Sheppey break their duck- and the Wasps have no sting

The autumn sun shone down on the early arrivals at the OHOB Community Stadium. A friendly staffie wandered around greeting all comers, the visiting cameraman climbed his gantry whilst expressing his delight that it had “proper steps, not just a ladder,” and the pitch looked in absolutely perfect condition- a carpet of grass as opposed to the actual carpet many clubs play on these days. A gaggle of early arrivals from Sheppey lined up at the bar and asked whether there were “geriatric prices,” and the world was calm and remarkably quiet, as the occupants of the clubhouse chatted without the usual background of football on the television. Had it not been for a mobile phone ringing to the theme tune from “Top Cat” we could have been back in the 1970’s- days when more people would have recognised that theme tune, perhaps. Why Don’t You Just Switch Off Your Television Set And Go And Do Something Less Boring Instead? We had- and if that reference went over your head, ask your (gran)dad.

The calm was then shattered as the players from East Grinstead Town and Sheppey United emerged onto the turf for their warm up, and the usual pre-match hullabaloo began. It was a perfect day for football, and we hoped for some perfect football to match.

A gaggle of home fans lined up behind the goal as kick off approached. Those same home fans were quick to express their disgust early last month, when our supporters put them as relegation certainties during our pre-season prediction series. Their team have since spent August attempting to prove conclusively that the massed ranks of Pitching In Isthmian South East fans haven’t a clue what they are talking about.

The Wasps have delivered some fine performances. Victories over promotion hopefuls Haywards Heath Town and Chatham Town, a resurrection of Lazarus-like proportions to claim a draw at title favourites Ashford United, and the eight goals of striker Matt Daniel- who had scored in six consecutive matches coming into today’s game- saw them start the day just outside the play off places on goal difference. Victory this afternoon could see them climb as high as second- although it would have to be rather comprehensive to take them any higher than fourth, and they would have to do it without Daniel, conspicuously missing from the squad.

League victory was something the Ites hadn’t yet managed, which was why they came into the match fourth from bottom. The news wasn’t all bad; striker Warren Hughes-Mfula had found the net nine times already, and they had delivered some decent cup performances- a six-nil win over Athletic Newham, a two-two draw with Lewes- but their most notable performance was at the other end of the spectrum, an eight-nil replay defeat by the Rooks, and they’d followed that in midweek with a Trophy defeat, albeit in a shootout, against Hertford Town. Boss Jack Midson made two changes from midweek, and started himself for only the third time this season. A notable name was Rodney Adamon Eruotor, formerly an Under 23 with Bromley, who played on trial for the club during the summer.

The visitors got us underway, in blue and white, whilst the hosts, in their traditional amber and black stripes, had the best of the early stages. The home fans changed ends and immediately launched into a song about how much they hated Three Bridges. We suspect that’s more about their Isthmian rivals at the other end of the A264 than the train station, but given how terrible train reliability has been lately you just can’t tell. After all, it’s likely that half of Sussex commuters current hate Three Bridges.

The Ites looked a little nervous at the back, perhaps understandably after eleven goals conceded in two matches, but they eased their way into the match and had the first chance, a shot from Liam Gillies deflected narrowly wide. The corner saw a fine save from Matte Pierson, a shot into the side netting, and Mfula then created more work from the home keeper, before the striker again forced a save- and another corner. We reached the quarter hour mark with the hosts struggling to escape their own half, and on eighteen minutes only another excellent save from Pierson kept Mfula at bay, after a defensive error gave him the ball at the edge of the box.

The Wasps could so easily have been behind, and the visitors left Pierson worried once more when Gillies tried a long range effort that went past the keepers right hand post with him struggling to get back. It was another let off- and Gillies, who was mastering the midfield almost single-handed, then forced another diving save from the home keeper. That we reached the half hour goalless was entirely due to the Wasps keeper- his counterpart, Aiden Prall, was almost entirely unemployed.

Former Wasp Danny Leonard was next to try his luck, his shot was the first to beat Pierson. Sadly for the visiting fans behind the goal, it couldn’t beat the post- and Mfula’s cross couldn’t find a team mate. Three single-digit United fans masked their frustration by rolling repeatedly down a grassy bank to the left of the main stand; the rest of their brethren would be contemplating throwing themselves down it if their side somehow lost this match.

The goal finally came in the thirty ninth minute. Another run, a cross behind the defence, and Midson was there for a tap in. It was the least his side deserved.

Finally the Wasps stirred, although the Ites had been poking their nest with a stick for almost three quarters of an hour. But it was a very small swarming, and came to naught, it still more likely that the visitors would sting once more. The whistle blew, and the hosts would have been delighted that they were only one goal behind.

“We love you Grinstead, we do,” came the chant as the teams lined up for the second half. Would their side take that encouragement? Not initially, as the pattern remained unchanged and the visitors shouted for a penalty as Gillies, Mfula and Leonard combined. The referee had other ideas, and was probably right. “Come on Grinstead,” as the home fans at least won the singing contest.

Harrison Parker then found himself in the book, stopping Mfula, who was about to go past him, with brute force. The free kick, twenty two yards out, stuck the wall, but soon afterwards another defensive error found Mfula on the edge of the box with the whole goal to aim at.

He missed it.

The ball went wide of the post and the striker sank to his haunches, head in his hands. Would his side come to rue that missed opportunity- or the others from the first half? Two minutes later another defensive error and another opportunity, again not taken. On chances alone, the visitors could be six-nil up. Yet the gap remained one. Dean Perana emerged from the bench for the Wasps, and Dean Grant arrived for the visitors, and we approached the hour mark with Grinstead still searching for that spark of inspiration.

Finally they began to apply some pressure, but again there was no hint of an end product, and their frustration was perhaps exemplified when Daniel Uchechi injured himself committing an unnecessary foul. After lengthy treatment he was booked for his trouble. Omar Folkes then emerged, the Wasps own Akinfenwa, as they looked to provide a more physical presence up front. They certainly needed one, and they immediately looked more threatening.

The next chance- indeed the next two chances- again went to the visitors, however. The second of them saw Mfula once more thwarted by Pierson, and again the striker expressed his frustration. It seemed he would never score. Ashley Sains was first to the resulting corner, but his header cleared the bar.

Uchechi, living dangerously, gave away another dangerous free kick which Gillies- who would be prime candidate for man of the match were it not for the home keeper- fired into the box. Another scramble, another Pierson save, another corner- and again the visitors did everything but score. Another break, a fine exchange of passes, and Matt Parsons deserved a goal- but his shot hit the bar. Into the last ten minutes we went, and the Wasps finally- finally- found some impetus, and gave their fans something to cheer, showing some real attacking verve ending with a cross which somehow missed everyone in the box, causing panic in the visitors defence. Could they still take something from the match?

They began to dominate, as United began to defend deeply. A ball to the feet of Anderson, a pinpoint tackle, a corner. Max Walsh on, and urged forward. Cleared. Another attack, and finally the visitors looked rattled. Only one minute left, plus added time- had the Wasps found their feet too late? Into the box steamed Walsh, ball at his feet, shot, Prall beaten- but the ball hit the same post struck by Leonard in the first half and ricocheted clear. Four added minutes, a scuffle, and suddenly, a red card. Folkes departed, and the Wasps chances went with him.

Sheppey United had enough chances to win four matches. They deserved the victory- and yet, as the final whistle went, their celebrations smacked as much of relief as of exhilaration. Had Grinstead scored- as well they might- it would have been daylight robbery; but the fact that they still had a chance as we reached the closing stages will worry the visiting manager.

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