The Middlesex FA Under 16 players continued their South East Counties Youth Championship programme last Sunday, 15^th December at Rectory Park against our friends from London FA.

We produced an improved performance to win an entertaining and feisty match, which contained a lot of pleasing football, by four goals to three. Referee, Simon Cudner, dealt efficiently with the difficult situations which arose during the game.

Our visitors started strongly and looked the sharper side during the early exchanges, but we took the lead in the 14^th minute. Servet Bala collected a pass from Sam Rogers, took the ball through the London defensive line and netted from close range.

Then our dead ball specialist, Owen Walsh, was just too high with a free kick from a central position, 25 yards from goal.

Manager, Darrel Gyngell, introduced Bijay Purja Pun into the attack from the bench and Bijay made an immediate impact with a penetrating run. However, his final pass was scrambled clear.

London equalised in the 29^th minute. Oliver Connor brought down Obi Nebuwa in the box and Idris Belazregue converted the penalty, although Patryk Niznik got a hand to Idris’s well struck kick.

We regained the lead within 3 minutes. The hard working and dangerous Sam Rogers, who was causing London problems down the left wing, was fouled in a wide position. Skipper, Frankie Major, netted Owen Walsh’s free kick.

Then Sam Rogers won possession again and tested London keeper, Jackson Vose, with a low drive. At the other end, Obi Nebuwa burst through and tested Patryk with a low angled shot.

We increased our lead seconds before the half time whistle. Frankie Major crossed from the right and Sam Rogers played the ball back for Bijay to net.

Half time score: Middlesex 3 London 1

The London keeper palmed away a fierce shot from Bijay. However, Bijay put us 4-1 up in the 16^th minute of the half. He resisted a shoulder charge, in a powerful run through the middle of the defence and slotted the ball home in masterly fashion.

Unfortunately, a couple of minutes later, Bijay received a red card, together with London’s Jayden Garner, for fighting.

London now mounted several attacks, in which striker and captain, Idris Belazregue was prominent. Central defender, Anotida Mano, was very steady in our defence.

Patryk leapt to comfortably save a long shot from Idris underneath his crossbar. However, Idris eventually reduced the arrears in the 36^th minute of the half, with a superbly hit drive into the roof of the net.

Patryk then rescued us by saving at close range from Obi Nebuwa, after a defensive mix up had presented the latter with a scoring chance.

However, another error by our defence allowed David Olatunji to score in the final minute of added time.

Final score: Middlesex 4 London 3

Teams:

Middlesex: Patryk Niznik (Old Isleworthians), Owen Walsh (Whitton Wanderers), Marcus Ribero-Dias (Hadley Rangers), Frankie Major (Sandgate) (capt), Anotida Mano (Hayes & Yeading United), Oliver Connor (Hadley Rangers), Jahrome Evans (Hayes & Yeading United), Darragh O’Keeffe (Acton & Ealing Whistlers), Servet Bala (Magix), Ruben Doherty (Uxbridge) and Sam Rogers (Hadley Rangers).

Substitutes (rolling substitutions were used and everyone appeared): Bijay Purja Pun (Sutton United), Kaci Richard (Hanwell Town), Hamza Jameel (Headstone Manor) and Jayden Goodfellow (Acton Ealing Whistlers).

Manager: Darrel Gyngell Coach: Wayne Little Physio: Gary Strudwick

London: Jackson Vose (Glebe), Michael Okowumo (Glebe), Denzel Osei (South London Kings), Mark Gana (Sutton United), Joe Barnes Austin (Glebe), Jayden Garner (Carshalton Athletic), Bailey Dell Martin (Holmesdale), Emmanuel Boateng (Glebe), Idris Belazregue (Holmesdale) (capt), Obi Nebuwa (unattached) and Alassane Karamiao (Dulwich Hamlet).

Substitutes (all of whom appeared): Jake Ramsden (Lambeth Tigers), Freddie Nyhus (Glebe), David Olatunji and Babarinde Emmanuel (both Dulwich Hamlet).

Manager: Francis Aderiye Assistant Manager: Daniel Anthonio Physio: Daniel Kusimo.

Referee: Simon Cudner Assistant Referees: Paul Mitchell and Andy Kowalski (all Middlesex FA).