kensparksphotos' Blog

Hello,

My first blog of the season covers my trip to Waltham Abbey to see their FA Trophy match with Grays Athletic. Not exactly the most picturesque of venues, but then I guess this was all about the football and not the scenery!!

On paper, Grays should have been the clear favourites, but Waltham Abbey came out of the traps like greyhounds and deservedly took the lead. The defense and particularly the goalkeeper of Grays looked very shaky and I feared the worst for them as WA continued to push forward and did look a different class.

However, it did not take too long for Grays to settle down, and although the half-time score was 1-0, I thought that Grays would have the better of the second half, and so it turned out. Not sure what the coach said at half time, but Grays were a different team on the restart. In fact I am not sure if WA came close to troubling the Grays keeper.

Grays really went at Waltham Abbey and scored a lovely goal with Junior Baker heading in a well flighted cross. Unfortunately a Waltham Abbey centre back had his nose broken in the same incident by his own goalkeeper. It didn't help matters that later in the game, the goalkeeper was then knocked out by his own captain, things you would think were not meant to turn out well. Nonetheless, Waltham Abbey held on for a lucky, yet hard fought draw and it is all to play for back at Grays ground on Wednesday.

I wish Waltham Abbey well, but feel that their chance may have gone with their home leg and Grays should be too strong for them on the return. However, I know that Waltham Abbey wont go down without a fight.

For pictures from the match, please see my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk where there are a few images to remember the match by. I hope you enjoy them.

Till next time, take care.

Ken

Hi All,

Managed to get a Media Pass for the Blue Square Conference South Play-Off Final between Farnborough and Ebbsfleet Utd. There was obviously a lot of tension beforehand due to the enormity of this match, and the fact that this was Farnborough's highest ever gate proved that both sets of supporters were expectant that their team was going to get through. The stewards even had to open another section of the ground to get all of the away supporters in and the kick-off was inevitably delayed by 15 minutes.

Once the match got going, unfortunately the home supporters were not given much to shout about as Ebbsfleet took immediate control and did not let Farnborough have any space or play any kind of fluent football. Ebbsfleet were in charge of this match from the word go and over the course of the first half built up a comfortable 1-0 lead. At half time, the talk was really how Farnborough could stop the rot and get a foothold in the match. The general concensus was that if Farnborough could get a goal early in the second half they might stand a chance. As it was, Ebbsfleet scored that vital second goal and 20 minutes later a third to then lead by 3-0 which they held on to until about 5 minutes to go.

All of a sudden, Farnborough scored 2 quick and very well taken goals and with the score at 2-3 with a few minutes of injury time left to play, I guess anything could have happened. The Farnborough supporters turned from accepting their fate to thinking perhaps a comeback was on after all. Unfortunately for them, Ebbsfleet had other ideas and finished the game off with a fourth for them leaving the score at 2-4.

I must say this was a highly entertaining match, and for the neutral observer had everything. Well taken goals, a dramatic comeback, hard tackles and excitable supporters. It was one of my favourite matches of the season to photograph, and I applaud both teams for giving us a match which was a great showcase for the league.  

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I did think Ebbsfleet would be too strong for Farnborough, and at 3-0 thought that my prediction of a close match was going to be blown out of the water. Farnborough's comeback shows that they have a lot of spirit, and some great players that will no doubt be challenging for the title again next year. I think that with a couple of additions to help the team strengthen, they could well go all the way next season.

As for Ebbsfleet, well I think they thoroughly deserve this promotion. Everytime I see them they show a level of excellence that I did not see in other teams in this division. They are not always consistant, and they do have lapses in concentration which are worrying, but generally they have the personnel to do a lot better than BSS. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I predict they will finish at least mid-table next season. I think that Liam Daish is instilling a determination in them that will see them do well, and by improving their consistancy they should be able to hold their own in the Conference.

Commiserations to Farnborough, but many congratulations to Ebbsfleet Utd and I hope you push on and have a very successful 2011-2012.

I will speak to you all next season. Till then, be good.........

Hello,

I was lucky enough to get a Media Pass to the FA Trophy Final last Saturday between Darlington & Mansfield Town. I was hoping the game would be quite exciting what with both teams doing OK in the league but being out of the play-offs, so they should have had nothing to lose. However it turned out that they had everything to lose as this was their only opportunity of success this season. Both teams played very cautiously and were concentrating more on keeping the opposing team out rather than going for it and going for the win. At least this was the case until the second period of extra-time.

With both teams flagging and several players succumbing to cramp, both teams sensed this was their opportunity to win it so both really went for it. Mansfield had a couple of penalty shouts turned down and Darlington had a couple of chances go just wide.Then in the 119th minute up pops probably the shortest player on the pitch to head home the winner. This after he thought he was not even going to be playing due to an injury a few weeks before. Amazing!!

To be honest, I think the best team on the day won the match. It was close, but Darlington's defence was not really troubled and although they did give it a great go, Mansfield's attackers did not really look like getting the winner. Darlington caused Mansfield more problems so I would say the result was probably about right. Congratulations to Mark Cooper and his team, and commisserations to Duncan Russell and his.

As usual, you can see more of my pictures from the match at my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk. Please let me know what you thought of them if you get time. There are decent shots of the goal, the celebrations and some nice supporter shots. If you were there, you might even see yourself in there!!

This Saturday, I am off to Farnborough to see their Conference South play-off Final against Ebbsfleet Utd. I have seen both clubs recently and this should be a very close match. Farnborough are at home which will be a great advantage to them. However, Ebbsfleet are a strong outfit and will not be intimidated. In fact, I think Ebbsfleet may just be the stronger of the two, so I am picking them to nick it by a goal, maybe 1-2 or 2-3. I have said previously that I thought Farnborough too inconsistant to do well in the Conference, and I stand by that. I think Ebbsfleet would be able to compete better in that league so I hope they get through and prove that the Conference South can produce decent teams that can push on.

I will let you know my thoughts on this match next week. Till then, be good !!

Hi All,

I was in Margate on Saturday to see their Ryman Premier League match against Kingstonian. This was a dead rubber for Margate, but Kingstonian were after a win to push them into the play-offs.

No surprise then to see Kingstonian come out of the blocks like greyhounds, and they cruised into a 3-0 lead within the first half an hour. It seemed like they were on a mission, to not only get into the play-offs but also to let the other teams in the play-offs know that they were the team in form and they would be tough to beat. As it turned out, they beat themselves.

Scoring a first before half time really seemed to lift the spirtits of the Margate players, and they came out for the second half a different team. Instead of being off the pace, they now set the pace and it was Kingstonian that were on the backfoot. A second goal just after the restart kept them in dominant mood and it was really just a matter of when they would score the equaliser. In fact I would not have been surprised if they had pushed on and actually won the game. The equaliser did eventually come with 10 minutes to go, and those last 10 minutes were very exciting as both teams pushed for the win.

As it was, it finished 3-3, which blew Kingstonian's chance of the play-offs out of the water and must have left Margate wondering why it took them 30 minutes before they remembered that they could actually play football. I would not like to have been in the Kingstonian dressing room after the match. Alan Dowson must have gone ballistic at his teams ability to shoot themselves in the foot after the brightest start to a game I have ever seen.

I see that Tonbridge & Lowestoft have reached the play-off final. I have not seen Lowestoft this season, but have seen Tonbridge a few times and wish them all the best. As I have mentioned on previous blogs, I believe they are good enough to handle the Blue Square South and deserve their shot. I look forward to seeing them in the BSS next season (fingers crossed).

Thats all for now, dont forget as usual I have more photos from the match on my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk. Let me know what you think of them. Made a nice change to be photographing in sunlight !!

Am off to Wembley next Saturday for the FA Trophy Final and will let you know my thoughts from there next week.

Till then, be good. Ken

Hi.

Just back from Ebbsfleet where I saw Chelmsford City beat Ebbsfleet Utd 3-1.

I did think that after the first 15 minutes that the home team were dominant and that there would only be one winner. They were one up through a towering header from Tom Phipp and were on the offensive, looking dangerous in attack and solid at the back. However, Rob Edmans equaliser seemed to change the whole complexion of the game, and at 1-1 Chelmsford pushed on and Ebbsfleet never really got back into the contest. Mark Haines exquisite header made it 2-1 to Chelmsford and from then on the game was effectively over. Ashley Carew then received his marching orders and the rest was history, an Ali Chaaban third rubbing salt into the wound.

From what I have seen of Chelmsford which is not much this season, they really do battle hard and have a 'never give up' attitude which I like. This stems from their on-field leader Dave Rainsford who although not playing today through injury was still there during the warm-up and on the side lines during the match inspiring his team onwards. He really is the heart of the team and I hope he is back from injury in time to play his part in Chelmsfords promotion push. I believe they deserve a chance and would cope with the Conference standard.

As for Ebbsfleet, I do enjoy watching them play. They generally play an attractive style which can be the best in the league at times. Unfortunately they are too inconsistant and this means that they will drop points when they shouldn't. Todays match was a good example. They started brightly and looked good going forward, but as soon as the equaliser went in their heads dropped and they did not look like a team that was going to get promotion, let alone one that could stand the pressure of the Conference environment. However, I do think they will still make the play-offs and on their day they can beat anyone.

I have more photographs on my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk if you want to take a look. Let me know what you think of them.

Thanks, and till next time, be good.

Ken

Hello.

I photographed the match between Sutton and Bury yesterday, and I am pretty confident in saying that I think I saw the league champions in action. Sutton Utd play a good blend of tough and skilfull football which has seen them almost book their place in Blue Square South next season. They have a solid defense, a tough midfield and flair up front.

Pundits talk about the 'spine' of the team being the basis of a successful season and Sutton's spine is top drawer. Kevin Scriven in goal is solid, the centre back duo of Karim El-Salahi and Sam Page don't make many mistakes, midfielders Tom Davis and Kennedy Adjei are a good blend of hard and skilfull and Andy Forbes and Craig Dundas will score plenty of goals between them. This mix makes them hard to beat. Add into the mix the quality supporting cast including Leroy Griffiths and there are not many teams that can compete with them.

I also think that Sutton will hold their own in BSS. They have the ability to raise their game for the big matches, and should be very competitive against the better opposition they should encounter next season.

I wish Sutton well for the rest of the season and hope that they complete the job and move on to bigger and better things.

As regards Bury Town, well I think the occasion rather overwhelmed them yesterday. They did not really look like winning at any point and although they did have their moments, couldn't put anything together. After their penalty to make it 1-2, they did look like pushing on, but Sutton held firm. I think they should be proud of their first season in RPL and should make the play-offs and then who knows! However I do think they will really struggle if they do get promoted so perhaps it would be best for them if they dont progress and have another season in RPL to get stronger and used to the quality of opposition.

More photos available on my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk. Hope you enjoy them.

Speak to you again in a couple of weeks. Be good !!

Ken

Hi All. On Saturday I went to photographh Farnborough's home match against Weston-Super-Mare. On paper this looked the pick of the matches in the Blue Square Bet South league, but to be honest I was a little disappointed.

Farnborough were 2nd in the league, WSM were 11th. I assumed this would be one way traffic, and to some extent it was. But to be honest, I thought Farnborough made really heavy weather of putting away a team that looked very average.

Throughout the game, Farnborough looked the better team, and WSM did not really put up much of a fight. Saying that, at 1-0 going into the second half, I think WSM thought that if Farnborough don't want to finish the game off then we still have a chance.

When Gary Holloway scored the first goal, it seemed that they would go on and win comfortably, but it was not until the dying minutes when substitute Michael Malcolm scored the second that Farnborough could breath a sigh of relief.

This tells me that although Farnborough are a decent team, they do not have the killer instinct to finish off teams, and this does not bode well if they are thinking about promotion. I worry that if they go up they might get buried by teams that know how to see out games.

However, I did enjoy my day at Farnborough and everyone was very frienndly. I do hope that if they do get promoted, I am wrong about my prediction. But I do worry..........

Hello everyone. I was asked to cover AFC Wimbledon v Kidderminster Harriers yesterday for the NLP. Thought it was going to be one way traffic, but how wrong was I? Not only did Kidderminster outplay Wimbledon for probably 75% of the match but Wimbledon didn't really get going until they were 2 goals down. They left it far too late to make their comeback, but saying that they did give it a good shot.

Assuming Kidderminster are still in business at the end of the year, then both these teams should be in with a shot at promotion. This will probably be through the play-offs but I guess they would take that. After all you 'have to be in it to win it' as they say.

Feel bad for Wimbledon's Sammy Moore. He picked up a dislocated knee cap which looked bloody painful. Managed to get a picture, and his knee cap was round to the side of his leg, totally gruesome. I hope he has a speedy recovery and will hopefully play a part in their run-in and who knows, perhaps help them get that promotion place.

How good will it be to see AFC Wimbledon in the Football League. Being from Wimbledon, I can remember going to Plough Lane as a kid and watching them play in what was the Isthmian League back then. From there they went from strength to strength and the rest was history.

No match next week as I am away for the weekend, so will post again in a fortnight. Till then 'be happy'.

Hi All. Was asked by NLP to go to Tonbridge yesterday. Lovely ground, and the pitch was in surprisingly good condition considering the rain we have had. This was a very evenly contested match, but I think Sutton just edged it. They do play some lovely football, probably the best in the league, and I think they should get an automatic place to BSS. Tonbridge also play attractive football, and I believe they will get at least a play-off spot.

Not sure why Paul Doswell was sent from the dugout? Apparantly this wasn't the first time either against Tonbridge. Perhaps they get to him. The fans are very vocal, and are not shy in letting the players and management know what they think.

I wont be at a football match next week. I am going to Poole/Bournemouth for the Sunseeker Rally. Went last year and had a great weekend. If you are into WRC try and get down there. The competition is really fierce, the scenery is lovely, and the whole competition is very well run. Makes for a fun weekend, starting with a parade at Poole Harbour on the Friday evening. Should be a great weekend, weather permitting of course.

Will let you know how I get on and will be back in football action on the 26th February.

To check out my photos from yesterdays game, go to www.kensparksphotography.co.uk and have a look. Let me know what you think!

Take it easy. Ken