This week's report covers the games played at the weekend of February 24. All matches taking place on February 27, will be covered in next week's report.
Thank you to Exiled Grecian for providing the report.
Alex Hartridge - Truro City - Vanarama League South
Saturday February, 24 | Dartford 4-1 Truro City
It was another bad day at the office for the Cornish outfit when they travelled to table-toppers Dartford, falling to a heavy 4-1 defeat. Alex Hartridge retained his place in the starting XI, starting in a more unfamiliar deep midfielder role.
The hosts scored with the first real chance of the game, when a cross from the right was only part cleared by Truro and Andy Pugh spectacularly volleyed into the top corner from outside the box.
Both sides went on to have chances, with Dartford causing the White Tigers defence all sorts of problems, whilst Truro struggled to create any clear cut chances. Alex Hartridge did have a shot from distance comfortably saved by the 'keeper.
Dartford showed why they were top of the league in the second half, as they produced a dominant performance. Quick-fire goals from Alex Brown and Daniel Mills just after the interval put the game beyond the visitors. Truro desperately tried to find a way back into the game, with Hartridge doing well to set up a rare chance for the White Tigers that was ultimately thwarted.
The visitor's performance was summed up by Ben Gerring's comical own goal on 85 minutes.
Niall Thompson did add a consolation goal for the Cornish outfit with a stunning effort from outside the box, but aside from that it's a performance they will want to quickly forget.
Highlights available here.
Monday, February 26 | Brighton U23s 1-1 Exeter City U23s
Alex played the full 90 minutes as City clinched top spot in Group H of the Premier League U23s cup. It means he has played in all of City's games in the competition this season, only failing to complete 90 minutes against Brighton at home, when he came on for Craig Woodman on 86 minutes.
Tuesday, February 27, Truro City P-P Concord Rangers
Last night's game against Concord Rangers was postponed as the away side were 'unable to travel due to the weather conditions', a decision assistant manager Chris Todd was not happy about.
Game called off for a bit of snow 🌨 🤔 🤷♂️ https://t.co/MK3NI4yd82
— Chris Todd (@ChrisToddBook) February 27, 2018
Stats:
- League: 18 appearances, 16 starts, 1,520 minutes, 1 goal.
- FA Cup: 3 appearances, 3 starts, 270 minutes*.
- FA Trophy: 2 appearances, 2 starts, 180 minutes.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Dartford 4-1 Truro, played the full 90 minutes.
*Assumption made that he played the full 90 minutes vs AFC Sudbury in 3rd Qualifying Round.
James Hamon - Gloucester City - Vanarama League South
Saturday, February 24 | Whitehawk 1-1 Gloucester City
Gloucester went into their clash against bottom-of-the-league Whitehawk on the back of four successive wins in all competitions, a set of results which has propelled them out of the relegation battle. Hamon kept his place between the sticks.
Things started off badly for the visitors, as Gold Omotayo robbed the ball in the final third for Whitehawk just three minutes in, rushed through on goal and side-footed the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead. Hamon will no doubt be disappointed to have let Omotayo's tame effort in, but the ball did appear to bobble on its way past the City shot-stopper.
The goal sparked Gloucester into life, who hit the post from a corner before Joe Parker rushed through on goal just past the quarter-hour mark and slotted past the onrushing Daniel Wilks to level the scores.
The game petered out from there, with both sides failing to create any meaningful chances.
Tuesday,February 27 | Havant and Waterlooville - Gloucester City
Gloucester travelled to second-placed Havant and Waterlooville last night looking to extend their six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which will be covered in more detail in next week's loan report. James Hamon did start for the visitors.
Tonight's Teams l @GCAFCofficial
— Gloucester City AFC (@GCAFCofficial) February 27, 2018
1.Hamon
2.Kelly
3.Parselle
4.Cundy
5.Avery
6.Edge
7.Kavanagh
8.Webb
9.Parker
10.Hanks
11.Hall
Subs. 12.Hamilton,14.Knowles, 15.E.Williams, 16.Moore,17.Morford
Stats:
- League: 6 appearances, 6 starts, 540 minutes, 1 clean sheet, 9 conceded.
- Gloucestershire FA Challenge Cup: 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 minutes, 1 clean sheet.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Whitehawk 1-1 Gloucester, played the full 90 minutes.
Archie Collins - Dorchester Town - Evo-Stick South Premier
Saturday, February 24 | Dorchester Town 1-1 Dunstable Town
The Magpies went into their clash against lowly Dunstable Town looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at Stratford the week before. Archie Collins retained his place in the starting XI, playing in midfield.
In a first half dominated by the hosts it was Collins who created the first chance of the game, teeing up Neil Martin on 21 minutes, but the latter's powerful effort was 'comfortably beaten away'.
The hosts finally got the goal their first half pressure deserved when a half-cleared corner found Ashley Pope, making his home debut since joining on loan from Bournemouth, whose drilled effort somehow went through everyone in the box and straight down the middle of the goal. Collins also had an effort late on in the half, but his drilled shot went narrowly wide.
Shortly after the restart the visitors were level, as Charlie Black raced through on goal and, despite seemingly controlling the ball with his arm, proceeded to outrageously chip Chris Weale from outside the area.
Dunstable rallied in the second half, spurred on by their goal against the run of play, but were unable to break through Dorchester's back line. At the other end, Collins first set up Pope (who fired over), before seeing another effort miss the target late on.
The draw against second-bottom Dunstable leaves the Magpies nine points above the relegation zone with 10 games left to play.
Monday, February 26 | Brighton U23s 1-1 Exeter City U23s
Archie Collins once again started for the U23s, completing the full 90 minutes, presumably in midfield as Lloyd James was picked at right back. Like Hartridge, it was also Collins' fifth start in the competition, having only failed to play the full game against Hull City at home, when he replaced Kane Wilson at half time
Stats*:
- League: 11 appearances, 7 starts, 711 minutes, 2 goals.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Dorchester 1-1 Dunstable Town, played the full 90 minutes.
*These stats aren't recorded on any website, so the minutes played is an estimate based on time-stamps on social media or match reports. Does not include stoppage time.
Max Smallcombe, Ben Seymour & Josh Key - Bideford - Evo-Stick South West
Saturday, February 24 | Bideford 0-4 Kidlington
Bideford suffered their biggest defeat of the season against mid-table Kidlington on Saturday. The result puts a big dent in their play off aspirations and sees them drop down to 11th. Seymour and Key both started, while Smallcombe continued to be absent through injury.
Things could have been very different for the Robins had top-scorer Ben Seymour converted from Sean Downing's squared pass on 15 minutes, but the City loanee uncharacteristically shot over from just inside the box.
Both sides went on to have good chances in the first half, but Kidlington drew first blood on the stroke of half time when new signing Conor McDonagh converted from a tight angle after rounding home 'keeper Steve Oliver.
The visitors started the second half brightly, with McDonagh having an effort cleared off the line just a minute in. Mark Janes did double their lead 10 minutes later when he curled a beautiful effort into the top right corner.
Shortly after, Bideford squandered two great chances to bring themselves back into the game. The first fell to former Grecian Matt Bye who, after being teed up by Seymour, saw his effort stopped by a last-ditch tackle. Bye then found an unmarked Kevin Squires in the box from a free-kick, but the striker lashed wide of the target.
McDonagh then went on to complete a perfect first start for the Oxfordshire outfit, scoring a hattrick and condeming Bideford to a defeat in their first home game since 6th January.
Monday, February 26 | Brighton U23s 1-1 Exeter City U23s
Seymour made just his second appearance of the campaign on Monday night, replacing goalscorer Ryan Brunt on 70 minutes. Neither Josh Key nor Max Smallcombe were involved.
Tuesday, February 27 | Bideford P-P North Leigh
Bideford's game with North Leigh last night was postponed for a second time this season, this time due to a frozen pitch.
Stats*:
Max Smallcombe:
- League: 5 appearances, 5 starts, 426 minutes.
- FA Cup: 3 appearances, 3 starts, 243 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist.
Last game:
20/9/2017, Bodmin 1-1 Bideford (FA Cup), was subbed off on 90 minutes, captained the side.
Ben Seymour:
- League: 20 appearances, 19 starts, 1,573 minutes, 17 goals, 1 assist, 1 red card.
- Challenge Cup: 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist.
- FA Trophy: 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 minutes, 1 goal.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Bideford 0-4 Kidlington, subbed off after 83 minutes.
Josh Key:
- League: 3 appearances, 3 starts, 270 minutes, 1 goal.
- Devon Bowl: 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 minutes.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Bideford 0-4 Kidlington, played the full 90 minutes.
*These stats aren't recorded on any website, so the minutes played is an estimate based on time-stamps on social media or match reports. Does not include stoppage time.
Sam Haynes & Mitch Thomas - Barnstaple Town - Evo-Stick South West
Saturday, February 24 | Winchester City 1-1 Barnstaple Town
Barnstaple travelled to play off-chasing Winchester City still in desperate need for points as they aim to pull off their own version of 'The Great Escape'. Both Sam Haynes and Mitch Thomas started for the visitors.
Barum had Aaron Screech to thank for going into the break level, as the 'keeper saved well from Jamie Barron's spot pick on 40 minutes.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Screech was unable to repeat his heroics on 54 minutes, as Patrick Cox sent him the wrong way to open the scoring. The lead lasted just eight minutes, with Billy Hopcroft latching onto a long ball over the top and calmly applying a deft finish under pressure. The result puts Barum eight points clear of rock-bottom Bishop's Cleeve and five points from safety.
#FCVClips @wincityfc @Official_BTFC 1-1
— fcvideo (@fc_video) February 24, 2018
Billy Hopcroft 62'@SouthernLeague1
Principal Sponsor @SimplyhealthUK
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Tuesday, February 27 | Barnstaple Town P-P Taunton Town
Barnstaple's clash with Taunton was called off just an hour before kick off last night, after the pitch was deemed unplayable despite passing an inspection at 3pm.
The match referee has arrived and due to a snow downpour 30 minutes ago, has deemed the pitch unplayable, the match has been abandoned. Out of our control. Sorry folks.
— Barnstaple Town FC (@Official_BTFC) February 27, 2018
Stats*:
Sam Haynes:
- League: 5 appearances, 5 starts, 450 minutes.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Winchester City 1-1 Barnstaple, played the full 90 minutes.
Mitch Thomas:
- League: 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 minutes.
Last game:
24/2/2018, Winchester City 1-1 Barnstaple, played the full 90 minutes.
*These stats aren't recorded on any website, so the minutes played is an estimate based on time-stamps on social media or match reports. Does not include stoppage time.
Joel Randall - Taunton Town - Evo-Stick South West
Saturday, February 24 | North Leigh 1-1 Taunton Town
It was a frustrating afternoon for the table-topping Peacocks as they failed to make their chances pay against relegation strugglers North Leigh. Joel Randall was on the bench for the visitors.
The game started off well for Taunton, with former City youngster Craig Veal pouncing on a blocked clearance and slotting under the onrushing 'keeper just 15 minutes into the game. The runaway leaders couldn't find the all-important second goal to settle the tie, whilst North Leigh were causing the Peacock's defence problems throughout the game.
The visitors' profligacy was punished shortly after half time when Declan Sheppard smashed home from inside the area after Taunton failed to clear their lines. It was all Taunton from then on, but they failed to make their chances pay.
Joel Randall, who had replaced Dan Sullivan on 74 minutes, created the final chance of the game, his deflected cross from the right finding Les Afful in the box, but the former City winger could only volley his effort straight at the 'keeper.
Tuesday, February 27 | Barnstaple Town P-P Taunton Town
Stats*:
- League: 4 appearances, 1 start, 109 minutes.
Last game:
24/2/2018, North Leigh 1-1 Taunton, played the last 16 minutes.
*These stats aren't recorded on any website, so the minutes played is an estimate based on time-stamps on social media or match reports. Does not include stoppage time.