips' second meeting with a title contender in the space of four days, seeing that they couldn't find a goal at actual leaders Cray Wanderers on Tuesday. Nick English was happy to welcome back top-scorer Danny Oakins to prevent any repeat.
The K's are the second most prolific team in the league; Chips are the second leakiest. Just 3 minutes in, and the visitors grabbed an anticipated lead. James Wastell came out to clear a through-pass for Carl Wilson-Denis, but his kick ran straight into Liam Collins, who coolly lobbed the stranded keeper from 25 yards.
A reply was almost instant as Baptiste Bogle's snap bicycle kick just beat the frame. Bogle then almost turned a loose cross in, bar the keeper getting down quickly.
However when Kingstonian turned up a gear, Chips were forced to sit back and just ride their luck. At time it looked to be men against boys as the away side lay siege on goal. Tommy Williams came close on two occasions, while 22-goal Bobby Traynor was guilty of squandering a number of chances. Most notably, he placed wide of goal when clear, before lifting over the bar on a delightful Collins through-ball. Wilson-Denis' pace tore the Chipstead defence open, as it was doing all afternoon, only for him to drag wide.
The goal was very much on its way and Traynor finally found his finishing touch. The forward challenged Collins' opener with a glorious lob of his own, to set up a two-nil advantage.
Oakins swiveled in the box and rattled the crossbar on the stroke half-time in a rare sniff of goal.
Chips returned from the dressing rooms impressively, but still looked vulnerable to the K barrage counters. Traynor fired over the bar after another pinpoint Collins pass, before the terrific pair of Williams and Wilson-Denis started on the half-way line to work Williams with a lash on the edge of the area. Wastell splendidly turned the shot round his post.
Dean Lodge won a penalty for the leaders as Nathan Campbell took him down in his effort to stop another fast flowing attack. Traynor stepped up to convert and seemingly put the game beyond doubt.
Yet minutes later the hosts were given a spot-kick of their own, though they were just as bewildered as any. The referee decided to penalize Max Hustwick for bundling over substitute Domonic O'Shea, with the game already advancing down the other end of the pitch. Gavin Quintyne confidentially dispatched.
Suddenly Chips were displaying some of the sweet football of their counterparts, and setting up an impressive match on the eye.
Alec Brown's 25 yard volley wouldn't dip quite enough, while fellow substitute Josh Smith cut inside but sliced wide of the extensive target.
With the game looking buried, Jordan Kiffin capped off a tireless home debut, with a lovely finish. Kiffin looks to be a superb acquisition by Nick English, offering the speed and trickery that could unfortunately only be offered by Smith on one flank. The winger dragged the ball back and nestled under Garrard after a thrusting Quintyne run, to set up a tense climax.
Smith was an inch from providing a shock leveler, but the final whistle spared any reprisal, and his side slip to third bottom.
TEAM; Wastell; Walters (Smith 76); Head; Campbell; Fleming ©; Cole-Bolt; Aslan (Brown 53); Quintyne; Oakins; Bogle (O'Shea 53); Kiffin Subs unused; Hibbert
Goals; Quintyne 67 pen, Kiffin 86
Attendance; 165 - Match rating; ****
By George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 17th March 2009
CRAY WANDERERS 1 - 0 CHIPSTEAD
Chipstead put in a tremendous performance at Cray on Tuesday but came away without a point. There were opportunities in the first half and but for the performance of Glen Knight in the Wanderers goal they might have been a couple of goals to the good. James Wastell returning from injury in Chips goal saved an early chance that fell to Scott Kinch and apart from that was rarely troubled as Chips dealt with the home sides long ball game with a string of off side's and some well timed tackles.
Laurence Buchmann was an early casualty which opened the door for the return of Ashley Reid at full back with Nathan Campbell moving back to his more familiar central role.Jordan Kiffin was creating problems on the left for the home side with a string of useful crosses and Knight was twice forced to parry the ball away. Reis Aslan's dead ball kick was deflected onto Cray's crossbar and Knight was again in action saving from Aaron Cole-Bolt, Baptiste Bogle and Danny Oakins.
Cole- Bolts corner was turned onto the crossbar and just before the break Bogle's rasping shot was well saved by Knight who was the hero of the half.
On the restart Oakins was close to converting a through ball but Knight raced clear of his area to slide the ball to safety. Chips went to sleep for a corner in the 52nd minute and were dealt a punishing blow. Cray's skipper up from defence for a corner glided between two defenders and headed home the only goal of the game.
Wastell saved late on from Jamie Wood but Chip's never quite managed to create the chances that would see them take something from the match and the experienced Cray defence held on to their clean sheet till the final whistle.
Team; J Wastell; C Head; N Campbell; F Fleming; L Buchmann;R Aslan ; D Oakins;G Quintyne;J Kiffin; B Bogle; A Cole-Bolt; Subs; A Reid (L Buchmann) K Quarty; (C Head) W Hibbett; D Coleman; (not used)
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 14th March 2009
Croydon Athletic 3 - 0 Chipstead
Chips made a bright start to this match with early efforts from Reis Aslan and Gavin Quintyne but with their three main strikers all missing they never really looked a great threat to the home sides strong no messing defence.
Croydon took the lead on 15 minutes with their first real attack of the game coming from their right hand side the delivery was met by Romauld Boaudji who rose between the Chips central defenders to powerfully head past Paul Smith in the visitors goal playing his second match in place of the injured James Wastell.
It was the only goal of the first session and left Chips with a chance to comeback at them in the second half. Nathan Campbell replaced Jamie Findlay to add some extra height to the visitor's side and Aaron Cole-Bolt replaced Alec Brown who at least gave Ross Flitney in the home side's goal a few anxious moments.
Croydon increased their lead after a good spell of sustained pressure on the home goal when a long clearance found Sam Clayton who out paced the Chip's defenders and shot home past Smith.
Fred Fleming joined the Chips attack to supply some aerial strength but it wasn't enough and with the last move of the game in time added on the home side collected a third delivering a free kick into the near post where Michael Gordon headed home.
TEAM; P Smith; C Head; J Findlay; F Fleming; J Kiffin; L Buchmann; J Smith; R Aslan; B Bogle; G Quintyne; A Brown; Subs; A Cole-Bolt ;( A Brown) N Campbell ;( J Findlay) D Coleman (not used)
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 10th March 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 0 Folkestone Invicta
Aaron Cole-Bolt's late drive saw Chipstead grab a crucial three points from a low-key encounter with Folkestone Invicta.
With Chips only relying on games in hand to evade the relegation places, a victory would be seized however it came by. And in a tie that rarely stirred any imagination, the single goal by substitute Cole-Bolt certainly was a snatching of a win.
The host's goalkeeping crisis was solved on Midday on the day, with Paul Smith signing from Chertsey Town and immediately taking the jersey.
After an exciting first quarter-of-an-hour, little could fans have known that they had already witnessed more than would be offered for the entire remainder of the game.
Within 30 seconds, Danny Oakins worked a chance for Alec Brown on the D, his shot snuffed out. Then with less than 5 minutes on the clock, Jimmy Jackson's header just sneaked onto the roof of the Chipstead net.
Zak Graham should then have twice given the hosts a march, but he couldn't get a firm contact when he turned on Oakins pass, before tamely heading at keeper Jack Delo with the defenders lost and the goal bearing. Darren Smith found Paul Smith's hands, and the shot seemed to spell a rest for the keepers, the game tightening.
With the interval approaching, referee Michael Webb turned down a Chipstead penalty appeal, when Frankie Chappell challenged the clear Zak Graham from behind.
Frustration surfaced amid the tense football and the referee's refusal to let the game flow, and Gavin Quintyne and Jacob Arnold-Smith saw yellow for separate clashes.
Chipstead returned from the dressing rooms as the stronger team, though the contest only got more tedious.
Fred Fleming found the side netting with a towering header on a corner, but with the game drawing ever closer to a complete standstill, Nicky English made the first tactical move by bringing on Cole-Bolt for Quintyne in search of some more creativity in the midfield. Three minutes into his appearance, he had fired two shots at goal- both slightly high and wide, but both a slight signal of intent from the hosts.
Yet the visitors should have grabbed a lead when Arnold-Smith sneaked clear of the backline, but was unable to place the right side of the post following a heavy touch.
Chips stole the goal they were so desperately hoping for, and it came with the right-foot of Cole-Bolt. Josh Smith had bamboozled the Seasiders for all the second-half, and it finally had a telling effect as he fed Cole-Bolt from 25 yards. The substitute needed one look, and his low strike found its way into the net via aid from the left-hand post.
A reply was almost instantaneous, as James Drydon found himself on the end of Liam Dickson's racking ball from 6 yards. Of all the men, Folkestone would have wanted it to fall to by far and away their top scorer Drydon, but the striker side-footed wide of both the keeper and the far-post.
As the Seasiders opened up to pursue an equalizer, Chips found possession and chances. No-one was on hand to turn in Smith's drag back, Oakins was thwarted by Dickson for a clear sight of goal, and Alec Brown really should have done better when a wonderful Oakins dummy put Chips 2-on-1. Brown dallied, and eventually blazed over.
Folkestone sent their keeper Delo into the box and pumped two free-kicks forward in injury time. The first beat the heads and the second was claimed by Smith, who continued to lead an impressive debut.
Chipstead ended the night with the table looking much more attractive, as they move up two places and crucially out of that relegation zone.
TEAM; Smith; Findlay; Head; Fleming ©; Buchmann; Aslan; Graham; Quintyne (Cole-Bolt 57); Oakins; Brown; Smith Subs unused- Walters; Oxley; ColemanGoals; Cole-Bolt 73 - Attendance; 83 - Match rating; **
By George West
Nathan Campbell scores his eigth goal of the season v Sittingbourne
MATCH REPORT Saturday 7th March 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 3 Sittingbourne
Chipstead saw their relegation worries intense, as the run of the green went to Sittingbourne and their vastly contrasting play-off chasing position.
The hosts were unable to recover from a highly debatable first-half penalty decision, in another example of the bad luck that has shrouded so much of their season and seen them pick up the second worst defensive record in the league.
Goalkeeper James Wastell was missing from the Chips line-up due to injury, and with it was thirteen years of experience seeing that 18 year old Joe Gant deputized.
And in a familiar pattern of the season, Chipstead started the brighter. Danny Oakins and Fred Fleming found good positions in the box respectively, though were both guilty of poor contacts. Oakins went on to squander a great chance when he poked into the keeper's body as the ball trickled into space in the 6-yard box. The Brickies in the meantime produced next to nothing to concern youngster Gant.
But suddenly Chips were facing up to a spot-kick, after referee Carl Brook awarded Hicham Akhazzan exactly what he was looking for, when he went down. Fleming missed the ball, but substitute Akhazzan was all too keen to find his trailing leg. The event spurred many of a different opinion, but the referee had his and Mark de Bolla sent Joe Gant the wrong way for a real body blow to Chips.
The goal swung momentum in the Brickies favour, and Richard Brady nodded a sweet De Bolla cross beyond Gant to increase their lead. Sittingbourne were getting a free run of the right flank, and Elie Kayembe and Mark Green had chances to benefit from this and supply a really healthy position come the interval.
Two shocking misses after the break by Danny Oakins was a loud telling that it wasn't to be Chips', or his day. When Matt Reed could only tip Daryl Coleman's strike up in the air, Oakins had time to steady himself and read a newspaper, but he somehow headed onto the post from 5 yards. And he didn't have a second to try to contemplate what he had just done when the ball was delivered back to him and he skewed horribly wide.
Exclusive of this, the half had begun uneventfully, which only suited the visitors. Both sides were still displaying crisp football, but with them lacking in attacking prowess, the next goal would be critical.
It went to Sittingbourne and Mark Green. The winger put the game safe, as his cross looped over Gant, and nestled in the net.
Nicky English cut a frustrated figure, and he immediately threw on Reis Aslan to divert to a 3-5-2 formation.
With 15 minutes on the clock, referee Brook produced his first yellow cards to Coleman and De Bolla for a clash. And he seemed to find a swing for it, and went on to harshly book three more Chipstead men. Assistant manager Dixie Dean voiced his frustrations, or more so ranted them, and he was duly sent to the stands.
With eyes turned on the referee and his use of the cards, Nathan Campbell headed a consolation. But it was too late to see Chips resist the plunge into the drop-zone.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay (Aslan 64); Head; Fleming ©; Campbell; Coleman; Buchmann (Quintyne 45); Brown; Oakins; Watson (Graham 27); Smith - Subs unused- WaltersGoals; Campbell 86 - Attendance; 118 - Match rating; ***
By George West
* * *
Reis Aslan had a brilliant game v Leatherhead
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 03rd March 2009
Leatherhead 2 - 0 Chipstead
With weather conditions of rain and wind which continued throughout the match Chips lost the battle in the waterlogged conditions of the second half which turned the game into a lottery. The goals arrived for the hosts on 58 and 79 minutes which both resulted from Chips losing possession and getting caught by the breakaway speed of Leatherhead's strikers.
Chips probably had their best chances in the first half with Darren Watson and Zak Graham both seeing their efforts deflected away from the home sides goal and one or two set piece deliveries being scrambled away to safety.
With keeper James Wastell restricted by a leg problem Chips were always likely to be under more pressure when the ball was in their third of the park. This proved to be the case in the 58th minute when a poor clearance was pounced on by Tommy Hutchings and whilst his shot was parried away Tony Cuff placed the ball firmly past Wastell to open the scoring. With both sides making errors due to the deteriorating conditions Chris Lewington in goal for the hosts was forced to rush from goal twice to prevent clear chances to Graham and Alec Brown.
Leatherhead sealed Chips fate in the 79th minute when a poor throw landed with ‘Hutchings who simply raced away and clinically swept the ball past Wastell to give the home side a score line Chips would struggle to come back from.
TEAM; J Wastell; C Head; J Findlay; F Fleming; D Coleman; N Campbell; A Reid; R Aslan; Z Graham; D Oakins; D Watson; Subs; L Oxley; (D Watson) G Quintyne; (D Oakins) A Brown; (D Coleman) A Cole-Bolt; L Buchmann; (not used)
* * *
Danny scores v Walton & Hersham
Fred Fleming challenges the Walton & Hersham keeper
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 28th February 2009
Walton & Hersham 1 - 2 Chipstead
Chips produced their best performance for a while running out as convincing winners of this match against a side that appear to have gone into freefall.
Chips looked especially dangerous from set pieces took the lead after just 11 minutes when Laurence Buchmann sent over a deep corner which Fred Fleming met and sent back across the goalmouth for Nathan Campbell to drive home before the defenders could react.
James Wastell was in action saving well from Matt Smith and punching clear a dangerous corner. Chips increased their lead when an almost picture book copy of a set piece took place on 35 minutes. Buchmann again sent over a telling delivery from a corner which Fleming knocked back into the goalmouth where Danny Oakins was the quickest to react stabbing the ball home from close range.
Walton turned on a better display in the second half but Chips defended stoutly and only got caught out by a breakaway in the last nine minutes of the game when Byron Brown got free by a long clearance and swept the ball past Wastell making the final minutes a bit edgy for Chips but they defended well and Wastell pushed a last ditch effort by Craig Dunne over his crossbar to secure a well deserved three points.
TEAM; J Wastell; L Buchmann; J Findlay; F Fleming; D Coleman; N Campbell; A Reid; R Aslan; Z Graham; D Oakins; G Quintyne ; Subs; L Oxley; C Head; T Hughes; C Miles; (not used) A Brown; (R Aslan)
Tom Hughes heads clear in the Chipstead penalty area v Dulwich
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 21st February 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 2 - 2 Dulwich Hamlet
Chipstead conceded two penalties to allow Dulwich Hamlet and Laurent Hamici to peg them back to a draw at High Road.
An audacious effort by Danny Oakins and a goal by Zak Graham saw Chips twice take the lead, but referee Eric Mackrell never had a doubt in inviting both to be cancelled out.
With manager Nicky English absent from the touchline, assistant Dixie Dean faced the dilemma of reshuffling the backline, seeing that Ashley Reid and club captain Fred Fleming were out. James Wastell took over the armband duties, Jamie Findlay came in at right-back, and Tom Hughes, a recent recruit from Sutton United, made his debut at centre-half.
It took a fair while for the game to settle, taking until the 20 minute mark for either keeper to be truly tested. Hamlet's Sheikh Ceesay had the honor, and he dived well to keep out an Oakins free-kick.
The mid-table visitors soon found some chances. Their top scorer Hamici was causing havoc in the Chipstead half, but was halted by Chris Head's terrific covering tackle before seeing Daniel Francis blaze over his clever back-heel.
To the other end, and Darren Watson put a glaring header wide of the post.
Immediately after though, striker Oakins opened the scoring with a stunning acrobatic volley. Watson compensated for his miss with the volleyed cross, where Oakins displayed one of his vintage moments of magic that has for so long deserted him.
But on the stroke of half-time Nathan Campbell offered Hamici his first spot-kick by tripping the advancing Nathan Simpson. The number nine sent Wastell the wrong way for his 14th goal of the campaign.
Hamlet began the second period looking increasingly likely, backed by Ceesay's performance between their posts. The keeper managed to terrifically adjust and turn Alec Brown's deflected volley wide.
Yet the resulting corner by Chris Head left him stranded, and Zak Graham bundled into the net at the back-post.
Straight after the restart, new recruit Tom Hughes hacked down the hassling Hamici, and Mackrell had no qualms in giving another penalty. Hamici tucked home the equalizer.
Hamici almost found the perfect way to complete a hat-trick; his overhead kicked lob would have had the effort of Oakins beaten all ends up, had it not beaten the far right post.
Ceesay then pulled out another top-class save as he tipped Oakins flick header over the bar.
With 4 minutes of stoppage time both sides would have fancied their chances of nicking all the points, but Stanley Muguo's header for Hamlet was the only threat to the scoreline, and the draw was the fair result.
TEAM; Wastell ©; Findlay; Head; Hughes; Campbell; Coleman (Aslan 72); Graham; Brown; Oakins; Watson (Quintyne 66); Smith. Subs unused- Cole-Bolt, Buchmann, Kinghorn
Goals; Oakins 35, Graham 63 - Attendance; 132 - Match rating; ****
By George West
Joe Gant Makes a great save v Crowborough
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 14th February 2009
Crowborough 2 - 4 Chipstead
Chips grabbed all three points from struggling Crowborough with a team short of seven regulars. A fine performance by the team saw off a battling home side who now seemed doomed to relegation back to the Sussex League.
Chips took the lead on nine minutes when Gavin Quintyne struck a shot from 20 yards which squirmed through Nick Stone's legs. The home side though were soon back on level terms when just five minutes later from their first corner of the match Chips switched off and Craig Bishop headed past Joe Gant at the back post. Chips regained the lead through Liam Oxley after Daryl Coleman and Josh Smith combined well to set up Oxley after 26 minutes.
Gant was in good form in Chips goal punching away several dangerous deliveries whilst Chips were kept under pressure for long spells. It was a penalty that finally got Crowborough level when Quintyne was adjudged to have handled from a fierce shot on goal. Substitute Chris Ransone fired home to level the scores.
Chips introduced Aaron Cole-Bolt into midfield and it wasn't too long before he made his mark regaining Chips lead with a powerful shot after a good interchange on the left between Smith & Quintyne. With the home side pushing forward Gant was again called into action to clear the danger this time sprinting from his goal to clear a through ball.
Cole-Bolt added his second goal to the game close to the end when Smith dribbled his way down the left and passed in field for Chips fourth of the afternoon.
TEAM; J Gant; C Head; J Findlay; R Wood; D Coleman; L Buchmann; J Smith; J York; L Oxley; G Quintyne; A Brown; Subs; A Cole-Bolt; (J York) R Aslan;(G Quintyne)
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 24th January 2009
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 1 Worthing
For the second time this season, Chipstead and Worthing shared the honors through a competitive 1-1 draw.
Ross Trelleaven's controversial 72nd minute goal finally cancelled out an early Chips opener courtesy of Zak Graham.
Nicky English made one alteration to the side that nicked victory at Whyteleafe the previous week, with Liam Oxley being replaced for a very different type of forward in the nippy Graham.
And the little and large combination that resulted, wasted no time in paying dividends. The towering Darren Watson nodded on to put Graham clear, who clinically dispatched on the volley.
As the lively start persisted, confusion between Nathan Campbell and Ashely Reid at the back allowed Trelleaven to nip in, and only a terrific covering tackle by Reid swept the danger. Keeper James Wastell was then forced to call on his reflexes to get a terrific hand on Trelleaven's lash. At the other end, Watson couldn't gather a Josh Smith cross for a simple tap-in.
Paul Kennett then headed into the net at the back-post. However he wheeled away to find the linesman's flag halting the Rebel celebrations.
The interval passed, and it was Chipstead who seized the first opportunities. Alan Mansfield got low to stunningly tip away Fred Fleming's impeccable header, with Alec Brown blazing over the rebound. Wastell then put Watson bearing down on goal with one of his trademark smashes up-field, but the number nine disappointingly skewed over the bar.
The contest tightened for a period in the middle of the half, but it appeared to be a silence before the storm, as the climax saw Worthing set up barrage on the Chips goal.
Campbell did enough with a last-ditch slide, to see Karl Akehurst screw Trelleaven's cut-back wide of the gaping frame. And Campbell again deposited of the threat, when Wastell could only parry Andy Alexander's header into the midst of the crowded penalty box.
The dynamic Trelleaven eventually claimed his goal as Wastell tipped his strike onwards, and referee Eamonn Smith adjudged the ball to be over the line prior to Nathan Campbell's clearance.
The visitors torrent only increased, but Campbell and Fleming both averted certain goals; thwarting Kennett and Ben Andrews respectively, and retaining Chips an impressive point.
TEAM; Wastell; Reid; Buchmann Fleming ©; Campbell; Quintyne; Brown; Aslan; Watson (Aslan 78); Graham (Oakins 35); Smith (Findlay 62)
Subs unused- Walters, Head - Goals; Graham 10 - Attendance; 121 - Match rating; **** Report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 17th January 2009
Ryman League One South
Whyteleafe 1 - 2 Chipstead
10-man Chipstead and Alec Brown snatched a 90th minute winner at Whyteleafe, to seize local bragging rights in a thoroughly gripping league encounter.
For the second match in succession, youngster Brown was the last minute hero; squeezing in to mark his side's New Year with a fiercely coveted 3-points.
With the three-week football freeze finally succumbing, supporters came looking for a bit of excitement. 3 goals, 2 red cards, 7 yellow cards, a dubious penalty decision, end-to-end football and a host of chances, managed to get most people on their feet.
As both sides fielded orthodox 4-4-2 formations, it took 20 seconds for Chips' New Year rust to rub off; Ashley Reid scything down Leafe skipper Paul Scott.
By the 3rd minute, James Wastell had to avert Leafe forward Andrew Martin after he was put through.
Yet it was that man Martin who broke the deadlock. Mark Hammonds free-kick was superbly saved by Wastell, but the ball had no justice in bouncing back off the post perfectly for the hosts' top scorer to stab home.
Whyteleafe seemed most likely to extend their lead after this, aided by a Chip vulnerability in having three defenders already walking a yellow card tightrope. It took referee Lloyd Rendell to change all this.
The hosts failed to deal with a Lawrence Buchmann corner, and Gavin Quintyne's point-blank hit was somehow thwarted on the line. Rendell pointed to the spot, to the dismay of the Leafe faithful. Defender Adam Broomhead had climbed with his arms raised, nevertheless he would have known nothing about the direction of Quintyne's strike.
Chips and Quintyne were happy to accept the invitation.
Alec Brown worked himself a couple of decent opportunities, but like many on the pitch in the first period, precision was lacking.
If the penalty incident was valid, then another handball on a Buchmann set-piece was a guarantee. Again it was Broomhead who rose hands first, to prevent the advance of the cross. Rendell was in no urge to repeat his feat, and gave a kick in the opposite direction.
Darren Watson headed into the keepers palms, as Chips persevered with a promising start to the second half.
However this was halted in the 58th minute. Captain Fred Fleming had already been booked, when he lunged in late on Ronnie Green. The referee was given no option in picking out the second yellow and dismissing the centre-back, and it appeared that Chips' hopes may follow Fleming to the changing room.
The resulting free-kick was a whisker from an instant impact. Scott's glancing header had everyone alluded barring the post.
Chips' responded by setting themselves up for a slog-out finish. Nicky English sacrificed his two strikers, with defender Ben Walters thrown on.
And it was ultimately the last action of the manager, as the referee awarded his mouth with a red card.
As expected, Whyteleafe would do most of the final pressing against their manager-less and a player-less opponents, but with the hosts pushing forward, Chips were free to launch counter-attacks of their own. The remainder was set up for classic end-to-end football.
Jason Goodchild's rocket flew just wide of the frame, before Chips' substitute Zak Graham was sent clean on goal; his finish far too casual to beat the impressive Robert O'Hara. Nathan Campbell couldn't get under a corner with the keeper stranded.
When Graham spurned a glorious opportunity, it appeared that he'd spurned their chance of a steal. Josh Smith's cross from the right found Graham with an open goal tap-in, but the striker misjudged and steered wide.
The next moment Ronnie Green was running in acres on the wing, but the tracking and challenge of Gavin Quintyne summarized his tireless afternoon. Carlton Murray-Price was fed in a great position and became another Leafe player guilty of lacking a finish.
The open play certainly had one player licking his lips. Once again, Smith tore down the right flank, and this time his cross was converted. The arriving Brown flicked the ball past the keeper, to put his side in raptures.
TEAM; Wastell; Reid; Buchmann Fleming ©; Campbell; Quintyne; Brown; Aslan; Watson; Oxley; Smith Subs unused- John; YorkGoals; Quintyne 29 (pen) Brown 90- Attendance; 123 - Match rating; ****
Report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 27th December 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 2 - 2 Merstham
Chipstead sneaked a point from a clash with local rivals Merstham, after 18 year old Alec Brown slammed home an equalizer on 90 minutes.
The youth-team graduate exquisitely found the net, with a 20 yard volley that stunned the travelling support and edged Chips up to 17th in the table.
Contrasting fortunes means this may be the last High Road encounter between the sides for a while. Merstham lay with a perfect position to creep through the back door of the play-offs. Whereas Chips had again been sucked into the drop-zone. Though no team has left their stomping ground with all the points, since early November.
And Chips broke the deadlock, as bitter temperatures failed to prevent a lively start.
A cool one-two with Josh Smith was matched with a similarly composed curling finish by Domonic O'Shea, to be the only half-time difference.
Merstham pressured to the latter of the half, and chances arose to draw level. Gavin Gordon discovered an ocean of space in the penalty area but maybe couldn't believe it; heading wide Mark Simmonds' cross. The dangerous Chris Read sizzled a volley just over the crossbar before the interval.
The visitors continued their fashion for large majorities of the second period. Luke Adams finally pulled them level.
The fullback scored an astonishing diving header from the left edge of the area, which looped into the far corner. It was a header worthy of many of the best centre-forward.
The home side had begun to stir up openings before Merstham grabbed the lead. The pick of the bunch came via a sitter squandered by Liam Oxley. When Smith crossed, the forward had a half-empty net inviting him to cap off a lovely move, but he somehow found the body of the keeper.
Simmonds would help himself to a spot on the score-sheet, following Kevin Locke header finding the post and rolling along the goal-line.
Darren Watson was introduced to the action to complete his long awaited comeback from injury. Still standing as Chips top league goal-scorer, Watson could never be handled, and his towering header was somehow kept out on the opposite goal-line. An attempted lob then only found the advertising boards, but he was the man who got under a late free-kick pumped forward by James Wastell.
His backward header found Brown, who found the net, to ensure a share of the spoils.
Watson fired just wide, subject to taking down and turning on a Reis Aslan cross, and there was still time for Justin David to nod just over the crossbar for Merstham, as his side tried and failed to retain their three points.
TEAM; Wastell; Reid; Head; Fleming ©; Campbell; Coleman (Quintyne 72); Brown; Aslan; O'Shea; Oxley (Watson 78); Smith Subs unused- Oakins; John; Wood - Goals; O'Shea 9 Brown 90- Attendance; 202 - Match rating; *** Report by George West
_ _ _
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 20th December 2008
Whitstable Town 5 - 1 Chipstead
This turned out to be Chips poorest performance of the season although it did not seem like that from the outset when they matched the home side's efforts in the early stages. Injuries had led to enforced changes the most obvious was Danny Oakins switching to right full back due to all three players normally selected not being available. Pulman shot wide for the 1st chance to the home side but didn't waste his second opportunity on nine minutes when he slipped between Chips flat footed defence and lobbed Wastell from 30yds.
Chips continued to push up for an offside decision and it nearly cost them dearly when Cory got away on the right but poor finishing let him down. Chip's passed the ball around quite well in between times but failed to find the clinical pass or final touch to cause the home side any trouble. The home side increased their lead on 25 minutes when Fleming seem to slip and clattered into Tanner which the referee adjudged as a poorly timed tackle and awarded a penalty which was converted by Quinn sending Wastell the wrong way. The returning Dominic O'Shea up front for Chip's looked lively but lacked support from midfield but was alert enough to try a 45yard lob spotting Fewell off his line but it was fractionally high. Fleming and Wastell made some important tackles and saves to take Chip's to half time with the score still 2-0.
Chip's started the second half in lively fashion and a great tackle by Brown in midfield set up Quintyne for a rasping shot which Fewell just managed to tip around the post. From Heads corner Whitstable cleared quickly and the lively Cory nipped around Chip's defence to fire home the third for Whitstable
That seemed to drain Chip's and Cory was on hand to fire home his second on 55 minutes to put the game out of reach. Changes were made with Oakins and Smith being replaced by Oxley and Yorke and Chip's offered a little more grabbing a goal back by the hardworking O'Shea converting Head's corner. Opportunities followed with Aslan, Yorke and O'Shea all having efforts saved or flying just wide but it was too little to late and the home side added one more to their total a few minutes from the end with Chip's stretched Wastell again was powerless to prevent the final nail in the coffin.
TEAM; J Wastell; F Fleming; C Head; N Campbell; D Oakins; D Coleman; A Brown; J Smith; R Aslan; G Quintyne; D O'Shea; Subs; L Oxley; J Yorke; C Miles;
_ _ _
Fred Fleming scores on a cold misty night v Walton & Hersham
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 16th December 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 3 - 3 Walton & Hersham
Chipstead were dealt a distressing blow at home to Walton & Hersham, as they surrendered both a cruising 3-goal cushion and 3 points that would have been hugely rewarding to their relegation scrap.
Adam Moriaty claimed the equalizer a full two minutes into stoppage time, as his side sneaked a 25 minute treble amidst the smothering fog.
The home support had a pleasing welcome in seeing the names of top scorers Danny Oakins and Darren Watson amongst the substitutes; Oakins back from suspension and Watson at High Road for the first time since an injury sustained against Leatherhead, back in August. And without them even taking to the field of play, Chips were as clinical as they have been for months.
They were impressive at the start of the first-half, but snatched the lead at a stage where the Swans had started to put in a resilient threat on James Wastell's goal.
Top scorer Zak Graham obviously forgot his shooting boots, as he sliced wide on three occasions, previous to heading over whilst in acres
Liam Oxley turned Matt Elverson into obscurity on the edge of the area and provided a finish worthwhile. It capped off a swift yet measured passing move, which started in Chips' own area.
Seemingly oblivious to the visor conditions, Chips fabricated flashes of some of their best football of the season prior to the break.
Their reward came with skipper Fred Fleming powering home Reis Aslan's corner; the defender's fifth of the season.
Hersham arrived the stronger after the break, but only to see Gavin Quintyne appearing to put the game safe.
Quintyne's header precisely picked out the far right corner, on the end of a delightful Oxley cross.
Josh Smith fizzed over the bar before speeding through and finding the post.
Despite this, Smith was soon departing the field. With the game looking to be wrapped up in time for Christmas, Nicky English was tinkering with his substitutions. Many may pinpoint this as the reason behind the proceedings, but what was clear was that the opposition's introduction of Moriarty was inspired. Furthermore, the unlucky first goal brought an unbalance to Chipstead for the Swans to feed on.
Fleming was penalized for a trip on Moriarty, and Graham took advantage of the spot-kick to finally have success in-front the posts.
The Swans launched a fully-blooded shower on goal. Chips should have taken advantage of this. So frequently, they had men to spare on the counter-attack, but turned wasteful. Clearly, the pace of the sacrificed Smith would have promised dividends with this.
When Moriarty curled into the far corner, Hersham looked odds on to grab another.
A valiant effort defensively was required to keep out the onslaught. Most notably, Fleming's lunging tackle put the ball round the post, with Graham ready to put into the empty net.
It looked like their stubbornness had been successful. But as the whistle neared referee Wilde's lips, the away side won a corner.
With the fog barrier thick, most fans had to use their ears to envisage the events up at the Chipstead end. The cheers confirmed Moriarty's goal; the bundling in of a corner.
Though an outcome that is shattering to Chips, a draw would have been accepted with no questions asked prior to kick off, seeing that their opponents stand 14 points above them in the table.
TEAM; Wastell; Walters; Head; Fleming ©; Campbell; Coleman; Brown; Aslan (Sidwell 60); Oxley (Oakins 61); Smith (John 65) Subs unused; Watson Goals; Oxley 37 Fleming 44 Quintyre 56- Attendance; 80 - Match rating; **** By George West
_ _ _
MATCH REPORT
Wednesday 10th December 2008
Ryman League One South
Eastbourne Town 1 - 0 Chipstead
On a cold Sussex evening Chips clicked into gear in the second half of the game but failed to apply the finishing touch to the many chances they made and therefore never recovered from the early goal they gifted to Towns no 4 to Adam Davidson capture all three points.
The home side applied early pressure to the Chips rear guard but Wastell was in fine form to protect Chips goal. Chips conceded what turned out to be the match winner after 15 minutes when Eastbourne's Davidson connected at the near post from a low cross fired in from the right. Chips had plenty of time to respond and they defended well enough with captain Fred Fleming and Nathan Campbell at the heart of the defence.
Daryl Rooney held things together in central midfield and after the break it just looked like a matter of time before Chips got on the scoresheet. However for all there efforts they sadly lacked a finishing touch of any quality and despite controlling the second half Tanner had very little to do as the Chips enjoyed all the possession but they could not turn that into goal worthy efforts and Eastbourne preserved their clean sheet to the final whistle.
TEAM; J Wastell; F Fleming; C Head; N Campbell; G Quintyne; D Coleman; A Brown; J Smith; R Aslan; L Oxley; J Yorke; Subs; A Douglas; K Quarty; N Carter;
_ _ _
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 2nd December 2008
Ryman League Cup
Whyteleafe 0 - 3 Chipstead
Chipstead claimed a bitter-sweet League Cup victory over Whyteleafe, sending their local foe to a second-round exit.
With both sides lurking vulnerably over the Ryman League drop-zone, the cup signaled a more considered 90 minutes. Nevertheless, Chips arrived at Church Road seeking vengeance for the 5-1 league humiliation suffered just over 2 months ago, whilst the typical derby bite was always going to appear.
Chris Head marked three set-piece assists for Kofi Quartey twice and Fred Fleming; setting up the convincing win.
Chances came few and far between throughout the tie.
It took 10 minutes for an attempt on goal, if an optimistic volley by Leafe fullback Sol Patterson-Bohner can be classed so. Andrew Martin should have put the hosts ahead, putting Denva Mackenzie's cross over from a one-on-one position. Earlier, Quartey skipped through and struck wide, but would steal his fortunate first 10 minutes on.
Quartey, enjoying a rare start, saw the ball drop from the sky and cannon in off his shin, seeing that keeper Matthew Mann missed Head's corner.
Mckenzie may have drew level, but Quartey benefitted from another Head corner moments forward.
This time it was more elegant, as he cleverly back-heeled through the legs of Mann.
Leafe couldn't handle Chips' set-piece danger, and required the whistle of referee Warren Atkin to spare them from a disconcerting third Quartey goal on a Head corner. The striker finished the ball with his head, when a punt dropped from the freezing night, but the referee spotted an infringement.
Chips continued to be stubborn in defence, preventing any clear-cut opportunities. This paved the way for Fleming to extend the margin.
The sliding captain turned Head's free-kick powerfully into the net, to provide Leafe with a mountain to climb.
The goal was the last action before the break, setting Chipstead up nicely for the second-half.
Counter-attacks were seemingly the methods adopted by both sides in the team-talks, but all came to little success.
Liam Shirley stung the hands of Mann with an effort, Quartey slipped when going to strike, and Jamil York should have found the target after being sent racing clear; Leafe in silent plea for just a clean sight of goal.
Substitute Carlton Murray-Price was finally given one, however he completely mistimed his header. This left Adam Broomhead and Callum Maclean to attempt from potshots, but they fired wide and had James Wastell tip over respectively.
Chips forward Liam Oxley then only found the crossbar, subject to winning a challenge with the keeper on the edge of the area and finding himself with an open goal. Under the circumstances of their healthy lead, he can be forgiven.
Chipstead will take heart from the display and the place in the next round, but clearly have their focus on the league and Saturday's encounter with Godalming, shown by the late substituting of Fleming for nobody.
TEAM; Wastell, Walters, Head, Fleming (c) (- 80), Campbell; Coleman, Brown, Shirley (Carter 65), Quartey, York, Douglas (Oxley 72 (Subs unused- Smith, Aslan, Buchmann. Goals; Quartey (2) 24,29 Fleming 45- Attendance; 60 - Match rating; *** Report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 29th November 2008
Burgess Hill 3 - 3 Chipstead
Chips came back from the dead in this match showing a great resilience and banging in three second half goals to snatch a point from the home side. The first half was a fairly dull affair with neither side creating a great deal in front of goal.
Chip's couldn't muster a shot to trouble the home keeper and Burgess Hill managed two shots off target and two on target which Wastell was powerless to save giving the host's a 2-0 lead at the break. Half time saw the introduction of Alec Brown into midfield to support Daryl Coleman shortly followed by Jamal York and Kofi Quarty to liven up the strike force. Chip's however conceded a third goal from a lucky deflection for the home side to give them what looked an unassailable lead.
The score changed again within minutes when a long clearance from Wastell and a strong challenge from York allowed the ball to run through to Antoine Douglas who coolly fired past Stoner to reduce the arrears.
Just a few minutes more and a revitalised Chip's added a second goal when after good work on the flanks from Josh Smith gave Brown the chance to place his shot wide of Stoner. Chips pressed hard towards the end and a deserved equaliser came in the second minute of time added on when Quarty received the ball from a goal mouth scramble and rounded Stoner to roll in Chip's leveller.
Wastell made a fine save seconds from the end to ensure that vital away point extending the unbeaten league run to three games.
TEAM; J Wastell; C Head; J Findlay; F Fleming; D Coleman; N Campbell; J Smith; A Douglas; L Oxley; R Aslan; N Carter; Subs; A Brown ; K Quarty;J York; L Buchmann;
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 2 - 1 Croydon Athletic
A solid Chipstead showing was rewarded with a 2-1 score, which sees them leapfrog opponents Croydon Athletic and continue their push back up the table.
Jake Delaney provided a first-half winner, that turned a bizarre Sean Rivers goal to cancel out Reis Aslan, into a mere detail.
The newly-successful 4-5-1 formation was again deployed by Nicky English, and again worked a treat. Before last week, Chips' couldn't buy a win, but appeared assured and controlling, in vast contrast to their previous thread-like composure.
Dynamic wing play by Josh Smith provided Dominic O'Shea with two promising early chances, nevertheless it took Aslans' crisp lob to really get the game going.
The midfielder was picked out in space at 20 yards, and he looped the ball over the reach of Jack Smelt and into the far left netting.
The Rams were awoken, yet although striker Shabazz Baiboo was lively, he frustrated in-front of goal. A weak strike should never have found Wastell's hands, and his day was typified by a powerful strike from distance deflected inches from the post. His anxiety was eased, with his side drawing level from the resulting corner.
Rivers claimed the final touch of the football, in its seemingly desperate burst to find the goal. Bradley Duke feebly headed down from James Wastell's fumble, and the ball somehow crept through the swarm of Chips defenders, brushing the foot of Rivers on its way in.
It was harsh on Chips, however they could have seen the points start slipping away. On another day, referee Rowbury may have pointed to the spot amid the appeals, when Baiboo was challenged by Lawrence Buchmann. Wastell then pulled out a terrific reflex save to keep out a free Rivers header.
It was a game that was improving by every passing minute, and as it happened, Chips went on to reclaim the lead. Buchmann swung in a delicious corner to the back post, where Delaney nodded in.
Chipstead sat off in the second-half, but subdued the Rams to half-chances, with a resilient display.
Baiboo quickly fought himself through, only to slice wide, and Adam Greenway headed over the bar in-front of Wastell. The visitors skipper Daniel Waluren turned in an influential performance, in his quest to drag his side to a point. Delaney denied him on the line, Wastell held his set-piece, before the midfielder fired a speculative strike just wide; the Rams pressing for the better of the chances.
As the clocked ticked down, so did the chances of the game staging another goal. O'Shea almost extended Chips' lead with a diving header, prior to Waluren shooting directly into a Chips defender from a promising position.
It was to be the last assault on the scoresheet, allowing Chips to pick up their 2nd win on the spin - the tide turning for them.
TEAM; Wastell; Campbell; Buchmann; Delaney; Fleming (c); Coleman (Wareing 91); Head (Findlay 59); Aslan; O'Shea; Brown; Smith (Oxley 75) Subs unused; Gant; Reid
Goals; Aslan 14; Delaney 40 - Attendance; - Match rating; ***
Report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 18th November 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 2 - 1 Crowborough Athletic
Chipstead hauled themselves off the foot of the table; battling past current relegation rivals Crowborough Athletic for a long sought-after 3 points.
Goals from youngster Alec Brown and Fred Fleming proved enough for 10-man Chips, as they held out a late Crow resurgence. A tense game rose a level at the climax, but tempers also followed this feat, to pour a degree of shame on Chips' victory.
Home boss Nicky English selected a midfield five for the tie, and was rewarded as his side edged a quiet opening period.
The Crow's long through-ball method was an early menace. Straight-away Andrew Dugille's punt put Luke Ascirva in clean air in-front of goal. Fleming eventually cleared, as the striker set a tone in the overrunning of the ball. Luke Fontana was the next culprit, seeing that he allowed James Wastell to slide in and collect.
Just as the visitors had started to appear the stronger, Alec Brown found the net from 25 yards. Brown, enjoying an extended run in the side, was stood off of far too much by the Crow backline; inviting the sweet shot which found the bottom left corner.
Borough continued to press in the same manner. High-Road froze in motion, if not from the bitter cold, when Fontana chipped over the advancing Wastell. The ball edged agonizingly at goal, before unbelievably creeping the wrong-side of the post. Wastell pulled out a stunning reflex save to deny Matt Foreman, but then required Andrew Wareing to twice poke the ball away, when he was unable to hold Ascirva's cross and shot respectively.
A Chipstead counter in the last act of the half came to nothing, as Liam Oxley took a heavy touch after a one-two with Josh Smith sent him away.
Fred Fleming increased the margin, after finally putting the desired touch into a goalmouth scramble. The centre-back sparked the scrap, when his header on a corner somehow found Mark Oldroyd fingertips. Wareing was subsequently twice averted at point-blank range, before the bobbling ball was smashed up into the roof of the net by the lunging Fleming.
Again the Crow's responded well, but not prior to clearing Oxley's header off the line. Ascirva nodded onto the bar, and then complacently rolled wide of the gaping goal.
On 82 minutes, Luke Gedling fired a rebound under Wastell, to set up an edgy remainder.
Controversy commenced to mar it. Substitute Danny Oakins, a surprise omission from the line-up, reacted to Steve Hunt; flooring the stand-in Crow captain. A straight red card was his just-desserts.
His manager Nicky English was then sent to the stands with opposite-number Harry Smith, for their roles in a heated touchline clash between the two clubs' officials.
When order was restored, Brendan Sebuliba found a great position to level, but Fleming's unintentional head deflected his strike over the bar.
There were more fireworks outside the dressing rooms, but Chips cling to an underlining relief at their first win in seven.
TEAM; Wastell; Reid (Head 45); Buchmann; Wareing; Fleming (c); Coleman; Findlay (Aslan 57); Campbell; Brown; Oxley (Oakins 65); Smith Subs unused; Gant; Graham Goals; Brown 22; Fleming 47 - Attendance; 80 - Match rating; *** Report by George West
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 11th November 2008
Ryman League One South
Dulwich Hamlet 2 - 1 Chipstead
After a poor display on Saturday Nicky decided to make 5 changes to the starting line up and was rewarded with a much improved performance.
The first half was a tight contest, if a little uneventful in the early stages, but during the course of the half Josh Smith twice hit the wood work with long range efforts and it was not until the 40th minute that Dulwich created their first real opportunity with a fierce shot that was well saved by James Wastall.
The second half saw Dulwich come more into the game having switched ex High Road favourite Scotty Simpson into a more attacking position. Eventually in the 53rd minute Dulwich took the lead when Laurent Hamici drilled the ball past Wastell.
Chipstead refused to let this setback dampen their spirits and gained a deserved equaliser when from a free kick Laurence Buchanan swung in a fine dead ball that the unmarked Fred Flemming headed past the keeper.
But then in the 65th minute lady luck once again deserted us when the linesman stumbled at the crucial moment of a ball being played forward allowing Scotty who appeared to be in an offside position the opportunity to give the lead back to Dulwich and as we all know he rarely wastes these chances.
The final quarter was not without incident as Josh once again hit the bar after chipping a shot past the onrushing keeper, but the home side held out to continue their fine run of form and move up to 3rd place in the division.
One other incident of note during the game was when substitute Aaron Cole-Bolt was about to come on the referee decided that the pair of pants he was wearing under his green shorts were not of the correct colour and therefore had to be removed pitch side before he could come on, unfortunately one of the other subs Gavin Quintyne expressed his opinion to the linesman and was duly sent to the stand for his comments.
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 8th November 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 4 Corinthian Casuals
Chipstead lost out for the 5th time in as many games, with Corinthian Casuals taking all the points from an exciting encounter.
Two Casual goals either side of the break sandwiched Nathan Campbell's flick, as Chips were given a lesson in finishing the chances.
Nicky English was forced to draft in 17 year old Joe Gant between the sticks to replace Captain James Wastell, and there was a start for the age 18, Alec Brown. This was with Chips looking for a way out of the relegation places against opposition that they were level on 10 points with, prior to kick-off.
Casuals drew first blood after a free-flowing opening 15 minutes.
Byron Brown had earlier threatened with a sweet free-kick, and it was he who was behind the freakish goal. When the winger picked up the ball on his left touchline, few could foresee his cross drifting over Gant, and landing perfectly in the net. In light of their recent luck however, Chips would never had written off such an event.
And Chips could again only curse their luck, as Fleming's headed clearance found the only non-hooped shirt on the edge of the box, in Joe Nwoko. The number 9 comfortably dispatched on the volley.
The hosts wouldn't have been blamed for thinking the game was getting away from them, had Campbell not supplied an instant reply. Though his header on a long lofted Aaron Cole-Bolt set-piece was tame, it bobbled through the bodies and in off the right post.
Chips had notice to chase an equaliser. Chris Head swept a long ball over the top of the Casual wall, where Danny Oakins couldn't set himself properly and consequently struck direct at Calvin Harris. Josh Smith then flicked onto the roof of the net, in compromise to one of the best moves of the match involving the surging Cole-Bolt and Jamie Findlay.
Half-time only paused the resurgence of Chipstead.
Findlay's inch-perfect cross evaded keeper Harris, yet youth team captain Alec Brown couldn't direct a header into the empty net. It was the best of the many chances for his side; Chips lacking the vital perseverance up-front.
Up popped Paul Hunt to make them pay. Nwoko held the ball up, and nipped it through to Hunt, who had a simple finish.
High Road continued to be treated to an open affair, with good opportunities arriving at each end.
Cole- Bolt was unsuccessful in his very valid efforts to instigate a Chips fight-back; curling wide, and then having a 30 yard rocket expertly tipped over. In the meantime, Joe McNemey was had a clear-cut 6 yard chance averted by three scrambling Chips defender snuffing it out.
As Chips pressed furiously at the climax, Casuals launched one final counter-attack. McNemey knocked over the half-way line for Nwoko, who couldn't be caught. Nwoko reached the edge of the area, placed under Gant, and sealed the Tolworth side's victory.
TEAM; Gant; Reid; Head; Campbell; Fleming (c); Wareing (Quintyre 45); Findlay (Quartey 67); Cole-Bolt; Oakins (Oxley 67); Brown; Smith Subs unused; Wardell; Nicholas. Goals; Campbell 24 - Attendance; 95 - Match rating; ****
Report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 4th November 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 6 Cray Wanderers
Chipstead endured a miserable evening hosting league highflyers Cray Wanderers; having their net hit for six.
Not for the first time this season, the result was a harsh illustration on Chips' display, whilst the 6-1 scoreline also painted a flattering picture on the match itself. Aaron Cole-Bolt just about stirred the imaginations with his strike to make it 2-1 early in the second-half, but goals from Tony Dolby, Scott Kinch twice, Mark Willy, Colin Luckett and Tyrone Sterling settled a poor game.
The contest didn't lack a competitive spirit, but both sides were wasteful in possession, and the football never got going. The Wands had that bit more class, the run of the green and they opened up a first-half advantage.
Early signs suggested they would break the deadlock. Tony Dolby's well-struck set-piece ensured James Wastell was quickly tested, before the striker got in the way of teammate Steve Aris' effort. Willy then snatched Sterling's left wing cross just wide of the far-post. Chip's were hampered by an injury to Reis Aslan in the 12th minute, allowing Cole-Bolt to continue his return to the hooped shirt.
Minutes later Cray grabbed the lead. Chips' defending could have been better to prevent Kinch holding a long-ball up, turning, crossing and providing the free Dolby with a simple headed finish.
Then the visitors went on to extend their lead. Dolby returned the favour to Kinch, as his free-kick was parried by Wastell again, straight into his strike-partner's path. And again there was no pressure when Kinch nodded down and in.
The Wands continued to press, seeing that Dolby could twice fire at the posts. His first was gathered after Kinch's clever back-heel gave him space, and another free-kick was eventually held. Fleming's glance on a corner represented the closest that Chips had come.
Yet Nicky English's young side finally produced a good attacking spell at the start of the second period. When Wands stopper Jack Bradshaw spilled Chris Head's dangerous ball, his side were forced to scramble to clear and spare him a wrath. The goal followed from another Head delivery.
This time a corner, Head's ball found Cole-Bolt on the far edge of the area, who took the ball in his stride before rifling it in off a defender.
The script was written for a game of two-halves, but unfortunately Willy didn't read it. Dean Morris lumped a free-kick forward that evaded the heads, and Willy popped up at the back post to steer past Wastell.
Cray finally pinned some good play onto the game; running riot in the last 15 minutes.
Andrew Wareing upended substitute Tommy Whitnell from behind and Luckett converted the resulting kick.
Campbell had just been returned to his usual centre-back slot after featuring up-front for the tie, but he was the unlucky man who saw Sterling's shot cannon off him and dribble into the goal. Kinch then stole himself a second; bundling Sterling's drive over the line.
Chips now look to Saturday's High Road encounter with Corinthian Casuals to end their stuttering league form.
TEAM; Wastell(C); Reid; Head; Wareing; Fleming; Coleman (Quintyre 57); Wardell(Findlay 45); Aslan (Cole-Bolt 12); Oakins; Campbell; Smith; Subs unused; Gant; Clough
Goals; Cole-Bolt 52 - Attendance; 102 - Match rating; ** - Match report by George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 1st November
Kingstonian 3 - 0 Chipstead
Ryman League One South.
On a very wet and windy Saturday afternoon, Chipstead fell to the unbeaten league leaders Kingstonian. Kicking into the driving wind and rain, a soft penalty was given on 4 minutes, which was calmly dispatched by Kingstonian's number nine Bobby Traynor.
Traynor got his second of the match, after a slip in defence, on 34 Minutes and Julien Thompson made it 3 on 82 with a shot in the box just passing the finger tips of James Wastell in goal.
With a changed centre defensive partnership from the last 4 games and two new signings in the starting eleven, Chips had to encounter K's long ball tactics by playing out of defence, but were met with stern challenges and a back five to play through.
Josh Smith and Mark Wardell ran the flanks but on the occasions the ball was delivered, it was met with a soft head, a shot or the untroubled keeper caught it without any pressure.
Smith cut a ball back to new signing Shane Graham on 41 minutes. Graham tried a bicycle kick which fell to Oakins whose shot went just wide.
Nicky English freshened things up in the second half with the introduction of Reis Aslan, Louis Clough and the return of Aaron Cole-Bolt, re signed from Leatherhead .
Wastell made some great saves throughout the game, but saved the best, in the last ten minutes, by pulling off one on one to deny Traynor his hat trick.
With a young referee in the centre and the pitch slowly sinking, Chips had six players booked to K's one in a game where no bad challenges were made, despite the appalling conditions.
Team: Wastell ( c ): Reid (Cole-Bolt 76); Head; Campbell; Wearing; Coleman; Wardell (Clough 67); Shirley (Aslan 53); Oakins; Graham; Smith - Attendance 256
Daryl Coleman's shot hits the back of the net ot Torquay
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 25th October 2008
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Torquay United 4 - 1 Chipstead
Gritty Chipstead were agonizingly squeezed from the FA Cup by Torquay United, bringing an end to their memorable run in the competition.
Tim Sills' late brace killed off a Chips second-half surge, that was led by a Daryl Coleman strike, and sealed the gulls a 4-1 win and passage into the first round.
Chips were always going to be feeding off scraps in the biggest game of their history; going head on with both the biting Devonshire winds, and a team that only narrowly missed out on a football league position last year.
Nicky English pinpointed his side's showing of "too much respect", for them dropping two first-half goals.
Tyrone Thompson's uncompromising finish gave the Gulls an early advantage. Mustapha Carayol teased Chris Head on the right touchline, before picking out Thompson on the six-yard box to smash home.
Springing to life, the gulls set out for more rewards. Thompson should have provided it. Directly after his first, the striker found himself with only the keeper in his wake, but decided to try and put in Roscoe Dsane. Ashley Reid cleared to Chips' relief.
The hosts oozed class down the wings. Lee Hodges and Dsane may have converted opportunities that arose from this, with Chips unable to cope with the dynamics and trickery of Dsane and in particular Carayol.
Thompson's scrappy goal was a huge blow to Chips before half-time. The hooped shirts couldn't clear the bobbling ball of a corner, and Thompson's scuffed effort somehow rolled across the line.
Then Nicky Wroe sliced wide after a great gull move; the best of the numerous chances spurned by the blue-square club.
You felt Chips had something in them as the referee bought a close to the first period. They were still holding the 3 league above gulls in sight, had the outstanding Josh Smith to cause havoc, and possessed a support of 50 who valiantly fought the chants of over 1,500 base fans.
5 minutes in, Steve Woods blazed over a sitter before Thompson nodded harmlessly wide- Chips growing with every United miss. A sensational set-piece by Kevin Nicholson skimmed the top of the net.
Chips turn in front of goal came, and they had to look twice to believe top scorer Danny Oakins didn't find it. Scott Bevan spilled the ball into Oakins path, but the striker screwed the ball wide of the empty net. Penalty appeals were ignored. His looping header afterwards came close to making up for it. It all kicked off in the 65th minute as Chips won a 35 yard free-kick that Coleman stood over. A mass melee erupted in the penalty area, to mar a creditably clean encounter. Of that, referee Matthew McLaughlin respectably only booked Jake Delaney after a discussion with each of his linesman. A full 4 minutes later, Coleman was given the signal to go.
And he made the wait worthwhile. The 19 year old hammered a stunning strike that ripped the top right corner. It was a ferocious hit at the herald express stand, sending the supporters in it into ecstasy. Coleman was booked for his crazy celebrations, but ultimately Chips were right back in the match.
And Chips may have got their dream leveler, as they couldn't find the crucial touch when Bevan fumbled.
Their commanding backline performance was a source of their second-half success, led by the immense Fred Fleming. It was the reason why the gulls had to settle for a staggering 23 corners in the match. And when English moved to a 3-4-3 with the introduction of Neil John, it was always likely to be make or break.
Unfortunately it had the negative effect. With fullback Head sacrificed, the gull winger's were free to roam again.
Tim Sills beat two men on the right to precisely finish. And a minute later, Carayol again terrorized that right side; crossing for Sills to tuck past James Wastell.
The gulls will go on looking to topple their record 4th round proper feat. Whilst Chips return to Surrey with all of their attention on their league season, boosted by the glory of this terrific FA cup run.
TEAM; Wastell(c); Reid; Head (John 78); Delaney; Fleming; Coleman; Aslan (Wareing 60); Campbell (Sidwell 90); Oakins; O'Shea; Smith Subs unused; Gant; Shirley; Wardell; Brown
Goals; Coleman 69 - Report by: George West
***
Match Report
Tuesday 14th October 2008
FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay
Chipstead 3 - 0 Atherstone Town
Chipstead booked their place as a surprise name of the FA Cup 4th qualifying round, with Danny Oakins' unanswered hat-trick chucking Atherstone Town out of the competition in Tuesday's replay. The striker had looked to have sent his side through early in the first encounter with a goal, but he made sure there was no way back this time with a cool treble that broke the ice of an evenly-matched contest.
It was a tight affair throughout, and the first-half saw both sides opting for a long-ball game in search of an opening. A spot-kick was required to ease the tension. Daryll Coleman sent Dominic O'Shea racing clear with a delightful throughball; the latter bought down by the diving Richard Williams in his attempt to round him. Referee Lee Venamore booked the keeper, and Chips' let their top-scorer Oakins help himself to his first of the evening
The Adders responded well but failed in the crucial task of pulling themselves level. The Midland Southern League One visitors constructed a well-worked set-piece that ended with Leigh Everitt's effort refusing to curl quite enough to find the net. Effective midfielder Scott Clamp saw his 25 yard rocket avade the crossbar and his free-kick cleared from danger.
The teams came out after the break, and the game resumed to a similar fashion. The only noteable action came via referee Venamore's pocket, until Oakins extended his impressive FA cup scoring form and Chips' lead. Oakins delightfully floated the ball over the stranded Williams, in a goal from nothing.
The Adders stopper reached a pass-back over the surge of Chips' men that were Gavin Quintyre and O'Shea, but could only find a Chips' head in Coleman. That head put Oakins one-on-one and the result was a gleeful feeling to the home support at High Road. 10 minutes on, and Oakins put in the last piece of his perfect night. Sublime link-up play with winger Josh Smith allowed him to find the space on the edge of the area to guide the ball under Williams; the pair having exchanged 5 passes.
Nicky English ensured the Adders had no consolation for their long journey back to Warwickshire, by swapping out his two front-men for natural centre-halves, and ensuring a timid remainder.
The 3-0 win sets Chips for an exciting match-up with former Football League outfit Torquay United; and sees them continue to excel in the competition.
TEAM;Wastell(c); Reid; Head; Delaney; Fleming; Aslan (John 90); Quintyre; Coleman; Oakins (Campbell 71); O'Shea (Wareing 80); Smith Subs unused; Gant; Shirley; Wardell; Brown. Goals; Oakins (3) 29, 56, 67 - Report by: George West
Chipstead form a wall v Atherstone Town
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 11th October 2008
Atherstone Town 1 - 1 Chipstead
FA Cup 3rd qualifying round
Atherstone had Ashley Wells to thank for an equaliser ten minutes from time to earn them a replay in this 3rd qualifying round tie of the F.A.Cup
Chip's on the other hand had dealt with a lot of pressure from Town's more direct game and with good performances from everyone might have just edged a result in the midlands. Danny Oakins shocked the 449 spectators after just 13 minutes when after some sustained pressure Chip's moved the ball through midfield and Dominic O'Shea whipped the ball around his marker to Oakin's who calmly finished the move stabbing the ball home at the near post.
Chip's put themselves under unnecessary pressure conceding too many free kicks in their final third but with James Wastell in fine form together with his defence they maintained a clean sheet. Right on the break Josh Smith got away from his marker and only a great reaction save from Richard Williams prevented the visitors taking a 2-0 lead in to the dressing room at half time.
A fairly even second half saw restricted chances from both teams until ten minutes from time when Chip's pushed forward for a free kick which Atherstone quickly cleared downfield and Ashley Wells found himself in space to fire past the advancing Wastell to level the scores.
Chip's pushed forward for a second goal and Neil John and Oakin's went close but were unable to break the deadlock.
TEAM; J Wastell; C Head; A Reid; F Fleming; D Coleman; J Delaney; J Smith; D O'Shea; D Oakins; R Aslan;G Quintyne; Subs; L Shirley ; (R Aslan) N John (D O'Shea) A Wareing; A Brown; N Campbell; M Wardell; J Gant;(not used)
Action v Leighton Town
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 4th October 2008
Leighton Town 7 - 1 Chipstead
F.A.TROPHY 1st PRELIMINARY ROUND
Chips crashed out of the Trophy for the second season running at the first hurdle with a score line that flattered their hosts somewhat.
It was a depleted line up that travelled north for the second week running with injuries, suspensions and domestic issues leaving manager Nick English limited player availability. However Chips had some early opportunities to take a lead when a quick free kick was pushed forward by Jake Delaney to Fred Fleming who clipped the ball over the advancing Lee Clark only to see his effort go wide of goal.
Reis Aslan saw his powerful goal bound free kick deflected away for a corner which he took and Andrew Wareing's header was tipped over by Clark. Leighton were successful with their first corner of the match after 20 minutes when captain Peter Clifford timed his jump better than anyone else to head home the opening goal.
Enzo Silvestri drove home a second on 39 minutes and Chips were stunned when right on the half time whistle Leon Cashman thundered in a shot which James Wastell brilliantly saved but the rebound dropped to James Hatch who scored.
Chips again had the early second half chances when Fleming volleyed over before Hatch scored his second latching on to a defensive error presenting him a tap in. Hatch scored his hat trick when he appeared to receive the ball in an off side position but the assistant waved play on and the goal stood.
Chip's got a consolation goal when substitute Liam Oxley took his chance to fire past Clark in the 74th minute. Gallant wrapped up the scoring with a wind assisted cross shot from wide right on the final whistle leaving Chip's to rue their early missed opportunities which might have brought about a different ending.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; F Fleming;C Rowney; J Delaney; R Aslan; G Quintyne; D Coleman; M Wardell; J Smith; D O'shea Subs; A Reid ;( not used) L Oxley; (M Wardell) N John ;(D O'shea) J Gant; (J Wastell)
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 30th September 2008
Ashford Town 2 - 3 Chipstead
Chips produced a fine performance to take all three points playing some of their best football of the season getting themselves in to a strong position with a 3-0 half time lead.
Both team played open football with half chances at both ends before Chips took the lead after 28 minutes. A Josh Smith free kick found Danny Oakins who cleverly side stepped his marker to find a yard of space to drill home a fine shot from 20 yards. Oakins might have scored almost immediately afterwards when a cross from Smith was headed just wide. It was only four minutes before Chips did increase their lead when Smith's good work down the right paid more dividens when Dominic O'shea met the ball in front of his marker at the near post to convert Chips second goal.
James Wastell was having his fair share of work at the other end saving well from Ashford's no 9 and then parrying another effort from the same with Andrew Wareing assisting with a goal line clearance. Oakins rounded off the first half with his second of the night smartly controlling Smiths cross on his chest before volleying beyond the keepers reach.
Ashford started more determined after the break with three substitutes all brought in to action. However a lengthy delay due to a clash of heads resulting in both players having to leave the field Ashford were reduced to ten men but Chips were able to introduce Alec Brown in place of Ashley Reid.
As the game continued Chips went close on a couple of occasions but Ashford grabbed a goal back when a cross was converted by Claude Seanla to reduce the arrears. Within a matter of a few minutes Seanla was on hand again to put the game within reach but a resilient Chips defence held on to record a fine result and deservedly take all three points.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; A Reid ;C Head; N Campbell;G Quintyne; D Coleman; M Wardell; J Smith; D O'shea; D Oakins; Subs; A Brown; (A Reid) F Fleming;(M Wardell) R Aslan ;(D Oakins) J Gant;(not used)
Dunstable keeper under pressure
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 27th September 2008
Dunstable 2 - 3 Chipstead
F.A.Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Chipstead won through to the 3rd qualifying round of the F.A.Cup but only just avoiding a replay with Nathan Campbell scoring the decisive goal two minutes from the end.
Chips had cruised into a comfortable 2-0 lead with Danny Oakins firing home the first goal after 34 minutes when he converted Josh Smith's cross from eight yards out. Dunstable had their chances but James Wastell was in fine form and dealt with everything the home side had with the help of the crossbar on one occasion.
Recent signing Dominic O'Shea nipped in to score Chip's second after some fine wing play by Jake Delaney who had stayed forward following a corner. Dunstable threw on two attacking sub's and saw the benefit almost immediately when they pushed bodies forward for a free kick which Chip's never cleared properly and Nick Nolan stabbed the ball home. With just under 20 minutes left Dunstable pushed forward and Chip's defence held firm until Referee Nigel Field awarded a penalty for an alleged handball by Campbell.
Nolan was again the man to step up and convert the spot kick bringing the scores level. Chip's defended well in the closing stages but were also causing problems for the home side on the break and that led to Chip's winner when they forced two corners in quick succession and the second one, a deeper delivery dropped to Campbell at the back post who lifted the ball in to roof of the net to claim the decisive goal. Chip's now face another trip north to Atherstone Town who are in the Midlands Division as are Dunstable Town.
Team; J Wastell; C Head; N Campbell; J Delaney; A Wareing;D Coleman; M Wardell;G Quintyne;D Oakins; D O'shea; J Smith; Subs; A Reid (M Wardell) A Brown;(D O'Shea) R Aslan; R Williams; J Gant (not used)
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 23rd September 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 1 - 5 Whyteleafe
Chipstead were unable to recover from a dire first half display, as they crashed to a hugely disappointing 5-1 loss to arch-rivals Whyteleafe.
Steve McNamara and a Denva McKenzie brace left Chips with a mighty climb to make come the interval. And finishes by Robert Smith and Paul Scott then sandwiched a fluky Mark Wardell goal to complete the rout.
Leafe were quick out of the blocks; troubling James Wastell within the 1st minute. The keeper just managed to get vital fingertips to Jason Goodchild's strike, so he could see it roll back off the post and across the goal-line, on its way back into his hands. Yet the visitors would only have to wait for five minutes, for the referee to award them another attempt at it from the spot.
Winger Nicky Greene ran through the Chips backline, to be upended by Wastell as he rounded him. McNamara took the penalty duty with no mistake; calmly sending the stopper the wrong way.
The contest was played out at top speeds, but Leafe, their fans in great voice behind the Chips' goal, were the only side providing an attacking threat. The visitors set about on a two minute onslaught on the Chips net; McKenzie finishing off two moves for two goals, and giving his side a very nice breathing space.
On 28 minutes, the ball fell to McKenzie inside the penalty box, after good work by Greene down the left touchline. He made no mistake on the half-volley.
Then McKenzie again found space in the area, as this time Scott worked his way down the wing; giving Wastell no chance with an unstoppable downward header on the end of the cross.
Chips were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.
It seemed like the hosts would experience more of the same as they came out for the second period. Greene whipped in a brilliant cross that somehow evaded everyone, whilst they continued to demonstrate a lost set-piece threat. Nicky English used all of his substitutions in an effort to change things, but would have to wait until after Smith increased the deficit to see any effects.
Greene displayed more of his dangerous speed and creativity; beating Ashley Reid and supplying Smith with a simple finish from 8 yards.
On a night where things just didn't click for Chips, substitute Wardell's luck shed them a bit of light. An attempted cross curled in goalwards, where the ball dropped into the net after the scrambling Robert Tolfrey failed to hold it.
Tolfrey made up for his lapse by turning out a string of top-class saves, to halt Chips' impossible comeback. He arrived before Danny Oakins to a ball over the top, pushed Nathan Campbell's flick onto the post, and tipped over a delicious curling effort by Chris Head. The stopper didn't finish there. He denied Daryl Coleman a 30 yard screamer with five minutes on the clock, and parried Andrew Wareing's strike away from danger, as Chips gave the kind of climax that may have seen them on the correct end of the drubbing. It was far too little far too late.
Paul Scott ran clear, took it past Wastell, and precisely placed it home to wrap the game up.
TEAM; Wastell; Findlay (Reid 55); Head; Campbell; Wareing; Williams(c)(Coleman 55); Quintyre; Delaney; Oakins; Fleming (Wardell 59); Smith Subs unused; Andrews; Buchmann
Goals; Wardell 70
Report by: By George West
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 20th September 2008
Worthing 1 - 1 Chipstead
This was a bizarre game which neither the players, supporters nor anybody else who witnessed it will ever forget. Chip's had a slow start and an early free kick rattled James Wastell's crossbar but flew off to safety. Chris Head also made a timely tackle to prevent Roy Pook shooting from close range.
Danny Oakin's was the first to test Alan Mansfield collecting a cross from Josh Smith and firing past a defenders outstretched leg to force Mansfield to dive to his left to save. Play evened up and Chip's took the lead after 13 minutes when Fred Fleming powered home a fierce header from Smith's accurate cross which Mansfield was powerless to stop. It wasn't until nearly half time that Wastell was tested when Pook turned quickly and shot for the corner of Wastell's goal but he managed to push the shot away but Jamie Brotherton reacted quickest and fired in another effort which Wastell managed to save.
Wastell was kept busy clearing a couple of corners just before the break. Chip's thought they had taken a two goal lead soon after the restart when Fleming claimed a touch on a long throw which fooled Mansfield and bounced into the net but it was disallowed as the linesman didn't see any contact. Worthing levelled the score on 60 minutes when after Head had managed to block two shots the third was goal bound when Nathan Campbell prevented a goal by handling the ball. He was dismissed and Scott Kirkwood converted the resulting spot kick to level things. The game was fairly open with both keepers kept busy for the last half hour but as time went on the team numbers diminished.
Chris Head went for receiving a second booking and a Worthing defender followed shortly for blocking off Smith who was on a clear run to goal. He was followed by the home team's goal scorer Kirkwood and then Jamie Findlay followed for a dangerous tackle on 90 minutes. In time added on Chips broke away and Smiths shot was parried by Mansfield but Reid following up fired in a goal bound effort and another Worthing defender dived to prevent the goal and was adjudged to have handled. He left the field and in the final seconds Oakin's had his penalty saved by Mansfield.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; C Head; ; J Findlay; F Fleming; R Aslan; G Quintyne; D Oakins; N Campbell; J Smith; D Coleman Subs; J Delaney (D Coleman) A Reid ;( R Aslan) M Wardell & B Andrews not used.
Match Report
Saturday 13th September 2008
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Chipstead 1 - 0 Chatham Town
Chipstead edged into the second round of the FA Cup Qualifiers, as Chatham Town failed to answer to Fred Fleming's scrappy first half goal.
A cagey contest never inspired in the way of goal-mouth action; the soliditary strike arriving courtesy of Fleming, who was fortunate to see the ball revere into the net, after a sliding challenge with the Chats keeper.
The visitors, of the Ryman Division One North, posed the greater early threat, of a game primarily fought out in the midfield in the first period.
Had they have had an end product, they may have been celebrating before Chips snatched the lead.
Skipper Richard Avery saw his header blocked, before substitute Steve Harper, thrown into the fray after an injury to Simon Austin, had a shot saved by the comfortable stand-in skipper James Wastell. And Harper was unable to take Darren Smith's cross moments on, whilst in a great position. This was after another good measured build-up.
Chips and a large strike of luck, made them pay.
Manager Nicky English opted to convert centre-half Fleming to a front-man for the tie, and although it was clear to see in a quiet performance, it paid dividends in the 42nd minute.
His heavy touch looked to have taken a Danny Oakins through-ball away from him, but he called on his more familiar defending skills, to slide in with the hesitant James Tedder, and come out the stronger. Fleming was hurt in the process, whilst Oakins claimed yet another assist. Chipstead had their goal.
The second-half saw Chips take control of the match, in a more open 45 minutes.
The Chats were forced to open up, but Chips' backline, in spite of the burden of conceding six in the last week, produced an imposing display which consequently allowed the side to play their football in their opponents half. Kent based away side had the first chance of the half via Smith's powerful strike, but it was to get long lost in memory. Gavin Quintyre should have hit the target, as he put Josh Smith's pull back wide. Smith then fired into Tedder's hands. Even after Chips sacrified Fleming to move to 5 in the midfield, they looked the only side likely to russle the net again. Reis Aslan shook the crossbar with an effort instigated by winger Smith's typical run and pass. The latter then fired the rebound wide.
Chatham somehow kept out in-turn strikes by Lee Sidwell and Smith from on the goal-line. The game should have been put safe. The best it got for the visitors was Dave Botterill's strike, when Tom Davey found him in acres on the wing; The Chats looking to set up theirs and Chips' second replay of the season. Chat's Smith was given numerous set-pieces to line-up, but his side didn't have a shadow of the aerial threat to use it. Justin Ascher summed up their day, as he blazed the last chance over on the volley.
Chipstead will now turn all eyes onto Monday's draw for the next round, hoping for further spots of luck.
TEAM; Wastell(c); Reid(Findlay 60); Head; Delaney; Campbell; Coleman; Aslan; Quintyre (Sidwell 72); Oakins; Fleming(Williams 67); Smith Subs unused; York; Wareing; Brown; Gant
Goals- Fleming 42
By George West
* * *
Match Report
9th September 2008
Ryman League One South
Chipstead 2 - 4 Eastbourne Town
Chipstead fell to a 4-2 loss on Tuesday evening, despite opening the scoring and largely matching a gutsy Eastbourne Town outfit. A Danny Lench hat-trick contributed to a frustrating night for the Sussex based hosts.
Chips were forced to feed off scraps by their fast tempo opponents, but grabbed a lead inside 10 minutes. When Josh Smith intercepted the ball inside his own-half, he still had a darting run took him past 3 defenders and to the edge of the area. His strike was less convincing, but keeper Ross Tanner let the ball slip under his body and give Smith his merit.
Their joy was short-lived. Sloppy defending granted the Town 2 goals in the space of 4 minutes. First Shaun Loft poked home, as Chips made a hash of clearing a Chris Dicker corner.
This was followed by another tap-in, this time by Danny Lench. Simon Catt crossed after reaching the by-line, and Lench missed the ball, but Nathan Campbell clumsily put him back in as the ball bounced off his shin. Campbell went some-way to making up his mistake however, as he put James Wastell's parry past the post, as Lench lurked readily. But Eastbourne got their goal on the half-hour mark; Loft winning a corner in the air, nodding for Danny Williams to have his header flicked under Wastell by the back-to-goal Lench. And we only had to wait a while for Lench to extend the lead even further after the interval. The number nine coolly slotted past the keeper, after the ball broke from the lacklustre Chips backline.
Moments later Lench's finishing had dried up, as he failed to convert when one-on-one- Loft unable to reach for a open goal rebound. The arrival of Gavin Quintyre almost had immediate effects for Chips, as he saw his strike cannon off the bar, following a lay-off from the lively Smith. And then Tanner expertly tipped away a dangerous cross from winger Smith, as the home side searched for a route back into the match. Centre-back Fred Fleming was thrown-up front to try to aid this Danny Oakins did convert a spot-kick, yet with 5 minutes on the clock, it proved a mere consolation. Fred Fleming won the ball before the keeper, despite his heavy touch, and went down over his sliding body. Referee Collins was quick to point to the spot, and dish out one of seven yellow cards to Tanner. Oakins ultimately sent him the wrong way.
Alex Brown, off the bench, headed wide Reis Aslan's corner, as Eastbourne moved to five at the back; guarding against any Chipstead comeback to prevent a second win of the season.
Team; Wastell©; Reid; Head; Fleming; Campbell; Coleman (Quintyre 55); Cole-Bolt (Brown 77); Aslan; Oakins; York (Delaney 53); Smith.Subs- York (Delaney 53); Coleman (Quintyre 55); Cole-Bolt (Brown 77) Subs Unused; Gant; Williams
Goals- Chipstead- Smith 9, Oakins 85(pen)
Reoport by: George West
Jake Delaney scores Chips 1st goal at Met Police
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 06th September 2008
Metropolitan Police 2 - 2 Chipstead
Chips fought their way back from a 2-0 deficit at half time to snatch a draw in an entertaining match for the spectators. The Met took a lead after just 14 minutes when a powerful cross was driven in from the right and skipper Craig Carley was on hand to fire home from close range. Surprisingly it was only Carley's second of the season but it got the blues in front.
James Wastell had to rush from his line to foil Carley again a few minutes later but Chips began to threaten the home sides goal and Daryl Coleman's on target drive from 22 yards was deflected for a corner. Both Chris Head and Neil John were just off target with their efforts but just before the break Wastell came out to make a clearance and mishit the ball which fell kindly for Garry Drewitt who took a touch before rolling the ball home.
The second half was different from the moment Scott Forrester crashed his effort against the crossbar things started to turn the visitor's way. Jamal York replaced the injured John and shortly after Jake Delaney came on for Andrew Wareing and Chips gave Mo Maan a little more to do in the home sides goal with York forcing a save and then Josh Smith taking Fred Fleming's through ball forcing another save from Maan.
Chip's made their final substitution with Reis Aslan replacing Gavin Quintyne in central midfield and were enjoying the better possession when Carley seemingly offside found himself clear on goal but Wastell timed his advance to a tee and smothered Carley's attempt. At the other end Jake Delaney pulled one back for Chips converting Head's cross. With five minutes to go and with continued pressure Chip's finally got the equaliser, Aslan floated in a free kick which was only partially cleared out wide where York crossed back in and the ball eventually rolled to Aaron Cole-Bolt whose shot hit the net through a crowd of players to earn Chip's a point.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; C Head; ; J Findlay; F Fleming; A Cole-Bolt; G Quintyne; D Oakins; N John; J Smith; D Coleman Subs; R Aslan;(G Quintyne) J York;(N John) J Delaney (A Wareing) A Reid & J Gant not used.
James Wastell saves against Herne Bay
MATCH REPORT
2nd September 2008
FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Chipstead 2-0 Herne Bay AET
Danny Oakins and Aaron Cole-Bolt goals secured Chipstead a 2-0 progression into the FA Cup Qualifiers, as a replay and extra-time finally settled their tie with Herne Bay. Chips, who only just secured a replay having fallen two behind in the first encounter, were the worthy 2nd game victors, in which Kent Premier side Bay finished with 10 men. A tense first period never looked to hold goals on the horizon.
Half-chances were the best that were on offer; neither side willing to come out and make their mark on the game, amid the risk of bowing out of the competition . Bay's Marc Jones sliced wide in a rare penalty area action, before his keeper Dan Eason messed up a throw-out - Gavin Quintyne wrongly attempted to pass his gift instead of trying his luck against the sky-blues stranded stopper. Classy Bay winger Stuart King produced the half's best moment - skilfully turning Chris Head and unleashing a strike that James Wastell did well to get fingertips to.
It was the hosts who came out of the blocks in the second half, and Oakins showed their intent by straight-away testing Eason with a well-struck free-kick. The introduction of Cole-Bolt on the hour was inspired; the midfielder immediately started pulling the strings. He also supplied Chips with a set-piece threat - non-existent beforehand, and had team-mate Andrew Wareing done better when Eason spilled Cole-bolt's free kick, they would have be celebrating it's effect. Herne fought-well to keep it goalless against the division-above Chips and Steve Hanson gave a reminder that his side were very much still there, heading slightly over - the support thinking it was in.
But Chips were in control. Josh Smith battled to send the ball at goal; Eason somehow clawed it away. Fred Fleming headed Cole-Bolt's corner too close to the Bay keeper, and Cole-Bolt almost gave a cheeky conclusion with a lob attempt from distance that beat the goal. Chips had to succumb to extra-time to find a winner.
Yet Chipstead took it in their stride, and mounted an even stronger assault on the Bay sticks. Cole-Bolt clipped the bar, and provided Oakins with headed opportunities that the striker should have taken, only finding the roof of the net and advertising boards respectively. And just when Herne seemed to be getting a strange-hold, Chips got their just-deserts. The unusually quiet Oakins arrived at the far-post, and this time nodded another delightful Cole-Bolt cross into the net aided by defender Will Graham, allowing last's season's top scorer to celebrate his first-goal of the campaign.
It was the last action of the half, but almost directly after the change of ends, Chips made the game safe. Oakins, who scored two minutes before the break, turned provider two minutes after it. He brought the ball down, teed up the provider of his goal Cole-Bolt just outside the area, who arrowed the ball under Eason's right with a fierce drive - putting to bed any nerves in the process.
The football stopped for the last 10 minutes, with both teams seemingly accepting the outcome, and they competed late on to find the winner of a scrap instead. Words we held after Chips substitute Jake Delaney went down theatrically, and this sparked a 21 man brawl. Referee Rendell picked out Rob Goodger from the middle of the melee, and gave him his marching orders.
Chipstead will go on to host Chatham Town in the first qualifying round - hoping that the magic of the FA Cup is alive this year, for an extended run.
Teams; Wastell ©; Findlay; Head; Fleming; Wareing; Aslan; Coleman; Quintyne; Oakins; John; Smith; Subs; Aslan(Cole-Bolt 59); John (York 72); Coleman (Delaney 96); Unused; Buckmann; Gant
Goals- Oakins 113, Cole-Bolt 117
***
By George West
* * *
Neil John scores Chipstead's equaliser v Herne Bay
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 30th August 2008
HERNE BAY 2 - 2 Chipstead
F.A. Cup preliminary round.
The home side made a very good start to this match using the huge pitch advantage very well and creating lots of early problems for Chip's defence whilst they adjusted their style to suit the conditions. Chips were forced back on the defensive and James Wastell reacted quickly to block Marc Jones shot and Nathan Campbell followed up with a timely tackle to prevent Jones firing home the rebound.
Martin Chandler should have done better from a corner but his header flashed wide of Wastell's goal. Jones found time and space for another effort but he failed to test Wastell with a wayward shot. Chip's conceded after twenty minutes when Jones raced in to challenge Wastell who was caught with a weak back pass and he put the home side ahead. Herne Bay doubled their tally eight minutes later when a fierce shot hit Wastells upright and rebounded to Danny Lawrence who fired home. Wastell was by far the busier of the two keepers but right on half time Chip's edged their way back into the game when Campbell headed past Dan Eason from a corner kick.
Chips continued pressing after the break and Chris Head was unlucky when his cross shot caught out Eason but the crossbar saved his blushes. Chip's forced home an equaliser after 65 minutes when Neil John fired home from close range after Andrew Wareing had won a far post delivery and sent it back across Eason's goal.
Chip's finished the game much more impressively than they started with Campbell having two good efforts scrambled away and the game looking much more of an even contest than the first half hour.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; C Head; ; J Findlay; N Campbell; R Williams; A Cole-Bolt; G Quintyne; D Oakins; N John; J Smith; Subs; R Aslan;(A Cole-Bolt) Daryl Coleman;(R Williams) J York;(N John) L Buchmann & J Gant not used.
Danny Oakins Challenges Leatherhead keeper Stuart Robinson
MATCH REPORT
Monday 25th August 2008
Chipstead 3 - 3 Leatherhead
A last gasp-Gavin Quintyre strike spared Chipstead from an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Leatherhead, in a dramatic topsy-turvy draw. Thirty minutes into the game, Chips had held a 2-0 advantage courtesy of Darren Watson. However, Leatherhead and Tom Hutchings ground out two goals to go in level at the break, and Tony Cuff for sometime looked to have concluded a shock turnaround with his 52nd minute volley, only for Quintyre to equalise for 3-3. This means the sides stay level on 5 points in the league. High Road was treated to a competitive and goal lavished first period, in which tide continuously seemed to turn.
The visiting Tanners enjoyed the better start and it became evident of the trouble the Chips defence would endure against their pacey frontline. Fred Fleming managing to clear a dangerous early through-ball. Yet Chips soon sprung into life and Danny Oakins almost connected with an overhead kick, hurting himself in the process. The on-form Darren Watson was a massive thorn in the Tanner backline. He nodded off the frame, after a Quintyre cross sparked a goalmouth scramble, in which Fleming had a header blocked on the line.
Chips had thought they'd opened the scoring in audacious fashion minutes before their goal came. Captain Richard Williams saw his long punt sail down over the scrambling Stuart Robinson and into the net. However he also saw referee Rob Allum ruling it out, for an Oakins foul on the keeper. Despair was short lived in the home camp, as Watson finally got his desired touch, sliding to put Oakin's knock down under the keeper. More Chips' six yard drama was to follow, as Watson again won the ball in the air, flicking on for Oakins to send a header off the bar and Quintyre to blaze over the rebound.
Oakins and Watson again combined to put Chips two up; Watson slotting past Robinson when Oakins' clever touch put him clear.The Tanners response was quick and sudden. Matt Jones dispossessed Oakins in his own half, floated a long ball over the top to put Hutchings away and never to be caught, and the striker placed past James Wastell.
Leatherhead's over the top tactic was never got to grips with by Chips and it was nearly benefited on again when Cuff skied a cut-back, on an attack launched with another through ball. The pace of William Marshall and in particular Hutchings was too hot to handle. Hutchings was put one to one again by Marshall and this time rounded Wastell before going down under the keepers challenge.
The referee pointed to the spot, and allowed Wastell to escape with a booking. Hutchings duly converted the kick. On half-time Chips suffered a further blow, with goalscorer Watson going down injured, in challenge with the keeper for a cross.
After catching their breath at half-time, spectators returned to see Neil John replace him. Chips missed his towering presence dear, in a much more low-key second half. Oakins and John just didn't click as well, and Reis Aslan soon followed Watson into the treatment room, falling prey to the fiery contest. It couldn't get worse for the hosts, as Cuff volleyed home a cross into the top corner, giving Leatherhead the lead for the first time.
The game tightened and opportunities became few and far between. A floated effort by Hutchings clipped the bar with Wastell stranded. Quintyre somehow only found the bar, as John presented him with a great chance, in the only real action. But as the board went up to display 5 minutes stoppage time, life was restored. Good work by Josh Smith and a pull-back by Oakins, allowed Quintyre to smash in the leveller from inside the box. He even came close to winning it but shot wide and the points were shared.
Chipstead: Wastell, Campbell, Head, Flemming(Findlay 75), Wareing, Williams©, Quintyre, Aslan(Cole-Bolt 53), Watson(John 45), Oakins, Smith
* * *
Chris Head clears v Walton Casuals
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 23rd August 2008
Walton Casuals 1 - 1 Chipstead
Chips started this match well and controlled most of the first half restricting Casuals to only one good opportunity which James Wastell saved well. However Chips couldn't turn all the possession into goals and the half ended goalless. Danny Oakins had two chances but first his header and then a shot on the turn were just wide of the target. Josh Smith struck his shot well but a defender just managed to deflect the ball away from goal. Casuals started the second half a lot better and Victor Asombang latched onto a long clearance and should have done better with his header which Wastell collected comfortably.
It was just ten minutes into the half when Chips lost possession in midfield and Casuals reacted quickly finding Robert Ursell who jinked his way around Chips defenders and coolly slotted home past Wastell. Chip's wasted no time in picking themselves up and Darren Watson came on to replace Jamie Findlay and quickly became involved in the action combining well with Oakins to set up Josh Smith who calmly rounded his full back and flashed his shot past the outstretched arms of Craig Bradshaw.
The match continued to flow from end to end but the only real threat on goal was Matthew West's firm header from a cross which was brilliantly palmed away to safety by Wastell ensuring Chip's took a point back to the high road.
TEAM; J Wastell; A Wareing; C Head; ; F Fleming; N Campbell; R Williams; R Aslan; G Quintyne; D Oakins; J Findlay; J Smith; Subs; D Watson (J Findlay) A Cole-Bolt (R Williams) N John (D Oakins) B Andrews; A Reid (not used)
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 19th August 2008
Folkestone Invicta 2 - 1 Chipstead
Chipstead manager Nicky English said they his side over attacked after they slipped to defeat against Folkestone on Tuesday night. Chips narrowly lost 2-1 at the Buzzlines Stadium, having taken a surprise early lead against the former Ryman Premier League side.
Jimmy Jackson hit a brilliant winner for the home side a minute into the second half after Andy Pugh had cancelled out Darren Watson's opener. Nicky said: "I think we over committed men forward at times. It was a fantastic open game to watch for the supporters but maybe not the most sensible thing to do away at one of the best teams in the league.
"We scored a great goal and always looked dangerous going forward. They had chances too but it was up to the Gods who came away with the points in this one." Chipstead rocked the home side by opening the scoring in the fifth minute when new centre forward Watson headed in a Josh Smith cross from the right.
But Invicta were not behind for long as Pugh headed in Jackson's 10th minute cross when the game's first corner was played back out to the right hand side. Chipstead were indebted to James Wastell in the 25th minute when he kept his nerve on a one on one after Pugh was put clean through. Wastell was again in action when he came out to save from James Corbett.
At the other end, Ries Aslan shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after he was found in space by Watson who went down inside the area after he latched onto Chris Head's ball in from the left, but penalty appeals were turned down.
The decision came back to haunt Chipstead just after half-time as Jackson hit his long range goal, which seemed to shake Chips resolve and the home side enjoyed a period of pressure. A good Gavin Quintyne strike from the edge of the box was touched over the crossbar for a corner at the other end. The equaliser almost came when a Richard Williams free kick was headed wide at the far post by substitute Fred Flemming.
Nick said: "You can't be too despondent after a game like that and, as I have a lot of players still to come back, the lads have given me some nice selection problems.
Chipstead team: Wastell, Finlay, Head, Wareing, Campbell, Williams, Quintyne(Butler), Aslan, Watson(Flemming), John, Smith, Sub not used : Gant
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 16th August 2008
Chipstead 2 - 1 Whitstable
Chips started this season with maximum points which was a lot different to last year. It wasn't a classic match by any means but the end result was the all important factor. Both teams enjoyed some half chances but neither keeper was particularly troubled in the early stages. Whistable's front line were frustrated by an effective offside trap but Chip's looked more threatening with their wide play and the visitors soon changed to a similar pattern with Jack Tanner sending in some telling balls.
It was the home side that took the lead with some good build up play by Josh Smith and Reis Aslan ending with Aslan picking out Darren Watson at the far post who rose above James Campbell to place a firm header back beyond Kevin Fewell's reach. Whitstable responded and centre forward Ian Pulman missed a glorious chance in front of goal from a cross by Tanner. Just before the break there was an equaliser when another telling cross from Tanner was sent beyond the Chip's defence and Jake Guess volleyed home from eight yards out leaving James Wastell no chance.
The second half saw little difference to the first with missed opportunities at both ends, Neil John's effort was high and Pulman's luck in front of Chip's goal showed no improvement. Chip's made a double substitution with Danny Oakins and Gavin Quintyne joining the action to change things and it worked as after some fine passing Quintyne took on three defenders and made himself enough space to direct his shot back across goal beating Fewell at full stretch.
There were still eleven minutes remaining but Chip's shut up shop until the final minute of time added on when Pulman struck his best effort of the match sending Wastell to his right at full stretch to push the ball away to safety and clinch those three points.
TEAM; J Wastell; J Findlay; L Buchmann; ; F Fleming; N Campbell; R Williams; R Aslan; A Wareing; D Watson; N John; J Smith; Subs; D Oakins (A Wareing) G Quintyne (D Watson) S Butler;(J Findlay) B Andrews ;(not used)
Richard Williams heads the winning goad v Ashford Town(Middx)
MATCH REPORT
CHIPSTEAD 1 - 0 ASHFORD TOWN(Middx)
Southern Combination Cup Final - 9th August 2008
Chipstead got their hands on the Southern Combination Cup, as a bullet header by skipper Richard Williams created an upset, edging out Ryman Premier side Ashford Town(Middlesex). It was the unmarked Williams who rose first, to power home a Sam Butler corner after the interval, giving Chips a 1-0 win.
The match, played in conclusion to last season's cup competition, was an open, highly competitive affair throughout. The first half display of the strong Middlesex based opposition indicated it would be they who'd prevail. Impressive wing-play failed to carve out any clear-cut opportunities however, as Chips stood firm to a series of dangerous crosses by Paul Johnson. Strikes from outside the box failed to really trouble James Wastell between the Chips posts. The closest they came was via a powerful Johnson hit; tipped well wide. Threatening centre-forward Byron Harrison had chances for Ashford but couldn't manage to find the back of the net. Ashford looked set to grab a lead as Wastell couldn't grab another Johnson cross, but Harrison and Scott Weight were greeted by a surge of green and white obstacles and couldn't put on the final touch - a typical example of Chips defending against their league-above counterparts. Opportunities came primarily on the breakaway for Chips, notably with shots by Reis Asian and Butler failing to hit the target.
Yet half-time with manager Nicky English, spelled a revitalised Chipstead, and it took only until the 51st minute for High Road to see them break the deadlock.
They then come agonisingly close to a second, as a sweet left-foot curler by he effective Butler brushed the crossbar. Josh Smith by the 57th, had been sent through on goal, but couldn't place past Craig Ross. Though Ashford did get chances as Chipstead began to sit back, Adam Logie headed over, and substitute Scott Harris fired straight at the keeper when clear. Wastell was lucky to not once be punished, as he slipped when on the ball on several occasions under the groggy, wet conditions. The visitors continued to be frustrated in search of a leveller, and the linesman's flag started to take centre stage as a long ball method surfaced. A drastic 5 substitutions couldn't transform their fortunes.
Johnson volleyed wide with the goal gaping at his mercy. A thunderbolt from distance from Williams had to be expertly tipped over by Ross, to prevent the midfielder doubling his tally, and sealing Chips win. Ashford's luck was summed up deep in stoppage time as Simon James' shot bounced away off Wastell's trailing leg. All that was left was for Williams to raise the trophy, representing Chipstead silverware for last season, in a very encouraging and joyful start to the new one.
Chipstead: Wastell; Brown; Head; Fleming; Campbell; Williams; Coleman; Aslan; Oakins; Butler (Findlay); Smith. Man of the Match - Fred Fleming
Report by: George West
