Sutton Common Rovers v Leatherhead (VT)

Wed 21st December 2022 | 7:45pm KICK OFF Pitching In, Isthmian League | Velocity Cup (R4) Whyteleafe Sports Centre | Church Road | CR3 0AR

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Welcome to Leatherhead FC

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Leatherhead FC history

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Meet the Players

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Spot The Ball

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From the Gaffer

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Report v Northwood

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Velocity Cup draw

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League Table

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SCR Results

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Career records

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Non League Paper column

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Guest Ar cle

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23s Report v Dorkinians

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U18’s round up

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SCR History

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Spot the ball answer

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Team lists

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Always Making Memories Together

OUR PEOPLE

OUR HONOURS

Hon Chairman - Alan Salmon Hon Vice Chairman - Adrian Farley Hon General Secretary - Justin Salmon Hon Treasurer - Darren Salmon Match Secretary - Scott Wallage Youth Secretary - Mark Hargreaves Welfare Officer - Darren Brown

LEAGUE HONOURS Combined Counties League Premier Division: Runners-up: 2018–19 Combined Counties League Division One: Champions 2009–10; Runners-up: 2012–13

Management & Board: Gary Brigden, Mark Bruce, Steve Casserley Francois Gabbidon, Charlie Hands, Val Roots, Mick Murfet Alan Reed, Sharon Streets 1st Team Joint Manager - Darren Salmon 1st Team Joint Manager - Lee Flavin Head Coach - Liam Joyce Goal Keeping Coach - Sheikh Ceesay Sports Masseur - Anah Brown Physio - Geoff Moxey Kit & Equipment Manager - Tony Williams Stadium Emergency 1st Aid - Brent Wallage Matchday Media - Gary Brigden Photographs courtesy of: Gary Brigden Photography and Stuart Tree.

CUP HONOURS Combined Counties League Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup: Winners: 2018–19 Combined Counties League Division One Cup: Runners-up: 2008–09 Middlesex County League Premier Division Cup: Runners-up: 2007–08 Southern Combination Challenge Cup: Winners: 2016–17; Runners up: 2018–19 Surrey Premier Cup: Runners-up: 2009–10

OUR SOCIALS info@suttoncommonrovers.com www.suttoncommonrovers.com @official_scrfc facebook.com/suttoncommonrovers

Match Graphics courtesy of Football Web Pages

Sutton Common Rovers Football Club are an unincorporated members club run by volunteers.

Club officials & management committee are elected annually at the clubs AGM.

Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division

Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division

Sutton Common Rovers F.C

Leatherhead FC

WELCOME, SALUT, HOWDY, WILLKOMEN Good evening ladies and gentleman, Wishing you a warm SCR welcome to the Whyteleafe Sports centre for this evenings Velocity Cup fixture.

We would like to welcome the players, committee and supporters of Leatherhead FC, we hope they enjoy their stay with us this afternoon.

We would also like to welcome today's match officials, referee Mr Gerry Heron and his assistants, Mr Jordan Crichlow and Mr Stephen Matthews, again we trust they 4 enjoy their brief stay with us this evening.

WELCOME, SALUT, HOWDY, WILLKOMEN

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So we have just two games left in 2022, both here at the Whyteleafe Sports Arena. Tonight gives us a bit of a break from a league campaign that has seen the wheels come off in recent weeks.

At times we have bemoaned our luck and have not really picked up the points that we have deserved in matches. However that doesn’t really apply to the Northwood game. It has to be said that the first half was a tight affair and although on chances created Northwood will say they had the better of things, we were well in the contest and only a scramble in first half injury time saw us go in trailing. The less said about the second half, the better!

Onto brighter things, and tonight we find ourselves in the fourth round of the Velocity Cup, the furthest we have gone in the competition. Lets be honest though after our first round exit at Faversham last season we didn’t really have a lot to beat.

A bye in the First Round meant we came into the competition in Round 2 and had the short trip (Well 7 mile walk for one of us) to Three Bridges from the Isthmian South East division. A 2-2 draw, thanks to absolute screamers from Javin Dougan and Matt Surmon saw us go to penalties and a couple of Dan Purdue stops saw us through 4-3.

We followed that with a 1-0 win thanks to an early second half Tyrese Sutherland strike away at Binfield in a match that ended with players struggling to see the halfway line from the edge of the area as the fog descended.

Leatherhead are at this stage after an Ayuub Ali goal gave them a 1-1 draw away at East Grinstead Town, before they secured a 6-5 win on penalties.

In Round 3, they saw off Isthmian Premier side Kingstonian, thanks to goals from Jack Strange (an OG) and Lewis Pearch, which gave them a 2-1 win.

At stake tonight is a place in the Quarter Finals, and a trip to Isthmian Premier play off contenders Aveley.

Let’s try and get behind the lads tonight as they face a tough task to progress, against a Leatherhead side who have overcome a sticky start to the season and, odd result aside, are starting to pull themselves up the table.

After tonight’s clash, we host high flying Marlow on the 28th December for our final game of 2022. Obviously the Christmas period is a time for families and not travelling to far, so its great to see we have such a local derby that should really pull in the crowds...

Enough from me, enjoy the game, have safe trips home, and have a fantastic Christmas

TODAY’S OPPONENTS LEATHERHEAD FC FORMED: 1907 NICKNAME: The Tanners RECENT YEARS: After being elected into the Isthmian League, Leatherhead made national headlines in 1974-5 when they reached the Fourth Round proper of the FA Cup, defeating League sides Colchester Utd and Brighton & Hove Albion before bowing out to First Division Leicester City 2-3. In subsequent seasons, the Tanners defeated two more Football League sides at the Grove – Cambridge United and Northampton Town.

After the disappointment of defeat in FA Amateur Cup semi-finals in 1971 and 1974, the Tanners finally reached Wembley Stadium in 1978 but were beaten in the FA Trophy Final. The Club then entered a period of decline and were relegated in 1983 and in 1990, slipped down into Division Two South but were back in Division One in 1997. Finances were a problem and in the summer of 2000, the club was within a few days of folding but was saved by its supporters who took over following a crisis meeting.

In 2006-7, Leatherhead were the lowest ranked team to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing 1-2 at Football League side, Torquay United. Mick Sullivan was appointed First Team Manager in May 2009. Under Sullivan’s guidance, the club had its most successful season in years, winning the Isthmian League Cup (the first major trophy for some 40 years) and finishing the season in fifth place in the League before losing a play-off semi6 final.

The following season, a dramatic play -off victory against Dulwich Hamlet (4 -3 after extra time), saw The Tanners return to the Premier Division for the first time since 1983. Tanners stay lasted just the one season though. In 2013-14 Tanners reached the play offs again, this time edging out Guernsey 3-2, before winning a penalty shootout at Folkestone Invicta to return to the Ryman Premier Division.

Sammy Moore was appointed in the summer of 2017. In his first managerial job Sammy steered Tanners to the second round of the FA Cup, a County Cup Final and a top eight finish in the League before departing for Concord Rangers along with the majority of the team. He was replaced by former Margate boss Nikki Bull who, despite having to rebuild the squad, took the team to an 8th place finish narrowly missing out on the play-offs.

After a poor start to the 2021-22 season Luke Tuffs was appointed manager in January 2022. but was unable to steer the club out of the relegation places, although from a seemingly impossible position it was very close.

After an indifferent start to the new season Hayden Bird was appointed to the Fetcham Grove hot seat in October 2022.

Scan the QR code for full history.

DID YOU KNOW:

Leatherhead appears in several well known works of literature.

In the H.G.Wells novel The War of the Worlds, after the invasion of Earth, on the 10th day the entire town (where the narrator has sent his wife for safety) is obliterated: "it had been destroyed, with every soul in it, by a Martian. He had swept it out of existence, as it seemed, without any provocation, as a boy might crush an ant-hill, in the mere wantonness of power."

The Sherlock Holmes short story The Adventure of the Speckled Band is partly set near the town.

THE GROUND: Leatherhead play their games at Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead KT22 9AS. Parking is available at the adjacent Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Home fans are known to prefer the 'Shed End'. The ground was fitted with floodlights in the 1960s, and inaugurated their floodlights with a match against Fulham. In the summer of 2021, new floodlights were installed at Fetcham Grove.

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SELECTED HONOURS: Athenian League Division One Champions 1963/64 Corinthian League Champions 1962/63 Isthmian 2009/10

League

Cup

Winners

Isthmian Charity Shield Winners: 2010/11, 2011/12 Isthmian Division One South Play-off Winners: 2010/11, 2013/14 FA Trophy Finalists 1977/78 Southern Combination Cup Winners 1989/90 Surrey Senior Cup Winners 1968/69 Surrey Senior League Cup Winners 1949/50 Surrey Senior Shield Winners 1968/69

MEET THE PLAYERS THE TANNERS MANAGEMENT:

HAYDEN BIRD - Experienced manager who was appointed to the Fetcham Grove hot seat in October 2022. Over the course of the last twenty years he has had successful spells as manager at Croydon Athletic, Carshalton Athletic, Merstham and Kingstonian. Achievements with the various clubs include a number of promotions, exciting runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy and a number of County Cup successes.

TUTU HENRIQUES - Tutu has a wealth of experience as both a player and coach and has worked closely with Hayden at Bromley, Merstham and Kingstonian.

THE PLAYERS:

ARCHIE BURNETT - Young midfielder on loan from Bromley. He also spent the second half of last season on loan at Fetcham Grove. Has also played for Margate.

LOUIS COLLINS – November signing from Kingstonian. Louis is a full back who was an integral part of the Walton & Hersham side that gained promotion to the Isthmian League in 2022 having progressed through the Swans youth team. Has also appeared for South Park.

JAKE EALES - Former QPR youngster who has spent the last six seasons with Wingate & Finchley. Also had a spell on loan at Welwyn Garden City. A local lad, Jake signed for his home town team in September 2022.

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JAKE EALES - Former QPR youngster who has spent the last six seasons with Wingate & Finchley. Also had a spell on loan at Welwyn Garden City. A local lad, Jake signed for his home town team in September 2022.

MICHAEL ELECHI - a Manchester United Youth graduate, having come through the ranks at Old Trafford. Michael started his youth career at Manchester United, joining their Academy in 2016, but was released in 2018. He subsequently joined Oxford United and signed his first professional contract in December 2018, lasting until summer 2022. Had been playing for Salisbury.

BEN FREMPAH - Experienced central defender currently on loan from Cheshunt. Has previous experience with Cray Wanderers, Ross County, Ebbsfleet Utd, Wycombe Wanderers and Hayes & Yeading.

DAN HECTOR – The speedy forward was an integral part of the Merstham and Kingstonian teams who enjoyed exceptional FA Cup campaigns. Dan is a former Leatherhead player, having appeared for a short spell under Nicky Bull. More recently, he has played for Carshalton Athletic and Sevenoaks Town.

SLAVOMIR HUK – Goalkeeper Slav played for Tanners in 2013 before enjoying tremendous success with Dorking Wanderers over the course of seven seasons. On a season long loan MO KONTE - Young defender who had spells in the youth and academy set ups at Brentford and Barnet before joining Wealdstone. Spent the last two seasons at Enfield Borough and Tower Hamlets

ROB McGOWAN – Defender signed from Southern Premier Met Police.

Hayden knows Rob, having elevated the young defender into the First Team Squad at Kingstonian last season.

MAX MULLINS – Young full back on loan from Aldershot Town. Also spent time at Fetcham Grove last season on loan from the Shots.

HARRY OSBORNE – A versatile defender Harry signed from Horsham having also played for both Merstham and Kingstonian under Hayden Bird.

After excelling Injuries have restricted his appearances in the last couple of seasons.

RHYS PAUL - The experienced central defender has featured for Millwall, Watford and Fulham at youth level, as well as AFC Hayes, Enfield Town, Marlow, Maidenhead United, Hitchin Town, Thurrock, Eastbourne United, Egham Town, Molesey and Salisbury City.

LEWIS PEARCH - Lewis is a young winger who was with Hayden at both Merstham and Kingstonian. He arrived from Chipstead in October 2022.

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LUKE PHAIR – Youngster who came through the youth and Academy ranks at Aldershot Town and Woking.

JERRY PUEMO – Centre back signed in December from Sittingbourne. Previous clubs include Cheshunt, Kingstonian, Bognor Regis and Farnborough DAVE TARPEY - Experienced striker who began his career at Henley Town before joining Basingstoke Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Walton & Hersham, Chertsey Town and Farnborough. Tarps joined Maidenhead United in 2014. His goals helped Maidenhead win the National League South title before he signed for Barnet in 2017. Injury curtailed his time with the Bees and he reunited with former manager Alan Dowson at Woking. Last season he joined Bracknell Town helping them to promotion from Isthmian Division One South Central before signing for Tanners in June 2022. In all Tarps has scored close to 200 career goals. A prolific striker who adds real firepower to our frontline.

BACKROOM STAFF: ELLIOT MINTO – Coach KEITH BENJAMIN – Goalkeeping Coach OLIVIA Physio

BOULTON

MARK ALLEN – Kitman

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CAREER RECORDS

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SPOT THE BALL

Action from the recent Surrey Premier Cup tie between our U23’s and Dorkinians, but where is the ball...

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FROM THE GAFFER

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FROM THE GAFFER

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Darren Salmon gives his views on what’s been going on this week.

GB: How disappointing was it that Saturdays trip to Merstham fell foul to the weather, obviously it was expected, but you must have been looking forward to getting the lads out there after the Northwood result DS: Hi G, yes obviously it was disappointing as you want games to come thick & fast following defeats as that enables you to get back to business rectifying whatever is wrong. The flip side is, we had a number of players unwell so that may have been a minor benefit.

GB: Looking at Northwood, and I don’t really want to spend too much time on it, but can you explain what happened at the start of the second half.

We were in the game at the break, and five minutes later it was damage limitation DS: NO, ;-) Seriously, we failed to anticipate a few tweaks and make the necessary transitions but also I think the players were caught cold after their 1st half stoppage goal, that changed the team talk dramatically GB: We have a spell of huge games coming up, Marlow just after Christmas are flying high, whilst we have todays opponents early in the New Year and a trip to Guernsey. We need to start putting some wins on the board.

DS: Not sure what the question is G, but yes we do and we have a target for where we want to be at the end of January which we feel is achievable and realistic.

GB: You have bolstered your forward line with the signing of Shakeel Morris for Witham Town, can he be the missing piece of the puzzle, and will we see him tonight?

DS: Shak is a player we’ve wanted for a while now since I first saw him at Northwood, honestly though G, as highly as we rate the lad I don’t want to place that responsibility on any one player, the whole group needs to rediscover their belief right now GB: Finally, it’s a break for the league campaign this evening, as you welcome Leatherhead for a Velocity Cup tie, what are you expecting from the game?

DS: Of course a tough game G, but also more importantly a chance for us to work at a few things in a competitive game that Liam and Cornelius have been working with the lads on in training, ready for the upcoming league matches that you’ve correctly identified will come think 7 fast in January - Enjoy the game, cheers

MATCH REPORT: NORTHWOOD

Rovers slumped to their fifth straight league defeat at a bitterly cold Whyteleafe Sports Arena. When things are going against you the last thing you need is a visit from the league leaders, but that was what face Rovers.

Three goals in a five minute spell either side of half time saw Northwood run away with things and in the end Rovers only consolation was a stoppage time strike from Brian Testolin.

Darren Salmon made two changes to the side that had lost to Westfield last time out, with skipper Rhamar Garrett-Douglas back from suspension and Franklin Nzeh coming into the line up, the injured Bertie Lloyd, and Tyrese Sutherland missed out.

The visitors started brightly with the lively Juwon Akintunde forcing a tidy stop out of Rovers keeper Endurance Johnson in the opening minutes, and it was generally the league leaders on top. However aside from the early stop Johnson wasn't unduly troubled until midway through the half when he was quick off his line to deny Akintunde again.

For Rovers, speculative long range efforts from Kyron Richards and Shawn Lyle failed to trouble Andrew McCorkell in the Northwood. Cox did force McCorkell into a decent save on the half hour but Northwood went close again shortly after when we failed to clear a Luke Tingey throw in and Micah Jackson crashed an effort off the underside of the bar.

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As the half started to run down we had our best spell, and a Richards header flashed across the face of goal, and after a neat move involving Cox and Connor French, Lyle fired over the bar.

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Northwood snatched the opening goal deep into first half stoppage time. Ricardo Alexander-Greenway flicked on a corner, Akintunde and Romario Jonas had shots blocked before Tingey crashed home the ball to give Northwood a first half lead.

Whatever Darren said to the lads at the break went out of the window immediately as two goals in a five minute spell saw the Woods take an unassailable 3-0 lead. Jake Tabor and Alexander-Greenway combined to release Jackson and his low cross was headed home by a diving Andy Lomas, and it got worse for Rovers on 50 minutes when Carl Stewart's near post cross was headed home by Akintunde.

We were now on damage limitation and Johnson saved well frobem Akintunde before Jackson increased their lead midway through the half. A corner cleared back to Jackson ended up with him crashing the ball home via a deflection.

We never threw in the towel though and McCorkell saved well from a near post Cox effort and the latter went close again as he shot wide after a jinking run into the Northwood box. It was 5-0 on 82 minutes as Tabor’s near post corner was helped on by Alexander-Greenaway and fired home by Josh Helmore.

We finally gained a consolation deep into added time Testolin firing beyond McCorkell to give the Rovers faithful something to cheer.

Image taken from the Northwood twitter account: Copyright: James Brown

VELOCITY CUP DRAW Round 1 Chichester City 2-1 Burgess Hill Town Coggleshall Town 1-2 Basildon Utd Felixstowe & Walton Utd 3-1 Witham Town Binfield 3-0 Marlow Ramsgate 2-0 Hythe Town New Salamis 2-3 Chertsey Town Grays Athletic 0-2 Tilbury Chatham Town 2-1 Sheppey United Round 2 Whitehawk 4-0 Ashford United Corinthian 0-1 Sittingbourne Sevenoaks Town 2-1 Tooting & Mitcham Utd Maldon & Tiptree 1-2 Hashtag United Westfield 1-2 Southall Chertsey Town 0-2 Felixstowe & Walton Utd East Grinstead 1-1 Leatherhead

Walton & Hersham 1-1 Southall(WH

win 5-3 on penalties) Binfield 0-1 SCR Round 4

Haringey Borough 2-2 Enfield Town (HB win 4-3 on penalties) Margate 1-0 Folkestone Invicta Whitehawk 3-1 Hastings United Aveley 2-0 Bowers & Pitsea Hullbridge Sports 1-3 Potters Bar Town Carshalton Athletic v Walton & Hersham Chatham Town v Sevenoaks Town SCR v Leatherhead

(L win 6-5 on penalties)

Quarter Finals

(SCR win 4-3 on pens)

Aveley v SCR / Leatherhead

Three Bridges 2-2 SCR

South Park (Reigate) 3-2 Ashford Town Walton & Hersham 1-0 Northwood Basingstoke Town 0-2 Binfield Chichester City 1-0 Haywards Heath Town Tilbury 3-1 Great Wakering Rovers Ramsgate 1-2 Faversham Town Basildon United 1-3 Hullbridge Sports Merstham 0-3 Chatham Town Round 3 Hashtag United 1-1 Haringey Borough (HB win 3-1 on penalties) Aveley 2-1 Tilbury Horsham 2-3 Whitehawk Folkestone Invicta 5-0 Faversham Town Brightlingsea Regent 1-3 Bowers & Pitsea Felixstowe & Walton United 1-2 Enfield Town Billericay Town 1-3 Potters Bar Town Hastings United 2-1 Corinthian Casuals Chichester City 0-1 Margate Hullbridge Sports 3-2 Wingate & Finchley Carshalton Athletic 4-2 South Park (Reigate) Chatham Town 3-0 Sittingbourne Herne Bay 3-1 Sevenoaks Town Leatherhead 2-1 Kingstonian 16

Round 3 cont

Chatham Town / Sevenoaks Town v Carshalton Ath/Walton & Hersham Margate v Whitehawk Potters Bar Town v Haringey Bor.

ISTHMIAN ADVERT

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LEAGUE TABLE (as at 18.12)

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Rovers Round-Up (Fixtures & Results) DATE

COMP

6th Aug 10th Aug 13th Aug 27th AUG 29th Aug 3rd Sep 10th Sep 21st Sep 24th Apr 1st Oct 4th Oct

FAC EP FAC EP Rep ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC FAT ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC

A H A H A H A H A H A

Fisher FISHER Chipstead CHERTSEY TOWN Marlow GUERNSEY East Thurrock Utd BEDFONT SPORTS Northwood SOUTHALL Binfield

H/T F/T SCORER(S) H/ H/ H/ F/T F/T F/T SCORER(S) T T T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 4 3 Lyle 2 (1p), Lloyd, Richards 0 1 0 5 2 0 2 1 Halsey 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 Diomande 0 1 0 3 0 2 1 2 Mampolo 1 1 1 1 Lyle (p) 1 2 2 3 Dougan, OG

8th Oct 15th Oct 18th Oct

ILSC ILSC VT R2

A A A

South Park (Reigate) Thatcham Town Three Bridges

0 1 1

0 0 1

0 2 2

1 1 OG, Lyle 2 Dougan, Surmon (SCR win 4-3 on pens)

22nd Oct 5th Nov 12th Nov 15th Nov 19th Nov

ILSC ILSC ILSC SCC ILSC

H A H A A

TOOTING & MITCHAM UTD Basingstoke Town WALTON & HERSHAM Abbey Rangers Hanworth Villa

2 1 1 4 1

0 1 0 2 2

3 1 1 4 1

0 2 0 4 3

23rd Nov 26th Nov 29th Nov 3rd Dec 6th Dec 10th Dec

ILSC ILSC VT R3 ILSC SSC ILSC

H A A H A H

UXBRIDGE Ashford Town (Middx) Binfield WESTFIELD Egham Town NORTHWOOD

0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 2 1 1

0 1 1 0 0 1

2 2 Lloyd 0 Sutherland 2 3 5 Testolin

21st Dec 28th Dec 2023 2nd Jan 7th Jan 14th Jan 21st Jan 28th Jan 4th Feb 11th Feb 15th Feb 18th Feb 25th Feb 4th Mar

VT R4 ILSC

H H

LEATHERHEAD MARLOW

ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC

A H A H A A A A H A H

Leatherhead CHIPSTEAD Guernsey BASINGSTOKE TOWN Walton & Hersham Hanworth Villa Uxbridge Bedfont Sports SOUTH PARK (REIGATE) Southall BINFIELD

11th Mar 18th Mar 25th Mar 1st Apr 10th Apr 15th Apr 22nd Apr TBC

ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC ILSC

H A A H H A H A

THATCHAM TOWN Tooting & Mitcham Utd Chertsey Town MERSTHAM LEATHERHEAD Westfield ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDX) Merstham

2022

H/A

COMP

OPPONENTS OPPONENTS

19 ATT

137 116 65

ATT 168 114 115 78 190 68 185 64 162 47 104

Richards, OG, Tanga 96 Surmon 402 Lyle (p) 114 Sutherland, Baker, Tanga, Uzor (SCR 9-8 on pens) Halsey 122 81 67 92 56

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CAREER RECORDS

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Stats only include players still with the club

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By Jon Couch ORGANISING a game of football, at any level, is no easy task.

From ground staff to safety officers, from stewards to caterers, these people – volunteers more often than not – play a vital role in the day-to-day running of a matchday to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all those who click through the turnstiles.

But there is one thing that even these superheroes just can not control – the weather! As I’m sure you are all well aware, temperatures this week plummeted to 12-year lows in some parts of the UK, putting all best-laid plans into jeopardy.

The now obligatory winter footage of groundsmen and women up and down the country braving the big freeze to sweep snow off the pitch swamped social media, while fans too leant a helping hand. At Macclesfield, for example, early morning pleas from the club to join in the clean-up operation and ensure their game with Ramsbottom United went ahead were answered by a large pool of their loyal fanbase and they certainly played their part in a 4-0 win.

But, unfortunately, these things don’t always go quite to plan and when Jack Frost does decide to play havoc with the football calendar things can get, well, a little bit ice-cold.

Let’s start with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, for example, after players, staff, officials and fans were left “furious” after their Southern League Premier Central match at Needham Market was called off just 40 minutes before kick-off, ensuring a wasted 174-mile round trip.

Later that evening, Needham Market said in a statement: “The football club would like to put on record it's sincere apologies to everyone connected to our opponents AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Needham Market players and staff, and supporters of both teams who arrived for the 1:00pm kick off.

“Upon the match officials arrival they carried out a pitch inspection but despite much deliberation they agreed to postpone the match at 12:15pm. “No further comment will be made by the Football Club surrounding the issue.”

And it wasn’t just AFC Rushden & Diamonds left with a bitter pill to swallow. Hendon, too, were left aggrieved after travelling two-and-a-half hours to Yate Town – on a coach costing over £1,000 - only for the game to be called off shortly after their arrival.

To make matters worse for the Greens, Yate’s Lodge Road pitch had reportedly passed a 10am inspection carried out by the referee’s assistant. Furious Hendon boss Lee Allinson tweeted at the time: “Arrived at Yate, two-and-a-half hours on a coach, game off! Shambles, nowhere neat playable.”

And it was the same also for Hendon’s league rivals Winchester City, who suffered the same fate of a late postponement on their arrival at Poole Town’s Black Gold Stadium.

Sadly, this is nothing new in Non-League football. While 90 per cent of postponements are announced in good time to prevent the visiting team from travelling unnecessarily, there will always be occasions where it’s difficult to avoid.

I do feel, though, that in an era where we can send a man to the moon and launch the worldwide web then surely a protocol can be put in place to prevent this from continuously happening?

Safety of the players can never be compromised when it comes to frozen pitches – and if lastminute calls suggest that a pitch may be 50/50 playable, then I would argue that it’s not.

No-one wants any frosty atmospheres at Christmas.

Have a good one.

The Untold Game The First World Championship ‘We all know that the very first World Cup took place in 1930, and was won by Uruguay. The final was a thrilling match between the winners and their bitter South American rivals Argentina, who saw themselves as the leading footballing force, especially in the absence of the Home Nations. Uruguay would go on to win a second World Cup in 1950. But if you looked closely at their shirts at this World Cup, you would have noticed that they have not two, but four stars above their national crest, representing the four times they have been world champions. Without adding any success after 1950, just where did these other two stars come from?

The World Cup was dreamed up by Jules Rimet, who gave his name to the first trophy (gifted to Brazil after their third win in 1970, and subsequently stolen). After his appointment as FIFA President in 1921, and despite losing the membership of the English, Scottish and Welsh Football Associations, he quickly began plans for the globalisation of the game. He would be President for over three decades, and grew FIFA’s membership from just a dozen nations to nearly one hundred in that time, but his lasting legacy has been the World Cup. Not that a standalone World Cup was an obvious development. FIFA had drawn up plans for a competition like that almost immediately from its inception in 1904, and it’s difficult to ignore Rimet’s influence in that inception.

However, the idea of a global competition, held in the summer every four years, had already been enacted, and so the easiest route to achieving this in football was to add their sport to the newly existent Olympics. Which is how we come to Uruguay’s extra stars.

Unofficial reports claim that an unofficial tournament was held at the same time as the first Olympics in 1896, and it was included officially in 1900 and 1904, but not recognised by FIFA because of the disorganised nature of the competition; no ‘national’ sides were sent, and the teams were selected almost at random. In 1908, the competition became a little more formal, with Great Britain winning the gold medal, and retaining it in 1912. A break was enforced in 1916 because of the First World War, but the competition resumed in 1920 where Belgium picked up the winner’s medal. The problem was, however, that the competition was not truly global. Only European teams had competed, with the exception of Egypt in 1920, so FIFA could not recognise any of the winners as ‘world champions’. That would change in 1924.

Turkey were recognised as an African side, so their inclusion in Paris in 1924 was a step in the right direction. More significantly, the USA sent a side, as did Uruguay, meaning that both of the American continents were represented. For the first time, FIFA would get a look at a global competition.

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It was the South Americans who blew the competition away, beginning with the 7-0 mauling of Yugoslavia. Nineteen year old Pedro Petrone got the first two goals of what would be a legendary international career. In the second round, he got two more in a 3-0 victory over fellow debutants the United States.

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The quarter finals were supposed to represent the first real test for the South American outfit, Rimet’s own France who had experience of a few Olympic Games by this point. The French side could do very little against the exciting attacking display that Uruguay offered, with Jose Leandro Andrade, ‘The Black Pearl’, dictating play and the effervescent Petrone tormenting his opponents with another brace. Uruguay ran out 5-1 winners, setting up a more terse affair against the Netherlands.

Unlike the French, the Dutch really were a good footballing side. They took the lead in the 31st minute, Feyenoord’s Cornelis Pijl finding the net, before Jose Cea levelled up on the hour. Petrone would once again be the difference, however, and converted a late penalty to send the Olympic debutants to the final. A simpler affair against Switzerland saw them run out 3-0 winners, and be declared footballs first true world champions.

They would repeat the feat four years later in the Netherlands, but this time their bitter rivals Argentina gave them a much tougher time, taking the final to a replay and just losing out. Petrone scored in that final as well. And FIFA has seen enough. Two years later they launched their own competition, and in Uruguay they had the perfect hosts. They won again, becoming the only side - so far – to be world champions three successive times. And yes, Petrone was involved once again. Recognising that achievement, FIFA allows them a third, and fourth, world championship star.

Enjoy the game.

Martyn Green, The Untold Game (Find more at TheUntoldGame.co.uk and on social media, @TheUntoldGame)

MATCH REPORT: U23’S v DORKINIANS The 23’s bowed out of the Surrey Premier Cup in disappointing fashion when they were well beaten by a strong Dorkinians side.

The visitors, who topped the AFA Premier division with a 100% record, were out of the blocks quickly and only a couple of minutes in, Alfie Elsey saved well from a low Charlie Woodman shot.

A powerful experienced side were causing our young lads all sorts of problems and continued to hold the upper hand. Craig Kingswell headed goalwards on 12 minutes bringing another tidy stop out of Elsey.

LINE UP: 1. Alfie Elsey 2. Malcolm Dixon 3. Ben McCabe 4. Tyler Hargreaves 5. Brissi Iwen Kouakou 6. Davis Nzeribe 7. John Erne 8. Aaron Hunt 19. Abz Coulibaly 10. George Baker 11. Harry White 12. Luke Guest 14. George Owusu 16. Kyren Simpson-Cameron

We gradually started to get a foothold in the game, keeping the ball and moving it around the pitch quite nicely. However Dorkinians soon reasserted themselves and forced a spell of corners that came to nothing.

Midway through the half a ball split Davis Nzeribe and Brissi Iwen-Kouakou but Kingswell could only fire the chance wide. The pressure finally told ten minutes before the break, a great cross field ball by George Warne found Woodman and he calmly fired beyond Elsey for 1-0 and a half time lead for the visitors.

It was 2-0 early in the second half, a low cross by James Herrovin was tapped home at the back post by Kingswell.

It was 3-0 on the hour, another ball through the middle setting Kingswell away and as Elsey came out, he poked the ball under him for 3-0.

And it was a similar situation five minutes later with the same outcome and Kingswell making it 4-0 and notching his hat-trick.

Jack Wibbey fired wide on 77 minutes, and five minutes from time Elsey saved well from a close range shot, with Tyler Hargreaves able to clear the danger.

We found ourselves down to nine men moving onto 90 minutes with two injuries and all subs used leaving us short.

In stoppage time we almost snatched a consolation but John Erne saw his 40 yard effort drift wide of the left hand post, and with it our hopes of a consolation ended,.

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MATCH PICS: DORKINIANS

Top: Aaron Hunt challenges the Dorkinians midfielder; Inset: Keeper Alfied Elsey and Tyler Hargreaves; Below: Brissi Iwen-Kouakou challenges the Dorkinians forward

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U18’s ROUND UP:

As we reach the midway point of the Isthmian Youth East season, the lads are well placed to repeat last years title feat.

The lads made a bright start to the league campaign winning their first four games, before a disappointing 4-1 defeat away at Cray Valley PM took the league out of our hands.

However since that defeat, Cray have slipped up and we have recorded three successive wins to put the destination of the title back in our own hands.

As with last season it looks to be another close run thing in the division but the lads play some stunning football at times, and with the prolific George Vincent up top we look dangerous in every game.

Cup performances have not been as good as last year, and we bowed out of the FA Youth Cup early on, going down 2-1 to Corinthian Casuals, a free kick with the last kick of the game knocking us out.

We also exited the league cup early on going down 5-1 to Hampton & Richmond Borough, however, there were mitigating circumstances, Royal Russell first team had a game that day, and the second string played the game, and we no match for Hampton.

We still have a Surrey Floodlit Cup fixture to keep our cup hopes going, and that 26 sees us host Chipstead, with the winners entertaining Glebe in the next round.

10% Discount throughout December & January

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF: SUTTON COMMON ROVERS SATURDAY SUCCESS

FORMED: 1978

NICKNAME: THE COMMONERS JUST A S..T SUNDAY SIDE Ah, the cry from the Eastbourne Town fans back in the day as they romped to a 2-0 lead in the Vase, before we struck back to win 3-2.

Well, truth be told that’s where it all started back in 1978, when INRAD FC took to the field, the club being founded by current Chairman Alan Salmon. Not long after Centre 21 came about following a sponsorship deal with a local youth centre.

Once players left having reached 21, a new name came about: Sutton Common Rovers FC, which quickly abbreviated to SCR followed by whichever public house sponsored the team.

Seasons followed in the Leatherhead & District, Mitcham & District, and Croydon & District Sunday league, with varying degrees of success before Darren Salmon took the plunge and moved the team into Saturday football.

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The 2004/5 season saw that Saturday move. After a couple of seasons in the Surrey South East Combination and the Middlesex County League we took our place in the Combined Counties League for the 2008/09 season.

Darren made the bold statement that he wanted to be an Isthmian side within five seasons. Well, it took a bit longer but we eventually got there.

Our time in the CCL was full of ups and downs. Missing out on promotion in our opening season on goal difference, by 1 goal (as it turned out a missed penalty against Dorking in our penultimate game was key as it meant they had a 1 goal better goal difference than us).

Promotion followed the next season, and two seasons in the Premier culminated with relegation back to Division 1 in 2011/12. We bounced back up immediately, but then spent three seasons struggling in the Premier division before a change in fortunes in 2016/17 saw a mid-table finish.

It was all upwards after that, missing out on promotion with 3rd and 2nd finishes by one place in consecutive seasons. However, we finished top on PPG after two abandoned seasons to finally move to the Isthmian League.

IT’S A FAMILY THING

CUP GLORY (ish)

As said, chairman Alan Salmon founded the side back in 1978, and his boys, Darren and Justin, both played for the club once the were old enough.

We have a proud cup-fighting tradition, often getting the better of higher ranked sides.

Darren progressed to First Team manager, in around 2000 while we were still a Sunday side, something he has continued to the present day.

Justin has since been co-manager of the First team with Darren and reserve team manager, all alongside managing the Sunday sides.

He is now the club secretary.

We were also ahead of the game in terms of getting ladies involved in the club. Alan’s daughter Tracy joined the fun when the SCR Colts were formed and quickly established herself behind the tea bar counter.

For good measure her other half Mark became youth secretary, a role that he held until the start of this season.

Throw into that that all Alan’s grandchildren (Sam: #forever7, forever missed; Tyler, Reece and Blake, and Ethan) all played for the club, with Blake and Reece now involved on matchdays. As you see, we are truly a family club.

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It’s not all been glory though as we suffered heartbreak twice in finals, losing 1-0 to Staines Lammas in the CCL Division 1 final in the 2008/09 season, and the following year we lost to Sutton Utd Reserves in the Surrey Premier Cup Final, 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The 2016/17 season saw the club secure it’s first Saturday trophy with a 4-1 win over Camberley Town in the Southern Combination Challenge Cup. Semi final defeats followed the next season in the Southern Combination Cup and the EL Records Premier Challenge Cup, which saw a heartbreaking 97th minute goal against Worcester Park to lose 3-2.

In 2018/19 we reached two cup finals, with defeat after extra time against Walton Casuals 4-2 in the Southern Combination Cup. The club finally secured the EL Records Premier Challenge Cup. An 84th minute strike by Matt Farrell securing a 1-0 win over CB Hounslow Utd. There has been some success in the FA Vase, with the 5th Round reached in the 2019/20 season, but it ended in disappointment away at Western League Bitton AFC when we lost 2-1.

The FA Cup has been hit and miss with exits in the Extra-Preliminary Round before the 2021/22 season saw us reach the 2nd Qualifying Round for the first time.

SPOT THE BALL ANSWER

Well done to all of you who spo ed it where it was

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Take your match notes here...

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The ‘Rovers’ V The ‘Tanners’ Wednesday 21st December 2022 | 19:45 KO Velocity Cup (Round 4) Match Officials: Ref Mr Gerry Heron Assistants: Mr Jordan Crichlow & Mr Stephen Matthews

Manager: Darren Salmon

Head Coach: Haydn Bird

Next Up at Home Marlow 7:45KO Wednesday 28th December 32