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West
End Saints SOUTHAMPTON Season 2002/03 Previous Reports |
HOW TO SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF
VICTORY West End put on one of their best performances in recent weeks but came away wondering how on earth they failed to take all three points from this game. At 3-1 up in the second-half, Saints were cruising and laying siege to their opponents goal, but a late rally saw Regents Park knock four past bewildered Saints and in doing so clinch the Senior 2 league title. With only skipper Tim Carling and Andy Jones unavailable due to injury, Saints lined up for the first time in a while with a near full strength team, with Dan Egan pushed back up front to accompany George Winfield. In a fairly even start, West End made more of the early running, though Regents Park created the better openings and Andy Collins in the West End goal had to be sharp to make a number of fine saves. Once too often though the keeper was exposed, as Regents exploited a ball over the top to race through and score. But within minutes Saints had their equaliser, as Simon Bates put through Dan Egan at the other end and the striker ended his six-game goal drought with a cool finish. Playing into a strong wind, Saints continued to hold the upper hand, and just before half-time Egan's superb run up the left was checked un-ceremoniously in the area. After waiting an age to make his decision, the referee eventually, and correctly, pointed to the spot. George Winfield duly stepped up to fire the shot home off the inside of the post to put West End ahead. Saints continued to press following the restart, and extended their lead when the impressive Matt Wragg was put through by Egan, and his lob over the keeper sailed into the goal. This was the point where Saints needed to kill off the game, and they so nearly did. Egan's bullet header cannoned back off the crossbar, and Russ Soan saw his near post header divert off the upright as West End went frustrated. Almost instantly though, panic stations were set off at the other end, as the ball was allowed to bounce in the six-yard area and the Regents forward headed home to halve the deficit. And soon after the league leaders were level, after a gaff from Andy Collins allowed Regents a simple tap-in from a yard out. West End soon found themselves behind, and in controversial circumstances. Attacking up the right wing, Will Winfield was floored with a hefty foul, and despite the home linesman flagging for the offense the referee waved play on, only to see Regents break all the way downfield and slot home from a very good individual effort. Saints continued to look for the equaliser, but it was clear they had had the stuffing knocked out of them. To make matters worse, Regents broke through again near the end, and Will Winfield was adjudged to be guilty of pulling the forward back in the area. Collins was given no chance from the spot as the away side wrapped this game up. Despite the result, and the manner of it, this really was one of the best performances given by a West End team in some time, as for large periods of this game they totally outplayed their opponents. The task now is to win their remaining games to ensure promotion to Senior 1. Team: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Soan, Gunn; M.Wragg (Davenport 80), W.Winfield, Carter, Bates; G.Winfield, Egan. Man of the Match: Dan Egan. Other Senior 2 Results
Victoria Sports 0 West End Saints 0 West End dropped points for the second successive week with a disappointing scoreless draw away to Victoria Sports on Sunday. Despite fielding an almost full strength team, Saints looked jaded from the start and never really gained any impetus to gain the victory from a match they really should have won. Will Winfield went close in the first half, but his header was too close to the goalkeeper. And following George Winfield's cut back, Tim Carling's low shot was well saved at the near post. At the other end, Stuart Feest was kept alert with a couple of fine saves, while Saints were fortunate to see one long range shot rebound off the outside of the post. Saints were more dominant in the second-half, but the final ball was lacking in quality and many openings were spurned. Late in the game Will Winfield's stinging long range shot was tipped round the post, and James Mildon almost scored his first of the season but just could not find the touch from Grahame Carter's corner. Saints title challenge now seems to be in serious jeopardy, and they will have to hope that top of the table Regents Park drop points in their forthcoming games to be in with a chance. With no cups left to aim for, West End must now concentrate on a concerted drive for the second guaranteed promotion spot to Division 1. Team: Feest; D.Sturgess (Badley 45), Mildon, Soan, Bates (Gunn 60); W.Winfield, Carter, Carling; Wragg, G.Winfield, Egan. Man of the Match: Stuart Feest. Other Senior 2 Results SAINTS DROP VITAL POINTS No report this week. Team: Collins; Badley (C.Winfield 60), Howard, Mildon, Gunn; Wragg, Carter, Clarke, Carling, Feest; G.Winfield. Scorers: M.Wragg, S.Feest 2 Man of the Match: M.Wragg. Other Senior 2 Results SAINTS STUTTER PAST PIRELLI West End Saints resumed their league campaign with a none too convincing win over Pirelli General on Sunday, courtesy of second-half strikes from Simon Bates and George Winfield. With a makeshift team, Saints looked disjointed throughout and never really got out of second gear, though still doing just enough to overcome their opponents. Casualties Andy Jones and Tim Carling were replaced by Adie Gunn and Kev Clarke respectively, bumping the average age of the side up a few notches. The central defensive partnership of Russell Soan and James Mildon put on commanding displays at the back. In a first half of few chances, Saints went close on occasions but could not find the killer finish required to break through. At the other end, aside from one incident when he dropped the ball at the striker's feet, Andy Collins didn't have too much to do in the Saints goal and was largely untroubled. The second-half saw a more committed display from West End, as they gradually began to dominate the game. George Winfield should have scored when through one on one, but tamely hit his shot into the keeper. Just as it was looking as if Saints might be frustrated, they were given a lifeline by a terrible error by the Pirelli keeper. George Winfield's ball but Simon Bates through down the left, and though the Brummie scuffed his shot the keeper made a calamitous attempt to save it and saw the ball bounce over him and into the net to gift West End the lead. Within five minutes Saints had doubled their lead, some excellent work down the right leading to Dave Sturgess crossing for George Winfield to fire home and make the game safe. Winfield almost made it three late on but saw his header come back off the bar. While manager Adie Gunn will be pleased with this victory, he will know that his team will have to play better than this if they are to maintain their challenge with Regents' Park for the league title. Other Senior 2 Results Team: Collins; D.Sturgess, Wilkie, Mildon, Gunn (Davenport 85); Egan, Carter, Clarke, W.Winfield, Bates; G.Winfield. Man of the Match: Russell Soan. IT'S A KNOCKOUT West End suffered the cruel blow of conceding two goals in the final 5 minutes of extra time to be eliminated from the A J Miller Trophy at the hands of Woolston T&L on Sunday. Playing in their last remaining cup competition of the season, Saints saw their 3-2 lead reversed with two late headed goals to leave a sour note to what had looked on the cards to be a well deserved cup upset. To make matters worse, the referee compounded his atrocious handling of the match by giving Tim Carling his marching orders for the crime of being punched numerous times in the head. The fact that Carling had offered no punches in return did not seem to matter to the inept official, and Saints now face the added misery of a potential ban for their influential skipper. It had all seemed so bright early on for Saints, as they fought a tightly contested game with their opponents. Neither side created a great deal of chances, though it was West End who looked more threatening, particularly through the wide play of Dan Egan and Simon Bates. George Winfield should have put the visitors ahead on the half hour when through one on one, but his tamely hit shot was easily smothered by the keeper. But Winfield atoned for his mistake within minutes, finishing off an excellent Saints move. As the ball worked its way over from the left wing to the right, Egan picked out Winfield in yards of space, and the big striker calmly rifled his shot into the bottom corner to put Saints 1-0 up. Saints looked solid in the middle of a sticky pitch, with the three man midfield of Tim Carling, Grahame Carter and Will Winfield snapping around the heels of their opponents. West End's full back combination of Mark Badley and Jamie Sturgess also settled well into their new roles, as Saints held their lead into half-time. The second half remained as tight as the first, though Woolston did start to threaten more. West End's back line looked particularly uneasy at a number of long balls over the top, and it was from one of these that the home side found an equalizing goal. Despite Andy Collins in the Saints goal making a first class block to thwart the on-rushing attacker, West End found no luck as the rebound fell perfectly to another Woolston player who smashed his shot past the stricken keeper. George Winfield soon restored Saints' lead, racing on to a glorious through ball from Carter to finish with a cheeky nutmeg through the keeper's legs. But Saints found themselves level within two minutes, again being caught out by the long ball over the top. At this point, with Saints getting on top of their opponents, came the sending off of Carling and his aggressor, and this changed the whole face of the game as Saints were forced to re-shuflle. Despite Will Winfield having a magnificent game in the centre of the park, Saints found it difficult to regain their earlier dominance and were stretched more over the pitch. With no side able to add to the score before full time, the game went into extra time. With a much more open game, not to mention tired legs, there were more chances at both ends, and both keepers were called on to make vital saves. But it was Dan Egan who fired West End back into the lead. After a melee in the Woolston area, the ball fell to Egan, and with only a defender to beat on the line the young winger capped another good display with a clinical finish into the top corner. Looking increasingly jaded, Saints hung on for their lives throughout the closing minutes. Stuart Feest replaced Simon Bates, but Saints were being subjected to wave after wave of pressure. And the back line was finally breached, just seconds after both post and bar had saved West End, as Collins made one great save but could not prevent the follow up from being nodded in for Woolston's third equalizer. And with virtually the last kick of the match, Saints conceded the fourth goal through some very sloppy marking from a corner to gift the home side a rather fortunate victory. Other Senior 2 Results Team: Collins; Badley (D.Sturgess 45), Soan, Mildon, J.Sturgess; Egan, Carter, Carling, W.Winfield, Bates (Feest 105); G.Winfield. Man of the Match: Will Winfield. SAINTS BACK IN THE GROOVE In their first game for three months West End resumed normal service with an 8-1 thrashing of Weston Park, thus avenging their 4-1 home defeat at the hands of their opponents earlier in the season. A full strength lineup and brand new 4-5-1 formation saw Saints completely blow their opponents away with a dominant performance coupled with some clinical finishing by no less than six different players. 5-0 up at half-time, Saints were always in charge of this game as they kept up their hopes of lifting the Senior 2 division title. Saints cruised into the lead after only five minutes, George Winfield finishing from the effervescent Dan Egan's cross. And skipper Tim Carling doubled the lead, as he chased onto Grahame Carter's through ball, cut inside the defender and stroked the ball past the keeper. A fantastically rare right-footed goal from Simon Bates made it three, astonishing the crowd and his team-mates who were previously unaware even of the existence of a right foot on Mr. Bates. And as James Mildon's goal kick sailed over the static home defense to let in Dan Egan, the young striker finished coolly for the goal his efforts more than deserved to make it 4-0. George Winfield made it five shortly before half-time, receiving the ball from Egan and lofting over the advancing keeper, and Saints came out of the blocks for the second-half firing on all cylinders, scoring two more within the opening ten minutes. As Bates' corner was not properly cleared by the home defense, Russell Soan nipped in to head past the keeper for Saints' sixth. And George Winfield completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Egan's run was rudely interrupted for the most cast-iron penalty you will ever see. Even Will Winfield managed to atone for his earlier glaring miss by making it eight, after Egan had sent him through from Bates' left wing cross. Mark Badley replaced skipper Tim Carling twenty minutes from time, pushing Dave Sturgess into the midfield, and though Sturgess made a number of rare appearances in the opposition half, the badger's attempts for a first ever West End goal came to nothing. Andy Collins, who had had a quiet game in the West End goal, was called into action to make a couple of saves late on, and from one resulting corner some slack marking allowed Weston to pull one goal back, but that did not detract from an excellent performance from all players involved. Special mention though to George Winfield for his hold-up play on his own up front, and to Dan Egan, whose livewire running kept Saints ticking over in a performance that just oozed class. Other Senior 2 Results Team: Collins; D.Sturgess, Soan, Mildon, Jones; Egan, Carter, Carling (Badley 70), W.Winfield, Bates (Gunn 75); G.Winfield. Man of the Match: Dan Egan.
No Game Played on 27th October
Other
Senior 2 Results MARK
MY WORDS, THEY Mark Badley's decision to stay with West End Saints despite overtures from the Hiltonbury Farmhouse was vindicated yesterday as his side came out on top in the Southampton FA Senior Cup first round tie between the two sides at Royal Victoria on Sunday. Memories of last week's dire performance at Weston Park were put to rest as West End overcame their Senior Division One opponents with a supreme display, fully deserving of their 5-3 victory. With Charlie Winfield unavailable, Stuart Feest came in for his first starting appearance of the season on the right wing, otherwise Saints were unchanged from last week's line-up. Russell Soan opened the scoring for Saints on 20 minutes, his strong header from Grahame Carter's corner giving the keeper no chance. And soon after West End were 2-0 up, as Dan Egan's run through the defense was unceremoniously halted by a blatant foul in the box. The incriminating Farmhouse defender was very lucky to escape only with a yellow card, but George Winfield duly took charge of the spot kick and fired it home. An aberration by Andy Collins in the Saints goal gave Farmhouse a penalty just minutes later, with Collins booked for his troubles. And though the big keeper did his best Fabien Barthez impression to delay the kick he was sent the wrong way from the spot and West End's lead was halved. And soon after Famhouse had leveled the score, a free kick from the edge of the box seeming to go right through the West End wall and past Collins into the net. To their credit Saints rallied before half-time, and grabbed a crucial goal just minutes before the interval, Soan again heading home from Simon Bates' corner. Hiltonbury started the second half the stronger of the two teams and caused a few anxious moments in the West End rearguard. But with their defense all in sparkling form, Saints soon began to break down their opponents more, and on 65 minutes Stuart Feest's through ball found Dan Egan who's cool finish past the keeper re-established West End's two goal lead. Again Farmhouse came back, and halved the deficit with a crashing shot into the top corner. And only a brilliant last ditch tackle from the impressive Dave Sturgess prevented what would surely have been the equalising goal. But Saints were not to be undone, though their fifth goal was rather fortunate, Geroge Winfield's hard work paying off when he chased down an under-hit back pass and slotted past the keeper for the killer goal. It was a truly exceptional performance from Saints, and one thoroughly deserving of the victory. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Soan, Jones; Feest, Carling (Gunn 70), Carter, Bates; G.Winfield, Egan. No Other Senior
2 Results, Other Cup Results Shown Below Pictures
from the Game
SAINTS
UNDONE BY WESTON Saints lost their 100% record to the start of the season with 4-1 mauling at the hands of Weston Park on Sunday. Stuart Feest's long range consolation goal shortly before the end was the only bright spot of the game, and this reporter is very pleased he spent the weekend drinking Guinness in Dublin rather than watching this catastrophic effort! West End: Collins; D.Sturgess (Gunn 70), Mildon, Soan, Jones; C.Winfield, Carling (Feest 70), Carter, Bates; G.Winfield, Egan. Booked: Carling Scorer: Feest Other Senior
2 Results BADLEY ENDS TRANSFER SPECULATION Mark Badley has ended the media circus surrounding his proposed move to Hiltonbury Farmhouse by pledging his future to West End Saints for the coming season. In an exclusive interview with this website, Badley made the following statement: "After speaking with the Gaffer I am convinced that my future lies with West End Saints. I have decided to stay and play for my place in what looks to be a promising season at the Royal Victoria. I would like to make an official apology to the squad for any disruption the speculation linking me with The Hiltonbury Farmhouse may have caused over the past fortnight, and wish them luck with their tie against Hiltonbury this coming weekend. I thank the fans for the support they have offered me through this dificult time and promise to reward them through my contribution for the remainder of the season." Manager Adie Gunn was unavailable for comment but is though to be delighted that Badley has decided to stay at the club. WASTEFUL SAINTS OVERCOME
PIRELLI Despite some careless finishing West End Saints kept up their 100% league record with a 3-1away victory over Pirelli General on Sunday. With Simon Bates, Will Winfield and Charlie Winfield all missing, manager Adie Gunn and Matt Wragg made their first starts of the season as West End lined up in their traditional 4-4-2 formation, with Dan Egan back up front to resume his partnership with George Winfield. Grahame Carter returned to the centre of midfield to resume duties with Tim Carling, supported by the familiar West End back five. On a rock hard pitch, Saints started strongly and made much of the early chances. Carling was denied with a bullet header from a Carter corner, and Egan hit over with a speculative overhead effort before George Winfield opened the scoring with a fantastic solo effort. Running onto Gunn's knock through, Winfield twice lifted the ball over the head of one centre-back before turning inside the other and lifting his shot over the advancing keeper into the back of the net. Saints continued to press, Wragg going close with a couple of long range efforts before injury put paid to his morning and he was replaced by Stuart Feest. However, West End soon doubled their lead when Dan Egan's cross was met by Winfield at the near post, and the striker's glancing header nestled into the far corner. Pirelli came back and were only denied by the crossbar from a long range shot, but West End should have made it three shortly before the break. First George Winfield was denied by the keeper when clean through, and minutes later Feest hit the underside of the bar from Egan's cross. Saints came out from half-time looking rather shaky, and had Andy Collins to thank for some excellent saves to keep them at 2-0. Some more sloppy finishing at the other end from West End kept Pirelli in the game, but soon Egan got the vital goal, going clean through and rounding the keeper before firing his shot in for a 3-0 lead. The home side got one goal back, though Saints will be disappointed that they allowed the Pirelli player so much time and space to pick his shot from the edge of the box. From here on in Saints looked very much in control, and should have added at least one more goal to the total. Egan's excellent solo run and shot beat the keeper but ran just the wrong side of the post, Winfield again should have done better when clean through and Feest missed a couple of opportunities, one when he really should have crossed to Carling who was unmarked in the centre. But the final score of 3-1 ensured Saints their fourth consecutive victory at the start of this season and moves them 3 points clear at the top of the table. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Soan, Jones; Wragg (Feest 30), Carling, Cater, Gunn (Clarke 55); G.Winfield, Egan. No Other Senior 2 Games Played Photos from
the Game
TRANSFER BID FOR BADLEY West End have turned down what is considered to be a "substantial" transfer request for Mark Badley from Senior Division 1 side Hiltonbury Farmhouse. Manager Adie Gunn has said that he does not want to lose the services of the combative utility man, who has not made an appearance for Saints yet this season. A club insider was
quoted: "Obviously the final decision rests with the
player, but the manager considers Mark to be an integral part
of his squad and he does not want this transfer to go through.
Mark has shown great commitment to the West End cause, and the
manager has stressed that he still sees Mark playing a vital
role to the team." SAINTS
TOO STRONG FOR HARRIER West End Saints continued their excellent form with a 4-2 away victory over Harrier Inn at Hamble Rec on Sunday. With Will Winfield missing due to his injuries sustained the previous week, brothers George and Charlie provided the perfect tonic by grabbing two goals each to maintain Saints' 100% record to the start of the season. Jamie Sturgess made his first start of the season, partnering big George Winfield up front while Dan Egan reverted back to central midfield. Russell Soan was also unavailable, so Richard Nickless made his first starting appearance alongside James Mildon at centre-back. Charlie Winfield opened the scoring for West End with a meatball header from a Simon Bates free kick from the left, and George Winfield doubled the lead when put clean through by a lovely ball from Dan Egan. Saints lead was cut to one goal, some very sloppy defending from a free kick 30 yards out saw the ball bounce in the penalty area and past a bewildered Andy Collins in the West End goal. Manager Adie Gunn brought himself into the fray at half-time, replacing Nickless and Andy Jones moving inside to centre-back. And Saints soon re-established their two goal cushion when Jamie Sturgess fed George Winfield, with the big fella's sweetly hit half-volley from the edge of the area beating the keeper low to his right. West End made sure of the points soon after, Charlie Winfield galloping clear from the home defense from sibling George's pass and finishing clinically for a 4-1 lead. Some static defending by the West End rearguard allowed Harrier through to pull a goal back with 10 minutes remaining, but Saints had more than enough to hold on for a comfortable three points. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Nickless (Gunn 46), Jones; C.Winfield, Egan, Carling, Bates (Feest 70); G.Winfield, J.Sturgess. Other Senior
2 Results 7-UP
SAINTS No match report or photos this week. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess (Nickless 70), Mildon, Soan, Jones (Gunn 70); C.Winfield, Carter, W.Winfield, Carling, Bates; Egan. Scorers: Egan 2, W.Winfield, C.Winfield, Soan, Carter, Carling. Other Senior
2 Results OPENING
DAY VICTORY A battling display gave West End Saints a 3-2 away victory over Regents Park in their opening fixture of the season at Millbrook Rec on Sunday. With Dan Egan an inspiration up front and Grahame Carter excellent throughout, Aidy Gunn's men overcame a contentious penalty award and a number of reckless challenges from their hosts to come from behind and deservedly take all three points. With skipper Tim Carling unavailable for selection, Saints lined up with Carter and Will Winfield in central midfield, surrounded by a familiar West End line-up. And it was Saints who made most of the early running, Egan going close with a hat-trick of chances only denied by the heroics of the home keeper. Regents Park were also looking threatening at the other end, though the Saints' rearguard of Russell Soan and James Mildon, supported by full-backs Dave Sturgess and Andy Jones, held firm to prevent any clear cut chances for the hosts. But soon Egan got the goal that his efforts deserved. A well worked move up the right flank led to Will Winfield swinging in a cross, and Simon Bates' knockdown saw Egan smash the ball into the back of the net to put West End into the lead. However, Saints were to give up their lead within minutes, Charlie Winfield guilty of giving away a rather soft penalty which Andy Collins was given no chance with. And Collins had to be alert soon after to turn a stinging low shot around his post to keep the sides level. Saints continued to threaten, and despite fighting against the slope and the wind were looking the stronger team, as their opponents continue to bicker amongst themselves and deal out some rather crude challenges. Despite their pressure, Saints found themselves 2-1 down courtesy of a very controversial penalty. Chasing back from a ball over the top, Russ Soan looked to have been fouled by the Regents Park forward but the referee amazingly waved play on, and as Soan tried to recover his challenge sent the player tumbling theatrically to the floor and the referee pointing to the spot. Collins was sent the wrong way with the resulting kick and West End went into half-time 2-1 down. A resurgent second- half performance saw West End totally dominate the opening 20 minutes following the restart, with Egan again only denied by the keeper and Bates also going close. Charlie Winfield, who had had a very quiet first half, came to life with more of his trademark galloping runs up the right before a ridiculous foul on the midfielder saw his game ended prematurely through injury and the perpetrator lucky to escape with just a caution. The West End back line, now accompanied by Richard Nickless, were superb in limiting their opponents to a rare scattering of half opportunities with no real threat posed to Collins in the Saints goal. Just as it was looking as if Saints were becoming more and more frustrated in their efforts to score the equaliser they were given a lifeline, as a needless shove on Simon Bates led to the award of a West End penalty. George Winfield duly stepped up, and though the keeper guessed the right way Winfield's spot kick was too good and Saints drew level at 2-2. Regents Park staged something of a resurgence, coming more and more into the game with a number of chances, and Saints were somewhat grateful for some wasteful finishing from one glorious opportunity. But West End continued to force forward, with Egan's chip beating the keeper but falling just the wrong side of the post. Saints were not to be denied though, and with just 10 minutes remaining Egan put in the impressive Bates, whose stunning first time shot cannoned in off the post to put West End 3-2 up. It was a lead that Saints were not prepared to give up, as they hung on for the victory that sets them well on their way in their Senior 2 campaign. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Soan, Jones; C.Winfield (Nickless 70), Carter, W.Winfield, Bates; Egan, G.Winfield. Other Senior
2 Results Photos from
the game
Sunday
8th October EXPLOSIVE
START FOR GUNN Despite going a goal behind when Tom Earls lobbed Andy Collins from 30 yards, Saints were always in control of this game and were 4-1 up by half-time thanks to goals from Will Winfield, Dan Egan, Simon Bates and George Winfield. The rout continued after the break with Jamie Sturgess, Egan again and Grahame Carter adding their names to the scoresheet. The only sour note of the night for Saints came when Simon Bates picked up the game's only booking for petulantly kicking the ball away when his side were 7-1 up. Club insiders have indicated that while normal fantasy league points will not be incurred for pre-season games Bates will still receive a deduction of points for his yellow card and start the season on -2. Manager Gunn was unable to confirm or deny reports that Bates would be disciplined by the club. On a happier note, Saints fans will be delighted to learn that inspirational skipper Tim Carling has finally agreed personal terms with the club and has put pen to paper on a one year contract extension. West End: Collins; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Soan, Jones;
Carter, Carling, W.Winfield, Bates;Egan, G.Winfield. Matchtech: Jessey; Beecham, Badley, Blake, Alesbury; Ramsey,
Marvin, Davenport, Sammons; Earls, Wragg. |
