Grier's Guide to Sheerwater
The match: Sheerwater v Kingstonian, Surrey Senior Cup Second Round. Tuesday 18 January, 19:30.
The club: Founded in 1958, they've been a Combined Counties side since the 2000s, eventually winning Division 1 in 2019. They moved to their new ground this summer and will be hoping it leads to further progress.
The town: Suburb of Woking, to the east of the town. By far its most famous sons are The Jam, three of whom went to Sheerwater Secondary School, including Paul Weller. Sheerwater FC's old clubhouse was among the venues of their very first gigs.
The ground: Eastwood Leisure Centre, 247a Albert Drive, Sheerwater, Woking, Surrey GU21 5RL. Opened this summer as part of a £26 million new leisure centre complex, it has a covered terrace running the full length of one side of the pitch.
Directions: The nearest station is West Byfleet, just a 20 minute train ride from Surbiton and then a mile's walk. By car it should take about 20 minutes once you get to Tolworth - head down the A3 to Cobham then take the A245 through Byfleet and West Byfleet.
Tickets: £7 adults / £4 concessions / U16s free
Our record there: A new ground and a new opponent for Ks but we can't afford to take the game lightly. The last two times we've played Combined Counties opposition from the Woking area we've needed penalties to advance - against Westfield in 2006 and Knaphill in 2019.
Recent form: Eighth in the Combined Counties Premier South, they're enjoying a solid season. Their first game of 2022 saw them beat a Beckenham Town side featuring ex-K Louie Theophanous. They exited the FA Vase with a 3-2 defeat to Sheppey United with another ex-K, Leigh Dynan signing Taurean Roberts, firing a hat-trick.
Players to watch: Top scorer Scott Costello has grabbed eight goals so far this season. Manager Peter Ruggles is the brother of former Ks striker Phil, now in charge at Godalming Town.
Crowd: Their average crowd this season is 81.
Drinking: The Station pub is, as the name suggests, right by West Byfleet station and does typical pub grub. The Yeoman, a Harvester, is a short detour away on Old Woking Road.
Food: As well as the pubs there are a few restaurants by West Byfleet station including Italian, Indian and a Chinese takeaway.
