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Saturday 23rd May 2009
Weald of Kent Cup Final
Woodstock Park 4 Platt Utd 1
Woodstock ended their promotion season in fine style winning the
Weald of Kent Cup for the 3rd time in the last four years. It was an
even contest to start with with both teams feeling their way and
both coming close with one thump of the woodwork each.
It was at Platt two weeks ago that the Sittingbourne side clinched
promotion and the longer the first half went on in this final
another win always looked on the cards. A fine move on 35 minutes of
five slick passes saw James Day cross for Harry Goodger to open the
account. An equally good move five minutes later saw the hard
working Tommy Price make it 2-.0 which it stayed to half time.
In the second half Platt were given an early lifeline when they were
awarded a very fortunate penalty. Woodstock keeper Charlie Donaghue
came out for a one on one and the Platt striker took his shot early
which sailed over the bar. In his follow through he caught the ankle
of the Wooodstock keeper and amazingly a penalty was awarded which
was dispatched.
This brought out the best in Park and it was not long before they
turned a heap of pressure into a third goal. Yet another slick move
and cross was headed home by Price and it was in effect game over.
Substitute Carl Davies added an amazing fourth goal which would have
been goal of the season had he not admitted it was an attempted
cross. From 25 yards out on the right wing he hit a thumping drive
which sailed into the top left hand corner with nobody including the
keeper moving.
The independent panel judged Tommy price man of the match and
skipper Michael Holden lifted the trophy to conclude a great season
for the Sittingbourne side.
Saturday 9th May 2009
Vandanel Kent County League Division 2 (East)
Platt Utd 3 Woodstock Park 4
Woodstock visited Platt for the final game of the season knowing
that a win would give them runners up spot and promotion to Division
1. A draw would leave Larkfield and New Hythe requiring an 8-0 win
to pip them as they started the day two points behind.
When they took a 2-0 first half lead it seemed a question of how
many they would get but several offside's and poor finishing kept
their dominance at bay and the home team pulled one back just before
half time to 2-1 to keep the game interesting.
When they increased their lead in the second half to 3-1 it looked
to be all over but a mistake and what looked like an offside goal
brought the teams level at 3-3. With 5 minutes left Harry Goodger
scored his second of the match which proved to be the winner running
from the half way line to power home. The other two goals were
scored by Michael Holden and Dan Swan and the celebrations started
as the match ended. Woodstock missed out on promotion last year by
one point but with Larkfield only managing a draw against champions
Premier they finished clear in second this year by four points.
Woodstock are waiting to see who they play in the Weald of Kent Cup
Final on the 23rd May at Lydd and they will be trying to round off
the season in style.
Sunday 10th May 2009
Medway Messenger Sunday League Premier Division
Ryetop Rangers 1 Old Oak 3
Old Oak gave themselves the chance of avoiding the drop on Sunday
when they won 3-1 away at Ryetop with two goals from James Ellis and
one for Paul Edwards. Oak are at home to Upchurch tonight (Weds) and
end on Sunday with a home game with Real 60. They need to get
results from these games to stay in the division.
Saturday 2nd May 2009
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Woodstock Park 5 AFC Sevenoaks 1
Woodstock took a step closer to promotion and runners up spot with a
5-1 demolition of Sevenoaks Saturday. If skipper and leading
goalscorer James Ellis had not been out for most of the season
injured then even winning the league might have been possible and
runners up spot would have been in the bag by now. The leading
scorer of every season went into this game with 132 goals in 152
appearances and on 97 league goals. Now as the striker is not
available to play in the final game due to other commitments he did
his best to score a hat-trick to take that league tally up to the
100 mark.
Two super goals inside the first twenty minutes showed his team the
way and when Harry Goodger nodded in from close range the game at
3-0 seemed to be over in the first half. It was in this period
though that they lost keeper Charlie Donaghue to injury. The
goalkeeper position has become a bit of a crisis for Woodstock after
losing regular keeper Mark Rees for the season to a broken arm a few
weeks back against Borden Village and his replacement looks doubtful
for the deciding game next week and The Weald of Kent Final in two
weeks.
Woodstock completed the win with a second goal for Harry Goodger in
the second half and another by Lewis Rivett to secure an emphatic
win. Ellis was left on 99 until next year.
Larkfield and New Hythe won two games over the weekend to move
within two points of Park going into next weeks final league games.
A draw for Woodstock away at Platt Utd would leave Larkfield needing
an 8-0 win to pip the Sittingbourne side but a win would put them in
runners up spot without question. The management team want to put
the matter beyond doubt and they will be going all out for the
required win. Playing for a draw could see them slip up leaving
their rivals just to win to pip them.
Saturday 25th April 2009
Weald of Kent Charity Cup Semi Final
Smarden 0 Woodstock Park 5
Woodstock have only lost once in this competition in the last four
years winning the cup in 2006 and 2007 the one defeat going out in
the semi final last year to today's opponents.
This was the third semi final in three years between these two but
by far the easiest for Woodstock to overcome. A 1-0 half time score
did not reflect Woodstock's dominance but Smarden were proving
plucky opponents. The second half was a one sided affair with Tom
Bryant completing his hat-trick adding two to his first half strike
and two goals from Michael Holden one a long range effort of some
note.
5-0 was a good way to celebrate the return of long serving player
and recent injury victim Rob Warburton when he came on the pitch as
a second half sub it was his 150th appearance for the club. He could
not match skipper James Ellis 150th the week before by scoring after
just a few minutes but it was just good to see him playing again
after such a long lay off.
Woodstock wait to hear their opponents for the 16.5.09 final but now
need to concentrate on their last two league games which if won
would give them runners up spot and promotion to Division One of the
Kent County League. Larkfield and New Hythe are the only team that
can stop them and they are very capable of winning their last three
games and ending on 50 points.
Two wins for Park would give them 52 points and promotion but they
have two tricky fixtures to do it. This week they are at home to AFC
Sevenoaks a team that they only beat 1-0 away who have challenged
all season and the following week away to Platt Utd who have beaten
all the promotion chasing teams in recent months including champions
Premier.
Saturdays game kicks off at 2.45 and Park are hoping for a good
crowd to cheer them on.
Saturday 14th February
Vandanel Kent County Football League Division Two East
Woodstock Park 3 Swale Utd 1
A good old fashioned game of two halves for the local derby Saturday
with the visitors from 1 mile down the road Swale Utd taking the
lions share of the possession in the first half and they were well
worthy of their 1-0 half time lead given to them by Andy Mannering.
Forward power was the home sides shortage with out of form Richard
King and returning from injury James Ellis only on the bench, but it
was an inspired choice to push centre back Tom Bryant up front as an
emergency striker as he scored twice in the second half to give
Woodstock a 2-1 advantage. He was indeed denied a hat-trick with a
shot that seemed to have crossed the line by a clear metre only for
the referee and assistant to not be in a position to see.
Ryan Davies who had a hand in both Bryant's goals grabbed one
himself for a final 3-1 score line and a good second half
performance from Park who now have had six wins on the bounce in all
competitions. They are in second place now 12 points ahead of AFC
Sevenoaks who they visit Saturday. Sevenoaks have three games in
hand on Woodstock so they could be caught with next weeks match
therefore vital to both teams.
With only 9 games left Woodstock are now pushing hard for promotion.
They are well ahead of all the teams in the division on games played
because of the superb work of their grounds man. Of the 15 games
played so far 9 have been at home and six away. It will be the six
away games left that will decide their season starting next week.
Saturday 31st January 2009
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Woodstock Park 1 Bredhurst 0
Woodstock consolidated second place with a 1-0 home win over
visitors Bredhurst. Nine points is the cushion now with three wins
out of three in January.
Bredhurst played some good football throughout but lacked quality in
the final third of the field. Whilst Woodstock squandered several
first half chances Bredhurst only fashioned the one chance easily
dealt with by home keeper Mark Rees.
The second half was a continuation of the first with not a single
chance needing goalkeeper intervention for the visitors but several
chances going begging for the home team. Ellis, Price and Goodger
were all missing from the Woodstock line-up and all have contributed
goals this season. The striking responsibility was left on the
shoulders of the usually dependable Richard King but he was having a
bit of an off day. King was replaced by Darren Rogers mid way of the
second half and his pace was to give the visitors much more to think
about. With twenty minutes left a mazy run by left back Danny
Vecchiolla was completed by an excellent cross desperately beaten
away by the visiting keeper. Rogers followed up keeping on top of
the shot to secure what was really a comfortable 1-0 win as there
is. Dave Boichat recently transferred from local rivals Swale Utd
was having a fine debut at centre back alongside Mike Russell and
there was no way through for the visitors.
Woodstock visit Ashford side Ham Street next week in the second
round of the Weald of Kent Cup, kick off 1.30pm
Sunday 1st February 2009
MMSFL Premier Division
Old Oak 3 Ridgeview 0
Oak had a comfortable home win which keeps them mid table an own
goal and strikes from Paul Edwards and Terry Smith doing the damage
in a 3-0 victory. Oak go to Ridgeview in the reverse fixture next
week.
Saturday 3rd January 2009
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Woodstock Park 4 Tenterden Town 1
The first 3 weeks of December were bad for Woodstock but they still
held on to second place and they were lifted into 2009 by their
comprehensive 7-1 away win in the Weald Of Kent Cup at Woodchurch
last Saturday. This was as well as this week they were playing bogey
team Tenterden Town.
James Day has just returned to the club from Snodland and it took
him just 15 minutes to mark his return when he headed home a Michael
Holden cross top give Park the lead. This was soon doubled by Tommy
Price playing only his second game for the club and making his
league debut and when the same player added a third it capped a good
first half performance by the Sittingbourne side who went in 3-0 up.
The second half was a much more even affair but Price completed his
hatrick and Tenterden did score a consolation for a final score of
4-1 which takes Park to just four points behind league leaders
Premier. Now Premier do not play in the league for the next two
weeks and therefore Woodstock will be looking to close the gap to
just one point by beating AFC Sevenoaks next week at home kick off
2.00pm. Woodstock have a blank week on the 17th and on the 24th they
visit Premier when hopefully they will go into the game just one
point behind them.
Saturday 6th December 2008
Vandanel Kent County Football league Division Two East
Malgo 4 Woodstock Park 2
Three out of three wins against three of their promotion rivals in
November had consolidated second spot for Woodstock and an opening
visit this month to bottom side Malgo held no real fears for them.
After all they had beaten Malgo 5-1 at home earlier in the season
and the team from West Malling had only won one game all season.
Even forced to making 7 changes to last weeks squad and 6 in the
starting line up should have made no real difference. The really
heavy pitch should have made no difference either nor the fact that
the three players that have scored just about all their goals this
season were missing.
In fact the only result that did not seem possible was defeat for
the Sittingbourne side but unfortunately it was one of those days
that no manager or coach can fathom out as Woodstock just simply did
not turn up. Quite why they tried to play their passing game on this
pitch was unreal and the home team gave them a lesson in how to play
on such a surface. No back passing, clearing your lines and playing
the percentages were the order of the day. Malgo did this and
Woodstock did not.
2-0 up at half time which should really have been 4 or 5 gave Malgo
all the confidence they needed and when they added a third just
after half time it was only what they deserved. As the game entered
its last phases Woodstock did at last cotton on to how the play the
conditions and after a corner and hump into the box defender Fraser
Rogers scored to bring it back to 3-1. Pushing forward and leaving
just three at the back left them open to counter attacks and they
soon fell further behind during one such passage of play to 1-4.
Another long ball by the visitors ended with James Brincat scoring
for a final 4-2 defeat and a massive blow to Woodstock's promotion
hopes.
This was most likely one of Woodstock's worst performances since
they joined the County League six years ago. The real worry was the
lack of fight and endeavour in the team which needs to be rectified
for next weeks home game to SAGA kick off 2pm. Having missed out on
promotion by one point last year Woodstock will kick themselves if
that happens again.
Saturday 29th November 2008
Vandanel Kent County Football league Division Two East
Woodstock Park 1 Lanes End 0
The star of the Woodstock show this week was their groundsman for
getting the game on which was played in testing conditions on a
pitch that held up well to the additional rain that fell throughout
the 90 minutes.
With a few regulars missing Woodstock had to make a couple of
emergency signings for the visit of the team with an identical
record with Park only shading them into second place on goal
difference. One of those emergency signings was centre back Fraser
Rogers who at 19 teamed up well with Woodstock's resident young
centre back Michael Russell, who is not much older and the two
immediately struck up a good partnership. This was as well because
Lanes End were the best side to visit Woodstock in the league to
date.
Skipper and ace marksman James Ellis got the goal that won the match
on the twenty minute mark in what was a hard fought but well managed
game by referee Steve Kendall. The home side had most of the better
play and chances but the visitors pushed them to the end. With five
minutes left a visiting forward did squeeze past the two commanding
centre backs and he hit one of those shots that keepers hate in
slippery conditions. Veteran keeper Mark Rees matched the effort
with a fine save clawing the ball away as it bounced up in front of
his dive.
The final minute saw the visitors force a succession of three
corners throwing even their keeper up for the last one. Mark Rees
was injured during the middle of the three corners but he composed
himself to catch the final one securing all three points.
Sunday 23rd November 2008
MMSFL Premier Division
Medway Queen 3 Old Oak 2
Unbeaten top of the table Medway Queen took an early lead against
lowly Old Oak who have only one league win to their name all season
but the team from Sittingbourne fought back to score twice through
Terry Smith either side of the break for a 2-1 lead.
Oak had a real purple patch then and actually scored a third goal
which they thought would seal the win. The home teams linesman had
flagged for offside in the build up but the ref waved play on and
Oak went on to score to which the referee initially gave the goal.
The protests from the table toppers was such that the referee spoke
to the linesman and changed his mind chalking the goal off.
Basically as is normal in football when you are at the foot of the
table nothing goes for you and when you are top you have all the
luck on
your side.
The incident took the wind out of Oaks sails and from what was to
them a 3-1 position they were soon brought back to 2-2. Whilst they
have never been a very lucky club on the field of play they are
always honest in their assessment and a draw to them over the 90
minutes would have been a fair result. However this was not to be as
Queen scored the winner with the very last kick of the match.
Saturday 15th November 2008
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Woodstock Park 2 Larkfield & New Hythe 1
Arriving with only one league defeat to their name and the best
defensive record meant Woodstock were in for a tough game against
visitors Larkfield & New Hythe. When a back pass fell short of him
keeper Mark Rees had to make a fine save from the visiting centre
forward only to see the players strike partner knock in the rebound.
One nil down at half time was soon corrected as leading scorer
Richard King equalised early in the second half with a fine goal. On
his 150th appearance for the club Terry Smith grabbed the winner
with a close range goal with his right foot which is a bit of a
collectors item for the long serving player.
The
shot a slow motion bouncing bomb deceiving the visiting keeper. Rees
did have to make one further fine save to keep the visitors out for
a hard fought win that keeps Park in second place. Woodstock have no
game next week, their next match being home to Lanes End on the
29.11.08 kick off 2pm.
Saturday 1st November 2008
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Bredhurst 1 Woodstock Park 5
After an awful October with two cup exits and only two league draws
to their name Woodstock went to early season leaders Bredhurst with
a set determination to get back in the promotion hunt. Bredhurst's
only defeat this season had come at the hands of current leaders
Premier a team that they had in turn defeated the previous month. On
current form it looked a tough ask for Woodstock.
Quite how the referee passed the pitch fit for play was a mystery
but Woodstock were glad he did. The driving rain and boggy pitch
suited the Sittingbourne side who were physically stronger than
their mainly younger quicker opponents. Harry Goodger was not fit to
start this match so club captain James Ellis was drafted back into
the line up for only his second start of the season to partner
Richard King up front. The back four of Vecchiolla, Dipper, Russell
and Wright who played well the previous week again played very
sensibly throughout offering full protection in difficult conditions
for keeper Mark Rees.
King who is in a rich vein of form this season was released on goal
at the twenty minute stage and he made no mistake with a good goal.
Ellis soon doubled the lead in similar fashion but with a rare right
foot goal, a foot he only usually stands on. Woodstock were
dominating the half and keeper Mark Rees was a virtual spectator. A
long ball did catch the visitors out once and a tussle between
defender Anthony Dipper and a Bredhurst forward was deemed to be a
penalty by the referee but nobody else. In fact the referee in the
conditions seemed unable to decide what was a fair or foul challenge
which was silly really as both teams played sensibly throughout. The
home sides striker still amazed at the gift of a penalty blazed
wide.
Bredhurst came a bit more into the game in the early part of the
second half but still they did not manage to work keeper Rees and
when they started to take a grip again Woodstock were rewarded when
Ellis was brought down in the box. He got up and duly made it three
nil from the spot with his more trusty left foot. King had to then
leave the field along with left back Danny Vecchiolla who had slight
knocks but replacements Paul Edwards and Darren Rogers continued the
good work combining for Rogers to cross for Ellis to score the best
goal of the match with an excellent header for a perfect come back
hat-trick left, right and header.
Finally Mark Rees did have a shot to deal with but he had no chance
with the volley that beat him. At 4-1 down the last thing that
Bredhurst needed was to go down to 10 men when they had a player
sent off which was yet another poor decision by the referee.
Against 10 men it was easy for Woodstock to play out time and
nurture a few players back to fitness. Central midfielder Jack
Goodger had a good game but more important was he managed to get
through 90 minutes for the very first time this year with and with
the extra room in midfield he managed to start a move with Dan Swan
scoring his first goal for the club with a great finish for 5-1.
Woodstock moved up to second place and will be hoping that November
continues to be a good month for them as they visit third placed
Lanes End next week with a 2pm kick off.
Saturday 25th October 2008
Vandanel Kent County League Division Two East
Tenterden Town 2 Woodstock Park 2
Woodstock welcomed back centre backs Michael Russell and Jon Wright
from the previous weeks humiliating defeat in the Cup against
Canterbury City and the Sittingbourne side were all the better for
it looking solid throughout their visit to Tenterden.
It was Harry Goodger another player returning from injury that
grabbed the headlines though as he score twice in a first half the
visitors totally dominated. He first headed home an Anthony Dipper
free kick and second drove home a through ball from Michael Russell.
Woodstock hit the post as well and really should have come in at the
break more than 2-0 up.
The second half was a scrappy affair and when Woodstock replaced Dan
Swan and Harry Goodger from centre midfield mid way through the team
looked unbalanced. The Woodstock defence made one error all day and
that let in Tenterden to reduce the score to 2-1 apart from which
Mark Rees in goal was a virtual spectator. Substitute Carl Davies
almost made it 3-1 when he headed a corner against the bar and
should have made it 3-1 when he blazed over from close range.
Woodstock looked as comfortable as you can from 2-1 and were playing
the match out for an easy win. Tenterden is a really unlucky ground
for them however and the curse continued as Tenterden equalised in
the final minute of normal time. From the kicks from their keeper
Town were placing a forward offside but non active on the edge of
the Woodstock penalty area hoping that a touch from a defender would
put him in for a goal. Sure enough in the last minute that happened
only the referee who had a poor game throughout thought that the
knock on had come from a Tenterden player and he blew for offside.
Everyone stopped including Mark Rees in the Woodstock goal. The home
forward however knocked the ball in the net for good measure. Rees
retrieved the ball and placed it for a free kick by which time all
11 Tenterden players circled the ref protesting that the ball had
touched a Woodstock player last and unbelievably the referee changed
his mind and gave the goal. Judging by the protest it most likely
did come off a Woodstock player but once he had blown the whistle
the ball was dead and they had stopped and not made any attempt to
deny the forward.
It was Woodstock's turn to protest but to their credit they did not
circle the referee as their opponents had done. All the more
surprising as the same referee denied them an equaliser earlier int
he season for their one and only league defeat so far. It was the
draws that denied them promotion last year by 1 point and this
season is taking a similar pattern.
Woodstock hope to put a really bad October behind them next Saturday
when they visit Bredhurst with a 2pm kick off.
Sunday 26th October 2008
MMSFL Premier Division
Upchurch 12 Old Oak 1
Nightmare for Old Oak already without their player manager Kevin
Dunk, goalkeeper Andy Hopkinson and leading goalscorer Adam Coles
plus several others and they had a couple more withdraw on the
morning due to illness.
Ben Jones scored the consolation in what was their biggest defeat in
their long history. They will be hoping to get some players back
next week for their home game with Burnt Oak.
Saturday 18th October 2008
Kent County League Les Leckie League Cup 1st Round
Woodstock Park 1 Canterbury City 6.
Woodstock have hit one of their worst spells for a very long time
and having one draw and two defeats in the last three weeks they
were hoping to put in a good performance to change things around
against Canterbury in the league cup.
After all the last time they played Canterbury at home last season
they were the only team to beat them but the visitors are top of the
division above now and improving all the time. Canterbury arrived
with pretty much the same team as last year having only strengthened
in one or two places. By contrast a year has not been good for
Woodstock with 5 of last years starting line up no longer at the
club Day, Overton, Morrison, Pearce and Halls having moved to other
pastures and with four others still at the club not in the starting
line up only two players on show were in the starting line up last
year.
Woodstock were no match at all for Canterbury and within the first
thirty minutes they went three goals down and quite frankly the
visitors could have scored more. Woodstock rallied for the second
period and played some good stuff. Richard King pulled a goal back
and they even hit the bar which could have made it 2-3. Canterbury
weathered the minor half hour storm and their better fitness in the
last thirty minutes enabled them to run in three further goals for a
6-1 win.
Out of both major cups and licking their wounds after a very bad
four weeks Woodstock must bounce back for their league game at
Tenterden Town next Saturday kick off 2.45. Tenterden has not been a
happy hunting ground for Park but they need to get back to winning
ways if they are to salvage something this year from a season
rapidly going down the tubes.
Sunday 19th October 2008
Kent Junior Sunday Cup 2nd Round
Millfield 2 Old Oak 9
Old Oak travelled the short distance to Faversham Sunday to play
Millfield who ply their trade in Division 3 of the Herne Bay and
Whitstable Sunday League in the Kent Junior Cup.
With a Premier division Millfield are effectively a division 4 side
and with Old Oak in the Medway Premier effectively division two
there was a major gap in class. Oak enjoyed their 9-2 away none the
less win with a hat trick from Adam Coles plus two from Mick Rees
and single strikes from Terry Smith, Rob Warburton, Darren Rogers
and Alec Johnson.
Saturday 11th
October 2008
Kent Cup 1st Round
Upchurch 2 Woodstock Park 1
After their first defeat followed by a dreary draw Woodstock were
looking to get back to form Saturday in the Kent Cup visit to
Upchurch. They started brightly enough and totally dominated a first
half and the only surprise was that they came into the break not 4
or 5 goals up but by just a single strike from midfielder Paul
Edwards.
The second half and the home side played much better and got back on
terms when the Woodstock defence made the cardinal sin of allowing
the ball to drop unchallenged in their own six yard box. Woodstock
never really looked like getting the lead back after that in what
was one of their poorest performances for a long time and with 10
minutes left the home side got the winner with the scoring player
clearly handling the ball before putting it into the net. Everyone
except the referee saw the hand ball and he ignored the linesman's
flag.
To lose to such a goal was hard to take but the harsh reality is
Woodstock never did enough to win the match. Having never ever won a
Kent Cup tie in their history it is a competition in which they
never play to even half of their ability which is really strange.
There must be some kind of curse on them and the County competition!
Next Saturday Woodstock host Canterbury City in the league cup with
a 2.15 kick off. Park were the only team to beat Canterbury last
year and the side that now tops the division above will be in town
looking for revenge. Woodstock will need to get back to some kind of
form if they are not to be knocked out of the second cup competition
at the first hurdle.
Saturday 4th October 2008
Vandanel Kent County Football League Division Two East
Pembury 1 Woodstock Park 1
Woodstock travelled to Pembury Saturday with a good number of
injuries and unavailable players. They emergency signed Nathan
Stevens on the day to cover for the injured Danny Vecchiolla and
joint manager Renny Gardner also signed to bolster the bench. His co
manager Mick Rees started the game but it was an unfamiliar line up
that took to the field.
The
playing conditions were awful with rain and a howling wind and a
pitch that felt like it was on top of a mountain. The main
highlights of the first half was the amount of times the ball had to
be retrieved from the bushes down one side. No team looked like
scoring and the ball hardly seemed to be on the pitch for any length
of time.
The
second half was a little better with both teams starting with more
promise. When Richard King headed home a Darren Rogers cross it
seemed the visitors would get a grip of the game. They did for a
while and when Rob Warburton's long range effort came back off the
post they came close to increasing their lead. A good spell from the
home side saw them hit the woodwork and finally an equaliser.
Darren
Rogers missed a good chance and both teams ended up settling for a
draw on a day when the football on view was pretty poor and the
conditions the only real winner.
Saturday 27th
September 2008
Vandanel Kent
County Football League Division Two East
Woodstock
Park 2 Premier 3
You have to go back
two seasons to find a home competitive defeat for Woodstock Park but
that amazing run came to an end Saturday when they were narrowly
beaten 3-2 by league new boys Premier FC who have previously spent
several unbeaten years in the Canterbury League.
It started well for
the home team and they were well on top for the first twenty minutes
and were rewarded after left back Danny Vecchiolla's mazy run ended
with a shot being handled by a visiting player. Harry Goodger
knocked in the resulting penalty. The game however was settled in
the ten minute periods before and after half time. With ten minutes
left of the first half Woodstock lost both full backs Carl Davies
and Danny Vecchiolla to injury. Both had played very well in the
first three games of the season in both a defending and attacking
sense and to lose both to what could be long term injuries was a
bitter blow. Having to reshuffle and use so early two of their
substitute options was also unhelpful. When an unnecessary foul was
committed on the edge of the home box the visitors drew level with a
well struck shot from the quickly taken free kick. Going in 1-1 at
the break in a half they were the better side was very disappointing
for Park.
Worse though was
still to come. After half time and still in a state of flux they let
in two of the softest goals you could imagine and certainly the
worst conceded for many a season. The first from a corner when they
had at least three chances to clear and the second after a defender
had been caught in possession. They had all but gifted the game to
Premier.
3-1 down and with
35 minutes remaining of the match the home team dominate and it
seemed likely that they would eventually get back on terms. James
Ellis came off the bench again like last week for this period and a
strong run saw him put through Terry Smith to reduce the arrears to
2-3.
Desperate Park were
in trying to get the equaliser and a series of free kicks and a good
shout for a second penalty all came to nothing during the final few
minutes. Premier held on for the win with their skipper and keeper
their man of the match.
Knocked off top
spot Woodstock will be looking to get back to winning ways as they
visit Pembury next Saturday kick off 2.45.
Sunday 28th
September 2008
Kent Junior
Sunday Cup 1st Round
Old Oak 5 Oak
Ath 1
In the battle of
the Sittingbourne Oaks it was the side from the Premier Division
that won through eventually over Oak Ath from the lower Divisions.
It was a very even
first half with Old Oak looking strangely out of sorts, but they
were soon ahead after the restart which prompted a really good
response from Oak Ath. One shot came back off the bar and finally
they got an equaliser with an upset now on the cards.
This seemed to just
pep up Old Oak though and they took charge of the game running in a
further four goals for a 5-1 win. Adam Coles 2, Darren Rogers, Terry
Smith and Kevin Hopkinson the Old Oak scorers.
Saturday 20th September 2008
Vandanel Kent County League Division 2 East
Woodstock Park 5 MALGO 1
Woodstock were due to visit MALGO in
West Malling Saturday, but with cricket still being played at The
Old County Ground Park secretary David Brown got the fixture
reversed at the last minute to avoid his team having a blank
Saturday.
Anyone visiting Woodstock Saturday could have been forgiven in the
first half for believing that Park were indeed the away side such
was the dominance of the visitors who set off at an incredible pace
closing down and pressing all over the field. MALGO brought a tip
top save out of veteran keeper Mark Rees, hit the post and finally
got rewarded for their efforts when they deservedly took the lead.
It was a slow measured response from Woodstock and it was not until
near the end of the half that they started matching the visitors for
work rate and effort. Elijah Tucker playing only his second game for
the Club was brought down in the box and Richard King with four
goals in the first two matches already stepped up to take it. The
visiting keeper saved the spot kick but Terry Smith followed up and
struck home the rebound only to see his effort ruled out for an
infringement.
It is an old cliché that football is a game of two halves and if the
home side had lost the first one 1-0 they were to make up for it in
the second, surely? Woodstock tightened up defensively and it was
clear early in the half that MALGO'S energy levels had dropped
considerably, but then not many teams could have sustained that pace
for 90 minutes.
Matt
Turner on debut ended a fine move with a good low drive to equalise
and winger Darren Rogers made it 2-1 with a cool finish after an
equally good move. With 25 minutes left holding on was never going
to be a problem such was the home sides second half performance with
keeper Mark Rees a virtual spectator. Woodstock had other ideas
though with seeing the game out not an option and they replaced King
with club captain and leading scorer each season James Ellis.
Ellis had to sit out the first two games due to suspension and
having to sit through another hour and five minutes on the bench was
just too much for him. He exploded on to the scene. His first touch
was to nod in an excellent cross by Terry Smith for 3-1 and before
the match was over Ellis had struck twice more for a super hat trick
and a 5-1 win that sent his team to the top of the league on goal
difference.
Next week it is home sweet home again for Park as they entertain
another new side Premier who have started well in the league. Kick
off is 2.45pm.
Saturday 13th
September 2008
Vandanel Kent
County League Division 2 East
Woodstock
Park 6 Platt United 1
Harry Goodger
opened the scoring ten minutes into his debut for the home team when
he ended a fine move by rounding the keeper to score. Ten minutes
later and he had doubled that to two again ending a flowing move.
When Richard King cashed in on an error between the visiting keeper
and centre half to make it 3-0 it seemed that the contest was over.
Visiting skipper
Craig Russell pulled a goal back before half time to give
Platt a glimmer of
hope and they started the second half with more intent.
Once the initial
storm was weathered the though the home team took second half
control as they had done in the first half.
A great run and
cross by Darren Rogers was headed in by Richard King and the same
player scored from close range to complete his hat-trick for 5-1
Goodger completed his hat-trick with five minutes left to give
Woodstock and emphatic 6-1 victory and two hat-tricks.
Woodstock visit the
Old County Ground at West Malling next week for a first ever league
match with Maidstone new boys to the league MALGO, kick off 2.45pm.
Sunday 14th
September
Medway
Messenger Sunday League Senior Cup
Cricketers 2
Old Oak 0
Oak were not at
full strength for their away cup game at Senior Section
Cricketers and when
they went a goal down following the home sides first attack they
thought the writing was on the wall. Twenty minutes later Oak were
2-0 down.
The rest of the
game was played out with Oak trying to get back on level terms in
what was quite a good performance. They were unable to breach the
home defence tough and ended up losing 2-0.
Oak are at home to
Gillingham supporters in the league next week with a 10.30 kick off.
Saturday 6th September 2008
Vandanel Kent County League Division 2 East
Saga Sports 1 Woodstock Park 4
The visitors laid siege to the home teams goal early on and they
took the lead forcing an own goal after continual pressure on ten minutes. A
further ten minutes later and a smart finish from Richard King doubled the
scoring to 2-0.
Midfielder Paul Edwards has returned to the club after a few seasons
away and he marked his return with what could already be goal of the
season. The home keeper kicked the ball up field and Edwards met the clearance on
the half way line with a stunning half volley that sent the ball
straight back over the keepers head for a 3-0 half time lead.
Park sat back a bit in the early part of the second half and some
poor defending let the home team in for a goal. This was only to be a
consolation though as substitute Scott Appleton scored late on for a good 4-1
away win for the Sittingbourne side. Woodstock are at home to Platt Utd next
week kick off 2.45pm.
Sunday 7th September 2008
Medway Messenger Sunday League Premier Division
Old Oak 2 Scorpions 2
Old Oak got this years season underway with a 2-2 home draw with
Scorpions.
Skipper and last years player of the year Anthony Dipper gave Oak an
early lead and it was not until the second half that the visitors
equalised.
Last years leading goalscorer Alec Johnson gave Oak a 2-1 advantage
but after he and Dipper both had to leave the field through injury they
let Scorpions back in for a 2-2 draw which was a fair result.
Oak are away to Cricketers in the cup next week with a 10.30am kick
off.
Match Reports 2007/2008
Match Reports 2006/2007
Match Reports 2005/2006
Match Reports 2004/
2005
Match Reports 2003/
2004
Match Reports 2002/
2003
Old Oak FC is not responsible for any incorrect information
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