THAMESMEAD 1 HORNCHURCH 1

[Dagger03]

Sunday 08-October-2017 - F.A. Trophy

 

THAMESMEAD TOWN 1  HORNCHURCH 1

 

T - Carey, Brand, McIntyre, Kinch, Smith, Avery (Denny 76), Mendy, Anidugbe, Vines, Kwayie, Ajala (Teniola 18)

Subs - O’Connor, Ovenden, Green

 

HFC - Mott, Hursit (Bentley 60), Porter, Lee, Cooper, Styles © (Roberts 56), Fairweather-Johnson, Chouman, McKenzie, Purcell, Fanimo (Wall 60

Subs - Kamara, Tuohy

 

Officials - K Kempster with M Charle and Zolton Konkola

 

Scorers - Vines 7 (T) - Wall 74 (H)

 

Bookings - Fanimo 25 (H) - McKenzie 43 (H) - Avery 76 (T) - Smith 76 (T) - Purcell 82 (H)

Attendance 116

Duration 50.00 + 49.00

 

 

THAMESMEAD TOWN 1  HORNCHURCH 1

 

With an hour gone we wondered if we were going to make a first time exit from the Trophy as Thamesmead looked likely to add to their early lead, whilst Hornchurch could not get going. Then Jim McFarlane made three rapid substitutions and everything changed. Ross Wall fired the all-important equaliser, and Thamesmead struggled to hold out against a rampant Hornchurch side in the final fifteen minutes.

 

The match got off to a slow start, and neither team threatened, until, on seven minutes, a Jake McIntyre free kick was turned out for a corner, which was only partially cleared, as far as Paul Vines, who curled the ball into the net from 25 yards.

 

Hornchurch attacked spasmodically, and Leon McKenzie went close with a shot from outside the area, that Lewis Carey saved.

 

On 16 minutes Thamesmead lost Toby Ajala, who fell awkwardly after firing a shot over the bar, and after a lengthy spell of treatment he was replaced by Alex Teniola.

 

Chances were few and far between, although on the half hour Mathias Fanimo linked well with McKenzie to set up George Purcell, with Carey in a good position to save the shot.

 

Fanimo made a good run along the left, but the finish was lacking, the ball going harmlessly behind the goal.

 

Shortly afterwards Jed Chouman crossed to McKenzie, but, under pressure, he put his shot wide of the target.

 

Hornchurch struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the second half, and Thamesmead looked likely to add to their lead, and it got worse when Elliot Styles had to leave the field, to be replaced by Sean Roberts. Four minutes later, manager Jim McFarlane made a double substitution, Alex Bentley coming in at right back for Jamie Hursit and Ross Wall up front for Fanimo.

 

And all of a sudden it was Thamesmead who were struggling to contain a rejuvenated Hornchurch, starting when a Purcell corner was scrambled out to McKenzie, only for Carey to save well.

 

An equaliser was always on the cards, and it came in somewhat controversial fashion, when what to many appeared a blatant hand ball in the area was ignored. The ball was promptly returned towards the far post where Ross Wall headed home. In the ensuing seconds, Richard Avery was shown a yellow card, possibly for protesting that he was fouled in the build up to the goal, and Leon Smith quickly followed him, for protesting.

 

Ten minutes from time came the best move of the match. It started with a lengthy run by Nathan Cooper, from deep inside his own half, and he passed the ball out to Theo Fairweather-Johnson on the right, and continued his run to power in a header from the resulting centre, which flashed just wide of the post.

 

Thamesmead were now hanging on desperately. Purcell fired a hard free kick over the wall, Carey could only parry the ball, and McKenzie headed the ball back to Kenzer Lee, but Carey saved again.

 

Another Purcell free kick was delayed when the referee booked Purcell for asking for the defensive wall to be moved back ten yards, the ball eventually cannoning back off the aforementioned wall.

 

On 90 minutes McKenzie headed narrowly over from a Jay Porter centre, and in stoppage time Purcell was put clear on the right, but before he could cross the ball into the middle, play was pulled back to give Hornchurch a free kick, with the referee reaching for his yellow card, which would have been aimed at Leon Smith who had already been booked. He then put the card away, to Smith’s relief, and  Purcell sent the free kick narrowly wide of the post.

 

So it is back to Bridge Avenue for a replay on Tuesday.

[Dinamo Urchin]

Really odd game. Turgid for an hour and then we opened up and played some really decent stuff.

 

Nathan Cooper deciding he was Pele for 30 seconds was a highlight. If the move he started and so nearly finished had gone in, then Goal of the Season would have been settled there and then.

[romford boy]

Does anyone know why Thamesmead groundshare with Dartford when they have a perfectly good ground of their own?

[blackballed]

It was not their ground and when we played them last season they told us they were leaving to go to Dartford. They did not elaborate on the reason.

[cup of tea]

As above, we failed to get going for an hour and the substitutions were vital. Thamesmead passed it well in midfield on occasions but looked suspect in defence. They scored a decent goal but I didn't see too many other shots on target. Good to see Alex and George back.

[cup of tea]

Just saw this on another forum - don't know how accurate it is:-

 

 

 

Post by daveu on Sep 7, 2017 at 8:58am

If memory serves me right, Thamesmead are being forced out of Bayliss Avenue because the owners won't grant them a long enough lease to satisfy the FA rules on security of tenure. I believe one of the board members of the current owners is also involved with Sporting Club Thamesmead who will be taking over the stadium next season. The whole thing is decidedly dodgy and in fairness to PBB I think the current situation pre-dates his arrival at Thamesmead.

 

[romford boy]

It was not their ground and when we played them last season they told us they were leaving to go to Dartford. They did not elaborate on the reason.

How strange. I remember going there several years ago and talking to a high ranking committee man who was full of himself and telling me where all the grants were coming from. I wonder what is happening with their original ground,and how they can afford a groundshare with so few supporters. , 

[romford boy]

 

Just saw this on another forum - don't know how accurate it is:-

 

 

 

Post by daveu on Sep 7, 2017 at 8:58am

If memory serves me right, Thamesmead are being forced out of Bayliss Avenue because the owners won't grant them a long enough lease to satisfy the FA rules on security of tenure. I believe one of the board members of the current owners is also involved with Sporting Club Thamesmead who will be taking over the stadium next season. The whole thing is decidedly dodgy and in fairness to PBB I think the current situation pre-dates his arrival at Thamesmead.

 

Thanks for the reply Simon. As clubs that apply for grants from various bodies need cast iron guarantees on issues like security of tenure it certainly seems very odd indeed.

[cup of tea]

Sounds like a bit of behind the scenes dealings to me

[ScouseStephen]

Owners of the ground offered them a series of short term leases.  The Director of Thamesmead wanted a fixed rate for five years.  Quite unpopular decision with some fans.

 

Full story here, if you answer the stupid survey question.

 

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/otherfootball/15147495.Thamesmead_Town_Football_Club_to_play_home_games_at_Dartford_s_Princes_Park_Stadium_for_next_five_years/