RAYNERS LANE RETAIN SENIOR CUP
The final of this season’s Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup was contested on Wednesday evening, 19th March at the Honeycroft, the home of Uxbridge FC, between holders Rayners Lane FC and Hanwell Town FC.
The Senior Challenge Cup is the Middlesex FA’s oldest and most prestigious competition. It has been running since 1888 and the first winners were Clapton FC. Hendon FC have the most victories (16). 22 teams entered this season’s competition.
Rayners Lane beat the then holders, Hayes and Yeading United in last season’s final. This was the Lane’s first ever appearance at this stage of the competition. They won an excellent game, one of the best Middlesex Senior Cup finals in recent seasons, by the odd goal in five.
The Lane currently play at step 4 of the Non-League Pyramid, in the Isthmian League South Central Division. They fielded only 2 players, Frank Keita and Elliott Buchanan, from last season’s winning side, in this season’ final.
Hanwell Town won this competition in season 2020-21, beating Harefield United 2-0 in the final at Bedfont Sports FC. They currently play at step 3 of the Non-League Pyramid, in the Southern League Premier South Division.
Both teams had byes in round 1. They then both had home matches in round 2, in which The Geordies beat Enfield Town 1-0 and The Lane overcame Northwood 2-0.
They both recorded odd goal victories in their quarter-finals. Hanwell Town won 2-1 at home to 2022-23 winners Hayes & Yeading United and Rayners Lane won 3-2 at Hendon’s Silver Jubilee Park headquarters.
Both semi-finals resulted in 2-2 draws and had to be settled by penalty shoot-outs. Hanwell Town were away to Bedfont Sports and Rayners Lane entertained Harrow Borough.
This was another entertaining final, played between well matched sides. Rayners Lane had the edge in the first period and scored twice within 2 minutes, midway through the half. Both teams had scoring chances in a fiercely fought second half but no further goals resulted and the Lane retained their Trophy.
Hanwell Town keeper, Sam Beasant was in action almost immediately, fielding Tariq Straker’s long ball into his penalty area.
Both keepers saved low down as the teams took the measure of each other; the Lane’s Endurance Johnson from Harry Seabrook and Sam Beasant from Marvin Sordell.
Rayners Lane took the lead in the 22nd minute. Marvin Sordell finished a run up the left with a cross which Elliott Buchanan struck perfectly, giving Sam Beasant no chance.
Two minutes later Elliott slotted the ball through to Marvin, who doubled his side’s lead.
Elliott Buchanan’s shot from 25 yards just cleared the Geordies’ crossbar.
Hanwell’s Joe Waight was tripped just outside the box by Anthony Cook. Taylor Miles’ resulting freekick was taken by keeper, Endurance Johnson.
Endurance made a finger-tip save from Dwayne Duncan’s freekick.
Alfie Pendlebury’s goal-bound drive was deflected for a corner by the Lane’s Myles Anderson.
An incisive run by Marvin Sordell produced a corner, which was eventually cleared.
Elliott Buchanan’s cross to the far post was headed narrowly wide by Frank Keita.
Both keepers were in action after the 4th official had indicated that there would be one minute of added time in the first half. Sam Beasant thwarted Marvin Sordell and then Endurance Johnson foiled Joe Wilson.
Half-time score: Hanwell Town 0 Rayners Lane 2
Anthony Cook’s freekick from 26 yards was saved low down by Sam Beasant.
Marvin Sordell fed Deshane Dalling, who was felled just outside the penalty box by Harry Seabrook, who was cautioned. Mike Hill hit the resulting freekick wide.
In the 62nd minute, Dan Carr's corner kick bounced on the top of Rayners Lane’s bar.
Endurance saved Joe Waight’s close range header and then punched an awkward in-swinging corner out from under his crossbar.
Sam Beasant turned Marvin Sordell’s header over his crossbar, following a good move by Frank Keita and Deshane Dalling.
Dan Carr’s goal-bound shot into the crowded goalmouth was blocked.
The referee allowed 5 minutes of additional time. With less than 2 minutes of this time remaining, Ezekiel Coker was tripped just outside the box. Dan Carr rattled the Rayners Lane bar with the freekick.
Final score: Hanwell Town 0 Rayners Lane 2
Referee Joe Casey and his team had a very good match. Middlesex FA Director and former Referees’ Academy supremo, Liam Walshe was moved to use the word “sublime” after the game. He went on to say: “It was pleasing to watch four products of the Middlesex Referees’ Academy deliver a game to such a high standard. It shows that we have the talent within our borders and that we must support and develop those officials.”
The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA President, Barbara Bivens, met the teams and match officials before the kick off and presented the Cup and medals at the conclusion of the match. Barbara chose Rayners Lane’s Marvin Sordell as the Player of the Match. She made a very good choice. Marvin was listed in the match programme as a forward but he covered every inch of the pitch, frequently winning the ball and distributing it from midfield and defence. He was involved in both of the Rayners Lane goals.
Our thanks are given Uxbridge FC for their warm welcome and for allowing us the use of their fine facilities.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Hanwell Town: Sam Beasant (capt), Rudi Pache (Kameron English 46 mins), Roberto Nditi (Cameron Rohart-Brown 78), Taylor Miles, Dwayne Duncan, Harry Seabrook, Joe Wilson (Chris Regis 87), Mat Mackenzie, Alfie Pendlebury (Ezekiel Coker 87), Dan Carr and Joe Waight (Cheyenne Fage-Burgin 90).
Manager: Chris Moore
Assistant Manager: David Murphy
Coaches: Sam Loades, Nick Brown and Elliot Benyon
Physio: Claire Denton
Rayners Lane: Endurance Johnson, Anthony Cook, Tariq Straker (Ryan King-Elliot 89), Mohamed Kamara, Germaine Dua, Myles Anderson, Deshane Dalling (Daniel Uchechi 85), Mike Hill (James Dobson 73), Elliott Buchanan, Frank Keita (capt) and Marvin Sordell.
Managers: Josh Bostock and Mark Dacey
Coach: Adam Bambroffe.
Referee: Joe Casey
Assistant Referees: Joe Alborough and Rohan Chotai
Fourth Official: Conor Griffin
Attendance: 417
Photos: Chris Benn