Woods 2-2 Cove

Cove fielded two new players in their starting line-up for this away trip to Colliers Wood, Andy Sullivan (Ex-AFC Wimbledon) signed in the week and Kofi Quartey a loan signing from last years league champions Chipstead. Colliers Wood started the sharper of the two teams and nearly went ahead as early as the 5th minute as the impressive Andy Hunt in the Cove goal denied them with two great saves. As the home side looked to have the upper foot it was the visitors that scored the first goal of this game against the run of play. Kofi Quartey outstripped his markers to strike the ball beyond the out-stretchedAmaegbe. (0-1) 10 mins. Cove doubled their lead when after a great solo run John Hamsher picked out Kevin Cooper who slotted home from 8 yards out. (0-2) 39th min. Quartey’s pace was not only trouble for the Colliers defence it was also a thorn in the side of the referee’s assistant, Quartey had timed his runs perfectly only to see the offside flag raised in error on a number of occasions. The second half started much like the first with the home side going close on a number of occasions as Cove started the slower of the sides. Collier’s number 14 went close when he flipped the ball over the head of a Cove defender then crashed his volley against the post. Cove battled hard in the second half and were guilty of wasting a number of good chances to increase their two-goal lead, with 90 minutes on the clock the referee signalled 5 minutes of injury time. Cove made a couple of changes as some of their players started to flag in the blistering heat. Maybe it was the late changes or the heat or even both but Cove seemed to lose their shape and the home side took full advantage. Colliers scored their first goal on 93 minutes when the reliable Cove defence failed to clear the ball and were made to pay when the Hinga Amara slotted home. (1-2) 93rd min. Then just when it looked like Cove had won all three points some uncharacteristic defending allowed the home side a very late dramatic recovery in the dying seconds as Ryan Hughes netted to snatch a point on 95 minutes.

Woods 7-6 Faversham Town

A small pitch, a small ground and a small crowd, but nothing small about the score in this E.On F.A. Cup preliminary round tie.

Colliers Wood were the quicker to settle, and whilst keeper Rob Lindley kept them out for a while, the home striker Hinga Amara's overhead kick found the back of the Town net on 9 minutes, 1-0. The visitors seemed up against it, as the home side racked up 4 corners in the next ten minutes, and Amara headed just wide when it seemed easier to score.

But on 21 minutes, Town at last found their feet, and jamie Stelllon seized on a half chance to slot the ball past keeper Ini Amaegbe to equalise 1-1.

Back came the Woods, and from yet another corner, tall central defender Alex Hallett rose to head home on 23 minutes, and restore the lead at 2-1.

The end to end play was now a regular feature of things. The home side tended to break quicker, but the visitors were getting more possession in midfield now. Both defences looked ominously shaky.

After good work by Ian Pulman down the right wing, Town were level again on 33 minutes when Ricky Freeman scored from close range. 2-2.

Amara made up for his earlier miss when he too put in some good work to cross and set up Bobby Hooper to fire home, 3-2.

Then almost on the stroke of half time, the Woods defence got in a right mess, and Freeman pounced again to level at 3-3.

The pattern of alternate scoring was becoming apparent by now, so no one was really surprised when Woods yet again took the lead on 52 minutes when Ali Melloui scored, 4-3. It was rather like the last set of a close tennis match that goes to 'serve.' Eyebrows were raised on 64 minutes however, when Hooper rose unmarked to head past a helpless Lindley to 'break serve' as it were. 5-3.

Then Melloui got his second, heading home a cross, 6-3. game, set and match? Not quite, the home side looked home and dry, but there was still 24 minutes left to play out, with the visitors looking as good as out of the tournament.

Just for good measure, substitute Jerome Bechles added another on 72 minutes to give Colliers Wood a comfortable four goal advantage. 7-3. No problems now, surely?

It is a strange thing how games can suddenly turn on just a small insignificant incident. In this case, it was the award of a free kick to Colliers Wood who were now cruising easily with their massive goal advantage and just 11 minutes remaining. The kick was a few yards inside their own half, and nonchalantly stoked across the park to a fellow defender. From seemingly nowhere, Pulman popped up to steal the ball in front of the surprised home player.

In a flash of brilliant observation, Pulman noticed that keeper Amaegbe was not only off his line, but a bit wide of the goal too. His 25 yard strike on goal seemed to go into slow motion as the ball bounced its way out of Amaegbe's reach towards goal. Had the keeper sprinted back he might just have stopped it, but he seemed unconcerned and why not? There were only 10 minutes left now, and this was a mere consolation for the losing side. Town players seemed to think the same, and wandered back to their own half, not even bothering to congratulate the scorer. 7-4.

Things however were definitely stirring on 84 minutes when Pulman fired in a low drive. This time the scorer did get a few quick handshakes, but Town were eager to restart. 7-5.

With the clock on 89 minutes, a by now nervous Colliers Wood defence only half cleared the ball. It fell to David Read who smashed it home. 7-6.

Watches were being checked all round the ground, with the crowd wondering if they were about to witness one of the biggest fight backs of all time. Town manager Paul Copley urged his tallest defender Joe Nuttall forward in one last role of the dice. The ball was hit hastily upfield and was dropping in front of the dependable Town captain, Ray Turner on the edge of the area. Turner volleyed, the ball flew past Amaegbe and towards the post. Had a line judge been present he would have surely called 'out' as the ball shot into the trees behind the goal. The final whistle went as play was restarted, the great fight back had failed, but only just.

'Unbelievable' commented Copley afterwards. Indeed the fans from both sides were wondering if the whole thing had been a dream or mirage. Who said football was boring?

Colliers Wood Utd: Ini Amaegbe, Shane Franklin (Tom Crossland 58), Michael Beard, Marc Hudson, Alex Hallett, Ryan Hughes, Samuel Mead, Bobby Hooper, Ali Melloui, Hinga Amara (Jerome Bechles 67), Kris Chin.

Faversham Town: Rob Lindley, Jamie Stellon (Sean Hetterley 74), Michael Cook, Wes Hammond, Joe Nuttall, Julian Beal, Dave read, Ian Pulman, Ricky Freeman, Richie Radbourn, (Mark Smith 65).

(With thanks to Roger Bennett).

Camberley Town 2-1 Woods (FA VASE)

Camberley took on Colliers Wood for the third time in as many months at Krooner Park today, this time for a place in the 2nd Round of the F.A. Carlsberg Vase. Camberley had the better of the possession in the early stages of the match but there was little between the two sides and we had to wait until the 19th minute for the first clear chance on goal. It fell to Camberley as Adam Crittenden anticipated a through ball, managed to beat the keeper to it and attempt a lob. The lob cleared the keeper but defender Shane Franklin was able to clear the ball away for a corner. The corner was struck into the box where Darren Barnard went for goal but his shot went wide of the post. Shortly after, on 26 minutes, Colliers Wood had a good chance through an overhead effort from Hinga Amara which went wide of the left hand upright. Within a minute Camberley had another chance at the other end Julian Sills found himself in space to shoot but keeper Ed Cornwell denied him with a fine save with his legs. On 31 minutes Camberley went close again when John Finnieston found Tom McGarry unmarked on the right hand edge of the penalty area, but McGarry's shot across goal went out for a goal kick. Camberley got the all important first goal on 34 minutes when an attack down the right wing saw Julian Sills reach the byline and he managed to cut the ball back into the path of John Finnieston who side footed the ball home from 10 yards out. The second half saw Camberley get more on top of the game as they used the slope to their advantage. Ben Cobbett had an effort tipped over the bar by keeper Eddie Cornwell on 51 minutes and two minutes later Darren Barnard surged onto a pass from Adam Crittenden to fire wide of the left post. Adam Crittenden went close himself on 62 minutes when he turned his marker and shot for goal but another fine save from Cornwell denied him from close range. Camberley made a couple of substitutions just after the hour and one of them, Alex Jeffers, almost paid immediate dividends, when he beat the offside trap but his shot across goal took a deflection out for a corner. The resulting corner was hit to the near post where Darren Barnard ran in but could not divert the ball on target. Colliers Wood were restricted to a few chances, basically due to some excellent defending from the back line of Jason Short, Ian Messenger, Darren Barnard and man of the match Jamie Hoppitt. With 15 minutes to go though they did create a couple of good chances. The nippy Hinga Amara was frequently asking questions of the Camberley defence and he went close with a shot across goal on 74 minutes and a minute later keeper Chris Foster had to be on his toes to tip over a free kick from Shane Franklin. On 77 minutes they went close again when a shot from sub Mark Royal almost squirmed in but for a clearance close to the Camberley goal line. Camberley got a much needed second goal on 79 minutes when Alex Jeffers broke through the Colliers Wood offside trap, rose a tackle and then tucked the ball home from a narrowing angle. The goal was vital as Colliers Woods' never say die attitude saw them get back into the match with a quick counter-attack from a Camberley corner. Mark Royal and Hinga Amara combined to set up substitute Alex Hallett who took the ball on a diagonal run and executed an excellent strike past Foster. Colliers Wood put Camberley under pressure for the final few minutes, forcing Camberley to play long but could not get a second goal to take the match into extra time.

Bookham 3-2 Woods

A meagre crowd witnessed a battling performance as Bookham overcame a youthful Colliers Wood United side to record their first league victory for over a month.
Bookham were strengthened by the return of full back Sam Currie and midfielder James Piercy. Both had been away with work commitments. Currie slotted straight back to his accustomed right back role, Ben Loney replacing Kevin Ward at left back, with Piercy taking a place on the bench.
The Colliers Wood team contains a number of young players that have come through their successful youth program and whose recent form had seen them start the game in a healthy seventh place.
The game started quietly for Bookham as they took time to settle but they gradually forced their way into the game as Chris Woodward failed to take advantage of 2 good chances. Woods though had the best chance to take the lead when Royal got behind the back line to see his excellent effort come back off the post. Woodward gave Bookham the lead on 20 minutes when Danny Carnota’s ball, played from wide on the left, was set up for Woodward to beat the Guiney from the edge of the box.
Within 4 minutes Colliers Wood drew level. As the static Bookham back line appealed for a non existent off side, Mark Royal raced clear and calmly lobbed the onrushing Brewster.
The goal shocked Bookham as Woods pressed on looking for the lead. With both defences looking vulnerable further goals were always on the cards and two goals within a minute just before half time saw each keeper guilty of poor judgment.
On 43 minutes, a hopeful high ball was played towards the Bookham 6 yard box and Brewster committed himself to allow Hinga Amara’s headed flick to bounce over the line. This lead however was, even more, short lived as Mark Jarman raced down the line straight from the kick off. Guiney needlessly raced off his line allowing Jarman to chip the ball straight into the net.
The second half saw both defences look much tighter but Bookham generally had the greater threat, with Jarman, Buche, and Woodward always looking dangerous. The eventual winner though came in the 83^rd minute when the Guiney challenged Jarman to a high ball from a Carnota free kick. Jarman got the touch leaving Paul Farrell an easy finish. Chris Woodward should have made the game safe just after with another header but put his effort agonizingly wide.

Chessington & Hook United 3-4 Woods

Woods opened brightly on a heavy pitch at Chalky Lane. On 7 minutes, Mark Longley got in on the right to cross for Kris Chin to score easily. But three minutes later a long ball from Neil Wicks to Dan Bennett saw the youngster equalise.
Chessington were struggling at the back & Mark Longley made it 2-1 on 14 minutes.
In an uninspired match, it was the away team who looked most likely to score again and on 28 minutes they duly obliged with the impressive Longley, getting his second.
Bennett then had possession to turn & shoot but Ed Cornwell did well to save to his left. Then Darren Everett saw his header from Paul West cross go wide, and Wicks, had a left foot shot but it was too weak.
The long ball up front had Danny Heath in trouble against the lively Longley, but he did enough to send him wide right, He crossed for Ramzi Bedj-Bedj who should have scored with only Mark Daniels to beat, but he failed to convert the ball.
Chessington attacked first in the second period with Wicks & Bennett exchanging passes, leading to Bennett shooting tamely at Cornwell. Woods attacked again on the left. Puckett’s poor clearance fell to Kris Chin to score his second goal.
Andy Heath then had the ball in the net, but was deemed offside on 54 minutes, but Bennett made no mistake on the hour, pouncing on a loose ball to score his second goal to make it 4-2.
Aaron Leacock came on for Darren Everett as the home side looked to attack. Wicks went through on the right, but Cornwell saved easily. Wicks again, had a great chance to score, but he made it easy for the Cornwell to save for a corner.
Chessington’s best move led to Bennett’s hat-trick as Glen Nichols passed to Leacock who found Page on the right. His cross-come-shot had Cornwell struggling and he spilled the ball to Bennett to score from six yards.
Andy Heath did really well to retrieve the ball on the right but his great cross to Wicks was volleyed over from twelve yards when he could have done better.
Chin should really have put the game beyond doubt when he went free on the left, but Daniels did well to save for a corner. Then Longley was unmarked from the corner where the ball fell kindly for him to shoot but Daniels saved well this time with his outstretched left foot!
An entertaining game but a nightmare day for the defenders union!  

Cobham 4-2 Woods

On what was a cold day with a bitter wind Cobham managed to just about overcome Colliers Wood United in what was a competitive match-up.

The game started very evenly with both sides creating half-chances although it was Colliers Wood who looked the more impressive with a number of runs on goal only to end with a lackluster shot at goal. It seemed as though it was only a matter of time until Cobham's defence were made to pay for their lax play yet it was the home side who scored first following excellent play by James Davies who beat his man, got to the touchline before pinging the ball back across goal where Ben Thorne knocked it into the net. Within six minutes Cobham had doubled their lead after Andy Dalehouse held the ball up well with the assistance of Robbie Wilson who combined to set Davies away to beat the Colliers Wood offside trap. He then crossed the ball back across goal where Dalehouse challenged the opposition goalie with the result being the ball fell to the feet of Wilson who took one touch to get the ball into the air before volleying it left-footed brilliantly into the top corner of the goal - a great all-round goal. That was the way the first half ended with Cobham perhaps fortunately two to the good with plenty of chances going to both sides. One thing was for certain, the second-half would contain more goals!

Due to the cold weather, your author couldn't write effectively so this is roughly what happened......

• 35 minutes into the half Colliers Wood were back into the game following a cross from the left being headed in by Ryan Hughes
• Cobham miss a great chance as Nick Tooley shoots wide after good work from substitute Michael Carpenter
• Colliers Wood push forward for the equaliser but Cobham hold firm and look dangerous on the break
• Cobham put the game out of reach on 45 minutes through sub Michael Cayford who scores off the post from a long-range shot
• Into injury time and Cobham get a fourth through Carpenter
• Colliers Wood get a consolation goal via a Dylan Merkett own goal

Overall Cobham will be happy with the 4-2 win in what was an evenly contested game which could have gone either way.

Ash United 2-2 Woods

This was Ash’s first home game off 2008 & they should have came away with a win but found a goalkeeper, Tony Oval, in great form to deny them.

On a heavy pitch after all the midweek rain it was Ash who started the better but the conditions twice came to Colliers rescue after both Paul Bonner & Brad Smith had got themselves into good position only to dive(well slip over) which allowed Colliers to clear the danger. However the first real attempt of the game came when Matt Morris good run forced Colliers to give away a corner from Chris Rose corner the ball was meet by Chris Atkins but Tony Oval in the Colliers goal pulled off an outstanding save to deny Chris. Then on 20 minutes Colliers, against the run off play, took the lead when good work down the right saw the ball played into Dean Pitcher. He made his way to the edge of the area before hitting a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. However the lead lasted four minutes when from another corner Matt Morris beat everyone but his header smacked against the crossbar. Colliers only cleared the ball to Paul Bonner who played the ball back into the box where Gavin Evans ran on to head past the keeper. Ash almost took the lead minutes later when a quickly taken free kick saw Nick Sowden pick out Gavin Evans but his shot was cleared off the line. Again, Tony Oval in the Colliers goal came to their rescue when after some neat football he managed to scramble the ball clear after Gavin Evans shot looked goal bound. Then on 39 minutes another good move down the right by Colliers saw the ball crossed into the box where Paul Fitzpatrick dropped the cross & the ball bounced into his own net to give Colliers the lead again. However soon after Paul made up for his mistake by making a good save to deny Colliers going further in front & then on the stroke off half time Mo Gregory low cross found Nick Sowden but again his shot was saved & at half time Ash went in a goal down.

The second half started with Tony Oval again denying Ash when this time he made a good save to stop Chris Rose strike going in after Chris had been set up by David Johnston. At the other end Chris Atkins slip allowed the Colliers forward to race clear but Chris managed to get back to make a last ditch tackle. Ash had plenty of the ball but were not creating as many chances as they were in the first & only a Matt Morris header from a corner came close for Ash. Then with 70 minutes on the clock a Dan Sales pass sent Gavin Evans away but again Tony Oval made a great save but the ball fell to Brad Smith whose first time volley found the back off the net even though Tony Oval had almost tipped the ball away. Soon after the equalising goal Gavin Evans broke away again, he rounded the keeper but pushed out wide, so he played the ball back to Brad Smith who shot was cleared off the line. However Colliers came into the game in the final ten minutes and for a short spell put Ash under some good pressure but just couldn’t find the back off the net. Then with time running out a quickly taken corner by Paul Bonner found Gavin Evans & his looping header looked goal bound until an excellent goal line headed clearance which saved Colliers and at the end the teams had to settle with a point each.

Woods 3-2 Banstead Athletic

Woods picked up another three points with a gutsy performance against Banstead at Wibbandune on Wednesday evening. However, as with their two previous home successes, they rode their luck as a much improved Banstead will be disappointed to leave with nothing for their sterling efforts.

Woods started with the same eleven that beat Reading Town but it was the visitors who looked most threatening with Terry and Boosey going close for the A’s.

It was centre back, Sam Hewitt, who opened the scoring for Banstead on 17 minutes with a fine glancing header from a harshly awarded free kick from the left wing. Woods were having trouble keeping possession as the visitors closed down quickly but gradually Woods got a foothold in the game. Mark Longley received a fine pass to beat the offside trap on the right wing and, having reached the by-line, he stood a fine ball up for Ramzi Bedj Bedj, looking particularly sharp tonight, to volley home spectacularly in the 43^rd minute to send the sides in at half time on level terms.