The 3rd round of the Middlesex EPL Greig Under 18 Cup was contested on Sunday last 1st December.   There were 8 matches in the round and your Roving Team selected the game between Staines and Laleham Juniors Gold and Harefield United Youth, at the former clubs’ Worple Road complex in Staines-upon-Thames.

The multi-pitch site was a bustling hive of activity when we arrived for our early afternoon kick-off.   The large car park was overflowing and several morning games, on varying sized pitches involving players of varying age groups, were in progress.   Each match had a sizeable audience of vocal parents and relatives, raptly watching, despite a steady drizzle.   It was an impressive sight and an illustration of the fantastic efforts of all of the volunteers involved in this and similar clubs at the grassroots level of our game.

The Middlesex Under 18 Cup was first competed for in the 1968-69 season, when it was won by Edgware United.   The current holders are Brentham Colts U17 Red, who beat Celtic Red 6-0, in last season’s final at Northwood FC’s Skyline Roofing Stadium.

55 teams entered the competition this season.  

Staines and Laleham Juniors Gold reached this stage of the competition with an 8-1 home victory over Whitton Wanderers Youth U17 Falcons in the second round.   They had a walk-over in round 1 against Old Actonians Youth U18.

Harefield United Youth U17 didn’t have to play to get into this round.   They were given a bye in round 1 and had a walk-over in round 2 against The GAP U18 Red.

The match was played on a pitch made slippery by recent rain, which happily stopped shortly before kick-off.   Despite this, the teams entertained the 38 spectators with a very watchable match.   Both sides played an attractive passing game and there was plenty of goalmouth action.   Although Staines and Laleham were deserving winners, the final score of 7-1 did not reflect Harefield United U17 team’s contribution to the game.   They are a skilful well-coached side, with some outstanding players and should make an impact on this competition, as an under 18 team, next season.   Staines and Laleham quickly adapted to the ground conditions and built up a 4-goal lead in almost the opening quarter.   Although Harefield fought back well and didn’t stop trying to play football, they couldn’t recover from this.

Staines and Laleham’s Jaxson Bligh was the first goalkeeper in serious action, when he saved at Harrison Gough’s feet in the 6th minute.

Staines and Laleham went ahead in the 9th minute, when Chris Coombs netted, following Cristiano Christian’s freekick from wide on the right.

Harefield United hit back and Jaxson Bligh saved Harrison Gough’s close range shot with his feet.

However, Staines doubled their lead in the 11th minute, when Jack Fletcher finished a good move from close range.

United’s Freddie Hudson brought a diving save from Jaxson, with a drive from 25 yards.

Staines’ Rohan Hardy won the ball and fed Lukas Winter, who shot narrowly wide.

Chris Coombs headed Staines’ 3rd goal from Cristiano’s corner in the 22nd minute.

Four minutes later a long throw produced a corner, which was headed into the net by Ben Hoare for Staines’ 4th goal.

Jaxson Bligh pushed out Otis Dench’s shot from Dane Bulbeck’s corner.   Harrison Gough hit the rebound wide.

Daniel Hodge set up Josh Miles but the visiting keeper, Jamie Matthews saved low down.

Jaxson Bligh was hurt saving at Otis Dench’s feet and needed treatment.

Harrison Gough pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 44th minute, when he sped through the middle and netted with a low shot.

Staines and Laleham had two further scoring attempts in the time added before the interval.   Jamie Matthews saved from Daniel Hodge and Ben Hoare. 

Half time score: Staines and Laleham Juniors Gold 4  Harefield United Youth 1

Harefield United attacked from the kick off and Freddy Hudson headed over the home crossbar.

The game switched rapidly from end to end.  Rohan Hardy fired narrowly wide.

Jaxson Bligh safely took Harry Waitson’s long shot. 

Harefield’s Stephan Stansfield made a good saving tackle on Daniel Hodge.   Then Jamie Matthews saved low down from Rohan Hardy.   Otis Dench tested Jaxson Bligh.

Staines made the score 5-1 just after an hour’s play, when Cristiano Christian’s thundering drive rebounded off of the woodwork and then onto the unfortunate keeper into the net.

Jamie Matthews saved Harley Shanks’ low shot and then at the other end, Connor Ranson made a goal-saving block on Daniel Hodge’s shot.

Jaxson Bligh saved a penalty, which was awarded for handball in the 77th minute.   He dived to push out Freddy Hudson’s spot kick and then saved from Dylan Naik, who had fastened onto the rebound.

Jaxson dispatched the ball upfield, where it was fastened onto by Chris Coombs, who completed his hattrick by slipping home Staines’ 6th goal.

This “assist” was a high point of the game for Jaxson, who made several important saves and was partly responsible for keeping Harefield’s score to a single goal.

Jamie Matthews saved well from Ben Hoare before a volley of blocked home shots ended with Ryaan Rahman shooting wide.   Rohan Hardy shot narrowly wide on the turn.

Ryaan Rahman completed the scoring in the 90th minute, with a shot into the roof of the visitors’ net.   Ryaan, who is a centre back, had been introduced into the attack as a substitute and was obviously delighted with his goal.

Referee Aaron Gough controlled the proceedings well.

Final score: Staines and Lammas Juniors Gold 7   Harefield United Youth 1

TEAM LINE-UPS

Staines and Lammas Juniors Golds: Jaxson Bligh, Connor Bower, Jack Thomson, Josh Miles, Cristiano Christian (capt), Chris Coombs, Rohan Hardy,  Lukas Winter, Jack Fletcher, Daniel Hodge and Harley Shanks.

Rolling substitutes: Josh Holford, Jack Bezer, Ben Hoare and Ryaan Rahman.

Manager: Daniel Reilly   Coach: Jordan James

Harefield United: Jamie Matthews, Stephan Stansfield, Callum Gough, Harry Waitson, Conner Ranson, Albie Lamacraft (capt), Dane Bulbeck, Otis Dench, Harrison Gough, Dylan Naik and Freddy Hudson.

Rolling substitutes: Charlie Kennedy, Oscar Elsnorth, William Smith and Tanay Patel.

Manager/Coach: Daniel Lamacraft

Staines and Laleham Juniors Golds will travel to play Norseman Youth Blues in the quarter final.   This match could provide a lot of goals, as Norseman beat Brentham Colts Red 6-4 (away) in their 3rd round game.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET