Saturday 4 December - SSML Results/Reports

[Rhodes]

20 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

PREMIER DIVISION

2-1 Risborough Rangers v Milton Keynes Irish (Wyllie [pen], Mealing) / (Spence) Attendance: 111 

A groundhopper from another Forum was at Horsenden Lane yesterday and gives a lengthy account of his day in 'rural Buckinghamshire' as he puts it:

Risborough Rangers 2 v 1 Milton Keynes Irish - Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
Prog 28 pages - The club also give away free on entry a four page precis which covers much of the content available in the actual prog - Admission £7.00 - Att. 111
An enjoyable day out to a club that is clearly moving in the right direction in a rustic environment that had the feel of a traditional venue of old. Whether it is acceptable to the Level 4 ground graders will be decided in a few months time as again there is the feel that this is where they are heading when the chill of winter is replaced by the warmer climes of spring.
The hosts went into this contest with one of the few unbeaten records that has attracted those that compile and add to the 'Unbeaten Records 21-2' thread and this was maintained against decent hard grafting opposition. Though it must be stated that Risborough should have established a healthy half time advantage and should not have had to wait for a goal 6 minutes from time to achieve the win. The unnecessary tension was partially due to some poor finishing but also due to an excellent display from Jack Taylor in the MKI goal who made a number of decent saves.
Clear that there is plenty of finances available at Risborough with plenty of players who have played at a higher level i.e. Ben Sturgess, Josh Urquhart, Marcus Mealing and Liam Enver-Marum on the team sheet and from the initial minutes where the hosts started very impressively it was a question as to how long it would be before they opened the scoring, the initial obstacle was that Enver-Marum who had the majority of the initial chances either shot rather tamely or alternatively shot straight at Taylor. Sturgess tried a shot from the edge of the area after Enver-Marum sensibly realised that he was in a better position but again it was a case of being directed straight at Taylor. Hosts cause also not assisted by several poor crosses which sailed out of play and also clear that MKI were determined opposition who had a decent defensive structure.
After the initial burst from the hosts there was a noticeable trough in proceedings but this came to an end with an award of a penalty after a handball. From this angle, it appeared to be a little harsh as Muzaffar Amaoko could do very little to remove his arm in time to avoid it being struck by Sean Coles' shot. Protracted protests in which Amaoko saw a yellow card before Marcus Wylie's penalty found the net a little fortunately via the underside of the bar.
Several opportunities for the hosts to double the advantage towards the end of the first half but as was the case previously wayward shooting or direction of shots straight at Taylor and it was also becoming notable that MKI were starting to exert their own threat at the other end, little in the way of actual chances but a couple of penetrative runs from Christian Beaupierre were starting to unsettle the home defence. Half time outcome was on the balance of play correct but there was that feeling that Risborough would rue the earlier missed chances.
Further opportunities for Risborough to double the advantage early in the second half but Coles directed what was then the best scoring opportunity of the contest wide of the far post, though they were unfortunate when Lewis Patrick's shot from the edge of the area bounced back off of the base of the post. There was still the nagging doubt though that one goal was insufficient and this was the case by a surprise MKI leveller emanating from a misunderstanding between 2 home defenders and a misplaced header which saw Michael Lyons break clear, Jack Brooker managed to block Lyons' shot but the rebound fell perfectly for Mason Spence and he he expertly chipped over Brooker and wide of the defender running backwards to try and clear off the line into the net.
For the next 15 minutes, there was the realisation that even though MKI had previously barely mustered a worthwhile attack. they could steal the contest and during this period they looked the more likely to take the lead as Spence and then Nathan Smith had worthwhile shots but which Brooker was able to save with relative ease.
As the minutes ticked down there was the feeling that this would be an occasion where the earlier missed opportunities would lead to the dropping of two points. However, with 6 minutes remaining, Enver-Marum surged into the area, laid inside to Mealing who turned quickly and directed a shot wide of Taylor and just inside the post to joyous scenes where I thought that one rather excited stalwart was going to invade the pitch. Rather tempestuous final minutes where Spence was dismissed for a needless foul but overall Risborough deserved the win but it was a case of making proceedings difficult. Very productive day all round with then top of the table Leighton Town losing at home to New Salamis allowing Risborough to ascend to the divisional summit, though sure that Salamis' current form and rapid rise is being noticed by Risborough.
A venue clearly noticeable from Princes Risborough station but is in fact at least a 15 minute walk from the station and the final leg along Horsenden Road is along an unlit unpaved road. For those that like rustic old stands, then what is in situ at the ground will no doubt appeal, lots of wood and elevated above the pitch. The social club is also very traditional and gives the impression that it belongs in a bygone era. One little grumble though is that the very popular tea bar hatch is right in the centre of the stand and there were several occasions when viewing was temporarily blocked by those waiting for their orders to be processed. Over the duration of the match, I changed seat on three different occasions trying to obtain a clear view. Should also state that there are very small areas of cover behind the far goal and along the far side.
Rather a sluggish start with Sheppey v Glebe being on the initial agenda before a positive weather forecast enticed over in the direction of rural Buckinghamshire. Slow journey up from The Riverbank amongst the West Ham hordes heading towards the Olympic Stadium and just missing a fast train from Marylebone. Did not arrive into Risborough until 13.25 and little time to have a look around what was clearly an affluent town with a town centre where commerce was clearly thriving on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Clear that this area of the county is Red Kite country with several soaring over head and one that during the course of the match was a couple of metres away from being struck by a particularly wayward clearance.
2022 GBG listed The Bird in Hand and this was visited pre and post match. Pleasant hostelry with most of the ales deriving from the Chiltern Brewery, though partook a pint of XT Brewery IPA on the return visit. Broke return journey in High Wycombe and just a few steps to cheap JDW ale from Kent's excellent Old Dairy Brewery and the much more local Rebellion Brewery and also welcome fodder. Noted by the time of departure at 19.20 that it was becoming somewhat busy, it was difficult locating a table on arrival. Rest of journey without incident and indoors at 21.40....

[Rhodes]

On 04/12/2021 at 18:37, Karen Browne said:

DIVISION TWO

2-0 Eynesbury United v Totternhoe (Baxter [2]) Attendance: 101

Eynesbury United's match report: 

Eynesbury United (0) 2 Totternhoe (0) 0 (Ryan Baxter 2)

A hard working performance saw the Bulls pick up three vital points, against a side who came to Hall Road in second place at the start of the day.

Regretfully due to our intrepid match reporter not being at the game, details of the win are not to the usual standard.

United started well with Neil Morris setting the side up to go at Totternhoe. And this worked from the off. Shane Fox had a great chance early on but failed to give United the lead.

Ryan Baxter then had a good chance but the keeper saved with his legs. A moment of controversy on 21 minutes when Baxter strolled past the Totternhoe centre half only to be hauled down with the defender being the last man, referee adjudged that the foul was only worth a yellow when it was clearly a red.

After a vibrant start the game went a bit quiet up to half time and the sides went in level.

United came out second half with Mozzas advice ringing in their ears and United started to get on top. On 56 minutes a ball from Spavins found Baxter who beat the keeper with a well placed shot.

A thoroughly deserved lead, and this was doubled again by Baxter when he scored a second on 74 minutes. United were two up and this is the way the game finished.

United have now won the last four games in the league, keeping four clean sheets on the way. Next up Totternhoe away next Saturday.

[the leatherhead lip]

On 04/12/2021 at 23:05, Munchkin said:

Spoke too soon. Another disgracefully late drop out from Berkhamsted today.

Hearing that they have dropped out of the league today.

[Rhodes]

16 hours ago, the leatherhead lip said:

Hearing that they have dropped out of the league today

The Leatherhead Lip - Yes, you are right, sad and very disappointing news: 

@BerkoFC after careful thought we have decided to pull our reserve side from the league, we apologise to the teams we’ve let down this season and to the @SpartanSMFL but with the fines mounting up we felt we had no choice

Edited December 7, 2021 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 04/12/2021 at 18:37, Karen Browne said:

DIVISION ONE

2-1 Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Raunds Town (Unknown) / (Unknown) Attendance: 22

A match report from this one:

https://www.letchwortheagles.org.uk/2021/12/4-dec-letchworth-gc-eagles-2-raunds-town-1/