Saturday 24th April 2004
British Energy Kent County League
Division One East
Woodstock Park 2 Bromley Green 3
Woodstock manager Mick Rees missed a
rare game but it was a useful and strong squad he left behind to
attempt to topple the champions in waiting and give local rivals
Norton a chance of the title. Having been on the wrong end of two
heavy defeats to the visitors it was also going to be a measure of
how far they have come since Christmas when things were looking very
gloomy indeed.
They started this match very well and
with good service to their two young wingers Terry Smith and Adam
Overton they were causing the league leaders all sorts of problems.
The two players constantly switched flanks and made good runs. With
just 17 minutes on the clock Overton robbed his opposite number beat
the covering defender and sent an inch perfect pass through to Aaron
Hayward who did not need to break stride as he thumped the ball home
from 15 yards. Woodstock who have been trying to hold on to third
spot for the past few weeks were getting stronger by the minute and
on 25 minutes a Smith corner was headed home by Andy Faithful. On 30
minutes came the chance that could have sealed the match when
Overton lost his marker at the far post and headed a Smith cross
against the post for what would have been 3-0. Woodstock's Robert
Warburton picked up an injury but soldiered on for the last 10
minutes of the half where the visitors got on top. One magic double
save from veteran keeper Mick Rees maintained the 2-0 but on the
stroke of half time Woodstock conceded when the son of the
Bromley Green manager David Cook pulled a goal back after a good
strong run.
Warburton did not come out fro the
second half and this caused the first of several re-shuffles as the
visitors got stronger. Woodstock were coping well with the thorn in
their side from the previous two games Ricky Riena and they wished
the visitors had not substituted him as his replacement Craig
Southern came on to score two goals to give his side the lead. The
home team then lost influential midfielder Andy Faithful to injury
causing another reshuffle and the match and a large slice of the
decisions were going the way of the side from Ashford. A couple
of apparent unfair challenges from visiting players seemed to
the Woodstock players to go unchecked but for his first foul of
the match the Woodstock skipper Wayne Cook picked up a rare
caution. Another seemingly unfair challenge by a Green player went
unpunished and when the ball broke to the Woodstock end defender
Mark Oldershaw was immediately cautioned for what appeared to be little
more than obstruction. Skipper Cook protested to the referee with
too much passion and was he was sent off for the first time in his
long association with the Club. The game was a good and fair one
with Green in the second half showing why they have lead the table
almost all the season, but the punishment issued to the two
Woodstock players did seem out of context with the rest of the
match. Even the Bromley Green players protested against Oldershaws
caution and the decision was not appreciated by a good size crowd.
The 10 men gave it a go and came close a
couple of times at the death but the visitors held on for the last
few minutes for the 3-2 that keeps them top and favourites for the
title. Woodstock remain third on goal difference but with only one
game left at home to University of Kent on Tuesday 4.5.04 6.45pm
kick off it is more likely that they will end up fourth or
fifth.
Sunday 25th April 2004
Medway Messenger Sunday League
Division 4
Bridgewardens 2 Old Oak Reserves 1
Oak took on the leaders and champions in
the making hoping to do their own promotion chances a power of good.
With three games left after this one and two of them against fellow
promotion hopefuls Medway Leisure Oaks second string are still in
with a chance. It all went wrong in the first half though and they
came in 2-0 down a better performance in the second half so Roy Sams
pull one back for the visitors and this game of two halves was
swinging Oaks way.
They could not turn their second half possession
into goals though and despite hitting the woodwork twice and a
couple of close offside calls they came away with nothing when a
point at least would have been value for their efforts.
Saturday 17th April 2004
British Energy Kent County
Football Association League Division One East
University of Kent 0 Woodstock Park 1
Woodstock Park moved back to third, the
position they have occupied for a few weeks now after a solid
1-0 away win at UOK. They welcomed back player manager Mick Rees out
from injury for several weeks and he had to put himself straight
into the team to cover for missing players. In a game with few
chances and defences on top from the word go it looked like a single
goal would settle the match.
On 30 minutes from a corner Parks
returning manager scored a trade mark powerful header which turned
out to be the winner. The price of pressing himself back into full
service at centre back has taken its toll though and he is unlikely
now to play in the Sittingbourne sides final two games as his
injury flared up again. Neither keeper had much to do through the 90
minutes and Woodstock held on comfortably for the win.
Woodstock would dearly like to finish
third in their first season in division one after looking relegation
candidates at Christmas. They have played more than anyone else in
the division though and unless results are kind to them fourth or
fifth looks the more likely. Woodstock will be hoping to help
neighbours Norton in their championship quest when they play hosts
to leaders Bromley Green next Saturday 2.45pm kick off at Woodstock
Park. Their final game will be an evening kick off 6.45pm at home on
Tuesday 4th May when they take on the students of UOK again.
Sunday 18th April 2004
MMSFL Senior Section
Cricketers 5 Old Oak 3
Old Oak have not enjoyed the Easter
period when many of their more experienced players have taken family
breaks. The 2-3 defeat last week was therefore followed up by a 5-3
defeat this week against a side that had never beaten them in many,
many years of trying.
It started well for Oaks young team when
the impressive Aaron Ripley was brought down in the box and Aaron
Hayward converted the penalty. Minutes later and Oak were awarded a
second penalty for a hand ball but this time Hayward's shot was
saved by Tim Yorke in the Cricketers goal. The home side then
dominated the rest of the half and they went in 2-1 up which would
have been more if the one old warhorse Oak had in the team had not
again been in top form. Goalkeeper Mark Rees alone seemed to stand
between Cricketers and a landslide. He could do nothing though early
in the second half when a three goal salvo gave the home side a 5-1
lead.
Oaks young team lacked leadership and
direction in this match and they had played most likely twenty or so
minutes of their worst football since being brought together. They
have learnt how to fight for 90minutes however and late goals from
Scott Crammond and sub Simon Halls gave the score a more respectable
look and had the home side hanging on a bit at the death for
the 5-3.
Good Friday 10.4.04
MMSFL Senior Section
Old Oak 3 Black Lion 0
A strong looking Old Oak side had an
easy victory at home to Black Lion on Good Friday the result was
never in doubt and the visitors did not have a single chance. Oak
had played out an away 1-1 draw with Lion earlier in the season in a
game they also should have won easily so this match set the
record straight.
Oak should have gone in at half time
better than just 1-0 up through Andy Doerr but they shone in the
second half with goals from Aaron Hayward (penalty) and substitute
Kieron Higginson making the score line more correct at 3-0.
Saturday 11.4.04
British Energy Kent County League
Division One East
Norton Sports 1 Woodstock Park 0
A settled side has been the basis of Woodstock's
good run of late but Easter Saturday saw them take the field with
five of their regulars missing. They also had two players starting
for the first time and two others returning from long spells out because
of a couple of crucial last hour withdrawals. It was down to
the bare bones then for the third placed team when they took on
local rivals second place Norton Sports.
Woodstock's make shift defence playing
together for the first time had a torrid first half when they were
put under a lot of pressure. Veteran keeper Mark Rees was in
sparkling form though and he bailed them out on several occasions. Woodstock
got to grip with matters in the second half and looked like pulling
of an unlikely draw which they would have been pleased with. They
did however lose one of their players making his first ever start
John Cantell who bravely went for a header in his own box only to be
caught accidentally in the head for a nasty wound which needed
several stitches at hospital. The Woodstock team already had many
players playing out of position and this was made worse when forced
to introduce their only sub Simon Davies coming on for Cantell.
Davies being a defender had to play up front to enable the teams
shape to be maintained as Norton again took control of the match.
If any team was going to win the match
it was going to be Norton but before they grabbed the only goal of
the game in the 88th minute through Darren Slatter the visitors did
have one golden opportunity to snatch a dramatic win when Arron
Hayward missed an easy chance. Woodstock now have just three games
left two against University of Kent and one against leaders Bromley
Green. They are away to U.O.O next Saturday 2.45pm ko and at home to
Bromley Green the following week with the home game with U.O.K to be
arranged for a midweek date.
Sunday 12.4.04
MMSFL Senior Section
Wainscott Arrows 3 Old Oak 2
Oak had to make seven changes form the
Good Friday team and had to draft in three reserve players to
complete their squad. With most of the remaining players playing
their third game in as many days it was a very tired leg weary team
that made the trip to Cliffe to play Wainscott. If the team could
have been of the strength of Friday's then the chance of victory
would have increased but the Sittingbourne side disappointingly
slumped to a 3-2 defeat. Two super goals from man of the match Adam
Overton being the only high spot as their good run came to an end.
Saturday 3.4.04
British Energy Kent County Football
Association League
Division One (East)
Tyler Hill 1 Woodstock Park 1
Woodstock Park came up as runners up to
Tyler Hill last year and it was because of a draw and defeat
with them that they were denied the championship. This season
both teams struggled at first to come to terms with the higher
division but is has been evident that both have now got the measure
of what is required. In the personal contest Woodstock have
turned the tables on their old rivals and from three clashes
they have had two wins and this Saturday a draw.
Woodstock travelled to Canterbury
without being able to select player manager Mick Rees or his two
other regular centre back partners Mark Oldershaw or promising young newcomer
Peter Halls. A move to the centre for full back Sean Higginson and
the call up of long serving veteran Clifton Phillips for his
first start of the season proved to be an inspired move. They had to
be on their toes in the first half as the home side were mostly
on top and deservedly took the lead.
A Mick Rees special of a half time chat
did the trick and for thirty minutes they played some very
bright football indeed. It was during this period that the ever
present Robert Warburton hit an equaliser from the edge of the box
with a well struck shot into the top right hand corner. The
Woodstock team have been ribbing the long serving Warburton for his
lack of goals this season which he puts down to playing mostly as an
emergency full back instead of his more usual midfield role. Well
Rob has been full back for the last three games and has scored in
each of them. They have all been identical long range efforts just
like this weeks!
The visitors thought they could have
gone on for a third victory over Tyler Hill but the loss of Phillips
on 70 minutes and midfielder Russel Booth 5 minutes later enforced a
reshuffle and the last 15 minutes saw the game fizzle out into a
draw.
The point was enough for Woodstock to
move back up to third again on goal difference behind Norton and
Bromley Green the only two teams they have not managed to beat this
year. They visit Norton next week for an Easter local derby
(2.45pmko) and still have Bromley Green to play at Home.
Sunday 4.4.04
Medway Messenger Sunday Football
League Junior Charity Cup
Old Oak Reserves 0 Cuxton Social 1
Old Oak's second strings hope of being
in Good Friday's Semi Final were dashed as they narrowly lost to
Cuxton Social 1-0 on Sunday at Woodstock Park. The fourth division
outfit matched their opponents from division two and there really
was nothing much to chose betwen the sides.
A first half devoid of much goal mouth
action was none the less entertaining as both sides tried to get a
grip of the midfield. The whole match was a case of both defences on
top throughout. The only goal came midway through the second half
and Oak keeper Andy Hopkinson who had not really had a save to make
all match let a soft one in under his body.
The visitors lost a couple of players to
injury and had to reshuffle and Oak did have a right go for the last
ten minutes but to no avail. The best chance of the period fell to
Paul Fookes who could not get enough power in his shot which was
easily saved.
Medway Messenger Sunday Football
League Senior Section: 28th March 2004
Old Oak 2 Cricketers 1
Veteran keeper Mark Rees missed a rare
game on Sunday and veteran striker Simon Halls took over in goal
instead of his usual place on the bench. Oak's performance was not
up to its usual standard and in terms of possesion they came
second to the visiting Cricketers side for long periods. Neither
side seemed capable of breaking the deadlock in the first half
however but Halls who did start his career as a keeper did make
one good finger tip save during one period that the visitors were
on top.
It is a mark of Oak's young sides
progress when they can play a bit below par these days and grind
out a result and just before the break young striker Andy Doerr
broke the deadlock. His first powerful shot was well saved but he
follwed up the rebound to make sure.
The second half belonged in the main
to Cricketers but with Halls only having to deal with routine
stuff the 1-0 looked like being the final score. The visitors
piled on the pressure but only managed one shot past Halls and
that came back off a post. With the minutes ticking away Doerr
broke from his own half to round the keeper to make the game safe
at 2-0 with his second of the game. The visitors did however
finally score but veteran referee Bill Kelly who had an excellent
game in charge blew the final whistle soon after Oak had restarted
the match.
Medway Messenger Sunday Football
League Division 4: 28th March 2004
Scorpions 2 Old Oak Reserves 4
Oak's second string had a comfortable
away win at Scorpions. Roy Sams baron spell in front of goal
finally came to an end when he converted a spot kick to add to two
from Martin Walker and one from Jon Showler.
It was relief all round then when the
strikers 6 game run of not scoring finally came to an end and they
will need him in top form next Sunday when they are at Home to
Cuxton Social in the quarter finals of the Charity Cup. Cuxton are
form two divisions above and a semi final good Friday match awaits
the winners.
British Energy Kent County
Football Association League Division 1 East 20.03.04
Woodstock Park 2 St Margarets 1
Woodstock Park climbed to third in the
table their highest ever position and it shows a good turn around
for a team that just before Christmas was on the fringes of
relegation.
Now with 5 wins out of their last six
games they have pulled up to third though they have played at least
one more game than everyone else.
Lifted by all the off the field good
news this week Woodstock started the stronger and it was a powerful
first half performance that paved the way for the victory over their
visitors from Deal.
Long serving player Rob Warburton had an
excellent half and it was his right wing run and cross after a fine
team build up that led to Richard King to finish at the far post on
twenty minutes. On thirty minutes an almost identical move looked
like bringing an identical goal but with two defenders and the
goalkeeper expecting a cross to King, Warburton changed foot and
scored himself from an acute angle. 2-0 it remained until half time.
Conditions were bad with a gale force
wind blowing across the pitch but there could be no excuses for the
opening twenty minutes of the second half as the home side let St Margaret's
back into the game with a lack lustre performance.
It was in this period that Sean
Higginson was judged to have brought down St Margaret's Lee Mitchell
and the same player got up to score form the spot. Mark Rees in the
home goal saves more penalties than go past him but this time he
could do nothing about a well struck shot.
This did jolt Woodstock into action and
they controlled the remainder of the game without adding to their
tally.
Medway Messenger Sunday Football
League Division 4 21.03.04
Old Oak Reserves 2 Men of Kent 2
Last weeks match was a very one sided
affair with the Oak Reserves visiting Men Of Kent and going away
with a very easy 3-0 win. This week the visitors were up for the
re-match and soon got themselves 2-0 up by the break.
If the first half belonged to the
visitors the second was definatly the home sides and they really
should have collected all three points to see off one of their
rivals for the runners up spot in this division. Martin Walker
pulled one back from close range and John Showler equalised with at
least five minutes still to go. As much as they tried and as much as
they dominated the second half they could not find the winner so had
to settle for a share of the points at 2-2 in a good match, very
well handled by Referee Dudley Hall.
Oaks reserves will visit Scorpions at
Rainham Rec next week and thier first team without a game today will
play hosts to Cricketers.
British Energy Kent County League
Division 1 East 13.3.04
St Margaret's 1 Woodstock Park 2
Woodstock overcame a tricky away game
which they thought would help them climb to their highest position
of the season third. Some shock results meant they could only
consolidate fourth spot but they were at least always in control of
a scrappy match.
Long serving players Russell Booth and
Rob Warburton were partnered together in the middle of midfield for
the first time for years and the best friends set about their
task well. First Russ set up
Rob to hit a stunning 25 yard wind assisted strike and then Rob set
up Russ for an identical goal.
2-0 at half time and a second half into
the wind up the slope saw the Sittingbourne side put in a
professional defensive display to win the game. True the home side
did pull a goal back but it was little more than a consolation as
Woodstock were determined to leave Deal with all three points. The
fixture is reversed next week with St Margaret's visiting Woodstock
Park kick off 2.45pm
MMSFL Senior Section 14.3.04
Rainham Sports 1 Old Oak 2
A horrible windy day saw Oak play the
better of the Football in an ugly match at Beechings Cross. With the
wind and slope in their favour in the first half Oak should have
made more of the large spells of possession. A pass back by a
Rainham player to his keeper gave Oak an indirect free kick and Mark
Howard tapped the kick to young winger Adam Overton to score from
the edge of the box around the Rainham wall.
Rainham came out all guns blazing in the
second half and deservedly equalised. The Oak back four then
produced last weeks good form and restricted Sports to long range
efforts only. Gradually the Sittingbourne visitors gained more
confidence and when super sub Scott Crammond came on to grab the
winner it was no more than they deserved for a gutsy performance.
It was a trade mark Crammond goal which
saw him run from deep straight at the defence. It some times works
by sheer surprise but sometimes he just gets stopped! When the home
keeper left his line far too early Scott came off the better in the
50/50 and he was left with the whole of the penalty box open to run
the ball into the empty net. Next week Oak do not have a game but
they can rest up with recent results pulling them clear of
relegation trouble.
MMSFL Division 4 14.3.04
Men Of Kent 0 Old Oak Reserves 3
It is now six games since the prolific
Roy Sams has scored for Oaks second string and that is the main
talking point in the dressing room. They still kept up their
promotion push though as fellow striker Martin Walker grabbed 2 to
add to midfielder Kevin Dunk's usual single strike opener for a
comfortable 3-0 win over Men Of Kent.
Oaks second string play host to Men Of
Kent next week in the reverse fixture with the kick off
10.30am at Woodstock Park.
6.3.04
British Energy Kent County League
Division 1 East
Woodstock Park 3 Betteshanger 1
After last weeks bad result at
Snowdown Woodstock bounced back to beat the bottom team Betteshanger
at home but they were made to fight all the way by the team from
Deal. The visitors took the lead in the first half and veteran
keeper Mark Rees made yet another penalty save to stop Woodstock
actually going two down. The first half was very even and 2-0 would
have flattered the Betteshanger but the half time score ended on a
more realistic note 1-1 when Richard King equalised just before the
break. Young defender Peter Halls went on a long run into the
visitors box where he squared for King to side foot home from close
range.
Player Manager Mick Rees asked for
an increase in tempo for the second half and soon both
Woodstock wingers Aaron Hayward and Terry Smith were causing the
visitors problems. Left winger Smith went on a fine run 15 minutes
into the half only to be brought down just outside the angle of the
penalty area. Smith dusted himself down and sent over a perfect
cross from the free kick and Mick Rees's thumping header gave the
keeper no chance and the home team the lead.
Woodstock played some good stuff for the
rest of the half and further increased their lead through one of the
best goals seen at the ground this year. A three man passing move
sent Hayward down the right wing, he beat two players before sending
over a perfect cross away from the defender and keeper and watched
with delight as Richard King dived to thump an unstoppable header
into the net. This was Kings second goal of the game and it ended a
bit of a drought for the striker.
Woodstock now play St Magarets away and
home over the next two weeks and two wins would see them either move
into third spot or consolidate fourth. Both kick offs are 2.45 with
the away game next week.
7.3.04
MMSFL Senior Section
Old Oak 2 Palmerstone WMC 0
Seven players who started last weeks
game were not available to Oak this week so it was down to what
registered players were left. However it was a very experienced back
four who took the field for the Sittingbourne side and they were
determined to keep things tight and not give away a four goal lead
like their younger colleagues had done earlier in the season.
Revenge for the 5-4 away defeat was
sweet and the old back four marshalled well by veteran goalkeeper
Mark Rees and veteran centre back Clifton Phillips kept a clean
sheet. It was not as exciting as the first game between the sides
but a good solid performance by the home team none the less. Aaron
Hayward scored twice on the break for Oak in the first half and that
score never looked like being troubled for the rest of the match. A
Palmerstone spokesman said they would not have scored had they
played Oak for a week.
With some of the missing 7 returning
next week there could be selection problems for next weeks away game
at Rainham Sports. Selection problems are something the Oak
have been looking forward to all season.
MMSFL Division 4
Old Oak Reserves 0 Bridgewardens 3
With such an important game in their
promotion push Oak decided not to move any players form the reserves
to the first team just because they were struggling and it was a
strong Old Oak Reserves side that took the field at home to
Bridgewardens who are unbeaten in the league this year.
No excuses then for the Oak second
string but a strangely lack lustre performance saw them crash to a
disappointing 3-0 home defeat. The old passion and verve that has
been a feature of their good run of late was not evident and they
did not carve out much in the way of chances. Oaks prolific scorer
Roy Sams has not hit the net for four matches running his worst run
of the season. Oak must get their promotion push back on track away
at Men of Kent next week.
28.2.04
British Energy Kent County League
Division 1 East
Snowdown CW 3 Woodstock Park 2
It was possibly Woodstock's most
disappointing result of the season on Saturday as they aimed to
continue their recent good run which had seen them move away from
the relegation zone.
With results going in their favour the
Sittingbourne side would have moved up to 3rd place if they had
won and a good first half saw them take a step in the right
direction as Aaron Hayward and Russell Booth gave them a 2-0 lead
at the break.
In the second half all the defensive
frailties that have been evident throughout the season came to
haunt them again and they threw away the 2-0 lead to lose 3-2.
Bottom side Betteshanger visit
Woodstock this Saturday and all the points will be required if
they are to avoid slipping back down to the relegation places.
Kick off 2.45pm
29.2.04
MMSFL Senior Section
Old Oak 0 Quested 3
Oak were again forced to make
wholesale changes which seem to be the theme of their season. A
mad 15 minute spell in the first half sealed this game after some
early good work by the home side. With the few experienced players
at their disposal missing they pressed veteran Mark Howard into
service in defence for his first game for six weeks. Poor Mark
made two mistakes to allow Danny Kedwell and Lee Garlinge to score
and a third from Lee Lewis ended the game as a contest. It was in
this 15 minute spell when Oaks other veteran on the field
goalkeeper Mark Rees made two fine saves to keep the score
respectable.
A much improved second half
performance saw the Oak keep the match score the same as the half
time one 3-0 but they were unable to make much impression on
a well drilled Quested defence. Mark Rees was not as busy in the
second half for Oak but he did manage the satisfaction of making a
brilliant trade mark penalty save from Kedwell who had been
brought down by Sean Higginson. It will be all change again
next week for Oak for the visit of Palmerstone as 7 of Sunday's
team will be unavailable.
MMSFL Division 4
Rainham Eagles 1 Old Oak
Reserves 3
It was back to winning ways for Oaks
promotion chasing 2nd string on Sunday with a good 3-0 away win at
Rainham Eagles. The visitors were never in trouble and goals
from Kirk Cawston, Martin Walker and Kevin Dunk sealed the
win. Oaks reserves are also at home next week to Medway Leisure
21st February 2004
British Energy Kent County
League Division One East
Woodstock Park 3 Bliby 2
In various competitions Woodstock had
lost 2-0 to Bliby on three occasions this season and they have been
most defiantly the Sittingbourne sides bogey team.
After early domination by Woodstock the
visitors scored either side of the break and yet another 2-0 defeat
seemed likely. A top class fight back by the home side was started
when their tireless midfielder Andy Faithfull pulled a goal back and
then two goals from Aaron Hayward gave Woodstock a much deserved
victory over the third placed team. It was a second half performance
of some note for the home team who have shown signs of late of
starting to come to terms with life in this division.
Woodstock visit fourth placed Snowdon CW
next week and a win would enable them to leap frog the home team.
Kick off is 2.45pm
22nd February 2004
M.M.S.F.L. Senior Section
Burnt Oak 1 Old Oak 4
Down to the bare 11 for Oaks first team
and with several players pulling out at the last moment it was down
to last of the summer wine on the bench with three old stalwarts in
Phillip, Halls and Dunk on the bench who's combined age took them well past
the 130 mark.
The young guns on the pitch took notice
of the old men on the bench a came up with the fastest goal in the
Clubs 34 year history! Burnt oak kicked off played the ball back to
their centre half who was immediately robbed by Oaks Andy Doerr who slammed
the ball in to the net. Less than 10 seconds gone!! Burnt Oak to be
fair then took charge of the game and deservedly equalised. An
injury to Kieron Higginson meant the younger of the three subs
Clifton Phillips took centre stage and the 40 something club captain
of 24 years took charge of the defence through a very sticky period
up to half time to ensure the score stayed at 1-1.
The second half was not long under way
when Simon Davies had to leave the field with an injury and the
slightly older than Phillips, Simon Halls, had to enter the fray.
Now Simon was something of a legend in the late seventies and early
eighties when he won the top scorer trophy three seasons on the
bounce. The ageing striker took just a couple of minutes to fire Oak
into the lead with a good finish to wild celebrations. It was
something like 1986 the last time he had scored for the club!. This
spurred on Oak and they really took charge of the rest of the game.
Both Andy Doerr and returning from injury Scott Crammond had easy
chances to increase the Oak lead before Crammond went on a strong
run to be brought down in the box with Andy Doerr converting the
penalty.
Crammond capped a fine performance when
he ran the whole of the half to round the keeper for Oaks fourth.
Oaks mix of young players and old men had been threatening something
like this for the last few weeks. They were unlucky to lose 1-0 to
Sheppey the previous week and the week before deserved better than
the 1-1 with Black Lion. They will have their work cut out next week
however when they host champions Quested.
22nd February 2004
M.M.S.F.L. Division 4
Old Oak Reserves 3 Edmundson Sports 6
With Oaks first team down to 11 it was
obviously going to mean that the second string were also down to the
bare bones. No team manager as Darren Small was away on business and
no goalkeeper with Andy Hopkinson unavailable. This meant a
big reshuffle with midfielder Kirk Cawston going between the
sticks.
This could be the week that Oaks second
string look back on the day when they lost the chance of promotion
as they went down to their worst defeat so far. Their 10 game
unbeaten run finally coming to an end with a 3-6 defeat. Like their
first team the Reserves also had to deal with some last minute withdrawals.
They did give a good account of
themselves though and the weakened team fought all the way. For the
record the Oak's goals came from Anthony Dipper, Paul Fookes and
Kevin Dunk.
Saturday 7.2.04
British Energy Kent County League
Division 1 East
Woodstock 2 Betteshanger Welfare 0
It has been a known fact that Woodstocks
problems this year have come from the reason that they have not
been defending very well. Only one clean sheet to their name so far
and that was in the cup so it was a boost that a hard working
performance gave them their first clean sheet in the league of the
season. Manager Mick Rees has worked long and hard at getting the
line up right and takes most of the plaudits for a much improved
Woodstock performance.
New signings Faraz Sethi and Adam
Overton had to be content with starting on the bench but their
presence was enough to give the current players a jolt into action.
It did not take long to for these existing players to take the hint
and with just one minute on the clock Aaron Hayward gave the home
side the lead. This settled Woodstock down and they played some good
football for the rest of the half without any real end product.
The second half started well for
Woodstock but from the 10th to the 30th minute the visitors piled on
the pressure with Woodstocks slim 1-0 lead looking fragile. Good
defending in numbers on the day for a change and they weathered the storm
well. The tireless running midfielder Andy Faithful
smashed home Woodstocks second with ten minutes left for a well
deserved three points that was needed as the teams below them all
won. Woodstock do not want to be dragged into a scrap at the bottom.
The two debutants had come on and had featured well.
Next week Woodstock do not have a league
match but have hastily arranged a friendly against a local district
side in order that they can try out new players before they take on
bogey side Bliby the week after at home.
Sunday 8.2.04
MMSFL Senior Section
Black Lion 1 Old Oak 1
Old Oak travelled to Black Lion on
Sunday and found it hard to come to terms on a windy day with a very
small bumpy pitch. They still managed to dominate the game though
including the scoreless first half when they played into the wind.
The second half with the wind at their
back and it seemed that it was just a question of how many Oak would
get. A brilliant performance by the home teams keeper and quite a
bit of bad luck seemed to be the Oaks downfall and the goal they
sought seemed it would never come. When it did it was a brilliant
back heel from close range by the improving Robbie Grace and this
surely would open the floodgates- wrong!
Everyone will tell you 1-0 is a dodgey
scoreline to hold on to but with keeper Mark Rees hardly having a
touch there seemed to be only one winner. A hopeful punt forward by
the home team and a chase for midfielder James Reynolds with a Lion
forward looked harmless enough until the ball bounced on the
awful surface hit Reynolds on the shoulder to send it looping over
Rees's head for a bizarre own goal.
1-1 was really unfair on Oak and they
still had the time to rock the woodwork a couple of times in the
last few minutes. Oak will be hoping their luck will change next
week when they take on leaders Lloyds at home.
MMSFL Div 4
Old Oak Reserves 2 Scorpions 2
After the joy of going top last week
with a good performance Oaks reserves only have themselves to blame
when they dropped points in their 2-2 home draw with a hard working
Scorpions side. Oak manager Darren Small thought that they had got
what they deserved and were far too complacent for his liking in a
game very well handled by referee Marilyn Kelly.
John Showler did not have his best game
in an Oak shirt but still managed to score a long range goal of the
match to add to a rare goal these days from long serving Robbie
Warburton. The biggest surprise was when 21 goal leading scorer Roy
Sams missed a penalty which would have given the Oak the three
points they needed for their promotion push. Oaks reserves are
without a game next Sunday.
Rosenheath 1 Old Oak
Reserves 7 MMSFL Division 4: 1st February 2004
With most games in Swale off
it was a shock when Old Oak Reserves actually found that their away
game at the early seasons leaders Rosenheath was to go ahead.
So much of a shock it was that
they had to ring around several of the players at the last minute to
ensure that they travelled. It also meant that although they
ended the day with a full compliment they had to start with just 10
men.
The ten men knew they had to
put in the extra effort for the first ten minutes but
while the other squad members were changing they played very
well to take a two goal lead thanks to leading scorer Roy Sams.
When the 11th man took the field they kept the high tempo going to
crash in a further 3 goals before half time, two from Martin Walker
and number 5 from the most unlikely of players- long
serving left back Ian Clay.
Now club records show that
Claypoles last goal for the Club was on a 1996 tour of the Isle of
Wight and that was a second bite at a penalty! This one was even
more bizzare as he simply went to challenge an opponet just inside Rosenheaths half.
He got there first, wacked the ball and stood back astonished as it
sailed down the pitch and over the keepers head into the net.
Rosenheath got a goal back on
the stroke of half time when Oak keeper Andy Hopkinson showed how
bad the conditions were when he slipped and completely missed the
ball!
The second half was not as
eventful as the first but there was still time for Sams to complete
a well taken hat-trick and Paul Fookes to grab number 7 to send Oaks
second string to the top of the table on the back of an eight game
unbeaten run which has included just one draw and seven
wins.
Oak were glad they made the
journey and the 5-1 half time score and 7-1 victory showed that they
had adapted to the conditions better than the home side. It was
sweet revenge for Oak who had lost at home to Rosenheath earlier in
the season.
British Energy Kent County League Division 1 East: 17th January
2004
Woodstock Park 0 Norton Sports 3
Woodstock are finding it difficult to field a team these days with
many key
players out for long spells and some even for the remainder of the
season.
They were not looking forward to meeting their local rivals Norton
without
player manager Mick Rees and they also had to contend with a last
minute
withdrawal of the consistent Wayne Cook.
The match was all over inside the first 15 minutes with two defensive
mistakes letting in Trevor Armitage and Darren Slatter. To their
credit they
did not give up and an improved performance in the second half gave
them
some hope but a Stuart Slater goal conceded was all they had to show
for
their efforts.
Woodstock do not have a game next week and will spend the time looking
to
find players to strengthen the side even on a temporary basis. Their
next
game is at home on the 31.1.04 to St. Margarets.
MMSFL Senior Section: 18th January 2004
Palmerstone WMC 5 Old Oak 4
Oak's young guns played some sparkling football on Sunday and they are
growing in confidence every week. They coped well with the initial
robust
onslaught that seems to come their way at the start of each game and
were
unlucky to fall behind to penalty. Peter Halls the centre back deemed
guilty
of the offence took it upon himself to put matters right. He first
went
forward and set up Martin Di Fede for an equaliser and followed this
up with
a thumping header from a free kick to give Oak the lead. It was all
square
at 2-2 by half time as Oak's midfield fell asleep for five minutes and
a
hopeful punt forward dropped between the defence and keeper Mark Rees
for
the home side to score.
The second half saw the Oak play some sparkling stuff and all action
midfielder James Day gave them the lead and a second goal for Martin
Di Fede
making it 4-2. The home side sent on the experienced Liam Tydeman for
the
last fifteen minutes and the player turned the match on its head
having a
hand in all three goals which gave Palmerstone an unlikely 5-4 win. A
dubious free kick and a second penalty again awarded against Peter
Halls
sealing the Oak's fate. To their credit Oak played football for the
whole 90
minutes and even at 5-4 created chances to at least draw level.
The future does look good for the young Sittingbourne side as long as
they
can learn quickly. They need to learn however to close off games when
they
are two goals ahead with 15 minutes left!
Weald Of Kent Charity Cup
1st Round Sat 10.1.04
Betteshanger Welfare 3
Woodstock Park 2
Having beaten Betteshanger in
the league cup and managed a draw away in the league Woodstock
thought they had a good chance of progressing in this competition.
A poor first half performance
saw the visitors go a goal down. They fought back in the second half
and goals from Aaron Hayward and Richard King gave them a 2-1 lead.
Back came the home side to
level at 2-2 and with five minutes on the clock snatch a late
winner.
Woodstock's poor defending
costing them another early cup exit. Woodstock will be without
player manager Mick Rees next week who is on holiday and will miss
the home league clash with local rivals Norton Sports kick off
2.00pm.
MMSFL Division 4 11.1.04
Old Oak Reserves 4 Five
Bells 0
Oaks first teams game at
Rainham fell foul of the weather but the reserves chalked up an
impressive 4-0 win over Five Bells. A goal in each half by Russell
Booth (2) and Roy Sams (2) kept the Sittingbourne sides promotion
hopes alive.
British Energy Kent County League Division One
East
3.1.04
Woodstock Park 4 Tyler Hill 1
After five defeats in a row Woodstock Park finally
broke the sequence with a fine 4-1 home win over old rivals Tyler
Hill. Player Manager Mick Rees got things underway when he headed
down a corner for Aaron Hayward to score from close range. A Tyler
Hill equaliser was wiped out by a brace form the divisions leading
scorer James Ellis who took his tally to 10 from 8 games. A fine
solo goal from Terry Smith gave the home side an emphatic 4-1 win to
give them a double over the Canterbury outfit. It will be
interesting to see how Woodstock cope without the services of Ellis
in the coming weeks as he is now not available to them until April.
Next week Woodstock take a break from league action when they visit
Betteshanger Welfare in The Weald Of Kent Charity Cup kick off in
Deal being 2.00pm.
Medway Messenger Sunday Football League Senior
Section
4.1.04
Old Oak 0 Wainscott Arrows 0
Six weeks ago Oak were struggling to field two teams.
Out of retirement came long serving skipper Clifton Phillips and
former leading scorer Simon Halls. Their return has brought an
influx of younger players with whom they have now guided Oak away
from the bottom spot. Oak having only lost one game in their
last six. Clifton and Simon took no part on Sunday and it showed the
progress the young lads are quickly making when they held mid table
Wainscott to a 0-0 draw. Veteran keeper Mark Rees apart you
struggled to find many players over the age of 20 on Sunday and this
was arguably the youngest team Oak had ever fielded. The future
looks good for the Sittingbourne outfit if they can keep this team
together with the priority this year of avoiding the drop. Oak visit
Rainham Sports in the league next week.
Medway Messenger Sunday Football League Junior
Charity Cup 1st Round
4.1.014
Old Oak Reserves 7 Cherry Orchard 1
Oaks second string cruised into the second round of
the charity cup when they easily disposed of fellow division 4
outfit Cherry Orchard away at Rainham Rec. Kevin Dunk, Roy Sams and
Russell Booth gave the Oak a 3-0 half time lead and two from Martin
Walker one from Robert Warburton and another from Paul Fookes
completed the 7-1 win. This was Oaks Reserves 5th straight win
on the trot. Oak reserves are at home to Five Bells next week.
Saturday
15th November 2002
British Energy Kent County League Division 1 East
University of Kent 2 Woodstock Park 3
After three opening defeats and a rock bottom position a draw and
three wins
has moved Woodstock from bottom to third just behind Norton but they
were
made to fight all the way on Saturday by a University team that had
only
lost the once in the league until then.
A very entertaining end to end game saw Woodstock take a 2-0 lead
through
good passing movement and close range finishes from Aarron Hayward and
James
Ellis. Two goals either side of the break from the divisions leading
scorer
the Greek U20 International Petrokopolous brought the University side
level
but yet another good passing phase saw another close range finish for
Woodstock by veteran Mark Howard at the midway stage of the
second half.
Woodstock held on for the 3-2 win but much action ensued in a long
55 minute
second half with fine saves by both keepers seeing the score unmoved.
The
closest to a goal was Richard Kings attempt for Woodstock but it was
one of
those off the underside of the bar and a was it or was it not over the
line
calls. King did not have the luck of Geoff Hurst this time.
This win puts Woodstock in the right frame of mind for next weeks
local
derby in the Inter Regional Cup when they take on Norton Sports at
Woodstock
Park with a 1.30pm kick off.
Sunday 16th November 2003
Medway Messenger Sunday League Senior Section
Red Dog 1 Old Oak 3
Two goals from Aaron Hayward and another from James Ellis was
enough to grab
three valuable points for Old Oak in a game that they dominated for
large
spells. A couple of players promoted from the reserves and a couple of
emergency signings on the day gave Oak a full compliment for the first
time
this season. Oak are hoping their injury list improves and that they
can put
a sustained run of games together to move up the league. Next Sunday
sees
them at home to Cricketers in the league with a 10.30am kick off at
Woodstock Park.
Sunday 16th November
Medway Messenger League Division 4
Old Oak Res. 1 Rosenheath 3
A good performance by Oaks second string against the league leaders
in a
game much closer than the scoreline suggests. The match was poised at
1-2
for a very long period and it was one of those crucial next goal will
be
decisive games. Instead of an Oak equaliser a third for the league
leaders
ended Oak's hopes. Kirk Cawston who answered the plea for new players
in
last weeks East Kent Gazette and was emergency signed by Oak scored a
debut
goal. Oak's reserves will be looking to bounce back from this when
they play
away next week at Rainham Rec. against Men Of Kent.
Saturday
8th November 2003
Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield 2nd Round
Greenways 3 Woodstock Park 1
With a couple of late withdrawals and the absence of both manager
and
assistant manager Woodstock were always up against it for their away
trip to
a team from the higher Premier division. The match could not have
started
worse for Woodstock as they lost Rob Warburton to injury just two
minutes
into the game. This forced them to use the one substitute they had
with
eighty eight minutes still left.
They put up a very good show however and more than matched their
opponents
for most of the game. Little goal mouth action was evident with both
teams
cancelling each other out. It was one of those games it seemed when a
single
goal would settle matters so when Richard King scored from close range
in
the 80th minute it looked like an upset was on the cards. Almost
immediately
Dave Bourne headed the home side level from a corner and they sent on
former
Chatham Town player manager Steve Hearn for the last ten minutes
to
dramatic effect. Hearn scored with his first touch having been put in
from a
cleverly taken free kick.
Woodstock were shell shocked but to their credit they went looking
for an
equaliser only to be undone once more on the break. If only the
visitors had
a couple of pairs of fresh legs to go on for the last 10 minutes then
perhaps they might have clung on to the 1-0. 3-1 was a cruel score
line for
a defence that had played well for 80 minutes and were struggling with
injuries during the last ten.
Woodstock will need to pick themselves up for the league trip to
University
of Kent next Saturday ko 2.30.
Saturday
1st November 2003
British Energy Kent County League Division One East
Betteshanger Welfare 1 Woodstock Park 1
Woodstock Park FC travelled to Betteshanger on Saturday with just
11 fit men
and Assistant Manager Steve Parker as substitute. Leading scorer James
Ellis
was on holiday and his strike partner Danny Vecchiolla out with a long
term
injury adding to an already lengthy injury list including Imran
Englefiled,
Andy Faithfull and Danny Chaney. Mark Howard who has been keeping the
bench
warm in recent weeks came into the side and his man of the match midfield
performance was enough to give Woodstock a well earned point.
Coming from a goal behind Woodstock dug in and it was no surprise
that Mark
Howard himself popped up to get that all important equaliser.
Woodstock are
hoping to get some of their players back for next weeks Kent
Intermediate
Challenge Shield game. The match is away to premiership team Greenways
and
this will prove Woodstocks toughest test yet as holiday's will rob
them of
both manager Mick Rees and his assistant Steve Parker.
Sunday 2nd November 2003
MMSFL Senior League Cup
Old Oak 3 Burnt Oak 91 1 (AET) (F-T 1-1)
With only 5 available fit first team players Old Oak had to obtain
permission from the league to postpone their reserve game this weekend
to
allow them to draft in 9 reserves to allow this senior league cup
match to
go ahead.
Oak's reserve players that came in usually play in division 4 but
they put
in a performance that turned this on its head. To be fair Burnt Oak
were the
better team over the 90 minutes but the improbable pairing of reserve
left
back Ian Clay and midfielder Russ Booth at centre back stood firm with
the
ever reliable first team goalkeeper Mark Rees behind them. Reserve
player
Paul Fookes gave Old Oak the lead in the first half against the run of
play
and they held this lead until ten minutes from the end when the
visitors
finally got their deserved equaliser.
If it had been a boxing match then Old Oak would have lost on
points by a
mile. However well Burnt Oak played in the 90 they did somehow seem to
punch
themselves out. Extra time was a complete turn around and the
Sittingbourne
side were on top throughout against their tiring opponents. Reserve
striker
Roy Sams scored a goal in each half of the extra period but in this
half an
hour they could in all honesty have managed six. 90 minutes under the
cosh
30 minutes on top!
A lot of Oak's injury problems are long term and therefore they are
looking
for players who are of the standard to play in their first team.
Anyone
interested should contact Maurice on 07774 654912 or by email
maurice.dunk@oldoakfc.co.uk.
Saturday
25th October 2003
British Energy Kent County League Senior Les Leckie League Cup
Woodstock Park 0 Bliby 2
A very even game was settled with two late goals and Park crashing out
at the first hurdle. They new it was going to be tough as Bliby were
unbeaten in the league and Woodstock had lost 3-2 to them earlier in the
season. Most of the chances fell to the visitors but keeper Mark Rees
was in fine form. There was a suspicion of offside over the opening goal
and frustration soon boiled over with a couple of Woodstock players
being cautioned. Star striker James Ellis picked up two yellow cards and
was sent from the field and with ten men and pushing for an equaliser
Woodstock conceded a second.
It is back to league action next Saturday when Woodstock travel to Deal
to meet Betteshanger Welfare 2.30pm ko. Saturday 18th October 2003
Sunday 26th October 2003
MMSFL Senior Section
Old Oak 0 Rainham Sports 3
Oak lost 8 players between Saturday tea time and kick of time Sunday for
a variety of reasons and a number of them withdrew at the last minute
leaving no time to switch players from the reserves. Oak fielded a team
including Secretary Maurice Dunk and injured Manager Mick Rees
deputising in goal for his even more injured brother Mark. A fit man
would have had a chance of stopping Rainham's two first half goals but
no one could have stopped the third which came late in the second half.
The patched up Oak team played with a lot of spirit and keeping the
score to 3 was something of an achievement.
MMSFL Division 4
Five Bells 2 Old Oak Reserves 3
Oaks reserves had their second 3-2 thrilling win on the trot with Martin
Walker scoring two to add to his first goal for the club in last weeks
3-2 win. Kevin Dunk kept up his goal a game record for the third to give
Oak all three points.
Saturday 18th October 2003
British Energy Kent County Football League Division 1 East
Tyler Hill 2 Woodstock Park 3
A 3-2 defeat the opening day last season and a final day 2-2 draw with
Tyler Hill cost Woodstock the division 2 title last year but finally
Woodstock got their revenge in the battle of the two promoted clubs.
Park lost forward Danny Vecchiolla to injury after just five minutes of
this game and this disrupted them to the extent that they went behind to
an early Hill goal.
Danny Channey who joined Woodstock from Milton this season is showing
signs that he is now finding his feet in the side and his first goal for
the club was a worthy equaliser. This gave Woodstock the lift they
needed and just before half time James Ellis gave the visitors the lead.
A second half goal from Richard King made it 3-1 which their gradually
improving defence held onto for a long period.
Just to prove that they still need to work at the defending side of
their game Woodstock conceded a second but it was very late on and only
caused the odd late flutter before picking up all three points.
Woodstock meet Bliby in the first round of the Senior Les Leckie League
Cup next week kick off 2.15pm at Woodstock Park. Bliby are undefeated in
the league so far and Woodstock lost away earlier in the season 2-3.
Woodtsock will have to raise their game if they are to progress to the
2nd round.
Sunday 19th October 2003
Medway Messenger Sunday League Senior Section
Quested 3 Old Oak 1
A very poor first half performance at the home of the Champions cost
Old Oak this game. Oak started the brighter and carved out several
chances that were all wasted with James Ellis and Ian Young both guilty
of missing open goals. Against the run of play a long ball from the home
keeper that bounced kindly for the Quested was knocked over Oak keeper
Mark Rees by Dave Masters and this goal turned Oak's first half into a
nightmare.
In a frantic ten minute spell just before half time Oak conceded two
more goals to end the game as a contest. The first came from a free kick
which was saved by Rees but he could only parry it to a Quested player
who did the rest. An own goal by Ian Young from a long Gary Leigh throw
gave the half-time a ominous looking 0-3.
Manager Mick Rees ripped into the Oak team at half-time as he had been
very unhappy about his sides first half showing. Things improved in the
second half and some good defending meant that Quested were unable to
add to their tally. James Ellis pulled a goal back for the Oak with an
excellently struck free kick but although they tried hard they could not
find the second that would have put some pressure on the champs. Oak are
at home to Rainham Sports next week and with two defeats and a draw to
their name they need to start picking up some points.
Medway Messenger Sunday League Division 4
Old Oak Res 3 Rainham Eagles 2
Oaks reserves lost their opening league game but two wins on the trot
shows that they are starting to get the measure of this years division 4
with a mixture of experience and youth in their team. Forward Roy Sams
scored his 8th goal of the season and midfielder Kevin Dunk his 5th to
add to Martin Walkers first goal for the club in what was an
entertaining 3-2 win. Oaks reserves are away to Five Bells next week at
Temple School, Strood.
Saturday 11.10.03
British Energy Kent County Football Association League - Inter Regional
Cup 1st Round.
Woodstock Park 3 Betteshanger Welfare 0
Slowly but surely Woodstock Park are finding their feet at the higher
level and on Saturday they looked quite solid in defence for the first
time. Still smarting from their narrow 1-0 league defeat at leaders
Norton last week they protected keeper Mark Rees with a new found vigour
which lead to a rather boring first half in this cup match, with neither
side looking capable of breaking the deadlock.
The platform was built however and in the second half Park started to
really sparkle for the first time this season. At first it seemed like
it was going to be one of those days when you get on top completely but
cannot get past some stubborn defending and good goalkeeping by the
visitors. James Ellis hit a post and Jim Fraser the bar with an
excellent lob and it took a slice of luck to finally break the deadlock.
Winger Aaron Haywards's cross shot taking a wicked deflection to give
Woodstock the lead.
Just as they were settling into a good spell that promised more goals
Woodstock lost Andy Faithful, Jim Fraser and James Ellis to injury
following some fair but robust challenges from the visitors.
Replacements Robbie Warburton, Richard King and Imran Englefield took up
the mantle and they did not let the side down. Richard King made it 2-0
with a top draw goal following good work by Warburton and Hayward. King
turned provider for the third when his final ball following excellent
work again from Warburton and Hayward was finnished emphatically by the
impressive Danny Vecchiolla. The 3-0 win sets up a second round tie at
Norton next month where Woodstock will be looking to avenge their League
defeat. Next week Woodstock are back in league action when they travel
to old rivals and last years promotion partners Tyler Hill.
Kent Junior Trophy 2nd Round
Old Oak Reserves 4 Grove Rangers 0
With their first team without a game it was left to Old Oaks Reserves
to carry the flag for the club this week and a comfortable 4-0 win over
Sheppey Leage side Grove Rangers was the outcome in the kent Junior
Trophy. Rob Warburton opened the scoring with a thirty yard screamer and
a brace before half time from Kevin Dunk virtually ended the match. 3-0
up at half time and being a cup game it gave Manager Darren Small the
chance to get all of his subs on for a game. Oaks second half
performance therefore was a bit disjointed but keeper Andy Hopkinson was
never really troubled. Roy Sams grabbed a fourth for the Oak but
admitted he should have added more to his and Oaks tally. Midfielder
Kevin Dunk missed a golden opportunity to complete a hat-trick when he
thumped a penalty against the post late on in what was more of a one
sided match than the score suggests. Oaks reserves are at home to
Rainham Eagles in the league next week whilst their first team travel to
Champions Quested.
28th September 2003
Old Oak 1 Burnt Oak 1
Sean "The Pirate" Higginson scored a rare goal for the Oak on
Sunday and a swashbuckling one it was as it was. He scored at the third
attempt after two previous shots were blocked and came back to him. The
Oak hero then turned villain when trying to perform further heroics he
tripped an opponent in the 85 minute to concede a late penalty giving
the visitors a point that they in all honesty deserved. It had been a
genuine attempt to get the ball and no further action was taken in a
hard match well handled by referee Darren Keating who earned praise from
both teams. All square in the battle of the Oaks.
Edmundson Sports 4 Old Oak Res 6
In an incident packed match Oaks Reserves finally overcame Edmundson
Sports in what turned out to be a ten goal thriller. Roy Sams led the
way with 4 goals to add to single strikes from Robert Warburton and a
screamer from new signing Tony Lawrence. Tony had just joined the club
after moving into the area and the Veteran striker might just have a put
in a contender for goal of the season.
20th September 2003
Woodstock Park 6 Snowdown CW 2
The first two Saturdays in Division One had brought two league defeats
for newly promoted Woodstock Park and they were sitting at the foot of
the table. Last Saturdays home game with Snowdown had become crucial
with the management team opting for some changes in system and line up.
Defence has been the problem having conceded 8 goals in those first two
games.
Snowdown started the stronger and deservedly took an early lead after a
defensive mix up between Andy Faithful and Mick Rees. The attacking
options have never been in question for Woodstock and with James Ellis
partnering Danny Vecchiolla for the first time something seemed to click
with the goal conceded the spur. The pair ran in 5 goals with Ellis
helping himself to a hat-trick and Vecchiolla a brace. Richard King made
it 6 but the game ended on a sour note for the home teams management as
they conceded yet another soft goal to give a final 6-2 score line.
The defence had been better but it still needs work was the conclusion,
but at least they were now off bottom spot! Next week Woodstock have a
bye in the County Cup and are without a game so they will have to be
practising their defensive work in training before the following weeks
away fixture to league leaders and local rivals Norton Sports.
6th September 2003
Woodstock Park 0 Bromley Green 5
British Energy Kent County Football League Division 1 East
Newly promoted Woodstock Park playing their first ever division 1 game
as an Intermediate Club were given a rude awakening into what was
required at the higher level. With a couple of new additions to last
years successful squad Woodstock had thought they were well equipped for
the new season. Green were on top in the first half but Woodstock
defended quite well even though most of it was of the last ditch
variety! The visitors from Ashford were playing well and did not need
the assistance of a soft goal but that was what Woodstock dished up when
the goal keeper and defence seem to switch off for a quickly taken free
kick. Whilst a first half equaliser was not deserved Woodstock did
create a couple of good first half chances Jim Fraser going close with a
diving header and James Ellis hitting the woodwork from distance.
The half time was 1-0 but in the second the home side fell apart with
the visitors running in a further 4 goals. Manager Mick Rees and his new
assistant Steve Parker have promised changes for next weeks trip to
Blibby and it will be interesting to see how the Sittingbourne side
react to this opening day defeat. Last season they started with a home
defeat and then went on to get promoted. It will be a long season with
all teams in this division playing each other three times and next weeks
reaction will be crucial.
| Woodstock Park FC & Old Oak FC -
Presentation BBQ 19.7.03 |
Old Oak FC reflected on last season a stop start affair that saw them
have a record number of postponed games. Both teams got stronger as the
season progressed and they both finished in the top half of their
respective divisions of The Medway Messenger Sunday League, Senior and
division 4. Old Oak's kit sponsors for the last four years have been
Education Distribution Service of Castle Road Sittingbourne and EDS's
Managing Director Barry Wiles was at the presentation to present the
club awards. Oak were boosted by the news that EDS were going to
continue with their sponsorship agreement for another two years. The
awards were as follows:
 Reserve
team Golden Boot : Roy Sams
Reserve
team Sportsman: Kieron Higginson
Reserve
team Managers Player: Simon Hutchings
Reserve
team Players Player: Scott Lawson
1st
team Golden Boot: James Ellis
1st
team Sportsman: Mick Rees
1st
team Managers Player: Andy Faithful
1st
team Players Player: Andy Faithful
Woodstock Park FC can look back on their first season with pride having
finished runners up in the British Enery Kent County League Division Two
East with only a cruel last minute own goal in the final game of the
season denying them the championship. Promotion to Division One East was
their ambition for the season and that was achieved with the relevant
rise of the club to Intermediate Status. Secretary Maurice Dunk was also
awarded the Secretary of the Year award for Division Two East. Kit
sponsors Frankham Consultancy Group have agreed to renew their deal for
another year and with other sponsors coming forward Woodstock will be
going from strength to strength.
Club Vice-Chairman Martin Brown presented all the Woodstock Park
players with their runners up medals with the club awards being
presented as follows:
Golden
Boot: James Ellis
Sportsman:
Mark Oldershaw
Managers
Player: Mark Rees
Players
Player: James Ellis
James Ellis who picked up three awards that night on a day when he
became a father for the first time. The reserve team manager Darren
Small was unable to attend as his wife had recently had twins and the
other golden boot winner Roy Sams had just learnt that he was going to
become a father! It is baby boom time for the Old Oak and Woodstock
teams and the celebrations went on long into the night.
If anyone is interested in joining one of Swale's most progressive
Club's you can join us on our Tuesday training evenings 7.30 at
Woodstock Park or by calling Maurice on 07774 654912. All the Old Oak
and Woodstock teams are as always looking to strengthen their squads.
Click Here for Archive 2002/2003 Season |
