Saturday 05 April 2008
Roffey 2-1 East Court East Court ended their season with a third consecutive narrow defeat resulting in a 6 th place finish in Mid Sussex League Division 3. East Court were missing a number of regulars and were forced to field an unfamiliar team against Roffey, who had wrapped up the league title some time ago.
Court were on the back foot for most of this match and the Roffey had a couple of early chances to take the lead. The best of these followed neat interplay in midfield which resulted in a Roffey striker running clean through on goal. Goalkeeper Paul Bishop somehow managed to deflect the low shot up and on to the bar, where it bounced twice before going behind for a corner. It was the first of several good saves from Bishop in the match.
East Court took the lead mid-way through the first half against the run of play. Billy Denyer picked the ball up in midfield and beat his man before picking out Ben Sunderland with a raking crossfield ball. Sunderland brought the ball down nicely and went round a defender before slotting the ball past the Roffey keeper at the near post for his first goal of the season. Roffey were in the ascendancy for nearly all of the match and launched wave after wave of attack in the second half.
The East Court defence of Andrew Wright, Nick Palmer, Roy Brown and Phil Rogers made some excellent last-ditch tackles, whilst the defensive midfield duo of Simon Nickols and Adam Shillibeer made many crucial interceptions and fought tirelessly to close down the Roffey midfielders. When Roffey did get through on goal their finishing was wayward, with at least ten good chances being wasted.
East Court had a couple of chances the make the game safe. First, the Roffey goalkeeper hit the ball straight to the Paul Brice, who narrowly missed the far post with his first time shot. Then Glenn Garrett, who had come on for Sunderland in the second half, made an excellent run down the left wing after being picked out by Denyer and found Buckler 8 yards out. Buckler was unable to convert the cross though and the chance went begging. East Court were left to rue these misses, as Roffey scored twice in the last 5 minutes to secure the win. First a Roffey midfielder lifted the ball over the East Court defence and Bonnyman hammered a volley past the hopeless Bishop. Then, deep in injury time, Wright failed to clear a Roffey throughball, and Lampard pounced to steer the ball past the wrong-footed Bishop. Although Roffey deserved the victory, it was tough for Court to take having held on to their lead for so long.
After a good start to the season, it has been a long hard slog since Christmas for East Court who were hit by injuries and player unavailability at crucial times of the season. Court will be looking to strengthen their squad over the summer and give a much better showing in the 2008-09 season. Team: Bishop, Wright, Brown, Palmer, Rogers , Buckler, Nickols (capt), Shillibeer, Denyer, Sunderland (Garrett), Brice.
Saturday 19 April 2008
East Court 2 AFC Grinstead 3
East Court fell to defeat in their last home game of the season after a bad tempered clash with AFC Grinstead. Dan Lamprell was replaced by Paul Bishop in goal with Nick Palmer (injury) and Carl Buckler (flu) also dropping out from the team that lost to East Grinstead Town III.
The match started at a high tempo on a poor playing surface at Talbot Road. The opening exchanges were fairly even but the away team started to gain the upper hand and they were soon in front. A long ball was played in behind left back Andy Wright who should have put the ball out for a throw in, instead he dallied on the ball, hoping that it would out of play for a goal kick and was forced to put it behind for a corner. The corner was taken quickly and the ball was headed goalwards by an AFC midfielder. The visitors had chances to extend their lead as they broke through East Court's offside trap on numerous occasions but a mixture of good defending and an alert Bishop thwarted them. Then, with a minute left until half time, AFC made it two. A long ball was played forward and an AFC striker seemed to be in an offside position so Steve Melbourne flicked it back to Bishop. The AFC striker got to the ball first and nodded it into the back of the net.
Court started the second half in a better fashion and had soon reduced the deficit. After a spell of pressure Adam Shillibeer crossed the ball in for Phil Rogers to sweep the ball in at the near post. Soon after Court broke through down the right hand side, Billy Denyer cut the ball back to Ross Kelly but, as he tried to shoot from 8 yards out, the ball got stuck in the mud under his feet and the defence were able to get back to him. The tackling began to get more ferocious with numerous bad tackles being made as the game threatened to boil over, this eventually led to an AFC player being dismissed. The away side regained their two goal lead after a quick break from an East Court corner. The ball was whipped in from the left hand side and a striker got their first to make it 3-1. They created other chances to extend their lead, Bishop made one good save from an AFC midfielder and Court were lucky on another occasion when an AFC midfielder somehow forced the ball over when it looked easier to score than miss. With five minutes to go East Court were thrown a lifeline when Simon Nickols was bought down in the box, Phil Rogers stepped up to put the ball in the back of the net. Court worked hard to make their man advantage count but were unable to force an equaliser.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, A.Wright, A.Shillibeer (R.Brown), D.Medcalf, S.Melbourne, B.Denyer, S.Nickols, R.Kelly, R.Hayes, B.Sunderland (P.Brice)
Tuesday 15 April 2008
East Court 2 East Grinstead Town III 3 East Court twice led through goals by Ross Kelly in a hard fought game but eventually fell short as they fell to a 3-2 defeat in a match that had to be moved from Notre Dame to Town's pitch at East Court.
East Court played in a cautious manner throughout, wary of the way Town thrashed them 7-1 just two weeks ago. Dan Lamprell returned in goal in place of Paul Bishop and Adam Shillibeer took Paul Brice's place. Court lined up in a 4-5-1 formation in an effort to control the game and they soon found a reason to be optimistic. The ball was swung in from the left hand side and right back Phil Rogers was adjudged to have been pushed over in the box as he attacked the cross. Billy Denyer stepped up to take the kick and hit it to the keeper's right but the keeper chose the right way and kept the ball out. Town started to get the ball down and Court were made to work hard to get it back but Court scored a breakaway goal. The ball was launched forward but seemed to have been overhit as the keeper was favourite to get there. There was a mixup in the Town defence and Kelly ran on to slot the ball into the net. Town reacted to going behind by stepping up the pressure on the Court defence and the home team struggled to provide much of a threat up front and when they did they were unlucky when both Kelly and Denyer lost their footing in dangerous situations. As half time approached Town had a 10 minute spell of pressure when Court just couldn't get hold of the ball. Eventually a series of sliced clearances led to a corner for the visitors, the ball was played into the box and a Town midfielder had a free header from 6 yards out to level the scores.
The second half was more of the same with Town dominating possession but the Court defence of Rogers, Dan Medcalf, Steve Melbourne and Andy Wright was managing to keep clear cut chances to a minimum. Court were getting more support to lone striker Kelly in the second half and it was pressure from Carl Buckler that led to the second goal. Buckler robbed the full back in the corner of the pitch and squared the ball for Nizam's man of the match Kelly to slam home. Town again came back strongly but Court were defending well until fifteen minutes from time when Shillibeer tripped a Town played just inside the penalty area and the ball was confidently dispatched past Lamprell from the spot. Straight from the kick-off Court gave the ball away deep inside their own half and suddenly found themselves 3-2 down. Court were beginning to tire and, with them having to commit more men forward, Town began to create more chances. Lamprell made a good stop when left one on one with an onrushing striker and a couple of other chances flew just past the woodwork. Having weathered the storm Court were unlucky not to grab a point at the end as they created three good chances in the last five minutes. First Denyer got free in the box but hit a tame left foot shot straight at the keeper. Then substitute Ben Sunderland got himself into a good position in the area but wasn't able to find the finish. Lastly, as Court threw everyone forward, Wright found himself 8 yards out with the ball dropping to him in a crowded penalty area but he completely missed his kick.
Team: D.Lamprell, P.Rogers, N.Palmer (A.Wright), A.Shillibeer, D.Medcalf, S.Melbourne, C.Buckler, S.Nickols (B.Sunderland) , R.Kelly, R.Hayes, B.Denyer Saturday 05 April 2008
East Court 2 Roffey 0
East Court finally picked up their first win in 2008 in a hard fought game at home to league leaders Roffey. Roffey had won all 12 of their league games so far this season and had only conceded twice. For the first time this season Court were able to field a full squad of players as they had 18 players available and they were rewarded with their best performance of the year. Simon Nickols and Richard Hayes both returned for their first game of 2008 while Steve Melbourne returned in the centre of defence.
The league leaders started well and were soon pushing Court onto the back foot, earlier in 2008 the defence should have crumbled but this time the defence looked well organised and held firm. Court were forced into making an early change when Adam Shillibeer replaced Hayes. Roffey looked dangerous from set pieces and had almost took the lead from a succession of corners. Right back Phil Rogers had to head the ball off the line from one corner and Roffey came close to taking the lead from the following corner when a striker got free at the far post but was unable to force the ball home. Moments later East Court were in front from their first real attack of the game. Billy Denyer played Carl Buckler in down the right wing and he crashed the ball across the face of goal and in off the far post. Roffey tried to fight back and took the game back to Court but keeper Paul Bishop was equal to everything thrown at him. Court began to look a bit more dangerous on the break but were struggling to break through the oppositions well organised offside trap.
The second half began in much the same fashion with Roffey pushing the home team back and dominating territorially but without anything to show for it. Court were able to double their lead half way through the half when Bill Denyer slotted the ball home. Court won a free kick just inside their own half and Ross Kelly flicked Dan Medcalf's kick into the path of Denyer who made it 2-0. Roffey begun to create a few more half chances and Bishop had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar on two separate occasions. Nizam's man of the match Steve Melbourne was immense in the centre of defence but was ably supported by Medcalf, Rogers and Nick Palmer. Nickols and Shillibeer worked hard in the centre of the park and gave the team an edge that had been missing in recent matches.
The result gives Court an unexpected bonus ahead of their next match at home to East Grinstead Town III and puts them back into the top half of the table. With home games against Town and AFC Grinstead to come, Court will be hopeful of sealing their place in the top half of the table at the end of the season.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, S.Melbourne, C.Buckler (B.Sunderland) , R.Hayes (A.Shillibeer) , R.Kelly, B.Denyer, P.Brice (A.Wright)
Monday 24 March 2008
East Grinstead Town III 7 East Court 1
East Court 's miserable 2008 continued as they fell to an embarrassing 6 goal defeat at the hands of local rivals East Grinstead Town III. On a cold Bank Holiday Monday morning the only positives were a first goal for the club for Phil Rogers and the debuts of recent signings Billy Pinder and Adam Shillibeer.
Court started the game poorly and never recovered as they found themselves two goals down in the first five minutes. The first came after a mix-up by Nick Palmer and Andy Wright left a Town striker through on goal and he easily placed the ball past keeper Paul Bishop. Minutes later Court failed to deal with a corner and found themselves a further goal behind. Bishop was able to keep out the initial header but a Town midfielder was on hand, unmarked, in the six yard box to poke the ball home. Court had their chances to get back in the game. Midfielders Carl Buckler and Dan Medcalf both found themselves in good shooting positions on the edge of the box but opted to play an extra pass instead of shooting and the moves broke down. Winger Paul Brice fired narrowly wide with the keeper beaten after picking the ball up just outside the box and Medcalf did likewise late in the half but, despite these chances, the home keeper was never really tested. Eventually Court were made to pay for their wastefulness as Town stretched their lead to three goals before half time. It could have been even worse but for a weak attempted lob that was easily saved by Bishop when a winger got in behind the East Court defence.
Half time came and went but nothing much changed as Town soon extended their lead to five goals before Court finally got on the scoresheet. A Ben Sunderland corner was headed off the line at the near post but Rogers rose highest in the six yard box to force the ball home. Court were unable to build on this as both sides created a number of chances but it was Town who extended their lead with two well taken goals.
Court never really got going at any stage in the game and were deservedly beaten. After a much improved performance at league leaders Keymer & Hassocks last time out this was a big blow to a side that seems to be lacking confidence all over the pitch. They will hope for a much improved performance when the two sides meet again next time out.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, A.Wright, D.Medcalf, A.Shillibeer, N.Palmer, B.Sunderland, C.Buckler, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, P.Brice (B.Pinder). Unused Sub: D.Lamprell Saturday 08 March 2008
Keymer & Hassocks 1 East Court 0
East Court continued their poor run of form as they fell to defeat at league leaders Keymer & Hassocks after a moment of inspiration from a Keymer striker. With few chances created at either end the game looked set for a draw and Court will feel unlucky to have come away with nothing after a much improved performance.
The first half was a fairly even affair with Court kicking into the wind but Keymer were unable to take advantage of the situation. The central midfield trio of Dan Medcalf, Carl Buckler and Billy Denyer were snapping into tackles and giving the Keymer midfield no time or space. The Court defence, with debutant Steven Melbourne looking particularly impressive, were largely untroubled by the Keymer attack with keeper Paul Bishop rarely called into practise. When Keymer did threaten Medcalf had to throw himself into two important blocks on the edge of the area and, as a result, they only had one wild effort to their name. At the other end Court created a couple of half chances but the Keymer keeper wasn't forced into making any saves as Court were unable to get any shots away. The closest they came was from a good move down the right wing, winger Glenn Garrett fired a cross-shot across the face of goal but the onrushing Ross Kelly was unable to get a touch on the ball as it flashed dangerously across the six yard box.
The second half was a slightly more open affair as East Court pushed Denyer up front alongside Kelly as they changed to a 4-4-2. While Court had looked solid in the first half they hadn't got enough support to Kelly and, with the wind behind them, they looked to rectify this. Keymer's midfield had more space to exploit and the game flowed from end to end although both defences remained on top of their opponents. This all changed when Keymer took the lead from a breakaway attack. They attacked down their right and the ball was played into the centre, a Keymer attacker failed to make contact with the ball at the near post as he ended up on the floor. The ball rebounded back to him off Melbourne's body and he swung his foot at the ball and it looped over Bishop into the back of the net. Court huffed and puffed as they tried to get back into the game but were unable to test the opposition keeper.
As the game went into injury time Court were camped in Keymer's half. With the clock ticking down they forced a succession of corners and everyone, including keeper Paul Bishop, was sent up into attack. As the corner was swung in it was headed out to Medcalf on the edge of the box who volleyed the ball back towards goal. It was a sweet strike that seemed destined to fly through the crowd of players and into the back of the net but the keeper made a great save to push the ball round the post and ruin Court's hopes of getting a point out the game. Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers (R.Brown), A.Wright (B.Sunderland) , D.Medcalf, S.Melbourne, N.Palmer, G.Garrett, C.Buckler, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, S.Richardson Saturday 23 February 2008
East Court 3 Dormansland Rockets 5
East Court's dismal 2008 continued as they slumped to a second consecutive defeat that leaves them with only one point out of a possible nine since the start of the year. This run as seen Court drop from promotion contenders into mid-table as their small squad has been stretched too far. On Saturday they handed a first game of the season to James Nickols and a debut to new signing Roy Brown as skipper Simon Nickols had to shuffle his pack again. Both of these slotted into the back four with Dan Medcalf pushed into central midfield and Billy Denyer back up front.
The game started badly for Court as they conceded a scrappy early goal for the second week in succession. Court failed to deal with an early corner and the ball was somehow forced home to put the visitors in front. Rockets continued to press forward but it was Court who fashioned the next good chance. They attacked down the left flank before the ball was fired across goal to the unmarked Carl Buckler but he could only put the ball into the side netting with the goal at his mercy. Court were punished for this as Rockets soon doubled their lead. Keeper Paul Bishop was adjudged to have bought down an onrushing striker and, despite his claims that he had won the ball, the away side were awarded a penalty. This was confidently smashed past Bishop into the back of the net. Before half time it was three as Court struggled to deal with the Rockets attack.
Court started the second half in a more determined fashion and were handed a lifeline when Ben Sunderland was hauled down in the area. Court were perhaps fortunate to get this as it looked as though Sunderland was offside when the ball was played through to him but Denyer happily took the opportunity to reduce the deficit. Court pressed on and should have got another goal back when Denyer was played through down the left channel, he took his shot early but pulled it all the way across goal and wide of the post. Rockets took advantage of this reprieve as they scored twice in quick succession to put the game beyond doubt. The first came from a corner which Court failed to deal with properly. The ball was played back in and half cleared to the edge of the penalty area where it was volleyed in through a crowd of players. The second was a curling shot into the corner of the net from just outside the area as Court failed to close down a Rockets midfielder quick enough.
Rockets could have had a sixth when two players ran onto a bouncing ball behind the Court backline. As Bishop came out to meet them the ball was lifted over him onto the roof of the net. With time running out Court pulled one back to add a bit more respectability to the scoreline. Denyer was bought down on the edge of the area and, despite claims for a penalty, a free kick was given. Phil Rogers fired in a shot which deflected off the top of the wall onto the crossbar. Medcalf reacted quickest to head the ball back into the danger area where Ross Kelly laid the ball off for Buckler to slot home.
Court will hope to take the momentum gained from their second half performance into their next game as they look to get their season back on track.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, J.Nickols, R.Brown, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, B.Sunderland (G.Garrett)
Saturday 16 February 2008
Fletching 2 East Court 1
East Court travelled to Fletching looking for revenge against the team that had knocked them out of the first round of the Stubbins Cup back in November. Unfortunately for Court things didn't go to plan and Fletching recorded another victory in a scrappy game of few clear-cut chances. Court made one change from their last match against Maresfield Village II with Dan Lamprell coming in for injured skipper Simon Nickols.
Court found themselves kicking up the slope in the first half and soon found themselves a goal down and on the back foot. They had made a relatively bright opening and managed to create a couple of half chances early on but were behind inside five minutes. A Fletching throw from the right wing found its way into the centre of the visitors penalty area and, after a couple of ricochets, the ball was dispatched past goalkeeper Paul Bishop. Fletching had their tails up and were pressing on at every opportunity while Court struggled to get out of their own half. Despite the onslaught the Court defence were holding firm until just before half time when a drop kick was caught up in the swirling wind and it fell beyond centre back Nick Palmer into the path of the Fletching centre forward. Bishop raced off his line to meet him and made a good save with his legs, the ball rebounded out to safety. Half time came with the score still 1-0 to the home side but, apart from a short spell towards the end of the half, Fletching had been dominant and were looking dangerous at set pieces.
The second half began with Court having a larger share of the possession and Ben Sunderland forced a good early save from the Fletching number one but they were left stunned ten minutes into the second half when Fletching scored a second. A runner from central midfielder lost his marker and, as the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area, he found himself with time and space and he fired the ball just under the body of Bishop. Court tried to take the game to their opponents but were still struggling to fashion any chances. Too often they were getting bogged down in a central midfield battle and their two wingers weren't able to get into the game.
Eventually John Harvey replace Andy Wright as Court went to a more attacking 3-5-2. There was no immediate change to the pattern of the game with Court continuing to press and Fletching trying to break away and make the game safe but slowly Court were able to get their wingers into the game and they began to stretch the Fletching defence. Court finally got on the scoresheet with ten minutes left when Dan Medcalf fed Harvey down the left wing. He cut inside his man and fired the ball low into the far corner. Fletching were beginning to hang on now but they continued to defend well and restricted Court's chances. Right at the death Court almost grabbed an equaliser from a right wing corner but the ball flew across the six yard box twice in quick succession with no one able to get a telling touch. The result makes it no win in three for Court and, with a tough run-in to the end of the season, it puts a big dent in their promotion hopes.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, A.Wright (J.Harvey), D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, B.Sunderland, G.Garrett Saturday 02 February 2008
East Court 1 Maresfield Village II 1
East Court finally played their first game of 2008 and can count themselves lucky that they picked up a point after a man of the match performance by keeper Paul Bishop kept them in the game. Court welcomed new signing Phil Rogers into the started eleven for the first time but were missing midfielders Dan Lamprell and Richard Hayes. Billy Denyer dropped back into midfield with Ben Sunderland partnering Ross Kelly up front.
For the first 20 minutes of the game the home team were in control. Skipper Simon Nickols was dominating the midfield battle and Court's two wide men, Carl Buckler and Glenn Garrett, were getting in behind their men time and time again. It didn't take too long for Court to take the lead, Garrett firing home after a goal kick was flicked into his path. He was one on one with the keeper who had left a big gap to his left and Garrett calmly put the ball in the back of the net. Soon after he had the ball in the net again after a similar move but this time the offside flag went up and the goal was disallowed.
As the Notre Dame pitch began to cut up Maresfield started to get back into the game but were fortunate to score when they did. A ball was played in behind left back Andy Wright who ran back to collect the ball. He had time and space to deal with the situation but lost the ball when taking on his man. Court were left outnumbered and the striker had the simple task of slotting the ball past Bishop. They almost took the lead soon after when the Court defence were outnumbered again but Bishop made a fine double save to thwart them.
The second half was an end to end affair but most of the clear cut chances fell to the visitors with Bishop making a number of good stops to keep them out. The Court defence was struggling to hold firm against Maresfield's lively front four but did just enough on most occasions with centre-back Nick Palmer the pick of the four. At the other end a lack of match sharpness was costing Court as time and time again their passing and decision making wasn't up to scratch. After one 60 yard run from Buckler that took him from the edge his own penalty area past a number of Maresfield players, he tried to play the ball off to Sunderland when well placed for a shot himself and the attack fizzled out.
Maresfield will feel they had enough chances to win the game but Court also had their chances in the first 20 minutes to put the game out of the visitor's reach. Garrett was particularly impressive in the opening burst but faded out of the game as it started to get bogged down in the centre. Court will be hoping for a better all round performance next week when they travel to Fletching.
Team: P.Bishop, P.Rogers, A.Wright, S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, B.Sunderland, G.Garrett. Unused Sub: M.Nolan
Saturday 22 December 2007
Dormansland Rockets 4 East Court 1
East Court ended 2007 with a thumping defeat by local rivals Dormansland Rockets. Court were short of players with only 11 available and no linesman for the match. Stuart Richardson, Ben Sunderland and Andy Wright dropped out from the team that had beaten Maresfield Village II the previous weeks with Glenn Garrett and John Harvey coming in.
With only two defenders in the side Court knew they had to start quickly and get at Dormansland and that is exactly what happened. They were in the ascendancy from the first minute and, after a couple of early half-chances, soon took the lead. A Billy Denyer corner fell at the feet of right winger Carl Buckler who guided the ball home. Buckler had come close to scoring from an earlier Denyer corner but on that occasion his shot was blocked by a defender. The turning point of the half came soon after. Ross Kelly pounced on a defensive error and made his way into the box, he squared the ball to Denyer who had the whole goal to aim at but the ball bounced up on him and it looped up and onto the crossbar before being cleared the home defence. It was the first of three occasions that the ball would rebound off the Rockets crossbar to safety.
From this point on Rockets came back into the game. Bishop, who had already made a fine double save from former East Court player Nick Clarkson-Tooze, was unable to do anything about the equaliser when it came. Rockets broke out in numbers and they used the extra men to good effect, the ball eventually finding its way to Andy Twinn who fired past Bishop. To make matters worse for the visitors they fell behind before the break. A free kick was played into the area and Paul Twinn found himself unmarked to head past Bishop. In truth the home side could have had more as they took advantage of the visitor's makeshift defence.
The second half began with Court hoping to fight their way back into the game but it was the home team who came out more quickly. Court had weathered the early storm and were slowly getting back into the game when they were hit on the counterattack. A Court corner was cleared and Rockets broke quickly from one end of the pitch to the other. The Court defence were struggling to close the ball down and it eventually broke to a free man who slammed the ball home. Court continued trying to get back into the match but too often they shot straight at the opposition keeper when well placed. Centre back Nick Palmer came close to pulling one back after a surging run forward. He played the ball out wide and continued his run into the box, as the ball flew low across goal he slid in but was narrowly unable to get a telling touch. Nizam's man of the match John Harvey, playing in an unfamiliar right back role, almost marked his first appearance with a goal. He received the ball just outside the area, stepped inside his man and shot but the keeper saved. The closest Court came to scoring was from a deflected shot, it came off a defenders head and seemed to be heading for the bottom corner but the keeper got across well to hold onto the ball.
Rockets eventually wrapped the game up with a fourth goal, Andy Twinn stepped inside his man and curled an unstoppable shot past Bishop into the corner of the net. With Court committing men forward they had two more good chances. After a bit of pinball in the Court defence the ball fell to striker Chris Arrow with only one man on the line to beat but he fired against the post when it seemed easier to score and Court were able to get the ball away. With full-time approaching a long ball over the top was chased down by the Rockets right winger who had got the wrong side of Garrett in the left back position. Bishop came flying off his line and made the tackle outside his area to prevent a possible goalscoring opportunity.
The defeat leaves Court in third place at Christmas and, with unbeaten league leaders Roffey their first opponents in 2008, they will have to put this defeat behind them quickly as they look to put themselves back into the promotion spots.
Team: P.Bishop, J.Harvey, G.Garrett, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, S.Nickols, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, R.Hayes Saturday 15 December 2007
Maresfield Village II 2 East Court 4
East Court travelled to mid-table Maresfield Village II on Saturday hoping to close the gap on league leaders Roffey who were in cup action. Court were forced into making two changes to the side that beat Scaynes Hill last time out with Glenn Garrett (work) and Chris Butler (injury) dropping out to be replaced by Ross Kelly and Richard Hayes.
On a bitterly cold afternoon Court got off to the perfect start. Within minutes of the kick-off they were one nil up when Billy Denyer fired home. Carl Buckler flicked a long kick from keeper Paul Bishop into Denyer's path and he confidently beat the keeper. The home team had a good chance to equalise soon after when a cross-field ball was played in behind left back Stuart Richardson but the Village right winger shot wide. That was the only scare for the Court defence in the first half as they comfortably dealt with the Village attack with the help of central midfielders Simon Nickols and Dan Lamprell. Possession was being shared more or less evenly between the two teams but the pace of the Court attack was causing problems for the home defence and it was no surprise that the visitors increased their lead before half time. The goal came from a long clearance from Nick Palmer, Richard Hayes chased it down but the home keeper was always favourite to get to the ball first. Unfortunately for him he missed his kick and Hayes had the simple task of sliding the ball into the empty net. The third goal also came from a swift counterattack. Ross Kelly put in a big sliding tackle in the centre circle and reacted first to pick up the loose ball. He played a quick throughball to Denyer who slammed the ball past the keeper.
Maresfield came out of the blocks a lot quicker in the second half and forced Court onto the back foot. It was no surprise when they pulled a goal back, Maresfield's centre forward got free on the right hand side of the penalty area. Bishop came out to close him down but the ball was fired low across the face of goal where it was tapped in at the far post. Maresfield reduced the deficit to one goal soon after, a corner was played into the near post where the striker controlled the ball and hit it on the turn. Bishop got a hand to it but was unable to keep the ball out. Maresfield almost equallised in similar fashion but this time Bishop got more on the ball and Nickols was able to hook it away.
As time went by the game got more stretched as the home team continued to push for the equaliser but this allowed Court more freedom going forward and they began to look dangerous again. Hayes had a good chance to add to his first half goal when Buckler played him in. He rounded the keeper only to see his shot blocked by a sliding defender. The ball rebounded back to him but his second shot was also blocked. Court had a penalty appeal waved away after a defender appeared to handle a shot but they weren't to be denied a fourth and Kelly got his name on the scoresheet after running on to Buckler's pass to make the game safe.
Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, S.Richardson, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, S.Nickols, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, R.Hayes (B.Sunderland) Saturday 01 December 2007
East Court 4 Scaynes Hill 2
After last week's rout of Cuckfield Town II, confidence was high in the East Court camp ahead of the visit of promotion hopefuls Scaynes Hill. Going into the game Court were ahead of the visitors on goal difference alone and had lost on both occasions the two teams had met in the past but, despite losing both Ross Kelly and Richard Hayes, they took the game to their opponents and deservedly won. Glenn Garrett returned to the starting eleven in place of Kelly with Stuart Richardson making his first appearance for the club in place of Hayes.
The home team started brightly with Dan Lamprell and skipper Simon Nickols dominating the midfield battle. Despite this domination chances were few and far between until right winger Carl Buckler broke the deadlock with a cool finish from a Billy Denyer pass.Court made it two soon after, Chris Butler knocked a short free kick to Nickols who blasted the ball home from just outside the area. At the other end keeper Paul Bishop had very little to do as a well-marshalled defence stopped everything that was thrown at them. He did have one good reaction save to make when a corner was swung in to the near post, a Scaynes Hill striker flicked the ball onto the post and Bishop reacted quickly to catch the ball as players converged on him. Five minutes before half time disaster struck, Butler was caught by a late tackle and was carried off in obvious pain. It was later confirmed that he had broken a bone in the incident. The offending player picked up a yellow card for the challenge. Ben Sunderland came on in Butler's place and Court were forced to reshuffle with Andy Wright moving to right back, Richardson to left back and Sunderland on the left wing.
The second half started badly for the home team as Hill took advantage of the wind at their backs to draw level in a busy 15 minute spell for the Court defence. During this period Court could hardly get out of their half but they gradually reasserted themselves and took control. The game could have gone either way at this point and Court had the wordwork to thank for remaining level. A corner was swung in from the left wing and a bullet header bounced back off the crossbar. Later on another left wing corner clipped the top of the bar on its way out for a goalkick.
It wasn't all one way traffic as Court started to create a few more chances at the other end and they regained the lead from the penalty spot after Sunderland was pushed over while challenging for a high ball. Denyer stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom corner, just out of the reach of the diving keeper. It was Buckler who finished the game off with a calm finish after picking up the ball from a blocked Nickols shot. Court couldn't relax yet and with three minutes to go they almost handed their opponents a lifeline. Bishop had the ball and he tried to throw it out to Richardson, unfortunately the ball flew into Nick Palmer's back and rebounded to a Scaynes Hill striker. Bishop came out to meet him, hoping to make amends for his error, but the striker shot early and, luckily, the ball drifted narrowly wide of the post. Nizam's man of the match was Palmer for his tireless performance in central defence, he put in a number of important blocks and tackles and successfully shackled Hill's main striker. Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler (B.Sunderland) , A.Wright, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, C.Buckler, S.Nickols, G.Garrett, B.Denyer, S.Richardson Saturday 24 November 2007
East Court 11 Cuckfield Town II 2
East Court bounced back from their recent slump with an impressive win over a lacklustre Cuckfield Town side. Court welcomed back Chris Butler and Dan Lamprell as they were able to name their biggest squad of the season.
The match started evenly with neither side causing any problems but eventually a mistake by Court keeper Paul Bishop led to the opener. Nick Palmer played the ball back to Bishop who blasted his clearance straight at the oncoming striker. Bishop reacted quickly to block the first effort but was powerless to stop the rebound. This shocked the home team into action and they were soon 4-1 up. Richard Hayes claimed the equalizer when he flicked a Ross Kelly header past the Cuckfield keeper.
Billy Denyer put the home team 2-1 up from the penalty spot after a Cuckfield player handballed before Kelly got on the scoresheet to make it three. Soon after Kelly was played through and, as he rounded the keeper, he was fouled and the referee pointed to the spot again. Denyer stepped up and fired the ball into the other corner to make it 4-1. Cuckfield pulled a goal back to make it 4-2 when Andy Wright could only deflect a left wing cross back across goal into the path of a Cuckfield player, With Bishop wrongfooted he was able to play the ball into an empty net. The goalscoring wasn't finished for the first half, Kelly grabbed his second of the game to make it five before skipper Simon Nickols turned home a Carl Buckler cross. Court started the second half in the same fashion they ended the first. Buckler played Denyer in to complete his hattrick before Lamprell fired Court's third penalty home. The ninth came after good work from Kelly down the wing he turned his man and fired in a low cross which was slashed into the top corner by a Cuckfield defender as he attempted to clear the ball. Kelly completed his hattrick after being played in by Buckler before Buckler, the Nizam's man of the match, finally got a deserved goal himself.
Court may have sored 11 but it could easily have been more, Nickols headed over from close range when unmarked and he also snatched at a shot when played in. Full back Wright had a couple of chances when he burst from deep but was unable to keep the ball down. Substitute Ben Sunderland seemed to have an open goal at the far post from a right wing cross but could only steer the ball wide of the post as he tried to find the corner of the net. At the other end it was a fairly easy afternoon for the Court defence, Bishop was forced into one good save but was otherwise untested.
Despite the impressive scoreline it's hard to know how much the team has improved and the true test will be next weekend when they are due to play promotion hopefuls Scaynes Hill who narrowly missed out on promotion last season.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, A.Wright, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf (G.Garrett), N.Palmer, C.Buckler, S.Nickols (B.Sunderland) , R.Kelly, B.Denyer, R.Hayes Saturday 17 November 2007
East Court 2 Fletching 4
Court's poor form continued as they slumped to a fourth defeat in their last five matches to crash out of a third cup competition in the last month. Chris Butler and Dan Lamprell were both unavailable and striker Ross Kelly dropped down to the bench having been ill all week. Paul Brice and Glenn Garrett came into the starting eleven alongside the returning skipper Simon Nickols.
Court kicked down the slope in the first half and, having already beaten Fletching earlier in the season, were hoping for a good start. It wasn't to be as Fletching snapped into every tackle and Court found it hard to find any time on the ball. They were unable to get their front men into play while their opponents were causing problems for the Court backline. On one of the rare occasions Court managed to cause some problems in the opposition penalty area they thought they had won a penalty for a push in the box. The referee had given the penalty but changed his mind after speaking the linesman, Nickols was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up. At the other end the home team gave away a number of niggly fouls around the edge of their own area and keeper Paul Bishop was forced into a great save to deny Fletching from one of the resulting free kicks. Eventually Fletching did take the lead, a swift one-two in the corner left the Fletching winger through on goal and, as Bishop and centre-back Nick Palmer both rushed out to him, he crossed the ball for the striker to slot into an empty net. The lead didn't last long as moments later Court won a disputed penalty for handball and Denyer dispatched the ball past the keeper.
The second half was one to forget for the home side as, despite taking the lead, Fletching always looked the more likely to create chances. Court's goal came from a right wing cross by Dan Medcalf, Nizam's man of the match Denyer controlled the ball, turned and fired the ball into the bottom corner for his second of the afternoon. Just as Court had equalised within moments of going behind in the first half, Fletching were level more or less straight away. The Fletching striker turned his man and found a yard of space, he hit a long range effort that flew into the top corner of the goal giving Bishop no chance at all. From this point forward nearly all the chances fell to the visitors as Court struggled to break down the well-organised Fletching defence. With the score at 2-2 Carl Buckler missed a great opportunity to put the home side ahead, a low right wing cross came to him at the far post but, with most of the goal to aim at, he failed to hit the target. Fletching then scored a third, the ball was thrown in and a Fletching midfielder beat two men before confidently firing the ball past Bishop.
With time running out Court started to push more men forward but still could not create many chances. They did manage to get in behind once when Paul Brice played a delightful ball to free Ben Sunderland down the right hand side, he fed the ball inside to Garrett who went for glory and fired over when Nickols was well placed in the centre. At the other end the Fletching front men were enjoying the freedom Court were now giving them and it was no surprise when they scored a fourth to seal the victory. It has been a disastrous month of football for East Court and they will now be hoping to get their league season back on track when they face Cuckfield Town II at home next Saturday.
Team: P.Bishop, D.Medcalf, A.Wright, R.Hayes, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland (R.Kelly), B.Denyer, P.Brice, G.Garrett, C.Buckler
Saturday 10 November 2007
Lindfield II 4 East Court 3
East Court crashed out of the Edgar German Cup at the second round stage after losing to division 4 leaders Lindfield II in a match that was dominated by a strong wind blowing down the slope.
In the first half Court played with the wind at their backs and spent the first 45 minutes in the ascendancy. There were a couple of nervy moments early on as Court struggled to find their feet on a bobbly pitch but they soon started causing the home defence problems. With 15 minutes gone Court took the lead, Lamprell picked up a loose ball 35 yards out and lifted it back into the penalty area. The keeper seemed to take his eye off the ball as Ben Sunderland chased it down and it bounced over him and into the back of the net for Lamprell's first East Court goal. Court then seemed to ease off and Lindfield created a couple of chances. A Lindfield striker wriggled free in the area and seemed destined to score but keeper Paul Bishop flew off his line to smother the shot and the danger was cleared. Bishop also saved well when a Lindfield corner was headed goalwards from close range but Bishop was in the right place to make the save. He also had centre-backs Dan Medcalf and Nick Palmer to thank for clearing off the line.
Although the home team didn't create many chances in the first half the ones they did were good goalscoring opportunities. At the other end Carl Buckler was linking up well with Andy Wright down the left and was beating his man for fun. After a couple of dangerous crosses flew across the box with no-one to put them away it finally looked like he had got one right as he found the unmarked Billy Denyer but Denyer put his header just wide of the post. Denyer also missed another good chance to extend Court's lead when he ran between the two Lindfield centre backs and got clean through on the keeper. As he prepared to shoot the ball sat up and he ended up shinning the ball tamely into the arms of the grateful keeper. Turning round at 1-0 up Court knew they had a lot of defending to do to hold on to their lead, unfortunately it didn't take long for the home team to strike. Lindfield were awarded a throw-in down the left hand side and the ball found its way to an unmarked player who slammed the ball past Bishop. Court were struggling to find any real momentum going forwards and it seemed only a matter of time until Lindfield scored again, the Court defence was struggling to cope with the Lindfield attack and eventually the pressure told and the home team took the lead. Court responded immediately by throwing on an extra attacker but five minutes later worse was to follow when Lindfield scored again, the shot travelled through a number of legs in the penalty area and Bishop saw the ball too late to do anything about it.
East Court had offered little going forwards in the second half and seemed to be out of the game but with the last 10 minutes approaching they scored twice in quick succession to put the game back in the balance. The first was a contentious goal when the ref waved play-on after a collision between Ross Kelly and a Lindfield defender as they chased a through-ball. Kelly ran on to the loose ball and rounded the keeper before calmly slotting the ball home. A minute later substitute Glenn Garrett popped up in the penalty area to convert a right wing cross to make it 3-3. With five minutes to go it all went wrong for Court as their luck finally ran out. The pacy Lindfield striker got in behind the Court backline and was one-on-one with Bishop. As he went to shoot, the ball bobbled and he missed his shot, completely deceiving Bishop in the process. He was then left with the easy task of picking up the loose ball and slotting into an empty net. Nizam's man of the match Paul Bishop thoroughly deserved his award after keeping his side in it on numerous occasions throughout the match with a number of important stops. With a bit more luck Court could have made it through to the quarter finals of the competition but a one-goal lead at half-time was never going to be enough in those conditions.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, A.Wright, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, B.Sunderland, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, R.Hayes (G.Garrett), C.Buckler
Saturday 03 November 2007
East Court 4 Peacehaven Utd 2
After two successive defeats East Court looked as though they were heading for a third as they fell two goals behind in the opening 15 minutes of this Mid Sussex League Division 3 encounter. The home side bounced back with four second half goals to secure victory in a game marred by a Peacehaven player suffering a broken leg.
For the second week in a row Court fell behind to early goals. The first came from a long ball over the top, United's pacey striker got goalside of centre back Nick Palmer and slammed the ball past a helpless Paul Bishop in the East Court goal. Soon after it was 2-0, a left wing corner was swung in and a Peacehaven player rose highest to head the ball goalwards. Despite the best efforts of Andy Wright on the post it flew into the top corner of the net. Things could have been worse for the home team, Bishop got his fingers to a ferocious shot from the edge of the area to turn it onto the crossbar and, on another occasion, he was lucky to get away with spilling the ball at the feet of a Peacehaven striker. He recovered quickly to force the visiting player to lift the ball over the bar.
With 25 minutes played the action was halted after a Peacehaven defender suffered a horrendous injury. Chasing Billy Denyer back into his own penalty area, he slid in to put the ball behind but in the process of doing this he suffered a broken leg. Play was delayed for half an hour while the player was tended to and the match was subsequently reduced to 40 minutes each way.
Court were unlucky not to get a goal back before half-time. Carl Buckler let fly from range and the ball seemed to be heading for the corner but the United keeper made a superb save to turn the ball round the post. Other chances came and went but Court were unable to capitalise and turned round 2-0 down.
Early in the second half striker Glenn Garrett replaced central midfielder Richard Hayes and made a big impact on the game. Court had already hit the post through Carl Buckler when they finally made the breakthrough. Garrett got free down the left and his cross found its way to Ross Kelly who put the ball away. Garrett also had a hand in the second goal minutes later, a long ball was pumped forward and the Peacehaven defender was adjudged to be fouling Garrett. Denyer stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to level the scores.
Court were struggling to cope with the midfield runners and could have fallen behind again. A free kick was fired in, Bishop saved but could only parry the ball. Thankfully for the home team it fell just behind the onrushing striker and Chris Butler cleared to safety. There were other half chances but Bishop dealt with everything coming his way and the defence made a number of important blocks. Denyer almost grabbed a second but saw his shot rebound off the post before Nizam's man of the match Garrett put East Court in front. He found time and space in the penalty area, turned and fired the ball into the bottom corner. With time running out Court made the game safe with a swift counter attack. Bishop claimed a Peacehaven free kick and quickly released Denyer down the right wing. Denyer ran half the pitch but saw his shot blocked. The ball eventually found it's way to Carl Buckler who put the ball away to secure the points.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, A.Wright, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, B.Sunderland, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, R.Hayes (G.Garrett), C.Buckler Saturday 27 October 2007
East Court 1 LM Utd 3
East Court slumped to a second consecutive 3-1 defeat as they crashed out of the first round on the Surrey Lower Junior Cup at home to Kingston & District League side LM United.
From the word go East Court were on the back foot as they surrendered possession from their own kick-off and had Paul Bishop to thank for keeping them level in the first minute when he spread himself well to save with his legs. It was only a minor reprieve though as they were soon a goal down. Richard Hayes was penalised for a high foot on the edge of the area and the resulting free kick was placed into the top corner. Bishop was under the impression it was an indirect free kick and let the ball float past him. Buoyed by this early goal the visitors set about the home defence which was at fall stretch to keep the team in the game. At the other end Carl Buckler missed Court's best chance when his shot went just the wrong side of the post after a long Chris Butler throw-in.
Soon after Court were made to pay after conceding two goals in quick succession. The first of these goals came from a twice-taken penalty after Dan Medcalf bought down the opposition striker. The two were locked in a chase for the ball over the top and the United striker nicked it away from the sliding defender and there was no debate that it was a penalty. The second of them came from a strike from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner. After this the half became a more even affair but it was always the visitors who looked more comfortable.
The second half was better for Court although they rode their luck at times. Butler , Medcalf, skipper Simon Nickols and left-back Nick Palmer all had to put in last ditch tackles at times as Court threw more men forward looking to get back into the game. They also had a stunning last minute tackle from Nizam's man of the match Billy Denyer to thank for not going four behind. Bishop could only parry a freekick to the feet of a striker, the striker turned Bishop and seemed to have an open goal only for Denyer to slide in and play it away from a yard in front of his own goal. Bishop was forced into making two or three other good saves and another free-kick skimmed the outside of the post but United couldn't get a fourth.
The East Court attack was getting more joy in the second half but were struggling to turn chances into goals. Ross Kelly was unlucky when he lifted his shot over the keeper only to see it rebound back off the crossbar, Glenn Garrett saw a tame header saved on the line when it looked easier to score than miss and Denyer forced the keeper into a great save diving to his right after a sharp turn and shot. Eventually Court did get on the scoresheet in the last couple of minutes, a Denyer corner wasn't dealt with properly by the United defence and after a couple of deflections and missed clearances Denyer slammed the ball into the back of the net.
Next up for Court are Peacehaven United in the league. Court have already beaten Peacehaven this year and will be hoping to stop their losing run and get back to winning ways.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, N.Palmer, R.Hayes, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland (A.Wright), B.Denyer, R.Kelly, G.Garrett, C.Buckler
Saturday 27 October 2007
AFC Grinstead 3 East Court 1
East Court travelled to Talbot Road in Lingfield to take on league newcomers AFC Grinstead on Saturday but returned home empty-handed after an even match. Andy Wright and Richard Hayes returned to the starting eleven having missed the last game against Cuckfield Town II with Glenn Garrett dropping to the bench. Chris Butler was unavailable and missed his first game of the season.
Court flew out the blocks and Billy Denyer came close to scoring in the opening minutes, he raced onto a through ball but his shot was saved by the legs of the Grinstead keeper. Despite this it was a fairly even start to the match with both teams trying to gain the upper hand in midfield without creating too much in front of goal. Eventually the visitors opened the scoring when central midfielder Dan Lamprell powerfully headed a clearance back the way it came and Denyer ran on and smashed the ball past the helpless keeper. Slowly AFC Grinstead made their way back into the game and were unlucky to have a goal ruled out after the referee failed to play advantage after a foul on the edge of the penalty area. The equaliser did come from a long ball over the top, Wright seemed to have the situation under control but he was muscled off the ball and the Grinstead left winger fired past goalkeeper Paul Bishop.
Court started the second half quickly as well and they carved out three good chances. First Carl Buckler sent in a dangerous cross in towards Hayes, Hayes had lost his marker but sent his header over the crossbar. Hayes had the next chance as well, a freekick was cleared to the edge of the box where he was waiting and he left fly with his left boot. The ball seemed to be heading for the corner of the goal but the keeper somehow got across to turn the ball around the post. Buckler also headed over when well placed soon after.
At the other end Court were defending well but paid the price for a lack on concentration when the home side took a quick near post corner and one of their centrebacks got on the end of it to head the ball into the roof of the net. Court began to push extra players forwards in search of an equaliser but were struggling to get in behind the home defence and it was from one of these attacks that Grinstead scored a decisive third goal. Court were left short of numbers at the back and the home team broke quickly down the left, a low cross was fired in and Bishop could only palm it into the path of a Grinstead attacked who slotted the ball home. The home team could have had more as time ran down, the home centre forward blazed over when well placed on the edge of the area and Court had substitute Glenn Garrett to thank for a last ditch tackle having tracked back 70 yards following an East Court corner.
Overall East Court were left feeling aggrieved that they had got nothing out of a game that could easily have gone either way. They were undone by a lack of concentration and a failure to take their chances while the game was still in the balance. Next week they are in Surrey Cup action as they take on Kingston side LM Utd.
Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, N.Palmer, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland (G.Garrett), B.Denyer, R.Kelly, R.Hayes, C.Buckler Saturday 29 September 2007
Peacehaven Utd 0 East Court 4
East Court made the long trip down to the coast to face a Peacehaven United side that had won their opening two fixtures and they returned home with the points thanks to goals from Billy Denyer (2) and Ross Kelly (2).
Manager Simon Nickols made two changes to the team that had won the previous week with Paul Bishop returning in goal and Daniel Lamprell lining up in central midfield alongside Richard Hayes and Denyer in a 4-5-1 formation. It was a choice that paid off handsomely as Lamprell dominated the midfield with some fine defensive work.
There was very little between the two teams in the opening stages of the match with neither defence being seriously tested. Slowly Court began to take advantage of their extra man in midfield and started to open up the home team, wingers Carl Buckler and Andy Wright both came close to breaking the deadlock and Richard Hayes blazed over after a corner broke to him on the edge of the area. At the other end the Court defence was coping comfortably with the Peacehaven attacks with Bishop rarely called into action. Eventually Court made the breakthrough from a swift counterattack, Wright played in Dan Medcalf whose shot was blocked by the keeper. The ball rebounded back to Wright, his pass found Kelly and the ball was fired low past the keeper. The second goal was also scored on the counterattack, Buckler broke out from his own half with the ball before playing in Kelly to make it two.
The second half was a different game as the home team, with the wind at their backs, had most of the possession and did most of the attacking but time after time Nizam's man of the match Lamprell got a foot in to break up the play. Bishop had to tip a Peacehaven header round the post and he also punched away a fierce long range drive but apart from those chances he was never seriously troubled at any point. The home team bought on a tricky left winger who looked lively early on but his trickery seldom led to anything of note.
Although Court were struggling to break out more in the second half they did add two further goals and had a fifth ruled out for offside. Kelly chased down a long ball which the keeper got to first and cleared, the ball fell to a Court midfielder who played it back towards goal. Kelly was clearly offside but made no attempt to chase the ball but Buckler, who looked onside when it was played, reacted to the pass and got their before the keeper to slide the ball home only for the flag to be raised and the goal ruled out. Denyer struck twice to secure the points for Court. The first came from Nick Palmer's long ball down the line, Buckler controlled it and crossed for Denyer to score. His second was somewhat fortuitous, Court had a free kick on the half way line which Medcalf mishit. Both teams were expecting the ball to be crossed in towards the far post but instead it flew down the inside right channel. Denyer reacted and narrowly beat the onrushing keeper to the ball and lifted it over him into the back of the net. Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler (B.Sunderland) , N.Palmer, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, A.Wright, R.Hayes, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, C.Buckler Saturday 22 September 2007
Cuckfield Town II 0 East Court 4
East Court traveled to Cuckfield for their first away trip of the season and returned home having secured a place in the second round of the Edgar German Cup. Goals from Billy Denyer, Ross Kelly, Simon Nickols and Carl Buckler secured Court's progression and their reward is a trip to Lindfield II in the next round.
Court were forced into a late change after goalkeeper Paul Bishop withdrew from the squad early on Saturday morning due to illness and Dan Lamprell, who retired from goalkeeping last season, took his place between the sticks. Nick Palmer and Ross Kelly were restored to the starting eleven with Ben Sunderland dropping to the bench.
The first half was a scrappy affair with neither side creating much. Cuckfield started the brighter of the two teams as they used their numerical advantage in midfield but the Court defence stood firm. Lamprell was forced into making one good save but had very little else to do. Court were looking disjointed in attack with numerous passes being misplaced but did manage to take the lead after taking advantage of some sloppy Cuckfield defending. The ball eventually ran for Denyer who was through on goal and he finished confidently, firing the ball low into the corner of the goal. Half-time came with the score still at 1-0 and Cuckfield could count themselves unfortunate to trail at the interval.
East Court improved in the second half without ever hitting top gear. Kelly came close to scoring with an audacious effort across the face of goal but the ball bounced narrowly wide. Sunderland came on to replace Glenn Garrett and almost had an immediate impact. Simon Nickols met his left wing corner with a thumping header that hit the defender at the near post on the knee and bounced out. Richard Hayes was first to the loose ball but he crashed his shot harmlessly over the bar. Eventually the second did come, Chris Butler launched a long throw into the area and the ball was flicked on to Sunderland . The Cuckfield defence converged on him as he poked the ball goalwards and the effort was blocked but Kelly was first to the rebound to score.
Cuckfield began to push more men on as they fought to get back into the game and a long range effort saw Lamprell scrambling across his goal but the ball went wide. With the home team trying to get back into the tie it was inevitable that Court would create more chances and it didn't take long for them to make the game safe with a third. Sunderland swung in another left wing corner which was vollied goalwards by Nizam's man of the match Nickols and the ball flew into the back of the net.
Soon after the visitors made it four. Denyer picked out Andy Wright's run down the right wing. Wright rolled the ball back for Butler, who then played the ball square to Buckler. Buckler, who had had a quiet game by his normal standards, stepped inside his man before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner of the goal. The remaining minutes were played out without any further threats on goal but Wright was lucky to escape without a booking after running through and firing over having already been flagged offside. Team: D.Lamprell, C.Butler, N.Palmer, R.Hayes, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, A.Wright, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, G.Garrett (B.Sunderland) , C.Buckler Saturday 15 September 2007
East Court 6 East Grinstead Mariners 2
A Carl Buckler hat-trick helped East Court to a second consecutive win at Notre Dame as they rose to fifth in the table. Further goals came from Billy Denyer (2) and Glenn Garrett but the home side could have had even more after missing a host of second half chances. Court were forced to make changes due to striker Ross Kelly's unavailability and pushed Denyer up front to partner Garrett with Dan Lamprell slotting into central midfield alongside Richard Hayes.
The home side kicked down the slope in the first half and, despite not being at their best, were soon in front. Ben Sunderland escaped down the right wing and his pass found Buckler who slammed the ball home. Hayes thought he had made it two after scoring with a header but the goal was ruled out for offside. Soon after Buckler did make it two, he chased down a long ball that the keeper blasted into him. Buckler reacted first to the loose ball and slotted home. Garrett notched his first the club to make it three after being played in by Denyer. He showed good strength to hold off the defender before lifting the ball over the keeper.
Just like the previous week East Court took their foot off the gas with a three goal lead and Mariners came back into the game. They pulled a goal back after a goalmouth scramble, Bishop made a good stop but the ball fell to a Mariners midfielder who headed home. Mariners could have had a second when a striker found himself clear on goal. Keeper Paul Bishop got a hand on the shot and Dan Medcalf slid in to complete the clearance.
Court battled back to regain their three goal advantage when Garrett played Denyer in to score but yet again Mariners came back. They scored a second from a left wing cross which flew over Bishop and straight in. With seconds left of the first half the home team scored a decisive fifth, a Chris Butler throw-in was headed on by Simon Nickols for Buckler to complete his hattrick.
The second half was an anti-climax after the goal-fest in the first. The only goal of the half came from a long Bishop dropkick which Garrett fed to Sunderland and his cross was put away by Denyer. Denyer could have completed his own hat-trick later on when a long range lob came back off the crossbar. Chances came and went but Court couldn't get the goals their dominance deserved.
At the other end Mariners created a couple of chances. They fired over after winning a freekick from an East Court backpass and Nickols timed a last ditch tackle perfectly when it looked as though the Mariners centre forward was through on goal.
Court travel to Cuckfield Town II next week in the first round of the Edgar German Cup.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, A.Wright, D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland, R.Hayes, B.Denyer, G.Garrett (N.Palmer), C.Buckler
Saturday 08 September 2007 East Court 4 Fletching 1
East Court bounced back from the disappointing defeat to Keymer with a comfortable win against Fletching. Court were missing Paul Brice, Dan Lamprell and Nick Palmer from the side that lined up the previous week but welcomed striker Ross Kelly back into the match day squad.
Court started the game kicking down the Notre Dame slope and were soon in the ascendancy. It was no surprise when the home team took the lead, left winger Carl Buckler was fouled as he burst down the wing and Billy Denyer's free kick was headed home by midfielder Richard Hayes. The second goal followed soon after, the ball found its way to Glenn Garrett who skipped past his man before releasing Denyer who slotted the ball home. Soon after Fletching made a sub to try and wrestle control back from the East Court midfield but it was to no avail as Court quickly made it three. Court won a throw in down the right hand side which Chris Butler threw long into the box, Kelly rose highest to flick the ball past the Fletching keeper into the back of the net. With barely half an hour gone Court were cruising and visibly relaxed which allowed Fletching to come back into the game. The visitors grabbed a goal back after a poor clearance by keeper Paul Bishop allowed a Fletching striker to fire the ball into an empty net. Fletching pushed on to get back into the game before half-time but were unable to force a second. Indeed, it could have been worse as Garrett hit the bar when through on goal.
Both sides knew that the first goal of the second half could prove vital and it was Court who got it five minutes from time. Richard Hayes played a long ball forward which was sliced over his own keeper by a Fletching defender. Denyer was the first to the bouncing ball and put the ball in the back of the net. Up until this point there were chances at either end, Bishop had a couple of long range shots to deal with while Garrett hit the woodwork for the second time in the match when he shot against the post when well placed. Fletching were slightly on top in the second half as they chased the game and perhaps should have done better from a number of dangerous balls into the penalty area but the Court defence held firm to see out the game.
Court are back in action next week when they entertain local rivals East Grinstead Mariners.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler, A.Wright, R.Hayes, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, G.Garrett, C.Buckler
Saturday 01 September 2007
East Court 0 Keymer & Hassocks 4
After a string of promising results in pre-season East Court kicked off the season with high hopes, but in their opening game they were humbled 4-0 at home to newly-promoted Keymer & Hassocks. The East Court squad was stretched as striker Ross Kelly was unavailable and Carl Zimmatore, Stuart Moseley and Mark Champion had all left over the summer.
Court started the first half kicking down the slope but soon found themselves being pushed onto the back foot. Keymer looked calm and assured in possession and the home side were constantly chasing after the ball. Despite their superiority Keymer were unable to fashion many chances in the first 20 minutes. At the other end Paul Brice came close to opening the scoring when he fired a free-kick just wide of the post. Eventually the pressure on the home goal told though and Keymer took the lead with a well-worked goal. Brice came close to equalising when another of his free-kicks went narrowly over the bar but it was the away side who struck again. Goalkeeper Paul Bishop spilt a long range effort and the Keymer striker was the first to react and his shot beat Chris Butler and Nick Palmer on the line as they slid in to try and block it. Although Keymer reached the break two goals up it could have been a lot more, Bishop tipped a cross-shot onto the bar and Daniel Lamprell had to be alert to clear a header off the line from a corner.
Court reshuffled at the start of the second half with Simon Nickols pushing up into midfield alongside Richard Hayes in an attempt to gain some control of the game. In the opening stages of the second half it seemed to be working as the match was a lot more even. As time went by though Keymer began to reassert themselves and found themselves 3-0 up after a Nick Palmer own goal. East Court had committed numbers forward and, as Keymer broke, the defence found themselves outnumbered. Keymer worked the ball to the left wing and Palmer inadvertently turned the low cross in. Lamprell was on hand soon after to clear another header off the line but it didn't take long for Keymer to score a fourth. The Keymer left winger picked up a loose pass and drove inside. He waltzed past three Court defenders before firing the ball past Bishop. By now the Court defence was being run ragged and it would have been 5-0 had it not been for Daniel Medcalf racing back to clear the ball over the bar from right underneath it.
With five minutes to go Court created their best chance of the match, Billy Denyer forced a good save from the Keymer keeper who could only parry it to substitute Glenn Garrett 10 yards out. Garrett took it first time but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
East Court were well and truly beaten in their opening match and will look to get their season back on track next week when they entertain Fletching.
Team: P.Bishop, C.Butler (G.Garrett), D.Lamprell, R.Hayes, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, B.Denyer, P.Brice, B.Sunderland (A.Wright), C.Buckler
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