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With driving rain hitting the Crabble the game was in some doubt as water was lying on the pitch.  The Dover groundstaff worked hard to clear it and the game went ahead albeit the pitch was heavy. 

Neither team set the world alight in the opening stages of the game and on 15 minutes following a short corner from Liam Wright to Gareth Graham, which resulted in Wright then centering a good cross Graham’s return ball which fell to Danny Young at the far post whose shot went just over the bar.  From the resultant goal kick, Dover attacked and won a free kick on the edge of our penalty area, which was swung into the box and Dryden, got his head to it with Sam Moore beaten in goal. 

However Adam Wadmore was on hand to head the ball away.  Dover continued to press and in the 28^th minute saw another effort scrambled off the goal line.  On 38 minutes they finally broke the deadlock from a corner kick, another great delivery saw a scramble in the box and the ball went into the net off Issa Thomas to give the home team a 1-0 lead.  On the stroke of half time, Moses Ademola applied some of his trickery and skill to beat two Dover defenders, and unleash a shot from 30 yards out, but it went wide.

Second half and Dover started with more confidence and on 52 minutes, Matt Bourne put them 2-0 up again from a corner.  Rams keeper Sam Moore got his hands to the ball and was appeared to be fouled, but Referee Gavin Hoare saw nothing wrong and awarded the goal.  The game was effectively over by this stage and it was unlikely that the Rams were going to get back into it.  However they deserve credit for their hard work and commitment as they still kept on trying to play and take the game to Dover.  

A triple substitution saw Jason Mabbs, Carlton Murray-Price and Frankie Warren introduced on 70 minutes to try and freshen things up.  However it was Dover who capitalised and sealed the game with a 3^rd goal in the 75^th minute when from a free-kick, Danny Young put the ball into his own net whilst trying to clear it away. 

There was a bit of controversy just before this as Dover substitute Craig Wilkins who had only been on the pitch no more than 5 minutes, was dismissed from the field of play for an off the ball incident.

Fielding five youth team players, the Rams exploded into life in the first eight minutes, scoring two goals.

On the five-minute mark, birthday boy Adam Wadmore's superb cross was met by the unmarked Ross Cable who headed home.

Gareth Graham hit a 25-yard effort over, before Liam Wright's low cross was fired home by Frankie Warren.

Casuals responded positively to their early setback and Danny Young was forced to clear off the line following a Walton corner.

After 25 minutes Casuals pulled a goal back as Anthony Gale's free kick to the near post was headed in by Greg Ball.

But Cable secured the points for the hosts with his second goal after 37 minutes.

Two minutes later, Chris Malik hit the bar from 40 yards only to see it bounce down off the underside of the bar handily for the Casuals goalkeeper to collect. It was suggested that the ball had crossed the line.

Wright went close in the opening stages of the second half and also forced the Casuals keeper into a fine save after 64 minutes.

Athletic enjoyed the better of the second half, but could not add to their total. Casuals battled to the end.

Croydon Athletic: Moore, Wadmore (Jackson), Cecil (Hewitt), Young, Gibson, Waters, Warren (Waite), Graham, Cable, Malik, Wright.

The Rams had a major reshuffle prior to the game and introduced seven of the highly successful youth team into the squad, writes Rob Cavallini.

It was an impressive performance by the youngsters, guided by experienced clubmen like James Gibson.
A tight first half gradually came to life but ended goaless.

The second half exploded with Moses Ademola making his presence felt and bringing some top class saves out of Dave Tiely in the Casuals goal.

Casuals came back strongly but never shpwed the killer instinctMark Walters hit a long-range effort against the post with five minutes left.
But Ademola secured the points with a fantastic last minute volley which flew into the net from 30 yards to send the Rams fans home happy.

A reasonably good opening 20 minutes when Dan Lombardo set up Simon Moore twice only to see the latters first shot clawed away and then the second effort was hit wide, was undone when a wonder strike by Dave Martin from 30 yards secured the points for Dartford . After that it was an endless stream of poor passes, largely devoid of ideas.

Lombardo who had a lively first half hit two shots straight at the goal keeper when it looked easier to score in the last five minutes before the break. Charley Side also hit a shot at the keeper Kevin Hudson.

The second half took a while to get going Moore flicked a header well wide, and Danny Ward shot over.  On 65 minutes Moore forced Hudson into an impressive save and two minutes Side blazed over as it was becoming apparent it was not got going to be Athletic’s day.

Dartford had a shot deflected onto the bar with 14 minutes remaining and then Glenn Billinness sneaked in following a defensive lapse and had all the time in the world before missing the target completely.  Athletic’s, Wade Falana then had a header punched away.

At least the game closed in an amusing manner as James Wastell raced out of the Croydon goal, missed the ball, recovered it and then went off on a run only to loose the ball, while stranded 30 yards from goal.  Glenn Billenness found himself with practically an open goal and proceeded to roll it across and wide of the far post.

James Wastell, Julian Curnow, Danny Cecil (Danny Ward), John Waite, James Gibson, Mark Waters, Dan Lombardo (Josh Smith) , Gareth Graham (Wade Falana), Simon Moore, Charley Side, Tyrone Myton SUBS NOT USED Adolph Amoako, Chris Malik

By Rob Cavallini

The Rams turned in a far from convincing performance, however, they still did enough to beat as Ashford Town side who although vastly improved on recent years were not inspiring.

Ashford started sharper and Simon Glover forced James Wastell into a good save early on and soon after Ian Ross’s cross flew just wide of the far post.

The play after this was pretty poor, with the players seeming to bunch together in the centre circle, combine this with some wild bobbles being thrown up by the pitch and a whistle happy referee and it was time to reach for your pillow. Wade Falana and Mark Hammond both had easy shots saved before the interval.

Ashford began the second half attacking and Glover ran half the length of the field before setting up George Fenwick. Fenwick should have done better as his shot went wide.

Two substitutes by the Rams changed the game as Mark Simmonds livened things up after coming on, on 55 minutes and then Moses Ademola came on for his debut with 23 minutes remaining and immediately Athletic looked a threat.

Ademola hit a speculative 25 yard shot which was just clawed away by the keeper Simon Overland.  Two minutes later Ademola pulled the ball back from the goal line and Simmonds shot was deflected for a corner.  On 77 minutes Simmonds broke through, but had no options for a pass and this led to the Ashford defenders catching up and crowding him out.

At the other end John Waite made a great challenge on Richard Sinden, who looked poised to score.  The Rams broke from this interception and Simmonds went close.  With four minutes left Charley Side shot wide before Ademola with a superb bit of dribbling in a tight area beat two men before being felled by the third.  The referee did not hesitate pointing to the spot and Julian Curnow slotted home the penalty.

James Wastell, Julian Curnow, Sam Hewitt, Jon Waite, James Gibson, Danny Ward, Mark Hammond (Mark Simmonds), Mark Waters, Wade Falana (Moses Ademola), Charley Side, Paul Scott (Tyrone Myton) SUBS NOT USED Simon Moore, Danny Cecil

By Rob Cavallini

By Rob Cavallini

The Rams gained ample revenge for Saturday’s disappointing performance as they romped through to the last 32 of the Westview Cup or Isthmain League Cup for the unfamiliar.

It took just two minutes for Athletic to score as debutant Kemal Bulent played a great ball to Simon Moore, who shot against the advancing goal keeper Michael Elder and it fell to top scorer Gareth Graham who shot home left footed.

Three minutes later Mark Waters cleared off the line from Kam Singh and Sittingbourne came close again on 11 minutes when Singh again shot this time from the edge of the box, forcing Dave Hyatt into a good save.

Two minutes later Charley Side should have scored when he was through on goal, but Elder saved well. Moore went close from a Waters cross, before Sittingbourne equalised on 34 minutes from the spot through Andy Doeer after John Waite was adjudged to have handle, although it appeared harsh.

Three minutes later Athletic went back in front as Wade Falana played in Side and he went through one on one with Elder and scored with a cool finish. The Rams went further ahead two minutes after the interval as Moore ran onto a high bouncing ball and smacked the ball home from the edge of the box.

Side hit the post on 52 minutes from a Bulent cross as Athletic dominated.  Chris Malik and Tyrone Myton went close before with 14 minutes left Julian Curnow headed home his first goal for the club from a Graham cross.

Dave Hyatt, Mark Waters (Julian Curnow), Danny Cecil, John Waite, James Gibson, Chris Malik, Simon Moore, Gareth Graham, Wade Falana, Charley Side (Adolph Amoako), Kemal Bulent (Tyrone Myton) SUBS NOT USED Danny Ward, Veli Hakki

By Rob Cavallini  

The Rams turned in a dismal performance and got what they deserved, nothing!  Sittingbourne should have had the game won after nine minutes.  They took the lead after five minutes when James Wastell parried a low cross and Kieren Marsh reacted quickest.

Gareth graham’s free kick was met by James Gibson, moments later, but it was well saved by Steve Williams.

Four minutes later a strange refereeing decision for hand ball when Danny Cecil was just protecting his face saw Sittingbourne awarded a penalty which Wastell duly saved from Mark Lovell.

Gareth Graham put Athletic on level terms on 31 minutes, but they were never really at the races with passes either hit or going astray.  Charley Side hit a 20 yard shot which was saved by Williams oon 38 minutes and Wade Falana went close just after.

The second half opened with John Wiate clearing Steve Searl’s cross off the line, before Athletic enjoyed a reasonable spell when Side lobbed over and then the same player put in a dangerous cross which Falana, threw himself at it but his header went narrowly wide.

Adolph Amoako had his shot saved and a cross punched away before, Sittingbourne took the lead on 72 minutes as Mitchell Sherwood cut in and shot past Wastell. 

There was more poor refereeing  before the end as Danny Ward should have been dismissed for a studs up challenge and Clint Gooding should have been dismissed for retaliation, both however, only received yellow cards.

Graham and Amoako both went close before the end, but it was not to be Athletic’s day.

James Wastell, Mark Waters, Danny Cecil (Julian Curnow), John Wiate, James Gibson, Danny Ward, Veli Hakki, Gareth Graham, Wade Falana (Adolph Amoako), Charley Side, Paul Scott (Tyrone Myton)SUBS NOT USED Dave Hyatt, Simon Moore

By Rob Cavallini

Athletic eased into the next round to face Whitstable Town with a comfortable win against Sussex County league side Arundel on Saturday. 

The Rams did not have it all their own way in the early exchanges and went behind as early as the fifth minute as Danny Cecil bought down Matthew Huckett and a penalty was awarded. Huckett scored the resulting kick.

After a nervous start the Rams settled down and created a number of chances of their own. An Athletic header was cleared off the line by Arundel on 17 minutes. Three minutes later a Graham free-kick was touched home by Paul Scott for the equaliser.  Ward went close for Athletic before the Rams took the lead on 22 minutes when the Arundel keeper Ben O’Connor brought down Charley Side for the second penalty of the match.  Graham stood up and banged the ball into the bottom left corner.

Atheltic were now showing their class and five minutes before the break a superb build up lead to Graham increasing the lead with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area.  Athletic also had time to hit the bar as Veli Hakki skinned an Arundel defender and his cross stuck the bar.

Three minutes after half time the tie was effectively over as Graham released Scott down the wing and his cross found Side who shot home.  Athletic then took things easy and were hit by a stunning Arundel consolation on 57 minutes was Dave Walker hit a 30 yard shot on the volley which beat James Wastell.

Wade Falan went close soon after, whilst Arundel’s Chris Couzens broke through and forced Wastell into a good save on 76 minutes.  Athletic almost scored a comedy goal with eight minutes remaining, but Arundel scrambled it away. Late in the game Hakki hit a 20 yard free kick which O’Connor saved.

James Wastell, Mark Waters, Danny Cecil, John Waite, James Gibson, Danny Ward. Veli Hakki, Gareth Grahm (Julian Curnow), Adolph Amoako (Wade Falana) , Charley Side, Paul Scott SUBS NOT USED Dave Hyatt, Tyrone Myton, Dan Lombardo

A thoroughly entertaining encounter started at a frantic pace as both sides tried to find their rhythm.   Athletic were first to threaten on eight minutes when Paul Scott’s cross, was touch by Charley Side to Mark Simmons who fired over. Kingstonian had their moments and only a good defensive header by John Waite prevented Tony Reid from heading the opener for Kingstonian.  James Wastell then made a good save from James Rose header.

On 21 minutes ex-Ram Luke Garrard was forced to block from Side’s shot from an acute angle.  Kingstonian then enjoyed the better of the play briefly before a well time goal on 32 minutes gave Athletic the advantage.  A defensive mix up by Kingstonian following good work by Scott, was pounced upon by Side who opened his Athletic account with a sharp finish.

Three minutes later the game was all but decided as a Danny Ward corner was headed goal bound by Gareth Graham, only for it to be handled on the line by Steve Symes.  Symes was dismissed and Graham fired home the penalty to compound the Kingstonian misery. Before half time Scott had shot wide as the Rams threatened to put the result beyond doubt.

The second half saw Kingstonian to their credit, try and make a game of it, but the Rams defence held firm and they could have added to their total.  Kingstonian’s Scott Corbett saw his shot saved early in the half by Wastell, before Simmons released Scott who saw his poked shot blocked be a Kingstonian defender.

Athletic played some good football at times and a Simmons, one-two with Side almost resulted in the former scoring a memorable goal. On 78 minutes Garrard was forced to punch away a dangerous in swinging corner by Graham. 

With eight minutes remaining a great move started by Simmons, saw Danny Cecil cross for Side who was unfortunate to see his shot hit the side netting.  Julian Sills went close for Kingstonian before the end, but it was not to be their night.

James Wastell, Mark Waters (Danny Cecil), Sam Hewitt, Jon Waite, James Gibson, Danny Ward, Mark Simmons, Gareth Graham, Paul Scott (Simon More), Charley Side, Tyrone Myton SUBS NOT USED Veli Hakki, Justin Bowen, Mark Hammond

Missing several key players through suspension, the Rams battled hard, but could not find the killer touch not helped by an injury to new signing Adolph Amoako.

Athletic were first out of the blocks, starting at a rapid pace. After just two minutes Charley Side delivered a low cross which Amoako saw his shot saved at close range by Chatham's keeper John Whitehouse. Four minutes later following a corner Justin Bowen tried an acrobatic overhead kick which was deflected wide.

Despite having the better of the early proceedings James Wastell still had to save a long range effort by Chatham's Rob Denness. Julian Curnow flicked a header into Whitehouse's hands and then Gareth Graham hit a 25 yard shot into the top left hand corner following a free kick which was saved.

Croydon Athletic took the lead on 24 minutes when Mark Hammond's cross was headed home at the far post by Tyrone Myton. The lead was short lived and three minutes later Chatham equalised as Athletic's defence failed to clear and a ball into the box from Tom Binks was neatly laid back by Darren Smith for Luke Harvey to power home from a tight angle. It was pretty much stalemate from this point onwards, although Chatham went close before the interval as the Ram's defence slept.

The stalemate continued in the second half the introduction of Mark Tompkins and Mark Simmons did not improve the fortunes of the Rams and both teams battled unsuccessfully to find a winner.

The football on show was scrappy and there certainly appeared to be an unfriendly under current simmering between the two sides. The goal keepers were rarely tested as the game petered out. The best chance fell to Chatham's Ian Pulman in injury time and he really should have scored, but delayed his shot not realising how little time he had.

Croydon Athletic: James Wastell, Danny Cecil, Sam Hewitt, Justin Bowen, Julian Curnow, Danny Ward, Mark Hammond (Chris Malik), Gareth Graham, Adolph Amoako (Mark Tompkins), Charley Side, Tyrone Myton (Mark Simmons).

Subs not used: John Waite, Veli Hakki.