Chipstead’s Velocity is terminal for Wanderers

Chipstead haven’t had the best start to life in the Bostik South Central Division, and came into last night’s Velocity Trophy match with highly-fancied Dorking Wanderers on the back of four straight defeats- but as we all know, anything can happen in a cup competition, and indeed it did, as a Sam Bell strike in the seventeenth minute left Wanderers to take the High Road home.

This was one of six matches in the Trophy last night, four in Round One and two in the Preliminary Round. We’ll head to the Preliminary Round next, as Tonbridge Angels faced a difficult task against previously unbeaten VCD Athletic, but the Bostik Premier leaders managed to avoid an upset- if only just, a Liam King goal in the second half the only difference between the sides.

The other Preliminary Round match was between two South East Division rivals, Sittingbourne and Phoenix Sports, and the Brickies progressed with two second half goals from Ben Fitchett and Izzy Adebayo.

Back into Round One, and Bracknell Town continued their impressive form with a 3-1 defeat of Horsham, Adam Cornell and Kane Fitzgerald making the game safe in the last twenty minutes after Rob O’Toole had cancelled out Gavin James’ early strike. Two late goals for Ware- Jack Daveney and Ben Hart with them- saw off hosts Chalfont St Peter, whilst Burgess Hill Town won their first game of the season, a 2-1 win at Faversham Town being sealed by goals from Connor Tighe and Pat Harding. Ashley Miller replied for the home side.

It was a big night for our sides in the FA Cup, too. Soham Town Rangers travelled to Biggleswade for the second time in the Preliminary Round, the first match being abandoned after injuries to two Rangers players, and they proved too strong for their hosts on this occasion, coming away with a 5-3 victory. Marcus Hall got a hat trick, and this was added to by Lewis Endacott, who scored twice. Whyteleafe headed to the Sussex coast for a replay with Saltdean United, and fell behind to a Ben Bacon goal in the first half but turned the match around after the interval, Graham Bentley and Eddie Dsane earning them the victory, and in the other match Witham Town kicked off against local rivals Coggeshall Town for the third time in four days, and will now be undoubtedly sick of the sight of the Seed Growers after losing for the second time in last nights replay. A Nnamdi Nwachuku double and another from Josh Pollard made the difference, and a very late reply for Witham through Danny Norton was no more than a consolation.

Finally, FC Romania moved into eighth place in the South Central Division with a 2-1 win at Bedfont Sports. Andrian Balsanu gave the away side the lead in the third minute only for Jack Mills to quickly equalise from the spot, but Balsanu- and Romania- weren’t to be denied, snatching a late winner. Sports sit in eighteenth place.

There are two further FA Cup Replays tonight. Lewes host Molesey, whilst Cray Wanderers travel to Rusthall.