Middlesex mounted a series of early attacks and in a goalmouth scramble, Kent keeper, Tom Carey pushed a shot from Malachy McGovern onto a post.

After a period of Middlesex dominance, Kent took the initiative and went ahead in the 19th minute. Tom Carlton picked up a loose ball on the edge of our penalty area and hit a low shot into the corner of our net. Kent should have increased this lead almost immediately but Rhys Bartlett headed an easy chance over the bar.

We equalised after 28 minutes, through a spectacular solo goal by debutant Lucas Sinclair, a talented winger, who was introduced into the side by manager, John Fletcher, with next season in mind. Lucas went on a run from the left, which took him through several tackles, with the referee playing advantage at least once and netted from an acute angle to the right of the Kent goal.

Lucas then embarked on another run and set up a chance for Malachy McGovern, which was saved by Tom Carey. Tom Carey then just beat Keagan Cole to kick clear a back pass. At the other end, a well-timed tackle by Jack Roper on Tom Carlton saved the situation for us.

Tom Carey saved well from Alex Hadjithemistou, who had been put through by Jay O’Connell. Then Lucas made another penetrating run but his cross evaded his colleagues in the goalmouth.

Score at half time: Middlesex 1   Kent 1

A well-struck shot from long range by Alex was pushed away with some difficulty by the goalkeeper. Jay O’Connell hit the rebound over the top. Lucas made another sortie through the Kent defence but his shot was saved.

Play continued to move rapidly up and down the field. Visiting striker, Lewis Chambers latched onto a rebound from a Kent corner but fortunately for us, shot wide. A back-heeled pass from Lucas found substitute striker James Bromley, who had been introduced from the under 16 team. James’s shot was blocked. Lewis Todd dived to save a dangerous low shot-cum-cross.

The proceedings became more fractious as the second half progressed but the referee kept control. He cautioned Lewis Chambers of Kent, after a particularly bad tackle and then sorted out a mass confrontation.

Lucas made a couple more dangerous runs but was stopped each time by good defensive work by our visitors.

Result: Middlesex 1    Kent 1

A feisty game was sensibly handled by referee Michael Smith and his assistants, Fadi Mansour and Matthew Swinburn.

Our thanks are given to Uxbridge FC for allowing us to stage this fixture and for their usual splendid hospitality.

Teams:

Middlesex: Lewis Todd, Jack Roper (both North Greenford United), James Taylor (Beaconsfield SYCOB), Zayn Daniels (Southall), Alex Lafleur (Harrow Borough), Jay O’Connell (Uxbridge), Ryan Kukoyi (Cheshunt) (capt), Malachy McGovern (Hendon), Lucas Sinclair (Hayes & Yeading United), Alex Hadjithemistou (Wingate & Finchley) and Keagan Cole (Hendon).

Substitutes (replacement substitutes were used): Corey Watson, Jake Sobalek (both Uxbridge), James Bromley, Michael O’Neil (both Harefield United), Josh Bierne (CB Hounslow United) (gkpr).

Manager: John Fletcher  Assistant Manager: Darrel Gyngell   Coaches: Wayne Little, Remi Bignall and Vince Purdue   Physio: Gary Strudwick.

Kent: Tom Carey (Faversham Strikeforce), Lewis Unwin (Crowborough), Henry Fulton (Dartford), Josh Dorling and Lewis Wood (both Maidstone United), Toby Greenfield (Faversham Town), Lewis Chambers (Holmesdale), Billy Lewins (Ramsgate), Alfie Cue (Phoenix Sports), Tom Carlton (Maidstone United) (capt) and Rhys Bartlett (Tunbridge Wells).

Substitutes: Beau Landau, Dillon Cole (both Maidstone United) and George Porter (Phoenix Sports).

Manager: Ian Varley   Coach: Lee Suter   Physio: Jemma Kenaghan.

Photos from the match are available here courtesy of match day photographer, Chris Benn.

Jim Taylor