SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER
BY BILL SCHOLES
No. 21
Saturday 12th January
A freezing cold afternoon and some very strange results, as well as loads of goals, as the
promotion and relegation battles begin to hot up, or perhaps it’s just the New Year resolutions to
try harder beginning to kick in!
There were 5 hat tricks to celebrate this week. Pride of place goes to Lewis Putman of Oxhey Jets who
scored five times for his club against Hertford Town, and he was closely followed by Sam Ward of Aston
Clinton who hot the back of the net four times against Wolverton Town. The three normal hat tricks came
from Billy Healey of Hanwell Town, Jordan halls of Wodson Park and Lewis Dean of Risborough Rangers.
PREMIER DIVISION
Rather a topsy-turvy week in the Premier this Saturday, as the spotlight was firmly on the foot of
the table as the battle to avoid the relegation spots began to hot up. All three of the bottom clubs,London Tigers, Holmer Green and Hillingdon Borough - going into Saturday’s fixtures , won their
respective games and have now drawn Hertford and Hatfield into the dogfight. At the top, leaders
Dunstable Town were not in action, allowing Oxhey Jets to reduce the deficit to five points.
Bottom club London Tigers gained a very welcome victory away at Colney Heath, only their third three
pointer of the season. With just over an hour gone, Tigers were two goals up, thanks to Emmanuel
Njodzika and Wada Ahmidi, and although Dean Parratt pulled one back shortly afterwards, Carl Osbourne
soon restored the two goal cushion. Back came Colney and Paul Armstrong made it 3-2 with 8 minutes
left, but Tigers held on to gain the valuable three points , which they probably thought would have take
them off the bottom. However, they reckoned without almost certainly the surprise and the performance of
the day as Holmer Green beat high flying St. Margaretsbury 3-0 at home. Was it overconfidence on the
part of the visitors but Holmer’s battling performance belied their lowly position. They took the game to the
Bury from the start, and both Rashid Obbadi and Kieran Webb saw efforts narrowly miss the visitors’ goal
early on before Obbadi fired home from 15 yards following defensive uncertainty. Long time servant Tom
Alabaster and fresher Michael Green stood firm at the back as the visitors looked to hit back, and the lead
was doubled in first-half stoppage time as a miss-kick from a Saints’ defender carried through to Dean
Allen who kept his composure to slot home. The visitors redoubled their efforts in the second half, but
could not find a way past a determined Holmer defence, with keeper Dan Little outstanding, and skipper
Allen added his second, and Green’s third, from the penalty spot with just under twenty minutes left. Third
from bottom Hillingdon Boro also excelled as they also recorded only their third victory of the season in an
exciting 5-3 home win over Stotfold. The visitors took an early lead through Kim Forsythe, but two goals
from Jon Constant and Ben Gill put Boro in front before an unfortunate OG just before half time levelled
the scores. The second period belonged to Boro and goals from Jimmy Froud, Constant, again and Paul
Summers put them on course for this important win which moved them two places up the table. Individual
performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Lewis Putman of Oxhey Jets who scored five times as they
turned on the after burners in their 7-1 demolition of visitors Hertford Town 7-1. Also on the mark for the
high flying Jets were Danny Tilbury and Ian Bywater. Hertford’s sole reply came from Nathan Todd. How
Hertford could have done with the services of their former striker Billy Healey who moved to Hanwell
earlier in the season and knocked in another hat trick for his new club as they came away from
Leverstock Green with a 4-0 victory under their belts. Ricky Pither scored Hanwell’s other goal. Perhaps
still recovering from the upcoming move of star striker BJ Christie to their near and dear neighbours
Dunstable Town, AFC Dunstable turned in a below par performance against visitors Harefield Utd, who
took all the spoils thanks to a 35th goal from Daniel Fleming. There was little on offer to warm the cockles
of the supporter’s hearts at Tring Athletic. In a match where effort was more on display than quality and in
a game of limited goal mouth action visitors Biggleswade Utd reaped the benefits of a solo goal from
Robbie Freeman who held off challenges as he ran from the half way line before slipping the ball under
keeper Mike Underwood.
DIVISION ONE
More surprise results at the top end of the table, with Cockfosters and Kings Langley being the
only sides in the top eight to record victories. Cockfosters moved themselves up from 6th to 2nd as a
result of their win at Stony Stratford, whilst Kings Langley moved up a couple of places after beating
leaders Harpenden Town. Both sides were missing key players through injuries, but it was Kings who
struck first after just 5 minutes when Jack Johnson latched onto a wayward back pass to beat keeper Matt
Lord. Harpenden’s woes continued when they lost in form striker James Ewington to an early injury but
despite huffing and puffing from both sides the score remained one nil at half time. The second half was
almost one way traffic as the home side dominated the game and once Craig Preston had doubled their
lead ten minutes after the break, the result never seemed in doubt as Kings Langley ran out worthy
winners. High flying Cockfosters were the visitors to Ostlers Lane and won a narrow victory over a
determined Stony Stratford team by 2 goals to 1. Stony had the better of the first half and scored in just 3
minutes when a great pass by Danny Nichols found Shaun Carr who raced through to shoot past Gary
Ross in the Cockfosters goal. Few further efforts came to much for Stony and the best Cockfosters could
manage was a free kick that was shot straight at keeper James Howarth. Thus the half ended with Stony
in control but with a slender lead. Cockfosters came out for the second half in determined mood and
Anton Lewis had an early chance, which went wide. Another Cockfosters chance went begging when
Lorenzo Ferrari headed over from a free kick. But the equaliser goal soon came when Lewis headed in a
cross on 54 minutes after a great save by keeper Howarth. Stony fought back and Carr should have
scored on 66 minutes but Ross in the Cockfosters goal saved with his legs. Another Stony effort from a
corner saw a shot cleared off the Cockfosters goal line. Cockfosters also had a great chance to score but
Bilal Butt, through on goal; saw his shot well saved by Howarth. But the vital goal came on 73 minutes
when a cross by Emond Protain was headed into the home net by Carlvin George to put Cockfosters
ahead. Stony had a couple of chances to save the match but failed to find the net from good positions.
Cockfosters had a final chance but once again Howarth saved from Butt when perhaps he should have
scored. All in all a good game played on a difficult pitch and Stony were unlucky not to get a point from
this Match. Crawley Green lost their second home game in four days after going down 2-1 to mid table
Chesham Utd Reserves. It was 0-0 at half time, but Chesham broke the deadlock on the hour when they
worked the ball to the right and Will Orchard drove the ball past Dean Bull to make it 1-0. Crawley
responded well and Chris Gibson went through after being set up by Adam Reid on 71 minutes to smash
the ball past Robins in the Chesham goal. Keeper Bull then rescued Crawley with another great save
from Will Orchard but on 76 minutes Chesham regained the lead after Crawley conceded a free kick and
Sam Barker smashed the free kick past Bull from fully 20 yards. After twice taking the lead at home to
Southall, London Lions had to settle for a point in their close 2-2 draw. Adam Bolle put Lions in front just
before the break, only for Ibrahim Baah to bring Southall level on the hour mark. Bolle scored his second
ten minutes later to put Lions back in front but back came Southall and Myles Hippolyte made sure the
points were shared with just ten left on the clock. Another of the front runners who had to settle for a point
were Hoddesdon Town as they could only manage 1-1 draw away at Welwyn Garden City. Hoddesdon
went in to the match having won 9 of their last 10 league games and they took a 26th minute lead through
Jamie Brandon. The turning point of the game came just before half-time however when City striker Ade
Osobu was felled in the Hoddesdon box by Bostock. Having duly awarded the penalty, the referee then
allegedly sent off the wrong player. Mark Draper converted the penalty to level the scores. Jamie Brandon
put the Lilywhites in front halfway through the first period before Mark Draper equalised right on the stroke
of half time. Yet another draw occurred at The Gosling Stadium where hosts Codicote and visitors Sun
Postal Sports both failed to find the net. Cranfield Utd failed to build on their midweek win at Crawley
Green as they went down 3-1 away at Bedford. Jamie Cole and Ash Kersey put Bedford two up before
Ben Hayford gave Cranfield hope, but Kersey’s second goal of the game sealed the points for the home
side. After their morale boosting victory over local rivals Buckingham Athletic, Winslow Utd came back to
earth with a bump, going two down to rock bottom club New Bradwell St. Peter after 46 minutes, Ross
Stone scoring both. Winslow Boy was having palpitations on Twitter, but Claude Seanla saved his sanity
and rescued Winslow’s blushes with two goals in the 63rd and 68th minutes. Amersham Town’s
depressing run, taking just 4 points out of a possible thirty, continues as they lost 5-1 away at Wodson
Park. Wodson raced into a five goal lead with out reply before half time, Jordan Halls being the star of the
show with four goals as he took full advantage of Amersham’s abject performance. Dave Speller was also
on the scoresheet for Wodson, - Phil Sole getting Amersham’s sole reply in the second half.
DIVISION TWO
It was goals galore in this Division as 40 were scored in the 6 games played. Risborough Rangers
led the way with their 11-4 demolition of visitors Totternhoe as they enjoyed one of their biggest ever
victories in the SSMFL. Another bonus was the crowd of 52 which was only bettered by two other
attendances in the whole SSMFL programme. In the early stages in was a case of “we score, you score”
as the score stood at 3-3 not long before the break, but Risboro notched a further three before the Jaffa’s
came and another five afterwards. There was a hat trick for Lewis Dean, doubles for Jonny Horne and
James Shrimpton and singles from Joel Read, Andy Austin, Darryl Young and Rory Lonsdale. Jonathon
Clarke, Gary Simpson, and Ross Morrissey scored for Totternhoe in the first half, and Ben Harris added
their fourth in the second. Old Bradwell Utd made it 13 points from their last 5 games as they beat visitors
Hale Leys Utd by the odd goal in five. With just under an hour played the scores were level at 1-1, Sam
O’Neill opening for Bradwell and Waqar Mohamed levelling for Hale Leys, but two goals in the last half
hour put Bradwell on their way, although Tom Brindley’s penalty right at the end was a late consolation.
This win moves Old Bradwell up to 7th place. Leaders Aston Clinton walloped Wolverton Town 7-1 at
Greenleys with Sam Ward leading the way with four goals, two of which came in added on time. It was
tight between 3rd and 4th as Mursley Utd hosted Broxbourne Borough and the match ended honours even
in a 1-1 draw. Alex Collard gave Mursley the lead right on the stroke of half time but Dean Barker
equalised for Borough with 15 minutes left. A first half Bradley Currington hat trick put The 61 FC firmly in
control of their home game with Aylesbury Reserves, but the visitors fought back in the second period to
score three times and share the points. Pitstone & Ivinghoe won the battle between second and third from
bottom by beating Caddington 3-1 away and opening a slight gap between themselves and the bottom
two. Shane Bush scored a double for the visitors.
ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY -THIRD ROUND
It was Corinthians v Corinthians in this 3rd Round tie as the home side Chipperfield took on their Tring
counterparts. The very neat and tidy ground looked in fine fettle as the two sides produced an entertaining
game, which was settled in the second half by two goals from Tring’s Kerry Gordon and Trevor Gibb.
Chipperfield did pull one back late in the game with a penalty from Darren Caseman, but it was Tring who
move into the Quarter Finals where they will meet Kent Athletic.
HARPENDEN TOWN F.C. TO RECEIVE MAKE OVER
St Albans district council recently gave the go-ahead for the revamp of Harpenden Town Football Club’s
base on Green Belt land on the edge of Rothamsted Park. It is the culmination of many months of hard
slog by committed club volunteers who were fed up with vandals wrecking facilities at Amenbury Lane.
Early last year the club launched a big appeal to raise funds for redevelopment of the clubhouse admitting
that, after 120 years as a football club; if it failed it “could be the end of the road”. At the time, spokesman
Iain Sinnott said Harpenden Town wanted to end the “nightmare” of the wrecked pavilion and turn it into a
dedicated hub. This week a pleased Iain said that with the combination of gaining planning permission
and the team, “playing really well and currently being top of the league, as a club we have a big smile on
our faces”. However, although the project was moving forward, there was still much to do. Iain added:
“The club now wants to find a further eight to10 local football enthusiasts to come down and join the club
committee and help take the club forward with its plans. Many people all doing a little is the key to
success.” In its planning application the club explained the clubhouse was built in the 1950s, was in a
dilapidated condition and fell “well short of modern standards for such facilities”. Approval was given for a
1.8m-high fence, with a hedge planted in front, and gate, alteration of the building’s openings, installation
of security shutters, construction of a patio and footpath, to provide informal outside seating and ramped
access for those with disabilities, and relocation of a floodlight column.
NEW DIVISION TWO REPRESENTATIVE MANAGER
Congratulations to Tring Corinthian’s manager Simon Lacy who has been appointed to manage the
League’s Division Two representative team in the up coming F.A. Inter League Cup. Simon will be
assisted by his management team of Gerry Dimond and Jason Weinrabe. We have been drawn away in
the First Round to the Middlesex County League – date and venue yet to be decided.
F.A. VASE
The League would like to wish the very best of luck to Ampthill Town in this Saturday’s 4th Round of the
FA Vase. They are at home to Enfield 1893 from the Essex Senior League, conquerors of Dunstable
Town in the last round.
All news, views etc for inclusion in the Newsletter to
Bill Scholes
[email protected]