HAREFIELD UNITED TRIUMPH IN ALL-MIDDLESEX VASE ENCOUNTER
Three Middlesex FA affiliated clubs progressed to this season’s 3rd round proper of the Isuzu FA Vase. Two of them, Harefield United and North Greenford United, were drawn to play each other and the other one, St Panteleimon, was sent to Lincolnshire to play Pinchbeck United. This did mean, of course, that we would have at least one club in the 4th round.
Unfortunately, St Panteleimon lost their tie by a single goal, so we are left with just one survivor, Harefield United. Our roving team visited Preston Park on Saturday last, 4th December for their match against neighbours, North Greenford United and witnessed an entertaining encounter.
Both teams had entered this season’s competition in the 1st qualifying round. Harefield United had reached the 3rd round by beating London Colney 4-1 at home and then winning away matches at Windsor (2-0), Rising Ballers Kensington (5-0) and Chessington & Hook United (3-0).
North Greenford United had started with three away wins, against Ardley Town (4-1), Broadfields United (3-2) and Frimley Green (7-0) before overcoming AFC Whyteleafe 3-2 at home.
Harefield took the lead in the 36th minute of last Saturday’s closely fought game and added another in the 71st minute. North Greenford netted, to make the score 2-1, during the added time at the end of the match.
Harefield goalkeeper, Jacob Ballheimer was called into action in the 3rd minute by George Harmes, whose close-range shot was stopped by the keeper’s legs.
For the following 20 minutes, the action was mainly confined to midfield, with neither keeper being troubled.
The visitors then mounted a series of attacks. Austin Schofield’s run was blocked at the expense of a corner, which was taken high up by the Harefield custodian.
Charlie Mitchell ran onto a through ball but was thwarted by Jacob, who then grabbed a flick by Georgie Brown. Then, Georgie headed narrowly wide.
Harefield’s Richard Pacquette drove the ball across the face of the North Greenford goal but nobody was able to get a touch.Greenford’s Perry Price was held by Scott Bonner on the edge of the home penalty area but the referee appeared to be unsighted.
In the 34th minute,.. George Harmes fed Perry Price, who worked his way through the home defence and shot against the post. The ball bounced back to the keeper.
The Hares took the lead 2 minutes later, through Trey Pender-Brown, who finished a good move involving Sam Shaw, by cutting in and beating the keeper with a fierce drive inside his near post.
The Blues’ George Harmes shot over the bar from 25 yards and then Charlie Mitchell set up Ademide Baruwa, whose shot was blocked for a corner.
Score at half time: Harefield United 1 North Greenford United 0
North Greenford’s George Harmes was cautioned for a clumsy challenge in the first minute of the second half. Keeper Sam House made a good high save from the resulting free kick.
Then Sam dived full length to save Ollie Wontner’s shot from around 25 yards.
At the other end, Perry Price’s header from Charlie Mitchell’s centre was saved by Jacob Ballheimer.
Both sides continued to create openings. Sam Shaw’s long ball into the Blues’ box was taken high by Sam House. Greenford substitute, Chris Martin-Thomas headed narrowly wide but was then adjudged to be offside. He then burst through but was foiled by the keeper’s challenge. Next, Trey Pender-Brown’s shot ricocheted onto a post from a defender.
Sam Shaw doubled Harefield United’s lead in the 71st minute, with a lob over the keeper from around 30 yards, after picking up a poor clearance.
The visitors continued to press and Perry Price’s header was flicked narrowly wide and then Jacob Ballheimer saved at Charlie Mitchell’s feet.
Following an incident and a melee in the corner of the pitch, 2 minutes into added time, Hares’ substitute, Femi Ogunsola received a second yellow card and was dismissed for persistent misconduct.
Charlie Mitchell scored a consolation goal for North Greenford in the 4th minute of added time, when he bent a shot from wide on the left into the far top corner of the net.
Final Score: Harefield United 2 North Greenford United 1
TEAM LINE UPS:
Harefield United: Jacob Ballheimer, Harry Bishop, Steven Green, Samir Shaffi, Callum Neal, Scott Bonner, Harry Laflin (Femi Ogunsola 69 mins), Ollie Wontner, Richard Pacquette (capt) (Lenny Farhall 86), Samuel Shaw (Robbie Quigley 72) and Trey Pender-Brown.
Unused substitutes: Luke Baldwin, Joseph Brown, Hekmat Alizai and Dom Cassells.
Manager: Jason Shaw Coach: Michael Myloko Physio: Aishling O’Bryne
North Greenford United: Sam House (capt), Ademide Baruwa (Qasim Khan 75), Tyrique Rashid-Springer, Georgie Brown, Austin Schofield, Joe Mills, Charlie Mitchell, George Harmes (Chris Martin-Thomas 54), Harry McCorkell, Harvey Killeen and Perry Price (Conor Molyneaux 86).
Unused substitutes: Sam Molyneaux, Mason McBride, Elliot Byrne and Harrison Okwu.
Managers: Paul Mills and Gary Brown Coaches: Dino Pashias, Terry Schofield and Joe Gritt Physio: Mark Warwick.
Referee: James Keane Assistant Referees: Harry Demo and Tom Burns
Attendance: 125
Harefield United have been drawn away to Clevedon Town, with their fourth round tie due to be played on Saturday 14th January.
Thank you to Chris and Jim for braving a cold December Saturday to cover the game. As ever, Chris was busy snapping away, and along with Jim, our duo have selected their favourite shots from the match. Chris has also kindly provided a full album of images.
