BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (Nyewood Lane)

FA CUP 3rd QUALIFYING ROUND, BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 4-2 OXFORD CITY, ATTENDANCE: 515

This weekend I was back on the road to Wembley, with an FA Cup double. Today I packed up my bucket and spade for a long trip to the seaside as Bognor Regis Town, of the Isthmian Premier League, were hosting Oxford City, of the Conference National League South.

Oxford are having a good season in the league and, as of today, were sat in second place in the league. Bognor, playing in the league below, are in 7th position, level on points with the three teams above.

Bognor Football Club were founded in 1883,  becoming Bognor Regis FC in 1929 after King George V added the suffix 'Regis' to the seaside resort, after a period of convalescence there, though it is reported that the King said actually said "Bugger Bognor" when asked to bestow this honour!

The Rocks best performance in the FA Cup was reaching the second round proper four times, the last in 1995, but today they were aiming to secure their place in the 4th qualifying round for the first time since 2004.

Bognor is famous for being a location of one of the many Butlins holiday camps, but today it was the heroes on the playing field that put Bognor on the map, as they came from behind twice to defeat City.

After a lively start from both teams, Oxford took the lead after 13 minutes when a cross was fumbled into his own goal by goalkeeper Grant Smith, via a deflection off Sami El-Abd.




Oxford controlled the majority of the first half as they passed the ball around the pitch. However after 41 minutes Bognor broke clear and as Doug Tuck prepared to shoot, he was tripped in the box. Jason prior stepped up to equalise for the home side (pictured left).

On the stroke of half time Oxford were awarded a free kick, which was crossed into the box, and Jose Lapoujade headed home.

Whatever Bognor manager Jamie Howell said at the break certainly had the desired effect as the home side dominated the second half.

Bognor had an effort cleared off the line and a goal disallowed before substitute Alex Parsons levelled the match after 72 minutes.

Three minutes later Parsons netted his second goal to give Bognor the lead for the first time. Prior scored his second goal with five minutes remaining to spark the celebrations. Bognor will now travel to Wealdstone in the next round.

SUSSEX BY THE SEA 'Double Header'

Following on from last weekends 500+ mile round trip to Norfolk, I undertook another similar lengthy trip this Saturday for a double opportunity in Sussex...

12.45pm Isthmian League Division One South
The Sports Park
Peacehaven & Telscombe 2-0 Guernsey
Attendance: 252

To accommodate Guernsey travelling to the mainland, kick off times for certain games have changed this season thus allowing opportunities for doubles for eager hoppers. Today was such an occasion and not only that, the game was 1st v 3rd in the race for promotion to the Isthmian Premier League.

Peacehaven & Telscombe FC were formed in 1923 as a result of a merger between Peacehaven Rangers and Telscombe Tye and having won the Sussex County League 7 times previously, they are currently enjoying another successful period in their history.

After winning the Sussex County League Championship for the 8th time last season, they are on course to make it back-to-back promotions, especially after taking all three points at The Sports Park this afternoon.

They sealed the win thanks to goals at either end of the second half when Tom Burton (47) raced through to score and Callum Saunders (89) converted a penalty kick.

The game was wide open with both teams intent on attacking. Guernsey had the better of the clear chances overall but could not find a way past The Magpies 'keeper Anthony Di Bernado who was in inspired form. With the score at 1-0 The Lions had a chance to equalise but Di Bernado saved Rory Allen's spot kick.

The victory leaves Peacehaven & Telscombe 10 points clear at the top of the table (with a game in hand) and virtually nailed on for the title and promotion.

A tale of two penalties: Rory Allen sees his effort saved (left) whilst

Callum Saunders scores his (right) to make it 2-0 to Peacehaven

3pm Conference South
The Enclosed Ground
Whitehawk 1-0 Tonbridge Angels
Attendance: 194

6 miles and 15 minutes along the South Coast road is East Brighton and the suburb of Whitehawk, from where the football club takes it's name. Whitehawk is overlooked by the White Hawk, a chalk carving in the hill at Sheepcote Valley, which you can see from the football ground (below right).

Having been in existence since 1945, the Hawks are enjoying their best spell in their history with 3 promotions in 4 seasons taking them from the Sussex County League to the Conference South.

However they are finding things tough at Step 2 and are struggling to avoid relegation. Today was a bottom of the table clash with fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels.

On the sloping pitch, the game was not the greatest to watch, as you could probably of imagined, but Whitehawk managed to secure the victory thanks a great goal from Waide Fairhurst after 57 minutes. The win lifts The Hawks out of the relegation zone for now, but having played more games than the other teams around them, they are still in big trouble.

With the clubs rapid climb up the pyramid, the ground is still a work in progress, with a hotchpotch of stands. The Main Stand was there from the Sussex County days but the seats behind each goal are new to the ground, but were actually from the Withdean Stadium, sold after Brighton & Hove Albion had moved out. I enjoyed my visit to The Enclosed Ground and I doff my cap to half dozen home fans who kept the noise going throughout the game, backing their team all the way.

DORCHESTER TOWN (The Avenue)

CONFERENCE SOUTH, DORCHESTER TOWN 2-2 TRURO CITY, ATTENDANCE: 520

After celebrating the New Year with nothing more stronger than a Lemsip, it meant I was sober as a judge come New Years Day, if not exactly 100% match fit.

I decided to bite the bullet and set off for a journey and a half to Dorchester. This is a ground I had been putting off for ages simply because of the travel involved.

When I set off in the morning though there was a chance of a double as Hallen had a 7.30pm kick off, which was ideal as it was on my way back home, but sadly that was called off around 2pm.

However come the end of the day I was so happy that I finally made the journey as The Avenue is a smart ground, the game was good and I have now finally finished off the Conference South!

Dorchester's Avenue ground was opened in 1990 and is actually on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, ie Prince Charles, who had a say in the design of the ground. To be fair, for a new build ground it is aesthetically pleasing on the eye. The main stand is all seated with the rest of the ground being terracing.

Truro were the visitors today and was a 3rd bottom versus bottom of the table clash, so hopes of a decent game were low to began with, but it turned out to be a good watch.

Truro had the better of the clear cut chances in the opening exchanges but it was a header from Dan Thompson that gave Dorchester the lead after 20 minutes.




Dan Thompson heads home the opening goal


Truro were level after 41 minutes when Kieffer Moore let the ball roll across before firing home.

The second half was probably a little more subdued than the first half and the game seemed to petering out but after 75 minutes Ben Watson restored the homesters lead.

Truro were reduced to 10 men when Marcus Martin received his second yellow card but the Cornishmen were not to be denied and deep into stoppage time Jamie Ash, who had been thrown upfront, popped up to blast home and equaliser.

The draw was probably no help to either side but it was a fair outcome.

You can watch match highlights by clicking on this here link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuTYgPEMOWk