Sheerwater 1 Frimley Green 0

Match Report by Alex Walker

Combined Counties Division 1

Frimley travelled to Kingfield, home of Woking FC, to face Sheerwater in a 3rd vs 1st clash. Frimley were on a run of 8 league wins in a row, while Sheerwater were coming into the game after a 5-1 league win over Godalming Town. Both sides had mixed fortunes in their respective cup games in midweek, Sheerwater losing 3-0 to Premier Division Banstead in the League Cup while Frimley defeated Bagshot 3-1 in the Surrey Premier Cup.

Chris Harris started in goal after being rested against Bagshot. Zac Horkan returned from injury to replace James Batchelor at full back, while Calum Nimmo replaced Mark Primett at centre back. Ben Dearlove was on the right wing in place of Jamie Kemp & Sean Latimer played his first game following suspension to replace Dan Bone up front.

The hosts got of to the better start, utilising their pace down the wings to good effect, Frimley struggling to get a grip on the game. Although looking threatening, Sheerwater were only able to muster a few corners early on. That was until the 15th minute when Danny Taylor was released down the left wing before turning inside and from the edge of the box curled an effort in off the underside of the bar to give the Sheers a deserved lead.

Not much else happened in the first half – Sheerwater managing to get down the flanks but not really taking the opportunity to threaten the Frimley goal. Frimley’s only real “chance” came when Eddie McKinlay swung a deep free kick into the box that went through a crowd of players; if the ball had got a touch of any player it would have given Andy Rider problems in the Sheerwater goal.

On the half hour, Sheerwater managed to spring the Frimley defence through the middle when Danny Taylor was through again, but this time Jim Ward managed to get back and clear for the away team. The half petered out with no real action of note.

Sheerwater 1-0 Frimley.

For the start of the second half, Roberto dos Santos replaced Cam Miller in a move which saw Dearlove move into the middle. 5 minutes into the half Frimley showed their intent to try and get back into the game when dos Santos played a corner to the near post area and Nimmo saw his header across goal cleared of the line by Neal Roissetter. Just a couple of minutes later, Sheerwater were unlucky not to increase their lead when from their own corner Chris Machay hit the bar after the ball was punched away by Harris.

Ollie McAleese was booked for the home side when pulling back dos Santos who was looking to break down the Frimley right. Dos Santos and McKinlay then switched wings even though dos Santos was causing problems down the right and neither winger really found much success after the move.

After the hour mark, a cross in from the left for the home side saw Shane Rideout head over from two yards at the back post. The Sheerwater forwards had run themselves into the ground and the games second substitution occurred when Machay was replaced by Luke Taylor for the final 20 minutes.

Just after that change, Danny Taylor was through on goal for Sheerwater and instead of placing the ball past Harris for an easy finish, he tried to chip the keeper and saw his effort come back of the post. When he retrieved the ball, he tried to square across the box but Ward got back to clear for a corner.
Frimley squandered another chance from a set piece when Dearlove headed wide from McKinlays free kick. Just a minute later, Horkan travelled over half way with the ball, evading a couple of tackles. The full back got 25 yards from goal and hit a shot which was saved by Rider. Dos Santos picked up the rebound and laid the ball back for Latimer who shot over from just inside the box. A flurry of substitutions broke any rhythm that was starting to form in the game when Michael Lacey came on for Dearlove and Bone replaced Latimer while Tom Hegarty replaced Andrew Rothwell for the hosts.

Into the final 10 minutes. good work down the left by Tony Trinder and dos Santos helped Leo Medrado get into the box, the forward managed to get the ball back for McKinlay who saw his shot blocked by a Sheerwater defender. Nimmo then saw his header from the resulting corner go over. Rider was then booked for time wasting by the referee when setting up for the goal kick.

The game then got away for Frimley for good with two red cards in the final stages. First Danny Taylor broke down the hosts right and went down as soon as he felt contact from Trinder – as the foul was given and he was the last man, the defender had to go. Ward was then sent off just before the final whistle when he charged in and clashed with a Sheerwater player trying to play for time in the corner. In the middle of all this, Lacey received a booking for a foul just inside the Frimley half.

Full time came and the game ended Sheerwater 1-0 Frimley Green.

Frimley were not at the races in the first half and although the second half saw an improvement, they didn’t really do enough to get back into the game. They wouldn’t be begrudged an equaliser but Sheerwater used the large pitch to their strengths and also defended well to limit the away sides chances.

Frimley Lineup
Harris (GK), Horkan, Nimmo, Ward (cpt), Trinder, Dearlove (Lacey), Miller (dos Santos), Hamer, McKinlay, Latimer, Medrado.

Man of the match goes to Zac Horkan who played well on return from injury, grew into the game after a slow start for the whole team and looked promising going forward. The Sheerwater attack not getting a lot of joy down his side after the first 15 minutes.