Tuesday 30 March 2010

Harriers masterful at BMAF Indoor Champs

http://croydonharriers.com/News/77/Harriers-masterful-at-the-National-Indoors.htm

Teen Plackett wins Banstead Woods Parkrun

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/headlinesport/5546765.Teen_Plackett_wins_Banstead_Woods_Parkrun/

Monday 29 March 2010

Carshalton Athletic v Margate PREVIEW, 30th March

Carshalton Athletic will look to make it two wins out of two, when they host Margate this Tuesday evening, in what is a real relegation six pointer.

The Robins are now just one point from safety with a game in hand and will know there is all to play for with Maidstone in a similar relegation battle against Bognor Regis Town on the same evening.

Margate are definitely not to be underestimated however, with The Gate currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten run in the league.

Margate - The Form Book
Despite being in the relegation zone for much of the season, Margate have begun to hit their stride in recent times, since Iain O'Connell has been at the helm.

Currently on a six-match unbeaten run, Margate will undoubtedly be encouraged by their 1-0 win over runaway league leaders Dartford last Tuesday, although perhaps disappointed they could only manage a 1-1 draw when they took on Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Margate went ahead against the playoff challengers thanks to a close range strike from in-form Leroy Huggins, although conceded an equaliser five minutes shy of half-time.

And manager Iain O'Connell revealed that the squad was dejected at the result.

"We took our foot off the pedal, let them back into the game and conceded a goal just before half-time which was very disappointing," he told Gate Radio.

"But I think that when you look at the game on the whole, a draw is probably a fair result. Although when I got back in the changing room afterwards the players were very disappointed and I think that shows how far we're come."

Ian Hazel on new signing Bryon Harrison
"Byron has been thrown in at the deep end a bit and I still think there is more to come from him. He seems to be finding his feet and getting better with each game, and I am hoping that that first goal will really see him kick on," Hazel told the Surrey Comet.

Margate - Players to Watch
Leroy Huggins has enjoyed a good run of form of late, with the forward netting four goals in his last six games.

Sam Jones has developed quite the reputation on the wing for Margate since he signed from Ramsgate in February. He is dangerous on either flank.

James Pinnock is enjoying his third spell with Margate, and netted the winner against Dartford upon his recent to return to first team action.

Grant Cooper has league football experience with Wimbledon and has been an excellent addition to Margate's defence since joining in February.

Jay Saunders is a dynamic midfielder who has notched up over 250 club appearances for Margate during his career. He was Iain O'Connell's first signing last month.

The Stats
Carshalton Athletic
Unbeaten in two matches, the Robins will now play five of their remaining eight games at Colston Avenue.

Normally come away with something while at home, with six wins and four draws out of their 16 games at Colston Avenue. 

Average 331 fans per game when hosting - a figure which ranks them 9th in the league. 

Margate
Have a reasonable away record, with six wins on their travels this campaign.

Their impact up-front is quite weak however, averaging only just above a goal per game. 

Lloyd Blackman is the 9th highest goal-scorer within the Ryman Premier, with 13 goals. The same number as Bryon Harrison, and two more than Richard Jolly. 

For more information visit www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk 

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Hendon v Carshalton Athletic PREVIEW

Carshalton Athletic will be looking to give their Ryman Premier survival hopes a shot in the arm come Thursday evening, when they travel to Hendon.

And the Robins certainly stand a good chance of doing so when they line up at Vale Farm, with the clash being the Greens third game in six days.

There will certainly be all to play for, with Carshaltons 1-1 draw away to Margate, with Ian Hazels side four points adrift of safety and now only two points separating the four sides in the drop zone.

Hendon – Post 0-0 on the 13th March
After their goalless draw with Carshalton just over a fortnight ago, Hendon have struggled for form in the three matches they have encountered since.

Despite a precious three points secured at the hands of Canvey Island in their 2-1 victory, they have also exited the London Senior Cup to lower league Brimsdown Rovers and were comfortably beaten by relegation threatened Waltham Abbey.

They did however pick up another vital win on Tuesday evening, defeating bottom of the table Bognor Regis Town 2-0.

Hendon manager Gary McCann meanwhile was disappointed in his sides performance at Colston Avenue: "It was as frustrating as it was on Tuesday (against Billericay)," he told the Hendon Times, "and it felt like a defeat. We lacked a cutting edge, guile, imagination and width today."

"I thought the sending off (of Karl Murray) was very harsh and it galvanized them. I told the players to try shooting a bit more, which we did in the first half, but in the second half we were again trying to score the perfect goal," he added.

Carshalton meanwhile will hope to replicate some of the tenacity they showed when they were reduced to ten men when these two sides last clashed. A win will also edge them closer to struggling Maidstone United, who have only won one game in their last six.

Hendon - Players to watch
Scott Cousins will be familiar with Carshalton Athletic fans, having the spent the 2008/9 season with the Robins. The left sided midfielder has enjoyed a solid run with the Greens since he departed at the start of the season.

Dave Diedhiou has just completed his 50th club appearance for Hendon. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder continues to improve, since signing for the Greens in 2008.

Lubomir Guentchev is a well travelled attacking midfielder who has also enjoyed spells with Ipswich Town and FC Union Berlin.

Jamie Busby is a club favourite at Hendon, and has racked up over 150 appearances for them. The 23-year-old is an extremely energetic midfielder.

The Statistics

Hendon
Their home record is relatively poor, ranked 16th in the league, although only 14 games have been possible at Vale Farm all season.
Possess the 8th strongest defence in the league, in terms of goals conceded throughout the season.
Have one of the lowest attendance records in the entire division, with just 176 fans attending each game on average

Carshalton Athletic
Only have two wins away from home this season.
Although their home record is much better by comparison, with six wins, four draws and six losses, ranking them in 14th in the league.
Have gone five games without a win in the league.

Friday 19 March 2010

Preview: Margate v Carshalton Athletic, 20th March

Carshalton Athletic face their most crucial game to date this Saturday, as their Ryman Premier survival battle steps up a gear when they travel to Margate.

With just three points separating the four clubs in the drop zone, Carshalton will need to draw on all their resources to garner the desired three points they so desperately need.

And with Margate also struggling and just ten games of the season remaining, there will be all to play for when the Robins line up at Hartsdown Park.

Margate - The Form Book
Placed in 21st and two points behind the Robins, Margate have endured a dismal campaign for much of this season.

With one of the worst defenses in the league, conceding nearly two goals a game on average, the Gate have struggled for consistency.

But since Ian O'Connell took over the managerial reigns in March, things have started to look more positive for Margate who are currently on a run of three games unbeaten.

They have picked up wins against Tooting & Mitcham and Billericay Town of late and most recently enjoyed a tenacious draw against high flying Sutton United.

"And Margate Manager Ian O'Connell is understandably impressed with his teams recent run of form.
One thing I believe in as a manager is continuity and I think that comes from playing under Chris Kinnear", he told www.thisiskenttoday.co.uk.

"Some managers like to rotate their team. We have not got the squad to do that anyway but I believe in keeping a winning side," he added.

Margate - Players to Watch
Leroy Huggins is the in form player for Margate at the moment, with the forward scoring three goals in his last three games.

Jamie Turner is a vastly experienced goalkeeper, who is a recent signing for the Gate. Has made over 100 Conference South appearances for Tonbridge Angels between 2005 to 2008.

Lloyd Blackman is a dangerous centre-forward who has scored 13 goals so far this campaign. Formerly of Brentford before injury forced him out of the professional game.

Aaron Lacy is a right sided defender who is particularly dangerous from long throws. The 29 year-old spent six years with Maidstone United.

Wayne Wilson made his debut for Margate against the Robins in 2008, and is prolific with his long range efforts. The 21 year-old midfielder played all but twice last season.

The Stats
Margate
Have one of the worst home records in the Ryman Premier, with just three victories from a possible 17.
Also have one of the worst defences in the league, having conceded 61 goals in total this campaign.
Lloyd Blackman is the 8th highest goal-scorer within the division.

Carshalton Athletic
The Robins will hope to replicate the form they showed in the three solid away draws they secured against Worcester City, Dartford and AFC Hornchurch, back in January.
But they have only won two games away from home all season.
And they are without a win in their past eleven away league fixtures.

For more information visit - www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk