Havant & Waterlooville 22 November 2014

[Deleted]

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE (H) PREVIEW

Print Email
Details
Published on Friday, 21 November 2014 12:20
Written by Jake Ellacott
Hits: 52
Following defeat at home to Farnborough on Monday evening, the Saints will be looking to make amends this weekend, as we welcome Havant & Waterlooville to Clarence Park.Havant and waterlooville logo

This is the first time the Hampshire club have visited The Park since the season which saw us relegated from the division. That fixture saw the two sides play out a disappointing 1-1 draw in front of just 252 souls.

The Hawks have had an impressive start to their Vanarama Conference South season, winning 8 of the 15 matches they have played, drawing 2 and losing just 5. This series of results leaves Havant with 26 points from a possible 45, which although it may not seem spectacular, does leave today’s opponents in a play-off place, having played less matches than the majority of clubs around them, and certainly gives them a boost, even this early in the season.

However, Havant’s recent form is little bit sketchier, having won just two of their last five league outings, while drawing two and losing one. That solitary defeat came at the hands of Chelmsford City in mid-October, who shocked the Hawks with a 3-2 victory at West Leigh Park. On the other hand though, one of the stand out results so far this season for our opponents came recently, when they defeated fellow high-flyers Boreham Wood 2-1. Despite going 1-0 down within the opening 6 minutes of the match, the Hawks fought back, and the winner came through Ed Harris two minutes before the half time interval.

In the Cup Competitions, Derek Pope’s men have had more success, winning three FA Cup Qualifying Round Matches to secure a place in the FA First Round, where they faced League One’s Preston North End. Despite losing to their opponents, the Hawks put up an impressive display in front of the television cameras.

The Saints looked to have turned a corner last Saturday when they defeated Basingstoke 1-0 at the Camrose following a debut goal from Charlie Smith. However, a 3-2 defeat against Farnborough at Clarence Park on Monday evening has left City once again with more questions than answers. The visitors were 2-0 up by half time, and while the Saints did get back on level terms through strikes from Jon Nouble and Steve Wales, it didn’t prove to be enough, as Boro’ scored the winner just three minutes from time. The defeat was made even worse by the dismissal of Lee Chappell very late on.

Following Monday’s defeat, James Gray has made it no secret that both he and Graham Golds will be asking for a lot more consistency from the players, as the Saints look to regain the early season form which saw them pick up three wins from their opening five league games. City’s inability to pick up points consistently has clearly been tough for the management, with Gray labelling our recent performances as very much ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.

Although Monday’s result was a disappointment, City will be pleased that they have another opportunity to secure their first points at home since a victory over Maidenhead United in mid-September.

Havant & Waterlooville will prove to be tough opponents, but in this division, we’ve quickly learnt that anyone can beat anyone of their day. Let’s hope that Saturday is City’s day.

[Deleted]

Latest Odds

St.Albans City 2/1

Havant and Waterlooville. 7/5

Draw 13/5

[Hatboy]

Form guide:

Saints @ Home LWLDWLLL F 14 A 17
H&W on the road LLWWWDD F 11 A 5


Top scorers:

Saints Wales on 6
Hawks Scott Donnelly & JJ Hooper both on 6


Live updates: www.havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk/first-team/live-updates---st-albansaway2014.html
twitter.com/stalbanscityfc

[Hatboy]

Saints team to play H&W:
Welch, Kyriacou, Martin, Gayle, Chappell, Beckles, Comley, Corcoran, Smith, Nouble, Frendo.
Subs: Wales,Taylor, Keenleyside, Shields, Coulton

H & W team:
Ryan Young(Capt), Dan Strugnell, Warren Cummings, Brian Stock, Brian Dutton, Ed Harris, Ben Swallow, Scott Donnelly, JJ Hooper, Alan Connell, Josh Huggins.
Subs: Bradley Bubb, Shamir Mullings, Perry Ryan, Nic Ciardini, Daniel Blanchett

[Hatboy]

Forced some corners early doors and a Comley effort tipped round the post

[Hatboy]

Beccles booked for a hard challenge, were really getting stuck in

[Hatboy]

H&W have had a couple of chances one saved by Welch and one put just wide

[Hatboy]

Frendo over the bar when easier to score

[Hatboy]

Great save by Young from Frendo

[Hatboy]

HT 0-0 I feel we may regret not scoring, we need to get the first goal !

[Hatboy]

Havant have subbed one of their best players (injured) at half time.

Now one of their top scorers has also gone off injured

[Hatboy]

Shields on for Smith
Wales on for Nouble

[Hatboy]

Great tackle by Martin on Bradley Bubb

[Hatboy]

Nic Ciardini on for Alan Connell

Taylor on for Corcoran

[Hatboy]

Booking for Gayle

Warren Cummings booked

[Hatboy]

Ryan Young with a very good save

[Hatboy]

1-0 City Shields

[Hatboy]

349

[Hatboy]

That's it the Mighty Saints have won, well done lads

[notsorecentconvert]

I couldn't make it today but that is a brilliant result. I look forward to hearing from others how we played. Not a great crowd, though.

Now to bring on Wealdstone, a match that has significance for me because a good friend of mine supports them.

[dunstablesaint]

What a difference!. 11 players and 3 subs all looking as if they wanted to play. A great win against a well organised and skilful side and a clean sheet. All credit to Ben Martin, who really turned it round after Monday night and to Comley, who looked a class act today. Delighted to see Sean get a farewell goal. Thought Beckles filled Ram's boots well today. I'm still to be convinced by Smith though. His crossing leaves a lot to be desired and I think Wales brings more method and a chance of goals.


Well done lads.

[gooner]

Good commitment from all the team. I always think we are better when Wales plays.

[westwalessaint]

Great result today after a very disappointing result and performance against Farnborough. Sounds like they had the right attitude today. First season back in Connie South and we don't want to be dragged into any relegation scrap, so we've got to battle in every game.
We need to keep the attitude going against Wealdstone in the Trophy. You never know, we might have a good run like Gosport did last year.

[Hatboy]

Shields signs off with a winner
Richard Mills

Sean Shields’ winner ended his St Albans City spell in fairy-tale style, securing their first home win since September against Havant & Waterlooville in the Vanarama Conference South.

I'm guessing that means there's no chance of extending his loan spell then !

Joint top scorer John Frendo had several guilt edged chances in either half but came up against an inspired performance from keeper Ryan Young.

James Comley went close for the hosts with Jonathon Hooper and Josh Huggins providing most of the away side’s attacking forays in a physical contest.

The game looked to be heading for a stalemate but the 22-year-old loanee, in his second spell at the club, secured all three points with a late winner to end St Albans’ barren home run.

The ninth placed Saints, without a home win since beating Maidenhead United two months ago, made one change from last’s week’s home defeat to Farnborough with loanee Joel Nouble replacing the ill Charlie Gorman.

The fifth placed away side, known as the Hawks, have suffered just one defeat in six games in all competitions, whereas their hosts have picked up just six points from 18.

After joint manager James Gray described their last two performances as ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, he would have been encouraged with his side’s start when Frendo and Comley went close for the hosts as they edged the game’s opening salvos.

In a game of limited chances and play with more style than substance, crunching challenges thundered in from both sides and another one flew in from Omar Beckles who was booked.

The visitors began to get a foothold in the game and were a whisker from taking the lead through a Jonathan Hooper pile-driver and a Josh Huggins header.

On the half hour mark St. Albans produced their best moment of the game following a wonderful flowing move but Frendo wasted a glorious opportunity as he blazed over from eight yards and soon after he brought a superb reaction save from Young as the half ended goalless.

Almost instantly after the restart the through on goal Hooper poked wide in what proved to be his list action of the game as the striker went off injured.

In a low key start to the second half, Shields, making his last appearance for the club before returning to Dagenham & Redbridge, entered the fray but his usual trickery was lacking.

The Saints were starting to build some momentum and after Frendo went close again it looked to be a fitting finale for Shields after he swept home a left footed finish in the 84th minute.

The expected onslaught from the away side never came as a galvanised St Albans looked to finish in style and almost did but Shields was denied by Young.

The final whistle was greeted with a huge roar and perhaps an ever greater sense of relief as St Albans ended their Clarence Park hoodoo at long last.

www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/football/shields_signs_off_with_a_winner_1_3858745

[Hatboy]

Match stats: www.havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk/first-team/live-updates---st-albansaway2014.html

[Hatboy]

Shields brilliance hands City three points as a leaving gift
by David Tavener

Sean Shields ended his loan spell at Clarence Park in dramatic fashion on Saturday by firing in the goal that handed visitors Havant & Waterlooville a first away defeat for three months, and ended the Saints run of three consecutive home Conference South defeats.

Shields heads back to Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday but there could have been no better way for the Northern Ireland Under-21 international to end his time with the Saints.

After a run of indifferent results City could have been excused for being cagey against a Havant side seeking promotion, but to their credit St Albans took the game to Lee Bradbury’s side with several early chances being created.

The Hawks strength was in keeping possession and passing the ball around, but with most of this being done along the backline, or just in front of it, little threat was made to the home goal.

Havant were unchanged from the side that defeated Weston-super-Mare the previous weekend, while City brought in Joel Nouble for the ill Charlie Gorman.

City’s positive start saw Sam Corcoran force visiting keeper Ryan Young to concede a corner inside two minutes.

Charlie Smith’s corner landed in a crowded penalty area and deflected to the free John Frendo who looked certain to score from inside the six yard box.

Somehow Young, almost unknowingly, forced Frendo’s shot wide of the goal when waving his left hand in its general direction.

Havant’s first serious threat on the home goal took 26 minutes to arrive but so nearly brought a goal.

Their only shot on target !

Josh Huggins challenged for the all and nudged it onto Jonathan Hooper who ran at Ian Gayle before unleashing a rising shot that Joe Welch did well to tip over the apex of upright and crossbar.

A clear chance went begging a minute later when, from a Ben Swallow cross on the Hawks right, Huggins, having drifted away for Corcoran, headed wide from just a handful of paces from the goal.

James Comley, keen to catch the eye of the watching England C manager Paul Fairclough and add to his one international cap, went on a long run through the Havant midfield before touching the ball to Frendo.

The striker slipped the ball wide to Smith and from his low return ball from the left Frendo, inexplicably, fired over the Hatfield Road goal.

As the action moved swiftly to the opposite end of the pitch Alan Connell and Hooper worked the ball across to Huggins.

The former Farnborough player hammered the ball from an angle into the heart of the goalmouth where Connell just failed to get a touch and the ball thudded away to safety off the foot of the back post.

Young did extremely well to hold a fierce drive from Corcoran from 25 yards that flew through a crowd of players after Warren Cummings had headed away a Smith corner.

Smith showed his undoubted class when embarking on a piercing run that saw him sail past right-back Dan Strugnall and cross low to Frendo whose first time shot was well beaten away by Young. Smith was quickly onto the loose ball but shot into the side netting.

A spell of Havant pressure saw Donnelly have a shot charged down with Strugnall sending a powerful half volley dipping just over the home goal.

The opening 45 minutes had been intriguing throughout with no lack of controlled passing football, but the second half became increasing scrappy and a draw seemed to the inevitable outcome.

City almost contributed to their own downfall on 50 minutes when a Ben Martin free kick went straight to the opposition and with a lofted pass over the home defence Donnelly sent Hooper clear.

Chappell gave chase while Hooper tried his luck from 18 yards but put the ball comfortably wide.

As with the first half, City were content to let Havant play the ball around deep inside their own and then be hounded out of possession when moving forward, while the City defence denied the Hawks a single on-target shot after the break.

The point was never better illustrated than when Bradley Bubb looked set to race clear but was thwarted by a superbly timed tackle by City skipper Ben Martin, it was a repeat of a similar intervention by Gayle earlier in the half.

A half chance came Havant’s way when a well-placed corner was met on the half-volley outside the penalty area by Brian Stock but his shot went several yards wide.

As the game wore on City offered an increased threat down the flanks through substitutes Steve Wales and Shields.

City sliced their way through the Hawks backline with their slickest move of the match.

Comley fed Frendo before the striker darted forward to collect Shields return pass only to shoot too softly to the right of Young , who got down to save.

City were not so lenient the next time they moved forward and struck a classic counter-attacking goal.

Gayle broke up a Havant attack with his clearance being helped on by Frendo to Wales just inside the Havant half.

Moving beyond the mild challenge offered by Ed Harris, Wales chipped the ball across the penalty area to Shields.

Bringing the ball down on his right foot Shields switched it to his left with which he, as Strugnall dived in, arrowed the winning goal to the left of the startled Young.

It was Shields fifth goal during his 15 games on loan from Dagenham, and his 21st in 107 games overall for the Saints. It was also was sufficient to extend City’s good record against Havant to just two reversals in 13 league encounters.

On a day when not a single Conference South match resulted in an away win, City’s victory keeps the side in ninth place.

St Albans take a break from league duties next Saturday, 29th November, when Wealdstone visit Clarence Park in the 3rd Round Qualifying of the FA Trophy, kick off is at 3pm.

St Albans City: J.Welch, J.Kyriacou, L.Chappell, O.Beckles, B.Martin, I.Gayle, J.Nouble (S.Wales 58), J.Comley, J.Frendo, S.Corcoran (M.Taylor 74), C.Smith (S.Shields 58), unused subs; D.Keenleyside, T.Coulton.

Booked: Beckles (18), Gayle (75).

Havant & Waterlooville: R.Young, D.Strugnall, W.Cummings, B.Stock, B.Dutton, E.Harris, B.Swallow (S.Mullings 46), S.Donnelly, J.Hooper (B.Bubb 52), A.Connell (N.Ciardini 73), J.Huggins, unused subs: P.Ryan, D.Blanchett.

Booked: Cummings (77).

Goal: 83 1-0 Shields.

Referee: Carl Fitch (Ipswich).

Att: 349.

www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/11620457.Shields_brilliance_hands_City_three_points_as_a_leaving_gift/?ref=rss

[stalbanandy]

Personally I don't think it is a coincidence that we play much better and deserved the victory when Charlie Gorman was missing from the team. IMO I just don't see what he brings to the party. I totally understand supporters who like the combative nature of his game but I have said before that Danny Green gives us more than that. The 'holding' midfield role is a misnomer, if you see the right opportunity in the game to break forward then tell you mate 'cover me' and I saw that in Danny. Ram scored goals for us and wss seen as an outstanding 'holding' man.

The league is so tight that the victory was so critical. With the better sides in this league it seems to me that the home games where we have struggled are against physical sides who press us high and hit us on the break. Sides like Havant who came to play football we have a much better chance against.

COYS

[ex-saintswebbo]

twas a odd game... couldn't see us losing but at the same time couldn't see us scoring (obviously wrong there!)
As I tweeted JG we need a bit more pace up front - there is obvious quality in the side (Comley was again superb) but we look a bit predictable at times.

[Boomer]

As with Whitehawk, we were faced with a side, loaded with ex-league players, numbering a total of over 800 league appearances between them. This league is clearly a big step up from the Southern League and, overall, I think we are coping reasonably well. As for the game itself, it was made easier by the opposition actually trying to play passing football, which suits our game. It is not going to be like that every game, unfortunately. All in all, we just about deserved the win, just about. My main concern is that we still lack movement off the ball, which has got to be addressed. We also lack a bit of anticipation at times and we are also nowhere near to winning 50% of the 2nd ball. A much, much better performance than Farnborough and more on a par with Basingstoke. I quite enjoyed the game and probably would have even settled for a 0-0. Ben Martin and Ian Gayle were outstanding.

[PaperSaint]

Yesterday, we held our own against a team that has been pushing to get into the play-off positions and certainly had the better chances. Having also made the trip to Basingstoke (performance of the season so far for me) we might not be putting away all our chances but at least - especially Frendo yesterday - we are creating those chances and getting into the right positions. The goals will come if we keep creating. It's a bit of cliche, but this season we have seen that every team in this league can be beaten - the positives from yesterday's match and Basingstoke for me were the defensive performances - prior to the arrival of Gayle and Beckles, I think we would have leaked a few goals in those two games.