Eldorado initiation test for new boys

Sep 18 2008 By Graham Barkus, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Warm and sunny conditions greeted players and officials on Sunday as the 42nd CSL season kicked off in earnest.

Those wondering if Premier champions Eldorado would be any less of a threat this time around, especially their first opponents Magpies 91, soon found the answer.

Six goals and just one conceded suggests the Prestwood side are not ready to give up their title easily.

Perennial top scorer Brett Evans took little time opening his account with three goals while Andy Spurr (2) and Peter Clark completed the misery for newly promoted Magpies for whom Robert Morris replied.

Missenden enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign, netting three against Pioneer without reply. Toby Francis (2) and Carlington Myers were on target for the home side to earn a comfortable three points.

In contrast, Pioneer, although still in the top flight, looked a long way off the standards they set when winning eight titles, suggesting a relegation battle is more likely than a push for league honours.

The two newly named teams, Denham FC and Spartak Poachers (formerly Dumb Bell and Three Pigeons respectively), both recorded victories to make their mark.

Like Carpathians in Division Two, another former top flight championship-winning name returns to the CSL as Spartak will be hoping to emulate their namesake's title win in 1985.

They had an awkward looking opener at Marston 2000 but goals from Tom Kaill and Robert Hester eased any nerves as they comfortably held on for the win.

Fred Tripp proved the difference for Denham, netting a goal in each half to defeat Belmont.

Miles Smith had levelled for the visitors on 35 minutes but Tripp had the last word with the winner 15 minutes from time.

Division One

Belmont Reserves continued where they left off last season, scoring for fun again in a 7-0 thrashing of Chiltern Athletic.

Hat-tricks for Leo Smith and Charlie Gray plus one from Ashley Felstead were more than enough to take the points off shell-shocked Athletic.

Promoted AFC Lodge found First Division football to their liking as they knocked six past Chesham Town via five different scorers.

Paul Holloway (2), Sohrab Rauf, Shane Johnson, Daniel Baverstock and Ian Final all contributed to Town's downfall for whom Simon Shaw hit a consolation goal.

Sunday should provide Lodge with a yardstick for their promotion aspirations when they will host free scoring Belmont Reserves.

Seer Green, who came up with Lodge, had their match with Bucks College postponed, leaving Eldorado Reserves and Magpies 91 Reserves the remaining fixture in the division.

Both sides had chances for maximum points but goals from Darrel Cooper for Eldorado and Paul Hyde for the visitors ensured parity in a closely contested match.

Division Two

Two wins in a week for the Three Lions - although Sunday's jaunt at Gatecrashers Vets was probably slightly easier than the trip to Zagreb.

There were double figures for the Lions thanks to goals at regular intervals from Karl Harris (3), Matt Long (2), Lewis Evans (2), Dale Lee, Steven Walker and Barry Randall while only Ian Bates provided Vets respite with their solitary strike.

New Carpathians, former champions and original league members, who went out of business nearly 20 years ago, came back with a bang.

The Amersham Polish Clubbased side gave fellow newcomers River Chalfont a 5-2 drubbing at Hervines Park, with a hattrick from striker Charlie Saunders.

Their other goals came from Joe Holmes and Daryl Ashwin, while Paul Neave and Sam Coletta replied for River.

Carpathians club chairman Richard Tramp, who played back in the glory days, is already planning for next season when he hopes to field a second team.

He said: "When we decided to form a football team again, the response was fantastic. We actually have 47 players on the books which means we have more than enough to field a second side.

"This has given us an even greater incentive to win promotion in our first season as the league rules do not allow any club to field more than one side in the same division."

Chalfont Saints returned to the CSL with their young but obviously capable side who notched a debut win at AFC Lodge Reserves.

Michael Totty (2), Luke Campbell and Patrick Cope were among their scorers to claim the points despite a double from Lodge's Phil Talmer on their first foray in the CSL.

Preview

Another full Premier programme sees Denham FC visit Eldorado while Spartak Poachers host Missenden as all four battle to preserve their winning starts.

Belmont have a local derby against Marston 2000, and Pioneer face Magpies 91 both looking to bounce back from day one defeats.

AFC Lodge take on Belmont Reserves in Division One's top clash while, after kicking their heels last week, Seer Green take to the field at Chiltern Athletic.

Chesham Town visit Magpies 91 Reserves but Eldorado will sit out the day as their scheduled fixture at Bucks College ominously has been cancelled.

River Chalfont will hope to get off the mark at Gatecrashers Vets in Division Two. Chalfont Saints' home match with Pioneer Reserves, and Three Lions hosting AFC Lodge Reserves complete the day's programme.

Chesham Sunday League. Results, September 14. Premier Division: Denham FC 2, Belmont 1; Magpies 91 1, Eldorado Diamonds 6; Marston 2000 0, Spartak Poachers 2; Missenden 3, Pioneer 0. Division One: Belmont Res 7, Chiltern Athletic 0; Chesham Town 1, AFC Lodge 6; Eldorado Diamonds Res 1, Magpies 91 Res 1; Seer Green v BCUC pp. Division Two: AFC Lodge Res 2, Chalfont Saints 5; Gatecrashers Vets 1,Three Lions 10; New Carpathians 5, River Chalfont 2.

Fixtures, September 21. Premier Division: Belmont v Marston 2000; Eldorado Diamonds v Denham FC; Pioneer v Magpies 91; Spartak Poachers v Missenden. Division One: AFC Lodge v Belmont Res; BCUC v Eldorado Diamonds Res pp; Chiltern Athletic v Seer Green; Magpies 91 Res v Chesham Town. Division Two: Chalfont Saints v Pioneer Res; River Chalfont v Gatecrashers Vets; Three Lions v AFC Lodge Res.