TOWNMEAD IN INTERMEDIATE CUP SEMI FINALS
The quarter finals of the Middlesex Intermediate Cup were contested last Saturday, 25th January and your Roving Reporting team chose to visit the match between Townmead and Brentham, which was played at the well-appointed Richings Park Sports Club in Iver.
The Middlesex Intermediate Cup was first competed for in the 1930-31 season, when it was won by Enfield Reserves, who retained it the following season. It is the 4th oldest of our current competitions.
The current holders are Bush Hill Rangers, who beat Larkspur Rovers by a solitary goal in last season’s final at Silver Jubilee Park.
38 teams entered this season’s competition.
Both clubs received a bye in round 1.
Townmead were drawn at home in both rounds 2 and 3. They beat AFC Spelthorne Sports Club 3-1 in round 2 and CB Hounslow & Abbots ‘A’ 3-2 in round 3.
Brentham won a penalty shoot-out against Hillingdon Borough Under 23 team following a 4-4 home result and then beat The Wilberforce Wanderers AFC 3-2 away in round 3.
Both clubs are members of the Middlesex County League. Brentham play in Division 1 South/West and Townmead in the Russell Grant Division 2.
Townmead FC was formed in 2014 and celebrated its tenth anniversary by reaching the final of last season’s Middlesex Junior Trophy, which was lost 1-0 to Eastcote British Legion.
Brentham FC was formed in 1919. They were an AFA registered club but left the Southern Amateur League to join the Middlesex County League at the end of the 2002-03 season. In the club’s centenary season, they were 6 points clear at the top of the Premier Division, when Covid 19 ended the season prematurely in March 2020.
The first half of the game was fairly uneventful. Neither team developed a rhythm and play was largely in midfield. This could be partially due to the wobbly pitch surface. There was very little goalmouth action in the half and neither goalkeeper was severely tested. The deadlock was broken 15 minutes after half time, when a defensive error gave Townmead an opportunity to net. Townmead then took control of the game and further indifferent defending by Brentham allowed them to add 3 more goals and finish as comfortable winners.
Brentham’s Greg Sykes had a chance in the 1st minute but home keeper, Sandro Da Silva saved with his feet.
At the other end, Townmead striker, Cody Howes was brought down just outside the penalty area. He took the freekick himself but hit it over the bar.
Townmead’s Michael Enubuie had a chance but scuffed his shot, which was easily saved.
Cody Howes released Michael but Brentham keeper, Callum Paul gathered the ball at his feet.
Faizan Mir’s high cross was headed back to Stanley Geraghty, who shot high over the visitors’ bar.
Just before the interval, Sandro Da Silva saved low at close range from Francesc Peracaula-Prat.
Half-time score: Townmead 0 Brentham 0
A dramatic and possibly game-changing incident occurred in the 6th minute of the second half. Michael Dunne of Brentham cut in and crossed from the bye line. The ball went across the goal area and bounced off of the face of the crossbar to Francesc at the far side of the goal. His close range shot hit the upright and was deflected behind by a defender. Unfortunately, Michael fell awkwardly in delivering the cross and was badly injured. After a lengthy delay, he was helped from the field and was eventually taken to hospital, with a fractured and dislocated ankle.
In the 16th minute of the half, soon after play restarted, the Brentham defence failed to clear a long ball into their penalty area and allowed Stanley Geraghty to score from close range, after Alfie Martin’s shot had been saved. It is likely that the severity of their player’s injury and the resultant delay affected the concentration of the visiting players.
Townmead defender, Matthew Taylor advanced upfield for a corner but headed wide.
Craig Laurencin made a good run through the middle of the Townmead defence but was foiled by the advancing keeper.
In the 75th minute Michael Enubuie made a run into the Brentham box, where he was tripped. Cody Howes converted the spot kick to double Townmead’s lead.
6 minutes later, the energetic Cody, who was now on fire, took advantage of hesitation in the visitors’ defence and netted his teams’ 3rd goal from close range.
In the 90th minute, Reece Woolmore added a 4th goal. with a deflected shot, from the edge of the box.
Brentham pressed unsuccessfully for a goal during the 10 minutes of additional time, the length of which was mainly a result of the stoppage for Michael Dunne’s injury. The nearest that they came to scoring was a header into the net by Joe Jackson, from a corner. However, the score was disallowed for a foul.
Final Score: Townmead 4 Brentham 0
Experienced Senior Referee, Brett Miller stamped his authority from kick off and had a very good match.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Townmead: Sandro Da Silva, Faizan Mir, Asah Freeman, Dougie Hillman, Matthew Taylor, Alfie Martin, Thomas Mansi, Shah Raheman, Stanley Geraghty, Cody Howes (capt) and Michael Enubuie.
Rolling substitutes: Alfie Allen, Joe Gordon, Reece Woolmore, Harry O’Reilly and Gordon Halligan.
Manager: Benn Day.
Brentham: Callum Paul, Melvin Mark Searles, Lloyd Morgan, Joe O’Boyle, Lewis Hayward, Joe Jackson, Liam Dunne, Greg Sykes, Avinash Masih, Francesc Peracaula-Prat and Sam Hall.
Rolling Substitutes: Ayo Byron, Michael Dunne, Craig Laurencin and Craig Skinner.
Manager: David Struthers.
The other Middlesex Intermediate Cup quarter final results were:
SL Benfica 2 Hayes & Hillingdon 3
Shepherds Bush 3 Ruislip Town 1
Actonians Association 2 Indian Gymkhana 2 (pens 3-4).
Photography: Chris Benn