... Deeply Henley

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Monday 27 August 2012 (7.45pm) at The Triangle
Result	Henley Town 1 Chalfont Wasps 5
Competition	Hellenic League Division One East (step 6)
Hopping	I am here because Henley rhymes with Selsey (and Horley) and Crawley.  Several Twitter friends shared my liking for the original plan of Horley, Crawley and Henley, which sounds like a firm of solicitors.  It makes a change from the dice, and I am not working with birds again anytime soon.  This match is the third of the day and takes the lifetime list up to 474.
Pre-match preparation
Wasps are mid-table but Henley have had a disastrous start to the season, bottom of the league with four losses and a 0-19 tally in the goals columns.  The club was on the point of closing – they are in the step 6 eastern division after demotion from the premier league because of ground grading issues, presumably stemming from funding difficulties.
This match in one sentence
Valiant but at times naive, Henley’s commendable playing style got them into trouble as they tired against a more streetwise Wasps side, and though the better team won, late goals somewhat distorted the scoreline.
So what?
At least Henley have got rid of that zero in the goals (for) column.  Wasps climb to fifth.
The drama unfolds
Henley's young side could have been a goal down in the first minute but Michael Wilson shot narrowly wide.  The same player then had a sharp shot tipped onto the bar and over.  Chalfont were taking hold of the game, but there was still no score after 20 minutes.  Here's the scene-setter clip. Henley are in the white shirts. The opening goal came around the midway point of the first half, and Tom Seddon is the name on the scoresheet.  We waited to see if Henley heads would drop.  1-0 In fact, they drew level after 34 minutes with a "route one" goal.  Jason Belgrave took advantage of the merest hesitation from the goalkeeper and poked home the side's first league goal of the season.  1-1 However, they couldn't hang on till half-time.  They survived one scare from a corner, needing a goal-line clearance, but their defensive line was soon breached and Marc Holt had a very easy finish as shown in this clip.  1-2 Henley remained positive and had two more shooting chances before the break.  1-2 at half-time They started the second half trying to play the game constructively, passing the ball from the back.  The defenders were prepared to dribble and pass their way out of their area.  Most managers at this level would have apoplexy, but this appeared to be encouraged from the bench.  It was good to watch, but inexperience and fatigue led to many scary moments. Henley lasted until 69 minutes, then a direct long and straight ball from the back caused major problems.  The defence were outpaced, the goalkeeper came out but was bypassed, and Daire Stack walked the ball into the net.  1-3 The pace of Seddon was also instrumental in the next goal, six minutes later.  He manufactured a perfect pass to substitute Fred Tripp in the centre, who slid in with perfect timing.  1-4 Tripp drew a good save soon after, but the Henley fight was evaporating and Seddon got another with 10 minutes left.  The final whistle was something of a relief.  Henley captain Chris Appleby, an experienced head at centre-back, deserves a mention for his on-pitch work in supporting and encouraging his younger team-mates with the optimal balance of praise and criticism.  Final score 1-5
The programme
Something random
Groundhoppers everywhere, go and support this team of underdogs this season, especially if you have a sunny afternoon to spare.  The club is up against it and every bit of revenue will help.  This ground has the potential to be utterly charming once more, and there is a trainline right next to it for multi-obsessives.  The town is wealthy enough to support a decent football club.  If you live there and are minted (there's a fair chance), they are looking for sponsors. Always stay hydrated during serial groundhopping
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Another six goals to add to the tally which stands at 37 after 9 hops, very close to the predicted average of four per game.  The new school year starts soon, and grounds will be added at the rate of one or two a week until (weather permitting) further spurts in the October half-term and the Christmas break.  A penny-a-goal pledge should still cost you less than £3 at the end of the season.
What Next?
A night of blogpost writing to keep you entertained in a timely manner.  Thinking about Rotherham United next Saturday to restore my current 92.  Also thinking about something local tonight, but not committed yet.  Follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter for details!

... Madly Crawley (Down) ...

The signage has not yet caught up with this season's name change for the club.

A goalkeeper, and a 'plane landing at Gatwick.  The comma is important, even though there could be a goalkeeper on the 'plane for all we know.  But then I'd need the plural, so best not to ask.

 

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Monday 27 August 2012 (3pm) at The Haven Centre
Result	Crawley Down Gatwick 3 Dulwich Hamlet 1
Competition	Isthmian League Division 1 South (step 4)
Hopping	I am here because Crawley rhymes with Horley, where I was unable to go at 11am because of the latter’s FA Cup stalemate with Leatherhead.  At this stage it is a rhyming couplet, I suppose.
Pre-match preparation
Crawley Down and Dulwich are nominally top and second in the league with two wins from two.  Crawley are out of the FA Cup but Dulwich through to the next round, but those Saturday outcomes are clear enough to mean this fixture goes ahead and I am not searching for more teams ending in –ley.  Joy.
This match in one sentence
Better finishing and scoring at the right time were key factors in bringing about a home win in a match between two good, strong and skilful sides.
So what?
Crawley Down stay top on goal difference from Folkestone Invicta who jump over Dulwich who drop to third in the fledgling league table.
The drama unfolds
Crawley Down's defender Jack Page lasted all of two minutes before turning an ankle.  The first action of his replacement Tom Graves was to clatter Ellis Green but the freekick came to nothing.  Here's a scene-setter clip.  Crawley Down are in red. The first goal of the game was this header by Gabi Odunaike.  It was rather against the territorial run of play but Hamlet had been in the habit of leaving space at the back.  1-0 The first chance to equalise came soon enough, but this direct freekick from Dean Carpenter was over the bar. Jamie Cade should have put the home side two up from Luke Blewden's pass from the left into the six-yard box, and ten minutes before the interval Odunaike presented him with an easier one from the same direction.  No mistake this time, and the lead was protected until the interval.  2-0 at half-time Dulwich started the second half with plenty of attacking intent.  Craig Richards chopped down Nyron Clunis after 52 minutes - Anthony di Bernardo initially saved Carl Wilson-Dennis' penalty but the striker just got to the rebound first.  2-1 The initial penalty was saved but rebounded just enough to allow the follow-up score Dulwich centre-back Josh Turner then missed a free header - it was to be the first of several spurned chances.  However, Crawley Down restored their two-goal cushion soon enough - the defence was breached and Ross Morley, right in the centre, had an age to decide where to place the ball.  Phil Wilson got a hand to it, but to no avail.  This was the killer moment as it turned out.  3-1 When Wilson-Dennis controlled a high cross superbly but then poked the ball over the bar with 20 minutes still to go, you suspected that this was Crawley Down's day.  Peter Adeniyi scooped a shot over too and in the end the visiting challenge rather faded away.  Final score 3-1
The programme
Something random
Brilliant to bump into the Sarf London bloggers @ThePigeonStands who have, like me, been involved in this season’s work of fiction that is The Fake FA Cup.  See our mutual friends at therealfacup.co.uk for details.  Having spotted that they were there through live tweeting, I was initially worried that my "man with specs and blue rucksack" self-description in response might not be distinctive enough with so many bank holiday hoppers on the loose.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Another four goals to add to the tally.
What Next?
M23/M25/M4 towards Henley Town who have helpfully created an evening kickoff to allow a Bank Holiday rhyming triple.

Truly Selsey ...

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Monday 27 August 2012 (11am) at the High Street Ground
Result	Selsey 1 Lancing 5
Competition	Sussex County League Division 1 (step 5)
Hopping	I am here because Horley’s game has been postponed (they have an FA Cup replay this week instead) and Selsey rhymes with Horley.  It was either here or Hartley Wintney but the lure of the sea was the clincher.  You will understand in two matches time why the rhyming mattered.  You may not care, but you will understand.  Here is a token sea shot to prove the lure, with a bird on a stick added in the classical intersection-of-thirds position for aesthetic reasons.
Pre-match preparation
Not a lot because of the last-minute change of itinerary.  Two clubs with similar league records but Lancing beat Selsey 6-1 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
This match in one sentence
Order was eventually restored after Selsey took an unlikely lead, though the final two goals were late in the game.
So what?
Still very early in the season, but Lancing climb to mid-table and Selsey are in the lower reaches.
The drama unfolds
Lancing were well on top right from the start, and so it was that Selsey took the lead out of nowhere in the 22nd minute.  Graham Bush flicked the ball up and sent a superb dipping volley into the far corner.  To be fair, that's what he had intended and he did well not to look too surprised.  1-0 The London tones of Selsey manager Richard Towers rang across the ground.  He told the lino on the far side that he couldn't just go round sticking his flag up, but fortunately the one on the near side wasn't paying attention.  His flag for offside ruled out an equaliser for Lee Garnham sliding in at the far post.  Selsey really needed to hang on to the lead till half-time - they were now playing more confidently - but with 41 minutes on the clock the ball broke from a tackle to Darren Boswell, who fired a splendid shot low into the left-hand corner.  1-1 Just before the half-time whistle, Garnham got his goal from almost the same position as the earlier disallowed effort.  It seemed likely to the neutrals that this could open floodgates.  1-2 at half-time Here is a clip from early in the second half which includes some of Towers' verbal interventions, fortunately broadcastable.  Just afterwards, he offered the advice to his players that they "should keep it off that big geezer's head".  Selsey are the Blues. Meanwhile, winger Wayne Joseph was causing Selsey problems with direct runs to the touchline, although the visitors had to wait until midway through the half for their third goal.  It was a great lob, flicked with the outside of the boot, by Richard Hudson from midfield.  1-3 Sam Joyce was caught out of his goal with ten minutes to go as he had chased a ball to the touchline.  He was lucky that Lancing messed up the chance.  No matter for them, however, as Boswell then got his second of the day with nine minutes to go.  1-4 The second clip shows Selsey in search of a late consolation. Sadly, what actually happened just after this was that the Selsey defence was ripped apart and Hudson had a tap-in.  1-5 Lancing keeper Sam Cronin tipped over Barney Covill's goalbound shot just before the ref blew the final whistle.  Final score 1-5
The programme
Something random
There’s Hinshelwoods in these parts.  Marc (son of Paul, nephew of Danny) wore the number 3 shirt for Selsey.  Indeed, Danny has had two spells as manager of the club and another son, Scott, has played here too.  The names will be familiar to fans of Crystal Palace and Brighton among others. Most of the adjoining houses had direct access to the ground through Secret Garden-type gates in the hedge, but no turnstiles, surely a missed opportunity ...
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Six goals is above the predicted season average but nothing else to report.
What Next?
A scenic drive up the A29 towards Gatwick, where Crawley Down kick off against Dulwich Hamlet at 3pm.