Match Reports - 2007/08
KEY: CCP - Combined Counties Premier, PCC - Premier Challenge Cup
FAC - FA Cup, FAV - FA Vase, HSC - Hampshire Senior Cup

Tues 6 May 08 - Chessington & Hook 1 Cove 0

Leaving Chalky Lane pointless, Cove must be wondering how they lost this game after dominating for the entire match. The midfield trio of Vine, Tyson and Barratt had total control, with the Chessington defence resorting to last ditch defending to keep the Cove attack at bay.

Chessington could only muster two shots at goal all game, the first bringing about the goal as Puckett beat the offside trap to slide the ball past Hatton in the Cove goal 1-0 (36mins)

Half Time Chessington 1 – 0 Cove

Kicking downhill after the break, Cove continued to push forward playing some neat football. The chances began to appear as first Westren, on for Tyson, missed by inches a nearpost effort, and Dobinson’s long range effort scraping the wrong side of the post. Dobinson’s corner was met by Cossar whose header thundered against the bar and when Vine volleyed the rebound goalwards only a desperate clearance saved the equaliser. Chessington did have the ball in the net late on after Ken During was sent off for a professional foul bringing down Puckett when through on goal. The resultant free kick beat Hatton but was ruled out for pushing.

Ken’s dismissal was the first for a 1 st team player this season, coming 5mins from the end of the last game.

Full Time Chessington 1 – 0 Cove

Sat 26 Apr 08 - Dorking 1 Cove 2 (CCP)

Cove set about this game with a purpose looking to cement their top four position and took the lead when midfield dynamo Antony Vine sent a defence splitting pass which Marco Torino chased down just beating the advancing home keeper to the bouncing ball, his glancing header sent the ball goalwards and into the empty net despite the desperate attempt to clear from the Dorking defender. 1-0 (10mins)

Already relegated Dorking kept pushing forward looking for the equaliser, creating few chances, mainly from corners which eventually brought about the goal. The Cove defence failed to clear a low cross and after a goalmouth scramble Clayton tapped home from close in. 1-1 (42 mins)

Half Time Dorking 1 – 1 Cove

Cove came out for the second half setting about their hosts with determination and soon had the home side on the back foot. Darren Dobinson sliced a shot into the side netting after Torino had stepped over a Sinclair cross and Martin Girling shot wide having collected a Barry Tyson cross field ball. As more and more chances came a second Cove goal looked likely and so it was as another Tyson ball in found Martin Girling inside the area, his turn and shot found the bottom corner despite the effort by the home keeper. 2-1 (60mins)

The final 30mins was to be a hectic period as first Cove were awarded a very dubious penalty after Girling was adjudged to have been grounded by the diving Dorking stopper. Substitute Bradley Yates took command and after a period during which three Dorking players were booked for protesting, Yates hit the shot well wide. Dorking then applied pressure to the visitors defence and had two efforts cleared off the line by, first Ken During, and then Antony Millerick. The miss of the match was by Appiah blazing over from two yards with the Cove keeper well beaten to leave Cove with the three points.

Full Time Dorking 1 – 2 Cove

Tues 22 Apr 08 - Cove 1 Colliers Wood United 0 (CCP)

Cove went into their last home game for this season looking to regain fourth place, lost by the weekend defeat to Raynes Park, starting brightly against a depleted Colliers Wood side

Cove had several chances to take the lead, but it seemed to be one of those games where nothing would go right as a Ken During Header was deflected on to a post by the stand-in keeper and bounced clear. Martin Girling had a shot blocked on the line and another effort flew just over the bar.

Half Time Cove 0-0 Colliers Wood United

The second period again saw Cove make all the running only for some desperate defending to keep the score-sheet blank, the best chance falling to Matt Barratt who could only direct his heard straight at the grateful keeper.

The only goal arrived as midfield dynamo Antony Vine collected the ball inside the centre circle and set off towards goal. With no challenges being made he charged into the area and unleashed a ferocious shot from 10 yards to give the keeper no chance. 1-0 (67mins).

Full Time Cove 1-0 Colliers Wood Un.

A Cove spokesman said ”This victory gives us the chance of a top four finish needing 3 pts from 2 games. Considering the upheaval of a few months ago, the boys that stayed have done themselves and the club proud”.

Sat 19 Apr 08 - Cove 2 Raynes Park Vale 3 (CCP)

 Following their midweek victory, Cove were confident of continuing their winning run with the visit of Raynes Park Vale

Cove began brightly and took the lead when Marco Torino was fouled inside the area, and it was he who made no mistake from the spot. 1-0 (10mins )

Cove increased their lead when Shane Sinclair crossed from the left and as the defenders weak header tried to find the keeper, Marco Torino nipped in to slide home from close range 2-0 (23mins).

With nothing to lose now, Raynes Park opened up and started to play with the carefree attitude that has seen them gradually pull away from the relegation spot and began to insert themselves. This attitude paid dividends when the Cove defence failed to clear a right wing cross leaving Moore to tap home 2-1 (30 mins)

Half Time Cove 2-1 Raynes Park Vale

The visitors started the second half as they finished the first, keeping Cove under pressure and nearly equalised but for a good save by young Cove keeper Kris Hatton, who was having the busier afternoon. This only delayed the inevitable as Raynes Park drew level with time running out when Allard was given too much room at the far post to head home an inswinging corner 2-2 ( 85mins).

The leagues draw specialists now had the bit between their teeth and kept going forward, and as we approached three mins of injury Meilenski broke free to give Raynes Park the victory, when a draw would have been a fair result. This was the third time Cove had thrown away a two goal lead and with it the chance of second place. 2-3 (93 mins)

Full Time Cove 2-3 Raynes Park Vale

Sat 12 Apr 08 - Horley Town 3 Cove 1

Cove arrived at The New Lodge having had to make three changes from the team which overcame Bookham last week, knowing defeat would mean changing league positions with their opponents.

Horley drew first blood soon after the start when good interplay between their front men set up Michael Death who cut inside his marker and drilled a right foot shot inside the near post 1-0 (5mins).

Despite going behind Cove continued to play theirpassing game with Shane Sinclair and Martin Girling causing problems out wide creating chances to pull level, but against the run of play Horley increased their lead with only their second attempt on goal as the Cove defence failed to clear leaving Rhys Brown a simple tap in with only 15mins played (2-0)

Cove reduced the arrears following good midfield interplay put James Powell clear on the right, his cross was only partially cleared leaving Martin Girling to fire from 18yds. 2-1 ( 21mins)

Although having the greater midfield possession, the Cove defence looked vulnerable to the quick fire breaks from the home side. After a series of corners Horley regained their 2 goal advantage as an unmarked Kieran Lavery headed home from close range. 3-1 (38mins)

Cove were unlucky when Comper in the home goal denied a Marco Torino effort with a flying one handed save following a Sinclair corner.

Half Time Horley Town 3 – 1 Cove

The second half substitutions saw an improved performance from the Cove team, creating enough chances to get back into the game. Girling was inches away from a Torino cross as he slid in at the far post , while another effort settled on the roof of the net. A mazy run by Musa Laban which carved open the home rearguard ended with a left foot shot going just wide. Despite having the vast majority of possession, Cove were unable to penetrate the Horley defence again which left the scoreline looking more comfortable than it was.

Full Time Horley Town 3 - 1 Cove

Sat 5 Apr 08 - Cove 4 Bookham 2 (CCP)

Cove got back to winning ways with the fastest goal league goal this season when Cove’s man-of-the-match Antony Vine crossed for MARCO TORINO to control, turn and fire home from close in 1-0 (23secs). His joy, however, was to be shortlived as he limped out of the game with an ankle injury five mins later.

Both teams continued to play good football, but it was Cove who got the next goal to increase their lead as Ken During’s line ball found new boy JASON MILLETTI, who cut inside his marker to curl a left foot shot into the far corner leaving the visitors keeper rooted to his line 2-0 (45 mins)

Half Time Cove 2 - 0 Bookham

The visitors started the second half the livelier and had Cove under pressure almost immediately and this paid dividends as they reduced the arrears from an inswinging corner found the unmarked CHRIS WOODWARD to head home. 2-1 (52mins). This spurred on the visitors looking for the equaliser. This arrived when Cove’s 18 year old keeper Kris Hatton failed to hold a powerful drive and from the resulting goalmouth scramble MARK JARMAN prodded home 2-2 (59mins)

The second half substitution of Musa Laban and a different formation, livened up the Cove attack, posing new problems for the Bookham defenders.

Cove regained the initiative from a Shane Sinclair free kick which found George Hardy, his flick header caused panic in the visitors defence allowing MATT BARRATT to claim his first goal for the club 3-2 (74mins)

With Bookham refusing to lie down, their constant attacking was their undoing as a long ball from defence found Martin Girling in behind the visitors backline. As he closed on goal a nudge in the back sent him sprawling, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. MARTIN GIRLING confidently stepped up to ram home ending Cove’s miserable run of 5 defeats 4-2 (89mins)

Full Time Cove 4 - 2 Bookham

Sat 29 Mar 08 - Merstham 3 Cove 2 (CCP)

Cove arrived at Weldon Way knowing anything less than a win would hand Merstham the league title. Cove started well with Laban causing concern with his pace, but a defensive slip let the home side to take the lead when Michael Morgan was allowed a run on goal making no mistake from close in. 1-0 (9mins)

Despite this setback Cove continued to take the offensive , but were rocked as Merstham increased their lead from a corner when a near-post flick found Chris Boulter who nodded home at the far post. 2-0 (19mins)

Now looking comfortable, Merstham seemed to relax allowing Cove time and space to assert themselves as they went looking for a way back into the game. This arrived as Musa Laban running at the defence found Marco Torino who unleashed a rasping drive which nestled into the far corner of the net. 2-1 (21mins). With Merstham now on the back foot, Cove went looking for the equaliser, playing the better football on a sticky pitch, allowing the home side little time on the ball. As half time approached Cove drew level with the best goal of the game as a good passing move saw Matt Barratt find Marco Torino who side stepped his marker to crash home the equaliser from 20 yds 2-2 (44 mins)

Half Time Merstham 2 - 2 Cove

The second half started in torrential rain, but both sides continued to play an attacking game with chances coming at both ends. Merstham regained the lead when the Cove defence failed to clear a corner leaving Justin David to head home from close in. 3-2 (60mins)

Cove kept pressing trying to find another goal and only some last ditch clearances by the Merstham defence denied Vine, Torino and Laban from spoiling the promotion party.

Full Time Merstham 3 - 2 Cove

A Cove spokesman said after the game “This was our best performance for a few weeks and against any other team would have been enough to win the match. It was nice to see Marco get on the scoresheet after his lean spell since joining us. Merstham have an outstanding defensive record, but we have the distinction as the only team to score 2 goals against them and the only team to beat them in the league this season. Overall they are worthy champions and we wish them luck for next season” .

Mon 24 Mar 08 - Guildford City 1 Cove 0 (CCP)

Cove travelled to second placed Guildford City on Easter Monday, with several regular 1 st.teamers missing looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat.

Making the best of a heavy, muddy pitch both teams played good attacking football with chances coming at both ends. Cove’s young reserve keeper Kris Hatton kept his team in the game with several good saves, but could do nothing to prevent the home side going in front when Reece White fired home from 18yds just before the break 1-0 (42mins).

Half Time Guildford City 1 – 0 Cove

The second half substitution of Shane Sinclair for Hardy and a change of formation gave Cove better attacking options with wingers Sinclair and Martin Girling causing problems for the home rearguard. Cove’s best chance came close to time when Girling’s cross saw Darren Dobinson beat the home keeper to the ball but his header stuck in the goalmouth mud inches from the line and was cleared by a relieved Guildford defence.

This result leaves Cove in fourth position, but with the chasing pack closing in, the chances created must be turned into goals if we are to stay there.

Full Time Guildford City 1 - 0 Cove

Sat 15 Mar 08 - Epsom & Ewell 2 Cove 1 (CCP)

Cove started brightly, playing possession football on a good flat surface that allowed the midfield trio of Vine, Westren and Lampard to spray the ball around. The visitors almost took the lead when Marco Torino controlled a through ball from Vine firing a volley from the corner of the box only for Borg, the Epsom keeper, to make an outstanding save to deny the Cove striker.

It was against the run of play that Epsom took the lead as Hough cut in from the right to place his shot inside the far post past the despairing dive of Andy Hunt in the Cove goal for an undeserved lead. 1-0 (26mins). This set-back spurred Cove on and when Torino fired wide from close range a good chance to open his account went begging. 

Half Time Epsom & Ewell 1 – 0 Cove

Cove continued to pressure the home side after the break looking for the one chance to get back into the game but lacked the decisive final pass to open up the Epsom defence. Finally a surging run by Matt Barratt down the left took him into the area and when his deflected shot looped over the keeper, substitute Musa Laban was on hand to tap home from close range, to give the visitors the goal they deserved. 1-1 (70mins.)

Cove’s joy however was short lived as with just 3mins remaining Epsom broke away and as Cove keeper Andy Hunt raced from his line Burns calmly lifted the ball over him into the empty net 1-2 (87mins)

Full Time Epsom & Ewell 2 - 1 Cove

Sat 8 Mar 08 - Cove 0 Egham Town 3 (CCP)

Cove went into this game looking to get back on track after the disappointment following the Nth Greenford defeat, knowing only a win could put them back into third position.

The visitors were quick into their game as Cove old boy Marcus Moody caused problems for the Cove backline with his pace and trickery setting up Mark Postins for the opening goal stabbing home from close range after good work from Moody with 10mins on the clock (0-1). The home side applied good pressure for the rest of the first half but were unable to break through a stubborn defence.

Half Time Cove 0 Egham Town 1

Cove pushed for the equaliser but this only allowed Egham the space to pass the ball around as their confidence grew. The second goal came from a breakaway down the right, and as James Thornby closed in on goal, he calmly clipped the ball over the advancing Rob Webb to increase the lead. The points were sealed when with 80 mins gone James Thornby added his second and Egham.s third, after Moody caused havoc in the Cove defence setting up the chance to score from close in

Full Time Cove 0 Egham Town 3

Team:. Webb, Powell, Barratt, Keith, Hardy, Westren, Vine, Lampard, Girling, Torino, Dobinson
Subs: Champion, White, Wilson.

Tues 4 Mar 08 - Cove 0 North Greenford United 1 (CCP)

Cove started this game full of confidence following the great win at Wembley, but as the game wore on it became clear that Cove were not going to have it all their own way.

The Cove attack found it very difficult to penetrate a well organised visitors defence which easily coped by with the threat of Leon White and Marco Tarino. As the half progressed so the visitors began to control the game and it came as no surprise when James Froud opened the scoring on 44mins.( 0-1)

Half Time Cove 0 – 1 North Greenford Utd

The second period continued in much the same way as Cove pushed forward in search of the equaliser, but were restricted to long range efforts causing little concern for the visitors keeper. The substitution of Darren Dobinson on in place of Sinclair and a switch in formation improved the performance, and when Leon White hit the bar with a speculative effort it seemed all was not lost, but that was as close as Cove came to saving the game and Greenford saw out the match.

Full Time Cove 0 - 1 North Greenford Utd

Team: Webb, Champion, Barratt, Beard, Millerick, Westren, Vine, Sinclair, Girling, Tarino, White Subs:. Keith, Lampard, Dobinson.

Sat 1 Mar 08 - Wembley 0 Cove 1 (CCP)

Cove made it 4 wins from 5 with a spirited performance in a difficult fixture at Wembley. Playing some neat football the visitors started well controlling the midfield where Antony Vine and Paul Westren snuffed out any real threat from the home side with their tireless running and high workrate. The goal arrived when Shane Sinclair, returning to his old stomping ground, floated over a freekick, new signing Marco Torino nodded the ball back across goal for Leon White, on his second spell at Cove, to head home from close range ( 0-1 ) 16mins. Martin Girling and Marco Torino both went close with efforts that went just wide of the post.

Half Time Wembley 0 – 1 Cove

The second period carried on in the same vein as the visitors set about retaining the advantage and with the Cove defence well marshalled by skipper Martin Beard standing firm, goalkeeper Stuart Robinson had a fairly easy day.

Full Time Wembley 0 – 1 Cove

After the game a Cove spokesman said "After the events of recent weeks, it was very pleasing to come to a place like Wembley and leave with a clean sheet and three points keeping us on course for a top two finish come May."

Tues 26 Feb 08 - Cove 0 Horley Town 1 (CCP)

Cove stay third in the league despite losing by a solitary goal to in-form Horley Town tonight. Cove’s coach Dobbo said after the game “With all that’s happened over the last 7 days there were lots of positives from the team's performance tonight.”

Horley edged out Cove in this tight game when midway through the first half they scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Both teams continued to play some attractive football at times but without producing the killer touch in the final third.

Sat 23 Feb 08 - Cove 3 Chertsey Town 1 (CCP)

Cove’s manager Koo Dumbuya was understandably delighted with his team’s performance after the week he has had. Cove’s asst player manager Kevin Cooper the league’s top scorer along with a few regular first team players had unexpectedly left the club, Koo was quick to act bringing in a couple of new faces to replace the players that had gone.

Paul Westren on his second spell with the club played his part in this game with a tireless display forming a formidable partnership with Anthony Vine in the centre of the park as the pair controlled the game.Westren picked out Martin Girling on 25 minutes with a cross field ball and Cove’s inform striker smashed the ball past the visitor’s keeper to score the game’s first goal. (1-0)25 minutes. The home side doubled their lead on forty minutes when after a flowing move Neil Musgrove picked out the unstoppable figure of Anthony Vine who coasted unchallenged into the box and headed home from six yards out.(2-0)40 minutes.

HALF TIME SCORE COVE FC 2 vs. 0 CHERTSEY TOWN FC

Any doubts of the outcome of this game were put to bed five minutes into the second half when Martin Girling scored his second and Cove’s third. Cove’s man of the match Darren Dobinson picked out Shane Sinclair with a cleverly taken free kick; Sinclair controlled the ball before crossing to the unmarked Girling to fire home. (3-0)49 minutes. Dobinson was showing the kind of form from his AFC days enjoying lots of the ball and was a constant danger the whole game, his pace and delivery of dead ball was simply first class. The visitors scored a consolation late on but it was little too late to make any impact to this game.

FULL TIME SCORE COVE FC 3 vs. 1 CHERTSEY TOWN FC

Sat 16 Feb 08 - Ash Utd 0 Cove 3

Cove leapfrogged neighbours Camberley Town to go third in the league after this thumping win against another of their neighbours Ash United. Two goals from Cove’s striker Kevin Cooper and a third from Martin Girling was not even close to reflecting the visitors' superiority in this game as Cove controlled this game from start to finish.

Cooper open the scoring midway through the first half when he was on the end of a sweeping move by the visitors, their movement and speed of play was simply sumptuous as the home team struggled to get close to their opponents.(0-1) 27 minutes. Cove were rampant in the first forty-five minutes and should have had the game dead and buried such was their drive and demeanour. Still with only the one goal lead at the break Ash were still in this game, and the visitors knew that if they took their foot off the pedal they could let the home side back into the game.

HALF TIME SCORE ASH UNITED 0 vs. 1 COVE F.C

Ash came out in the second half knowing that they had to somehow find a way of stopping the midfield four of Cove (Passmore, Bolger, Vine and Dobinson) as they bossed and dictated this game. Cove extended their lead on 60 minutes when Girling closed down the Ash keeper forcing him into a hurried clearance; unfortunately his miss kick went straight to Cooper who dispatched the ball into the empty net from 40 yards out. (0-2)60 minutes. Such is the strength of the Cove squad and with the game won they made a couple of changes bringing on the livewire Marcus Moody and the energetic John Hamsher. Martin Girling capped off his stunning display with Cove’s third goal with a thumping finish on 80 minutes.(0-3)80 minutes.

FULL TIME SCORE –ASH UNITED FC 0 vs. 3 COVE FC

After the game Cove’s manager Koo Dumbuya said “To come to a place like ASH and win at a canter says a lot about my players, we have shown today that if we get our attitude right we have the character and belief we can give this club their best league position for a number of years."

Wed 13 Feb 08 - Raynes Park Vale 1 Cove 2

Cove went into tonight’s game against second from bottom of the league Raynes Park Vale knowing that like Saturday’s opponents they faced a team fighting to stay in the league. Cove’s starting line up contained two ex-Vale players Darren Dobinson and Antony Vine who left Raynes Park the same time as ex-manager Dobinson Snr, Dobbo Snr who is now part of the Cove management team. Dobbo Snr said “We knew that they would work hard to try and get a result against us tonight, they are fighting to stay in this league and with games running out they need every point they can get."

Cove started the game the better of the two teams playing up the infamous Vale slopped pitch and into the wind, Martin Girling crashed a header against the crossbar, the ball rebounded out to Gavin Bolger who chipped the ball over Chris Eldergill only to see his effort hit the crossbar for the second time in this attack. Girling was causing untold problems for the home side’s defence with his pace and skills and it was the combination of the two that obtained the visitors a penalty on 30 minutes.

Cove’s top scorer Kevin Cooper converted the spot kick to give the visitor’s a much deserved lead. (0-1) 30 th minute. Vale’s goal was living a charmed life as the visitors took control of the first half but failed to convert a number of good scoring oppurtunites, the visitor’s defence dealt with the route one style of football being played by the home side, that was until just before the half-time whistle that was. Vale’s forward Marco Torino raced onto a long ball over the top of the Cove defence and kept his cool to fire home to level the score against the run of play. (1-1)44 th minute.

HALF TIME SCORE – RAYNES PARK VALE 1 vs. 1 COVE FC

The second half was a mirror image of the first with the visitors in the ascendancy going close to scoring a number of times before the wily Gavin Bolger restored the lead on 65 minutes. Bolger controlled a pass from Stephen Gibson before twisting and turning six yards out to fire in an unstoppable low power drive. (1-2)65th minute. With the visitors coasting they were reminded that with only a one goal lead they could not afford to switch off on 75 minutes when clear in on goal they were let off the hook. Vale’s sub Nathan Turner found himself clear in on goal and with just the keeper to beat he scuffed his shot well wide when it looked like the home side was going to score against the run of play again. Any hope of the home side snatching a point from the game ended when Tom Barge was shown a straight red card for an a ledged kick out at John Hamsher while the Cove player was on the floor. Cooper hit the post for the visitors and Lee Passmore was denied by a finger tip save from Eldergill as the visitors encamped in the home side’s half for the remainder of the game.

FULL TIME SCORE –RAYNES PARK VALE 1 vs. 2 COVE FC

After the game Cove’s delighted Coach Dobbo Snr said “Before the game the players were shown a few quotes about being so called BIG TIME CHARLIES and not being able to dig deep in tough games. Anyone who watched tonight’s game would agree that that quote couldn’t be more wrong. I would like to wish my old club the very best of luck for the rest of the season."

Sat 9 Feb 08 Cove 0 Dorking 1 (CCP)

Cove’s inconsistent start to the second half of the season continued today when they were beaten 1-0 by bottom of the league Dorking. The free flowing football you associate with this Cove side never materialized today, maybe having their last two games postponed contributed in some way to this below par display. With both Merstham and Camberley not playing today this was an opportunity for Cove in fourth to close the gap between themselves and second placed Guildford.

In a competitive game it was the visitors who secured the three points scoring against the run of play just on the stroke of half-time. Adam Pero capitalised on a defensive error by new signing Antony Millerick, Pero stole the ball of Millerick when he failed to clear the ball and simply slotted past on loan Stuart Robinson in the Cove goal. (0-1) 44th minute. Gavin Bolger did have the ball in the net only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on Dorking’s keeper Pierre Bouvdet.

HALF TIME SCORE COVE FC 0 vs. 1 DORKING

The second half continued where the first had finished with very little football being played by both teams; the visitors putting all outfield players behind the ball knowing that they were in for a tough forty-five minutes. The introduction of Martin Girling and John Hamsher midway in the second half seemed to give Cove a much needed injection of both pace and movement, but still the home side couldn’t break the stubborn defence of Dorking. Up the other end Adam Pero had an opportunity to double the lead with Cove pushing on in search of the equaliser, Pero found himself one on one with Robinson this time Robinson denied the striker with a fine save.

Although there was plenty of endeavour from the home side they were left to rue a string of missed opportunities as Dorking rode out the remainder of the game to grab a much needed 3 points in the fight for survival.

FULL TIME SCORE COVE FC 0 vs. 1 DORKING

Tues 29 Jan 08 Cove 3 Guildford City 0 (CCP)

Both teams went into tonight’s game looking to close the gap on run away leaders MERSTHAM and at the same time cement their own league position in the top four.

Cove welcomed back a number of key players into the squad that missed the weekend's win against COBHAM, one of the players back for tonight’s game was their influential captain LEE PASSMORE.

The home side totally dominated the first forty-five minutes of this game as the visitors failed to keep up with the high tempo set by the COVE players. All of the enterprising football was being played by the home side but for all their endeavour and effort they failed to find a way through the visitors' well marshalled defence. That was until the 25th minute when they broke the deadlock with a route one goal, LUKE NAUGHTON in goal for COVE caught the ball from a GUILDFORD corner. NAUGHTON launched the ball up field towards KEVIN COOPER, COOPER controlled the long ball before turning the solitary GUILDFORD defender inside out and chipped the advancing keeper. (1-0) 25th minute. MARCUS MOODY then doubled the lead on 36 minutes when the livewire MOODY outpaced the visitor’s defence and latched onto a clever through ball by COOPER and slotted the ball past JAY GINDRE. (2-0) 36th minute. Still the visitors struggled to match the tempo of the home team and just before the break they found themselves 3 goals down thanks to a GAVIN BOLGER cross-shot. BOLGER picked the ball up just inside the visitors' half, he looked up and looked to pick out unmarked DARREN DOBINSON at the back post. However not only did it catch the GUILDFORD defence out but the ball sailed over the helpless GINDRE and found the back of the net from all off 40 yards out.
(3-0) 43rd minute.

HALF TIME SCORE COVE FC 3 vs. 0 GUILDFORD CITY FC

The second half saw COVE continue off where the first half had finished on the front foot and restricting the visitor’s attempts on goal to long range efforts. GUILDFORD were made to wait until the 62nd minute before they registered their first shot on target, NAUGHTON was called into action and dealt with this effort with relative ease. Both sides continued to play football and you can see why both of these teams are in the top four of the league. GUILDFORD are a very well organized and disciplined team packed with wealth of experience it’s no fluke that they sit second in the league, but tonight they came up against a COVE team in electric form.

FULL TIME SCORE COVE FC 3 vs. 0 GUILDFORD CITY FC

After the game Cove ’s Manager KOO DUMBUYA said “Going into tonight’s game we knew that it would take all 11 players to play well against one of the best teams in the league if we wanted to take anything for the game. Every one of my players played their socks off tonight especially MARCUS MOODY and Man of the Match GAVIN BOLGER, now all thoughts turn to Saturday and a tricky away game against CHESSINGTON & HOOK UNITED".

Sat 26 Jan 08 Cobham 2 Cove 4 (CCP)

Cove returned to league action after a two week break due to the weather with a trip to trouble torn Cobham, looking to continue their push towards a top three finish, but soon found themselves a goal down after 7mins when a Michael Lee centre deceived Andy Hunt to nestle in at the the far post.

Leading scorer Kevin Cooper levelled for the visitors with a turn and shot into the bottom corner on 20 mins (1-1) after continuous pressure allowed Cove the greater of the chances on offer. Wade Falana, playing his first game since before Christmas, gave Cove the lead after a Gibson cross caused panic in the home defence, the attempted clearence was miscued leaving Wade a simple header just inches from the line. (2-1).

Half Time Cobham 1 Cove 2

Cobham started the second half brightly but could not penetrate the well organised Cove back line. Then on 70 mins a momentary lapse allowed the home side an equaliser after Dalhouse was tripped inside the area, smashing home the resultant penalty (2-2). Their joy was to be short-lived as with 75mins shown on the clock, Gavin Bolger burst into the area before sliding the ball home past the advancing keeper to restore Cove’s lead. (3-2). The points were sown up, when after 81 min, Kevin Cooper scored his second from a Vine corner which was flicked on at the near post, leaving “Coops” a simple tap-in (4-2 ).

Full time Cobham 2 Cove 4

After the game a Cove spokesman said “Cobham is always a difficult place to visit , especially with half a team missing as we were today, but it shows what a strong squad we now have to come here and gain a well deserved victory. The scoreline could have been more even more convincing having had 3 goals disallowed following dubious off-side decisions”.

Sat 5 Jan 08 Sandhurst Town 3 Cove 0 (CCP)

The first game of 2008 for Cove saw their unbeaten eight game run come to an abrupt end against second bottom of the league Sandhurst Town.

The home side took full advantage of an uncharacteristic display by the visitors to record only their second win at home in 11 games. Karl Barrie went close to opening the scoring for Sandhurst on 17 minutes when his shot from 20 yards hit the crossbar.

Cove’s best chance off an uneventful first half came when Lee Passmore’s thirty yard pass picked out Martin Girling who’s shot went straight at Andy Ewen in goal for the home team.

The visitors thought they had made the breakthrough when Darren Dobbinson had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Andy Ewen then pulled of a fine save to deny Gavin Bolger as the visitors pushed on looking for a goal in this tight encounter. The deadlock was finally broken on 72 minutes but it was the home side that took the lead through Danny Wilde. The visitors failed to fully clear a long ball and gifted Wilde the opportunity to fire the home side in front with a clinical finish. (1-0) 72 minutes.

The home team then doubled the lead 10 minutes later when Karl Barrie reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box after again the visitor’s defence failed to clear. (2-0)82 minutes. Barrie grabbed a second goal when he smashed home a penalty in the last few minutes to cap off a great all round display by Sandhurst Town. (3-0) 88 minutes.

Full Time Score Sandhurst Town FC 3 vs 0 Cove FC

After the game a Cove’s Garbo said “Today we never got going, we seemed to chase the game even at 0-0 instead of keeping hold of the ball. We have been on a great run and maybe an air of complacency contributed to today’s defeat.”

Sat 29 Dec 07 - Cove 4 Bedfont Green 3 (CCP)

Cove’s last game of 2007 saw them extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight games; the home side beat a highly spirited Bedfont Green 4-3 in a dramatic game that had it all.

With only five minutes on the clock Cove took the lead through their inspirational skipper Lee Passmore, Stephen Gibson picked out Passmore with a inch perfect cross and their skipper out jumped the visitors' defenders to place his header into the corner of the goal. (1-0) 5 minutes. The home side doubled their lead three minutes later when with the help of a slight deflection Anthony Vine’s shot from 30 yards flew into the right top corner giving Greens keeper Adam Turner no chance. (2-0) 8minutes.

Daren Dobinson then hit the crossbar with a quickly taken free kick as it looked at this stage the home side were going to score with every attack, but with only 13 minutes on the clock the visitors gave themselves a life line when Chris Henry capitalised on an error by Gibson. Gibson lost his footing, which allowed Henry the opportunity to place the ball into the goal passed Andy Hunt. (2-1) 13 minutes.

Both teams wasted some good opportunities before a mix up in the heart of the Cove defence presented Henry the chance to level the score from 5 yards out with a toe poke. (2-2) 32 minutes.

The second half continued where the first half had finished with both teams pushing forward in search of more goals in this tight encounter. On 57 minutes the home side restored their lead through Kevin Cooper, Anthony Vine raced passed the static defence of the visitors and picked out Cooper who slotted home past Turner. (3-2) 57minutes. Eight minutes later Cooper grabbed his second when the veteran striker was on the end of a Gibson cross to HEAD home and restore Cove’s two goal lead. (4-2) 65 minutes.

Still the visitors battled away looking for a way back into this game but on 70 minutes that task became a little harder when they were reduced to 10 men. An altercation between two Bedfont Green players saw their frustration get the better of them, Aaron McLeish was sent off for throwing a punch at a teammate. Still the visitors refused to roll over and staged a late fight back. John-Barrie Bates reduced the score when he converted a penalty after it was adjudged that Martin Beard had handled the ball in the box. (4-3) 72 minutes.

Both teams had chances to add to the goals they had already scored but failed to convert as Cove held on for their third straight win.

Full Time Score Cove FC 4 – 3 Bedfont Green

Sat 22 Dec 07 - Camberley Town 0 Cove 1 (CCP)

Cove had the best possible start to the season as their derby win over in-form Camberley pushed them up to joint second.

The visitors knew that they would have to be resolute and dogged in defence to deal with the direct style of play the home side like to use. Both defences looked very well organised in the tight first half that saw very few good goal scoring opportunities, Peter Millington-Lee had the home side’s best chance when he met a low cross by John Finnieston only to head well wide of the goal.

Martin Beard went close to scoring for the visitors from a set play only to have his effort ruled out for when it was adjudged he had fouled Carl Clayton.

Both sides came out in the second half knowing that with the league being so tight they could ill afford to drop any points going into festive period, as the game became more open.

Cove thought they had made the break through when Martin Girling fired the ball into an unguarded goal, but an off side earlier in the build up meant the goal was ruled out.

Then at the end off a free flowing move Cove’s prolific goal scorer Kevin Cooper gave the visitors a deserved lead on 68 minutes.

Gavin Bolger picked out Antony Vine with a 30 yard cross field pass, Vine then with a first time ball picked out the energetic Darren Dobinson wide on the left wing. Dobinson looked up and again with a first time cross-picked out the lively Cooper who stuck it away brilliantly past Clayton. (0-1) 68 minutes.

Cove then were forced into a change when Jamie Kieth picked up an injury, that meant Ken During moved from left back into the heart of the defence along side the enthusiastic Martin Beard.

Camberley pushed men forward in an attempt to snatch a equaliser and went close just before the end when with an open goal Martyn Williams miss hit his shot which allowed Man of the Match Ken During to make a goal line clearance.

After the game Cove’s manager Koo Dumbuya said “it was very important not to drop any points today against a very good Camberley side. I thought over the full 90 minutes we were the better side, yes we were made to defend at the end but I thought as a team each and every player defended very well. Ken During was outstanding for us today and when you have a proven goal scorer like Coops we always look like scoring."

The First Team on learning about the sad news of the death of KEITH SCOTT a long standing player for Cove in the 1970’s would like to dedicate this win to KEITH.

Sat 15 Dec 07 - Cove 2 Bedfont 0 (CCP)

Cove extended their run of good league form after this convincing 2-0 win over Bedfont on Saturday.

On a bitterly cold afternoon it was the men of Cove who outfought, out-muscled and ultimately outclassed the boys of Bedfont. Two second half goals in five minutes gave Cove the victory they deserved and in truth the margin of victory could and probably should have been greater.

The home side dominated the first forty-five minutes restricting the visitors to a few long-range efforts, none of which tested Andy Hunt in the Cove goal. Cove thought they had taken the lead when Dean Banks failed to deal with a low shot by Gavin Bolger, Banks could only push the ball straight to Kevin Cooper who tapped home the ball. Cooper’s delight quickly turned to disbelief when the goal was disallowed after it was adjudged Cooper was in an offside position.

Next Bolger was guilty of the miss of the season so far when he blasted the ball over the crossbar from 2 yards out.

Cove carried on where they had finished the first half in total control of this game and playing in only first gear. Then on 68 minutes the home side made a couple of changes, which coincided with them going up a gear and took the lead four minutes later. Wade Falana unleashed a ferocious shot from the edge of the box which again Banks failed to handle, Banks pushed the ball into the path of Darren Dobinson who fizzed the ball back into the box where Gavin Bolger was on hand to turn the ball into the unguarded goal. (1-0) 72 minutes.

Five minutes later after some great build up play again by Falana doubled their lead, Falana was just too strong for the Bedfont defence causing confusion on every attack. The visitors couldn’t handle Falana and the forward picked out Dobinson on the edge of the six-yard box who in turn scored with an ostentatious overhead bicycle kick past the helpless Banks. (2-0) 77 minutes.

Just before the final whistle Michael Mair wasted the visitors best chance when he found himself one on one with Hunt, Hunt saved Mair’s first effort but pushed the ball back out to his feet. With an open goal Mair managed to hit the right hand post when it looked like he would grab a consolation goal for the visitors.

Full Time Score Cove2 vs 0 Bedfont

After the game Coops said, “We were guilty of squandering a number of good scoring opportunities in the first half, we should have gone in 4 or 5 goals up at half time. Still when you have FOUR regular first team players missing and still win at a canter it shows the depth in strength and quality we have in our squad. Wade Falana was a handful for their defence and was outstanding today."

Tues 4 Dec - Cove 0 Merstham 1 (PCC3)

Cove were knocked out of the League Cup tonight losing 0-1 to the league leaders and Cup holders Merstham.

The home side went into tonight’s game missing several key players, both teams battled for the ball in the strong wind as Merstham went route one in the first half looking for the long ball.

This was always going to be a tight game between two of the league's in-form teams and you got the feeling in was going to take a mistake or a moment of skill to decide this match. Both teams had half chances to score but failed to convert their opportunities on this heavy pitch. Then on 75 minutes came the only goal of the game scored by Chris Boulter in fortuitous circumstances.

Cove failed to clear a corner and the ball found its way to Boulter at the far post, Boulter with his head down hit the ball hard across the face of the goal and with the help of the strong wind somehow found its way into the goal past everyone.

(0-1) 75 minutes.

Cove pushed on looking for a way to break down a well-organised and marshalled defence but fell short tonight. Merstham dug deep and held on for the win that takes them through into the quarter final.

After the game Coops said “Sometimes to win a match you need a little luck and tonight the luck was on the side of Merstham. I thought we gave a good account of ourselves against a very good team tonight, which shows we are moving in the right direction."

Sat 1 Dec 07 - Cove 2 Camberley Town 2 (CCP)

This was a very evenly matched game with both sides having periods of domination and at times when they had to defend resolutely.

It was the visitors that opened the scoring when John Finnieston beat the offside trap and kept his cool to fire past Andy Hunt on 6 minutes. (0-1) Ben Cobbett nearly extended Camberley’s with a long-range effort that forced Hunt into a fine save.

Cove equalised on 15 minutes when unmarked Martin Girling headed in a cross to the back post by Gavin Bolger. (1-1)

Then on 20 minutes came the first of two very controversial moments in the game involving both teams’ goalkeepers. Cove’s forward Kevin Cooper was one on one against Camberley’s keeper Carl Clayton, having knocked the ball past Clayton Cooper was tripped by the last man. To the astonishment of every one in the ground Clayton was only booked and shown a yellow card. Clayton then pulled of a couple of fine saves including an instinctive point blank save to deny Cove’s Jamie Keith. The home side thought they had taken the lead when Girling headed the ball passed Clayton from five yards out; again the home side were left disappointed when the match official disallowed what looked like a legitimate goal.

With the rain falling and the pitch starting to become very heavy both teams still continued to play some great football on the ground.

Then on 60 minutes and out of the blue John Finnieston hit a 35-yard thunderbolt and with the help of a deflection hit the underside off the crossbar giving Hunt no chance to restore the visitor’s lead. (1-2)

Cove continued to push forward looking for a second equalizer and got their rewards when Wade Falana scored with an overhead volley on 85 minutes. (2-2)

Jamie Keith and Martin Girling both went close to scoring late on for Cove before the second controversial moment from Camberley’s point of view. Cove’s Keeper Hunt raced out of his box and went into a 50/50 challenge with one of the visitor’s forwards. Camberley’s bench thought they should have been awarded a free kick for what they thought was a clear foul, however the referee waved away the protesting Camberley players as play continued.

After the game a Cove spokesman said, “I believe that if the referee had followed the letter of the law with regard to a foul being committed by the last defender in this case the keeper then their man should have been sent for an early bath. The visitors benefited from this decision yet it was our player that was fouled.”

Sat 24 Nov 07 - Egham Town 0 Cove 1 (CCP)

Cove’s manager Koo Dumbuya was delighted after watching his team continue their climb up the league table despite not firing on all cylinders. A late solitary goal scored by the league’s top marksman Kevin Cooper settled this tough encounter against an improving Egham Town.

Cove weathered some early Egham pressure, as the opening was close with play racing from end to end at speed. Mark Postins went close for the home side just after 10 minutes but Andy Hunt easily saved his effort.

Marcus Moody (ex Egham Town) was a constant threat with his pace and quick feet winning free kick after free kick as the home side struggled to stop his runs.

Clark Gooding was the busier of the two keepers making a string of fine saves, Gooding denied Cooper when he tipped his low free kick around the left post and out for a corner. Gooding then stood firm to denied Darren Dobinson just before half time.

The second half continued to see both sides try and play football on a heavy pitch that was starting to soften up under foot. Egham’s forward James Thornby had the home side’s one and only real chance in the second half, Hunt made a superb flying save to turn Thornby’s shot past the post. Gooding then denied Cooper with a point blank save before turning a Gavin Bolger shot past the near post as the visitor’s looked for a winner. For all Egham’s effort they never looked like undoing the solid Cove back line, which included debutante Jamie Keith, Keith and Martin Beard comfortably dealt with the home teams attackers.

Then on 84 minutes Cove finally beat Gooding when Cooper fired home after Bolger picked him out with a perfect pass. Bolger skipped through the Egham’s defence and faked a shot but instead passed to Cooper who had the easy job of tapping home the ball from 3 yards out. (0-1) 84 minutes.

After the game Cove’s influential Martin Beard said, “We are obviously delighted with the win but we know we can play a lot better, make no mistake about that. The banter in the changing room is top draw which helps with building team spirit.”

Team: Hunt, Moody, Gibson, Beard, Keith, Langley, Passmore, Bolger, Dobbinson, Girling, Cooper
Sub: Vine.

Sat 10 Nov 07 - Cove 3 Epsom & Ewell 3 (CCP)

Cove boss Koo Dumbuya was disappointed to see his side throw away three points after being two goals up for the fourth time this season.

Cove took an early lead when Gavin Bolger climbed well to power home a header at the far post following a Kevin Cooper cross. (1-0) 8 minutes.

Kevin Cooper netted the second on 12 minutes when Darren Dobinson’s shot appeared to be going wide but Cooper converted his shot into the net. (2-0) 12 minutes.

Cove looked to have gained the ascendancy as the visito’s struggled to contain a rampant attacking home side that should have been out of sight at half time. Dobinson rounded Epsom’s keeper and with an open goal hit the side netting, Cooper then hit the cross bar before a succession of quality saves by Paul Berg kept his side in the game. Cove dominated the rest of the first half but failed to add to their two goals.

Epsom should have been out of the game when they started the second half but being only two goals down knew they were very much still in this game.

The visitors were then given a lifeline when some hesitate defending by the normally solid defence allowed Oliver Dicks the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty goal. (2-1) 53 minutes. That goal unsettled the home side and for the first time this afternoon the visitors were on top in the game. Then with the visitor’s enjoying their best period in the game the game was stopped due to flood light failure. Thankfully after a stoppage of 15 minutes the game was able to restart. Cooper went close to added a third when his shot went over the crossbar after beating Berg. On 73 minutes the visitors levelled the score when Darren Smith beat Andy Hunt in goal for Cove. (2-2) 73 minutes. Smith then scored his second and what look like the winner on the break to put the visitors 2-3 up with four minutes to go. With the clock ticking down Gavin Bolger popped up with his second to deny the visitors all three points and earn Cove a point. (3-3) 89 minutes.

Full Time Score Cove F.C 3 vs 3 Epsom & Ewell F.C

After the game Garbo said, “In the first half we created no fewer than 12 good goal scoring opportunities, it was one way traffic for forty five minutes. Epsom took heart from the fact they were still in the game, it looked as if they had completed a smash and grab here today scoring 3 second half goals from the five chances they were presented with. The boys are disappointed knowing that when you score three goals at home you should win a game, to sum the day up we should have scored more goals and defended better as a unit".

Tues 6 Nov 07 - Cove 3 Chessington & Hook 2 (CCP)

Cove overcame an early setback to defeat inform Chessington & Hook tonight in a thrilling game. The visitors took the lead with just over 1 minute played when Baptist Bogel slotted past Andy Hunt with out the home side kicking the ball. (0-1) 1st minute. Four minutes after going behind the home side were level when Gavin Bolger fired a shot from 35 yards into the top right hand corner past Mark Daniels. (1-1) 5th minute.

Cove then took the lead on 10 minutes through Kevin Cooper after a quickly taken free kick by Lee Passmore. Cooper picked the ball up on the edge of the box turned and fired home into the bottom left hand corner. (2-1) 10 minutes. Gavin Bolger then extended the home side’s lead with his second goal on 15 minutes, Martin Girling flicked the ball onto Bolger who smashed home Cove’s third. (3-1) 15th minute.

In a very open game you felt that there would be more goals and on 40 minutes Daniel Benett reduced the arrears. (3-2) 40 minutes.

The second half saw both sides continue to play attacking football looking for more goals; if the first half belonged to the strikers the second half was all about both defences. Cove nearly added a fourth when Cooper rounded Daniels only to hit the side netting, Benett then missed kicked for the visitors when it looked like he was going to score.

Cove battled hard to hold on for a very good win against a very well organized Chessington & Hook team.

Full Time Score Cove FC 3 vs 2 Chessington & Hook United FC

After the game Coops said, “We knew that tonight’s game was going to be hard, they are up there and deserving so. I thought that both teams added their part to this entertaining match tonight".

Team: Hunt, Gibson, During, Beard, Moody, Langley, Bolger, Passmore, Girling, Cooper, Dobinson
Sub: Hill.

Sat 3 Nov 07 - Reading Town 0 vs Cove 2 (CCP)

Cove were deserving winners over a toiling Reading who for all their endeavour lacked any sort of cutting edge against a solid visiting defence splendidly marshalled by centre-back Martin Beard.

Niall Connery playing in his first game for the visitors went close to putting Cove in front only to see his shot sail a foot wide of the right post. Then the visitors might have gone into the lead when Kevin Cooper was presented with a good chance but the striker’s effort went just over the crossbar.

On 30 minutes and against the run of play Aston Robinson’s pace took him behind the Cove defence but was denied when quick thinking Andy Hunt raced out of his box, Hunt beat Robinson to the ball to clear the danger.

Cove dominated the remainder of the first half but failed to add the polish to a shining first half performance.

Half Time Score Reading Town 0 vs 0 Cove

Cove finally took the lead 5 minutes into the second half when Martin Girling picked out unmarked Cooper who headed the visitors in front . (0-1) 50 minutes.

Darren Dobinson was then denied a goal when Scott Hodgetts somehow managed to just tip over Dobinson’s goal ward shot. Cove continued to make the running, Alan Smillie playing in his first game since his return to the club was starting to control the midfield along with Lee Passmore .The visitors carved out several chances before Wade Falana quashed any thought of a comeback when the striker notched his first goal for Cove. Cooper beat two challenges before crossing for Felena to fire home on 82 minutes. (0-2) The visitors were then forced to play out the last 7 minutes of the game with only ten players when their inspirational playmaker John Hamsher was carried off on a stretcher after cracking a bone in his foot.

Full Time Score Reading Town F.C 0 vs 2 Cove F.C

After the game Cove’s keeper Andy Hunt said “this is the perfect way to put the disappointment of last week behind us. We lost to a last minute goal last week and were determined that was not going to happen here today".

Sat 27 Oct 07 - Cove 1 Wembley 2 (CCP)

Cove’s unbeaten run came to an end when they were out-thought and out-fought by Wembley who more than deserved the three points today.

Richard Stroud, Stephen Gibson and Wade Falana made their debuts for Cove and things were looking good as they took the lead on 9 minutes through their midfielder John Hamsher. Hamsher was first to react after Wembley failed to deal with a Gibson free kick; Hamsher fired a crisp low drive into the bottom right corner past Marc Talbot. (1-0) 9 minutes. Cove was then dealt a big blow when Martin Girling was forced off with an injury midway through the first half. The visitors enjoyed large periods of possession and scored an equaliser on 28 minutes through Paul Shelton. Wembley’s tricky winger Shane Sinclair whizzed down the line and picked out Shelton at the near post to side foot passed 18 year old Stroud. (1-1) 28 minutes.

This game was end to end for the remainder of the first forty-five minutes with both sides looking for a second goal.

Both teams continued to play attacking football in the second half, Kevin Cooper went close to restoring Cove’s lead when he turned in the box only to see Talbot palm away his shot. Wembley did have the ball in the net on 80 minutes only to see the goal ruled out because Shelton received the ball while standing 3 yards off side. It looked like the game was heading for a draw but in the 88 th minute the visitors grabbed all three points scoring from a free kick just outside the box. Wembley’s captain Ian Bates scored when his low shot squeezed under Stroud’s hands and went in off the right post. (1-2) 88 th minute.

After the game Alan Smillie said “Wembley were sharper and quicker to the second balls today, at times we switched off which allowed them to take quick free kicks. We will work hard at training this week and I’m sure we will bounce back next week”. When asked about his bad back Smillie said that he would be back in full training this week and looking to play a part in next week’s game if selected.

Tues 23 Oct 07 - Cove 4 Sandhurst Sandhurst Town 1 (PCC2)

Cove romped to victory against Sandhurst Town tonight in the second round of the Premier Challenge Cup with a wonderful second half performance.

The hosts took the lead on 25 minutes; Martin Girling hit a spectacular 25-yard shot that gave Andy Ewen in the Sandhurst goal no chance as it dipped under the bar. (1-0) 25 minutes. Girling went close to extending the lead when he outpaced the visitor’s defence only to see his shot go inches past the post. However on 42 minutes the visitors drew level when Nick Rowe intercepted a header back to Luke Naughton, Rowe smashed the ball passed the hesitant Naughton against the run of play to level the score. (1-1) 42 minutes. Leon White went close to restoring the hosts lead just before the break when his shot went inches over the crossbar.

After the interval Cove came out with more purpose and took the lead on 62 minutes after some great forward play by Leon White picked out Kevin Cooper who provided a crisp first time finish at the near post. (2-1) 62 minutes.

Andy Ewen in the visitor’s goal then pulled off a double save, first he pushed John Hamsher’s free kick onto the post then he denied Lee Passmore on the follow up.

Marcus Moody then made a last ditch tackle to deny Grant Nesbitt a clear shot on goal, not only did Moody stop a clear shooting but his pass up the pitch helped set up Cove’s third goal. Moody picked out Hamsher who slid the ball through to Cooper, Cooper went on one of his mazy runs, jinking past 2 defenders before slotting home Cove’s third on 82 minutes. (3-1) 82 minutes.

Leon White ran himself into the ground tonight working hard and chasing every ball and on 85 minutes White had earned his rest and was replaced by Musia Laban.

Laban had only been on the pitch for a minute before setting up Cooper to complete his hat trick. Laban picked out Cooper on the edge of the box and the exceptional goal scorer picked his spot and fired home. (4-1) 87 minutes.

Cove’s defending midfielder Simon Langley said after the game “We always look like we can score goals, not only with Leon and Coops or Martin but Passmore and Hamsher love to get forward and support our forwards. Some games it seems like we are playing with FIVE up top".

Sat 20th Oct 07 - Bookham 2 Cove 3 (CCP)

Bookham went down 2-3 at home to resurgent Cove, the visitors showed great character, bouncing back twice to take all three points.

Cove started brightly but found themselves behind to a classy Daniel Oliver strike after eight minutes. Cove’s defence failed to clear a cross and as the ball fell to the feet of Oliver he placed a curling shot into Craig Bradshaw’s top-right hand corner. (1-0 ) 8 minutes. The visitors created a series of chances before Martin Girling finally grabbed an equaliser on 13 minutes. A John Hamsher corner picked out Girling on the edge of the box, Girling controlled the ball before rifling home from 17 yards. (1-1) 13 minutes. Marcus Moody then went close to putting the visitors in front, after evading a number of challenges his shot went just wide of the far post. Then against the run of play the home side restored their lead through Sam Currie, Currie again capitalised on some poor defending and fired an unstoppable shot past the static Bradshaw in the Cove goal just before half time. (2-1) 42 minutes.

Cove came out in the second half looking like a team determined to extend their unbeaten run of 8 league and cup games. Kevin Cooper went close with a shot on 50 minutes then Girling hit the crossbar seven minutes later. Cove made two changes on 60 minutes, on came new signings Darren Dobinson (ex-AFC) and Danny Turner in place of Ben Hill and Leon White. Both Dobinson and Turner played a part in Cove’s second equaliser of the game. After some good work down the left Dobinson picked out Turner on the edge of the box, Turner passed to Kevin Cooper who at the second time of asking forced the ball home. (2-2) 72 minutes.

That goal became the turning point of this game as the momentum was with the visitors, as Bookham tried in vain to hold onto a point putting all ten-outfield players behind the ball. Cove’s inspirational captain Lee Passmore and the tireless John Hamsher stepped up the gears in the middle of the park as the visitors took control. Dobinson was causing problems every time he was on the ball as was Simon Langley and it looked just a matter of time before Cove added a third. On 81 minutes the visitors took the lead for the first time in this game and it was their dependable skipper Passmore who has the uncanny knack of scoring goals when it matters. Turner rolled the ball into the path of the advancing Passmore who showed composure and placed his shot into the bottom right corner past Tim Brewster in the Bookham goal. (2-3) 81 minutes. Bookham continued to battle but they lacked the end product required to cause the dominant visitors any real concerns in the dying minutes of the game.

After the game Lee Passmore said, “We were made to work hard today, Bookham are a team that refuse to give up until the final whistle. We showed great team spirit coming from behind twice to win this tough match. Ian Dowie once said about one of his teams we showed we have BOUNCE-BACK-ABILITY, well we had that in bucket loads today.”

Tues 16th Oct 07 - North Greenford United 0 Cove 0 (CCP)

Cove made four changes to the side that had won 5-0 at the weekend; both John Hamsher and Simon Langley were rested after picking up slight injuries.

Craig Bradshaw (ex-Sheerwater) and Wayne Finnie (loan Kingstonian) went straight into the first team squad for this tough away fixture against North Greenford.

Both teams played the first half of this game at a high tempo looking to get the ball down and play on one of the best if not the best playing surface in the league.

Chances were few and far between in this tight game, Leon White went close to scoring when Paul Middleton headed his shot off the goal line just before half time.

Cove enjoyed more of the ball in the second half but failed to find a way through a well organised defence, Greenford looked to hit the visitors on the counter attack when ever possible but came up against a tight Cove defence.

The game became stretched towards the end as both team looked to take the three points, Cove had the better of the half chances but a draw was maybe the right result.

After the game Coop’s said “This is a tough place to come Greenford are a top six club, they look to get the ball down and play football just as we do. Now we will focus on Saturdays tough game away to Bookham.”

Sat 13 Oct 07 - Chertsey Town 0 Cove 5 (CCP)

Cove produced a five-star performance and convincingly saw off the meagre challenge of Chertsey Town as they racked up their biggest win of the season so far.

The closest Chertsey came to scoring was a long-range effort that Andy Hunt saved with ease. Cove turned on the style to thoroughly humiliate the hapless home side as they threatened to score almost every time they were in sight of goal.

The visitor’s striker Leon White opened the scoring on nine minutes when he was presented a glorious opportunity after some poor defending at the heart of Chertsey’s defence allowed the ball to find White who simply tapped the ball past the home team keeper Tony Oval. (0-1) 9 minutes. White then added a second on 19 minutes when he was allowed to volley home-unchallenged six yards out from a John Hamsher free kick. (0-2) 19 minutes.

Cove then hit the cross bar twice through a Martin Girling header and a rocket of a shot by the vastly experienced John Hamsher, Hamsher’s shot hit the under side of the cross bar and looked to have bounced a foot behind the line but the goal wasn’t given. Kevin Cooper and Leon White were just too much for the home teams defence to handle and on the stroke of half time the pair combined to score a third. Cooper played in White and the former Millwall player shot past the keeper from just inside the box to complete his hat trick. (0-3) 44 minutes.

Half Time Score Chertsey Town FC 0 vs. 3 Cove FC

Cove had the game sewn up on 60 minutes when Martin Girling added a fourth after some good build up play by Lee Passmore .Passmore has the uncanny ability and flair to pick out his team mates runs with his wide variety of passing skills. Passmore picked out Cooper who turned and back heeled the ball into Girling path to roll the ball past Tony Oval . (0-4) 60 minutes . Cooper then added a fifth goal on 75 minutes after a superb fast flowing move down the right. Girling flew down the flank and squared the ball to Cooper; he in turn fired an unstoppable shot past the helpless Tony Oval . (0-5) 75 minutes. Chertsey’s players huffed and puffed but never troubled the solid defence of the visitor’s, which included new signing Martin Beard who was signed from Godalming Town in the week.

After the game Cove’s hat trick hero Leon White said “Its great to be back playing after a injury had kept me out for 3 weeks. I passed a late fitness test just before the game and wanted to make up for lost time and I think I went some way in doing that. I thought the whole team defended well today especially the back four."

Tues 9 Oct 07 - Cove 2 Tadley Calleva 2 (Tadley win 1-3 on penalties) (HSC)

Cove's up and down start to the season continued tonight when they went out of the Hampshire Senior Cup on penalties to Tadley Calleva.

Cove took the lead on 39 minutes through Kevin Cooper, after some great wing play by Adrian Graham down the left, Graham picked out Cooper who volleyed home the first goal of this game. (1-0) 39 minutes.

Martin Girling went close to doubling the lead just before the break when his shot beat the visitor’s keeper only to be blocked on the line.

Half Time Score Cove FC 1 vs. 0 Tadley Calleva

Cooper had a glorious opportunity to complete his hat trick and score what would have been the winner when he found himself one on one with the visitor’s keeper. Cooper chipped the advancing keeper only to see his shot go inches over the cross bar.

Both sides had chances to win this entertaining game in extra time but failed to convert them as the game went into a penalty shot out.

Sat 6 Oct 07 - Cove 3 Reading Town 3 (CCP)
Koo Dumbuya’s Cove slugged it out with a revitalised Reading Town but could not notch their third win in seven days. The home side looked a little jaded at the start of this game and found in hard to deal with the movement of the visitors.

Then on 35 minutes and against the run of play the home side were awarded a penalty after a foul on Adrian Graham. Kevin Cooper slotted home the spot kick to give the home side the lead. (1-0) 35 minutes. Town continued to pile the pressure and on 42 minutes Sam Cripps equalised after some indecision by the Cove Defence. (1-1) 42 minutes. Three minutes later and on the stroke of half time the visitors took the lead, the home side switched off which allowed Mike Hancock to fire home from five yards out. (1-2) 45 minutes.

Then before many of the supporters had retaken their seats the home side levelled the score through Martin Girling. Girling making his home debut headed home from an Adrian Graham cross within the first minute of the restart. (2-2) 46 minute. Graham then went close to giving the home side the lead when his shot brushed the wrong side of the post, Scott Hodgetts then tipped over a shot by Girdling as the home side started to take control of this second half. This time it was the turn of Town to score against the run of play when sub Jordan Norris hit a low cross shot that somehow found the bottom corner of the Cove goal. (2-3) 70 minutes.

The home side continued to control the game and on 79 minutes Girling popped up to score his second and Cove’s third goal of the game. (3-3) 79 minutes. Both sides had chances to snatch a fourth goal to win this game but on the day a draw was a fair result.

After the game Cove’s captain Lee Passmore said “Taking nothing away from Reading Town but we need to be winning our home games. As a team we need to work harder on our defensive side of the game.“

Team: Carroll, Baxter, During, Reeves, Moody, Passmore, Graham, Hamsher, Langley, Taylor, Cooper.
Subs: Girling, Rushe.

Tues 2 Oct 07 - Bedfont Green 2 Cove 3 (CCP)

Cove came away from Bedfont Green with all three points, after going behind twice in the game the visitors showed character in abundance to bounce back.

It was the home side that started the game the sharper and took the lead on 10 minutes through their forward Adrian Barrance. Barrance was presented with an opportunity from close range and he blasted Green’s opener past Hunt in the Cove goal. (1-0) 10 minutes.

Six minutes later the visitors equalised when Marcus Moody smashed an unstoppable free kick into the top corner. (1-1) 16 minutes. Then against the run of play the home side restored their lead when Barrance headed home from a Casternete cross. (2-1) 32 minutes. Both teams battled out the remainder of the first half cancelling out one another.

Half Time Score Bedfont Green FC 2 vs. 1 Cove FC

Cove knew that they needed to raise the tempo and play at their pace against a hard working Green team and that’s just what they did. On 55 minutes Cove hit the cross bar when Moody unleashed a rocket of a shot from 22 yards out. The visitors stepped up the gears in the second half and it virtually became one way traffic with the home side putting all out field players behind the ball in a attempt to hold on to their lead. Then on 65 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men when it was alleged by the referee that Gary Brown had stamped on Simon Langley. Langley was able to continue and along with Lee Passmore was so composed at the heart of midfield while John Hamsher provided a dynamic link to the front line. Green’s goal was living a charmed life as a header from Lee Taylor hit the foot of the post and rolled across the face of the goal. Then a low shot from Kevin Cooper struck the post and it started to look like all the luck was with the home side. Then on 84 minutes the visitors finally broke the stubborn defending of the home side when Ken During soared above the Green defence to place his header just inside Ben Miles right-hand post. (2-2) 84 minutes. The visitors weren’t finished on 90 minutes an 40 yard Hoddle style pass from Passmore picked out Cooper on the edge of the box, Cooper turned two defenders inside out before he despatched a wonderful curling effort which gave Miles no chance. (2 – 3) 90 minutes.

After the game a spokesman from Cove said “We were slow starters tonight and Green started better than us, but once we found our feet we controlled the rest of this game. This is a good win against a very hard working team. We must now turn our focus to Saturday’s game."

Sat 29 Sep 07 - Cove 2 Cobham 1 (CCP)

Cove showed their intent straight from the first whistle when a low shot by Andy Sullivan forced Cobham’s keeper Ini Amaegbe to turn the ball around the post for a corner with only 30 seconds of the game played. The home side were completely dominant in the first 15 minutes of this game, a shot from John Hamsher was blocked on the line and then Kevin Cooper rattled the crossbar from 25 yards out before they finally took the lead. Marcus Moody picked out Cooper who header the ball down into the path of Adrian Graham who had the easy job off slotting home into the empty net after Cobham’s keeper Amaegbe had been stranded in no mans land. (1-0) 14minutes. Cobham’s game plan seemed to be to hit the home side on the break and five minutes after going behind that’s exactly what the visitors done. Scott Corbett won a tackle 20 yards out simply rolled the ball to Dan Summers who blasted home the equaliser from five yards out. (1-1) 20 minutes. Cooper then wasted an opportunity to restore the lead just before half-time when his shot sailed well over the crossbar.

Half Time Score Cove FC 1 vs. 1 Cobham FC

The second half saw the home side create a host of chances to restore the lead but the combination of some fine saves by Amaegbe in the Cobham goal and some last ditch blocking by the visitor's defenders looked like it was going to be one of those days. Then it was the turn of the referee to frustrate the home side with a debatable decision that may have changed the game. Cooper picked the ball up 30 yards out and ran towards goal, Amaegbe came out of his area to tackle Cooper but blatantly tripped the forward. Cooper however stayed on his feet and was bearing in on an empty goal only for the referee to blow up for a free kick to the centre forward. Amaegbe was shown a yellow card for his foul and all advantage had been lost to the home side. Still Cove pushed on looking for the winner and went close when a Lee Taylor header beat the keeper only to be cleared off the goal line by Corbett. Then it was the turn of Lee Passmore to see his long-range shot headed off the goal line by Matt Barrett. Just when it looked like Cobham were going to hang on to a draw Cooper headed home what the visitors thought was a controversial winner. A shot from Hamsher struck a Cobham Defender before reaching Cooper six yards out, the referee's assistant raised the off side flag. After a conversation between the referee and his assistant, the referee waived aside the appeals by the visitors and awarded the goal. (2-1) 89 minutes. This decision infuriated the Cobham players and as a result one was shown a straight red for something he said to the referee.

Full Time Score Cove FC 2 vs. 1 Cobham FC

After the game Cove’s captain Lee Passmore said, “This was a good win for us, there were in our opinion 2 major decisions in this game, the one where their keeper should have been sent off or the referee should have allowed Coops to play on as he was in on goal. That went against us, then the decision to allow Coops winner was correct and went for us.”

Next Game for Cove is a tricky away game on Tuesday 2nd October.

Team: Hunt, Moody, During, Baxter, Reeves, Passmore, Graham, Hamsher, Langley, Cooper, Sullivan
Subs: Taylor (on for Sullivan 60 mins) Musgrove, Westren, Rushe, Hill.

Tues 25 Sep 07 - Cove 2 Sheerwater 0 (EL Records PCC 1st Rnd)

Cove eased past Division 1 Sheerwater FC with a comfortable win to set up a home tie against Sandhurst Town in round 2.The home side's uncompromising effort from the first whistle to the last was no doubt the difference between the two teams. John Hamsher caused endless problems early on with his runs, crosses and set piece deliveries. With only six minutes on the clock Hamsher's free-kick picked out the energetic Adrian Graham, Graham's close control enabled him to make space and hit a stunner past Bradshaw in the visitors goal. (1-0) 6 minutes

Leon White was outstanding using his power, pace and energy to cause havoc in the Sheerwater defence before an injury caused the player to go off with only 38 minutes gone. Cove dominated the whole of the first half as the visitors went into the break not registering a single shot, in fact the only time Lee Carroll in the Cove goal touched the ball was from a back pass or a over hit goal kick from the Sheerwater keeper.

Half Time Score COVE FC 1 vs. 0 SHEERWATER FC

Cove started the brighter of the two teams as they continued to control the pace of this game and looked like scoring every time they attacked. Andy Sullivan’s sharpness and deftness was back to its best tonight as the tricky forward was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors with his pace and array of passes. The little livewire Sullivan was to cap this fine display with a goal on 65 minutes when he raced onto a pass from Graham to fired home from six yards out. (2-0) 65 minutes.

Bradshaw in goal for Sheerwater then pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the score down to just two as the home side looked to score at a drop of a hat. Good defending by Cove resulted in home debutant Lee Carroll in goal going the full game with out being asked to make a single save.

Full Time Score COVE FC 2 vs. 0 SHEERWATER FC

After the game Kevin Cooper said, “This was a good team performance, to go 90 minutes without the visitors recording a single shot on target shows just how well we defended as a team. If it had not been for their keeper the score would have been more than 2-0.”

Sat 15 Sep 07 - Banstead Athletic 2 Cove 2

Cove’s manager Koo Dumbuya was left baffled and mystified after watching his side surrender a two-goal lead for the second time this season to draw against Banstead today. Cove started like an express train and took the lead after only two minutes, Leon White out paced and out muscled the Banstead defence to fire a low shot into the bottom corner giving keeper Dave Tidy no chance. (0-1) 2 minutes.

Both sides played the first half at a high tempo as they tried to keep the game flowing, unfortunately it appeared that the same could not be said about the referee and his assistants. The first half was a tough and physical encounter as both set of players battled to take control of this encounter. The home side were very lucky to go into half time with eleven players, after what looked like an intentional and deliberate stamp on Marcus Moody was only deemed worthy of a yellow card and the Banstead player escaped what should have been a straight red card.

Cove continued to control the game and scored their second on 65 minutes through Kevin Cooper, Cooper latched on to a cushioned Simon Rushe pass before rifling past keeper Dave Tidy from 12 yards out. (0-2) 65 minutes.

With the visitors in cruise control that should have been game over but against the run of play Banstead scored a very controversial goal. A cross from the left wing picked out Craig Duffell who was stood 2 yards off side but to the visitor’s annoyance the assistant referee was not up with play and kept his flag down. Duffell volleyed the ball home past the Cove keeper Aaron France. (1-2) 72 minutes.

This unsettled the visitors defence that up to this stage of the game had looked rock solid. Still Cove pushed forward looking to add to their two goals and went close when a Marcus Moody cross shot went inches past the far post of the Banstead goal.

The home side then grabbed their equaliser from the spot when the referee had adjudged there was a handball by a Cove player. James Deacons kept his cool to fire in past Cove’s keeper Aaron France. (2-2) 82 minutes Cove went close to grabbing a deserved winner when a ferocious shot by Leon White forced a fine save from Tidy, then a shot by Paul Westren sailed just past the post when it looked to be going in.

After the game Cove’s coach said, “We were terrific for 75 per cent of the game, then for 15 per cent of the game we were skating on thin ice, not because of anything Banstead did but because of our decisions. The truth of this match was that we were our own worst enemies.”

Team: France, Rushe, During, Reeves, Scott, Graham, Westren, Passmore, Moody, Cooper, White
Subs used: Musgrove.

Tue 11 Sep 07 - Christchurch 4 Cove 3 (FAV 1st Qual Rnd Replay)

Cove travelled to Christchurch for this replay fielding only SIX of the players that held Christchurch on Saturday. Cove totally controlled the pace of this game but failed to convert a number of good chances, Adrian Graham continued his good run of form by scoring the visitor’s only goal of the first half on 33 minutes. (0-1) Nag dictated the pace of the first forty-five minutes Cove were left disappointed at half-time conceding a soft goal against the run of play on when Mark Burrows levelled. (1-1)

Half Time Score Christchurch 1 vs. 1 Cove

Mark Burrows added to his first half goal when he out paced the Cove defence to put the home side in front for the first time in this tie. (2-1) Visitors continued to carve out opportunities but a combination of some solid defending and poor finishing let the home side off the hook. Then on 60minutes after some great inter passing down the left wing Andy Sullivan volleyed in the equaliser for the visitors. (2-2)

An hour gone and still all to play for. On 68 minutes following a Christchurch corner a shot was charged down and a debatable penalty awarded to the home side. No question as to who was going to take the penalty as Marc Burrows grabbed the ball and despatched it with ease to complete his hat trick. (3-2) The game continued end-to-end when on 81 minutes Robbie Woolner was fouled and from the free kick the Cove keeper fumbled the ball and Woolner claiming the goal as both he and a defender appeared to bundle it over the goal line. (4-2) Surely Cove couldn’t come back from that? As Christchurch tried to run the clock down Cove attacked. Several attempts were unsuccessful until the 88th minutes when Cove attacked down the right and when the ball was pulled back Ross Ingram setup a nail-biting finale when he smashed it home. (4-3) 85 minutes still more chances for Cove with Christchurch playing the ball into the corners until 96 minutes. A Cove free kick led to their final shot, which was again off target allowing the referee to blow his final whistle.

Credit must go to both sides for entertaining us over the two games. Neither team would give in but fortunately it is Christchurch who goes through to play Amesbury away in the 2nd qualifying round on Saturday 22nd September 2007.

Final score: Christchurch 4 vs. Cove 3

Team: Meadows, During, Scott, Reeves, Murphy, Passmore, Graham, Webb, Ingram, Sullivan, Moody.
Used subs: Mason, Musgrove.

Sat 8 Sep 07 - Cove 3 Christchurch 3 (FAV 1st Qualifying Rnd)

An end-to-end game saw Christchurch come from behind twice to earn a replay against a hard-working Cove team.

Cove dominated the first half with their fast flowing style of high tempo play, and it came as little surprise when they broke the deadlock on 29 minutes through Kevin Cooper. John Hamsher picked out Ben McCarthy from a corner; McCarthy rose like a salmon and headed towards the far corner with the keeper looking beaten. However Cooper who has made his career out of poaching goals made sure when he got what turned out to be a vital touch to send the ball into the net. (1-0) 29 minutes.

That was to be Cooper’s last action in this game, knowing he was going to collide with the keeper the poacher Cooper was determined to put his side in front.

Leon White was introduced into the game and within a few minutes played his part in Cove doubling their lead. White and Moody linked up down the left side before Moody picked out Lee Taylor on the edge of the box, Taylor fired home comprehensively with an exquisite finish. (2-0) 36 minutes.

Adrian Graham and John Hamsher both went close to scoring as the home side dominated the rest of the first half.

Christchurch improved beyond all recognition after the interval and reduced the arrears on 49 minutes when Midgeley received the ball race past two defenders and produced to fine finish. (2-1) 49 minutes. Six minutes later after a sweeping move Christchurch’s number seven slotted home the equaliser past Andy Hunt in the Cove goal. (2-2) 55 minutes. Both teams then carved out some good opportunities in a very entertaining flowing second half, both teams continued to work hard to cancel out each other.

Then, with only 5 minutes to go on the clock, Cove were awarded a penalty for an off the ball clash between Adrian Graham and the Christchurch keeper.

The away team's keeper with the ball in his hands clearly elbowed Graham in an unprovoked attack in his area in front of the referee. The referee produced a yellow card for what was clearly a violent act; the award of a penalty was a clear indication a violent act had taken place. John Hamsher kept his cool and fired home from the spot to put Cove back in front. (3-2) 85 minutes.

The visitors however staged a last minute fight back that had the hosts reeling when they equalised with the last kick of the game and force a replay. (3-3) 90 minutes.

After the game Cove’s manager said “This was a game that was there for the taking today, we got ourselves into a good position twice today and failed to see it through,now we face a tricky replay away on Tuesday".

Sat 1 Sep 07 - Cove 1 Gosport Borough 6 (FA Cup)

Cove’s FA Cup journey ended today when they were ultimately out classed by their BGB South-West rivals as Gosport eased into the next round.

The visitors raced into a two-goal lead with goals from Lloyd Webber and Danny Gibbons, Gibbons should have added to his goal when his free header from six yards went well wide of the Cove goal.

Cove then against the run of play and just before half time were handed a life-line when Marcus Moody hammered the ball past the 6ft 7 Mark Brown Gosport keeper.

The home side finished the half on the front foot, as the visitors looked shocked having conceding a goal in a game they had controlled.

Three minutes into the second half Gosport were awarded a controversial penalty, Cove’s captain Passmore clearly won the ball with a sliding tackle, but the theatrical reaction of Gosport’s forward conned the referee. Thompson scored from the spot.

The home team still with the disbelief of that penalty award were then caught sleeping when Gosport’s smallest player Kevin Gill scored with an unchallenged header from four yards out.

Cove made changes looking for a way back into this game and were nearly rewarded when a Kristian Webb shot sailed inches pasted the post. Still the visitors pushed forward in search of more goals and found them. Thompson made it five before Jarvis completed the rout making it six.

Gosport Borough now face Fleet Town away in the next round of the F.A Cup.

After the game Cove’s Coach said, “Gosport were strong favourites going into this game, we came up against a very well organised team and never got going, that’s not an excuse it’s a fact. One thing is for sure the whole squad will be working hard at training this week to put things right and get ready for next weeks game”.

Team: Hunt, Scott, McCarthy, Murphy, Hill, Webb, Passmore, Hamsher, Moody, Turner, Cooper
Subs used: Taylor, Sullivan, Goldney.

Mon 27 Aug 07 - Cove 0 Ash United 1 (CCP)

Cove were left disappointed after losing this derby against Ash United by a solitary goal on the stroke of half-time.

On a rare day of sunshine the home side appeared to be suffering from a bout of summertime blues in the first period, lacking that spark that had seen them score six goals in their last two league games.

Cove huffed and puffed but looked like a side lacking energy as they battled to match the work rate of the visitors, Ash looked the fresher and more competitive as they enjoyed some good possession. The visitors were then rewarded when they scored on the stroke of half time after the home sides defence switched off. A quick throw-in saw the Ash forward create space for himself turned and fired in a low drive that seemed to take a lucky bounce over the hand of Andy Hunt in the Cove goal. (0-1) 45 th min.

Cove made two changes at the break and introduced their inspirational captain Lee Passmore and winger Lewis Scott. This seemed to have an immediate effect as the home side’s play had more panache but still they couldn’t manage to breach the visitor’s defence. Cove went close to grabbing an equaliser when a John Hamsher free kick seemed to have beat the Ash keeper only to sail inches passed the post.

Sat 25 Aug 07 - Colliers Wood United 2 Cove 2 (CCP)

Cove fielded two new players in their starting line-up for this away trip to Colliers Wood; Andy Sullivan (Ex-AFC Wimbledon) signed in the week and Kofi Quartey a loan signing from last years league champions Chipstead.

Colliers Wood started the sharper of the two teams and nearly went ahead as early as the 5th minute as the impressive Andy Hunt in the Cove goal denied them with two great saves. As the home side looked to have the upper foot it was the visitors that scored the first goal of this game against the run of play. Kofi Quartey outstripped his markers to strike the ball beyond the out-stretched keeper. (0-1) 10 mins.

Cove doubled their lead when after a great solo run John Hamsher picked out Kevin Cooper who slotted home from 8 yards out. (0-2) 39th min.

Quartey’s pace was not only trouble for the Colliers defence it was also a thorn in the side of the referee’s assistant, Quartey had timed his runs perfectly only to see the offside flag raised in error on a number of occasions.

The second half started much like the first with the home side going close on a number of occasions as Cove started the slower of the sides. Collier’s number 14 went close when he flipped the ball over the head of a Cove defender then crashed his volley against the post. Cove battled hard in the second half and were guilty of wasting a number of good chances to increase their two-goal lead, with 90 minutes on the clock the referee signalled 5 minutes of injury time. Cove made a couple of changes as some of their players started to flag in the blistering heat. Maybe it was the late changes or the heat or even both but Cove seemed to lose their shape and the home side took full advantage. Colliers scored their first goal on 93 minutes when the reliable Cove defence failed to clear the ball and were made to pay when the home side forward slotted home. (1-2) 93rd min.

Then just when it looked like Cove had won all three points some uncharacteristic defending allowed the home side a very late dramatic recovery in the dying seconds to snatch a point on 95 minute. (2-2) 95 th min.

Full Time Score Colliers Wood Utd 2 vs. 2 Cove FC

Tue 21 Aug 07 - Cove 4 Sandhurst Town 2 (CCP)

Spectators were treated to a goal feast at Oak Farm tonight in this tough tackling derby against a physical Sandhurst Town side. With only 34 seconds on the clock Cove scored what must be one of the fastest goals in their history.

Marcus Moody picked the ball up on the left wing and managed to pick out Kevin Cooper with an inch perfect pass to the far-post and Cooper opened the scoring with a free header. (1-0) 1 min

With only 10 minutes on the clock Moody looked to have doubled the home teams lead only to have his goal disallowed when he was adjudged to have been offside. Cove then passed up two excellent chances to extend their lead as their took control of this very competitive encounter. Straight from the whistle it looked as if the visitors had a game plan, which was to play a very direct and long ball style of football much similar to the old Wimbledon style. The visitors' game plan looked to have worked when a long ball found their forward trough on goal but was denied by the excellent Andy Hunt in the Cove goal.

Cooper then looked to have scored his and Cove's second when his shot beat the Sandhurst keeper only to be denied by the post. The visitors' keeper then pulled off a double save to keep the score going into half time at just 1–0.

The start of the second half saw Kenneth During substituted after taking a forearm in the face as he challenged with a Sandhurst player. This seemed to unsettle the Cove defence for a while and to their credit the visitors took full advantage. A long ball over the top caught the Cove back line flat and the visitors forward capitalised and converted to level the score. (1-1) 55 mins

Cove responded to this goal by scoring three goals in the space of 5 minutes to kill off any hope Sandhurst had of taking anything from this hard-hitting derby. Moody again played his part as he crossed for Lewis Scott to restore the home side’s lead with a bullet of a header. (2-1) 65 mins

Scott then picked out the goal machine Kevin Cooper with a pinpoint cross a minute later to score his second and Cove's third goal (3-1) 66 mins

Cooper completed his hat trick when a powerful shot seemed to take a lucky bounce over the stunned Sandhurst keeper and into the corner of the net. (4-1) 69 mins.

Sandhurst did however score a consolation goal just before the end to make the score look much more creditable than what it may have been.

After the game Cove’s coach said, “We knew this was going to be a tough challenge against a very well organised Sandhurst side who always work hard. Marcus Moody was a man of the match tonight with his pace and tricks, the only way to stop him on this form is to foul him, which happened a lot tonight”.

Team: Hunt, Cottam, Murphy, During, Hill, Scott, Hamsher, Passmore, Moody, Turner, Cooper.
Att: 93

Fri 18 Aug 07 - Marlow 1 Cove 2 (FAC Extra Preliminary Round)

Cove’s first round fixture in this year’s FA Cup against Marlow United was switched to a Friday night because Marlow’s tenants Flackwell Heath had been drawn to play at home on Saturday 18 Aug in the same competition.

It was the visitors that started the better of the two teams and should have taken an early lead when Rob Goldney spurned two glorious opportunities. Cove produced the more controlled football with midfielders Lee Passmore and John Hamsher in charge.

The only way Marlow looked like scoring was from a set play and went close when on 18 minutes, Cove keeper Andy Hunt had to fling himself across his line to palm away a header that started to dip under his bar. Danny Turner then went close for Cove but dragged his shot across the goal after being put in on goal by a defence splitting pass from Kevin Cooper on 25 minutes. Marlow continued to work hard to contain the away team as wave after wave of attacks laid siege to their goal. Ben McCarthy looked to have opened the scoring for Cove with a powerful header that beat the keeper only to be cleared off the line by a defender.