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MATCH REPORTS

All match reports by Neville Sawyer

Highgate United 2 v 1 Loughborough University(10th December 2011)

Goals in each half from Elroy Brown and Joshua Allen-Noble set Highgate up for a

valuable win against mid table Loughborough University, the three points lifting

Gate out of the bottom three and up top eighteenth place in what is fast becoming

a crowded bottom third of the table. A goal late into time added on spoilt what

would otherwise have been a first clean sheet of the season but for manager Keith

Checketts and assistant Robin Judd there was relief that their team has at last

achieved the result its recent performances have deserved as well as pride in aworkmanlike display from a line up full of changes and new faces. The Highgate

boss was without the influential Tom Reynolds following his transfer to Causeway

United, and with Trevor Edwards sitting out a one match ban for accumulating five

yellow cards and Liam Florey still injured Jack Slevin returned to accompany Toby

Checketts at the heart of defence with recent signing Dan Dineen moving into

midfield and Alondo Lewis and Allen Noble both earning places in the starting

line up. Joe Robinson and Luke Benbow made their Highgate debuts on the bench,

seeing their side go close to making a dream start when after just forty five

seconds Bennett's lob off Lewis' pass beat keeper Brendan Hazlett to look destined

for the back of the net until defender Seb Baxter intervened with a sensational goal

line clearance. Geoff Nash put the visitors' first chance wide and Checketts' bravely

blocked Michael Summerson's attempt on the edge of the box whilst at the other

end Hazlett comfortably dealt with Ian Mitchell's high up and under. With both

sides intent on playing some stylish football it came as no surprise that Gate's

opening 18th minute goal was of the highest quality, Dan Povey's persistence

giving Bennett the chance to cut inside centre half Jonathan McMenemy and from

fifteen yards find the back of the net with a well struck left footed volley which left

Hazlett rooted to the spot. Jordan Barker forced Shawn Edwards into a save at the

foot of his near post but apart from conceding late on Gate's custodian was rarely

troubled throughout by a disappointing visitors' attack. Much though was down to

a determined and composed Highgate performance which rarely allowed the

students time on the ball, and with the hosts looking the more dangerous of the

two sides, Hazlett was quick off his line to deny leading scorer Povey the

opportunity to add to his tally, Bennett hooked a Povey through ball over the bar

and Lewis and Allen-Noble both had efforts charged down in a crowded box. Good

value for their half time lead, Gate wasted no time in increasing their advantage

when just two minutes after the break Hazlett failed to deal with Lewis' deep cross

the ball falling nicely for Allen-Noble to score at the far post. The back four of

Slevin, Checketts, Mitchell and Ben Judd withstood an inevitable period of

Loughborough pressure, Mitchell clearing Rory Fallon's low cross off the line and

Alex Robinson blazing a goal scoring chance well wide, but Gate got themselves

back on top Bennett careless with an opportunity hit beyond the far post, Hazlett

holding on to a well driven shot from the hard working Steffano Abonandi and

Dineen setting up substitute King for a volley hit narrowly off target. A late

student rally saw Daniel Nti too close for comfort with a drive fired the wrong side

of the far post and although deep into time added on George Nash beat Edwards

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from the narrowest of angles the goal came too late to deny Gate celebrating a

deserved victory over a very good visiting side. (Revised)

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Daniel Dineen Jack Slevin Toby Checketts

Joshua Allen-Noble Steffano Abonandi Elroy Bennett ( (Luke Benbow 78) Dan

Povey (Joe Robinson 85) Alando Lewis (Karl King 72) Substitute not used: Oliver

Casey

Loughborough University:

Brendan Hazlett Jack Beckett Seb Baxter George Nash Matt Roberts ( c) Jonathan

McMenemy Ben Parry Michael Summerson Alex Robinson Rory Fallon Jordan Barker

Substitutes: Raul Alexis Daniel Nti Matt Collino Daniel Lowton

.......................................................................................................

Ellesmere Rangers 1 v 1 Highgate United(26th November 2011)

A dour encounter at windswept Ellesmere could have gone either way as two sides

at the wrong end of the table and desperate for points produced little of quality in

a game which petered out to its inevitable conclusion. Disappointed Highgatemanager Keith Checketts felt the match was there for the taking but with three of

the bottom five failing to win was at least content with a point which leaves his

team sitting just above the drop zone. Once again though the Highgate boss was

forced into changes and with Karl King sitting out a one match ban, Liam Florey

injured and Steve Jackson recalled by Solihull Moors starting places were given to

Jack Slevin and Jamie Corrigan with new signing Alondo Lewis making his debut

on the bench. Josh Allen-Noble stepped up from the reserves to take one of the

other substitute spots alongside Aaron Smith. Both sides were slow to settle in

what was a crucial six pointer, Corrigan's early cross just too long to enable

Steffano Abonandi to get the final touch, but in thirteenth minute a quick break led

to the hosts getting in front with the softest of goals. Slevin looked to have a long

ball down Gate's left hand side well marshalled only to be out muscled by Jamie

Williams whose low driven cross was swept home at closed range by namesake

Dale. Stung by the reverse which had come somewhat against the run of play the

visitors were quick to hit back, and four minutes later Ian Mitchell's precise lofted

pass found Elroy Brown whose first time volley beat keeper Sam Jones at his far

post. Buoyed by the equaliser Gate enjoyed far the better of possession going

close to taking the lead when Brown brushed off defender Ian Rowlands' challenge

only to fire a good opportunity into the side netting. Dan Povey again went near to

beating Jones with an effort sent inches wide off the outside of his left boot and

with Brown's pace causing an uncertain defence all sorts of problems Gate finished

the half strongly with both Oliver Casey and Toby Checketts firing in efforts but

unable to add to the half time scoreline. All at sixes and sevens after the break

Gate could have gone behind for a second time but Shawn Edwards saved well

from Matt Fletcher at the foot of his near post, being immediately relieved to see

Dale Williams fire a clear goalscoring chance high over the bar. Although not pretty

to watch Gate went on to boss play, Abonandi and Casey both off target from

twenty five yard range and Lewis heading Ben Judd's free kick over the bar.

Edwards produced a good save to deny substitute Anewar Olugbon but the longer

the game went on so both sides looked content to settle for a draw, and although

Trevor Edwards, Judd and Povey all tested Jones late on two points shared was the

fairest outcome of a game which had failed to reach any great heights throughout

the whole of the ninety minutes.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards c) Ian Mitchell Aaron Smith 75) Ben udd Trevor Edwards ack


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Slevin Toby Checketts Jamie Corrigan (Josh Allen-Noble 52) Steffano Abonandi

Elroy Bennett (Alondo Lewis 61) Dan Povey Oliver Casey

Ellesmere Rangers:

Sam Jones Ashley wells Chris Cathrall (c) Andy Ford Ian Rowlands Steve Towers

Dale Williams Dan griffiths Jamie Williams Kevin renshaw Matt renshaw Matt

Fletcher Substitutes: Anwar Olugbon Tom Ward Darren Beech

Highgate United 2 v 3 Westfields(19th November 2011)

Highgate pushed second placed Westfields all the way in this top versus bottom

clash, losing by the narrowest of margins against a side ambitious for promotion

out from the MFA. The loss leaves Highgate in amongst the dog fight to avoid

dropping into the relegation zone but for long periods on Saturday there was little

to choose between the two teams, Gate's second half display deserving of at least

a share of the spoils. The injured Steve Jackson and unavailable Jack Slevin were

both missing from Keith Checketts starting eleven with Toby Checketts returning

from suspension to the heart of the defence and Oliver Casey earning a place wide

on the left hand side. Liam Florey started on the bench following a long injury lay

off whilst new coach Robin Judd accompanied boss Checketts in the technical area.Straight from the kick off and with just thirty seconds on the clock Highgate

stunned the visitors by taking a surprise early lead, Karl King and Elroy Bennett

combining for Bennett to head the ball past advancing keeper Jamie Moore and

find the back of an unguarded net. Moore then easily dealt with Casey's free kick

lifting the ball forward to the edge of the hosts' box from where Jamie Cuss tested

Shaun Edwards with a powerful low shot. Stung by the unexpected reverse

Westfields punished an unusually chaotic Gate defence with three goals in a

devastating six minute spell, the first coming after nine minutes when Richard

Kear was left all alone to head in Carl Morgan's floated cross. Sixty seconds later

Kear completed a quick brace striking home Cuss's low driven pass a lead

extended even further on the quarter hour mark when Craig Jones fired a left

footed volley through a crowd of home defenders on the line. Shell shocked Gate

withstood wave after wave of Westfields attacks and with Edwards excelling

himself in goal steadied themselves enough to rally late on in the half. Casey fired

an angled volley over the bar and King was even closer with a speculative effort

from thirty yards out, but immediately after the break and within three minutes of

the restart King pulled a goal back, taking advantage of keeper Moore's poor

headed clearance to score from twenty five yards out. Playing with far more

passion and commitment Gate took the game to the visitors and although clear cut

chances were rare they did create opportunities Casey narrowly wide from twenty

yards and Moore saving from Bennett at the second attempt. King was careless

with a far post volley sent high and wide late on, but an experiences Westfields

retained late possession playing the clock down to finish relieved winners of a

contest which saw them consolidate their second place with games in hand on

leaders Coventry Sphinx.

Highgate United:

Shaun Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Toby Checketts Tom Reynolds Trevor

Edwards Dan Povey Steffano abonandi Elroy Bennett Karl King (Liam Florey 80)

Oliver Casey Substitutes not used: Aaron Smith Jamie Corrigan

Westfields:

Jamie Moore Rob Aldrich Joel Edwards Phil Glover ( c) Dan Price Anthony Robbins

Craig Jones Aiden Thomas Jamie Cuss Richard Kear Carl Morgan Substitutes: Scott

Jackson Kieran Dingri Sam Harrison Ryan Gwynne Matt Gwynne


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Causeway United 2 v 0 Highgate United (12th November 2011)

Hard working Highgate came away from fourth placed Causeway empty handed

two goals late on in the first half earning the home side the three points which

enabled them to move up two places in what is fast becoming an extremely tight

league table. With Alvechurch winning the defeat leaves Gate sitting just above the

drop zone and with second placed Westfields the visitors on Saturday manager

Keith Checketts will be hoping his team get the reward their recent performances

deserve. A one match suspension meant Toby Checketts being absent from the

starting line up with Jack Slevin accompanying Tom Reynolds at the heart of

defence and Ian Mitchell slotting in at right back. Steffano Abonandi returned after

missing last Saturday's defeat at Boldmere with Callum Blake making a second

start on the bench for a fixture which with Highgate's agreement had been

switched late on to enable the hosts to start only their third home league game of

the season. Causeway started strongly with Reynolds doing well to block Andy

Wells' run on goal before Craig Gregg blasted an early chance high over Shawn

Edwards' goal. Thirteen minutes into the half Steve Jackson won Highgate's first

corner of the game headed by front man Karl King against the face of the cross

bar, the visitors' playing well against an uncompromising Causeway defence testedagain when Elroy Bennett controlled Dan Povey's headed pass only to drag what

appeared to be a good opportunity wide of the far post. The pace of Bennett and

Jackson was causing all sorts of problems down the right hand side and with

Reynolds and Slevin outstanding in a solid defensive unit the opening half hour

saw the home side struggle to show their credentials as a top four side. The first

goal came in 38th minute accompanied by a certain amount of good fortune when

Scott Devlin's mishit fifteen yard shot somehow looped over Edwards into the roof

of the net. Gate responded with both Abonandi and Povey surging forward to have

volleys blocked in the box and Causeway's Tom Turner dealing comfortably with

King's high up and under. The second goal came just two minutes before the break

Trevor Edwards slipping in midfield for Gregg to carry the ball forward and drill alow angled shot into the far bottom corner. Unfortunate to be two down at the

break Gate lost Jackson to injury but continued to plug away in an attempt to pull

a goal back Povey and Bennett both failing to make the most of Turner's hesitancy

just inside his box and Mitchell hitting a deep cross just a yard too high of the far

post. Edwards saved well to deny Sam Beasley but despite Causeway having the

better of possession they rarely looked like further penetrating a well organised

visitor's defence, and despite two late chances at the other end falling to Ben Judd

and Blake Gate were unable to make the breakthrough their efforts deserved.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Jack Slevin Tom Reynolds TrevorEdwards Steve Jackson (Jamie Corrigan 38) Steffano Abonandi Elroy Bennett

(Callum Blake 70) Karl King (Oliver Casey 65) Dan Povey

Causeway United

Tom Turner Chris Field Hugh Sproston Rob Blair Matt Aston Sam Beasley (c) Craig

gregg Scott Devlin Adam Meacham Danny Priest Andy Wells Substitutes: Carl

Martin Darren Whitley Danny Jones Stefan Ashman Aaron Lloyd

........................................................................................................

Boldmere St Michael 1 v 0 Highgate United(5th November 2011)

Defeat at Boldmere saw Highgate drop two places to nineteenth in the MFA League

table, the loss in what was yet another crucial six pointer softened somewhat by

the news that the bottom three clubs had all failed themselves to gain a point over


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the weekend. Boldmere has never been a happy hunting ground for the visitors as

so it proved when at the end of a disappointing contest the home side sneaked the

three points thanks to their captain Kirk Smith's 64th minute goal. With Steffano

Abonandi suspended for totalling five yellow cards for the season manager Keith

Checketts recalled Oliver Casey to the right hand side of midfield and in the

absence of Elroy Bennett Steve Jackson accompanied Karl King up front. Highgate

made a positive start against a team sitting just one place above them, King

heading Ian Mitchell's free kick into Chris Butler's hands the keeper then holdingonto Mitchell's speculative long range effort. Gate's Shawn Edwards made

comfortable saves from Charisma Agbonlahor and Joseph Smith, but it was Gate

who went closest to breaking the deadlock when first King glanced a header wide

then when set up by Dan Povey despatched a twelve yard lob against the cross

bar. Both sides were struggling to impose themselves on a game constantly

interrupted by the referee's whistle, Edwards having to be alert to turn aside Harry

Donahughe's blistering drive which had looked destined for the top corner of the

net. Despite Ben Judd twice testing Butler from long range the half finished

goalless with no sign of a breakthrough at either end. Boldmere were close to

taking an early second half lead when Keiran Robinson ghosted in at the far post

to head what looked a golden opportunity well off target, and although Casey

delivered a free kick to the far post headed wide by Toby Checketts, it was the

hosts who were to score what proved to be the only goal of the game. Edwards

turned Agbonlahor's low shot for a corner from which Smith fired in from eight

yards out. Butler rose to catch another Checketts' header under the bar Gate's

hopes of a fight back not helped by King's dismissal twenty minutes from the end

for a second yellow card. The ten men worked hard for what was to prove an

elusive equaliser going closest when Povey's late drive was blocked by some

desperate Boldmere defending.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin (Callum Blake 70) Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Tom

Reynolds Toby Checketts Oliver Casey Ian Mitchell (Jamie Corrigan 80) Steve

Jackson Karl King Dan Povey Substitutes not used: Aaron Smith Charlie Checketts

Boldmere St Michael:

Chris Butler Lyndon Weller Harry Donaghy Levi Bailey Tom Stevenson Andrew

Lewis Simeon Tulloch Kirk Smith ( c) Joseph Smith Charisma Agbonlahor Keiran

Robinson Substitutes: Nathanilel Jones Tom Overfield Luke Shoarer Neil Watkins

Rob Clarke

Highgate United 2 v 2 Studley(1st November 2011)

Tuesday evening's closely fought local derby finished honours even with visitors

Studley twice coming from behind to earn a point thanks to former Highgate

player Matt Collins' 79th minute volley. Both teams came into this fixture on the

back of emphatic week-end victories but it was Highgate who looked the better

side during the opening forty five minutes the only surprise being that the half

time whistle went with the teams sharing two goals, a far more evenly balanced

second half resulting in the game ending in a creditable draw with which both

managers will have been more than happy. Manager Keith Checketts made just one

change to the line up which proved successful at Willenhall on Saturday Steve

Jackson coming in for Oliver Casey who stepped down to the bench, whilst the

Highgate boss was still not in a position to consider the injured duo of Ian Mitchell

and Liam Florey. The first chance fell to Studley in the opening minutes Collins

'


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.

cautious start resulted in few early opportunities, with Elroy Bennett wide from

twenty five yards, Studley again going close with headers from Scott Turner and

Jamie Bailey. Gate though got themselves on top of what was proving an open

contest, taking a 33rd minute lead when Bennett spread the ball wide for full back

Ben Judd's low drive to be turned past Perry Cox by Dan Povey. The lead was to be

short lived when within five minutes Gate's defence failed to defend a free kick

delivered to the far post Bailey somehow squeezing the ball between keeper

Shawn Edwards and his near post. Steffano Abonandi and Karl King were bothnarrowly off target minutes into the second half ,and in 55th minute Jackson

waltzed through the Studley defence from within his own half to earn a penalty

duly converted by Judd. Cox denied Gate a third goal with a spectacular save to

keep out Bennett's thirty yard thunderbolt, but despite having their noses in front

Gate were forced to endure long periods of visitor pressure the leveller coming ten

minutes from the end when Edwards' punched clearance was duly despatched by

Collins high into the roof of the net.

Willenhall Town 1 v 4 Highgate United (29th October 2011)

Highgate came from behind to finish on top of what manager Keith Checketts

described as a crucial six pointer against bottom placed Willenhall, a side which

sits five places below the visitors in the MFA league table. Once again though

Highgate disappointed during a first half in which the home side had enough

chances to have put the game beyond reach but after the break Gate dominated

proceedings three goals in the final twenty winners earning them what turned out

to be a comfortable and well deserved three points. With Ian Mitchell, Dale Moon

and Michael Skerrett all unavailable and Liam Florey injured Tom Reynolds

dropped back to the heart of defence alongside Toby Checketts whilst Steffano

Abonandi, Karl King and Jack Slevin all earned starting places in what was yet

again a reshuffled Highgate line up. Gate were twice near to going behind in the

opening minutes, keeper Shawn Edwards excelling to deny Richard Gregory from

close range then when for a second time his defence opened up in front of him

turning another Gregory goal bound effort for a corner. Under constant early

pressure it came as no surprise when Gate's defence was breached after just seven

minutes, Michael Robertson curling an unstoppable thirty yard shot beyond the

overworked keeper's reach. Gate's first attempt on goal came with Reynolds

heading Ben Judd's free kick into Liam Flynn's hands but Edwards was again to his

side's rescue saving well from Jan Tryszo at the foot of his near post. Highgate's

equaliser came after twenty one minutes when somewhat against the run of play

Oliver Casey scored from the penalty spot after being tripped just inside the box, a

goal which was to spark a dramatic improvement in the visitors' play. Judd failed

for a second time to beat Flynn from a twenty five yard free kick, the best chance

of the half falling minutes before the half time whistle when Elroy Bennett took

Abonandi's pass round Flynn but found the angle too tight with an effort sent into

the side netting. Casey squandered the opportunity for a second goal by hitting

Bennett's glancing header against Flynn's legs, the keeper then quickly off his line

to smother Dan Povey's through ball at Bennett's feet. At the other end Reynolds

and Trevor Edwards made two important headed interceptions to prevent Reece

Leek putting his team back in front but such chances were proving rare for the

hosts who themselves went behind on seventy minutes when Povey set up Bennett

to beat Flynn from six yards out. Five minutes later any nerves Gate may have had

were calmed when King played the ball back from the dead ball line for Abonandi

to crash home an unstoppable eighteen yard drive, a lead which Judd, King and

Bennett were near to extending and substitute Aaaron Smith unlucky to see aperfectly despatched header hooked off the line by defender Tom Wright. In the

dying minutes Judd's quickly taken free kick set up the fourth and final goal King


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finishing off a hard working performance with a fifteen yard shot drilled low into

the far bottom corner of the net to seal a convincing victory over what have proved

their bogey side in recent years.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin Ben Judd Tom Reynolds Trevor Edwards Toby

Checketts Oliver Casey ( Aaron Smith 65) Steffano Abonandi Elroy Bennett Karl

King Dan Povey (Dan Cremin 82) Substitutes not used: Ian Mitchell Jamie Corrigan

Willenhall Town

Liam Flynn Harry Rickus Tom Wright Tom Clews Matt Dorgan Adam Swain Reece

Leek Cameron Fowler Richard Gregory Jan Traszo Michael Robertson Deanico

Johnson Dean Humpage Daniel Bowen-Smith Danny Grizzle Fryer

FA Vase Round One

Tipton Town 2 v 1 Highgate United (aet) (22ndOctober 2011)

Karl King's second half goal put Highgate on level terms at Tipton but was notsufficient to earn the visitors the replay their second half display deserved, the

home side edging a low key affair to earn a place in the FA Vase second round

draw thanks to substitute Nathan Waite's 102nd minute header. With his side

having lost their last three games and with a heavy 4-1 FA Cup defeat at Tipton

just five weeks ago still fresh in the memory Gate manager Keith Checketts made

changes to his starting line up with Dale Moon back from University to play

alongside Toby Checketts at the heart of the defence and Liam Florey and Ian

Mitchell returning from injury to earn starting places at the expense of Steffano

Abonandi, Michael Skerrett and Jack Slevin who all three dropped down to the

bench. A subdued first half began with Highgate failing to make the most of a

number of free kicks within the thirty yard range, the game being more than

fifteen minutes old before Tipton's Leigh Downing was well off target with either

side's first attempt on goal. Before injury forced his early substitution Liam Florey

cut into the box only to hit the resulting effort low into keeper Lee Evans' hands,

Shaun Edwards at the other end having to work harder to deny Mark Swan what

should have been the opening goal. Left on his own up front Elroy Bennett was

unable to add any potency to what were proving to be rare Gate attacks, although

when Oliver Casey released Bennett down the right hand side Dan Povey slid in at

the far post but was unable to make the most of his side's best chance of the game

so far. Just when it looked that the opening forty five minutes might finish

goalless so Gate went behind, Swan converting a low driven cross from close range

which Edwards was unlucky to see cross the line having been thwarted in a valiant

attempt to keep a clean sheet before the half time whistle blew. Gate's play was

much improved after the break, Abonandi having a twenty yard volley charged

down on the edge of the box and Povey robbing full back Eric Bowen but produce a

finish which failed to trouble Evans in the home goal. Trevor Edwards' quickly

taken free kick led to Povey being once again narrowly off target and as Gate kept

plugging away the equaliser came with seventy five minutes on the clock,

Abonandi having a crucial hand in the pass which found the ball falling nicely for

King to score with the deftest off lobs from eighteen yards out. Ben Judd ensured

the game went into extra time with an important block to deny Swan, Bennett

starting the additional thirty minutes with a firmly struck drive destined for the

top corner until Evans intervened to clutch the ball out of the air. In 112th minute

Waite headed in what was to prove the winning goal Gate's best chance of taking

the game to a replay being Mitchell's late free kick struck a foot too high.


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Highgate United:

Shaun Edwards ( c) Trevor Edwards Ben Judd Toby Checketts Dale Moon Ian

Mitchell Liam Florey (Steffano Abonandi 22) Tom Reynolds (Michael Skerratt 68)

Elroy Bennett Olver Casey (Karl King 47) Dan Povey Substitutes not used: Jack

Slevin Dan Cremin

Tipton:

Lee Evans Eric Bowen Mitchell Plows Dave Bate ( c) Rory McFarlane Richard

Huckfield Max Bissell Max Black Mark Swan Leigh Downing James Cooper

Substitutes: Jack Stone Jay Chambers Jamie Parker Nathan Waite Warren Brookes

Highgate United 0 v 1 Bridgnorth Town

A carelessly conceded 17th minute penalty condemned Highgate to a third

consecutive defeat, including back to back losses in the league, visitors Bridgnorth

always having the edge over a home side currently lacking in confidence and

struggling for any level of consistency in their attempts to move away from the

relegation places. Although lying in eighteenth spot manager Keith Checketts

knows that with three of the bottom four clubs picking up points at the weekend

his team are in urgent need of a change in fortune if they are to gather much

needed points themselves, the current run of bad form difficult to comprehend for

the Gate boss who had seen his charges play so well early season. Enforced

changes saw Oliver Casey make his debut following his transfer from Studley and

with Dan Cremin unavailable Tom Reynolds dropped back from midfield to

accompany Toby Checketts at the heart of the defence. With Ian Mitchell and Liam

Florey both unavailable through injury it was a much changed Gate which made a

poor start to a contest bossed by Bridgnorth in the early stages, Kevin Bixton

volleying Checketts' headed clearance wide of Shaun Edwards' goal and Reynolds

bravely blocking Ryan Gury's close range shot. At the other end Michael Skerrett

had failed to trouble keeper Chris Crooks from twelve yards out and having been

forced to concede a series of corners the home defence was punished for

Checketts inexplicably handling in the box when captain Jason Pike slotted home

the resulting penalty. Elroy Bennett twice went close to an equaliser with efforts

fired narrowly high but with the striker ploughing a lone furrow up front chances

were rare in what had become a scrappy tussle spoilt by a flurry of what looked to

be unnecessary yellow cards. Gate's play had a more positive edge after the break

but without ever seriously troubling Crook in the Bridgnorth goal and although

forced to save low from Bennett the keeper remained relatively untroubled until

the final fifteen minutes when the home side at last become aware of the points

slipping away. Goalscorer Pike came to his team's rescue by hooking Bennett's

attempt off the line, Casey then playing the ball over a flat defence for Bennett to

force Crook into an excellent finger tip save. Checketts went close to rescuing a

point with a header directed against the woodwork and Trevor Edwards

squandered a final chance hit high over the bar, but the late rally was too little too

late against a very good young side which held on for a richly deserved three

points.

Highgate United:

Shaun Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Tom Reynolds Toby

Checketts Oliver Casey Steffano Abonandi Elroy Bennett Michael Skerrett ( Jamie

Corrigan 56) Dan Povey (Aaron Smith 85) Substitute not used Ian Mitchell

Bridgnorth Town:


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Chris Crook Simon Gregory Philip Hurdley Craig Forbes Bradburn Will Meredith

Ryan Guryn Kevin Buxton Ash Jones Jason Pike ( c) Joe Salt Substitutes: Richard

Golding George Rickard Charlie Torr Mike Evans

Polymac Services League Cup

Highgate United 1 v 4 Alvechurch

Highgate crashed out of the League cup in disappointing fashion against fellow

strugglers Alvechurch, never getting going against a side which on the night was

better throughout and thoroughly deserving of their passage into the next round.

For the first time this season manager Keith Checketts had been able to field an

unchanged line up but for the Highgate boss this was definitely a case of after the

Lord Mayor's show as his side failed to recapture the form they showed in the

weekend defeat of Kirby Muxloe. The lively visitors took the lead when in the

twenty ninth minute Ross Dempster took advantage of poor defending to crash the

ball in off the underside of the cross bar and five minutes later Sam Wills scored

the second strolling through a host of players to find the back of the net from

eighteen yards. On the stroke of half time Elroy Bennett handed the hosts a life

line latching on to Toby Checketts pass to fire an unstoppable shot beyond keeper

Richard Taylor's reach. After the break and although showing some improvement

Gate continued in an untidy fashion rarely troubling Taylor in the visitors' goal,

being punished twice more late on when Steve Palmer and substitute Anthony

Denham each found the back of the net for an emphatic Alvechurch win.

Kirby Muxloe 1 v 2 Highgate United (1st October 2011)

Highgate's improved form of late continued with an excellent result and a

deserved three points at third placed Kirby, Stefano Abonandi's brace setting Gate

up for their first away win of the season. Solid at the back, hard working inmidfield and a constant threat up front the dominant visitors gave their hosts little

chance to show their worth as a top three side, goals in both halves seeing Keith

Checketts' team come out well in charge of an open energy sapping contest played

in the extreme October heat. The Highgate boss was down to the bare bones

following the midweek cup defeat at Leamington with Jack Slevin, Matt Seeley, Karl

King and Steve Jackson all unavailable and with Toby Checketts, Dan Povey and

Liam Florey all starting despite carrying knocks and Michael Skerrett not coming

off the bench at the risk of aggravating a recent ankle injury the final result could

be considered even more impressive. Recent signing from Alvechurch Ben Cremin

earned his first start of the season alongside Checketts at the heart of defence but

it was Abonandi on his return from suspension who gave Gate a fifteenth minutelead. Having survived a Stuart Verrall volley which struck Shaun Edwards' cross bar

Gate broke for lone striker Elroy Bennett to beat opposition custodian Tom

Holleyoak to a through pass on the edge of the box laying the ball back for

Abonandi to find the target with a coolly struck low twenty yard drive. Straight

from the restart Edwards excelled with an excellent save low to his right to deny

Sam Taylor what would have otherwise been a quick equaliser, and with play

maker Tom Reynolds receiving treatment on the touch line ten men Gate were

almost punished when Karl Wilson despatched a free header a foot too high.

Trevor Edwards put Florey clear only for the wide midfielder to be thwarted by

defender Ben Law's last ditch tackle, Florey then squandering another good chance

with a header sent over off Ben Judd's free kick from wide on the right. DanPovey's persistence gave Bennett an opportunity in the opening minutes of the

second half the final shot being dragged across the face of goal but thirteen


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m nutes a ter t e rea t e ea was ou e , t e t re ess orey wor ng t e a

inside for Abonandi to excel himself with an unstoppable twenty yarder hit high

into the roof of the net. Hollyoak was quickly off his line to snatch another Florey

assist off Povey's toes but then completely against the run of play and with

Highgate denied what looked to be a clear cut free kick the ball broke for Brett

Darby to win a controversial penalty for Cremin's apparent hand ball, Verrall

stepping up to give Edwards no chance from the spot. Undaunted by their

advantage being reduced Gate had chances to give the lead a more emphatic look

Hollyoak saving from Ian Mitchell at the foot of his post and Abonandi fluffing the

chance of a hat trick with a miscued eight yard effort off Bennett's cross. Gate

substitute Jamie Corrigan just failed to come out the better of a one on one with

the keeper and although Taylor struck Edwards 'cross bar with a late header

anything other than a Highgate win would have been an injustice after what was

such a fine all round team display.

Highgate:

Shaun Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Ben Cremin Toby

Checketts Liam Florey Stefano Abonandi Elroy Bennett (Jamie Corrigan 80) Tom

Reynolds Dan Povey Substitute not used: Michael Skerrett

Kirby Muxloe:

Tom Hollyoak Chris Goodman Ben Law Sam Taylor Chris McCathic Bryn Statham

Lee Barratt Tom Hill Stuart Verrall ( c) Brett Darby Karl Wilson Substitutes: Aaron

Cooper Adam Hohn Richard Darlison Elliott Pacey Aiden Kirby

......................................................................................................

Birmingham Senior Cup First Round

Leamington 4 v 1 Highgate United

Two late Leamington goals spoilt what would have otherwise been a respectable

score line for a Highgate side which gave a good account of itself in Tuesday

night's Cup defeat, the visitors failing to be overawed by opponents playing at

three levels higher. With Steve Jackson recalled by Solihull Moors Karl King earned

a first full start and with Dale Moon away at University Jack Slevin moved across

into one of the centre half berths alongside Toby Checketts. Gate started in a

positive fashion with Tom Reynolds and Elroy Bennett both testing keeper Tony

Breeden early on but found themselves behind after fifteen minutes when the

hosts took the lead with their first attempt on goal, Liam Daly heading in an in-

swinging corner at the far post. Things looked ominous when Dior Angus stroked

home the loose ball after Shawn Edwards had saved his first effort but Gate

responded well and after patient build up play Liam Florey reduced the arrears,

despatching a well struck eighteen yard volley beyond Breeden's reach. Chancesthen became few and far between but with Highgate legs tiring and following a

couple of glaring misses Leamington sealed their win with a second Angus goal

after 82 minutes and James Husband scoring two minutes from the end.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Trevor Edwards Ben Judd Ian Mitchell (Dan Cremin 75) Jack

Slevin Toby Checketts Liam Florey (Matt Seeley 55) Tom Reynolds Elroy Bennett

Karl King (Michael Skerrett 58) Dan Povey Substitute not used: Ayad Yousif

Leamington:

Tony Breeden Scott Lycett Michael Tuohy Lee Downes ( c) Liam Daly James MaceCraig Owen Sam Adkins Dior Angus Thomas Berwick James Husband Substitutes:

Richard Batchelor Stephan Morley Jacob Blyth Lee Williams Liam O'Neill


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......................................................................................................

FA Vase Second Round Qualifying (24th September 2011)

Highgate United 3 v 2 Dudley Sports

Highgate avoided yet another potential banana skin with a well deserved win over

their West Midlands Regional League opponents but with a three goal lead going

into the final seven minutes what should have been a comfortable passage into the

next round ended with Dudley scoring twice to set up an unnecessarily nail bitingfinish. Looking for a third consecutive win manager Keith Checketts was at last

able to select striker Michael Skerrett following a long period of suspension and

with Liam Florey back from holiday both Dan Povey and Ian Mitchell found

themselves on the bench. Skerrett got off to an unlucky start suffering an ankle

injury as early as the fifth minute to be replaced by Mitchell at half time but had

looked lively on his curtailed debut going close with a fifteen yard dipping volley

sent inches too high. Although Gate enjoyed the majority of possession for the

opening thirty minutes they lacked the cutting edge to add to their thirteenth

minute opener, the goal coming when after Skerrett had been fouled sixteen yards

out defender Shane Priest conceded the corner off Florey's free kick from which

Ben Judd fired in from the narrowest of angles. Dudley's Josh Taylor brought agood save out of Shawn Edwards and Scott Sumner blasted wide when looking

clear on goal but Gate continued to be on top with Trevor Edwards eighteen yard

attempt deflected a foot high and a quick one two between Tom Reynolds and

Steve Jackson ending with Skerrett's shot driven narrowly past the upright. With

Gate inexplicable switching off Dudley finished the half strongly with Sumner

close from fifteen yards and Dale Moon stretching to deny Guiseppe Maffei a clear

strike on goal. Immediately after the break Sumner floated a close range header

over the bar but after a sluggish start to the half Jackson punished Dudley for a

poor 51st minute back pass getting in just ahead of keeper Sam Pearson to toe

poke the ball into the far bottom corner of the net. Pearson produced an excellent

reflex save to keep out Jackson's far post volley and substitute Karl King was a

foot wide with his first touch just minutes after replacing the tiring Elroy Bennett.

At the other end Edwards matched his opposite number with an equally fine save

to thwart Andrew Blakeley and with eighteen minutes remaining the game looked

to be put beyond the visitor's reach when Mitchell spread the ball wide for Trevor

Edwards to deliver the perfect cross headed in by Judd for his second goal of the

game. Mitchell clipped the underside of the cross bar with a perfectly executed lob

and Jackson swept yet another Edwards cross against the wood work. When

Sumner scored from the spot following Toby Checketts' 83rd minute foul in the

box the goal looked to be a mere consolation but Sumner's acceptance of a second

gift in the dying minutes meant the home side having to survive a nervous finale

to the game before being assured a visit to Tipton Town in the First Round Proper

on 22nd October

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin (Eyad Yousif 76) Ben Judd Toby Checketts Dale

Moon Trevor Edwards Steve Jackson Tom Reynolds Elroy Bennett (Karl King 63)

Michael Skerrett (Ian Mitchell 45) Liam Florey Substitutes not used: Matt Seeley

Dan Povey

Dudley Sports:

Sam Pearson Adam Fincher Michael Wilkins Jason Walters ( c) Shane Priest Craig

Stevens Scott Sumner Andrew Blakeley Guiseppe Maffei Craig Tibbetts Josh Taylor

Substitutes: Matthew Preston Kieron Williams Steve Crane Matthew Hearsey Mark

Bache


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.....................................................................................................

Highgate United 2 v 1 Ellesmere Rangers (17th September 2011)

Highgate chalked up only their second win of the season on Saturday but with a

two goal lead after just ten minutes what should have been a comfortable victory

turned into a nervous ending with the hosts conceding after sixty minutes to set

up a tense finish as they held on for three crucial points which keeps them fifth

from bottom of the league table. New signing Steve Jackson returned to Tythe Barn

Lane from Studley to start up front alongside Elroy Bennett, and with Stefano

Abonandi beginning a three match ban Trevor Edwards came back from his own

one match suspension to fill the central midfield berth. Anwar Olugbon went close

for the visitors with a first minute shot dragged across the face of goal but Gate

began well themselves creating two good chances in the space of sixty seconds,

Edwards driving a snap shot into Andrew Pryce's hands, the keeper then thwarting

Bennett when the Highgate striker looked favourite to score with an angled

thunderbolt off Dan Povey's pass. The breakthrough came after just six minutes

with Povey popping up at the near post to head in Ben Judd's firmly driven corner

kick. Three minutes later the lead was doubled Bennett producing an immaculate

finish to punish Pryce for a poor clearance, a shot on the run giving the keeper nochance of saving. Stung by the early set back Ellesmere applied a period of

pressure on the home defence, Nathan Leonard wasting a good close range

opportunity with a flick despatched wide and Olugbon hitting a twenty yard

attempt just a foot high of Shawn Edwards' goal. Edwards saved well to deny Tom

Ward yet another goal scoring opportunity and by the half hour mark Gate were

having to work hard to hold on to their two goal advantage. At the other end Pryce

stretched to turn Judd's cross to safety and with Gate finishing strongly and

looking the more likely to score again Jackson tested the keeper from the edge of

the box, Bennett hit another good strike off target and Ian Mitchell went even

closer from thirty yards out. Tom Reynolds saved his keeper's blushes by hooking

the ball off the line following Edwards' rare mistake and fumble, but Gate were

close to going in at half time with their lead increased only for Dale Moon's header

to come back off the underside of the cross bar. Mitchell and Povey had both seen

good efforts on goal charged down in the box the second half then deteriorating

into a scrappy affair and after Edwards had kept out a Ward header the visiting

forward wasted no time in despatching home a second identical header from three

yards out. Toby Checketts was on hand to head Ian Rowlands' volley over his own

bar, Jack Slevin halted Dale Williams' clear run on goal with a perfectly timed tackle

and Edwards clutched substitute Kevin Renshaws effort out of the air with an

equaliser looking to be on the cards. But once again Gate rallied finishing on top

with Bennett and Jackson both near to giving the final scoreline what should have

been a far more emphatic look.

Highgate:

Shaun Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin Ben Judd Ian Mitchell Dale Moon Toby Checketts

(Matt Seeley 65) Trevor Edwards Tom Reynolds Elroy Bennett (Kieran Melody 72)

Steve Jackson Dan Povey (Karl King) Substitute not used Eric Hathaway (g/k)

Ellesmere:

Andrew Pryce Ashley Wells Joe Rogers Andy Ford ( c) Craig Farr Ian Rowlands Dan

Griffiths Nathan Leonard Anwar Olugbon Tom Ward Dale Williams Substitutes:

Owen Lloyd Callum Gwilliams Kevin Renshaw Chris Cathrall

.....................................................................................................

Hi h ate 3-1 Bewdle Town Saturda 10th Se tember 2011


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Just a week after being knocked out of the FA Cup in a 4-1 (Reece Hewitt) defeat

at Tipton, Highgate took the opportunity to progress one step further in the FA

Vase with what turned out to be a deserved win over West Midlands regional

League side Bewdley Town, winners in the FA Cup the previous Saturday over Evo-

Stik League outfit Market Drayton Town. Highgate were forced to overcome

stubborn resistance from hard working opponents but thanks to three goals of the

highest quality came out on top of what was always going to be a difficult

encounter, earning themselves a home tie against Dudley Sports in the next round

to be played on September 24th. With Trevor Edwards sitting out a one match

suspension and Kieran Melody and Reece Hewitt unavailable owing to work

commitments manager Keith Checketts gave Elroy Bennett a first start of the

season, with Reserve team midfielder Jessy Samra coming off the bench during the

second half for his senior debut. The hosts enjoyed all the early possession with

Bewdley defender Rich Costello clearing Bennetts first minute shot off the line and

Tom Reynolds narrowly off target from fifteen yards out. The early pressure soon

told and after seventeen minutes a break from within their own half led to Gates

opening goal, Reynolds playing through a neat pass for Dan Povey to beat keeper

Steve Parker at his near post. From then on though Gate lost their way and JackSlevin as the last man denied Chris Hough with a perfectly timed tackle as the

striker bore down on goal, Hough then being left all alone to send two close range

headers wide. At the other end Parker was quickly off his line to prevent Bennett

connecting with Ben Judds through ball and Ian Mitchell had a firm drive blocked,

but with three minutes to the half time whistle Gate conceded an equaliser at what

looked to be the worst possible time, Hough stroking a the ball beyond Shawn

Edwards reach from twenty yards out. But within thirty seconds of the restart

Bennett restored his teams lead with a fine individual goal, a mazy run

culminating in a fifteen yard drive hit firmly past the stationary Parker.

Immediately after the break the keeper kept out a Povey shot which looked

destined for the top corner, Toby Checketts headed over from the resulting cornerand Stefano Abonandi saw his goal attempt charged down in a crowded box.

Edwards stood his ground to deny the ever dangerous Hough and was then

relieved to see Rich Burgess despatch a shot on the turn over the bar. Play became

scrappy as Highgate fought to hold on to their lead, Bewdleys Costello got in front

of Dale Moon to plant a clear header high over the bar and Reynolds was forced to

hook a loose ball off the line. But as in the first half the home side finished

strongly, and after Liam Florey had seen a low firm drive turned behind at the foot

of the near post Mitchell calmed nerves three minutes from the end, spotting

Parker off his line to beat the keeper from just within the Bewdley half with the

most delicate and astute of lobs.

Highgate United

Shawn Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin Ben Judd Ian Mitchell Dale Moon Toby Checketts

Liam Florey Stefan Abonandi ((Jessy Samra 64) Elroy Bennett ( Karl King 72)

Tom Reynolds Dan Povey (Matt Seeley 82) Substitutes not used: Jamie Corrigan

Eric Hathaway (g/k)

Bewdley Town

Steve Parker Simon Rudd Mike Hyde Sean Wright ( c) Rich Costello Ollie Smith Rich

Godfrey Sam Watkins Chris Hough Rich Burgess Chris Seekings

...............................................................................................................................

Studley 1-1 Highgate United Monday 29th August 2011

'


14/20



half Highgate upped their game after the break, levelling the score through

debutant Carl King and going on to enjoy the majority of play but failing to secure

the win their second half display deserved. With Stefano Abonandi, Kieran Melody,

Danny Kerrigan, Dan Povey and Andy Fraher all unavailable manager Keith

Checketts gave starts to Jack Slevin, Matt Seeley and new signing Tom Reynolds

for what was always going to be a dour encounter between neighbours sitting in

the bottom three of the MFA table, Highgate looking to end a disappointing losing

run in their quest to move out of the relegation places. Opportunities proved rare

in a dull opening half but after Jamie Bailey had twice gone close for the home side

Gate failed to heed the warning and in 33rd minute the experienced Studley striker

outmuscled centre half Dale Moon in the chase for a long ball out of defence, the

deftest of twenty yard lobs beating the advancing Shawn Edwards for what was to

be the only difference between the two teams at the half time whistle. Highgate's

only efforts of note had been speculative shots from Reece Hewitt and Liam Florey

which failed to trouble former Highgate keeper Perry Cox, but whatever was said

in the dressing room at half time completely changed the complexion of the game.

From then on Gate looked far more lively, playing a neat and stylish brand of

football, with Reynolds settling down on his return to the club and starting to pull

the strings in midfield. Liam Florey forced former Highgate keeper Perry Cox into agood save at the foot of his near post and Trevor Edwards was off target from

twenty yards out before the pressure told when in 69th minute King bundled in Ian

Mitchell's cross with what was his first touch just thirty seconds after coming on

as substitute. Toby Checketts went close to a second goal with a far post header

despatched narrowly wide and Florey looked to have broken through only to see

his resulting shot blocked for what was to be the last opportunity of the game,

Gate having to be content with the point which lifts them up two places to

eighteenth.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Jack Slevin Ben Judd Toby Checketts Dale Moon Tom Reynolds

Liam Florey Ian Mitchell Reece Hewitt Matt Seeley (Carl King 68) Trevor EdwardsSubstitutes not used: Maurice Hartnett Dan Hughes

Studley:

Perry Cox Jordan Jones Tom Lacey James Beauchamp Craig Hall ( c) Matty Collins

Oliver Casey Mark Hands Scott Turner Jamie Bailey Robbie Bunn Substitutes: Steve

Jackson Paul Dowsett David Edwards Steven Hands Daniel Hicks

......................................................................................................

Highgate United 0 v 1 Gresley 27th August 2011

A narrow defeat for Highgate against league new boys Gresley, a game which

never reached any great heights being decided by Micky Lyons twenty second

minute goal. Manager Keith Checketts was without the injured Danny Kerrigan andthe unavailable Andrew Fraher for the visit of a club risen from the ashes of the

former Gresley Rovers, a large visiting contingent see their side move up to fourth

spot in the MFA League table whilst for Gate the defeat leaves them in the bottom

three, just above Studley and Alvechurch. Chances went begging at both ends in

the opening exchanges, the home goal coming under pressure with Ben Judd

clearing Aaron Dillons attempted volley off the line and Jamie Barrett narrowly

wide of Shawn Edwards goal from TomBetteridges corner. At the other end Reece

Hewitts deflected cross curled inches beyond the far post, Dan Povey was a foot

too high from twenty yards out and Ben Judds free kick flew across the face of

goal with visiting keeper Gary Hateley stranded. Gresleys Richard Hanslow scuffed

his shot wide of what looked to be an open goal but just two minutes later his side

scored what was to be the only goal of the match, Jermain Gordon delivering the

perfect cross headed in by the unmarked Lyons. What looked to be a harshly


15/20



Edwards who dived low to keep out Hanslows spot kick followed by a brave reflex

save to deny the same player from converting the loose ball. Gate responded with

Kieran Melody slipping the ball through for Hewitt to bring an equally good save

out of Hateley the first half ending with Hewitt swivelling on the edge of the box

to fire the resulting shot into the keepers body. Gate looked lively immediately

after the break with Ian Mitchell a yard too high from long range and

Stefano Abonandi well off target after being put through by Liam Florey. There was

a let off for the hosts when Lee Barrows free kick smacked against the cross bar

but by that stage the game had deteriorated into an ill tempered affair and after a

flurry of yellow cards Gresleys Tom Betteridgereceived red for diving and in the

late stages Abonandi was sent off following a reckless challenge. In the dying

minutes Gate looked to have been offered the chance of a draw but with the

referee having awarded a penalty for a foul on Hewitt in the box the decision was

reversed following the officials lengthy discussion with his assistant whose flag

had been raised for offside.

Highgate United:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell (Jack Maguire 77) Ben Judd Toby Checketts Dale

Moon Trevor Edwards Liam Florey Stefano Abonandi Reece Hewitt

DanPovey (Maurice Hartnett 32) Kieran Melody ((Matthew Seeley 84) Substitute not

used Jack Slevin

Gresley:

Gary Hateley ( c) Matt Hill Adam Betteridge Jamie Barrett Lee Barrow Gareth

Langford Micky Lyons Aaron Dillon Jermaine Gordon

Richard Hanslow TomBetteridge Substitutes:

Marc Goodfellow Jack Coulson Marshall Golaub Darren Ketling

......................................................................................................

Coventry Sphinx 6 v 2 Highgate United 22nd August 2011

Highgate went down to a heavy defeat at third placed Coventry Sphinx on Monday

night, and despite a far better second half display the visitors had no answer to

the hosts powerful attacking play, finding themselves three goals in arrears after

just twenty three minutes and four behind at the break. Ashley Jackson had sound

an early warning being narrowly offside after planting a low far post cross into the

back of the net, but the opening goal came just ten minutes in when Luke Williams

broke on to a defence splitting pass to slip the ball beyond Shawn Edwards' reach.

In the absence of front runners Danny Kerrigan and Reece Hewitt Gate were unable

to make any progress against a very good and well organised home side it coming

as no surprise when Williams fired in his second just twelve minutes later with

Tom Muldoon completing an early period of Sphinx power play with a third goalmidway through the half. The visitors' first attempt on goal came after thirty

minutes when Toby Checketts despatched a header wide off Ben Judd's corner kick

but a fourth goal was soon conceded when a long kick out of keeper Carl O'Neill's

hands looped over the Highgate defence for Pawel Tomczak to finish in style.

Immediately into the second half keeper Edwards saved well to touch Tomaczak's

effort behind for a corner, but Gate were soon undone for a fifth time when centre

half Jamie McAteer headed in from close range. Down but not out Highgate rallied

with two quick goals around the hour mark, the first courtesy of home captain

Terry Ward's header into his own net, the second from a confidently taken penalty

by Ian Mitchell after Trevor Edwards had been sent tumbling. But the two goals

were to prove mere consolations and in the dying minutes substitute AaronDonaldson finished off the scoring following a strong run and shot which Edwards

no chance of saving.


16/20



Highgate:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell (Jack Slevin 65) Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Dale

Moon Toby Checketts Liam Florey Steffano Abonandi (Andy Fraher 52) Jake Brown

(Maurice Hartnett 45) Dan Povey Kieran Melody Substitute not used: Jamie

Corrigan

Coventry Sphinx:

Carl O'Neill Chris Hayden Chris Long Liam Kay Terry Ward ( c) Jamie McAteer Tom

Muldoon Paul Saunders Pawel Tomaczak Luke Williams Ashley Jackson

Substitutes: Dion Barrett Aaron Donaldson Jack Edwards Daniel Fraser Andrew

Williamson

......................................................................................................

Highgate United 2 v 0 Willenhall Town 20th August 2011

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

A goal in each half from Ben Judd and Steffano Abonandi earned Highgate a

deserved if unconvincing win against visitors Willenhall, and despite spurning a

hat full of chances a sluggish looking home side failed to capture their good form

of recent weeks which just the previous Tuesday had seen them record their first

win of the season against Tividale. The win earns Gate an away tie in the FirstPreliminary round against Tipton, winners at Southam United, but manager Keith

Checketts knows that his side will need to perform much better to have any hope

of progressing further in footballs most prestigious cup competition. With leading

scorer Danny Kerrigan breaking down in the pre match warm up Highgate kept the

same line up for the first time this season, Jack Slevin returning from suspension

to take his place on the bench. Willenhall forced the early pace with Shawn

Edwards saving at the foot of his near post from Thomas Evans, the keeper then

being forced to punch William Perkins dangerous inswinging corner over his own

bar. Although Gate broke for Dan Povey to head Ian Mitchells pass into Liam

Flynns hands the pressure continued at the other end with Evans narrowly high

from twenty yards out. Reece Hewitt went close to opening Highgates accountwith an overhead kick too close for Flynns comfort, a Judd free kick from wide on

the left drifting agonisingly wide and a firm Kieran Melody drive then deflected

behind for a corner. The deadlock was broken after twenty eight minutes when

Povey headed on Edwards long kick for Hewitt to be sent tumbling on the edge of

the box when racing beyond the last man, defender Joseph Lyng receiving a red

card for the foul and Judd despatching the resulting free kick high into the roof of

the net. Willenhall looked to have equalised seven minutes later through Richard

Gregory only for an observant referees assistant to spot an offside forward

standing in front of and impeding goalkeeper Edwards. Povey should have put his

side further ahead at half time hwhen following good work by Liam Florey he

could only guide Hewitts cross the wrong side of the upright and immediately

after the break Melody slipped a pass through for Hewitt to crash his resulting

shot against the near post. Florey was unlucky to see a ten yard attempt come

back to safety off the underside of the bar and with the hosts at last making the

extra man tell nerves in the home camp were calmed when Abonandi swept the

loose ball home after Floreys close range drive had struck Flynns body. In a rare

visitors attack Edwards was quickly off his line to smother the ball at Shawn

Smiths feet but Gate bossed the game in the later stages and after Povey had

missed an 85th minute penalty following a foul on himself by Smith further

chances of a third goal went begging when Flynn twice stood his ground to deny

Povey and Trevor Edwards.

Highgate:

Shawn Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Dale Moon Toby


17/20



Checketts Liam Florey Steffano Abonandi (Matthew Seeley 72) Reece Hewitt (Jake

Brown 70) Dan Povey Kieran Melody (Maurice Hartnett 82) Substitutes not used:

Jack Slevin Andy Fraher Jamie Corrigan

Willenhall:

Liam Flynn Cameron Fowler James Fisher Joseph Lyng Jamel Fuller William Perkins

Thomas Evans Shawn Smith Richard Gregory Nathan Gough Adam Swain

Substitutes: Alex Smith Daniel Bowen-Smith Dean Humpage Andre Calder ReeceLeek Daniel Grizzle

......................................................................................................

Highgate United 4 v 1 Tividale 16th August 2011

Following three successive league defeats Highgate got their season off to a start

on Tuesday evening with a thoroughly deserved win over previously unbeaten

third placed Tividale, what turned out to be a comfortable three points lifting the

home side out of the bottom four places of the MFA League table. Having given a

good account of themselves in losing to the top two placed teams, Westfields and

Loughborough University, Tuesdays result what always on the cards with manager

Keith Checketts especially pleased with what was a good all round disciplined

team display from a reshuffled line up which stayed on top throughout the whole

of the ninety minutes .Reece Hewitt earned a starting place in the absence of the

injured Danny Kerrigan and with Andy Fraher unavailable Trevor Edwards was

pushed forward into midfield alongside Stefano Abonandi, with Kieran Melody

playing wide on the left hand side. Gate forced the early pace and in the opening

minutes Melody found Reece in front of goal only for defender Stephane Messomo

to nick the ball away to safety, Hewitt then delivering what was almost the perfect

cross just inches away from Dan Poveys head. The opening goal after just nine

minutes came as no surprise Hewitt crossing low for Abonandi to guide the ball

past keeper Timothy Beech, a lead Gate went close to doubling when Hewitt

volleyed Edwards pass just beyond the far post. The second goal came on thequarter hour mark when centre half Dale Moon outjumped Beech to head the ball

in under the cross bar after the visitors defence had failed to deal with Ian

Mitchells inswinging free kick. It took Tividale twenty minutes for their first

attempt on goal, Matthew Jukes high and wide from the edge of the box, and with

the pressure on the home defence increased Toby Checketts got in a crucial block

to deny Ryan Trumpeter what looked his teams best chance of the game so far. Six

minutes before the break Jukes reduced the arrears with a scrambled goal which

Sean Edwards had no chance of saving but within sixty seconds Gate responded in

the best possible fashion restoring their two goal lead when Floreys persistence

in turning two defenders ended in a cross which struck the far post before being

turned in by Povey. Good value for their lead Gate continued to boss the second

period Povey unlucky with a shot turned against Beechs body and Mitchell a foot

too high with a thirty yard speculative drive. Full back Ben Judd punished Tividale

for a series of cynical fouls hitting a sweetly struck twenty five yard free kick

round the wall and just inside Beechs near post to complete what was to be the

scoring. Apart from a Mark Swann header caught by Edwards under the bar and

substitute Adam Simkisss last minute free kick comfortably held by the Highgate

captain, Tividale finished the game well beaten with the hosts delighted to have at

last achieve their first win of the season.

Highgate United:

Sean Edwards ( c) Ian Mitchell Ben Judd Trevor Edwards Toby Checketts Dale Moon

Liam Florey (Jamie Corrigan 80) Stefano Abonandi Reece Hewitt (Jake Brown 75)

Dan Pove Kieran Melod Maurice Hartnett 74)


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Tividale:

Timothy Beech Stephane Messomo Robert Sargent Derek Cole Joel Kettle Adam Hill

Kyle Hill ( c) Adam Wattle Mark Swann Matthew Jukes Ryan Trumpeter

......................................................................................................

Loughborough University 4 v 2 Highgate United 12th August 2011

A third consecutive league defeat for Highgate leaves them one of three sides

pointless at the foot of the Midland Football Alliance table but for manager Keith

Checketts there were once again plenty of positives to take from an encouraging

display against a classy home team which currently sits in an undefeated second

spot behind leaders Westfields. In fact but for a penalty miss when the scoreline

was 3-2 Gate may well have come away with the point their performance deserved

only for a late fourth goal to seal the result in favour of the students. Craig

Gasziewskis transfer to Coleshill Town enabled Ben Judd to make his senior debut

at left full back, with Stefano Abonandi and Matthew Seeley making themselves

available for places on the bench. Playing neat possession football the University

side took a tenth minute lead when defender George Williams low cross was

swept home by the unmarked Daniel Delderfield, the scorer completing his brace

just five minutes later with a twenty yard shot fired in off the inside of the far

post. Despite being over run in midfield Gate began to create chances of their own,

Danny Kerrigan forcing home keeper Brendan Hazlett to a low save at the foot of

his near post and Andrew Fraher seeing a shot blocked in a crowded box. The

introduction of Abonandi had seen Gate at last start to compete in midfield leading

to Kerrigan keeping up his record of scoring in all three of the games he has

started, the striker reducing the arrears by finishing off a determined 20th minute

run with a shot hit beyond Hazletts reach. But having reduced the arrears Gate

were to quick concede a third goal when just two minutes later Matthew Collino

converted Raul Alexis pass from close range. Kerrigan went close only to bedenied his second goal by Hazletts outstretched legs and with the visitors

nullifying any threat from their hosts the deficit was once again reduced to a

single goal when ten minutes after the break Ian Mitchells corner led to substitute

Reece Hewitts shot being turned in by Fraher. Kieran Melodys strength took him

past defenders ending with an attempt fired into the side netting, a similar run

from Hewitt on the opposite side of the box ending with a tumble only for Judds

resulting 69th minute penalty kick to be kept out by Hazlett. Highgate continued

to look the more likely to score but with time running out Alexis took advantage of

tiring legs in the Gate defence to race clear and finish the scoring with an effort hit

home under keeper Sean Edwards body.

Highgate:

Sean Edwards (c) Trevor Edwards Ben Judd Ian Mitchell Dale Moon Toby Checketts

Dan Povey Andy Fraher Jake Brown (Stefano Abonandi 26) Danny Kerrigan (Reece

Hewitt 41) Liam Florey (Kieran Melody 60) Substitutes not used: Matthew Seeley

John Dowling

Loughborough University

Brendan Hazlett George Williams Tom Lyskov Ben Parry Lawrence Heard Ryan

Carolan Daniel Delderfield Matthew Roberts ( c) Raul Alexis Michael Emmerson

Matthew Coluno Substitutes: Jack Beckett Luke Powell Joshua Steel Daniel Lowton

......................................................................................................

Westfields 5 v 2 Highgate United 9th August 2011


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A second defeat for Highgate but a far better performance against leaders

Westfields, the final scoreline harsh on the visitors who apart from the quality of

finishing matched their hosts throughout an entertaining ninety minutes. Danny

Kerrigan gave Highgate a seventeenth minute lead, taking advantage of a

misplaced back pass to lob keeper Jamie Moore from the narrowest of angles. But

despite playing the better football Gate found themselves behind at the break

through goals from Anthony Robbins 39th minute penalty and a 44th minute close

range finish from Jamie Cuss. Daryl Addis extended his sides lead a minute into

the second half only for Dan Povey to reduce the arrears five minutes later off

Kerrigans low cross. Ian Mitchell and Andy Fraher were both close to the equaliser

with efforts which tested Moore in the home goal but the tiring visitors were twice

caught on the break late on enabling Cuss and substitute Cory Hyde to give the

final scoreline a more than flattering look for the Hereford based team.

Highgate:

Sean Edwards ( c) Trevor Edwards Craig Gasziewski Ian Mitchell (Jamie Corrigan

78) Dale Moon Toby Checketts Liam Florey Andy Fraher (John Dowling 83) Jake

Brown Danny Kerrigan Dan Povey (Kieran Melody 67)

Westfields:

Jamie Moore Bob Aldrich Joel Edwards Phil Glover ( c) Dan Price Anthony Robbins

Craig Jones Jamie Cuss Daryl Addis Aiden Thomas Carl Morgan Substitutes: Tom

Sparey Cory Hyde Chris Fower Matt Gwynne

......................................................................................................

Highgate United 2-3 Rocester 6th August 2011

Highgate are left looking for their first opening day win in this their fourth

Midland Football Alliance season following Saturdays defeat to visitors Rocester,

the home side suffering a disastrous first half which found them three goals in

arrears at the break. A second half brace from Danny Kerrigan was not enough to

rescue a point but manager Keith Checketts will have been pleased at the spirited

albeit failed come back from a young side which in the main has little experience

of football at such a senior level. With Jack Slevin, Trevor Edwards and Michael

Skerret all suspended and Dale Moon and Ben Judd both unavailable the new boss

was left with selection headaches for the visit of a side beaten twice during the

last campaign, but he was able to welcome back Dan Povey and Ian Mitchell who

together with Toby Ckecketts added experience to an otherwise new look line up.

Keeper Sean Edwards wore the captains arm band on his return to Tythe Barn

Lane from Knowle only for the new custodian to be beaten twice in the opening

thirteen minutes, the first goal coming as early as the second minute when in the

visitors first attack Craig Smith crashed home the loose ball after Edwards had

saved at point blank range from Paul McMahon. Ten minutes later the lead was

doubled a quick break out of defence giving Chris Owen the chance to turn his

marker and lift the ball over Edwards into the far top corner of the net. Gates

attack lacked a cutting edge and what chances fell their way posed little threat

with Jake Brown twice off target from the edge of the box and Andy Fraher

despatching a close range header wide. Liam Florey looked to be denied a good

appeal for a penalty after appearing to be dragged down by centre half Chris

McComisky, Rocester making the most of the let off when the ball was immediately

played forward for Chris Owen to beat Edwards with a delicate 42nd minute twelve

yard chip for his sides third goal. Facing an uphill task Gate enjoyed a far better

second half and after Brown had gone close with two more attempts on goal,

Kerrigan reduced the arrears with twenty minutes remaining hitting an

unstoppable twenty five yard drive beyond keeper Richard Froggatts reach. Five


20/20


minutes later Kerrigans effort off the outside of his right boot squirmed under

Froggatts body and over the line to give his side hope of what would have been a

remarkable upset, but with time running out and Rocester content to run down the

clock Gate were unable to raise their game enough to find what was to be an

elusive equaliser.

Highgate United:

Sean Edwards (c) Matthew Seeley Craig Gasziewski Stefan Abonandi (MauriceHartnett 78) Toby Checketts Ian Mitchell Liam Florey (Jamie Corrigan 63) Andrew

Fraher Jake Brown (John Dowling 68) Danny Kerrigan Dan Povey Substitute not

used: Aaron Smith

Rocester:

Richard Froggatt Jack Langston Leon Pugh Matty Rutter Chris McComisky Darren

Bullock Mensah Kinch Craig Holland ( c) Craig Smith Paul McMahon Chris Owen

Substitutes : Adam Green Chris Beeston Ashley Justin Peter Martin Rob Perks

Report by Neville Sawyer

All match reports : Neville Sawyer

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