Saturday 22 November 2008
East Court 1 East Grinstead Utd II 1 East Court returned to league action against East Grinstead Utd II at Notre Dame a week after their disappointing cup exit at the hands of Turners Hill II. Court welcomed back skipper Simon Nickols, Mike Lee and Keith Foster but still only had eleven players available.
Court got off to a promising start as they looked to take their frustrations out on the East Grinstead side. Not for the first time this season, Court were wasteful in front of goal with a number of players guilty of missing good chances. In fact, it was left to left-back Adam Shillibeer to put Court in front. The move started with Keith Foster in central midfield, he lifted a ball over the left-backs head for Dan Medcalf to run onto. Medcalf reached the ball at the byline and cut the ball back, Ross Kelly helped the ball on at the near post and Shillibeer arrived late to slam the ball home. Court's cavalier approach left the defence stretched at times but it was still a surprise when United equalised with a lucky strike – the ball rebounding into the net off a United striker who knew very little about it.
The home side continued to push on, on two occasions Carl Buckler broke through the United defence from central midfield but was unable to convert either chance. A good move down the left wing ended when Medcalf laid the ball off for Paul Brice but his shot cannoned back off the crossbar. Court were getting joy down the left and another left wing cross saw Billy Denyer denied by the keeper's feet and Medcalf slotting the rebound just wide of the far post. At the other end, United were restricted to long range efforts which keeper Ben Sunderland dealt with comfortably.
The second half continued where the first half left off with East Court dominating proceedings. Time after time Court were left cursing their lack of composure in front of goal as chances came and went. Despite Court's dominance United came close to scoring a second from a right wing corner. The ball was forced goalwards and struck Mike Lee on the line, this took enough speed off the ball for Sunderland to dive onto it and keep the ball out. Apart from that one scare the Court defence was well-marshalled by The Plough Inn's man-of-the-match Simon Nickols and kept the United attack in check.
On another day Court could have scored a hatful but had to settle for a point due to a failure to take their chances. This is something Court will look to put right next week when they have a long trip to AFC Gomshall in the Surrey Lower Junior Cup.
Team: B.Sunderland, M.Lee, A.Shillibeer, K.Foster, S.Melbourne, S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, C.Buckler, P.Brice
Saturday 15 November 2008
Tuners Hill II 3 East Court 2 After a week off due to the weather, East Court returned to action with a trip to Turners Hill II in the second round of the Stubbins Cup. Court had a number of players unavailable and turned up for the game with only 12 players.
Court were slow to start and found themselves in trouble early on, Hill were snapping into every tackle and Court were struggling to keep possession. Centre back Dan Medcalf had already cleared one effort off the line before the home team went in front. Court lost possession in midfield and the home side broke at speed. The speed of the break meant Court were left short at the back and the ball was cut back to a spare man who drilled the ball past keeper Paul Bishop. It didn't take long for Turners Hill to double their lead. A left wing corner was swung in towards goal, Bishop punched the ball on to the top of the crossbar but the ball fell to a striker at the far post who crashed the ball home. The home side continued to have the better of the first half but struggled to create any further chances.
The second half started well for the visitors, Billy Denyer picked out Medcalf on a rare foray forward and he slid the ball inside for Ross Kelly inside the penalty area. It looked as though Court must pull one back but Kelly took one touch too many and the chance was gone. The home side were looking dangerous on the break and they eventually made it 3-0 following an East Court corner. The ball was cleared and Turners Hill had a 5-on-2 break. The ball was worked out to the right and Bishop raced out to challenge the striker. The striker rounded him and crossed it in, Andy Wright was first to it but, at full stretch, he was only able to turn the ball home.
With the tie looking dead Court threw more men forward and they almost scored from a Paul Brice corner. The ball was swung in and Pete Brown got a good header on it but the keeper made a good save to tip the ball wide. Brown wasn't to be denied though, Court had already had a penalty appeal turned down but they won a penalty at the second time of asking and he tucked the ball away from the spot. In an act of desperation Court threw The Plough Inn's man of the match, centre back Stephen Melbourne, up front and this coincided with some of Court's best play. The visitors reduced the deficit to one goal when Carl Buckler set up Denyer to fire home. With time running out Court had the ball in the net for a third time after an all-mighty scramble but the referee disallowed it for a foul on a Turners Hill defender. Minutes later the referee blew the final whistle and Court were out the cup.
Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, A.Shillibeer, R.Hayes, S.Melbourne, D.Medcalf, C.Buckler, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, P.Brown, P.Brice (B.Sunderland)
Saturday 01 November 2008
Elstead 1 East Court 2 (after extra time) East Court made the long trip to Elstead for the first round of the Surrey FA Lower Junior Cup on a cold, rainy November afternoon. Elstead are riding high in the third division of the Guildford and Woking Alliance Football League and came into the game full of confidence. Court made two changes to the team that drew at Lindfield II with Ross Kelly and Ben Sunderland returning to the starting eleven.
It was the home team that started more brightly without stretching the East Court defence. Court were struggling to get the ball under control as Elstead snapped into their tackles in midfield and hurried the visitors into mistakes time and time again. Court came close to taking the lead when Richard Hayes rose highest to meet a Sunderland corner but the ball went narrowly over the bar. At the other end the Court defence was relatively untroubled until Elstead scored the opening goal. They broke down a Court move and counter-attacked at pace, the ball was played into a free man 25 yards from goal. He took his shot early before he could be closed down and the ball flew into the top corner of the goal. Court had the better of the rest of the first half but were unable to fashion any clear cut chances.
The second half was more even but, with Court having to push more men forward, Elstead looked more dangerous on the break. The home team continued to frustrate the Court attack and stretched the defence on numerous occasions but the backline held firm. With 15 minutes to go Court finally grabbed an equaliser. The ball was crossed in from the right and Sunderland rose at the far post to head towards the goal, the ball struck an Elstead arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Pete Brown stepped up to take the penalty and easily dispatched it past the keeper. Court pressed for a winner in normal time but the final whistle went with the score still at 1-1.
It didn't take long for Court to take the lead in extra time when substitute Keith Foster broke up an Elstead attack and quickly released Sunderland. Sunderland played in fullback Dan Medcalf on the overlap and his first time pass was steered home by Kelly. In the second half of extra time Elstead pushed Court back as they searched for an equaliser, Court defended stubbornly with the back four each making timely interventions. Skipper Simon Nickols and Medcalf combined to clear one shot off the line from a corner and Stephen Melbourne made a great last ditch tackle to block a shot. With minutes remaining Court should have made the tie safe when they broke away, Kelly and Medcalf exchanged passes but the last defender got back to block Kelly's shot on goal.
Next week Court travel to Crowborough Athletic III in the second round of the Edgar German Cup.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee (A.Shillibeer) , D.Medcalf, R.Hayes, S.Melbourne, S.Nickols, C.Buckler, B.Denyer (K.Foster), R.Kelly, P.Brown, B.Sunderland (P.Brice)
Saturday 25 October 2008
Lindfield II 2 East Court 2 East Court made the trip to third placed Lindfield II for the first of five consecutive away games for the club. Manager Paul Brice was forced into making changes to the team that beat Maresfield Village II 5-0 the week before with Simon Nickols and Stephen Melbourne returning to the starting eleven.
Court were slow out the blocks and looked strangely out of sorts throughout the first half. Things weren't helped when, early on, striker Ricky Revell had to be helped off the pitch after sustaining a back injury after a collision with Court keeper Paul Bishop. With the wind at their backs it was the home team who were making all the running as they dominated possession. Despite this dominance Lindfield were unable to create many clear cut chances and it took an East Court mistake for them to open the scoring. Court half cleared a Lindfield set piece but the ball was lobbed back into the area. Bishop was backtracking and tried to catch the ball on his goalline but could only palm it onto the crossbar, a Lindfield midfielder was following up to smash the ball home from close range.
The second half saw Court work their way into the game but they still looked disjointed and struggled to string any number of passes together. They should have been level early in the second half when right winger Carl Buckler drifted in off his wing and Billy Denyer found him with a pass through the centre. Buckler was through on goal and took his shot early but the keeper was able to block. Chances were few and far between at both ends but, moments after right back Mike Lee had cleared the ball off the line from a Lindfield corner, it was Court who scored next when Ross Kelly fired home in a crowded penalty area after a Denyer knockdown. It was Denyer who scored next to put Court in front when he fired home after a goalmouth scramble. Court were in front and beginning to look a bit more comfortable but they conceded an equaliser after Lindfield got in down the left wing, the ball was cut back and a Lindfield striker arrived to fire the ball into the back of the net. Court came closest to a winner when Dan Medcalf exchanged passes with substitute Brice but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area. The draw drops Court one place to fifth in the table.
Next week East Court make the long trip to Elstead for the first round of the Surrey County FA Lower Junior Cup.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee (P.Brice), A.Shillibeer, R.Hayes, S.Melbourne, S.Nickols, C.Buckler, D.Medcalf, R.Revell (R.Kelly), P.Brown (B.Sunderland) , B.Denyer
Saturday 18 October 2008
East Court 5 Maresfield Village II 0
East Court returned to action after a week off and put in a disjointed display against a decent Maresfield Village side. Court went into the game missing a number of key players but were boosted by the return of Billy Denyer, Ben Sunderland and Glenn Garrett.
Maresfield were quickest out the blocks at the start of the game as they bossed possession in midfield and forced a string of early corners but were unable to make Court keeper Paul Bishop work. The home side were struggling to get on the ball and, when they did, frequently gave possession away cheaply. Despite this the defence was looking calm and assured with the Maresfield strikers being caught out by the offside trap time and time again. At the other end Court scored the opening goal out of nothing. The ball was hit down the left wing and the Maresfield fullback missed his kick, Denyer was onto it in a flash and charged into the penalty area. His shot was saved by the visitor's keeper but Carl Buckler was on hand to tuck the rebound home. Soon after Court had the ball in the back of the net again but this time the goal was ruled out for offside. It was only a temporary reprieve for Maresfield as a well worked corner routine saw Pete Brown score for the second match in a row. Paul Brice fired in a corner to the near post and Brown got to the ball first to smash it past the helpless keeper. Maresfield continued to pass the ball around well but were unable to get behind the East Court backline and the home side were looking comfortable as the referee blew for half time.
Early in the second half the match was over as a contest when Court scored a third. Buckler got in down the right and squared the ball along the edge of the six yard box, Brown thought he had scored his second of the afternoon after touching goalwards but Ricky Revell stole in at the far post to poke it over the line for his first goal for the club. Buckler was causing Maresfield all sorts of problems with his pace in the second half. He hit the post from another bursting run and also set up good chances for Revell and Brown but neither player could hit the back of the net. It was left to The Plough Inn's man-of-the-match Billy Denyer to round off the scoring. His first goal came from a long clearance, Denyer nicked it off the last defender before rounding the keeper and running the ball into the empty net. His second came when he picked up the ball just inside the East Court half, he ran through the Maresfield defence before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home. At the other end Bishop only had to deal with a few crosses and was quick off his line to clear the ball away when danger threatened.
Next week East Court travel to Lindfield II, a team who currently lie one place above them in the table.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee (G.Garrett), A.Shillibeer, R.Hayes, D.Medcalf, M.Geaghan, C.Buckler, B.Denyer, R.Revell (B.Sunderland) , P.Brown, P.Brice
Saturday 04 October 2008
Fletching 3 East Court 3
East Court travelled to Fletching for their first away game of the season looking to get their league campaign back on track after the previous week's 7-2 mauling by Dormansland Rockets. Despite going a goal behind in controversial circumstances it looked as though Court had done enough to win before throwing away a two-goal lead in the last ten minutes of the game.
Court were forced into three changes with top scorer Billy Denyer, Ben Sunderland and Stephen Melbourne all unavailable. Keith Foster and Richard Hayes both returned from their absences and defender Mike Geaghan came in for his debut. Unfortunately for Geaghan, his first contribution to the game was to give away a controversial penalty. From the kick-off Fletching hit a long high ball which seemed to be going straight through to keeper Paul Bishop. It held up in the wind and this allowed a Fletching striker to get there before Bishop and lift it over him, Geaghan got back to block the shot but the ref ruled he had used his hands. The penalty was converted and, for the second week in a row, Court were behind within a minute. Court reacted positively and, despite the wind making football difficult, took the game to their opponents. They were rewarded with a scrappy equalizer when the Fletching keeper dropped a high ball under pressure from Carl Buckler and Ross Kelly was on hand to stab the ball home. Things got better for Court after a good move down the left, the ball was crossed in towards Ricky Revell who headed the ball down for Kelly to smash home from the edge of the area.
With the wind behind Fletching in the second half, Court expected to be under pressure for long periods of the game but the visitors found it easier to create chances with the win in their faces. Early in the second half Kelly fired over from close range after a good team move, his first touch let the ball get away from him and he was off-balance when he shot. At the other end Court's defence looked comfortable against the Fletching attack with Bishop not being called into action all that much. And when substitute Pete Brown scored his first goal for the club with a thumping header from a Paul Brice corner it looked as though East Court had done enough for the points. With ten minutes to go it was all change though, Fletching scored direct from a needless free-kick and then made it 3-3 within a minute after Court failed to deal with a quickly taken corner. The action wasn't over yet, there was still time for Court to have a penalty appeal turned down, Bishop had to make two good saves to keep the score level and Mike Lee had to clear off the line after heading the ball out of Bishop's hands.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee, A.Shillibeer, R.Hayes, D.Medcalf, M.Geaghan, C.Buckler, K.Foster, R.Kelly, R.Revell (P.Brown), P.Brice
Saturday 27 September 2008
East Court 2 Dormansland Rockets 7
After winning their opening two matches of the season East Court were brought back down to earth with a bump after a 7-2 thumping at home to local rivals Dormansland Rockets. Stephen Melbourne returned in place of injured skipper Simon Nickols but the home team suffered from some late withdrawals to leave their squad stretched.
Court got off to the worst possible start, Dormansland's first attack resulted in a goal as the ball bobbled around in the area before eventually being fired goalwards. Keeper Paul Bishop pushed the shot away but a Dormansland attacker got to the ball first and fired high into the net. Rockets dominated possession for long periods but Court worked hard and The Plough Inn's man of the match Adam Shillibeer came close to equalising with a left foot volley from the edge of the box. He was to come even closer soon after when a right volley crashed onto the crossbar, fortunately for the home side Ross Kelly was on hand to tuck the ball home from the rebound. That was as good as it got for Court. Rockets went ahead again from a quickly taken free kick on the edge of the area. Bishop got his fingers to the shot but couldn't prevent it going in. Then came two controversial decisions that put the game out of East Court's reach. First, East Court had a big penalty appeal turned down when a right wing corner was headed goalwards and appeared to be handled on the line. Second, at the other end, Dormansland scored a third when the referee overruled the linesman's offside flag.
The second half didn't start any better for Court. Rockets cut straight through the home defence but Dormansland's number nine rounded Bishop only to fire wide. It was only a short reprieve as Rockets extended their lead to 4-1. Billy Denyer scored a second goal for East Court to give the hope but the visitors took the sting out of the game as Court were left chasing shadows while trying to get the ball back. With ten minutes left the score was 4-2 but Rockets took advantage of a tiring home side to fire home a further three goals while Court barely threatened at the other end. It was a bad day at the office for East Court and they must look to pick themselves up in time for next week's trip to Fletching.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee (P.Brown), C.Buckler, S.Shillibeer, D.Medcalf, S.Melbourne, B.Sunderland, R.Kelly, R.Revell, B.Denyer, P.Brice Saturday 20 September 2008
East Court 2-1 Lindfield II
East Court made it two wins out of two as they swept past Lindfield II to qualify for the second round of the Stubbins Challenge Cup. Richard Hayes, Keith Foster and Stephen Melbourne were all unavailable so manager Paul Brice was forced into making three changes from the side that beat Peacehaven the week before. Brice, Mike Lee and Ricky Revell all came into the starting eleven with Pete Brown and Pete Symons on the bench.
Court started well and were almost in front inside the first minute, an incisive move down the left saw the ball crossed to Ben Sunderland who could only put the ball over the bar. The next ten minutes saw Lindfield dominate possession without really threatening East Court's backline before Ross Kelly and Adam Shillibeer began to dominate in the centre of midfield. Court began to boss the game and eventually the pressure told when Brice centred for Billy Denyer to force the ball home from close range. The home team exerted a lot of pressure but clear cut chances were few and far between. Court were unable to put the game to bed and Lindfield came back into it with ten minutes to go to half time. Keeper Paul Bishop made a good stop from a free kick on the edge of the box after skipper Simon Nickols was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Lindfield attacked but that was the only real scare of the first half.
It didn't take long for Lindfield to get back on level terms at the start of the second half, a throw-in was launched long into the East Court box and the home side failed to clear their lines, a Lindfield striker found half a yard of space and lashed the ball past the helpless Bishop. Buoyed by this, the visitors began to push on but Court's defence stood firm. Half chances came and went at both ends before The Plough Inn's man of the match Denyer scored his second of the afternoon. Lindfield's keeper sliced a clearance straight to Denyer who beat his man before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
With the clock ticking down Lindfield began to commit more men forward and the game opened up. There were chances for both teams to score, Bishop made one great save when left one-on-one and, on a separate occasion, the Court defence was relieved to see a free header loop over the bar when it looked easier to score. The win puts Court through to the second round and a trip to either Village of Ditchling II or Turners Hill II.
Team: P.Bishop, M.Lee (P.Symons), C.Buckler, A.Shillibeer, D.Medcalf, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland (P.Brown), R.Kelly, R.Revell, B.Denyer, P.Brice
Saturday 13 September 2008
East Court 2 - 1 Peacehaven
East Court kicked off their league campaign with a hard-fought win over Peacehaven Utd. Court lined up in the 4-5-1 formation that they had used all through pre-season under new manager Paul Brice. Three of Court's summer signings were named in the fourteen but only Keith Foster started.
Court started the quicker of the two teams as they attacked up the Notre Dame slope. The home team wasted numerous chances to put the game out of Peacehaven's reach in the first twenty minutes as they breached the visitors defence on a number of occasions. Ben Sunderland had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Sunderland should have opened the scoring when one on one with the United keeper but he lifted his shot over the bar. He wasn't the only to miss from a one on one situation as Billy Denyer also missed a good chance but Denyer was to make amends later in the first half when he slotted Court in front after being played in by Carl Buckler. Court were unlucky not to stretch their lead when a shot from the edge of the box drew a flying save from the visitors keeper. Court's defence was looking untroubled but, moments before half time, Peacehaven were level. A right wing corner was half-cleared to the edge of the box but Court were slow to close a United player down and his shot was deflected over the helpless Paul Bishop in the East Court goal.
Court started the second half just as quickly as the first but didn't have to wait as long to score. A corner from Ben Sunderland was steered home by the head of striker Ross Kelly early in the half. Kelly was later to hit the bar with a stunning long range strike and, from the rebound, the United keeper was forced into a good save after a misdirected defensive header. He was also unlucky late on to strike the foot of the post when on another day he could have had a hattrick. Having ridden their luck, Peacehaven came back into the game with fifteen minutes remaining. Both teams created half-chances in this spell but neither side were able to stretch their opponents keeper.
Overall it was a pleasing start to the season for Court, the defence looked largely untroubled, the midfield dominated the game for long periods - with man of the match Richard Hayes particularly impressive - and the front men looked dangerous although they need to improve their sharpness in front of goal.
Team: P.Bishop, D.Medcalf, A.Shillibeer (M.Lee), R.Hayes, S.Melbourne, S.Nickols, B.Sunderland (R.Revell), K.Foster, R.Kelly, B.Denyer (P.Brice), C.Buckler
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