MIDDLESEX STEP 4 CLUBS CONTINUE PROMOTION CHALLENGE
There are currently 6 Middlesex FA affiliated clubs playing at Step 4 of the Non-League Pyramid. They are Ashford Town (Middlesex), Bedfont Sports, Hanwell Town, Northwood, Staines Town and Uxbridge, all of which currently compete in the Isthmian League South Central Division.
Our roving team of Chris Benn (photographer) and Jim Taylor (reporter) chose to visit the match involving Hanwell Town on Saturday last, 26th March and also to review the current situation regarding the other 5 clubs.
Hanwell Town were entertaining Westfield at their excellent Powerday Stadium. The Geordies, on 60 points from 30 games, were in 3rd place in the league table behind Bracknell Town, who had amassed 83 points from 31 matches and had already made sure of the league title and Chertsey Town, who had gained 61 points from 30 matches. Bedfont Sports, also on 60 points from 30 matches, were in 4th position on goal difference.
Westfield were 16th in the table, with 26 points from their 30 matches but their performance in this match belied that position. They were well worth the draw which they obtained in an evenly contested encounter. The first half was fairly uneventful but the proceedings quickly livened up as the second period progressed. The visitors eventually went ahead in the 76th minute and Hanwell Town equalised 4 minutes later.
The appointed referee. Jorden Gibson was held up in traffic, so his referee mentor, Mick Russell took charge of the first half.
Hanwell Town immediately went onto the attack and a free kick taken by skipper Harry Rush, from just outside the visitors’ penalty area, was headed wide by Gareth Chendlik.
At the other end, home keeper, Hugo Sobte was drawn a long way out of his area and found himself stranded. He was rescued by a timely intervention by Andy O’Brien. Then a cross from Westfield’s Kai Davis was headed out from under the crossbar and Troy Timothy shot low past the Hanwell post.
Debutant Westfield keeper, Tobias Fisher saved a high shot from Gareth Chendlik and then he beat Dernell Wynter to Gareth’s through ball.
Westfield’s IK Hill made a very good run from deep inside his own half into the home penalty area before he was robbed by a last-ditch challenge. Then Jay Barton set up William Efambe but the home defence dealt with his cross.
Tobias Fisher kicked away a through ball, before Harry Rush could reach it. Then, Harry Rush’s shot from a wide angle hit the goal’s framework
Half time score: Hanwell Town 0 Westfield 0
The appointed referee Jorden Gibson took the whistle for the second half.
Westfield pressed early. Jay Barton’s shot was charged down and William Efambe drove narrowly wide.
In the 53rd minute, Ogo Obi, who had been introduced immediately after half time, picked up a through ball from Sam Saunders, went on a run and chipped the ball over the keeper onto the Westfield crossbar.
A long free kick into the visitors’ box was headed across goal by Calum Duffy and then just over the bar by Andy O’Brien. Then, on the hour, a well struck curling free kick by Sam Saunders, from just outside the attackers’ left-hand angle of the penalty area was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Tobias Fisher.
Play was becoming fierce and some heated mass confrontations were occurring.
Ogo Obi shook off a challenge and broke clear to set up Gareth Chendlik, whose low shot was saved. Ogo hit a curling shot marginally too high and then a defender just managed to thwart Dernell Wynter.
IK Hill made a long and complicated run in an effort to find a way through the home defence and ended with a shot which went too high.
Calum Duffy equalised for Hanwell Town in the 80th minute, with a bullet header from Sam Saunders’ corner.
Jacob Breckon had a chance to restore Westfield’s lead but headed over the crossbar. Then a cross by Ogo Obi landed on top of the Westfield net.
Hanwell’s Andy O’Brien was dismissed, during added time, after receiving a second yellow card, for a foul on Kai Hamilton-Olise.
Final score: Hanwell Town 0 Westfield 0
Hanwell Town: Hugo Sobte, Dan Carr, Romario Jonas, George Nicholas, Calum Duffy, Andy O’Brien, Sam Saunders, Harry Rush (capt) (Tomasz Siemieczuk 82 mins), Gareth Chendlik (Tom Collins 68), Dernell Wynter and Massimo Giamattei (Ogo Obi 46).
Unused Substitutes: Mark Bitmead, Jack Hutchinson.
Managers: Chris Moore and Wayne Carter.
Westfield: Tobias Fisher, Kai Davis, David Amate, I K Hill (Bradley Walsh 88), Luke Elliott (capt). Kai Hamilton-Olise, Troy Timothy, Jay Barton (Jacob Breckon 63), William Efambe (Niran Butler 77), Emmanuel Adediyi and Liam Montague.
Unused Substitute: Nikola Vujevic.
Manager: Simon Lane.
Referees: Mick Russell (1st half) and Jorden Gibson (2nd half) Assistant Referees: Dean Carney and Andreas Anastasiou.
Attendance: 271.
Bedfont Sports enjoyed a convincing 4-2 win away to Basingstoke Town and as a result, went above Hanwell Town (who now have 61 points) into third place, on 63 points from 31 games. Daniel Williams gave Bedfont an early lead, which Basingstoke equalised. However, the Eagles took control in the second half with goals from Kevin Diomande, Daniel Williams again and Lewis Flatman. The home side reduced the arrears with a 90th minute penalty.
Uxbridge retained 6th place with 59 points, after winning a home six pointer against Marlow by 2-0. Both of their goals were scored in the first half, by Anthony Mendy (pen) and Victor Osobu.
Northwood beat Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2-1 at the Robert Parker Stadium. They built up a 2-0 lead in the first half through goals by Sydney Ibie and Josh Helmore. Ashford rallied after half time and Ethan Hellyer pulled a goal back but Northwood hung on for all 3 points. Northwood are now in 11th place on 38 points from 32 games and Ashford Town are 13th, with 32 from 31.
Sadly, Staines Town, lost 5-0 away to Sutton Common Rovers and remain in bottom position on 14 points from 31 games. Rovers scored 3 first half goals in 3 minutes and added 2 more after the interval.
We thank Chris & Jim for giving up their Saturday and as ever they have supplied their favourite shots from the match, as shown through the report, Chris has also kindly provided a full range of imagery.
