HIGHGATE ALBION MARCH ON IN THE FA SUNDAY CUP
The 4th round draw for the FA Sunday Cup paired Highgate Albion with AFC Hammersmith Town. So, your Roving Team travelled to Albion’s chosen home venue, Barking FC’s Mayesbrook Park on Sunday last, 19th January to take in what promised to be an exciting encounter.
The 2 teams had met in last season’s Middlesex Sunday Premier Cup final at Harefield United FC’s Preston Park venue, when Hammersmith won a hard-fought game by a single second half goal.
Highgate Albion reached the FA Sunday Cup final in 2022 and the semi-final last season. This was AFC Hammersmith Town’s first season in the competition.
They had reached this round by beating Clapham Rovers 2-1 away in round 1, SAHA FC 5-1 away in round 2 and Kraken Sports from Dorset 2-0 at home in round 3, despite having to play one man short for the final half hour of the game.
Albion had disposed of Cassiobury Rangers 8-0 at home in round 1 and Tilehurst El Patrons 9-0, also at home in round 3. In between these goal-fests, they had a walk-over in round 2, when North Watford found that they were unable to raise a side on the day of the match.
Highgate Albion play in the Premier Division of the Barnet Sunday League. They have won all 6 league matches played so far, scoring 32 goals and conceding 6. Hammersmith have fallen even further behind in their Harrow Sunday Challenge League fixtures, due to their cup commitments and have maximum points from 2 games.
We were not disappointed with our choice of matches. The teams served up a classic Sunday Cup encounter, playing excellent football throughout, at a very lively pace. Hammersmith took the lead through a superbly taken goal in the 6th minute and held onto it until the interval, with play moving swiftly from one end of the pitch to the other. Albion moved up a gear after the break and tore into Hammersmith with considerable ferocity. The visitors defended valiantly but eventually succumbed, with just over 20 minutes remaining. Highgate kept up the pressure and took the lead from the penalty spot 6 minutes later. Hammersmith hit back but Highgate defended with the same determination as they had attacked and held on to move into the quarter-finals again.
Highgate keeper, Alex Gavriloaia was immediately in action, beating Sean Basaye to a through-ball. At the other end Richard Ennin tried a shot from around 30 yards but was too high.
Hammersmith took the lead in the 6th minute, when Jordan Ikala hit a rocket shot into the top of the Highgate net, from outside the box.
Albion defender, Alvin Kyeremeh moved upfield for a freekick into the Town’s box but his header was saved by keeper, Michael Power-Simpson.
Daniel Taylor hit the framework of the Hammersmith goal with his freekick after Olumide Oluwatimilehin had brought Richard Ennin down just outside the penalty area.
Theo Ofori fired just wide from another Albion freekick, from around 35 yards.
Hammersmith broke away, following some Albion pressure and Alex Gavriloaia left his area to kick clear from Kiyo Brown.
Theo Ofori and Tage Kennedy were now fully occupying the Town defence wide on both flanks.
The Town’s custodian saved a header from Jardell Stirling and a shot from Richard Ennin, who had fastened onto a through ball.
A timely tackle foiled Pele Riley, as he was shooting. Daniel Taylor narrowly cleared the Hammersmith crossbar from a freekick, awarded for a foul by Stephan Langley on Tage Kennedy.
Half time score: Highgate Albion 0 AFC Hammersmith Town 1
Highgate Albion immediately mounted a sustained attack. Richard Ennin headed marginally wide. Tage Kennedy was fouled just outside the box on the left and Michael Power-Simpson saved low down from Daniel Taylor’s resulting freekick.
Michael was frequently in action as Albion continued to batter his defence. He saved at close range from both Hermes Gbio and Richard Ennin.
Theo Ofori equalised for Albion with a low shot from outside the box in the 69th minute.
6 minutes later Richard Ennin was tripped in the penalty area, following a run through the middle. There was a lengthy delay, before the penalty could be taken, while the Hammersmith keeper received treatment from his physio. This did not deter Daniel Taylor, who calmly placed his kick low to the keeper’s left.
The Albion defence now came under pressure. Alex had to use his feet to foil an incoming forward. He was then hurt taking a high ball in a crowd of players.
Albion made some further dangerous breaks as Town pushed men forward.
A furious melee in the Albion goalmouth finally ended with the ball being hacked away. The nearest that Hammersmith came to scoring came from Kiyo Brown’s shot, following a good move, which Alex turned for a corner.
Final score: Highgate Albion 2 AFC Hammersmith Town 1
Referee Elliott Mayer controlled the match very well, receiving good support from his assistants.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Highgate Albion: Alexandru Gavriloaia (capt), Prince Kandolo, Hermes Gbio, Daniel Taylor, Lonit Talla, Jardell Stirling, Alvin Kyeremeh (Callum Ismail 46), Pele Riley (Danny Bassett 53), Richard Ennin (Billy Hayes 90+5), Theo Ofori and Tage Kennedy.
Unused substitutes: Hamza Semakula and Davis Boateng.
AFC Hammersmith Town: Michael Power-Simpson, Tobi Falodi, Kionte Waul, Olumide Oluwatimilehin, Stephan Langley, Idowu Gbolagade, Jordan Ikala, Youssef Bouimane (Meron Abraham 18), Sean Basaye (capt), Emmanuel Robe (Ibby Akanbi 60 Kris Belousas 81) and Kiyo Brown.
Unused substitutes: Kwame Pamboe and Nathan Mampono.
Referee: Elliott Mayer
Assistant Referees: Jay Knight and Alan Steward.
Report: Jim Taylor