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Wilks emerges as Chips build to top half finish
Ryman League Division One South
Merstham 0 - 4 Chipstead
MARK Tompkins might not have his seven wins from the final 10 games, but if Chipstead avoid defeat against Walton Casuals on Saturday they will at least have been unbeaten in seven of those games.
And the Chips boss insisted the margin of victory could have been greater than 4-0 against a team featuring several former Tompkins players.
For Andy Martin, a chance to cement his candidacy for the Merstham manager's job permanently took a nosedive after a 1-1 draw at Fleet on Saturday.
Tompkins now has the task of keeping his players for next season - including impressive youngster Alex Wilks - while ruing that the High Road club are only a few points from the play-offs.
Chairman Nigel Scarbrough has the ambition to push for promotion, while Tompkins knows it will take more money.
"I said to him there is only so far you can go.
"I'm getting enquiries about my players now, so to keep them you need to pay them more.
"I look back and think we're only eight points off the play-offs and if we hadn't had that dip in form we could have been there.
"We've played all the teams in the play-offs and beaten most of them."
Tompkins certainly wants to be in the top five next season and his side, having guaranteed a record high finish of at least 12th they could yet finish in the top half of the table.
One player Tompkins wants to keep is Wilks, a teenager and former England schoolboy international who has been on the club's books for the whole season.
However, an issue with his stomach has prevented him from playing. "He's played the last four or five reserve games, so I thought I'd throw him in," said Tompkins, who was rewarded by the youngster scoring three in two games.
The first two came on Saturday against Godalming in a 2-1 win.
The next put Chipstead 3-0 up at Merstham in the second half.
"I don't think the scoreline was a reflection of the game, it could have been more," said Tompkins of the margin of victory.
"I said to the lads I want to take these last six or seven games into next season.
"If results go for us against Walton Casuals on Saturday we're guaranteed to finish 11th and if Sittingbourne don't win we could go into the top half."
Left winger Ray Freeman opened the scoring at Moatside with his 19th goal of the season.
Midfielder Liam Grier and right-back Ellis Conroy will be missing through injury for the season's final game at home to Walton Casuals.
Billy Harding made it two before half-time, Wilks scored the third and then his replacement, AJ Morrison, bagged the last.
At Fleet, Merstham scored within three minutes Harry Ottaway flicked on Ian Chatfield's goal kick towards Dan Harding and the striker cleverly looped the ball over an advancing Matt Pegler. The hosts equalised with their first effort on-target after 28 minutes as Johnni Dyer glanced home Chris Page's cross.
Chipstead: Grant, Davis, Coburn, Hollingsworth, Thompson, James, Bedford, Goodchild, Wilks, Harding, Freeman.
Chipstead (v Godalming): Grant, Bedford, Coburn, Hollingsworth, Thompson, James, Grizzle, Goodchild, Wilks, Harding, Freeman.
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MATCH REPORT
Saturday 2nd April 2011
Tommo's joy after Chips refind form
Ryman League Division One South
Walton & Hersham 1 - 2 Chipstead
MARK Tompkins was delighted his players stood up to be counted again at Walton, reversing the trend after some poor results.
But the Chipstead boss had to watch as his players secured victory the hard way to knock Walton's play-off chances for six.
At 1-0 up with three minutes left, Martin Grant saved a penalty, only for the referee to order a retake for encroachment.
Bakary Bojang made no mistake the second time, but Tompkins said Chips were so infuriated they went straight up the other end, bagged a penalty of their own and watched Jason Thompson net the winner in injury time.
Tompkins has witnessed some below par performances lately, including against Corinthian Casuals who visit High Road on Saturday.
He was delighted after last weekend. "My team came back again, the team I knew I'd got," he declared. "I don't know where they'd been - they must have been on holiday or something!
"It was a good performance - that was the key. We had a real go at Walton and it could have been victory by a bigger margin."
Walton needed to win, after two draws, to keep themselves in the reckoning for the top five.
"It was a difficult fixture," said Tompkins, "especially after the form we've had. Fair play to the boys - we had a right go."
Tompkins said he had looked round the changing rooms after previous defeats and struggled to give anyone more than five our of 10, but after Saturday they were all above six.
The penalty retake, however, irked. "I said to their manager before the game that this referee would do something funny.
"He had a strange old day. He gave us four yellow cards and none to them, yet their number seven was continually fouling.
"If we'd got another yellow in the game that would have meant another fine from the FA [for five in a game] yet there wasn't a bad tackle in the game."
Ray Freeman, playing wide left again in a five-man midfield, scored after capitalising on a hesitant defence. And Tompkins praised lone striker Billy Harding for being "really superb" with Jason Goodchild pushing forward whenever possible.
Tompkins suggested that the same staring 11, plus Ellis Conroy back in the squad, will face Casuals on Saturday - a game he is desperate to win after defeat to them recently.
"I don't like teams doing the double over us," he said, pointing to Dulwich Hamlet and Bognor. "I still want to finish in the top 10, but that's probably out of our hands now. We still want to finish as high as we can and the highest the club has finished is 15th, so we want to better that."
He also said that the reserves would be "strengthened" as much as possible for midweek matches as Tony Stone's team pursues promotion to the Suburban Premier, which would then provide a higher standard for next season.
Chipstead: Grant, Davies, Coburn, Hollingsworth, Thompson, Bedford, Frier, Grizzle, Goodchild, Freeman, Harding.
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 19th March 2011
Chipstead 2 - 2 Chatham Town
Chips entertained Chatham town in Saturdays Ryman one league match. The visitors started the match using a red ball in aid of the red nose day appeal.
Chips Ray Freeman had the first sight at goal with a quick interception and run ended with a shot curling wide at the far post.
Martin Grant in the Chipstead goal was force in to his first call of duty on 30 mins. When he pushed a shot away to the right for a corner.
Kane Rice capitalised on a defence error on half time for Chatham only to shoot just over the crossbar.
Ht 0-0
Two goals in as many minutes came on sixty minutes. Chatham scored with a easy headed goal when a mix up between the last defender and goal keeper. A minute later Kofi Quartey equalised with a close range shot to level the tie.
Chipsted pushed forward looking for the winner Jason Thompson drove a shot from outside the box Chatham ' keeper was quickly down to his right hand side to push away for the corner. From the corner Jason goodchild narrowly missed with a header
Chipstead now in top gear hit the post when a clever ball played in to the area was met by Lee Coburn, only to be denied by the upright.
Kofi Quartey should of had his second of the game on 83 minutes only to be denied by a well positioned goalkeeper.
The home teams second
goal came on 88 minutes when Chipstead's youngest player Josh James received the ball wide right and with some quick footwork rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home
In the forth minute of added on time Chatham knicked a point with a scrambled goal to end the afternoons play 2-2.
Chips v Chatham town
Chips entertained Chatham town in Saturdays ryman one league match. The visitors started the match using a red ball in aid of the red nose day appeal.
Chips Ray Freeman had the first sight at goal with a quick interception and run ended with a shot curling wide at the far post.
Martin Grant in the chipstead goal was force in to his first call of duty on 30 mins. When he pushed a shot away to the right for a corner.
Kane rice capitalised on a defence error on half time for Chatham only to shoot just over the crossbar.
Ht 0-0
Two goals in as many minutes came on sixty minutes. Chatham scored with a easy headed goal when a mix up between the last defender and goal keeper. A minute later Kofi Quarty equalised with a close range shot to level the tie.
Chipsted pushed forward looking for the winner Jason Thompson drove a shot from outside the box Chatham ' keeper was quickly down to his right hand side to push away for the corner. From the corner Jason goodchild narrowly missed with a header
Chipstead now in top gear hit the post when a clever ball played in to the area was met by Lee Coburn, only to be denied by the upright.
Kofi Quarty should of had his second of the game o. 83 minutes only to be denied by a well positioned goal keeper.
The home teams second
goal came on 88 minutes when Chipstead's youngest player josh james received the ball wide right and with some quick footwork rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home
In the forth minute of added on time Chatham knicked a point with a scrambled goal to end the afternoons play 2-2.
M Grant, E Conroy, J Thompson, L Coburn (c), A Broomhead, J Godchild, L Grier, R Bedford, R Freeman, W Grizzle, AJ Morrison
Subs
K Quartey, J James, O Davis, W Hibbert, L Hollingsworth
Subs used
K Quartey, J James, O Davis
Match report by : Nik Everett
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 12th March 2011
Tompkins left frustrated as Goodchild sees red
Dulwich Hamlet 3 - 2 Chipstead
MARK Tompkins was left counting the cost of another red card as Chipstead lost at Dulwich who took a first win in seven games.
It was not that Jason Goodchild's dismissal for a second yellow card affected the result, coming after all five goals.
But it means the combative midfielder - who has sat out half a dozen games with suspension already this season - will miss another game.
It left boss Tompkins feeling frustrated, not least with referees. "Again I thought it was a bit harsh," said Tompkins of Goodchild's dismissal.
"The referee was card happy. They were just late tackles, nothing malicious. Every time there was a foul he got his card out. It wasn't just for us."
Both Goodchild's offences were tackles. "You are not allowed to make a challenge," bemoaned Tompkins. "I know referees are under instructions, but players don't go in to foul, they go in to win the ball.
"I don't see us as a dirty side, but we've got so many booking it's unbelievable. There's only one or two this season I can remember thinking were definite bookings.
"They keep sending me on these courses about respect for referees, but it's hard when you're faced with a £1,500 fine [for repeatedly received five bookings in a game]. Some referees you can't even talk to."
Whyteleafe boss Nicky English made similar noises after attending a respect meeting held by the Ryman League recently, saying respect should be two ways.
Chipstead opened the scoring at Dulwich, Jason Thompson firing home a free-kick on 15 minutes.
Tompkins felt that, had Ray Freeman knocked in a one-on-one with the keeper at that point, the game would have swung substantially in Chipstead's favour.
But Junior Kadi levelled on 32 minutes, from a free-kick, before the hosts went ahead through Ray Powell's cross-shot.
And while Thompson sent a second-half penalty to a position James Dunn was able to save, the defender knocked in after a scramble. Vernon Francis nabbed the winner with 15 minutes left. "We just need two or three wins to consolidate," said Tompkins. "The top 10 has to be our aim now. We flirted with the play-offs but the squad isn't strong enough.
"I'm hoping to sign another player and hoping he might be in before Saturday.
"But anyone I bring in now I'm looking to keep for next season.
"We're a work in progress. As a team we were poor when I took over. We're gradually improving.
"For a club like Chipstead, to finish in the top 10 or eight is a good season, but as a manager I want to be in the mix."
Chips host Chatham on Saturday, then play Met Police next Wednesday.
Chipstead: Grant, Conroy, Coburn, Broomhead, Thompson, Pinnock, Goodchild, Grier, Bedford, Harding, Freeman.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Angry Chips beaten as Rocks firm up title bid
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 26th February 2011
Chipstead 1 - 3 Bognor Regis Town
DESPITE defeat to a team who went top of the table, Chipstead rose above next Tuesdsay's opponents Merstham on goal difference, after the Moatsiders' 5-1 drubbing by Walton Casuals.
But that consolation was lost on the players and management at High Road, who were frustrated by how the course of events went against them at High Road.
Captain Lee Coburn declined an interview, angered by the award of what he felt was a soft penalty against him that saw Bognor, who went top of the table, lead on 15 minutes.
Boss Mark Tompkins, animated on the touchlines and often in discussions with the assistant referee who was unusually vocal for a linesman, was angered by that and an elbow from Dan Beck on Liam Grier in the second half that brought a free-kick but no card.
Ever-calm assistant boss Mick Read was best-placed to comment. Chips, man-marking, clearly tried to contain opponents who were a class above most in the division, even without their injured former Portsmouth player Luke Nightingale.
Read said: "That's the way we set out. We wanted to consolidate, get behind the ball. Then we let in an early goal from a poor penalty.
"We let in another goal from a defensive error when we've tried to set ourselves up with a defensive strength and it's disappointing. We gave them a free header for the third goal."
He admitted, however, that Bognor - who took apart Merstham and Whyteleafe in recent games - were "probably the best team we've played in the league this season.
"If I had to bet on who would win the title it would be them."
Unfortunately, the only bookmaker taking bets on the division seem to be running scared. They have not put up prices on the title race since taking a fistful of dollars on Leatherhead before the season began. The Tanners odds were slashed in half inside a week to 4-1 favourites back in August.
Merstham's Graeme Banyard had said more or less the same, his side holding the Rocks to 1-1 at half-time a fortnight ago before eventually losing 4-2.
Chipstead did not quite hold on for 1-1 at the break. But, after Coburn conceded the penalty for Michael Birmingham to dispatch on 15 minutes, the hosts did get back on level terms fairly swiftly.
Coburn believed Beck ran into him when the penalty was awarded. Read said: "The referee said he thought it was a good challenge and the linesman gave it."
Chances going forward were restricted, but when Ray Freeman was realised in the middle on 27 minutes.
He shook off one defender with a twist, made space for himself and supplied James Pinnock to his right. The striker did well not to be put off by the advancing keeper Craig Stoner and squeezed a shot past him.
Chips were under pressure until Bognor scored again on 39 minutes. Birmingham, 600 games for Bognor, orchestrated proceedings from central midfield throughout. On this occasion it was a shot that caused trouble. Blocked by Joe Gant, it popped up for James Crane and with the keeper stranded the defender converted the chance.
On 49 minutes, James Prior, unmarked, headed in from a corner as the fog descended. The mist quickly lifted - home officials joking they turned off the fog machine when Chips levelled.
The third goal put the Bognor choral society - singing being a novelty at High Road - into full voice once more. However, they only sing when they are scoring, for about 10 minutes each time.
Chipstead found more space and time after that, with battling Jason Goodchild at the heart of most moves. He was booked late in the game, as was Jason Thompson for a full-stretch tackle.
By then, Chipstead were wound up by the referee failing to spot Beck's elbow on Grier, even though he blew the whistle strongly for a foul.
Substitute Sean Rivers, unmarked, had headed over on 63 minutes after a well-worked move, Kofi Quarty crossing.
Tall visiting defender Tim Bond twice cleared. Quarty and Rivers continued to worry the defence, but both were twice caught offside and were admonished from afar by Russell Bedford, by then in defence.
Goodchild, from a Quarty cross, could only wring out a corner from the defence. Bognor cleared and broke and earned one of their own. Coburn, at the end, nearly headed in Ellis Conroy's free-kick, but the Rocks held firm.
Chipstead: Gant, Conroy, Thompson, Coburn, Grizzle (Quarty 59), Bedford, Grier (Jame 85), Goodchild, Freeman, Pinnock, Hibbert (Rivers 59). Unused subs: Grant, AJ Morrison.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
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Tompkins looks to start another run after comfortable win
Ryman League Division One South
Chatham Town 0 - 3 Chipstead
SEAN Rivers and Chipstead returned to form on Tuesday night with a comfortable away win to push them back into the top half of the table.
After two defeats, boss Mark Tompkins hopes his side have started another one similar to the one that saw them take five wins and a draw out of six either side of the turn of the year.
"We just didn't turn up in the previous couple of games," said Tompkins.
"I don't know whether it was a case of Chatham being really poor or us being really good.
"What we need is to get back to back wins again, pick up points and see where it takes us."
Rivers had bagged four and new striker Jason Pinnock another for the reserves on Saturday, when the first team game at Corinthian Casuals was called off through floodlight failure.
"They wanted to change the fixture to 1.30pm but they left it so late we wouldn't have got everyone there in time," said Tompkins.
Rivers, who rejoined the High Road club late last year having been top scorer last season, started against Chatham and scored the second goal.
The first came after a penalty, when right midfielder Kofi Quartey was fouled and left-back Jason Thompson scored from the spot just after half-time.
Rivers then scored on 70 minutes. "He looked very sharp," said Tompkins. "It was a good volley after a cross from the right from Jason Pinnock."
Pinnock, playing up front, bagged the third, cutting in from the left and scoring in the bottom corner.
Tompkins said of the former Dulwich & Tooting player: "He can play up front, wide right or in central midfield."
The player certainly gives Tompkins options in the forward line as he awaits the return of Ray Freeman from his trip abroad.
The left-sided attacker will not return from Ghana in time for Saturday's game with Walton & Hersham, although he should be available to face high-flying Bognor, who lost 4-0 at Faversham this week, at High Road next Tuesday.
"Walton won't be easy," remarked Tompkins. "But I'm looking forward to Bognor because we seem to play better against the better sides, especially at home. They will probably be full strength again."
Bognor looked strong against Merstham last midweek, defending set pieces in numbers as well as being athletic and well-drilled, with ex-Portsmouth player Luke Nightingale leading the charge.
Tompkins said he "liked the problem" of having multiple options up front, adding of winger-turned-striker Freeman: "Ray is an asset to us with his pace. He would have murdered Chatham."
Meanwhile midfielder Russell Bedford and keeper Martin Grant are likely to need another week to recover from injury. South Park's James Wastell filled in again in goal on Tuesday.
Midfielder Jason Goodchild (one game) and Billy Harding (three games) are suspended for Saturday.
Chipstead: Wastell, Conroy, Broomhead, Coburn, Thompson, Quartey, Grier, Goodchild, Morrison, Rivers, Pinnock.
report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
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MATCH REPORT
Saturday 14th January 2011
EASTBOURNE TOWN 2-0 CHIPSTEAD
Goodchild dismissed for trying to get attention of referee
Ryman League Division One South
MARK Tompkins was left highly frustrated with the referee as Chipstead's five-match unbeaten league run came to an end on Saturday.
Jason Goodchild was sent off controversially and Billy Harding dismissed, too, in a game in which keeper Martin Grant had to be taken to hospital early on after suffering an injury.
Goodchild kicked the ball away for this first yellow card. Then Grant got "taken out waist high", said the Chipstead manager, who was unhappy that no card was issued on top of a free-kick.
When Eastbourne conceded the first goal, it was because Grant had tried to come out but "went down in a heap", clearly injured from the previous incident.
An ambulance had to be called and Grant, who has a groin injury, could return at the weekend.
Centre-back Adam Broomhead donned the gloves and then Goodchild was sent off for gaining a second yellow card.
"There was a head injury and the rules are you are supposed to stop the game," said Tompkins.
"The referee didn't see it, so Jason Goodchild pulled the ref on the shoulder and he was given a second yellow card. So we've had a player sent off for two yellow cards for nothing.
"The referee had a lot to do with the result on Saturday," said Tompkins, who added: "I don't want to blame referees every game, but we thought we were the better side and I think the referee cost us three points."
Grant might be fit to face Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, but former Chips stopper James Wastell, of South Park, filled in on Tuesday night for the home match with Dulwich Hamlett.
If Grant has not recovered, Tompkins has university student Joe Gant or the experienced Glyn Schymmel, both signed on.
Tompkins called on his side to show their metal as they pursue a play-off place.
"I said to the boys afterwards that the good teams bounce straight back from defeat," he said.
Looking ahead to facing lowly pair Casuals and Chatham next Tuesday, he said: "It's a little bit roles reversal. Last season we were the team struggling."
Harding was sent off for retaliation in an incident that also saw an opponent sent off. "At 1-0 down with nine men we hit the bar," said Tompkins, whose side conceded goals either side of half-time, scored by Evan Archibald and Aaron Hopkinson.
There was better news last Thursday when Chips defeated Ashford Town in the Surrey Senior Cup.
They must await the outcome of tonight's match between Colliers Wood and AFC Wimbledon to find out their opponents.
A "mix and match" side defeated Ashford, Tompkins said, Liam Grier's goal on 60 minutes being enough for victory.
While relishing the prospect of taking on Wimbledon again, after a narrow defeat in the competition last March to a full-strength Wombles side, Tompkins added: "If we play Colliers Wood it's a good chance to progress and then why not try to reach the final?"
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 4th January 2011
SITTINGBOURNE 0-3 CHIPSTEAD
Fresh from Saturday's win away to Leatherhead, Tuesday's away game was a trip to fifth in the table, Sittingbourne. Mark Tompkins made one change, bringing Jason Goodchild back in the heart of the midfield after a couple of months out.
Chipstead were quick off the blocks with all the early pressure, leading a high defensive line. It took just seventeen minutes for the opening goal.
A floated freekick punched out by Sittingbourne's goalkeeper fell to Jason Goodchild just outside the area. With a drop of the shoulder, he went round the oncoming defender with a shot home.
On twenty three minutes, a throw in flicked on to Ray Freeman, enabled him to turn and use his pace to drive at the advancing goalkeeper and calmly power home for "Chips" second.
The third goal came just minutes later a direct free kick was awarded just outside Sittingbourne's penalty area. Jason Thompson thundered the ball through the defensive wall and passed the stranded keeper.
The secon half started just as furious with Chipstead having theb greater part of poseccion, Mark made all three substitutions, enabling him to rest a few and tinker with the formation.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline reading 0-3 and the perfect start to the first week of 2011.
Chipstead: 1. M. Green, 2. J. Goodchild, 3. J. Thompson, 4. L.Coburn, 5. L. Hollingsworth, 6. R.Green, 7. R. Bedford, 8. B. Harding, 9. R. Freeman, 10. W. Gardner, 11. AJ Morrison.
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 1st January 2011
LEATHERHEAD 1-2 CHIPSTEAD
The first Saturday of he new year started with an away league fixture against the league leaders Leatherhead after the enforced break due to the appalling weather in December.
Apart from two long terminjuries to strikers, Scott Simpson (groin) and Domonic Oshea (Knee) Mark Tompkins picked a solid team to kick off the new year.
Fourteen seconds after referee Ryan Ellis blew for play to begin" Chips" could have been a goal in front but for the upright coming to Chico Ramos's help in goal for the tanners.
As the whistle blew for the end of the first 45 minutes both teams could have taken the lead, only for good defending, pressure and a little help from the woodwork at both ends the nil nil score left the second half with all to play for.
After fifty one minutes played, Mark was forced to make an early substitution as Ellis Conroy limped of with a twist to the ankle. After a few positional changes, Josh James came in to the midfield, for another appearance and chance to shine for the youngster.
On seventy minutes newly signed Ronald Green, from Burgess Hill, thought he had scored on his debut with a thundering shot from just outside the area cutting in from the right wing. The post again coming to the rescue.
The deadlock would be broken on eighty minutes, when free scoring Ray Freeman, outpaced the defence and slotted home from close range and on ninety two minuets got his and "Chips" second
This would not be the end of the entertainment, as on ninety four minutes Leatherhead were awarded a penalty which was calmly dispatched by the leagues top goal scorer Greg Andrews.
With still two minutes left to play of the added six, leather hit the post again but as the whistle blew for full time Chipstead had the win and three points to take into Tuesdays away game at Sittingbourne.
Chipstead - 1. M.Green, 2. E Conroy, 3.J Thompson 4. L Coburn (c) 5. L Hollingsworth 6. Ronald Green 7. R Bedford 8. B Harding 9. R Freeman 10. C Gardner 11. AJ Morrison Subs 12. W Grizzle 14. A Broomhead 15.J Cartliedge 16. S Rivers 17.J James
* * *
Jason Thompson scored his 6th goal of the season v Whitstable
Tompkins returns with good victory
Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Whitstable 0 - 3 Chipstead
MARK Tompkins returned to the manager's post with a victory on Tuesday night - and now wants to string a run of wins together to push Chipstead into the top half.
The High Road club lie 12th after three goals in the second half gave them victory and Tompkins is now eyeing another victory at Sittingbourne on Saturday.
"We won 2-1 there last season when they were in the play-offs, but we're a much better side now," insisted the Chips boss.
"We've got a squad now," he added. "I brought [centre-back] Lee Coburn off and was able to put Adam Broomhead on, like for like, and we didn't have that last season."
With teams bunched together in mid-table, Tompkins is optimistic of rising further.
"I said to [assistant] Micky Read after the game, we need to go four or five games on the bounce not being beaten.
"I'm not going down to Sittingbourne for a draw but it wouldn't be the worst result."
Tompkins felt Chips were the better side in the first half, but they did not score until 49 minutes. Coburn rose to head a free-kick back across goal inside the far post.
Three minutes later, Ray Freeman was brought down when through on goal, resulting in a penalty, Jason Thompson scoring. "I thought the foul was outside the box," said Tompkins, "the player should have got a red card but didn't even get booked."
Freeman finished off the scoring on 82 minutes.
Tompkins was impressed by his side. "Louis Hollingsworth was solid at the back and all the players got sevens and eights out of 10," he reflected.
He was particularly pleased with 18-year-old Josh James on the right of midfield. Callum McClean was on the bench, ready to return in midfield.
Striker Denva McKenzie starts a three-game ban on Saturday, when last season's top scorer Sean Rivers is set to take his chance after returning to the club.
Chipstead: Grant, Conroy, Coburn (Broomhead), Hollingsworth, Thompson, James, Grier, Harding, Morrison, Freeman, McKenzie.
Report courtesy of The Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 20th November 2010
CHIPSTEAD 2 - 0 WORTHING
After being on the end of a 4-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture earlier this season," Chips" went out on Saturday to even things up.
Mick Reed named the same starting eleven who narrowly lost to the league leaders, Leatherhead, in Tuesday's Managers Cup tie.
From the first whistle, this decision looked promising. After 2 minutes Ray Freeman chased down what seemed to be a lost cause. Pinching the ball off an unaware Worthing Defender. Ray continued his run and crossed the ball into the penalty area. But the arriving Chipstead players could not capitalise on what should have been the opening goal.
As the floodlights took over and the temperature dropped, Denver McKenzie scored Chipstead's and his first senior goal for the club. This all started with a throw in from the left which was collected by Russell Bedford, A determined drive goal wards and a low cross enabled the big number 9 to fire home from close range on 33 minutes.
Just 2 minutes later, Denver doubled his scoring tally with a superbly taken second goal. Russell Bedford was again the provider, with a delightful cross into the area.
McKenzie stepping in front of his marker and using the pace of the cross guided a pinpoint header in to the corner.
Worthing made one change at half time, looking for a way back into the tie. Each attack was met with a strong organised "Chips" defence.
The two goals, man of the match's afternoon would end on 83 minutes, when he was replaced by last year's top scorer Sean Rivers, who had resigned earlier in the week.
Worthing had the last chance of the afternoon, when a free kick on 90 minutes was tipped over the cross bar by Martin Grant.
Squad: 1. Martin Grant 2.Ellis Conroy 3. Jason Thompson 4.Louis Hollingsworth 5. Lee Coburn(c) 6. Liam Grier 7. Russell Bedford 8. Billy Harding 9. Denva McKenzie 10. Ray Freeman 11. A J Morrison. Subs:12. Josh James 14. Danny Davenport 15. Sean Rivers 16. Wayne Grizzle
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 16th November 2010
LEATHERHEAD 1 - 0 CHIPSTEAD
Striker light! Chips are lacking firepower
WHEN supporters of both clubs reminisce about classic matches in their team's past, this will not be one of them.
It was not a game for the purist, nor any kind of football fan, come to that.
And had it not been for the referee bravely awarding a penalty for a Lee Coburn shove on Jack Macleod, we might still be out there now.
Substitute Tommy Hutchings dispatched the spot-kick for the hosts in the 61st minute and that was that.
Up until that point the third round tie had little to write home about.
Chipstead looked composed on the ball and kept possession well, but lacked a cutting edge up front with strikers Ray Freeman and Denver McKenzie never really getting an opportunity to shoot.
Meanwhile Leatherhead looked nothing like a team sitting top of the Ryman League Division One South table.
They huffed and puffed and looked dangerous going forward, but like their visitors did not create a great deal in the final third.
Martin Grant was quickly off his line to ensure Liam Pestle could not get a shot away after a one-two with Greg Andrews and he also saved well from a Macleod shot.
The only big talking point came four minutes from the end of the half when Louis Hollingsworth attempted to head a bouncing ball back to his keeper, who had come out to collect himself. Luckily for the defender he was able to get back and clear the ball before it went anywhere near the goal.
It truly was a dire first half of football.
The second was marginally better.
McKenzie saw a good effort turned around the post by the alert Chico Ramos early on, while at the other end Grant did likewise with a Hutchings drive, before the penalty settled matters.
Kev Terry had been sent clean through but Grant saved well as he attempted to round him.
As the ball was worked out wide, a cross was not dealt with by Grant and Macleod rose to head over the top of the custodian, but got a shove in the back in mid air.
It was one of those challenges that some referees would wave away, but not this one, he pointed to the spot, rightly so, and Hutchings did the honours.
In response, Russell Bedford again asked questions of the Leatherhead keeper, but he answered them well, palming another low shot round the post, but that was all the visitors could muster.
In fact the home side should have won it 2-0 as Grant made a hash of a clearance in injury time, firing the ball straight at substitute Odunaike 35 yards out, but the big frontman hit an effort with the outside of his right boot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy - he could have walked it in.
Leatherhead: Ramos, Pestle, Hill, Boulter, Boswell, Thompson, Macleod, Simmons, Andrews (Hutchings, 45), Dean (Elston, 60), Terry (Odunaike, 65). Unused subs: Goodman, Russell.
Chipstead: Grant, Conroy (Gardiner, 81), Thompson, Coburn (Davenport, 83), Hollingsworth, Harding, Bedford, Grizzle (James, 67), McKenzie, Freeman, Morrison. Unused sub: Lynch.
Report courtesy of The Surrey Mirror
* * *
Lee Coburn scored Chips goal v Whyteleafe
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 9th November 2010
CHIPSTEAD 1 - 2 WHYTELEAFE
IT doesn't matter how bad the league table looks, there is always a chance of points in that great leveller known as the local derby -especially if you have Chris O'Flaherty.
Everything positive Whyteleafe produced seemed to come through their winger, who put in the cross for the first goal and rifled home the second.
Even in the first half, he was the player with whom Chipstead were having most trouble. He seemed to be fouled endlessly.
In truth, the prospects for Whyteleafe are not as bad as they might have appeared before this game. Fifth from bottom beforehand, they rose to be level with Chipstead after a third win in five league games, but behind on goal difference: if only they didn't ship four goals every other week.
Boss Nicky English was delighted with the improvement. "Our form recently has been 60 per cent better than the start of the season. The players have bonded and our system is better.
"If we continue like this I think we can be a midtable team."
He added that Fred Fleming and Danny Oakins "brilliant" at the back against their old team.
"Chris was very good. He can be like that but he has had me headbutting the dugout at times because he can be frustrating."
Chipstead had twice beaten Leafe this season - once in the FA Cup - and even home chairman Nigel Scarbrough admitted "you deserved that tonight," as he shook English's hand.
For some reason, however, the Leafe fans didn't sing their regular song: "We all follow the Whyteleafe, over land and sea - and Chipstead."
While the visitors had the majority of possession in the first half, they made little inroads, although Ellis Conroy had to make a clearance off the post.
Against the run of play, Chipstead scored. Wayne Grizzle, wide ride, often threatened.
However, the visitors scored from a second successive corner on 31 minutes.
Rob O'Hara, Leafe's goalkeeper, had just finished blasting Dean Gunner for not "putting his foot through the ball" and conceding the second corner when Jason Thompson sent the ball in and captain Lee Coburn headed in.
At the other end, Ashley Reid, from long-range, grew a save from Martin Grant and Russell Bedford was booked for dissent after fouling O'Flaherty.
At the start of the second half, Bedford began at left-back not right and O'Flaherty, on Whyteleafe's left wing, proved devastating. A succession of free-kicks and corners were earned and taken by the winger, who had one of those games where the ball just looked as it had been glued to his feet.
O'Hara spread himself to stop an Oakins header from one corner and after Grant saved from Ray Freeman at the other end.
Stephane Gnamore, also playing well in combination with O'Flaherty and Alec Brown, shot wide, then supplied O'Flaherty for a similar effort.
Leafe equalised on 65 minutes. A long clearance found O'Flaherty, who cut in and crossed for Brown to slid the ball over the line.
Brown, full of confidence, continued the succession of passes started by Gnamore on 71 minutes as Leafe made it two, O'Flaherty slamming in a shot from the edge of the area.
Chipstead had no answer.
"I was pleased with Stephane," added English, "he made a big difference up front.
"Chipstead have come off a great result against Met Police [2-2] and this can happen," he said of his old club's defeat. Leafe lost 4-0 at Worthing last Saturday and English hopes to improve. "When we lose we lose in style," he admitted.
However, he had watched Chipstead and been able to assess their strengths, even if they had players injured or suspended.
"The goal came against the run of play. That tends to happen to us. When we were winning in pre-season I still thought we'd lose because we were a bit volatile.
"Coming off that 4-0 defeat it was hard to pick the boys up, especially for a local derby. It was a tall order."
Striker Darren Watson (long-term groin injury) will be missing against Sittingbourne, their next opponents, who, like Chipstead, are also owed. "We really want to beat them. They beat us up there and I was very disappointed with an 87th minute goal from leading."
Scorers to settle, it seems, could just inspire the unpaid players to rise to the challenge.
Chipstead: M Grant, Bedford, Coburn, Conroy, Hollingsworth, Lynch (Harding 67), Chattaway (James 77), Thompson, Grizzle (McKenzie 67), Freeman, AJ Morrison. Unused subs: Tompkins, Davenport.
Report courtesy of The Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Suspensions stack up as Chipstead host title favourites
Ryman League Division One South
Faversham 2 - 2 Chipstead
SUSPENSIONS loom large for Chipstead as they host title favourites Met Police on Saturday after the end of last Saturday's game at Salters Lane turned sour.
Adam Broomhead and Billy Chattaway were both sent off and will miss the visit of the Police to High Road, along with keeper Martin Grant and Jason Goodchild.
All apart from the latter, all are set to be available again for Chipstead's third derby of the season with Whyteleafe, again at High Road, next Tuesday.
Despite the absences, Chipstead are likely to return to a conventional 4-4-2 instead of the 3-5-2 at Faversham, a formation assistant Mick Read said suited the players available.
"We will look to the reserves and the players that have been on the bench," said Read of how Chips will deal with the bans.
"Mark Tompkins might appear on the bench. He's playing in the reserves tonight," he said on Tuesday.
"It gives the opportunity to the players in the squad who don't normally play. The whole point of having a squad is to use them and they will get themselves up for that."
They will also be keen to gain places for the third encounter this season with Leafe, whom Chips beat in the FA Cup in August and then again a couple of weeks ago.
Broomhead is among former Leafe players as well as Denva McKenzie, a second half substitute last Saturday and a striker well known to the Church Road faithful.
One player who should return, however, is Dom O'Shea.
The striker has been struggling with a hamstring injury but should boost attacking options which have been added to with McKenzie, another former Leafe player who will relish playing against his old side.
McKenzie came on for Craig Gardiner, whose hamstring felt tight, in the second half last weekend, when Read felt Chipstead should have won before a late incident marred proceedings.
"It wasn't a dirty game, it was just a couple of incidents," he said. "First their manager had a moan and got sent off, then Adam Broomhead retaliated which gave him a second yellow card and Billy Chattaway hauled someone away by the neck and got a straight red. One of their players also got a second yellow.
"We were 1-0 up and let them back in it, then went 2-1 up and looked comfortable and let them back in again."
AJ Morrison scored first on 21 minutes and on 36 Gardiner put Chips 2-1 up only for the visitors to concede again on 67 minutes.
Read added: "We've only got ourselves to blame and it was two points dropped."
However, the team, sitting 14th, are in a far higher position than this time last year, when Read and boss Tompkins had to rework the squad having taken over that summer.
"We're a better outfit than last year, but we still feel we could do better and we've got a little bit of indiscipline at the moment. We can't keep picking up bookings and suspensions," said Read, who hopes to find chinks in the Police's armour after Jim Cooper's men went out of the FA Cup and have drawn twice in the league.
Chipstead: Grant, Coburn, Hollingsworth, Broomhead, Bedford, E Conroy, J Thompson, Chattaway, Morrison, Freeman, Gardiner (McKenzie). Unused subs: Mcdowell, James, Grizzle, Hibbert.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 26th October
WHITEHAWK 3-1 CHIPSTEAD
Hawks feast on struggling Chips
DEFENSIVE errors proved costly for the second time in four days as Chipstead slumped to a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Whitehawk.
With the elements thrashing in off the coast, the Chips found themselves up against it in the first 30 minutes and struggled to contain a strong Whitehawk team with the wind at their backs.
It may have been a sign of things to come when Chipstead gave away possession straight from kick-off and Whitehawk's Ray Freeman fired a shot at goal.
Indeed, the home crowd didn't have too long to wait before Hawk broke the deadlock as Ben Godfrey was afforded far too much space on the edge of the Chipstead box and fired a low shot through the hands of the despairing Martin Grant.
With Hawk's pacy Jemahl Hughes causing the Chips all kinds of problems on the right, it was only a matter of time before the second goal arrived for the hosts.
Hughes beat the offside trap and fired a shot at Martin Grant who could only parry it into the path of Hawk's onrushing Josh Jones who managed to prod the ball home.
Much like Saturday there appeared no way back for Chipstead with a third of the game gone.
Whitehawk were using the wind to their advantage while Mark Tompkin's side struggled to keep the ball on the floor, resorting instead to long balls which proved ineffective against the conditions.
However, on the half-hour mark, the linesman correctly adjudged a Hawk player to have handled the ball just outside the box. Jason Thompson curled a beautiful free-kick inside the keeper's right-hand post to fire Chipstead back into the game.
Having been on the back-foot for the first 30 minutes this was exactly the pick-me-up the visitors needed and they could have easily equalised before the break as Thompson continued to curl some beautiful balls into the Hawk area, but there was nobody there to finish them.
This continued after the break as the Chips, aided by the wind, were able to pin Whitehawk into their own half, and the hosts could have easily been down to ten men within minutes of the restart as goalscorer Josh Jones lunged in on Chips' right-back Louis Hollingsworth, sending manager Mark Tompkins and assistant Mick Read flying off the bench in protest.
"It was just a terrible tackle," said Read. "Louis got to the ball first and their player slid in and studded him in the chest.
"I thought the player was lucky to stay on the pitch and to not even get a yellow card is unbelievable."
Nevertheless, as Chipstead pressed for an equaliser, the absence of Dominic O'Shea up front told and they conceded a third when a free-kick from the left fell to Hawk sub Wes Tate to tap in as the Chips defence again failed to react.
Speaking after the game, assistant manager Mick Read said: "We don't want to start getting sucked into a relegation battle so we really need to get three points on Saturday to get ourselves going again."
Chipstead travel to Faversham on Saturday and will welcome back topscorer Dominic O'Shea.
"We're missing Dom massively at the moment," said Read. "We're looking forward to him coming back and hopefully that might start the goals going again."
Chipstead: Grant, Conroy, Broomhead (Morrison 80), Coburn, Hollingworth, Bedford, Chapman, Grizzle, Denver (Gardener 55), Freeman, Thompson, James (70).
Unused sub: Tompkins.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
Saturday 23rd October
CHIPSTEAD 2-4 FLEET TOWN
Tompkins furious at Chips defending
MANAGER Mark Tompkins was left ruing the three goals his team "gifted" Fleet in a desperate first half.
A handful of Chipstead players were booked and goalkeeper Martin Grant sent off in the last minute.
Defeat was the price Chipstead paid for a nightmare first half as a spirited comeback failed to prevent defeat in an eventful game.
With top scorer Dominic O'Shea absent and Jason Goodchild missing through suspension, Chipstead looked somewhat lost in midfield and this allowed Fleet to dominate proceedings before the interval.
They took the lead after just six minutes courtesy of ex-Reading midfielder Darren Campbell who showed his class when put through to lift a deft chip over the head of the onrushing Martin Grant.
The goal was tinged with a hint of controversy as the linesman appeared to signal that Campbell was offside when the ball was played.
However, the referee overruled his assistant's decision to allow the goal.
"From where I was stood it looked a yard offside and that's what my two centre halves said as well," reflected Tompkins.
Campbell nearly made it two after 20 minutes as his near-post drive was well blocked by Grant and if it wasn't for Chipstead's number one the scoreline could have been even worse at half-time.
As it was, Fleet only added another two goals in a three minute purple patch after Grant had pulled off a string of important saves.
Adam Broomhead diverted the ball into his own net after the defence had failed to prevent a cross from Fleet's Darren Wheeler, and a free-kick from the left alluded everyone to allow Daniel Read to slot home for the visitors' third.
The end of the half was tarnished by a booking for Chips' Denver McKenzie as he left Fleet's Chris Page with a bloodied head.
The defender had to play the second 45 with a bandage and number 18 shirt.
Tompkins admitted to giving his team "a bit of a rollicking" at half-time and this, along with some choice substitutions, appeared to galvanise them.
Craig Gardner replaced the booked McKenzie, creating a few chanceswhich may have been converted by the absent Dominic O'Shea.
Chipstead fscored the goal they deserved after 65 minutes as Darren Wheeler scrambled it home at the third time of asking and left two Fleet players lying injured in the goal.
Their defender Leigh Rumbold was replaced for the head injury which later saw him leave the ground in an ambulance.
When Gardner tapped in a rebound two minutes later the comeback looked on but it was all in vain. The Chips were left open to counter-attacks as they piled forward in search of an equaliser and when Fleet's Bradley Cann raced away in the 93rd minute, Martin Grant brought him down and conceded a penalty.
He was sent off for his troubles but should be remembered for a first half performance which had given Chipstead a glimmer of hope.
Chips' defender Adam Broomhead was forced to take Grant's place for the penalty which was converted by Fleet striker Ray Freeman to secure all three points for the visitors.
Chipstead: Grant, Conroy, Thompson, Coburn (c), Broomhead, Bedford, Chataway, Grizzle (Hollingsworth 45), McKenzie (Gardener 45), Freeman, Morrison. Unused subs: James, Tompkins.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 16th October 2010
WHYTELEAFE 1 - 2 CHIPSTEAD
Chip's gave a performance to earn a thoroughly deserved three points at the ‘Leafe after a goal less first half turning on the style to take a two goal lead and although the ‘Leafe' grabbed a goal back Chip's always looked in control and were never going to share the points. Chip's had an early opportunity when Adam Broomhead met Jason Thompson's corner at the back post but his volley was collected by the well placed Michael Lidbury. Billy Chattaway's long range effort was just too high as was Fred Fleming's headed effort at the other end.
The Leafe had the best effort of the first half when a free kick by Billy Dunne rattled Chip's cross bar but Thompson was on hand to clear the danger.
Chip's skipper Lee Coburn had a chance at the back post from another Thompson Corner but it flew over Lidbury's crossbar.
Chip's had a bright start to the second period and was presented a penalty when Dean Gunner was adjudged to have handled in the box. Up stepped Thompson only too see Lidbury save his effort.
Chip's applied more pressure and gained a second spot kick when Lidbury raced out and upended substitute Wayne Grizzle. This time Thompson made no mistake. Chip's deservedly increased the lead after 69 minutes when Dominic O'shea rose above everyone to head home another of Thomson's curling free kicks into the danger area.
It wasn't quite over though as Fred Fleming picked up on a loose ball from a corner and pulled one back for the home side. With only just over ten minutes left Chip's shut up shop and comfortably retained the lead till the final whistle.
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 12th October 2010
Championship Manager's Isthmian League Cup second round
MERSTHAM 0 - 1 CHIPSTEAD
Dominic O'Shea said he has set his sights on scoring 15 goals this season after scoring his fifth to dump Merstham out of the League Cup on Tuesday.
The Chipstead striker headed in Jason Thompson corner on 21 minutes against what home boss Graeme Baynard admitted was a "mix and match" side.
O'Shea believes the players have given boss Mark Tompkins a nice selection headache as they seek a third win in a row back in Ryman League action at Whyteleafe on Saturday.
The front man, one of several players in and out of the side, said: "It was nice to get back on the score sheet - because it has been a few games - and that it was the winner as well.
"We did well on Saturday [beating Burgess Hill 2-1] and to get two wins on the spin after a bad spell was pleasing.
"We beat Whyteleafe in the FA Cup but we know they will be well up for it especially as a few from each side used to play for the other. We go into Saturday full of confidence.
"The reason I left Leatherhead was to play regularly. I've played most games but didn't start the last two. I started tonight and I repaid the manager's faith."
His striker partner was Ray Freeman who scored twice on Saturday having been moved from the left wing, where he had been creating many chances that his team-mates were unable to finish.
"Ray had another excellent game on Saturday," said O'Shea "and he has done well from being dropped the previous game.
"The last couple of games have caused the manager a few problems with players stepping up their game."
Tompkins was delighted with victory, using the majority of the team from the previous match. "We went for a bit of continuity," he said. "Ray destroyed teams by getting behind them so we thought we would put him up front and he has caused problems with his pace, especially on Saturday.
"Cup games keep the season alive and it means we keep playing midweek, so we'll look to do well in this and the Surrey Senior," added Tompkins, who, like Leatherhead last season, won the competition with a Division One South club while at Tooting.
Scott Simpson was named on the bench and is close to a return from a groin injury.
Meanwhile, Banyard was deeply disappointed that his mix of reserve and youth team players - and a smattering of first teamers - did not step up to the mark.
Admitting that he would have been "embarrassed" had Merstham won after their performance, he said: "We left a few boys out from Saturday to give a few others a run out and see if they can perform in the first team.
"I'm glad Chipstead put their first team out because it showed our boys up.
"I was disappointed that the first team boys didn't perform as well as they should have done and get the others playing, too.
"I was disappointed because I was looking forward to seeing them step up, but they don't deserve their chance at the moment.
"Probably some of the first team boys who were rested will look at this and think their places are safe. That could work against us because they know there's nothing coming through."
With no game on Saturday, Merstham's next match is at Walton & Hersham next Tuesday in the Surrey Senior Cup - if the players are not given run-outs in Saturday's reserve game at table toppers Banstead Athletic.
"Not many clubs take the league cup seriously and you could argue we didn't because we played a mix and match side, but that side I thought were good enough to beat Chipstead."
Adam Broomhead almost scored at the back post after a corner early in the game, but his effort came off the back of Jordan Cheadle's head. Freeman's flicked shot was helped on by O'Shea but hit the bar on 10 minutes.
Then Chipstead scored on 21. Freddie Myers, playing in midfield instead of the usual left-back, flashed a shot wide from the left on the stroke of half-time.
On 54 minutes, Ben King forced a fantastic save from Chipstead keeper Martin Grant and Ian Chatfield got down low to deny O'Shea on 68 minutes.
Ryan Watts thwarted a Freeman run before Merstham had long-distance shots from Russell Banyard, John Doherty and Joe Worham go over the bar.
Chipstead: Grant, E Conroy, Thompson, Coburn (James 72), Broomhead, Bedford, Goodchild, Chattaway, O'Shea, Freeman, Morrison (Grizzle 75). Unused subs: Simpson, Tompkins, Lubford.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
Ray Freeman scored two v Burgess Hill Town
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 09th October 2010
CHIPSTEAD 2 - 1 BURGESS HILL TOWN
Chip's showed great character to take three points and thoroughly deserved to do so with an excellent all round performance.
Man of the match Ray Freeman collected a brace of goals and was close to a hat trick but for the saves from the visiting Keeper. The match had a fairly even start with Giuseppe Sanso taking an early shot for the visitors which didn't trouble Martin Grant.
The rising wind wasn't a help to either side but Chip's took the initiative early in the second spell when a move down Chip's right flank resulted in Russell Bedford pinpointing his cross to Freeman who slotted home from close range.
Freeman doubled his tally on sixty minutes when Jason Goodchild broke up a move by the visitors and slotted a neat ball through the visitors defence and Freeman ran on to edge the ball past the advancing keeper.
Burgess Hill made changes to try and get something from the match but Chip's held firm with some resolute defending and although Ronnie Green pulled one back for the visitors Chip's shut up shop and got the result that they had been threatening for the last few matches which prepares them nicely for the next two matches which take the Chip's to Merstham and Whyteleafe respectively.
Team; M Grant; J Thompson; E Conroy; L Coburn; A Broomhead; A.J Morrison; B Chattaway; J Goodchild; R Bedford; W Grizzle; R Freeman; Subs; D O'Shea; (B Chattaway) K Quartey;(W Grizzle) Not used; J James; W Hibbitt
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 25th September 2010
WORTHING 4-1 CHIPSTEAD
Chipstead were well beaten in midweek
MARK Tompkins said Chipstead failed to turn up on Tuesday night and will look to put that right at home to Burgess Hill on Saturday.
He also hopes for a better midweek showing next week, when Chipstead make a much shorter trip to Merstham for the Championship Manager Isthmian League Cup.
A Jason Thompson penalty was all Chipstead had to show for their trip to Sussex. Scored on 45 minutes, it appeared to put them back in the game at 2-1.
But Worthing, having scored through Dodd and Lawyer, scored through Saunders and Lawyer again in the second half.
"They are not a bad side but we weren't at the races," complained Tompkins. "They were a good counter-attacking side but the goals conceded from our point of view were poor.
"It's something we've got to draw a line under.
"They were up for it, we turned up wrong and got it all wrong from the start."
Frank Sawyer, who has scored many goals against Chipstead while Tompkins has been in charge, started up front, as he did in the FA Trophy defeat to Godalming Town on Saturday. But Tompkins is still after another front man, with Scott Simpson still out injured.
"He needs games, he was sitting on the bench at Cray," Tompkins said of the former Carshalton and Met Police striker.
Full-back Ellis Conroy, on his comeback from injury, was sent on at half-time against Godalming in place of Russell Bedford, then started on Tuesday, when Ray Freeman was left on the bench.
Tompkins is eager for a better showing on Saturday. "It will be a difficult game against Burgess Hill. They have started well. We seem to do well against the sides that are doing well. We seem to play to the level of the opposition, if they are good we play well and if they are bad we play to their level.
"Tuesday is also important. I do like cup runs. It keep a season going."
While saying a win in the local derby would earn "bragging rights" he added that local games hold less importance for players than they used to.
"It's not like the old days where players played 300 games for one club," said Tompkins, who played 200 for Tooting and 250 for Bromley.
However, they will face two players who are long-served at Moatside. Craig Vernon has just returned to Merstham after a short stint at Tooting, having left in the summer after six years at the club. Keeper Ian Chatfield is also a long-standing player.
Report courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 25th September 2010
NEEDHAM MARKET 0-0 CHIPSTEAD
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Chipstead defended magnificently all around the park to thoroughly deserve a replay at the High Road and could have come away winners with a lob that was inches away from hitting the net 5 minutes from time.
It was a real cup tie with both goalkeepers in equally good form and with play flowing from end to end it was excitement from start to finish.
Needham, unbeaten at home this season and top of Ryman North threw everything at the Chip's to avoid a difficult tie at the High Road tonight.
Both sides created half chances through out the match with Jason Thompson hitting dangerous free kicks in to Needham's crowded goal area and replies coming by way of some long range shots from Needham's skipper hitting the post early in the second half.
Chips replied with wide men A.J.Morrison and Ray Freeman causing real problems down the flanks with some testing crosses which caused havoc but with no final touch to break the deadlock.
It was close to the finish when Domonic O'Shea squeezed between the two central defenders and when he saw the keeper advancing touched the ball over him and saw the ball bounce agonizingly past the post.
This leaves it all to be played for with a 3rd round tie at home to either Ebbsfleet or Cray Wanderers who are also replaying on Tuesday night.
M Grant; A Broomhead; L Coburn; R Bedford; R Freeman; B Chattaway; J.Goodchild ; A.J.Morrison; D O'Shea; J Thompson; C Gardner;(W.Grizzle) Subs; Not used; M. Thompkins;
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 21st September 2010
Chipstead 2 - 2 Whitstable Town
TWO points lost was how Chipstead manager Mark Tompkins described his side's 2-2 draw on Tuesday night at home to Whitstable.
The High Road boss hopes his side can cut out the "silly mistakes" on Saturday when Chips travel to Needham Market in the FA Cup second qualifying round.
And with captain Scott Simpson still unable to take up his forward's role because of a groin injury, Tompkins quipped: "If we win we might be able to get a striker."
Defender Lee Coburn began up front against Whitstable, offering "aerial threat" so the ball did not return back towards the defence as quickly.
Whitstable went 2-0 up after 25 minutes, when Tompkins changed his formation.
He said: "They were playing 3-5-2 and we were playing 4-4-2, so when they went 2-0 up we matched them with 3-5-2 and it worked."
All the goals came in the first half, with Dom O'Shea volleying the first on 28 minutes and Louis Hollingsworth gaining the second on 38, both from crosses from Jason Thompson.
"We got back into it and should have won the game comfortably," insisted the manager. "In the second half it was all us.
"It was two points dropped because we had enough chances, although it was good coming back from 2-0.
"We worked the ball quite well for the first goal and O'Shea got there first. It was similar with the second, we got people into the box and Hollingsworth got there first."
However, AJ Morrison was man of the match. "He was superb going down the right," said his manager.
Adam Broomhead the former Whyteleafe centre-back, played having been signed from Met Police, but Tompkins has doubts over John Cartiledge (ankle) for Saturday.
"He says he'll be fit but I think that's just because it is the FA Cup," the manager said.
"Needham won 5-0 [on Tuesday]. It's going to be a difficult game but they are only our level," he said of the Ryman North side.
"We've got nothing to fear, as long as we can cut out the silly mistakes.
"It's a game that if we can win, we might be able to get a striker.
"We've got breakfast and a coach booked, but I'm more concerned with the result. We definitely need a win, but if we don't we'll concentrate on the league and look at the FA Trophy."
In that they face Godalming, with whom they have already drawn 0-0.
Having felt that his side deserved a point against Leatherhead a few weeks ago, when they conceded two late goals, Chips also conceded very late at Walton Casuals, losing 2-1 with a goal scored on 89 minutes.
"That was another game in which we could have taken three points. We didn't play the greatest, but we gave away a silly free-kick outside our area and they scored from a header."
Chipstead: Grant, Bedford, Brown, Hollingsworth, Thompson, Morrison, Goodchild, Chattaway, Freeman, O'Shea, Coburn.
Report Courtesy of the Surrey Mirror
* * *
Lee Coburn heads clear v Cobham
MATCH REPORTSaturday 11th September
Cobham 0 -1 Chipstead
F.A. Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Chips will go in to the hat for the next qualifier after overcoming a battling Cobham side that had their share of chances in the match.
However as the match progressed it was the acrobatics of the home side's keeper that prevented a higher score for the Ryman club.
Kofi Quarty provided the match winner after 26 minutes when he timed his run to get behind a sluggish back four and neatly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper. Whilst it was the only goal Chips were rarely troubled in defence and might have added to the score line whist they enjoyed a considerable amount of possession throughout the afternoon. The defence stood firm whilst midfield and Chip's strikers probed their way past their opposite numbers on many occasions.
Jason Thompson, Ryan Palmer and Kofi Quarty all saw their efforts denied by the reactions of Cobhams busiest player between the sticks.
Whilst Chips may be disappointed at a solitary goal victory its takes them forward another round and if the draw is kind to them they might start thinking of two years ago when they traveled to Torquay.
M Grant; R Bedford; J Thompson; L Coburn; L Hollingsworth; R Palmer; E Conroy; ( A J Morrison) K Quarty; D O'Shea;(W Grizzle)R Freeman; J Goodchild; Sub's not used; A Matthews; W Hibbett; J Gant;
* * *
MATCH REPORT
Monday 30 August 2010
Chipstead 1-3 Leatherhead
Late show fries Chips as Tanners claim the points
THREE goals for Greg Andrews and three points for Leatherhead but things are anything but rosy for the Tanners.
Mick Sullivan's men laboured to victory over the Chips as their unconvincing start to the new season continued at High Road on Bank Holiday Monday.
Indeed, had it not been for Andrews' clinical finishing, the Tanners might well have returned to Fetcham Grove with just a point, if that.
The visitors could have had three goals before the break, and Chips defender Wayne Grizzle could have scored two of them, as twice his clearances might have gone anywhere, but one floated just over the bar and the other was clawed away superbly by home keeper Martin Grant.
The Tanners had to settle for just a one goal lead at the interval though when Andrews capitalised on hesitation in the home defence in the 13th minute before smashing a left foot shot low into the bottom corner.
Jason Thompson really should have equalised six minutes later when Dom O'Shea squared for him in the box, but his effort rose high over the bar.
The Leatherhead side that reappeared after the break looked almost nothing like the one that had seen out the first as the home side saw more of the ball and enjoyed the better chances, though they had to rely on a moment of madness from Jon Coke to give them a foothold in the game, the right back inexplicably going to ground to bring down Ray Freeman in the box.
Thompson stepped up and sent Chico Ramos the wrong way to level the scores.
Half-time substitute AJ Morrison was causing all sorts of trouble for the Leatherhead defence, but the hosts could not force a way through the Tanners defence in open play, and just like the home side were made to pay for not scoring more than one in the first half, the Chips were also left thinking about what might have been when Andrews completed his hat-trick to hand the Tanners all three points.
He first converted from the penalty spot four minutes from time, after Jon Boswell had bundled his cross home, via a handball from defender Lee Coburn. The linesman signalled, the goal was not given, Coburn saw red and Andrews stepped up to score the goal that should have been given in the first place.
The striker then took advantage of the gaps in the home defence, easily sidestepping Grizzle before coolly placing a shot past the keeper in stoppage time to wrap up the points.
Report courtesy of The Surrey Mirror
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MATCH REPORT
Saturday 28th August 2010
FA Cup preliminary round
Chipstead 4 - 3 Whyteleafe
They derby cup game gave the crowd everything they were hoping for; fast paced football, a feisty game and goals galore, but left Nicky English admitting he has "a lot of work to do" on his Whyteleafe side.
English, who had not seen his team record a win in Ryman League Division One South this season before this game, is happy to concentrate on the league.
"Of course I am disappointed, but I'm not disappointed at being out of the FA Cup at this point in time because it's clear we have a lot of work to do to make this squad strong enough to do well in the league," he reflected.
"Both sides had their moments, but really both sides were poor, which is why it was so entertaining for the crowd because there was so many mistakes for both sides. Obviously at 3-2 up, missing two chances that were basically tap ins was disappointing.
"So we move on and I really am interested in the league. We basically threw the game away today. We were the better team for large portions of the match. We were winning, we missed silly chances and then I made a substitution thinking that they would change to four at the back and I don't think they even knew the substitution went on and two minutes later Chipstead are winning 4-3. They didn't read my pattern of understanding but sometimes that happens."
And despite spending many seasons at Chipstead, English feels no loyalties.
"I've done my time up here [High Road]. I like Chipstead, they are alright and I hope they do well but I just see them as any other club now. They've got no holds or ties or loyalties to me and I really haven't for them." he laughed.
Chipstead boss Mark Tompkins believes his side have gained local bragging rights for now.
"It was a game of errors. We went down to Ramsgate and were very solid defensively there but today we were very open at the back," Tompkins explained.
"Just getting through is all that matters in the cup, but Whyteleafe have a few ex-Chipstead players, and the ex-manager, so it spices the game up a bit. We've got the bragging rights for a couple of weeks until we meet in the league."
Chipstead looked every inch the home team in the opening minutes, with Ray Freeman forcing giant keeper Rob O'Hara to save down low before the Chips went ahead on nine minutes after Dominic O'Shea turned away from his defender and put the ball in the bottom left corner.
In a physical battle, Ellis Conroy saw a free-kick collected by O'Hara before Gareth Graham's free-kick at the other end gave Leafe's huge centre-forward Darren Watson a chance but he was unable to get his header on target.
On 24 minutes it was 1-1 after Alec Brown placed his header well from another free-kick by Graham. Just five minutes later Whyteleafe found themselves in the lead when Watson failed to connect to a cross by Josh Smith, but after keeper Martin Grant spilled the ball Chris O'Flaherty was on hand to put the ball away from close range.
No sooner were they ahead, than it was level again when, while Dean Gunner was on the sidelines receiving treatment, Freeman fired past O'Hara with ease.
Just before the break Chipstead's Lee Coburn buckled under the pressure of an open goal and shot wide in front of the large High Road crowd. Within minutes of the restart the visitors were ahead again when Brown lobbed the advancing Grant.
Keen to get in on the act, Coburn then did the seemingly impossible and lobbed 6ft 8ins keeper O'Hara to level again.
On the hour mark O'Flaherty got his second and the game's seventh goal to seal the win for the Chips.
Chipstead: Grant, Bedford, Chattaway, Hollingsworth, Cartlidge (Morrison), Moody (Grizzle), Matthews, Conroy (Thompson), Coburn, O'Shea, Freeman. Unused subs: Hibbert, Gant.
Report Courtesy of The Surrey Mirror
Ray Freeman scored Chips winner at Ramsgate
MATCH REPORT
Tuesday 24th August 2010
RAMSGATE 0 - 1 CHIPSTEAD
Chipstead started very lively with Ray Freeman just missing out on an early goal by goalkeeper Conor Quinn.
Ramsgates strength at home is their fine use of such a wide pitch which they used to good effect keeping the visitors defence and keeper Martin Grant busy throughout the evening.
It was a bright start by both teams and each defence was put to the test and came through until the 42nd minute when the deadlock was broken by the visitors.
In a neat quick build up with Danny Moody & Dominic O'Shea putting the final weighted pass to Ray Freeman who quickly made ground on the left and placed his shot past Keeper Quinn to put the visitors a goal ahead going in to the break.
Chip's might have increased their lead just after the break when a cross by Moody was headed down by Freeman and Peter Martin pounced to fire home at the near post but for Quinn's quick reaction which smothered the ball. Quinn was soon in action again saving well from Martin's effort.
Grant saved a long range volley from Mark Lovell before punching clear from a corner and eventually saving from a melee of players in the crowded goalmouth. With chips reduced to ten men after Louis Hollingsworth received a second yellow the defence stood strong to protect their lead.
Russell Bedford was on hand to clear from Chip's goal line from a scramble of bodies. Ramsgate were also reduced to ten men with a second yellow to defender Liam Quinn and Chip's held out for an excellent victory in a match that was 57 minutes long in the second half for three valueble points which was a great improvement from last year's 1-1 draw at the seaside venue.
Team: M Grant; J Cartledge; L Hollingsworth; R Bedford; R Freeman; B Chattaway; A Matthews; P Martin; D O'Shea;D Moody; E Conroy; Subs; K Quartey (P Martin) AJ Morrison (R Freeman) B Rubacha (D Moody) Not Used; W Grizzle; G Arkadiusz
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MATCH REPORT
Saturday 21st August 2010
CHIPSTEAD 1-1 EASTBOURNE TOWN
Chipstead's Martin Grant put in a fine all round display to ensure the home side collected a point from their first home league fixture.
Good defending by Lee Coburn kept Eastbourne's strikers at bay from some dangerous free kicks sent into the goal area. Grant saved well from a worthy effort by Sam Crabb.
Chipstead were unlucky to loose Wayne Grizzle after just 14 minutes with an injury and it meant a reshuffle when Anthony-James Morrison replaced him and went to his favourite wide position.
Grant was in action again saving twice in quick succession before Chips began to get in to the match from a slow start. Coburn saw his headed effort saved by the visitors keeper and Dominic O'Shea also had a goal bound effort saved. With it all square at the break it took ten minutes and a twist of fate for the match to take off.
Chips took a lead when John Cartledge finished off a free kick that Coburn headed down in to the goal area. Chipstead then lost Ray Freeman to the dressing room after two quick yellows were issued and slowly but surely the visitors began to dominate play. Ex Chipstead player Ashley Robinson was brought in to the action and soon made his mark with a neat finish to level the scores.
Chip's were probably glad to hear the final whistle as the visitors had a purple patch and only Grant's reactions and the woodwork saved the match from slipping away from the home side as the eleven men took a stronger hold on the match.
Team: M Grant; J Cartledge; L Hollingsworth; R Bedford; R Freeman; J Goodchild; L Coburn; S Simpson; A Matthews; AJ Morrison; P Martin; D O'Shea;K Quarty; E Conroy; D Moody;
