Saturday 29th December
Ryman League Division 1 South
The hosts ran out emphatic winners putting five goals past a struggling Molesey side, with man of the match Daniel Platel bagging a memorable hat-trick. The suspension of Callum MacLean meant Adam Broomhead was pushed in to midfield whilst Moses Spencer took the former's usual berth in the centre of defence, whilst Michael Riley was preferred to Chris Kennedy on the wing.
Whyteleafe dominated from the off, Platel lashing home on seven minutes after Molesey keeper Jon Ashwood had dropped a simple cross in an afternoon he will wish to forget in a hurry. Ten minutes later Ashwood pushed Platel over in the box, seemingly in retaliation to a slightly late challenge as he gathered the ball and the referee rather bizarrely gave a penalty, gleefully dispatched by Sean Rivers.
Molesey briefly rallied after the break, but never tested keeper Rob Tolfrey and then Platel scored twice more in as many minutes, firstly with a fine strike from the edge of the box, then meeting a perfect Riley cross to nonchalantly volley home unmarked at the far post.
With ten minutes to go Sean Rivers grabbed a second goal with a powerful header from a perfectly flighted Chris O'Flaherty free-kick to leave Whyteleafe once again contemplating a push to the pay-off positions whilst Molesey look increasingly isolated at the foot of the table.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, O'Flaherty, Reeve, Broomhead, Spencer, Platel, Smith, Rivers (Butler 84), Clayton S (Murphy 72), Riley (Kennedy 72). Sub not used: Williams
Tuesday 26th December
Ryman League Division 1 South
Fast improving Chipstead got the better of this boxing day local derby, taking all three points with a team containing several former Whyteleafe favourites. 'Leafe had most of the chances but Chipstead put all of theirs away and continued their climb up to the middle of the table.
The visitors looked bright in the opening exchanges but were caught on the break in the 7th minute as the hosts scrambled the lead from close range.
A minute later Sean Rivers almost equalised but saw his header tipped over the bar by Parkinson. Rivers claimed a penalty in the 23rd minute when he went into the box with two defenders, but the referee was well placed and judged no foul had taken place. A minute later Chris Kennedy cut inside from the left but shot straight at Parkinson.
Sam Clayton made a good run into the box in the 29th minute but his shot was well blocked. 'Leafe's last chance of the half came in the 44th minute when Callum MacLean's well struck 25 yard free kick hit the wall and went behind for a corner.
Whyteleafe came out looking to attack in the second half. Rivers put a great ball for Clayton to run onto in the 51st minute, but his shot went wide. Two minutes later a Tolfrey free kick found Kennedy who shot straight at Parkinson. MacLean sent Clayton off down the right wing in the 57th minute. His cross found Rivers in the box and his shot on the turn forced another good save from Parkinson who tipped the ball over the bar.
'Leafe's efforts looked to be in vain when they conceded a soft goal in the 60th minute which led to an angry exchange between Tolfrey and Rob Smith. They appeared to leave a long ball to each other, allowing Danny Oakins to nip in and hit the ball into the far corner of the goal, with Ali Reeve just failing to get back in time to clear off the line.
Chris Kennedy however pulled one back immediately. He cut inside after a run down the left, beat three defenders, and just when you were wondering if he was trying to do too much, he found space and put the ball into the back of the net.
Two minutes later, Kennedy's long throw was flicked on by Adam Broomhead. The ball went to MacLean who pulled it back for Clayton who shot wide.
Whyteleafe's task became more difficult in the 67th minute when MacLean was rather harshly sent off for a second yellow card although he appeared to win the ball in the tackle. Manager Dave Swindlehurst the gambled with a couple of changes and pushed men forward, but inevitably this left spaces at the back. Leafe did look the more likely side to score in the closing stages, but it was Chipstead who got the final goal in the 88th minute when Scott Simpson's firm shot from Oakins' pass left Tolfrey no chance.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Williams , Reeve, Broomhead, MacLean, Platel (Riley 70), Smith, Rivers, Clayton (Moses 82), Kennedy (O'Flaherty 70).
Clickable photos:
Saturday 15th December 2007
Ryman League Division 1 South
Sometimes when not playing at one's best, you need to just grind out a victory and that's exactly what Whyteleafe did at Walton Casuals. A below par Sean Rivers showed what a good goalscorer he is, taking one of the few chances to come his way, and a strong defence, ably led by Ali Reeve, prevented Walton getting much chance at the other end.
'Leafe started well and Callum MacLean had a 20 yard shot saved in the sixth minute. Three minutes later Rivers snatched a goal, shooting on the turn from a Chris O'Flaherty free kick. Walton had a chance to get back in the 26th minute when a slip by Robbie Smith allowed them to break and find Jefferson Gowland unmarked in the box, but he shot wide.
Four minutes later another O'Flaherty free kick found Rivers in the box, but he headed straight at Craig Bradshaw. Then, a swiftly taken free kick sent Greg Ball clear, but Rob Tolfrey was quickly out to block his shot.
In the 32nd minute, the visitors' best move of the match saw Chris Kennedy win the ball and head on to Rivers. Rivers in turn found Kennedy on the edge of the box, but he couldn't get his shot in properly and it fell nicely for Bradshaw. 'Leafe had a scare in the 43rd minute when Tolfrey failed to clear, but Adam Broomhead was on hand to clear off the line.
The second half saw little change in the pattern of the game. Sam Clayton forced a save with a 48th minute 30 yard effort. Ten minutes into the half O'Flaherty was brought down on the edge of the box MacLean took the free kick which was well saved. Rivers had another header saved from an O'Flaherty free kick in the 68th minute.
'Leafe were unlucky in the 75th minute when Rivers sent Clayton clear. He beat two defenders and rounded the keeper, but a defender did well to get back and clear his shot off the line. Whyteleafe looked the more likely to score in the closing stages with Broomhead, MacLean and Kennedy all going close, but in the end were happy just to take the three points.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Williams (Riley 67), Reeve, Broomhead, MacLean, Platel, Smith, Rivers, Clayton, Kennedy.
Tuesday 11th December 2007
Ryman League Division 1 South
A Brian Davis Leafe report in eleven bullet points:
- Leafe shared the points in a rather dull match played on a frosty pitch.
- Leafe created most of the early chances, but in the end had to thank Rob Tolfrey for keeping them level making a couple of excellent saves as Burgess Hill threatened with late breaks.
- Leafe looked good in the opening exchanges and took the game to the visitors. Daniel Platel put Sean Rivers through in the 9th minute. His shot was blocked and Chris O'Flaherty hit the rebound just off target.
- Four minutes later Sam Clayton should have scored when Rivers put him clear in the box, but he shot straight at the keeper.
- Clayton had another chance a minute later from Callum MacLean's corner, but shot over.
- Five minutes later MacLean's cross found Spencer Moses in the box. He found Platel but his shot was blocked.
- Leafe had another great chance in the 26th minute when O'Flaherty's cross found Rivers in the box, but he failed to connect with his attempted shot on the turn from close range.
- Three minutes later Rivers sent Platel clear, but unfortunately his cross wasn't enough to clear the defence with two Leafe players waiting at the far post.
- Tolfrey came to Leafe's rescue on the half hour following a rare break from the visitors. Piper found Gainsford in space in the box but Tolfrey made a good save to deny him.
- The match got rather bogged down in the middle of the park and there was no real goalmouth action again until the 68th minute when La Roux should have put the visitors ahead, but shot wide from close range.
- Tolfrey made an excellent save from an unmarked Neil Watts in the 78th minute, but Leafe could have walked away with the points when a fine chance fell to Spencer in the 84th minute. He had a one on one with the keeper, but failed to get a decent touch on the ball and from then on, although Leafe pushed forward in search of a winner, they never tested the keeper.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Murphy, Reeve, Spencer, MacLean, Platel, Clayton (Kennedy 59), Rivers, O'Flaherty (Riley 63), Williams.
Tuesday 4th December 2007
Isthmian League Cup
Whyteleafe's League Cup run came to an end at Imperial Fields where, despite a spirited second half display, they were unable to pull back the hosts first half lead.
'Leafe's evening started badly when Luke Hackett received a yellow card for a crude challenge in the sixth minute. The foul did more harm to himself and he limped off shortly afterwards taking no further part in the game.
Chris Kennedy replaced him and it was he that had the visitors' first chance in the 20th minute when he broke clear down the right. His cross was cleared back to him, from which he shot into the side netting. Three minutes later Tooting should have scored when Ronnie Green's fine cross picked out Paul Vines unmarked in the box, but he headed straight at Rob Tolfrey.
Moore however gave Tooting the lead in the 34th minute when he outpaced the 'Leafe defence and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Tolfrey into the net. Sam Clayton had a chance in the 40th minute but his 20 yard effort was straight at keeper Dave King.
Chris Kennedy had a great run down the right in the 47th minute, but his cross eluded everyone and a minute later Riley made a similar run, this time finding Clayton, but his header struck an offside Sean Rivers.
Kennedy and Riley again combined in the 52nd minute and again found Clayton's head, this time forcing King to make a save. Riley made another good run and cross in the 57th minute which was punched clear as far as Clayton, but he shot over the bar.
In the 66th minute, Rivers played a great crossfield ball into the path of Kennedy who beat the defender, but shot over from the edge of the box. Clayton had another 25yard effort two minutes later, but it went just wide.
Whyteleafe pressed for most of the rest of the game but never really tested King. In fact Tooting when close to a second in the 82nd minute when Tolfrey did exceptionally well to reach a chip from former Church Road defender Ryan Gray and tip it over the bar.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, O'Flaherty, Jabbie, Spencer, Hackett (Kennedy 12), MacLean Platel, Clayton, Rivers, Reeve, Riley.
Saturday 1st December 2007
Ryman League Division 1 South
Whyteleafe and Horsham YMCA shared the points in a match that both sides will feel they could, and should have won. Some great chances were squandered, including two penalties and an open goal from two yards out.
The visiting 'Leafe side were kicking down the slope in the first half and the lively Chris Kennedy had the first chance when after a run down the left he cut inside, but shot wide. They continued to push forward, but in what was to turn out to be the theme of the day, the forwards were constantly getting caught offside.
Horsham broke in the 13th minute and took a surprise lead. Ali Russell's shot was way off target, but Joe Keehan was on hand to turn it into the net.
But 'Leafe only took three minutes to equalise. A Callum MacLean corner fell to Jamie Brotherton at the near post. He picked out the unmarked Daniel Platel who headed home from close range.
Horsham then had two good chances to retake the lead, firstly Andy Ottley ran through unchallenged but shot wide, then Russell's overhead kick landed on the roof of the net. A fine move by 'Leafe in the 31st minute ended with Rivers finding the back of the net, but not from an offside position. Rivers was unlucky in the 37th minute when his goalbound header from a MacLean corner was headed off the line by Dean Carden. Two minutes later Tolfrey saved well from an Ottley free kick.
Whyteleafe looked to be unlucky in the 47th minute when a Brotherton and Rivers attack was seemingly broken down by a Horsham arm, but no penalty was given. 'Leafe had a good spell but time and time again were caught offside. Kennedy found Brotherton in the box in the 64th minute but his shot on the turn went wide. Tolfrey made his only mistake of the game when he dropped a 66th minute free kick, from which Grant's shot hit MacLean's hand and a penalty was awarded.
Tolfrey made immediate amends with a fine save from Carden's spot kick.
Rivers found Sam Clayton on the right in the 74th minute and he switched the play, finding Platel in space on the left, but his shot went wide. Tolfrey made another grat save at the feet of Grant in the 77th minute who had been left unmarked at the far post. Horsham had an amazing escape three minutes later when a terrific scramble took place in their six yard box which saw four 'Leafe shots all blocked before Clayton's shot was deflected over.
Horsham then won another penalty in the 83rd minute when Williams brought down Palmer in the box. This time Tolfrey had nothing to do as Carden skied the spot kick way over the bar.
'Leafe should have stolen the points in the 89th minute when Michael Riley found Rivers unmarked on the far post with a superb cross, but with the goal at his mercy, he headed wide.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Williams, Spencer, Broomhead, MacLean (Reeve 70), Platel, Smith, Rivers, Brotherton (Riley 70), Kennedy (Clayton 70).
Photo set 1 - Danny Platel, Jamie Brotherton, Jeremy Williams, Horsham YMCA (with Mrs Kelly).
Photo set 2 - The Gladwish Stand, Chatting on the sidelines, in the YMCA clubhouse, Swiss, Ol' Big Nose
Photo set 3 - Swiss Rubberhand, Biscuit, Biscuit being scary, mysterious late night activity in car park.
Tuesday 27th November 2007
Surrey Senior Cup
Whyteleafe maintained their good record against the Dons with a victory on penalties after 120 minute of football failed to see either side find the back of the net.
The visitors had the best of the opening exchanges and Rob Tolfrey was called upon to save from Richard Jolly and Steve Gilbert. In the 22nd minute the visitors were unlucky when Sam Hatton's well struck 25 yard free kick struck the bar.
'Leafe's best early chance fell to Sam Clayton in the 29th minute when Jeremy Williams put him through, but he shot wide. Jamie Brotherton went close in the 32nd minute shooting just wide and then two minutes later Tolfrey sent Williams clear but Gilbert did well to get back to make a great saving tackle.
In the 36th minute Ben Symons was penalised for catching a back pass and was then cautioned for dissent. Callum MacLean's free kick was blocked. The ball fell for Alhajie Jabbie who found MacLean, this time his effort went over the bar.
Williams made a strong run into the box in the 52nd minute, and his blocked shot fell to Maclean who shot wide. A minute later Brotherton found Sean Rivers in the box, but he also was wide of the target. MacLean's 57th minute corner found Moses Spencer but his header was deflected over the bar.
In the 63rd minute Clayton found Rivers in space in the box, but the striker missed his kick as he attempted to volley a ball coming over his shoulder. Chris Kennedy came on and immediately caused problems to the Dons' defence. He won a free kick on the edge of the box in the 66th minute after a great run, but Maclean hit the free kick over the bar.
Wimbledon looked to have scored in the 70th minute when Goddard chipped over Tolfrey, but Williams was quickly back to clear off the line. Clayton had a couple of shots off target and Rivers headed wide from Maclean's 84th minute free kick.
Extra time came and went with neither side really looking like scoring. Brotherton shot wide from a good chance in the 94th minute and then Kennedy was brought down on the edge of the box in the 114th minute, but Robbie Smith's quickly taken free kick went over the bar. With 'Leafe failing to find their shooting boots, the inevitable penalty shoot out arrived.
Tolfrey gave 'Leafe the perfect start, saving Hatton's penalty. The next five all went in with Kennedy, Rivers and MacLean finding the net for 'Leafe to put them 3 - 2 up. Karl Beckford then blasted one over the bar to leave 'Leafe needing just one of their last two kicks to go through. Daniel Platel saw his shot saved, but Jamie Brotherton made no mistake to put Whyteleafe through to the next round.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Riley (Kennedy 61), Spencer, Jabbie (Fennessy 108), MacLean, Clayton (Platel 108), Smith, Rivers, Brotherton, Williams.
Friday 23rd November 2007
Ryman League Division 1 South
Whyteleafe made the short journey to take on second place Tooting and gave them a good game, in fact dominating most of the second half, but by then they were too far behind, having let in three goals in a first half where a few individual mistakes were severely punished.
The game was very quiet in the opening twenty minutes with little to choose between the sides. Jamie Brotherton had the first good shot in the 20th minute which keeper Dave King turned away for a corner. Two minutes later Jon Henry-Hayden at the other end headed against the post, the ball bouncing back into the grateful arms of Rob Tolfrey.
Henry-Hayden broke clear three minutes later, running the length of the field before slotting the ball home. He had taken advantage of a mis-hit Fennesy free kick who was hurried into taking it, thinking that Danny Boxall had touched it to him.
'Leafe might have pulled one back straight away when Boxall's cross struck a defender's hand and went off but the referee decided to give only a corner.
Three minutes later, another mistake, this time Callum MacLean slipping at the wrong moment, gave Henry-Hayden another chance to show his pace, he ended up being brought down in the area by Tolfrey as he rounded him. Matt York made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Al Jabbie sent Fennessy down the left and his fierce drive was well held by King. In the 40th minute Henry-Hayden's chip beat Tolfrey and clipped the bar. Henry-Hayden however did put the hosts three up in the 43rd minute when he converted from a free kick on the left. It could have been worse as Paul Vines missed by inches with the last shot of the half.
Whyteleafe did not look as though they had given upand took the game to the hosts, encouraged by a very vocal travelling support. Fennessy found Daniel Platel in the 57th minute and his shot on the turn was tipped over by King. The resultant corner was cleared as far as Robbie Smith who fired over from 25 yards.
'Leafe continued to press forward and looked to have been rewarded in the 79th minute when Platel found the net from close range but was ruled offside.
In the 82nd minute Sam Clayton scored the goal of the game with a wonder strike from around 40 yards that caught everyone by surprise. The diving King could not prevent it from going into the net.
Chris Kennedy had a chance in the 87th minute,his header clipping the bar.It could have led to an interesting final few minutes, but it was Tooting who should have scored a fourth in the final minute when a mistake from Luke Hackett allowed Vines to go clear, but he shot over when unchallenged.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Jabbie (Clayton 72), Spencer, Broomhead, MacLean (Hackett 72), Platel, Smith, Kennedy, Brotherton, Fennessy (Kennedy 63).
In the meantime enjoy some photos (all of which can be enlarged by clicking on them)...
Ryman League Division 1 South
Saturday 17th November 2007
Whyteleafe had to settle for a point in this tight match against Chatham that they might easily have won but for some superb goalkeeping from visiting keeper Miroslav Oravec.
‘Leafe had most of the early play and their first clear chance came in the 14th minute when Robbie Smith chested the ball down into the path of Terry Fennessy who volleyed just wide. A minute later, Jamie Brotherton's shot was saved by Oravec.
Rob Tolfrey saw little action in the home goal, his first real danger coming in the 31st minute when he had to rush out to clear a poor backpass. The only real chance Chatham created themselves came in the 41st minute when a fine run down the right from Mark Brooks, which saw him put a dangerous cross into the area, where Andrew Constable, at full stretch, couldn't get enough of a touch to send the ball goalwards.
‘Leafe had a 43rd minute corner that seemed to spend forever in the visitors’ 6 yard box before it was eventually scrambled away. Just on half time, Oravec saved well from Platel's close range shot from a Fennessy cross.
Whyteleafe started the second half well and were unlucky in the 47th minute when Platel sent Callum McLean clear. His goalbound shot was deflected onto the post by the feet of the diving Oravec and rebounded to safety. A minute later Tolfrey needed lengthy treatment after he bravely saved at the feet of Craig Govey.
‘Leafe's next chance came in the 56th minute when the impressive Moses Spencer rose above everyone to head McLean's corner, but Oravec was again in the right place to make the save. Adam Broomhead's 70th minute free kick was partially cleared to McLean, whose volley went just wide.
Chris Kennedy made a great cross in the 76th minute which was turned over the bar by a Chatham defender under pressure from Brotherton. Spencer won another header from a 77th minute corner, but this time was off target. Spencer then did well at the other end to block an effort from Justin Ascheri following a quick break.
‘Leafe looked to have taken the lead in the 81st minute when Platel's well placed chip looked to be goal bound, but Oravec somehow managed to get fingertips too the ball, enough to deflect it on to the top of the bar and over. Oravec was not yet finished, and made one more final excellent save to deny McLean from a fierce 30 yard shot in the 86th minute.
Manager, Dave Swindlehurst will have been disappointed not to have taken all three points from this game after their recent good run, but will not come up against many goalkeeping performances as good as Oravec in the season.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Jabbie (Riley 83), Spencer, Broomhead, MacLean, Platel (Hackett 85), Smith, Kennedy, Brotherton, Fennessy (Clayton 70).
Isthmian League Cup
Tuesday 13th November 2007
Whyteleafe re-produced their excellent league form this term to progress to the fourth round of the League Cup with prolific young striker Sean Rivers collecting a clinical hat-trick of goals, his second of the season.
Manager Dave Swindlehurst took the opportunity to give a debut to young centre-half Luke Hackett, so impressive in the youth team in recent weeks, with Steve Causon at right-back and Moses Spencer alongside Hackett following his fine debut at Eastbourne on Saturday.
The home side started brightest and on ten minutes a rasping drive from 25 yards bounced off the inside of the 'Leafe goal, across the box to safety. In early reply a curling shot by Chris O'Flaherty was pushed around the post by the Hillians keeper.
Terry Fennessy, having recently returned from a loan spell at Dorking, began making his trade-mark runs down the left flank and a low cross from the by-line allowed Rivers to fire home the opener on 15 minutes. Shortly after, another such cross eluded both attackers and defence as it screamed across the area.
Burgess Hill levelled on the half hour as Rob Tolfrey in the 'Leafe goal inadvertently passed the ball to Matt Geard who gratefully fired home into the empty net. Whyteleafe restored their lead within five minutes, the second goal a carbon copy of the first as Rivers latched on to another magnificent Fennessy cross.
On an increasingly cold and wet evening at Leyland Park it was 'Leafe who continued to press after the break, Spencer heading narrowly wide from an Ellis Conroy free-kick and Sam Clayton making a strong run from deep, his shot well saved by keeper Winterton.
The energetic Clayton again went close with a 25 yard curler that flew just the wrong side of the post and was then involved in a bizarre twist when a goal-bound Rivers shot hit his back and went wide of the upright. Rivers was not, however, to be denied his hat-trick, firing home after a stinging Fennessy shot had only been parried by Winterton.
Another fine victory for Whyteleafe in an increasingly exciting season under the stewardship of Swindlehurst who has assembled a spirited and resilient squad to delight the 'Leafe faithful.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Causon (Riley 68), O'Flaherty (Boxall 68), Spencer, Hackett, Clayton S, Platel, Smith, Rivers, Fennessy, Conroy (MacLean 75).
