CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The OHOB Community Stadium for today’s Isthmian League South East Division match against Whitehawk.

We extend a warm welcome to Shaun Saunders, his players and staff, the Hawks’ officials and supporters as well as to this afternoon’s match referee Teddy Osborn and his assistants Jack Smith and Pablo Aguilar and of course our own Wasps supporters. We trust you all enjoy your short stay and our hospitality.

Sean Saunders’ Hawks leapfrogged their opponents Chatham Town on Tuesday evening into second place with a 1-0 win courtesy of an early own goal. That was their third consecutive win following a 4-1 defeat away to Chichester City. That followed another run of three consecutive wins so Drew Cooney and his Wasps will hope that the pattern continues, and we can get a result this afternoon!

This week was the first in six that we haven’t had a Tuesday night match, so a welcome respite for all. Nonetheless, Drew and Ian have been working the lads in training this week after our defeat at table toppers Ramsgate last Saturday. We were still in the game at 1-0 down when in the 65th minute, Junior Savane was red carded for a mistimed tackle in the opponents’ half which most people considered a harsh decision except for the man in the middle who of course is the one that counts. We conceded a second goal nine minutes later when the assistant referee adjudged the ball had crossed the line when Matt Pierson and his defenders were adamant it hadn’t and then we capitulated and conceded three more in nine minutes.

Prior to that match, we had beaten an in-form Hythe Town here at East Court who had been unbeaten in their previous seven and we were looking for some momentum which we hope to pick back up today.

Please give a warm East Court welcome to Thomas Cooney who made his Wasps debut last week at left back and a welcome back to his home town team to striker Ben Aubrey who has been at Dorking Wanderers this season.

It’s still all very tight in the bottom half of the table – Corinthian and Faversham still occupy the bottom two places with 20 and 21 points respectively, then there’s a gap of 10 points to Haywards Heath and VCD Athletic on 31 points. Then come Burgess Hill in 16th place on 35 points and Three Bridges in 11th with 39. Wasps sit in 13th with 37 points.

A win today could put us up two places into 11th, whereas a defeat could see us drop to 16th.

We are at home again next Saturday against Ashford United and travel to Hythe the following Saturday.

Whatever the outcome of this afternoon’s match, I trust everyone enjoys their visit to The OHOB Community Stadium and I wish you all a safe journey home.

Enjoy the match

Richard Tramontin (Chairman)