Supersonic Storming Sunday Swannell Derby Preview

Hendon v Leatherhead

Ryman League Premier Division

Sunday 6^th November 2011

Vale Farm

September 9^th 1978. I would presume that only a handful of people at the game this coming Sunday would have been present the last time Hendon hosted Leatherhead in an Isthmian League Premier Division match in what has never become known as the John Swannell derby. Mick Garrini was the Hendon goalscorer in a 1-1 draw during the Tanners’ last season at this level before their play-off win against Dulwich back in May saw them return to the top flight of the Ryman League.

John Swannell: The legend who hasn't lent his name to Hendon v Leatherhead matches.

The two sides have met since Leatherhead’s relegation, most notably in the League Cup during the fast, furious and mostly fecking awful reign of Gary Farrell (one of the nicest, most genuine blokes I’ve ever talked to about football, simply not a manager). Rumours that Danny Butler was awarded the champagne post match in the away team’s dressing room for his performance in extra time have never been confirmed, but his defending for the 3 Leatherhead goals that sealed their 6-3 win had to be seen to be believed. I’ve seen plenty of bad centre backs over the years playing for the Greens, I’ve seen even more with little in the way of pace. I have never ever seen a 15 minutes from anyone, not even Mavuto Sakala, Christian Hyslop or Simon Underwood, that was as abhorrent as Butler’s that night. It wasn’t just that he was caught ball watching on 3 occasions, it was that he quite clearly couldn’t give a fiddling fart. I don’t mind players being crap so long as they at least give the impression of putting a bit of effort in. Butler, who had come with a decent reputation as being a good centre half in his time at Northwood and Wealdstone, never really convinced me in his time at Hendon, but that quarter of an hour was absolutely staggering.

The Tanners found life difficult in the Premier Division as Mick Sullivan largely kept faith with the players that had done so well in getting them promoted last season. Although only really taken apart by Cray Wanderers, the Tanners picked up just 2 points from their first 10 matches of the season, six of their defeats coming by just the odd goal. Although clearly frustrating, there were suggestions that actually, they weren’t too far off being where they needed to be. Sullivan departed at the end of September and was replaced by Jamie Coyle and Richard Brady, previously the management team at Division 1 South side Sittingbourne.

Since the change in management, the side have enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Cup that included a superb 3-0 win at Billericay Town and ended only in extra time against Sutton United in a midweek replay after 3-3 and 2-2 draws after 90 minutes. The Tanners have also progressed in the League Cup against Wealdstone, on penalties after a 2-2 draw and although they were knocked out of the FA Trophy a fortnight ago by Cirencester Town, they have picked up their first league win of the season beating East Thurrock United 2-1 three weeks ago. With mostly the same players, Coyle and Brady appear to have managed to solve their biggest problem which was scoring goals. Greg Andrews has 8 to his name in all competitions and Tommy Hutchings has netted in each of his last three matches. On the flip side however, they have conceded quite a few goals in recent weeks, 11 in their last 4 matches which suggests that the Greens will get opportunities this weekend.

Goalden Greg: The Tanners' leading scorer

The question then will be whether or not we are able to take them. Since Greg Ngoyi’s injury at Canvey Island two weeks ago, we have struggled up front. Against both Met Police and Horsham we created enough opportunities to have taken at least four points from the games, yet came away with one. The conviction and ruthlessness we’d shown in front of goal at the beginning of the season had gone, and to be honest, it’s cost us dear. We’re still 5^th in the table, we still have games in hand on teams around us, but that means Bo Diddley if we don’t pick up the points in them.

Which is why Wednesday evening was such a disappointment. We ought to have had the game won by half time and we ought to have come away with three points. I’ll be honest, I expected us to win the match (that is a rarity in itself) and in spite of our injury list, the starting XI wasn’t exactly filled with players lacking in Ryman Premier Division experience. There was plenty more in our XI than there was in Horsham’s, who I might add, deserve enormous credit for their gritty display and were full value for their point. It’s going to be a long road for them, but I really hope they survive this season. The fact remains however, that clubs with real pretentions of achieving a place in the play offs need to be winning games, particularly at home, against sides in and around the relegation zone.

There is a danger that this season could unravel as last season did. We’re in the middle of 3 home matches, the last of which is a real toughy against Canvey Island next weekend and a return of 7 points from these matches wouldn’t be bad at all. Even 6 would probably be acceptable. Anything less, and I think expectations and hopes might have to be re-evaluated.

The one major positive from Wednesday evening was the return to action of James Fisher for his 2^nd substitute appearance of the season, the hope is that he has now put his injury problems behind him so that he can really kick on with his Hendon career. Lee O’Leary is also back in full training and when fully fit, will add a lot to the centre of midfield, particularly in the absence of Jamie Busby. There are a couple of players who, if they start, have something to prove in my opinion. I’m not going to name them, but suffice to say that both have proven themselves in the past to offer a lot more than they’re currently delivering and that if there comes a time for the squad to be pruned as players return to fitness, they would both, at the moment, be very near the top of the list.

So, our second Sunday kick off of the season against a side beginning with ‘Le’ has come about because of Margate’s participation in the FA Trophy against Wealdstone on Saturday, and allowing us to re-schedule our previously postponed league match. I’m not confident that we will come away with three points. League record suggest a home banker, but current form certainly doesn’t. Since beating Maldon & Tiptree we have at best flattered to deceive, and more generally been poor. Leatherhead meanwhile, have certainly improved markedly since the first six weeks of the season. The porous nature of both back fours suggests that there will be plenty of goalmouth action at both ends, and both sides will be looking for the points to kick start themselves again after the cup interlude. Hendon to show that the first 10 matches weren’t merely a flash in the pan, and Leatherhead to show that they have what it takes to stay in the division. So, what better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than watching two green shirted sides contesting the inaugural imaginary John Swannell Shield. See you there.

Weekend Preview - The Rooks Land on Non League Day

As has been well publicised all around twitter and the Non League Centric blogosphere in general, this Saturday / weekend will see the 2^nd Non League Day take place. I’ve written a couple of similar themed pieces for We Are The Wood and Dodgy Knees and Dirty Balls blogs, so I’m not going to delve into things in too much detail here for fear over overkilling the urge any neutral reader may have to attend a game.

For Hendon’s part, we welcome newcomers to the Ryman Premier Division Lewes on Sunday afternoon (the game being moved from Saturday due to Wembley’s FA Cup appointment) who after a three tough and turbulent seasons battling against relegation first from the Blue Square Premier Division, and then Blue Square South, not to mention various off field and financial woes, are taking the opportunity to rebuild and get themselves on a sound footing in the Ryman League under the returning hero Steve King.

For those who may be interested in this kind of thing, Sunday’s match brings together two sides that are not owned by an individual but other organisations. I don’t need to go through the ownership details of Hendon again, they have been well documented in the past, and no doubt will be again in the future. However, the story of Lewes is, as far as I’m concerned anyway, absolutely fascinating.

On 8^th July 2010, Lewes Football Club moved out of private hands and became community owned. For a club whose Blue Square South title win in 2008 was completely overshadowed by the news that Steve King would be leaving and that there were going to be competing in the BSP on a vastly reduced budget, this was a great way forward. In the intervening couple of years, talk of administration was never far away but to give the club credit, they never gave in and went about things in the right manner by accepting the relegations back down the pyramid on the pitch, rather than through AGM conference rooms.

How does a club become owned by the community then? For the first year, the new board of directors were issuing Founder Lifetime Membership Shares at a minimum price of £1,000 each. Anyone who has an interest in The Day Today or Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge will recognise the name of comedian and writer Patrick Marber, who was an integral part of setting the Community club up. Dave Lamb, the whimsical voice behind Come Dine With Me, is also a keen Rooks fan whilst such luminaries as Nigella Lawson, Charles Saatchi, Steve Coogan and Paul Hayward also own shares in the club. An impressive cast list, but not quite Bob Stanley.

Patrick Marber: Yet to namecheck Bontcho and Claremont Road in Song

This summer, on the first anniversary of the move into community ownership it was announced that shares would be available on an annual basis at the price of a minimum of £30pa. Fans, local businesses, anyone who was interested to become part owner of Lewes Football Club – in much a similar way as any member of Hendon’s Supporters Trust currently owns an equal share of Hendon Football Club. As with us, every single penny raised goes back into the running of the club, no single individual stands to benefit from profit.

Each shareholder is entitled to the following.

• An official Share Certificate
• A membership card offering discounts at the Club Shop, exclusive shareholder events and reduced entry to certain home games.
• A new lapel badge each season (I’m a sucker for these)
• The right to stand for election to the Board of Directors and the right to vote for candidates in annual elections.

More information on the Lewes ownership model can be found here. I’ll admit to being a convert to this kind of scheme that allows fans, particularly at our level a real say in the running of their football club. Time and time again fans are held to ransom by egocentric owners and then left to pick up the pieces of their shattered football club when the money runs out. Horchurch, Grays, Canvey Island, Weymouth, Rushden & Diamonds, Chester City, Telford United – the list of clubs goes on and on and ariston. Let’s face it. were it not for the hard work of our own Supporters Trust and the individuals behind Lewes’ scheme, there would be two other names to add to the long list of defunct clubs.

With things beginning to burgeon off the pitch at The Dripping Pan (fabulous name for a ground that) so things began to look up on the field as well. They threw many Non League observers something of a curveball when re-appointing Steve King to the hotseat following his departure from Farnborough at the end of last season where he so nearly took them up into the BSP, falling in the play offs. King seems to get quite a hard press from some sections of the Non League Internetigensia, I’ve never seen a match where a side managed by him has been playing so I can’t really comment. A lot of the criticism seems to be based on the fact that he always has healthy budgets to play with. Whilst there may be some credence in that, I sincerely doubt that Lewes will be paying what they can’t afford this season and besides that, having money to burn is no guarantee of success. It still takes a good manager to get together a squad on good money and successfully mould them into a team. King’s track record is hard to argue with.

As you’d expect, there’s been a high turnover of playing staff over the summer. Those former Farnborough players who haven’t moved to Boreham Wood have mostly followed King to East Sussex. There’s some well known experienced names among them such as Steve Robinson, Nic Ciardini, Michael Malcolm and Paul Booth. Other impressive looking signings include Matt Somner from Mansfield, Dwayne Lee, Dominic Sterling and Wade Small. Another to return for a 2^nd spell at The Dripping pan is Jamie Cade who ended last season at Horsham. His inclusion against Hendon for anyone seems to be as good as a 1 goal start given the regularity with which he sticks the ball in our onion bag. One former King trooper who won’t be terrorising our back four is Dale Binns whose annual move to Blue Square South title challengers this season took him to Woking. One familiar face who may well be on show is that of diminutive mohawked winger Christian Nanetti who has signed from Monday's opponents Harrow Borough and will be available for selection on Sunday.

Jamie Cade Celebrating A Goal against - yes, you've guessed it, Hendon in November 2008

The Rooks currently sit 5^th in the table having won their last 3 matches following their opening day 3-1 defeat at 10 man Lowestoft. Since then they’ve beaten Met Police, Billiercay Town and Horsham all by single goal margins. With 3 of Hendon’s wins this season coming by the same margin, everything is pointing towards a very tight encounter. I’d have taken a point from this game before the season, and I’ll stick with that now. Hopefully there’ll be a good sprinkling of neutrals at the game, I know various people have been advertising long and hard over the internet, fingers crossed their efforts pay dividends.

Prediction: 1-1 draw in an early promotion 6 pointer ;-)

Other Matches

Aveley (19^th) v Leatherhead (22^nd)

With both sides still looking for their first wins of the season, this is bound to be a keenly fought contest. It’s far too early to start bandying about terms like ‘relegation 6 pointer’ but there will be a certain anxiety amongst both sides to kick start their seasons. Leatherhead will be without suspended skipper Mark Sammons, and Craig Davies will be keen to add to his impressive start to life at Fetcham Grove. Aveley will be hoping to go one better than against Concord where they were denied 3 points by a late late late equaliser.

Verdict: Tanners to get off the mark. 1-2

Billericay Town (11^th) v Kingstonian (13^th)

This has all the makings of a belter with both sides netting four at the bank holiday. Bobby Traynor has hit the goal trail with 3 goals in his last 2 matches, and Dewayne Clarke had an impressive debut at Tooting. There are question marks about the quality of the K’s back four though and Jay May will be looking to cause them problems along with David Knight, who himself got off the mark for the Blues on Monday with a brace of his own.

Verdict: K’s to nick a thriller. 2-3

Canvey Island (4^th) v Harrow Borough (21^st)

Canvey are putting together a good little run following their opening day reverse against Carshalton Athletic with Rob King in particularly good form having scored in each of the three wins they’ve recorded since. Harrow will need to improve defensively from their showing at Vale Farm on Monday if they’re going to come away from the game with anything, but they will take heart from hitting the back of the net twice for the first time this season this time around.

Verdict: Gulls fly away with 3 points. 2-0

Cray Wanderers (7^th) v East Thurrock United (14^th)

Following their humiliation at home to AFC Hornchurch in their opening game, Cray have responded brilliantly taking 7 points from their next 3 matches, including a good win and clean sheet against Carshalton. Tommy Whitnell and Leigh Bremner have both hit their stride early with goals under their belts, so the Rocks back 4 will be severely tested. East Thurrock will be hoping to bounce back from their narrow defeat at Canvey with something tangible and will certainly be making life difficult for the Ambers, as they did the Gulls on Monday.

Verdict: Nothing to choose, 1-1

Hastings United (16^th) v Carshalton Athletic (15^th)

Hastings are a difficult side to call, following bad with good. Carshalton meanwhile have had a tough start, perhaps tougher than anticipated and are without a goal in their last 3 matches. Paul Vines and Dean McDonald will be hungry to get back on the goal trail whilst Hastings will be looking to get a first win in front of their own fans on the board.

Verdict: Robins to nick it, 1-2

Horsham (9^th) v Margate (12^th)

This match brings about a little bit of nice symmetry. Horsham are without a win at home, Margate are without a win away. Horsham have scored 7 and conceded 7, Margate have scored 7 and conceded 7. Both sides have number 11s who are bang in goalscoring form in the shapes of Tony Nwachukwu (4 goals for Horsham) and Kwesi Appiah (3 goals for Margate). I think a 7-7 draw is a little bit much to ask, and I’ve had little luck predicting the Hornets results thus far. So…

Verdict: Hornets sting Gate, 2-1

Lowestoft Town (2^nd) v Concord Rangers (20^th)

This looks like a tough task for Concord who go to almost Holland still in search of their first win of the season. They’ve hit the goal trail in the last two matches with 3 each time, but have been let down by some poor defending. Lowestoft, who have had the luxury of rotating the likes of Adrian Forbes, Lubo Guentchev, Chris Henderson and Matt Nolan in and out of their attacking options look like they’ll be too strong for the Beachboys.

Verdict: Trawlerboys sail away, 3-0

Met Police (8^th) v AFC Hornchurch (17^th)

The Rozzers, or Old Bill, or Fuzz, whatever you wish, have enjoyed a good start to life in the Premier Division with a pair of home wins and 6 points out of 9. They’ll be looking to continue their impressive start at home to AFC Hornchurch who have lost their last 3 after such an impressive start against Cray. Whatever the result, the two match reports will make very entertaining reading come Monday morning.

Verdcit: Tighter than a Tory Chancellor, 1-1

Tooting & Mitcham United (10^th) v Wingate & Finchley (3^rd)

I hate trying to predict Tooting’s scores, given they are as likely to win 4-0 as they are lose 4-0. Wingate will have many happy memories of Imperial Fields having lifted the London Senior Cup there in early May and most observers have been mightily impressed with their early season performances. Leon Smith has enjoyed a lightning start to the season with 4 goals in his 3 matches so far for the North Londoners and I can see him giving the Terrors’ back 4 a very tough afternoon.

Verdict: Wings have it. 1-3

Wealdstone (18^th) v Bury Town (6^th)

Both sides have enjoyed goal feasts in the past week or so, and I expect there to be plenty of thrills and spills for those in attendance to enjoy again. Richard Jolly has hit his stride for the Stones and the Reed/Smith combinations doing likewise for Bury promises goals – as does the porous nature of both sides defenses on Monday afternoon. This though, is exactly the kind of game Wealdstone often thrive in. On the back foot after a poor performance, at home against a fancied side. Can they get their season up and running?

Verdict Jolly Good, 3-2