Anagram Records Trophy - 2011/2012

[Karen Browne]

I would take Horace's knowledge of football over yours anyday. He knows what he is talking about.

[Karen Browne]

A Groundhopper's view.

 

Saturday 31st March 2012 @3pm

Anagram Records Trophy Semi-Final

RISBOROUGH RANGERS V LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGLES 3-2

Admission: £2

Programme: free 40pp

Attendance: 68

Bacon Roll: £1.50

Guinness £2.80

 

I decided quite late on to visit The Windsor’s, rather than North Leigh, with an eye on petrol usage. The main stand is along the main touchline, and raised 1 metre above pitch level, meaning the dugouts in front do not obscure the spectator. A row of comfortable chairs are to the back of the cover but most stand by the front rail. The other 3 sides have a wooden rail and fence around the pitch. Chat in the clubhouse is centred around a possible application back to Division One, with ground improvements and floodlights to be installed next season, whether the league give them time to arrange this at the Step 6 level if they finish in the top 5. With 10 league games to play by 5th May and 7 at home, a good chance to visit during the silly season.

 

The match was quite entertaining. Risborough were 2-0 up at half time and looked in complete control. Then within 5 minutes of the 2nd half, Letchworth scored twice and drew level. The match got a bit spiteful from the away side, mainly due to the decisions going mainly towards the home team, with the number 5 and 8 getting particularly frustrated. The officials combined age would give the Rolling Stones a run for their money. The deserved winner from Ben Williams in the last 15 minutes means a final at County Ground Letchworth on 3rd weekend of May.

I found this to be a friendly club, especially those who rallied around for an oldun' who had a fall and split his face open.

[Rhodes]

He knows what he is talking about

Karen - Well I fully agree Horace knows what he's talking about, that's why I'm surprised he confidently predicted an all Herts County League final

[Horace]

Tell you what, I'll predict a Herts Senior Countty League winner!

[bicknell]

Good luck to our south mids club , when I won this cup with padbury it was a great day out

[Winslow Boy]

Good luck to our south mids club , when I won this cup with padbury it was a great day out

Good luck to our south mids club , when I won this cup with padbury it was a great day out

Yeah defo, we also have won this competition beating a much fancied White Ensign boasting a certain Paul Benson up front

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Benson

 

Stuffed em 4-1 at Northwood and he didnt get a sniff!!!!

[Shadow]

Unfortunately, I feel Baldock Town will have a little too much for Risborough Rangers, they have some real quality players who joined from Stotfold and Langford as part of a long term project with former Eagle Scott Grant in charge. Their front three of Aldrin, Taylor and Dougherty are capable of playing at a much higher level and have got around 70 goals between them this term... The fact they've only lost one game all season is testiment enough.

[Rhodes]

An extract from a recent SSML newsletter, I believe the Final takes place on 20 May and not the 22nd:

 

ANAGRAMS RECORDS TROPHY – SEMI FINALS

 

Risborough Rangers ensured that at least one SSMFL club would be represented in the Final when they produced a tremendous performance to beat the current holders of the Trophy, Letchworth GC Eagles by three goals to two. Although playing in the Herts County League, there was a strong SSMFL link with Letchworth managed by Jason Valentine and Hendy Manning and containing a sprinkling of ex Langford players. In one of the biggest games in Rangers' history, a real cut and thrust affair, the reds of Risborough reached a Final for the first time since 1984. Risboro took the game to their visitors right from the off and stunned the holders with two quick strikes. The first was a glancing header from Ben Williams into the far corner of the net and even better was to follow ten minutes later when Laurence Clark drifted in from the right wing and cracked home the second with his left foot to put the Reds firmly in control. Letchworth found it hard to break Risborough down although they did fashion a few half chances, and the first half finished with Risboro having the lion’s share of possession. The Eagles came out fired up for the second half, and were almost immediately back in business when Harry Holland poached inside the six yard box with a right-footed half volley. The equaliser arrived a few minutes later when Jack Gregson’s shot from 25 yards took a slight deflection and nestled in the bottom corner. At this stage it was one-way traffic, with pressure being supplied by a succession of corners, but the hosts weathered the storm and slowly got back into the game. The game became fractious as Letchworth realized that their comeback had stalled and they and their supporters began questioning every refereeing decision. Risborough grabbed the winner with twenty minutes remaining when a corner reached skipper Andy Hird who stooped to power a header into the bottom corner. With Letchworth throwing everything into saving the game, numerous opportunities presented themselves for Risboro to make the game safe, but poor final balls let then down. There was still time for Risboro stalwart custodian James Tovey to produce two outstanding saves to save the day, and for Eagles Ben L’Honore to talk himself into a second yellow card at the death. Risboro will now meet another Herts County side, leaders Baldock Town in the Final on Sunday 22nd May at the Letchworth County Ground. In the other semi Final, Baldock proved too strong for MK Wanderers and ran out eventual 4-1 winners. Baldock took a two goal lead by half time, and although Tariq Kotey gave MK some hope with a goal in the 64th minute, two further late goals crushed their dreams.

 

 

[Rhodes]

Anagram Records Feeder Leagues Trophy Semi Finals

1-4 MK Wanderers v Baldock Town

24

A report on this one:

 

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/baldocktownfc/s/match-report-6241.html?fixture_id=1038327&official=0

 

[Deano999]

Good luck to my boy and the rest of the Risborough lads on Sunday. Baldock must be favourites, but we could upset the odds as we proved in the Semi against Letchworth.

[BUFC]

Good luck to my boy and the rest of the Risborough lads on Sunday. Baldock must be favourites, but we could upset the odds as we proved in the Semi against Letchworth.

 

Good luck....nice way to finish the season

[Rhodes]

Baldock Town will be on a downer on Sunday as I see their Committee have confirmed that the Club are unable to take promotion to Step 6 next season, despite winning the Herts Senior County League Premier Division by 13 points, due to ground grading issues, this could play right into Risborough Rangers hands:

 

http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=84816

[Shadow]

Or they could be absolutely buzzing as it will be their last ever game together as a team.

[Rhodes]

So who will be present this afternoon, other than Horace, I see that there is a nice little double for so called groundhoppers with FC

Town v AC Hertford in the Herts FA Sunday Intermediate Cup Final, also at the County Ground in Letchworth, kicking off at 10.30am, although it will leave them kicking their heels for a few hours between games as Letchworth isn't exactly the most exciting place on earth

 

[thecoldend]

HT is 0-0

 

Baldock the better side, had one cleared off the line. Risborough keep getting caught offside.

 

All in the balance at the moment.

 

Good following from Risborough here, two coachloads

[Horace]

Final score baldock town 1 risborough rangers 0

[Rhodes]

Horace - Not the cricket score you predicted then!

[thecoldend]

My phone Batt ran out. Baldock won it with a late goal. The right result as they had the better chances of a scrappy sort of match.

 

 

[Shadow]

Good competitive game, Baldock just edged it and deserved the win. Fair play to the Risborough fans who were excellent

[thecoldend]

Match highlights, pics and a little report now on TheColdEnd. Link below