Colden Common F.C.

The effort and application cannot be faulted as we travelled to Paulsgrove for our final game with unavailability and injury rife. JACK FLOOD and ROB HOLLAND featured in the starting line-up while BARRY COX - yes THE Barry Cox - was set to make a winning return from the substitutes bench.

Things didn't look too rosy when Paulsgrove, playing the more fluent football on a soggy surface, took the lead. They were then awarded a penalty which their goalkeeper contrived to hammer high, wide and handsome. That was our wake-up call and although we lost OLLIE FORBES through in jury at the break, we could call on the injured services of JOE HADFIELD off the bench (wait your turn, Barry). Then the moment arrived. IAN HELLARD had to concede defeat after a collision with their goalkeeper and on strode COXY.

A masterful display of all his attributes saw BARRY dominate the remainder of the game and, although he wasn't directly involved, he was on the pitch when first MARK HENTY converted a penalty following a home handball and then SIMON BLAXALL slotted home the winner with little time remaining to boost Common's points tally to 14 from the last 9 games.

MARK HENTY netted for Common in a dour encounter that had 'end-of-season' written all over it!!

At the final whistle we all knew that AFC Stoneham would go on and take the title as Lady Luck was wearing the purple of the League Cup finalists!! An outstanding Common second half display saw us pepper the hosts goal and but for a dive, the woodwork, excellent home goalkeeping and two goal-line clearances we would have clawed back a 0-2 deficit in our favour.

However, the facts are that Stoneham took the lead from the penalty spot (rather a 'spot' of diving) and then soon increased it to two. Back came the Commoners and goal machine OLLIE FORBES found the net. The second period, described above, was Common's but Stoneham - in true champions fashion - took the pressure and broke away to lead 3-1 before SIMON BLAXALL netted our second.

A brace each for NICK KEMP and OLLIE FORBES secured for the visitors three points, eleven points from six games and ample revenge for the odd-goal-in-five loss at Main Road back in August 2007

We know it is always difficult to compose oneself after leaping from car to pitch for these early midweek games so Danny and Ryan were quick to express the need for focus, calmness and control in the opening stages as we sought to better the 3-3 draw we recorded at Main Road just a couple of weeks earlier. It appeared we had taken that advice on board but only after 30-minutes when we found ourselves 2-0 down and repelling a siege by a rampant Fleetlands side!!

Credit where it is due however - and absolutely NONE was due in the first half hour - and, through the verbal promptings of the two Danny's (Tchupan & Jeffreys), the workrate of Simon Blaxall and the demands of Joe Hadfield, we began to impose ourselves on the hosts and, with some ten minutes of the half remaining Ollie Forbes set up Nick Kemp for his first Common goal. 2-1 down at the break made the coffee (thanks Dave) taste so much better.

After the break we settled and, to complement each other, Nick Kemp provided for Ollie to net his 33rd of the season. Dave Burgess was impassable as Fleetlands mounted a resurgence of their own and, with Jamie Flood dominant of his area, Alex Hood a pillar of strength and Ben Clarke revealing all, and more, of his obvious ability and determination, we were well-defended.

Ian Hellard, returning after injury, was again proving to be an excellent outlet but Common once again lost their way and Fleetlands managed a third, one which they had been threatening. Still, we kept our composure and gradually turned the pressure on Fleetlands again. With some eight minutes remaining Common won a free-kick on the right and Danny Tchupan flighted his ball into the path of Mark Henty who knocked it on toward Ben Clarke who converted with an exemplary piece of knee-work. 3-3.

An excellent game with the result probably justly revealing the twists and turns of a game between two good footballing sides.

Danny, Ryan and the 'troops' entered the fray with high hopes of causing a few flutters in The Otters title race and, although we enjoyed one or two moments which Otterbourne were relieved to negotiate, I have to say that the better side won the day.

From the outset Steve Harrod's side were 'on our heels' working their socks off to negate our passing game which was not up to the mark of recent weeks. However, having been penned in our own half for long periods we eventually gained a measure of composure and started to test The Otters rearguard. Steve Dunn and Simon Everett worked well together but, as Common settled, a couple of defensive errors, with some fine finishing, saw the visitors take a 2-0 lead midway through the first period.

Having consolidated after working tremendously hard in defence, Common then, again, started to cause some problems and, courtesy of a wayward back pass SIMON EVERETT pounced to clip the ball past Otterbourne's keeper. 1-2.

After the break we were again chased around the park but continued to try and play the football that had blossomed in the past few games. Common chances were at a premium but Otterbourne were becoming more and more creative. Ultimately, after sustained pressure Common were twice undone in the closing stages to suffer a second 1-4 loss this aeason against our local rivals.

Yes, a deserved Otters win but we can also take heart from our display as we continue to progress under Danny's tutelage.

Next Saturday there is no 1st Team game but we have midweek encounters of Tuesday April 8th - Away v Fleetlands - and Wednesday April 16th - away at Lyndhurst. Both games commence at 6:15pm.

OLLIE FORBES further enhanced his goalscoring reputation with the two first half strikes which secured Common's first league 'Double' of the campaign.

His total number of goals this season once again matches his number of appearances - 32!!

On a grey, wet, blustery and cold day Common were excellent value for their 2-0 half time lead as SIMON BLAXALL, DANNY TCHUPAN, the outstanding BEN CLARKE and SIMON EVERETT orchestrated a dominant midfield display. DAN SIMS was a constant menace as Common sought to further increase tgheir advantge. However, the hosts caused problems on the break and another lightening break towards Common's goal ended with an outstanding reflex save from JAMIE FLOOD

After the break and with the wind angled in their favour, Sporting pressed but each concerted attack was thwarted by excellent Common defending - AARON BOUCHER, DAVE BURGESS, DANNY BARKER, ALEX HOOD - or outstanding JAMIE goalkeeping. Changes were made with STEVE DUNN and MARK HENTY introduced but still we created chances although the final touch coupled with some mighty fine saves by the hosts goalkeeper ensured that the final score was 2-0 to Danny's boys.

Another committed display from the Commoners as we stretch our unbeaten run to three games - successive wins and a draw - but the outlook is much tougher with title favourites Otterbourne visiting Main Road on Saturday April 5th. Meantime, well done guys.

In the wake of Saturday's excellent display against Fleetlands, Danny Barker's Common were keen to maintain the same level of performance for the visit of recent Senior Division leaders Clanfield. In truth we were not really 'there' in the first period... perhaps the demands of two games in three days... perhaps the unsettling factor of enforced change (both Danny Jeffrey and Ian Hellard - excellent performers on Saturday - were unavailable) perhaps the undoubted ability of our visitors... but we didn't really compete all round the park. However, although we fell behind midway through the first period, Clanfield's profligacy and our determined defensive display ensured that the half time arrived with just a one goal deficit for The Commoners.

Whatever Caroline had put in the oprange juice, or Danny had said at half time, certainly worked as we were off the blocks to a flyer in the second period. BEN CLARKE netted with his head from a corner to level the scores. Too much mouth cost a Clanfield player his place as the excellent referee, Jim Chalmers, showed a red card. Common were now in the ascendancy and playing with a new found sense of freedom. Ollie was proving a massive thorn with his strong running and excellent positioning and it was he who put Common ahead from the penalty spot.

Still Danny's lads attacked and, despite leaving themselves open at times, seemed comfortable with a positive persona. A few Clanfield breaks caused several nervous moments midst the home support but, thanks to Jamie once again coupled with quality defending from Dave Burgess in particular, we kept the visitors out.

Another break toward the Clanfield saw Aaron Boucher play an exquisite ball into the path of leading scorer Ollie and he made no mistake with a rasping drive from 20-yards which whistled past the keeper before he could move; 3-1

Another excellent Common display brought a well-deserved three points and a buoyant squad and managerial team. Well done, lads

A determined, forceful and, for the most part, controlled display by Common saw them move into 2-0 and 3-1 leads but were eventually pegged back by a stirring Fleetlands' comeback and some Common naivety in the dying minutes.

(Incidentally, those 'dying minutes' extended the game to approaching 1 hr 45 min!!)

Ian Hellard and Aaron Boucher each netted their first goals for Common sandwiching Ollie Forbes' 28th of the term. However, a scorching Fleetlands free-kick, just before the break, kept the Gosport side in the game and, despite some heroic defending and goalkeeping, they netted twice more in the last ten to secure a point.

Common can take huge satisfaction from their performance and move forward with, hopefully, another vibrant display at home against Clanfield on Easter Monday (3pm)

A stunning first half strike - 22 yards - by the hosts sealed the points for QK but I think they would be the first to agree they were scarcely deserved. Common started with the following line-up; Jamie Flood; Alex Hood, Ian Hellard, (Ben Clarke) Dave Burgess, Danny Jeffrey; Joe Hadfield, Danny Tchupan, Steve Dunn, (Simon Everett) Dan Sims; (Aaron Boucher); Simon Blaxall, Ollie Forbes: Out of the blocks at a rapid rate, Common started well until QK, building composure, struck the right-hand post before Jamie saved. Another fine QK attack, through a fragile midfield, saw them again strike the post, this time the left side, but it wasn't long before the deadlock was broken. After some 25-minutes a corner on the hosts right was played short and worked across the face of the box from where it was struck with considerable venom onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Common's reaction was initially one of statues as QK took hold but direct threats were few and what was created Jamie dealt with comfortably. Gradually Colden grew in confidence with both Blaxall and Sims creating problems wide while Tchupan probed and prompted from midfield, and as the half drew to a close a glorious equalising chance was spurned. A strong run down the right by Blaxall ended with a deep cross which Forbes rose to meet and head back across goal. Steve Dunn, four yards out, reacted first but could only nod the ball over the bar. Half-time 1-0.

After the break Common was a side re-born as they dominated long spells of the game breaking forward quickly and decisively, particularly down the left with Hellard proving menacing, but all too often the final ball was poor. A frustrated Forbes and bewildered Blaxall too often saw the final pass or cross either underhit or misdirected. However, we persevered. Hood, Burgess and Jeffrey held firm as Hellard showed his pedigree as a left winger, while Hadfield became more and more dominant as the game wore on Several times, courtesy of some determined QK defending when they managed to get a boot on to the ball or a body in the way, CCFC were thwarted.

Such pressure was occasionally relieved with a home break but Flood remained inspired and the defence solid. Still Common pressed, first Blaxall, Blaxall again and then Forbes, followed by Boucher and Everett all had opportunities to strike goalward but QK's defending, while last-ditch, was admirably committed. Ultimately we had to relinqhuish three points but this observer's view was the the QK wild celebrations at the end indicated that they had 'got out of jail'. Well done Danny, Ryan and a squad that is getting there.

Over Easter we are at home on both Saturday (22nd) and Easter Monday against Fleetlands (3pm) and Clanfield (also 3pm), respectively

The two Danny's were in fine form yesterday afternoon but, alas and alack, too few of their colleagues could match the desire and commitment of these two recent Common acquisitions. Indeed, in a disappointing 0-4 reverse - against a side that, at times, played some of the most incisive football we have seen this season - DANNY JEFFREY was awarded the Commoner of the Match accolade and I can't imagine Mr. Tchupan (pictured) was far behind him.

A crisis of confidence arises almost every time we concede and, despite a strong opening ten minutes, a sloppy goal conceded from a corner brought all those 'uncertain' demons to the fore. Still, we were only one goal behind at the break ...

Locks Heath were not 'at their best' (according to their players) but their football rather belied that fact. Three quick-fire goals midway through the first half condemned a Common which was firing blanks despite having worked our way into several good situations. A 0-4 reverse condemned us to a Locks Heath double to take us into a trip to Lordshill (QK Southampton) next Saturday.

'Thoroughly undeserved' is my verdict on the home side's victory this afternoon. Danny Barker's Common were vibrant, determined, strong and creative. Unfortunately we were also wasteful.

Having taken a 1-0, then 2-1 advantage - SIMON BLAXALL harried Headley's defence before feeding OLLIE FORBES who netted his 27th, before SIMON BLAXALL himself buried the second after DANNY TCHUPAN and AARON BOUCHER combined well down the right. ALthough mainly on the break further chances were created in that first period and again after the re-start, three very takeable opportunities were spurned by the Commoners. A break in concentration immediately following half-time had seen Headley draw level from a corner but come the 89th-minute they should have been too far adrift and the points should have been winging their way to the Common. Unfortunately, despite many JAMIE FLOOD intervention's in goal and the rugged defensive determination of GRANT BROWN, DANNY JEFFREY and AARON, another concentration meltdown cost us all three points as Headley netted a winner.

As I said at the start 'thoroughly undeserved' BUT we have to learn to be more clinical and maintain concentration throughout the ninety minutes or however long it takes before the man in black blows the final whistle.

On the plus side Danny and Ryuan can see, as can we all, that we are going in the right direction.. bring on Locks Heath

Although it is not disputed that Locks Heath deserved all three points from this afternoon's encounter, it was blatantly obvious during the 90-minutes that Lady Luck has left us to our own devices. However, Danny is determined to turn things round and we are committed to supporting that intent although we acknowledge, in the light of our last four results, that the process will not be a 'quick fix'.

With new signings Danny Jeffrey and Nick Kemp in the starting line up for the first time, manager Danny Barker,in his first Main Road encounter since taking the role, was hopeful of registering his first win against lower-placed opposition. However, despite an 80th-minute penalty from leading scorer Ollie Forbes, that elusive first three-point haul has yet to come.

A disappointing Common first half, during which the Castle harried us out of any stride we sought, was notable for errors which gifted our visitors two quick goals and saw a couple of very good home chances go astray, 0-2 at the break and Common confidence was low.

The second period was a complete contrast to the first with Commoners at last producing some fight. Castle also had their chances but the game had been turned on it's head as the visitors were tested from both flanks. Too often for Common the final ball was ill-thought but, with ten minutes remaining Ollie Forbes won and converted a penalty. A frenetic last ten could not provide an equaliser for the red & whites who showed their disappointment at the final whistle.

Danny gained some consolation in our second half display and, in particular, the evidence of some heart and desire.

A good Common contingent arrived with hope springing eternal of a cup 'shock'... but left having witnessed a shocking performance.

The scoreline in this case does not lie as the majority of our players just 'did not turn up'. Having conceded the first goal after some 25-minutes and missed a half-chance minutes later we then retreated into a self-induced torpor. 0-4 at the break became a double-figure slaughter at the (mercifully on time) final whistle. It has to be said that rather than providing an obstacle to our hosts we opened the floodgates for them and they swamped us.

New manager Danny was stunned at the realisation that his new side is a pale shadow of what he had anticipated but he now knows what is needed...

One of few players not to let himself down was goalkeeper Jamie Flood - not one of the goals can be directly attributed to him - scant consolation, Jamie.

Thankyou to all our supporters for their presence, sorry for such a rank bad display.

After a good first half in which Common were largely the better, more composed, football-playing side, Danny's side then proceded to produce a disjointed, uninspiring and lack-lustre second forty-five in which the hosts scored twice to deservedly take the points. Ollie Forbes wins a towering header but this effort went wide this afternoon.

Although we contrived to cause ourselves a few defensive scares, Jamie Flood was again dominant with both Ben Clarke (our only ever-present this term) and Dave Burgess proving almost unbeatable, we also had the misfortune to equal Ludwig's three strikes hitting the 'woodwork' with Simon Blaxall's (above)thunderous effort deserving of a goal.

Two goals from SIMON WATERS booked a fifth round trip to AFC Stoneham for Common this afternoon. In what was an increasingly difficult game against a very good Durley side which played some excellent football Common perservered but were hugely thankful to JAMIE FLOOD who was outstanding between the sticks.

Indeed, Jamie earned the Man of the Match accolade for his string of excellent saves which served to demoralise the Hampshire League (2004) side.

It is not often that, on a Saturday afternoon, bad light stops play but that was the case at Kytes Lane this afternoon. On the back of an awful Common first period the hosts (Hampshire League 2004) raced into a 2-0 advantage and there appeared little hope.

However, BEN CLARKE netted for the second game in succession to drag us back into the match. Manager Paul Gilbert was, obviously, vocal during the break and our reaction was positive but a second goal would not come.

With the game and our last cup competition interest this season sl;ipping from our grasp recent re-signing GRANT BROWN stepped up and hammered an excellent free-kick into Durley's net. 2-2.

No further chances should have been followed, on 90-minutes, by extra-time but an exceptionally dark late afternoon saw the referee (correctly in our opinion) end the game and, thus, force a replay.

Until the final minutes there was never more than one goal between the sides as this last eight encounter provided a total of 10 goals. 0-1, 1-2, 3-2, 3-4, 5-4, 6-4 was the story of the goals against a spirited and determined opponent.

This was a hard fought game where the Common lads were not intimidated despite the oppositions better efforts. With tackles flying in from all directions often late and ferocious the lads refused to roll over. We had a game plan of not lowering ourselves to a physical battle and shake hands after being fouled which seemed to upset our visitors as they got more and more frustrated their ability to play football deteriorated more and more. It was a superb performance with every player not asking for or giving an inch and keeping their discipline despite some intense provocation.

The back five were in great form with the Tom Gillham and Matt De Coutto stopping the supply from out wide Ben lowe dominant in the air and Jack Flood tackling as if it was going out of fashion the visitors were left having to shoot from distance only to find Ashley in goal in fine form. The midfield quartet were left battered and bruised but smiling as their football took control of the game with Ben Clarke and Chalkie in the middle and Dan Salkeld and Dave Eales supporting the full backs and getting forward whenever possible made us a formidable out fit.Debutant Elliot and Greg up front had little to work with but determined to have an effect on the game they ran and worked as hard as i have seen any partnership work this season. The winner came from a penalty after the visitors centre half handled with both hands following a free kick. It was converted by Chalkie Cooley slotting home into the bottom corner(not that i could watch) with just 10 minutes to go. After the final whistle there were again some unsightly incidents where again the lads conducted themselves with great restraint which id themselves and the club proud. Well done fellas [Trevor Flood]