UXBRIDGE BEAT HANWELL TOWN IN THE MIDDLESEX CHARITY CUP FINAL
The final of this season’s Middlesex Senior Charity Cup was played at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, the home of Enfield Town FC on the evening of Wednesday, 4th May. The finalists were Hanwell Town and Uxbridge, who had both finished in the upper reaches of the Isthmian League South Central Division One. Hanwell Town were 4th and had won promotion to Step 3 by winning both of their play-off matches while Uxbridge had just failed to gain a place in the play-offs, finishing 6th. Our roving team of Chris Benn (photographer) and Jim Taylor (reporter) were at the match.
This match is played in aid of Middlesex FA’s nominated Charity, St Luke’s Hospice and we were pleased to welcome John Clifford, the charity’s Corporate Partnerships Manager as Guest of Honour for the match. John and Middlesex FA Chief Executive, Leigh O’Connor were introduced to the teams and match officials before the match.
The Middlesex Senior Charity Cup was first played for in season 1901-02, when it was won by Clapton Orient.
Nineteen teams entered the competition this season.
Hanwell Town received a bye in round 1 and then reached the final by beating FC Deportivo Galicia 4-0 (away), North Greenford United 1-0 (away) and Northwood 4-0 (home).
Uxbridge also received a bye in round 1 and the beat Broadfields United 1-0 (away), St Panteleimon 4-1 (home) and Southall in a penalty shoot-out, after a 3-3 away draw.
This was the 6th meeting of these two teams in this competition but the first in the final.
Uxbridge won a hard-fought match to put their name on this cup for the eighth time. They scored twice in the first half and comfortably held onto their lead in the goalless second period.
The opening stages of the match were played mainly in midfield. The only goalmouth action occurred when Sam Saunders’ cross from deep was well taken by Uxbridge keeper, Tyler Tobin. The first chance of the match, in the 15th minute went to Uxbridge’s Juwon Akintunde, who headed wide.
Hanwell striker, Tomasz Siemienczuk hit a half volley into the side netting.
Uxbridge’s Victor Osobu worked himself into a shooting position and fired across goal. A deflection ensured that his shot went outside the upright. Mark Goodman’s header from the corner was cleared off of the goal line.
Uxbridge went ahead after 24 minutes, through Mahlondo Martin, who hit his angled shot into the far corner of the net, after being put through by Victor Osobu.
Juwon Akintunde advanced up the wing but his centre flew across an empty goalmouth.
However, Uxbridge doubled their lead after 32 minutes. Hanwell keeper, Hugo Sobte brought down Juwon, who converted the resulting penalty kick.
Uxbridge had further opportunities as the interval approached. Hugo Sobte saved twice from Victor Osobu and Juwon’s shot was wayward. Elliott Poley released Victor, who was tackled in a timely fashion by Romario Jonas. Hugo Sobte left his area to kick clear.
Hanwell’s Sam Saunders took the ball past the Uxbridge keeper at speed but ran out of space.
Half time score: Hanwell Town 0 Uxbridge 2
Hanwell Town made their 3 permitted substitutions before the start of the second half. This half was fairly uneventful.
An Uxbridge defender managed to take the sting out of a shot from Tom Collins.
At the other end, Juwon’s shot was blocked at the expense of a corner and a long shot by Mahlondo Martin was comfortably taken by substitute goalkeeper, Damian Pawlak. Then Alan Hedley fired narrowly wide from an acute angle.
Victor Osobu hit a low shot into the side netting and then put over a cross which Mahlondo Martin couldn’t quite reach.
Final score: Hanwell Town 0 Uxbridge 2
Referee Sam Gregory controlled the game well. He received excellent support from his team of officials.
Our Guest of Honour, John Clifford presented the Cup and individual mementoes after the match. He chose Mahlondo Martin of Uxbridge as Player of the Match.
Our grateful thanks are given to Enfield Town FC for allowing us the use of their fine facilities and for their assistance on the day.
The attendance was 132.
Hanwell Town: Hugo Sobte (Damian Pawlak 46 mins), Dan Carr, Kyle Watson, Dwayne Duncan, Sam Saunders, Harry Rush (capt), Massimo Giamietti, Jack Hutchinson (Gareth Chendlik 46), Romario Jonas, Tom Collins and Tomasz Siemienczuk (Ogo Obi 46).
Unused substitutes: Dernell Wynter and Callum Woodcock.
Managers: Chris Moore and Wayne Carter Coaches: Sean Kelleher and Paul Riordan Physios: Stuart and Scott Everley.
Uxbridge: Tyler Tobin, Mark Goodman, Baboucarr Jarra, Elliott Poley, Alan Hedley (capt), Alex Witham, Alex Paine, Mahlondo Martin, Juwon Akintunde, Victor Osobu (Lucas Camacho 90) and Ben Peden (Sam Shaw 52).
Unused substitutes: Anthony Mendy and Eric Negaru.
Manager: Danny Edwards Assistant Manager: Fred Cummings Coaches: John Carroll, Daniel Nielsen and Shaka Mughal Physio: Joseph Peacock.
Referee: Sam Gregory Assistant Referees: Fernando Costache and Robert Alderton Fourth Official: Mark Jacob.
We thank Chris & Jim for making the trip to Enfiled to cover this game for us, as ever they have picked out some of their favouirte shots from the match, with Chris very kindly providing a full album of imagery from the match.
