SAT 11 FEB 23 - STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) V WORCESTER PARK

STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (0) 0 WORCESTER PARK (0) 1

Staines suffered their first competitive home defeat since January 2022* when going down by a single goal to reigning league champions Worcester Park. A new face on the bench was Andy Tompkins, the recently recruited 'physio', who was welcomed to the club. The visitors made a disjointed start, with an 8th minute foul seeing Teuten cautioned (and quickly subbed) and skipper Cheesman sin-binned for dissent.

However, Staines were unable to capitalise, and Worcester Park soon gained to upper hand, with Kennedy forced into two fine saves. Canderton and Worcester Park’s Bridge were cautioned for fouls on 42 and 45+2 mins respectively.

Three minutes into the second half, Blendell got his head to a Worcester Park corner, and was only denied when a Staines defender helped it against the bar. Bartholomew was booked for a foul in the 55th. The only goal of the match came on 57, when Lee Wilson latched onto as through-ball, beating the offside, drew the ‘keeper, and rolled it home. Cheesman (65-m) and Batten received further bookings for the visitors, but Staines only real chance of drawing level came in the 90th when a great ball into the danger zone by Hogg was scrambled away.

There were just over 5 added minutes, and in the fourth of these Baker received his marching orders for comments to the referee, leading to a two match ban. Staines ended the day in 4th place, overtaken by both Worcester Park and Holloway, who also won. Bill Baker presented the Man of the Match award to Tom Betts.

* On 22 & 29 Jan ’22, consecutive home games were lost to AFC Royal Holloway (league) and NW London (Middx Intermediate Cup eventual winners).

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Paul Bartholomew (18 Luke Rippon 87), 3 Luke Halsey (15 Matt Hogg 66), 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Hamish Gwynne-Porter, 6 Jason Robertson (17 Josh Stewart 66), 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Tom Betts (14 Paul Baker 87), 9 Josh Hieke, 10 Josh Hooks (12 Ethan Leeks HT), 11 Jamie Ross.

WP:
1 Kevin Wheller, 20 Charlie Wood, 3 Archie Watkins, 4 Tom Resch, 5 Lee Wilson (14 David Bonsu 65+), 15 Tom Batten (17 Adam Carval 89), 7 Declan Teuten (6 Mason Reynolds 10), 8 Joseph Blendell, 9 Joe Cheesman ©, 16 Jordan Bridge (10 Joel Brown 75), 11 Christopher Burke; unused sub: 2 Tim Gale. [pink shirts (black trim); black shorts (pink trim); black socks].

Ref: John Lowe (Farnham, Surrey); ARs: P Baker / J Stewart / P Baker / J Robertson (S&LM subs), ? (WPFC); att: 69.

The Reserve/Under 23 side was without a fixture on 11th, and with the two sides just behind them contesting a league game, it was always likely that they would slip from 2nd to 3rd: this occurred with Hambledon beating Shottermill. During the ensuing week, Chiddingfold Reserves’ record was expunged, but they maintained 3rd spot even after being in cup action again on 18th.