Mikes Sport Blog

12/02/2024

TJ Barbato took his Sheerwater side to an in form Alton Town FC for another important League fixture. Alton were unbeaten in eight league games and sitting just outside the play-offs. Barbato was forced into changes for the game with no fewer than FIVE changes from the team that defeated Epsom & Ewell last time out. Michael Milne (suspended), George Sellick (unavailable), James Louison and Harvey Dosanjh (injured) and Frasier Osunkoya (on the bench)....

TJ Barbato took his Sheerwater side to an in form Alton Town FC for another important League fixture. Alton were unbeaten in eight league games and sitting just outside the play-offs. Barbato was f…

18/10/2023

COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH Sheerwater succumbed to a sixth straight defeat, albeit the performance was much improved. As is the pattern this season, The Sheers create many chances and look impressive going forward but defensively shoot themselves in the foot conceding far too many goals. Another four were shipped against a very average Fleet side, who are in the process of finding a new Manager....

COMBINED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH Sheerwater succumbed to a sixth straight defeat, albeit the performance was much improved. As is the pattern this season, The Sheers create many chances and…

13/09/2023

Sheerwater welcomed big spending Farnham Town to the Eastwood Centre hoping to be the first team to take points off them this season. New signing, Theo White started for The Sheers and Wallace Rodrigues returned from injury but had to limp off early on with a hamstring strain. Both teams started on the front foot in searing temperatures in front of a crowd off 155....

Sheerwater welcomed big spending Farnham Town to the Eastwood Centre hoping to be the first team to take points off them this season. New signing, Theo White started for The Sheers and Wallace Rodr…

24/08/2023

For our third league game of the season it was a visit from Guildford City, under new management this season with Tristan Rees at the helm. Following the disappointment of our FA Cup exit last Saturday, there were six changes to the starting line-up due to holidays, injury and squad rotation. For the opening twenty minutes Sheerwater were all over Guildford and sailed into a 2-0 lead....

For our third league game of the season it was a visit from Guildford City, under new management this season with Tristan Rees at the helm. Following the disappointment of our FA Cup exit last Satu…

19/08/2021

SHEERWATER 2-0 FRIMLEY GREEN
COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
SHEER DELIGHT FOR RUGGLES
Pete Ruggles was understandably delighted with the win and the performance against Frimley Green.
Speaking after the game he said “It was the perfect performance, it deserved more goals than the score line showed. Saturday was unacceptable and the players know that. Competition for places is key and there are still players to come back. We have set a benchmark tonight of what we can produce and they need that attitude, commitment and spirit every week. It was a joy to watch them play tonight.”
Two goals, a clean sheet and plenty of efforts on goal entertained a healthy crowd. It was a 100% improvement from Saturday and sees the Sheers on to six points from three games.
The tempo from Sheerwater prevented Frimley Green from getting any rhythm and they constantly gave the ball away inviting attack after attack. Leon Dadey was a constant threat with speed and skill and his performance deserved a goal. George Dore controlled things in midfield ably assisted by Nathan Pooley. Scott Costello had his best game so far this season playing on the right of midfield.
Selim Saied looked a class act again taking players on and getting shots away. Frimley found it hard to handle him at times and he was fouled on a number of occasions. He had a hand in the first goal on thirty-nine minutes squaring the ball to Pooley who struck a sweet shot from the edge of the area giving Ashley West no chance. This was Pooleys’ first goal for the Sheers first team and what a way to get it.
The second half saw less chances created but it was the Sheers creating them. Dadey worked hard to create two chances for himself, one saved and one into the side netting. Saied picked out Anthony Ogbanufe with a pin point cross and his downward header was inches wide. Ash Hitchinson got forward and hit a low shot that was deflected for a corner.
At 1-0 there is always a chance that Frimley Green could create a chance to equalise but on this occasion Callum Backhurst was very rarely tested. The visitors got more frustrated as the game wore on picking up three quick cautions and then a red card when Cameron Miller clattered into a challenge on the half way line.
The win was confirmed on eighty-three minutes when Dadey burst into the area and was bundled over by Ross Ewen. George Dore stepped up and sent West the wrong way.
Backhurst, Hitchinson, Nutbeam, Pooley, Letch, Pearce, Costello, Dore, Ogbanufe, Saied, Dadey.
Subs used; Mundow, Kasibante, Kellett-Smith

08/08/2021

SHEERWATER V ERITH TOWN
EMIRATES FA CUP
EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
Following a fairly decent pre-season the Sheers went in to their first competitive game of the 21/22 campaign looking to secure a first ever win in the FA Cup at their third attempt.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be as the visitors, Erith Town scored a goal in each half to progress to the next round. Harry Gamble and Michael Power were both presented with fairly simple opportunities in the 12th and 68th minutes and the home side were not clinical enough in the final third.
It was a nervous start from both sides with passes going astray with neither side looking comfortable. The first chance was created by Sheerwater on six minutes as Matt Kellett-Smith crossed to the near post for Anthony Ogbanufe who shot wide under pressure from the Erith defender.
Erith scored the opener on twelve minutes and Sheers manager, Pete Ruggles will have been unhappy with the manner in which the goal was conceded. There appeared little danger as Erith came forward but a misunderstanding in defence saw Gamble through on goal with the freedom of the 18 yard area and he slotted past Callum Backhurst. Two minutes later and once again indecision at the back let Gamble in again but Jamie Pearce did well to block the effort.
The Sheers had a spell of pressure with George Dore putting a dangerous ball into the area but a wayward defensive header fell kindly for Andy Walker to gather. Kellett-Smith set Nathan Pooley up but his effort from 18 yards was just off target and then a beautiful through ball from Scott Costello was just ahead of Francis Sey giving Walker the chance to come out and clear.
Right on half time a free kick from Dore twenty-five yards out smacked the bar and Erith were able to clear.
Backhurst was busy early in the second half with two good saves as Erith looked for a quick start. Tom Hegarty came on for Sey and almost equalised soon after following good work by Billy Nutbeam. His cross found Hegarty at the near post and as he swivelled and shot, Walker was out quickly to smother the effort.
Erith then came back in to the game and secured the victory on 68 minutes. Nutbeam appeared to have been shoved of the ball but the Referee didn’t agree and Erith took full advantage with a slick move down the right and a fine cross was met by the experienced Michael Power with a free header he buried in to the bottom corner. At 2-0 the hosts didn’t look capable of getting back in to the tie but they continued to try and a couple of half chances came and went.
3-0 would have been harsh and 17 year old keeper, Backhurst made a fantastic one handed save to keep it at 2-0 with the final whistle coming soon after.
Erith Town Manager, Adam Woodward said afterwards that he was pleased to be through to the next round and to have kept a clean sheet but thought his team didn’t play particularly well and he said the same of Sheerwater with both sides giving the ball away too easily at times and both guilty of not defending well enough.
Sheerwater – Backhurst, Kellett-Smith, Nutbeam, Pooley, Parrott, Pearce, Dore, Costello, Ogbanufe, Sey, Dadey.
Subs Used – Hegarty, Letch, Kasibante.

19/09/2020

For my first blog of the season I attended Chalfont St Peter v Ashford Town (Middx) in the Pitching In Isthmian Football League, South Central Division.
Luke Tuffs, the newly installed Manager of Ashford Town (Middx) has had a busy summer assembling a new look squad with no fewer than eight players making their debut in today’s fixture. However, it was a player who was already at the club who was the match winner. Sam Humphreys curled in a beauty on 58 minutes at a time when the visitors were well on top,
Chalfont earned a penalty early on but Paul McCarthy flew to his left to make the save, the ball was crossed back in and a sitter was blazed over the bar. McCarthy was excellent throughout and was equal to everything thrown at him and even when he was beaten the post came to his rescue twice. He also was very vocal organising his back four and he can be pleased with his day’s work.
Another eye catching performance came from George Spiers in the centre of the park. He excelled in breaking up the play and almost gave Ashford the lead on 51 minutes with a powerful header from a Harry Woodward corner.
All in all it was a good day for the Tangerines, a win, three points and a clean sheet at a ground where they have struggled in the past. Luke Tuffs will enjoy the first three points of his career at this level as a Manager but will be working hard with his staff to look what can be improved on for his new look squad.
Attendance 82
Cautions – J Mngadi, J French
MOTM – Paul McCarthy

04/11/2019

Sheerwater 1-2 Camberley Town

Camberley edged a very close game with an injury time penalty, taking the spoils back to Krooner Park. Sheerwater piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and were rewarded late in the second half but this was undone in injury time when Garstang smashed home from the spot. The penalty was a real gift with the forward going away from goal but a slight touch sent him sprawling and much to the disgust of the home fans the man in black pointed to the spot.
Neither keeper was particularly busy but both made saves at crucial times. Blame could be apportioned to the young Camberley stopper for Sheerwater’s goal as he was out muscled when attempting to punch a corner away. Shane Rideout wanted it more and his header looped in to level things up.
Camberley play an attractive passing game with plenty of movement and Sheerwater were guilty of standing off at times with no pressure on the ball. The home side upped the tempo as the second half wore on and made life difficult for Camberley. Before the equaliser, Timmy Taylor forced Plumley into a fine save from a rasping left footed effort and Hegarty smacked the crossbar with a header. Sheerwater also had the weapon of a long throw but in general the away side dealt with any danger.
Camberley had opened the scoring on the break following a Sheerwater corner. The ball was fed to Zak Nash and he took it in his stride before placing a left footed effort in to the bottom corner.
This impressive win takes Camberley Town up to fifth in the table and Manager Steve Brown must be happy with how things are progressing with one of the youngest squads in the division.

Match reports on games I attend

17/08/2019

Report for Hanworth Villa v Camberley Town.

Hanworth Villa 1-2 Camberley Town
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier Division
Saturday 17th August 2019
An entertaining game at Rectory Meadow saw Camberley Town travel the short distance along the M3 and return to Surrey with all three points recording their first win of the season.
An even first half saw the hosts lead at the break but a stirring second half performance from Camberley resulted in goals from James Baxter and Adam Wareham. If it wasn’t for Terry Buss in the Hanworth goal the score-line could have been six or seven one. He thwarted Harry Rapley on no fewer than four times with wonderful saves, all one handed and all tipped around the post.
Hanworth Villa created a very early chance when Sinclair crossed from the right to Ryan Esprit who miss-kicked but the ball fell invitingly to Foster who saw his effort hit the inside of the post. Rapley was denied by Buss in the 5th minute when his powerful low strike was expertly turned around the post at full stretch. The next chance saw Villa’s Louis Taylor head over from 10 yards.
On 11 minutes Billy Upton incensed the home crowd and players with a late challenge on Esprit with calls for a red card heard loud and clear. However, the Referee deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card. Camberley had the next attempt following a patient build up but Mark Jordan saw his shot go high and wide. Play flowed from end to end with Sinclair for the hosts wasting a good opportunity after a neat interchange with Foster and at the other end Rapley was again denied by a strong hand from Buss turning the effort around the post for another corner. Soon after, Rapley picked out the run of right back, Sam Hutchings and his effort forced Buss to make another save.
Villa seemed to have lost their rhythm as the half wore on but out of nothing they took the lead on 40 minutes. Kwabena Osei knocked a long ball up to Sinclair who was competing with Dan Jewell and he won the battle before rounding Plumley in the Camberley goal and slotting in. There was time for one more effort in the half as Bebb tried his luck from distance with Buss tipping it over for yet another corner. The corner was dealt with comfortably and the half drew to a close.
The second half began with Camberley on top, dictating the tempo and Hanworth really struggled to get anything going. Matt Russell really came into the game in the second half for Camberley and he produced some great skill on 53 minutes to fashion a chance that beat Buss but just crept past the post. With pressure mounting, the equaliser arrived on 63 minutes with Russell heavily involved. He set off on a run in front of the Villa defence before exchanging passes and then crossing to the near post where James Baxter spun his marker and poked the ball past Buss into the far corner. The hosts tried to hit back with Regis who got in a good position but wasted the chance with a weak effort. The excellent Buss then gifted Camberley a chance to go ahead as he presented the ball to Rapley with the goal at his mercy but he opted for power from 18 yards and his effort was too high. Rapley then had the next chance with another fine run and shot but the alert Buss this time made another fine save. On 76 minutes Wareham found space in the Villa box but his effort went past the far post. Six minutes later he was presented with another chance and this time more central. He took a touch as Buss and a defender charged out but he picked his spot beautifully and guided the ball into the corner. The lead was fully deserved but Hanworth had one more decent chance to level matters with a free kick on the edge of the area in injury time. Regis took responsibility and his effort was on target but was straight at Plumley who held on. Just before the final whistle, substitute, Daniel Gibbs shot high and wide from 25 yards.
My Man of the Match goes to Harry Rapley who was a constant threat and but for Buss he could have scored three times at least. Camberley have a nice mix of experience and youth whilst Hanworth looked threatening but faded badly in the second half.
Hanworth Villa – Buss, Twumasi, Nutbeam, Bersey, Taylor, Powell, Osei, Regis, Sinclair, Foster, R Esprit.
Subs Used – Gibbs, J Esprit, Navarro
Camberley Town – Plumley, Hutchings, Jordan, Stepney, Upton, Jewell, Wareham, Bebb, Baxter, Rapley, Russell.
Subs Used – J Pilling.

14/08/2019

Bit late but Match Report from Sheerwater v Guildford City.

Sheerwater 2-1 Guildford City
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division
Hard work and togetherness won the day for the home side with Sheerwater defeating one of the fancied teams in the division by 2 goals to 1.
It was a great beginning to this season’s adventure for the newly promoted side with Manager, Peter Ruggles the hero, saving a late penalty and making some vital saves after replacing the injured Richard Shelley twenty minutes from time.
It was 0-0 at the time but three minutes later “The Sheers” edged in front when the industrious Shane Cheeseman notched from inside the six yard box. His all-round display proving that hard work is rewarded.
Guildford were the more composed team on the ball but too many times they played one pass too many which played into Sheerwaters hands with men behind the ball. Most of their efforts were from range with Shelley equal to them as was Ruggles when he came on.
With the hosts heading for victory a crazy last few minutes ensued. On 83 minutes Ruggles came out bravely to deny Guildford but four minutes later a superb individual effort from Ryan Dacres-Smith stunned the home fans and levelled things up. He surged forward from deep past a couple of players before unleashing a powerful effort into the bottom corner giving Ruggles no chance. His reaction was to race and retrieve the ball and place it on the centre spot. With time ticking down Guildford broke forward and following a rash challenge just inside the area the Referee immediately awarded a penalty. Ruggles to the rescue as a poor attempt by Campbell enabled the keeper to dive to his right and palm the ball away.
Into stoppage time with a large chunk due to Shelley’s injury and the winning goal was scored. The ball was worked down the right and crossed low with Danny Taylor nipping in between defender and keeper to stab home from six yards despite the efforts of a Guildford defender on the goal line.
‘The Sheers’ managed the game well thereafter and collected their first 3 points of the campaign.
With City putting together a decent squad and having a successful pre-season they were surprisingly ordinary today and will look to bounce back as soon as possible.
As for Man of the Match my vote goes to Chris Machay who will be one to watch this season. Not far behind him was Guildford’s Billy Irving.
Sheerwater – Shelley, Cheeseman, Leighton, Hegarty, Kellet-Smith, Letch, Scannella, Dore, Rideout, Machay, D Taylor.
Subs Used – Bowden, T Taylor, Ruggles
Guildford City – Norman, Nzelo, J Ogunseye, Woodhouse, Mason, Irving, E Ogunseye, Dacres-Smith, B Ogunseye, Harding, Ocansey.
Subs Used – Webbe, Campbell, Siaw.