19/08/23

V BROCKENHURST

FA Cup Preliminary Round 19/08/23 | 3pm Kick Off

Horndean FC

Five Heads Park

Five Heads Road

Horndean

Hampshire PO8 9NZ

Clubhouse Telephone: 023 92 591363

Clubhouse Email: horndeanfc@yahoo.com

President: Ian Sheppard

Chairman: Mick Catlin

Vice Chairman: Tony Devaney

Secretary: Lisa Bailey

Manager: Michael Birmingham

Assistant: Jason Mann

First Team Coaches: Darren Robson, Chris Wye, Ollie Bennett

Goalkeeping Coach: Phil Braithwaite

First Team Physio: Hannah Meaden

Chief Scout: Andy Vernon

Head of Media: Jack Norris

Club Development Officer: Paul Sexton

Cover Photo: Martyn White

04 08

Chairman's Notes

An update from Chairman Mick Catlin with latest club news, and thoughts on recent results and upcoming fixtures

Three Bridges 2-2 Horndean

The match report and gallery from last week's 2-2 draw away at Three Bridges on the opening day of the league season.

Horndean 3-0 Portland United

The full match report from the Deans 3-0 success over Wessex Premier outfit Portland Utd in the FA Cup Extra Prelim

The Away End: Brockenhurst

A closer look at today's visitors Brockenhurst, with the club's history, records and honours

League Roundup

A roundup of the first weekend of action in the Isthmian League South East, and a look at the league table and results

Upcoming Fixtures

A look at the Deans diary with upcoming league and FA Trophy clashes, as well as some away days.

Double Champs!

The story of the climax of 22/23, which saw Horndean complete league and cup success in a historic campaign.

NLP Weekly Column

From the boardroom CHAIRMAN'S NOTES

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Five Heads Park for this afternoon's FA Cup Preliminary Round tie with Brockenhurst. I would like extend my welcome to the players, staff, committee and supporters of Brockenhurst FC, I wish them a pleasant stay with us and a safe journey back to the new forest

Brockenhurst are always a difficult team to play against. Pat McManus is an experienced manager & he always sets his teams up to be hard to beat but with flair in wide areas That can be difficult to play against Saying that we are at home & it is a good opportunity for us to try & get through We are well over due a decent run in the FA Cup. It is vital not only for the finances but also for the National exposure it gives the Club From a players perspective it gives them a chance to pit their wits against players from higher levels

Preseason was a mixed bag really we won when we were expected to & lost to the higher league opposition. Performances were good & our win against Portland was decent It’s been a busy summer behind the scenes The new dugouts have been built & the new stand is in position. A new covered area between the dugouts is also under construction. We have other plans to improve other parts of the ground throughout the season

All the games are going to be tough & we are going to have to adapt quickly to the level. I was at the league managers meeting last night & you could already tell the difference in the professionalism of the league & the stature of step 4 football within the Football Association set up I expect us to be competitive & hopefully our quality will have the opportunity to shine through. Time will tell & we will need to adapt I’m sure once we get a few games under our belts

Mick Catlin Horndean FC Chairman

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Billy Irving (27'), Noel Leighton (28')

THREEBRIDGES HORNDEAN

2 2

HORNDEAN - Starting Line Up

Cameron Scott

Rob Taw

Cade Dyer

Fin Walsh-Smith

Ethan Robb

Chad Field

Harry Jackson

Ash Howes (C)

Connor Duffin

Tommy Scutt

Rudi Blankson

12. Jordan Plie

14. Zack Willett

15. Jake Wright

16. Dan Sibley

17. Aaron O'Brien

Substitutions

Pile for Walsh-Smith

Willett for Jackson

Wright for Blankson

@horndeanfcofficial

Sat 12th August 2023

Isthmian League Divsion One South East Matchday #2

Jubilee Field

Attendance: 94

By Jack Norris

Horndean come from behind to earn a point in a 2-2 draw on opening day away

to Three Bridges

A Tommy Scutt brace helped cancel out Three Bridges’ 2 goal lead as the points were shared in the Deans’ first game in the Isthmian League South East

3 changes were made from last week’s FA Cup success over Portland, with attacking trio Connor Duffin, Rudi Blankson and Harry Jackson all being named as starters for the league opener

It was Horndean who came closest with the first real chance of the game 22 minutes in when Blankson saw a shot across goal denied by the woodwork, before Jackson hit the bar on the follow up.

Horndean’s missed chances were quickly punished as the hosts struck twice in quick succession. Irving opened the scoring on 27 minutes from range before Leighton capitalised on some sloppy defending to double their advantage shortly after.

It could have been 3 after the half hour mark as Leighton unleashed a strike from inside the box, however Cameron Scott was equal to it.

Horndean were close to halving the deficit in first half stoppage time with another sharp move from Blankson, who broke on the left flank before cutting back to Jackson who’s strike hit the bar before Scutt’s rebound was hit off target.

Horndean were more threatening in the second half as they looked for a way back into the game. It was game on just after the hour mark as Tommy Scutt recieved the ball off Blankson before burying it into the bottom left to pull one back for the Deans.

Substitute Willett had an instant impact with two quick chances, forcing a low save from Leo Anderson before another effort was dragged wide.

With 20 minutes remaining the Deans levelled it up as Tommy Scutt found the net with the pick of the goals, guiding his shot into the top left from 30 yards to square up the scoring.

Horndean could have been in front shortly after, after a good switch of play from Blankson who found Willett on the right, he ran the ball into the box and pulled back to Scutt who struck over the bar.

Three Bridges had a push for a winner as time was running out, with a spell of pressure late on. However some resilient defending from Horndean ensured the points would be shared on opening day in Sussex.

Live updates on our Twitter Page

Tommy Scutt (64') (70')

MatchGALLERY

PhotosByMartynWhyte

Tommy Scutt (62' pen), Cade Dyer (78'), Rudi Blankson (82')

HORNDEAN PORTLANDUTD

3 0

HORNDEAN - Starting Line Up

Cameron Scott

Rob Taw

Cade Dyer

Fin Walsh-Smith

Ethan Robb

Chad Field

Tommy Tierney

Ash Howes (C)

Dan Sibley

Tommy Scutt

Jack Breed

Substitutes

12. Connor Duffin

14. Rudi Blankson

15. Harry Jackson

16. Ethan Gee

17. Aaron O'Brien

18. Liam Kimber

19. Harrison Cable

Substitutions

Jackson for Tierney

Duffin for Sibley Blankson for Breed

MOTM: Debutant Fin WalshSmith is was chosen as motm by Match Sponsor's the Norris Family, and presented in the club by Chairman Mick Catlin.

Sat 5th August 2023

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Matchday #1

Five Heads Park

Attendance: 75

By Jack Norris

The Deans kicked off the 23/24 Season with a 3-0 victory over Portland United in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

A winning start to the new campaign for Horndean as they booked their place in the FA Cup preliminary with victory over the Dorset outfit Scutt, Dyer and Blankson were all on target in the second half proved enough to secure the tie at Five Heads Park.

There were four debutants for Horndean, with Cade Dyer, Fin Walsh-Smith, Dan Sibley and Jack Breed all making the starting eleven

There were plenty of chances for Horndean in the first half, with Tieney coming close on 25 minutes after cutting inside with some nice footwork before curling a shot, forcing Bruton to rip around the post

Despite having control of possession Horndean were unable to find a breakthrough before the interval, as the sides went in with tie goalless.

Portland had little presence in front of goal in the first half however Deans ‘keeper Scott was called to action on 49 minutes, making a terrific save from a half volley strike from Deives to keep the scoring level.

Horndean were close again on 54 minutes from a corner, as Robb headed the ball back across goal meeting a rising header from Field, who was denied before the ball was scrambled clear.

Horndean carried on the pressure and eventually were handed a chance just after the hour mark, as the referee awarded a spotkick for a handball Scutt stepped up and blasted home to give the Deans a deserved lead

The lead was doubled on 78 minutes as Dyer found the net on his competitive debut. A fine move on the counter as Walsh-Smith broke upfield, threading the ball to Dyer on the charge who hammered the ball past Bruton making it 2-0

Horndean rounded off an impressive second half performance with a third as Rudi Blankson found the net with the pick of the goals, burying the ball into the bottom right to wrap up the tie for Horndean.

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HARRISON

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DAN SIBLEY

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The Away End BROCKENHURST

Founded 1898 | Nickname The Badgers | Home Ground Meadens Skoda Arena

The club was founded in 1898 initially playing close to the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive The Badgers were founder members of the New Forest league which they won a number of times. They moved before the first World War to a site between the Rose and Crown and Snakecatcher pubs Following the war the club played in both the Bournemouth and Hampshire leagues, moving to Fathersfield In 1931 they were forced to move again to Black Knoll when Fathersfield was given over to housing. In 1935 the club won the New Forest Lads Cup Within two years the Badgers moved to Oberfield and after the Second World war they spent some seasons at Tile Barn before moving to their current home at Grigg Lane in 1951.

The club were crowned Hampshire League Division Three champions in 1960 as well as winning the Bournemouth Seniors cup They moved between the Second and Third divisions until in 1971 they were promoted to Division One where they won the league title in the 1975-76 season. Brockenhurst were founder members of the Wessex League joining in 1986 The club’s FA Cup giant killing reached its pinnacle in season 2001/02 when Kingstonian were defeated and in season 2004/05 the club reached the 3rd qualifying round, the run ending in defeat to Bath City.

In season 2012/13 the club returned to the Wessex Premier League as Division One champions and reached the final of both the Southamption DFA Senior Cup and the Wessex league Cup though unfortunately were beaten in both. The club has been rebuilding under the leadership of Manager Pat McManus with the target of reaching the top half of the league in the coming season and developing the squad with a view to building further on the initial success.

2016/17 saw the introduction of two new teams with a focus on attracting the best young players in the area The U18's team finished second ,on goal difference, in their first season in Hampshire Youth Football League (Div 2) and gained promotion to division one for the 17/18 season The U18's also entered the prestigious FA Youth Cup in 17/18, the first time in the clubs history

The club initially played at a ground near Rhinefield Ornamental Drive before moving to a ground on Lymington Road between the Snakecatcher and Rose & Crown pubs before World War I After the war they relocated to Fathersfield, where they played until moving to Black Knoll in 1931 after the Fathersfield site was needed for housing. In 1937 the club relocated again, this time to Oberfield. Following World War II they played at Tile Barn, until moving to Grigg Lane in 1951

The Grigg Lane site had been bought from the Morant Estate in 1950, and dressing rooms and a small stand were initially built. A social club was added in 1972, with floodlights erected in the same year In 1978 a new 200-seat elevated stand was built, with changing rooms located underneath

Club Honours:

Wessex League Division One Champions 2012/13

Hampshire League Division One Champions 1975/76

Russel Cotes Cup Winners 2021/22

Bournemouth Senior Cup Winners 1960/61, 2019/20

Records:

Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round 1992/93, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2015/16

Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round 1974/75, 2021/22

Record attendance: 1,104 vs St Albans City

Home Ground: The Meadens Skoda Arena, Grigg Lane

League ROUNDUP

Hythe Town started the new season in the same form as they ended the previous one. Our Pitching In Isthmian South East Play Off Finalists were irresistible as they swept aside East Grinstead Town with three first half goals, and added a fourth shortly after the break to coast to victory at the coast. Aaron Barnes scored the opener after two minutes, and Ethan Smith made it two shortly after the half hour Just before the break it was three, Liam Smith with that one, and Brad Schafer rounded things off to leave the Wasps chasing shadows for the last thirty seven minutes

Sevenoaks Town welcomed title favourites Ramsgate to Greatness Park, and left the Rams with nothing after a scintillating four-two victory Emmanuel Mensah put Oaks ahead after just nine minutes, and they extended their advantage just before the hour when Keiran Cadogan made it two from the spot Alfie Paxman got the visitors back into the match with seventeen minutes to go, but a red card for Lee Martin gave them a mountain to climb They looked to have climbed it, however, golden boot winner and new signing Joe Taylor drawing the ten men level nine minutes from time, but right at the end the numerical advantage told in favour of the hosts, Solomon Baugh restoring their lead with a minute to go and Daniel Carr restoring the two goal advantage in the last minute, four-two the final score

Cray Valley PM travelled to Sittingbourne, both sides highly fancied for promotion, and they showed why, the Millers departing with victory after a five goal thriller

Lyle Della-Verde opened the scoring for Cray with a twenty sixth minute penalty, and they doubled their advantage just after the restart, Matthew Vigor making it two That sparked a comeback from the hosts, Josh Osude getting one back on sixty five minutes, and it looked as if Ayman El-Moghaebel had earned them a point with a minute to go- but the Brickies wall was once more demolished just before the end, Adam Coombes earning all three points for the visitors. Lancing were our only other winners on a day of draws, Henry Micheal Watson with the only goal of the game as they defeated Merstham at Culver Road.

Onto the draws Broadbridge Heath must have thought they’d turned defeat into victory as they hosted their first ever Isthmian match, Sheppey United the visitors, but in the end they had to be content with a point Dan Bradshaw put the Ites ahead on twenty minutes, but eighteen minutes from time Tadley Bromage drew the hosts level, and then with a minute to go Charlie Weller sent them into blue heaven by putting them ahead Sheppey weren’t prepared to accept that blow, however, Frankie Morgan going straight up the other end to level

Burgess Hill Town looked to have three points in the bag at Herne Bay. The Hillians entered the ninetieth minute two goals up, Lewis Finney on the half hour and Rob O’Toole on the hour leaving them comfortable, but right at the end Bay decided they weren’t going to allow the points to slip away, and first Gil Carvalho and

then Archie Burnett scored to earn the hosts what had seemed an unlikely point

Two first half goals put Three Bridges in control over newly-promoted Horndean, only for a Tommy Scutt double to earn the visitors a point Billy Irving and Noel Leighton delivered two goals in two minutes for Bridges on twenty seven and twenty eight minutes, Scutt’s rescue act beginning in the sixty fifth minute and ending five minutes later

Phoenix Sports and Chichester City also had to be content with a point each, neither side managing a goal

Last Week's Results:

Broadbridge Heath 2-2 Sheppey Utd

Erith & Belvedere 0-1 Ashford Utd

Herne Bay 2-2 Burgess Hill

Hythe Town 4-0 East Grinstead

Lancing 1-0 Merstham

Littlehampton 2-1 Beckenham

Pheonix Sports 0-0 Chichester City

Sevenoaks 4-2 Ramsgate

Sittingbourne 2-3 Cray Valley PM

Three Bridges 2-2 Horndean

For all the latest news from the Pitching In Isthmian League, visit:

www.isthmian.co.uk

League TABLE

IsthmianLeagueSouthEastDivision

Upcoming FIXTURES

DEANS v SITTINGBOURNE

Isthmian League Division One South East

Saturday 26th August | 3pm Kick Off

The Stanley Chase Stadium

LITTLEHAMPTON V DEANS

Isthmian League Division One South East

Tuesday 19th August | 7:45pm Kick Off

The Sportsfield

Away DAYS

DEANS V ASCOT UNITED

FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying

Saturday 9th September | 3pm Kick Off

The Stanley Chase Stadium

LITTLEHAMPTON V Horndean

Tuesday 19th August | 7:45pm Kick Off

ADDRESS: The Sportsfield, St Floras Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6BD

DISTANCE FROM FHP: 30 Miles

TRAVEL TIME: 39 Minutes (Via A27)

RAMSGATE V Horndean

Saturday 30th August | 3pm Kick Off

ADDRESS: Southwood Stadium, Price's Avenue, Ramsgate, CT11 0AN

DISTANCE FROM FHP: 141 Miles

TRAVEL TIME: 2 Hours 36 Minutes

DOUBLE CHAMPS!

Portland United were the opponents for the Deans’ last league game of the 22/23 season, which saw a 95th minute winner from the head of Zack WIllett dramatically claim the Wessex Premier Division title for Horndean, earning promotion to step 4 of non-league for the first time in the club’s 135 year history. The Deans finished with 98 points, 3 points clear of second place Bemerton Heath Harlequins, who also secured automatic promotion. The Champions Horndean would also boast the finest goal difference across the entire top 9 tiers of English football, with a GD of +105, made up of 126 goals, with only 21 being conceded all season in the league. Horndean marksman Zack Willett would also finish the campaign as top scorer in the league, finishing with 46 league goals.

A week on from the title success, Horndean would face PO title rivals AFC Portchester, in a Portsmouth Senior Cup semi final tie at Five Heads Park Connor Duffin opened the scoring in the first half, before a Rudi Blankson strike late on wrapped up a 2-0 victory, sending the Deans to the final at Fratton Park, where they would face Fareham Town, who had beaten Fleetlands on penalties.

With many of the first team players and staff returning from an end of season trip to Benidorm the same morning, the Deans would enter the hallowed turf of Fratton Park for the Portsmouth Senior Cup final. It was Fareham who took the lead, as Jones opened the scoring in the first half. Horndean looked to be out of the tie until late on, when Tom Jeffes lashed home a stoppage time equaliser, dashing the Creeksider’s hopes of silverware and sending the tie to a penalty shootout. Deans’ keeper Ellis Grant kept out the opening Fareham spotkick, as Horndean clinically scored all 5, with Ethan Robb delivering the knockout blow, and claiming the Portsmouth Senior Cup trophy for Horndean. Skipper for the day Luke Dempsey and fellow centre half Tom Jeffes would together lift the cup in front of the Fratton End, in what would be the duo’s final appearances for the club.

NLP COLUMN

IT SEEMS like only yesterday when FC Halifax Town’s Jack Senior held aloft the FA Trophy at Wembley to signal the end of the 2022-23 season. And what a campaign it was!

At the very top of the pyramid, we’ll probably never see of the like again; Wrexham and Notts County trading blows at the top of the National League table, both reaching well in excess of 100 points and scoring well in excess of 100 goals. The Hollywood juggernaut stationed at the Racecourse Ground reached destination Football League first before the Magpies had to negotiate a few twists and turns in the playoffs before eventually joining them in dock Under Phil Parkison and Luke Williams, both sides were absolutely outstanding, raising the bar for the rest to follow.

But it wasn’t just the National League which benefitted A rippling effect from Step 1 all the way down took NonLeague football to another level. All of a sudden, it wasn’t just Wrexham A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney getting all the attention, Non-League football had captured a wider audience – and for all the right reasons So, with Wrexham and Notts County now switching their focus towards their League Two campaigns – where they are expected to compete at the top end once again – the question is can Non-League football use that platform to push on and raise the bar even further? Well, it’s certainly made an encouraging start. With this week’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round in mind, nine leagues at Step 5 kicked off the new campaign last Saturday, July 29, drawing in decent crowds up and down the country

Undoubtedly, the biggest story of the day came at Bury FC, where almost 5,500 turned up to watch the newly-merged model of the old Bury FC and Bury AFC play their first ever league game at the town’s spiritual Gigg Lane home for the first time in three years

The biggest story of the summer, however, has centred around another famous old former Football League club –and sadly not for positive reasons At one point, longsuffering Southend United fans feared the club’s proud 117year history may grind to halt this summer amid debts of £2.5 million. As fans protested outside the home of underfire owner Ron Martin, the club were given extra time to clear a £275,000 tax debt and efforts to keep the Shrimpers

in the National League were being made Despite boasting a squad of just 10 senior players at one point, manager Kevin Maher finally got the go-ahead to begin the club’s preseason preparations and thanks to the hard work of supporters in tidying up the run down Roots Hall ground last weekend, a safety certificate was issued ensuring Southend could at least host their opening day game against Oldham Athletic this afternoon.

Maher, of course, performed miracles in keeping Southend competitive in the top half of the National League last season amid impossible restrictions, but the Shrimpers will need to pull out all the stops once again if the Essex club are to challenge for honours again this time round. That said, with last season’s big two gone, Non-League’s top-flight has a much more open look to it this time around with a number of former EFL big guns eyeing a route back into the top four tiers.

Chesterfield has spent well in the summer and will start as favourites, but cash injections at the likes of Oldham, York City and Eastleigh will certainly keep the Spireites on their toes. Last seasons relegated clubs – Rochdale and Hartlepool United – the former competing in Non-League for the first time – have got their houses back in order and will be desperate for an immediate return, while National League North and South champions, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet respectively, have momentum and ambition on their side.

The North, too, is wide open with Scunthorpe United spending big in a bid to put right the wrongs of last season’s relegation, similarly Torquay United, Maidstone United and Yeovil Town who make the South division as competitive as it has been in years

So, in the blink of an eye, August 5th is upon us and battle can at last commence. At the NLP, we feel your anticipation and will be with you every step of the way, taking you through the thrills and spills, the highs and the lows

It promises to be another cracker so let the games begin.

By Jon Couch

Horndean Brockenhurst

Manager: Michael Birmingham Manager: Pat McManus

Cameron Scott

Robbie Taw

Ethan Gee

Cade Dyer

Ethan Robb

Chad Field

Eddie Wakley

Ash Howes

Liam Kimber

Jack Breed

Tommy Scutt

Harry Jackson

Rudi Blankson

Connor Duffin

Dan Sibley

Zack Willett

Ellis Grant

Harrison Cable

Daniel Aitken

Sam Godfroy

Aaron O'Brien

Fin Walsh-Smith

Jordan Pile

Jake Wright

Next At Five Heads Park:

Horndean v Sittingbourne

26/08/23 | 3pm | Isthmian League

South East Division

James Mayo

Charlie Blake

Sonny Pike

Tom Sykes

Ronan Moore

Elliott Pearce-Eavis

Craig Stanley

Liam Griffin

James Shorey

George Pomeroy

Elliott Simpson

Alex Haynes

Marcelo Rossi

Callum Taylor

Leon Carbayo-Borges

Noel McCarthy-Gardiner

Lewis Philpott

Liam Nixon

Craig McAllister

Heath Bartram

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