STAINES & LAMMAS AT STEP 6
Staines & Lammas FC (Middlesex) achieved promotion to Step 6 of the FA’s Non-League Pyramid by finishing in 3rd place in the Surrey Premier League last season. They were scheduled to visit Yateley United, at the latter’s scenic Sean Devereux Park, on Saturday, 10th August and your Roving Reporting team decided that this would be the ideal match with which to kick off the season.
Staines Lammas were founded in 1926 and progressed through the local leagues to the Surrey Senior League, which amalgamated with the Combined Counties League for season 2003-4. They went into the then top division (Division 1) and eventually requiring floodlights to play at the highest level (by then named the Premier Division) they ground shared with Ashford Town (Middlesex). They returned to their Laleham Recreation Ground HQ at the start of season 2015-16.
Staines & Lammas (Middlesex)’s experienced and proactive committee now consists of former members of both clubs. The Chairman is Phil Ellery and his son, Ollie, is Vice Chairman. Steve Parsons, formerly the long serving Staines Town Secretary, now fulfils that role at S & L. Former SL Secretary, Bob Parry is the Treasurer. The Team Manager is Paul Burgess, a fine goalkeeper, who made well over 600 appearances for Ashford Town (Middlesex).
Yateley United are a vibrant club with excellent facilities. They were formed in 2013 and have made tremendous progress. They now have more than 30 teams. They attained Step 6 in season 2022-23 by winning all 20 of their games in the Thames Valley Premier League. They then more than held their own in last season’s Combined Counties League Division One, winning 21 and drawing 8 of their 42 games, to finish 7th on 71 points.
On the previous Saturday, Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) had won their first League match, 4-1 away to Oxhey Jets. Yateley United had also won on the opening day, 3-2 at home to PFC Victoria London. However, they had then travelled to Chalfont St Peter in midweek and had lost 2-0.
A hard fought and entertaining match was settled by a single goal, which was scored in the 13th minute of the first half, by Staines & Lammas’ Jamie Ross. The Blues then had most of the possession up to the interval, without adding to their lead. Yateley United reorganised and fought back valiantly in the second half, which was more even territorially. However, Lammas were never in danger of relinquishing their grip on the match.
Play moved rapidly up and down the field from the kick off and both keepers were frequently in action. However, neither were seriously extended early on.
Lammas striker, Daniel Bamba burst into the home penalty box but was halted by Harry Lee’s timely tackle. Then, at the other end, Lammas keeper, Glen Andrews, foiled Tom Rudall with his feet.
United custodian, Ben Parslow left his area to thwart Daniel Bamba’s chase after Josh Hooks’ through ball.
Yateley’s Aaron Redford fired past the post from around 25 yards and a dangerous home corner kick swung out of play beyond the far post, without attracting a touch.
Ben Parslow left his box to head clear.
Josh Hooks was the instigator of the majority of the Lammas attacks and it was his pass, in the 14th minute, that set up Jamie Ross to stroke the ball into the home net to give his side the lead.
Lammas kept up the pressure and United’s Josh Mynard made an important saving tackle on Josh Hooks.
Josh Hooks went on a penetrating run and released Daniel Bamba, whose shot was blocked.
A long United free kick, from a central position, found Tyler Garrett-Skins, whose shot was too high.
Ben Parslow saved low down from Fuad Banire.
Josh Hooks displayed impressive control to advance up the right and finished with an in-swinging drive, from just inside the box, which was turned around the post by the diving Ben Parslow. Ben then fielded Matt Hogg’s header following the resulting corner.
Lammas kept coming forward and Dan Callan cut in and let fly with a shot which was charged down. Josh Hooks progressed down the right to set up Jamie Ross, whose shot was blocked for a corner. The resulting corner kick was volleyed wide by the advancing Josh Stewart.
Ben Parslow foiled Daniel Bamba, who had fastened onto a through ball.
Jamie Ross’ half volley, following a freekick on the left, was charged down. Then the home keeper saved close range efforts from Jamie Ross and Fuad Banire.
In the 40th minute, Daniel Bamba burst through the middle of the home defence and was about to pull the trigger, when he was brought down by United captain, Chris Boutros, who was very fortunate to only receive a yellow card.
Josh Hooks’ took the resulting freekick, which was deflected for a corner by Boutros, in the defensive wall.
A well-timed interception by Tyler Garrett-Skinns thwarted Daniel Bamba.
Play then moved briefly to the Lammas end of the pitch, where Aaron Redford hit a freekick too high.
Half time score: Yateley United 0 Staines Lammas 1
United made two substitutions at the interval, introducing Luke Cairns and Keaton Kavanagh to the action. These players were involved immediately. Luke Cairns’ run up the right wing was halted by some good defensive play. He then played a long ball through the middle, which was wasted by a soft shot straight at the keeper. A shot by Luke was then headed away by Matt Hogg.
A sharp half volley from the edge of the Lammas penalty box by Josh Mynard was deflected wide. Then Harry Lee headed wide from a corner.
Lammas keeper, Glen Andrews needed medical attention after saving at the feet of Tyler Garrett-Skinns, who had been put through by Luke Cairns.
A clearance from Lammas central defender, Matt Hogg, hit Luke Cairns but the ball rebounded to Glen Andrews.
Matt Hogg advanced upfield to connect with a freekick from wide on the right but the keeper fielded his touch.
Max Benincasa released Fuad Benire but Ben Parslow kicked clear.
Yateley United were now having a larger share of the possession but were unable to create the opening required to breach the solid Lammas defence. The resolute back four of Luke Rippon, Max Benincasa, Matt Hogg and Josh Stuart, together with keeper Glen Andrews, was impenetrable.
Drew Matthews’ freekick, from around 25 yards, was turned around the post by Glen Andrews.
Matt Hogg made timely interceptions to thwart Luke Cairns and then Ikhon Ward.
Glen Andrews saved at close range, with his feet from Luke Cairns and then Keaton Kavanagh headed wide from a corner.
Staines & Lammas kept the ball mainly in their opponents’ half during the closing stages of the game, bringing several saves from Ben Parslow.
During added time, the United skipper, Chris Boutros fouled Telmo Lima and was shown a yellow card to add to the one he had received in the first half.
Final score: Yateley United 0 Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) 1
Our thanks are given to Yateley United FC for their kind hospitality. It was a pleasure to visit Sean Devereux Park and experience the welcoming atmosphere there.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Yateley United: Ben Parslow, Kieran Green Garandel, Joshua Mynard, Drew Matthews (Tony-Jack Collins 68 mins), Chris Boutros (capt), Harry Lee (Callum Scott 54, Charlie Wright 60), Ikhon Ward, Tyler Garrett-Skinns, Tom Rudall, Jordan Robertson (Keaton Kavanagh 46) and Aaron Redford (Luke Cairns 46).
Manager: Sam Wilson
Senior Coaches: Joe Connell and Max Billingham
Coach: Casey Jones.
Staines & Lammas (Middlesex): Glen Andrews, Luke Rippon, Max Benincasa (capt), Matt Hogg, Josh Stewart, Bobby Cooper (Archie Payne 84), Dan Callan, Jamie Ross (Joe Cooper 72), Daniel Bamba (Rashane Wilson 90), Josh Hooks and Fuad Banire (Telmo Lima 77).
Unused substitute: Valdemar De Sousa.
Manager: Paul Burgess
Assistant Manager: John Pomroy
Coach: Russell Canderton
Sports Therapist: Dielle De Souza.
Referee: Benjamin Frape
Assistant Referees: David Masters & Nick Pyne.
Attendance: 87
Report: Jim Taylor
Photography: Chris Benn