SCFL Division One
SHOREHAM  3 - 0 Redhill

After two disappointing home defeats Shoreham beat Redhill 3-0 with a performance full of commitment and not short of quality. The lads were tremendous as they battled for every ball from the first minute to the ninety fifth minute. Shoreham haven't been winning enough second balls in recent fixtures but their work rate tonight and sheer determination to match worthy opponents meant that this result was just reward for their efforts.

Shoreham had a very early scare when Redhill could have gone ahead in the second minute but with both teams playing at a high tempo they struggled to create chances and it took us 24 minutes to register our first shot on target - a shot on the turn by Dean Smith. Shoreham then opened the scoring on 32 minutes when a free kick in by Lee Denyer wasn't cleared and Nicky Fogden, showing true predatory instincts, pounced to shoot home from close range.

With the pace of the game really fast there was a few unsavory tackles and the ref was quite sharp in showing the yellow card to try to calm things down. Shoreham enjoyed a bit of luck when Redhills Morgan put across a good ball and Ronan Callaghan was relieved to see it hit the post and out to safety. As half time approached, Redhill were looking dangerous as they pressed forward but it was Shoreham who got a really important second goal to give us some sort of cushion. A free kick taken by Grant Phillpott in the 47th minute wasn't cleared and Dean Smith lurking at the far post - as he does - was at hand to score giving Chris May in the Redhill goal no chance.
Half time: Shoreham 2 Redhill 0.

Shoreham had a chance to go ahead in the fiftieth minute when Ryan Bradley set up Owen Callaghan but the wingers shot was tipped over the bar. Redhill started to take control of the midfield and Shoreham were forced to defend more. The back four were having a superb night and well supported by a compact midfield who denied Redhill clear shots on goal. On more than one occasion defenders put themselves on the line with superb blocks and working really hard to deny Redhill any space in and around the penalty area. One block by the outstanding Nicky Fogden on 60 minutes was top drawer and epitomised everything about the teams performance tonight.

While Redhill continued to dominate territorially, Shoreham continued to break well and on several occasions we had chances to score. Redhill had two chances in the middle of the half when the ball was swept across our goal but there was no one  to apply a finish. On 80 minutes a snap shot by Ryan Bradley again signaled our intent to add a third goal and when Justin Gregory put in a peach of a cross for Liam O'Brien to head superbly home, it was just reward for the big strikers efforts tonight. Redhill were now a well beaten side and the game finished with Shoreham keeping a clean sheet as well as scoring 3 well taken goals.

There were great performances all over the park and this will go down as our best performance of the season. Dan Taylor and Dean Smith were immense in midfield while the back four can all claim to be candidates for the MOM award. Its a very close call- that's how good they all were and it was good to see Ronan Callaghan getting back to his high standards.

The MOM award goes to Grant Phillpott - Grant was tremendous in the middle of the back four and given he hasn't been on the bench in the last two games, he has showed great character to come out and deliver a brilliant display for the team.

MOM: Grant Phillpott

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: R.Callaghan, Denyer, Gregory, Fogden, Phillpott, Smith, Callaghan, Taylor, O'Brien, Bradley, Martin. Subs: Walker(used), Garrod, Rhodes, Eastman, Brock

Match Photos from Terry Buckman - HERE

COMING UP:

Hayling United  v SHOREHAM
@ Middle Road
FA Vase - 1st Qual. Round
Saturday 4th September 2010, Ko 3pm

Ground Address: Hayling College, Church Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 0NU

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

SCFL Division One
SHOREHAM  1 - 2 Crowborough Athletic

Shoreham suffered another setback in their quest to be among the league frontrunners as they crashed to a Crowborough Athletic side who didn't really deserve to take away all three points from this fixture. The lads cannot be faulted for effort and it appears there is a lack of confidence running through the side especially at home. Our more informed supporters will realize that this is a pattern with Shoreham sides in recent seasons and once we get a rub of the green again the results will follow and we will be off on a healthy unbeaten run.

Shoreham welcomed back Ronan Callaghan in goal and Sammy Donnelly made several other changes to keep everybody fresh. Shoreham had the better of the earlier exchanges as they pressed forward to get an early goal to settle everybody's nerves. The game was not being helped by an over fussy ref who booked several players unnecessarily- a view shared by both sets of supporters. Shoreham escaped an early scare when they had a shot cleared of the line. Rob Boddy had the Mussells first shot on target when he saw his well struck shot go low and narrowly wide.

Shoreham had another chance shortly after when Graham Martin slipped a neat through ball to Charlie Walker but the young strikers shot cum cross was blocked by a last ditch tackle. Shoreham continued to probe and look for a way through to score but as the half progressed we seemed to go a bit flat and lacked real invention in the final third. Too often we seemed to want to go through the middle whereas using the width of the pitch might have brought about better reward. As half time approached Shoreham went a goal down when the ball was given away needlessly and their winger beat Callaghan easily.
Halftime: Shoreham 0 Crowborough Athletic 1

Shoreham tried to step up the pace in the second half and straight from the kick off Lee Eastman found himself in a goal scoring position but the young midfielders shot was wide of the target. There was now a creeping anxiety in Shorehams play and although there was no lack of effort, too many passes were going astray to really put the Crowborough defence under serious pressure. Another lack of concentration on 6o minutes in our defence let in Scott Treleaven and he cooly lobbed Ronan Callaghan to put his side 2-0 up. To their credit Shoreham upped their game and started to put Crowboroughs defence under a lot more pressure.

The pressure paid off when a good cross in by Owen Callaghan from the right wing was headed in by Ryan Bradley. With Liam O'Brien now on and providing another dimension to our play Shoreham threw everything ,including the kitchen sink, at Crowborough to get an equalizer. The goal they would have deserved just didn't come and Crowborough held on to get what will be a very pleasing result for them.
There were no clear MOM today- Ryan Bradley and Owen Callaghan combined well for our goal and they were probably two of our better performers, especially in the second half.

MOM: Ryan Bradley

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: TBC

COMING UP:

SHOREHAM  v Redhill
@ Middle Road
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Tuesday 31st August 2010, Ko 7.30pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

SCFL Division One
SHOREHAM  1 - 2 Chichester City

Shoreham again struggled to reproduce their good away form as they fell to a strong Chichester side at Middle Road. Shoreham fielded the same side put out against Hailsham, excepting Dan Jordan who returned to the centre of the defence. Both teams played at a high tempo especially in the early stages and the game was largely played in the centre of the park as defences were on top.

Shorehams main threat was now coming from set pieces and on 40 minutes a Dan Taylor corner was cleared off the line. Chichester remain competitive without being in any way inspiring and with the home defence on top, Fernandes in the home goal did not have a shot of note to save. As half time approached the game had that look about it that a single goal would decide the outcome and both teams went in at the interval scoreless.
Half time Shoreham 0 Chichester City 0

The second half started with supporters hoping for a bit more goalmouth action and Shoreham needing to win the second ball more often if they were to win the game. On 48 minutes Dan Taylor burst through on the left but his effort sailed over the bar. Neither keeper had yet to make a save and just as it looked the game would be played out to a stalemate, Chichester took the lead on 74 minutes when a low cross into the box was met by Baxter to slide the ball home.

There was no shortage of effort from the Shoreham players but the lack of cutting edge contributed to their downfall tonight. There were good performances from Nicky Fogden and Dan Taylor but the MOM award tonight rightly goes to Justin Gregory for a great display at left back. Justin did not lose a tackle, was always powerful in the air and made strong forages to support our attacking threat. A real quality player and a great addition to the Shoreham squad this season.

MOM: Justin Gregory

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: James Fernandes, Lee Denyer, Justin Gregory, Nick Fogden, Dan Jordan, Dean Smith, Owen Callagham, Dan Taylor, Graham Martin, Ryan Bradley, James Rhodes. Subs: Lee Eastman(used), Charlie Walker(used), Liam O'Brien(used), Rob Boddy, Stuart Garrod.

COMING UP:

SHOREHAM  v Crowborough Athletic
@ Middle Road
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Saturday 28th August 2010, Ko 3pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

SCFL Division One
Hailsham Town 1 - 4 SHOREHAM

This was a lot more like it. Shoreham comfortably overcome Hailsham in this league fixture which confirmed what a good team they are despite recent setbacks. The Mussels welcomed Justin Gregory and Graham Martin back from injury and James Fernandes, signed on dual registration from Worthing, made his debut in goal. Martin played in the hole behind ace striker, Ryan Bradley, and the team appeared to have a good balance as they overran Hailsham in the early stages.

Owen Callaghan put Shoreham ahead in the 4th minute when Martins dipping shot was parried away by Tanner in the home goal and Callaghan showed good control to fire his shot into the net. The same player had another chance minutes later but his shot on the turn went narrowly wide. Dean Smith then saw his left footed effort go over the bar as the Hailsham defence were at sixes and sevens from the marauding Shoreham forward line. Shoreham went 2-0 up on 12 minutes when great work by Ryan Bradley on the left saw his perfect cross tucked into the net by Callaghan.

The danger signs were there for Hailsham on 29 minutes when a Dan Taylor corner was headed just wide. Hailsham were very vulnerable to the accurate stream of crosses which came from wide positions and we continued to creat good chances without actually converting. On 34 minutes a well taken free kick by Rhodes was met by Fogden and his powerful header easily beat Tanner to give us a three goal lead.

Fernandes had an easy game for his debut and with Callaghan and Martin always looking particularly dangerous on the ball it was Shoreham who always carried the major goal threat. Hailsham did have one chance of note in the second half when sloppy play in midfield allowed them to have a clear sight of goal but the chance was put wide of the post. Shoreham easily saw the game out and there was no further score in the second half.

There were outstanding performances from several players today - Nicky Fogden was a giant in the Mussels defence and showed great  leadership qualities as captain. Justin Gregory looked real quality as he snuffed out any threat on his side of the pitch and found time to press forward to great effect. Dean Smith and Dan Taylor bossed the midfield while Graham Martin had a great game playing in the hole behind Ryan Bradley.

MOM: Owen Callaghan

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: James Fernandes, Stuart Garrod, Justin Gregory, Nick Fogden, Lee Denyer, Dean Smith, Owen Callagham, Dan Taylor, Graham Martin, Ryan Bradley, James Rhodes. Subs: Lee Eastman(used), Rob Boddy(used), Charlie Walker(used), Grant Phillpott, Russel Gray.

COMING UP:

SHOREHAM  v Chichester City
@ Middle Road
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Saturday 24th August 2010, Ko 7.30pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

SCFL Division One
SHOREHAM 1 - 4 East Grinstead

Shoreham crashed to a efficient East Grinstead side who had the edge throughout in this League encounter. The manner of the defeat will be especially disappointing as Shoreham once again conceded 3 first half goals giving them no real chance to get a result from the game in the second half. East Grinstead were a much changed side from last season and have the look of a team who will finish in the top six.

The early exchanges were fiercely competitive as the game was played at a fast tempo with neither side giving much quarter to the other. East Grinstead got the early breakthrough in the 8th minute when a through ball split our defence and Baitup raced through to round Sam Brock and score an easy goal. Shoreham tried to retaliate and Dean Smith almost scored from a Taylor corner. East Grinstead showed their pedigree by closing us down quickly and did not allow us to  show our creativity in front of goal. Shoreham had a narrow escape when a Nicky Fogden miscue came of the post with Brock well beaten if it had gone in.

A couple of minutes later Cable twisted and turned and finally shot low and hard into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0 down and a repeat of Saturdays game in the FA cup was looking depressingly similar. East Grinstead then went 3-0 up when an unchallenged header from a corner finished in the back of the net and an mountain to climb if we were to get back into the game. Shorehams first real shot of note arrived on 43 minutes when a Denyer free kick was tipped over the bar by East Grinstead keeper Adam Woodward.

Halftime came and a deflated Shoreham side trouped off feeling very sorry for themselves.
Half time Shoreham 0 East Grinstead 3

Shoreham adopted a 4-3-3 formation and shortly after a 3-4-3 formation as they tried desperately to reduce the arrears. Young striker Charlie Walker came on and excelled himself by being a constant threat to a generally sound East Grinstead defence. On 50 minutes Lee Denyer produced a cracking left footed shot from the edge of the box to produce a magnificent save from Woodward. Shortly after East Grinstead went up field and only a brave save from Brock at Sinclairs feet prevented EG increasing their lead.

The game finished 4-1 to EG and Shoreham now have to go back to the drawing board and hope some of the injured players can make an early return to rejuvenate the side.
Nobody can say they had a good game tonight. Dean Smith and Dan Taylor battled hard while Ryan Bradley was always a willing workhorse.

MOM: Charlie Walker

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: Sam Brock, Lee Denyer, Stuart Garrod, Nick Fogden, Dean Smith, Dan Taylor, Owen Callagham, Lee Eastman, Liam O'Brien, Ryan Bradley, James Rhodes. Subs: Charlie Walker(used), Rob Boddy(used), Mark Newman, Gary Wild, Mark Burt.

COMING UP:

Hailsham Town  v SHOREHAM
@ The Beconfield
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Saturday 21st August 2010, Ko 3pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

FA Cup - Extra Prelimanry Round
Epsom & Ewell 3 - 0 SHOREHAM

Epsom overcame the Mussels in this first round FA Cup tie with a 3-0 victory to progress to the next round. Shoreham were missing as many as six players and it was always going to be an uphill battle to win this game. Epsom’s three goals could have been avoided as they were more down to lapses in concentration than good play from the opposition. That is not to take anything away from the opposition, they are a good side who look to play passing football and are competitive in their approach to win the ball back. The game was played to an early rain downpour which made playing conditions slippy on a very good playing surface.

Shoreham started brightly and a Stuart Garrod ball into the box in the third minute evaded two inrushing Shoreham players giving the home side an early scare. Shoreham continued to attack and Epsom’s defence was constantly stretched with Liam O'Brien pulling their defenders all over the place. Epsom got the early breakthrough in the eighth minute when a high free kick into the Shoreham penalty area was headed unchallenged past a bemused Steve Allfrey in the Shoreham goal.

Shoreham tried to respond and a few half chances showed their intentions to get back into the game as soon as possible. The early goal had settled Epsom’s nerves and they played good football to be a threat on our goal. On 19 minutes they could have gone ahead when only desperate Shoreham defending prevented a second killer goal for the home side. Epsom looked a bit sharper with their movement as the half progressed and another defensive lapse allowed Hough through on goal to slide the ball past Allfey.  2-0 and the game was slipping beyond our grasp.

At this point our two young Shoreham supporters (Sinead and Ellen), who had travelled from Ireland to watch the match were probably accurate with their assessment that we needed to put more pressure on the ball otherwise we weren't going to get back into the game. Shoreham finished the half once again trying valiantly to reduce the deficit but Epsom produced the killer goal on the stroke of half time to really deflate the Shoreham players who deserved better.
Half time Epsom & Ewell 3 Shoreham

Steve Allfrey was replaced by debutant Youth keeper Sam Brock at half time and the young man was called into action several times confirming what a bright future he has in front of him, with some excellent saves. Shoreham started the half determined to pull a goal back and it all looked a bit gung ho at times. There was no shortage of effort from the lads but chasing the game meant taking risks and at times Epsom exposed us at the back by smart counter attacks which gave them clear chances on goal. Sam Brock was more than equal  to the occasion and on several times he made some quality saves to keep the score at 3-0.

Shoreham brought on Charlie Farmer, another bright striking talent for the future and he supported Liam O'Brien up front with good movement and link up play. As the half wore on, Shoreham started to run out of ideas and they never really tested the home keeper to any great effect. By the end Epsom were still looking the more likely side to score as their midfield continued to be the more creative force and the game petered out without any further score.

There were several good aspects to the game for Shoreham. James Rhodes worked hard for the team and was tidy and inventive in possession. Dan Taylor, playing in a less favoured role at right back had a good game and linked up well with Owen Callaghan who was a threat whenever he was on the ball. Upfront Liam O'Brien worked hard up front on his own until he naturally tired as the game drew to a close.

The Man of the Match award goes to Sam Brock for his outstanding second half performance. This was a real test of character for Sam as it was not an easy situation to come into and he more than rose to the occasion to pull off several brave saves.

MOM: Sam Brock 

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: Steve Allfrey, Dan Taylor, Stuart Garrod, Dean Smith, Dan Jordan, Nick Fogden, Owen Callagham, Lee Eastman, James Rhodes, Liam O;Brien, Rob Boddy. Subs: Charlie Farmer(used), Mark Burt(used), Sam Brock(used), Gary Wild, Mark Newman.

For Mike Dinsdale's excellent match photos, please click HERE.

COMING UP:

SHOREHAM v East Grinstead Town
@ Middle Road
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Tuesday 17th August 2010, Ko 7.30pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

SCFL Division One
SHOREHAM 2 - 2 Eastbourne United Assoc.

With the disappointment of the World Cup out of their system, the Shoreham faithful came to Middle Road hoping to see a sustained title challenge from their club as they took on Eastbourne Utd in this opening league fixture. Shoreham welcomed back old boys Dan Taylor and Grant Phillpott while new signing Graham Martin was making his debut for the club.

Shoreham bossed the first half and could have gone in at the interval 3-0 to the good such was their dominance. The first chance fell to Dan Jordan after 3 minutes when he saw his header flash wide off the post. Shoreham deservedly went ahead in the fifteen minute when great play by Lee Denyer on the right flank saw the outstanding defender shoot powerfully across goal and last years talisman, Ryan Bradley, was on hand to score.

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

Mussels Line Up: Steve Allfrey, Lee Denyer, Grant Phillpott, Dean Smith, Dan Jordan, Nick Fogden, Graham Martin, Dan Taylor, Liam O'Brien, Ryan Bradley, Rob Boddy. Subs: James Rhodes(used), Lee Eastman(used), Owen Callaghan(used), Stuart Garrod, Gary Wild.

For Mike Dinsdale's excellent match photos, please click HERE.

COMING UP:

Peacehaven & Tels v SHOREHAM
@ Piddinghoe Avenue
Sussex County League Divsion 1
Tuesday 10th August 2010, Ko 7.45pm

COME AND SUPPORT THE MUSSELMEN !!!!

The Mussels will now host newly promoted Whitehawk on Tuesday (20/07) evening. The Musselman were due to travel to East Preston, but due to pitch at The Lashmar not being ready, the game had to be cancelled.

The game will be on the outside pitch at Middle Road, 7pm kick off and entry is free. 

The Mussels have been drawn away to Crowborough Athletic. The winners of this tie, will then host Lewes.

Full 2nd Round Draw: