Colden Common FC is both delighted and excited to announce the appointment of it's First Team management partnership. In the wake of the previous regime which took Common to the top of the Hampshire Premier Football League we have appointed GED MAGEE and MICK PRATT as joint managers.
They both have long associations with CCFC and were influential players in the successful Saturday and Sunday sides around the late 1980's early 1990's. Dedicated, committed and each with abundant amounts of football ability Ged and Mick acknowledge that their first senior managerial appointment will be no easy ride but they, like the club, are full of anticipation at what this partnership can achieve.
LOOKING AHEAD WITH ANTICIPATION
While sifting through and sorting the various applications we have received for ther management roles at CCFC, the club continues it's preparations for next season.
The defence of our PEHPFL title commences on Saturday August 15th and, to prepare for that first day, pre-season training starts on THURSDAY JULY 2nd - 7pm at Main Road. All are welcome to increase competition for places in a strong squad.
Pre-season friendlies also have a competitive edge added as we have been invited to enter the NEW FOREST CARE CUP tournament being held at Blackfield & Langley FC.
Our first friendly is against Dorset League side COBHAM SPORTS and will take place on Thursday July 16th. We follow that with a trip to the Isle of Wight and a meeting with BRADING TOWN on Saturday 25th. We commence the tournament against BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY on Tuesday July 28th (7:45pm) and we then face a Final or 3rd/4th place play-off against either HYTHE & DIBDEN or GOSPORT BOROUGH on Saturday August 1st.
Our only home friendly (as things stand at present) will be against VT FC RESERVES who will visit Main Road on Saturday August 8th - 3pm
SCENES FROM OUR PRESENTATION EVENING - Friday May 8th, 2009
SIMON EVERETT - Double 1st Team award winner
Simon who enjoyed a fabulous season, secured both Players and Managers Player of the Year - a Common first as no other player has scooped both awards in the past...
Many congratulations Simon
Right: A frightening duo: JOE HADFIELD and DAN HARRIS recreate the most frightening scene from a horror movie.... oh, sorry, no they didn't, they just posed for the camera!?!?!?
MANAGEMENT TEAM DEPARTS
Despite a tremendously successful 2008/09 season manager DANNY BARKER has decided to resign his position with immediate effect.
Citing 'family pressures' as the reason Danny acknowledges that he "... may well return to management but not for a good couple of years or so..." While his decision is a major disappointment to the club we accept his desire to be at home with his family and wish him success in that role.
We offer Danny and his team (Ryan and Carl) our considered thanks for all the committment, approach and desire they brought to the role. A tremendous season - in which we won the league before March was out - has ended in a disappointing fashion but we are sure the players are committed to their roles within Colden Common FC and we look forward to seeing you all at pre-season training starting THURSDAY JULY 2ND, 2009, 7pm at Main Road Recreation Ground, Colden Common.
THE FINAL WEEK
SUNDAY MAY 10th; CSYFL Division 4: COMMON U/16 5, Alresford Town U/16 1
Mike Pemberton's Common Under 16's secured the Division 4 title following this demolition of fellow villagers Alresford.
Massive praise to Mike, Kearn and the boys as they thoroughly deserve this success although it was something of a blow to learn that the League chose not to award the trophy on the day.
However, Very Many Congratulations from all at CCFC
FRIDAY MAY 8th: Common's Annual Presentation Evening - held at East Horton Golf CLub - was, again, extremely well attended (120 sitting) and proved to be another memorable evening. I will post a list of all winners later but, for the interim, ASHLEY DOUSE and STEVE CUNNINGHAM took the Reserves' accolades while SIMON EVERETT was recognised TWICE Players Player and Managers Player to become the first Commoner to receive both awards and a true reflection of the awesome season he enjoyed.
Awesome season's? RICHARD LANG produced one of those with his goal scoring and goal saving.. and then left a reminder in his last game of what might have been by scoring all three goals in the defeat of Locks Heath....
JIM HART, another who has performed above and beyond has decided to call it a day '...but if you're struggling I'll try and be there..." after 334 Common 1st Team outings. His contribution has been immense and he has rarely put a foot, or a head, wrong. Hopefully, even if not in a playing capacity, we will see Jim back with us next term. Well done and thankyou Mr. Jim Hart
May Bank Holiday Monday brought our PEHPFL League Cup Final tussle with Paulsgrove and, although we took the lead - an exquisite finish from DEAN HIGGINS - we failed to capitalise and the Portsmouth side rather dominated in the second period to ensure that a PEHPFL League and Cup 'Double' has yet to be secured by any side. Congratulations to Paulsgrove who worked tirelessly and put us off our game to such an extent that they could play-out time in the relevant corners for what seeme dlike a full five minutes!?!?!
Our Man of the Match, SIMON EVERETT, had to go off with calf troubles and it was his demise that finally ensured Common would not win the game.
Saturday April 25th, PEHPFL, Senior Division: COMMON 3, Locks Heath 1
Common's final PEHPFL Senior Division game of the season ended with a vibrant and upbeat second half display in which RICHARD LANG netted a hat-trick to overturn a single goal first half deficit. In the wake of several 'low-key' displays in recent weeks this was a particular tonic for players, managers and suporters alike.
Although Tich is suspended for the May Bank Holiday Monday Premier League League Cup final at Fareham Town his inspired display will have done wonders for his team mates.
Saturday April 18th; PEHPFL, Senior Division: COMMON 0, Team Solent 3
Since being crowned champions Danny Barker's Common have simply not 'been at the races'. Post title blues perhaps but a verve, a vibrancy, a passion has been missing from the champions game. However, to deny Team Solent would be churlish as they thoroughly deserved to inflict a second successive defeat upon Common. Under 18 goalkeeper Richard Pearce made his 1st Team debut and he performed well in another Common display which left many wondering 'how on earth did they win the title?'
EASTER PROGRAMME; PEHPFL, Senior Division: COMMON 2, Lyndhurst 2 ~ Sporting BTC 3, COMMON 5
A curious weekend saw Common recover from a 0-2 deficit against visiting Lyndhurst - Dave Egerton and Simon Everett the goalscorers - while Easter Monday's visit to Sporting BTC provided the hosts the chance to stage an amazing fightback. Danny Barker's Common stormed into a 3-0 lead but before you could blink (a slight exaggeration) the hosts were level, 3-3. That Common went on to prove the stronger and secure a 5-3 verdict could not hide the defensive deficiencies which have seen only one clean sheet since November 29th. However, cause for much celebration in the Parker / Pratt household as Jordy Parker netted no fewer than four of Common's goals with Simon Everett scoring the fifth.
Saturday April 4th, 2009 - PEHPFL, Senior Division: COMMON 1, Sporting BTC 1
Although Danny's side failed to collect three points there were huge benefits to come out of the visit from Southampton Senior Cup semi-finalists Sporting BTC. BEN THOMSON, who ultimately did NOT represent the League in it's midweek Inter-League Cup encounter against the Northampton Town League, was in dominant form and it was through him that Common started amost every move and he provided some outstanding crosses - from corners and open play - that we unfortunately were unable to convert. The return of DAVE NICOL - on his 23rd birthday - ended in disapointment as Nics suffered an ankle injury during the second half and he couldnt complete the game (Still I expect he is ok as I saw him in PC World today!?!?) However, back to the game....
The contributions of youngster's MATT STEVENSON, BEN CLARKE and substitute LIAM MAGEE, the scorer of our equaliser, were particuilarly pleasing for Danny and the Club, but we failed to find the required 'impetus' to overcome a hard-working opponent.
CHAMPAGNE CELEBRATIONS FALL FLAT
Saturday March 28th, 2009- PEHPFL Senior Division: COMMON 3, Bournemouth Univ 4
On the day Common celebrated winning the title, Bournemout University played a major role in ensuring any celebrations were muted.
Half an hour before scheduled kick off the students - the future of our country - were looking for Main Road, Colden Common in HAMBLE. Unsurprisingly they could not locate it so sought advice through various frantic calls. Meanwhile back at Main Road no opposition... the game eventually started at 3;30pm and Common, having fallen behind, surged into a 3-1 lead - Higgins 2, Waters. Things then started to go awry. Perhaps premature celebrations were in mind as we then succumbed the advantage and went into the break level at 3-3.
A solitary second half goal from Bournemouth coupled with the wholly justifiable sending off of our goalkeeper, Richard Lang, ultimately inflicted Commons second League loss of the season and while the champagne cork's popped the celebrations were dampened.
COMMON CUP HOPES CRUSHED
The week commencing March 23rd held much promise for Common sides in important cup clashes. Indeed the week got off to the perfect start when Locks Heath's 1-6 loss at home against AFC Stoneham on Tuesday (24th) ensured Danny Barker's side had secured the PEHPFL, Senior Division title.
It was all downhill from there, however. On Wednesday March 25th the prize was a final place at St. Marys, home of Southampton FC. This Southampton Senior Cup semi was a dour affair with neither goalkeeper being troiubled in the first period. After the break Ollie Forbes followed a glaring miss with a fine strike to give the Commoners the lead. Now the students of Team Solent reacted and, as Danny Barkers side retreated into their shells so Solent took advantage. Two goals in two minutes during the final ten effectively sealed the game to give the students a Final appearance.
The following day, at the same venue - Aerostructures FC - Common Vets met Nursling Vets in the final of the Hampshire FA Vets Cup and, despite recovering from 0-2 down to level matters courtesy of Paul Riddell and Andy Kirby, finally foul of a last-minute goal to finish as runners-up after a contest that was regarded as an excellent advert for Veterans football.
Moving forward to Saturday March 28th, Common Reseves travelled to Clanfield to meet their Reserves in the semi-final of the PEHPFL Combination League Cup. Another tale of woe unfortunately as Andy Kirby's side worked their collective socks off but failed tro tesr the home goalkeeper. Add to that a couple of second-half errors and the game ended in Clanfields favour, 2-0.
Saturday March 21st, 2009
PEHPFL, SENIOR DIVISION; Fleetlands 0, COMMON 2 (Parker, Higgins)
PEHPFL, COMBINATION; COMMON RES 2, Paulsgrove Res 5
Saturday March 14th: PEHPFL Senior Division and Combination
The two Common's - 1st & Reserves - recorded excellent 4-1 victories on Saturday against opponents who were expected to provide difficult hurdles for us to overcome.
Danny Barkers side again started well and, thanks to the prolific OLLIE FORBES, were 1-0 ahead at AFC Stoneham after just three minutes. Further goals from DEAN HIGGINS (23 minutes), BEN THOMSON - his first goal for the club - on the stroke of half time, and OLLIE again in the final minute, secured an excellent result and the league 'double' over last season's champions.
As Locks Heath extended their league winning run our 1st Team need eight more points to secure the title and will look to secure another three at Fleetlands next Saturday.
As for Common Reserves Andy Kirbys side, with LIAM MAGEE outstanding and SIMON WATERS scoring goals for fun, saw off the challenge of 2nd-placed Locks Heath Reserves at Main Road. Simons phenomenol goalscoring record with Common Reserves was further improved as the master striker netted ALL FOUR!!
In an excellent display STEVE CUNNINGHAM and LEE SMITH contributed massively but I was disappointed with our visitors 'spiteful' reaction to being beaten by a, on the day, better equipped side.
Next Saturday Common Reserves entertain champions-elect Paulsgrove Reserves - 3pm at Main Road.
Saturday March 7 and Wednesday March 11th
COMMON 'EGE' PAST THE HEATHENS
Having disposed of visiting LISS ATHLETIC, 6-1 on Saturday, to maitain the 'favourites' tag for the Puma Engineering Hampshire League title - goals from Ollie Forbes (2), James Atterbury, Craig Martin, Simon Waters and Dave Egerton saw Danny Barkers side move 16 points clear at the top - Common then turned their attention, on Wednesday, to the League Cup and a last four encounter with Locks Heath.
The second semi-final of this season's League Cup competition took place at Liss Athletic with the winners meeting Paulsgrove in the May 4th final (at Fareham Town FC).
Despite netting in the opening two minutes, Ollie Forbes finishing an excellent flowing move started by Dave Egerton and featuring Dean Higgins, CCFC were pegged back on 21 minutes when Darren Williamson levelled from a corner. Common now stalled and were grateful to the outstanding Ben Clarke and a strong defensive display, including stand-in keeper Rich Lang, which repelled the frequent Locks Heath raids. Half-time 1-1.
Despite much anticipation the second period was a scrappy affair - much like a typical semi-final - but Common were regaining their composure and started to threaten again. From a corner, on 57 minutes, James Atterbury was on hand to fire the red & whites ahead, 2-1 and Locks Heath once again looked to respond. This time, however, tiring limbs took its toll and Common managed to comfortably contain the threat. What appeared would be the 'final nail..' in Locks' coffin came on 89 minutes when Dave Egerton cracked a memorable free-kick beyond the keeper to increase the Commoners lead to 3-1. However there was a sting in the tail when Cowiey netted for Heath but it proved too little too late and Common moved into the final by the odd-goal-in-five.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28th, 2009 - Puma Engineering Hampshire League
Combination Division Hamble Club Res 1, COMMON RES 8
WATERS GRABS FIVE AS COMMON COME ALIVE
Simon Waters netted five goals this afternoon - including a first tewnty-minute hat-trick - to help ease Andy Kirby's side to an eight-goal romp against willing but lacking hosts. In an effort to boost his match fitness ALEX HUXFORD did not benefit from the 1st Teams day off as he was drafted into Common Reserves and it was he who hit the telling pass to release Muddy Waters who opened the scoring after just five minutes.
In truth, alongside goals from SIMON WOODWARD, MARK HENTY and a beauty from STEVE DUNN, Common could have doubled their tally were it not for last-ditch defending, goalkeeping and some slightly awry finishing.
Next Saturday the lads have the chance to avenge a recent 0-2 loss to Team Solent Reserves - kick off 3pm.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21st, 2009 - Puma Engineering Hampshire League
Senior Division: QK Southampton 1, COMMON 4
The title aspirations of Dannys Boys were given a major boost on Saturday as Common secured a 4-1 verdict at 'The Taxmen' while their closest rivals, Clanfield, were losing 2-1 at AFC Stoneham.
Ollie Forbes scored for the seventh game in succession after just eight minutes and further goals followed from Dean Higins (29), Simon Everett (80) and Jordan Parker (90) in a battling display against solid hsts. Danny was obviously delighted with the scoreline and also with the grit, determination and team spirit shown by his lads.
Combination Division: COMMON RES 0, Team Solent Res 2
A disappointing result for Andy Kirby's Common Reserves as a game which seemed destined for a draw was settled by a wicked deflection and an own goal.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14th, 2009 - Puma Engineering Hampshire League, Senior Division
COMMON 6, Headley United 2
Karl Salmon (pictured below against Clanfield with eyes firmly fixed on the ball) opened his Common goalscoring account with two in the first sixteen minutes as the table toppers romped to a 6-2 victory. In addition to Karls 'brace' there were goals from Jordan Parker (2), Ollie Forbes and Simon Everett who started the ball rolling with his 5th-minute strike.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7th, 2009
Puma Engineering Hampshire League, Senior Division
Clanfield 2, COMMON 3
TABLE TOPPERS EXTEND LEAD TO ELEVEN POINTS
Common provided the perfect response to what manager Danny Barker labelled an 'indifferent display' against Locks Heath the previous week by securing the Hants Premier League 'double' over 2nd-placed Clanfield on Saturday.
The odd-goal-in-five success was thoroughly deserved by the visitors although taking our collective feet off the gas after we had moved into a 3-0 lead caused a few anxious moments in the dying minutes.
Just eight minutes into thre game which the hosts started well, saw Common score twice through DAVE EGERTON, his first goal for the club, after good work by Jason Ahmet, and the excellent SIMON EVERETT. Clanfield were struggling to cope with good work on Commons flanks, particularly from the marauding Karl Salmon and the energetic Egerton who each provided excellent service intoi the box although Ollie Forbes and Dean Higgins were unable to take futher advantage. In the middle of the park Common started brightly with skipper Ahmet imposing and Lee Kelly working tirelessly to regain possession if it were lost.
However, dont be fooled into thinking it was all Common as the hosts carved several good shooting opportunities but excellent defensive ork from James Atterebury,Jim Hart, the dominant Alex Huxford and Salmon, in harness with another impressive goalkeeping display from Rich Lang, ensured we kept a clean sheet at the break.
In the second period Clanfield upped the ante and we struggled to keep them away from the edge of our box as we could not retain possession for any lengthg of time. However, the hosts failed to take advantage of some good opportunities and Common added a third after Egerton and Salmon worked well down the right flank with Higgins and the ball was played into the middle where FORBES netted. 0-3. Danny introduced Simon Waters, Pete Winkle and Jordan Parker but the momentum stalled and Clanfield managed to net after a good through ball found our defence square and again when a home corner went unchallenged.
All-in-all Common prtoduced an excellent display against our closest rivals and re-established a dominant position at the top of the Senior Division which was further enhanced with the news that Otterbourne had lost 4-1 at Paulsgrove.
SATURDAY JANUARY 31st, 2009
Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier League - Senior Division
COMMON SUFFER FIRST LEAGUE LOSS - Locks Heath 4, COMMON 2
COLDEN Common’s magnificent unbeaten record finally came to grief this weekend when they crashed 4-2 away at Locks Heath – the team who they face in the semi-finals of the Puma Engineering League Cup next month. The Heathens were worthy winners as the table-toppers failed to match the hosts desire and determination.
Yet the runaway leaders started well taking a seventh minute lead through Ollie Forbes but ‘Heath – who have a Hampshire Intermediate Cup quarter-final home date with West Wight this Saturday – levelled on 32 minutes when Calvin Magnus steered in a Mark Christie cross.
Two goals in a devastating four-minute spell after the restart turned the tide in Locks’ favour. On 47 minutes, Lee Sharp knocked in another Christie delivery and it was Christie who was the architect moments later for an unmarked Magnus to make it 3-1 with a header.
A 20-yard Dean Higgins volley gave the Commoners some hope of salvaging a point but that was quickly extinguished as master marksman Magnus completed his hat trick after Christie’s effort had been blocked by the Common keeper.
The silver lining for Common was the news that the three clubs immediately behind in the table could only muster a point between them. That was gained by second-placed Clanfield who carelessly tossed the lead away twice in a 2-2 home draw with Liss Athletic.
Puma Engineering Hampshire League, Combination Cup
COMMON RES 5, Fleetlands 1
COLDEN Common Reserves marched into the last four of the Puma Engineering Combination Cup with a convincing 5-1 quarter-final victory over Fleetlands Reserves at their Main Road home.
Liam McGee was the hat-trick hero for the Commoners along with two-goal Ian Hellard and Romain Weill who had a big hand in most of their goals.
Common will go into the hat along with holders Locks Heath Reserves, Clanfield Reserves and Winchester Castle Reserves for the semi-final draw that will take place at the PEHPL monthly Management Meeting on February 9.
Southampton Veterans League, Division A
COMMON VETS 2, Redlynch & Woodfalls 0
Goals from Paul Riddell and 'goal-a-game' Barry Cox secured Dave Hadfields Common Vets another excellent victory to maintain their recent outstanding run of results
SATURDAY JANUARY 24th, 2009 - SFA Veterans Division A
EYES ON THE BALL..BUT NOT THE CAMERA as Hamble host Commons Vets.
First half action in the Hamble goalmouth
HT Hamble 3, Common 3
SATURDAY JANUARY 24th, 2009 - Hants Premier
Winchester Castle 2, COMMON 5
An OLLIE FORBES hat-trick and two goals from CRAIG MARTIN - in his last game until March - secured Danny Barkers table toppers all three points to retain their nine point lead at the top of the table.
SATURDAY JANUARY 24th, 2009 - PEHFL, Combination Cup COMMON RES v FLEETLANDS RES - Postponed
Despite seeing both STEVEN OTT and LIAM MAGEE net their first Saturday goals for the club, Andy Kirby's Common came out worst after an odd-goal-in-five tussle which the visitors deserved to win. A disappointing result for the hosts who have given a poor run of performances in recent weeks. Let's hope thing simprove for the Combination Cup visit of Fleetlands Res on Saturday Jan 24th.e
SATURDAY JANUARY 17th, 2009 - Hampshire FA Veterans Cup, Semi-Final COMMON 6, Compton 2
Having fallen 0-2 behind Dave Hadfields men would have been forgiven for dropping their heads in such an important tussle. However, the home side rallied in the third attempt to get the game played and levelled matters at 2-2 by the break before running away with the game during the second half. Common now meet Nursling in the Final which is to be played at Aerostructures FC on THURSDAY MARCH 26th, 2009.
Common's goalscorers, who each netted a 'brace' were TREVOR TARGETT, LEE RUSSELL and PAUL RIDDELL
SATURDAY JANUARY 17th, 2009 - PUMA ENGINEERING HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE, Senior Division
Hamble Club 1, COMMON 2 - Kelly (p), Forbes
Common started the stronger team this afternoon, but did not maintain their early tempo that the Common management had hoped for in the pre-match team talk. Common created some early chances for Ollie Forbes and Simon Waters, but it was Jordan Parker who had the closest effort, striking the ball narrowly wide of the goal whilst being closed down by the Hamble defender,this was following a great ball into the channel from Jim Hart and good work down the left from Ollie Forbes getting into the channel and crossing for Jordan's chance.
After several missed chances, particularly from the number of corners that Common had in the first half it was Simon Waters who was chopped down from behind in the area whilst trying to get control of a loose ball that lead to Skipper Lee Kelly taking responsibility from the spot sending the Hamble keeper the wrong way with a drilled penalty into the bottom left hand corner.
However with Hamble reverting to long-ball tactics up through the middle, Richard Lang was called into action off his line to superbly block a shot from the advancing Hamble Keeper. The lead was short-lived and a looping and wind assisted Hamble free kick from Mark Pattinson on the edge of the right side of the Common penalty box sailed over everyone's head and into the top left hand corner to make it 1-1.
With half time rapidly approaching and after much Common domination of the ball, Common finally went in front when an inswinging corner from the left from Dave Egerton was failed to be cleared by the Hamble defence and Ollie Forbes with a typical poachers finish, stabbed the ball past the Hamble keeper in the six yard box to give Common a 2-1 half-time lead.
Hamble had given a spirited and committed first half performance and it was vitally important that Common matched them in every department with the hope that we would take our many of the chances we had created during the first period. However the second half was quite a lacklustre affair in which Common again dominated but could not
break down some resolute defending from Hamble, with their player -manager Headley Winter winning a lot of headers and having some good, competitive tussles for the ball with Common striker Ollie Forbes. Ollie did get the better of Winter when he ran onto a decent through ball from Lee Kelly but he was shut down by the excellent Hamble keeper and could not
get a decent shot on goal.
Ben Thompson made his Common debut on 60 mins, coming on for Waters, with Parker going up front and Ben replacing him on the left side of midfield and it was clear that Ben has an excellent range of passing and he was able to put Jordan Parker in on goal with a deft pass which deceived the Hamble defence and brilliant cross field ball to put in the unmarked Dave Egerton on the right however he could not convert his chance either. As the game drifted out, the fear was that Hamble could punish Common for missing their chances by grabbing an equalizer against the run of play however they rarely threatened Common in the second half. Alex Huxford and Karl Salmon continued their impressive starts to their Common careers both looking calm and accomplished on the ball as we looked to play out of defence.
Common played some very attractive football today at times, however, we lacked a cutting edge at times and missed some good chances and tended to overplay when a quick easy pass would have split the Hamble defence up. Manager Danny Barker was pleased with the result, rather than the overall performance as we had to dig out another win. Danny said " I'm pleased that we've got the three points today, we could have won by a bigger margin and we know we can play better, however we've ground out another victory and that keeps our momentum going, taking us next week's game at Winchester Castle."
SATURDAY JANUARY 3rd, 2009
PUMA ENGINEERING HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE, Senior Division
COLDEN COMMON 3, Overton United 2
After an encouraging start from Common with lots of possession in the Overton half, Common fell behind on 16 minutes when they failed to deal with a long put up field to a allow the Overton striker to smash the ball past the helpless Common first team debutant Keeper Ash Douse. The lead didn't last long when Dave Egerton's quick throw from the left was misjudged by the Overton defenders and allowed the unmarked Lee Kelly to poke the ball past the keeper on the six yard box on 18 minutes. Common went in front on 23 minutes when Ollie Forbes strong run down the right channel provided a driven cross across the face of the goal for Jason Ahmet's late run in to the box to sweep the ball past the Overton keeper. However the lead didn't last long and Overton equalised from another long ball which Common failed to clear their lines allowing the Overton striker to shoot past the diving Douse.
Common could have been 3-2 up at the break after a clumsy trip from behind on James Atterbury lead to a penalty, however, Dave Egerton's spot kick was saved by the Overton keeper and Ollie Forbes following up from the keepers save failed to get a decent connection with the ball from the keeper's parry. HT 2-2.
Management message: Sort the defence out at the back - organise, play a more direct style of football in the channels where we had joy in the first half, as the hardening pitch made our usual intricate passing style very difficult. We also needed to up the work rate up front and get our bodies in front of their defenders. Close Overton down quicker and stop them from getting on the ball and playing the long balls forward. Thankfully the team took on board the messages. In the second half Common started brightly and went in front on on 50 mins. Jim Hart's excellent free-kick found the head of Forbes for the winner as he headed over the top of the advancing keeper. and into the Overton net. Overton rarely threatened the threatened the Common goal in the second half and Common could have further extended their lead when Forbes and Simon Waters failed to convert their chances in front of gaol. Simon Everett had a rasping shot from the edge of the area excellently tipped around the post by the Overton keeper. Overall a good work man like Common display a we ground out three points after an initial set-back.
PUMA ENGINEERING HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE, Senior Division
Saturday December 27th, 2008: Otterbourne 1, COMMON 1
Common ended 2008 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at local rivals Otterbourne who were cursing the abilities of stand-in Common goalkeeper RICHARD LANG. The renowned goalSCORER became remarkable goalSTOPPER as he filled the massive gap left by the injured Dave Nicol. Indeed, Common could have rubbed further salt as, thanks to LEE KELLY's 'wonder goal' (I wonder who scored that???) in the 85th-minute the visitors could well have taken all three points. However, it was not to be and The Otters restored parity in the final couple of minutes to take a deserved share of the spoils.
Danny, Ryan, Carl and the players can now look forward to enjoying the start of a New Year safe in the knowledge that we remain undefeated in the Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier League, Senior Division, after sixteen games.
Saturday December 27th, 2008: COMMON RES 1, Otterbourne Res 0
SIMON BLAXALL netted the only goal of the game to give Andy Kirby and Common Reserves their first 'win bonus' since September 30th - a period which has been dominated by postponements!!! The margin of victory could well have been wider but the Commoners missed a penalty in an effort to make the game more exciting!! It was good to see ASHLEY DOUSE back between the sticks after a long suspension and hugely encouraging to have four other of our Under 18's in the squad.
PUMA ENGINEERING HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE, League Cup Quarter-Final
Saturday December 20th: Liss Athletic 1, COMMON 4 (S.Everett, O.Forbes, L.Kelly, J.Parker)
Danny Barker'as Common progressed to the last four of the League Cup but not without some difficulty, particularly in the first half, against direct and enterprising hosts. Indeed, Liss took an early lead courtesy of some ndecisive defending and an accurate finish.
Fittingly it was LEE KELLY, playing his 250th 1st Team game for the Commoners, who levelled matters with a header that he would like to think resembled a missile... disappointingly it was more of a 'dunk' as the ball plopped over the goal line!!! The half continued with chances at each end and Common's custodian, LANG, had to be at his finest to thwart the home side.
After the break - and a Bowie Roasting - Common upped their game with contributions now becoming significant. OLLIE FORBES, JPRDAN PARKER and SIMON EVERETT all took chances that came their way to book a last four slot for the league leaders.
SIMON EVERETT - Double 1st Team award winner
Common's Annual Presentation Evening - held at East Horton Golf CLub - was, again, extremely well attended (120 sitting) and proved to be another memorable evening. I will post a list of all winners later but, for the interim, ASHLEY DOUSE and STEVE CUNNINGHAM took the Reserves' accolades while SIMON EVERETT was recognised TWICE Players Player and Managers Player to become the first Commoner to receive both awards and a true reflection of the awesome season he enjoyed.
