The home team’s first attempt on goal came in the 17th minute when Nico Salapatas fired narrowly wide with a cross shot. Sussex then had 2 chances to increase their lead. In the 19th minute Owen Callaghan (Shoreham) just failed to get a touch to convert another good through ball from Tony Reid . Then, 5 minutes later Middlesex keeper, Gary Jallow, made a very good save from an awkward shot from Spencer Slaughter (Hassocks) which bounced just in front of him.
There followed a couple of good efforts from Middlesex. After 27 minutes Nico Salapatas forced the Sussex keeper, Joel Harding (Hassocks) into a great save to prevent the ball entering the top left corner of his goal. Then in the 34th minute Charlie McCarthy headed just wide from Nico’s inswinging corner.
Nico was very prominent at this stage of the game. However, 5 minutes before the interval, when another testing cross from him was cleared with difficulty, play moved swiftly to the other end and with the Middlesex defence stretched, Gary Jallow was forced into a scrambling save from Tony Reid.
Adem Mahmoud was having a particularly good game at left back for Middlesex. He defended solidly, initiated several attacks and tested the Sussex keeper himself in the last minute of the half. After this there was still time before the break for Andre Delisser to scrape the bar with a fierce drive.
The visitors started the second half aggressively. In the first ten minutes after the interval Gary Jallow saved well at the feet of Aaron Watson (Crawley Down), Jamie Diston rescued a dangerous situation with a well timed tackle and Shoreham’s Owen Callaghan bounced the ball on the top of the Middlesex cross bar.
In the 62nd minute, Michael Murray just cleared the Sussex bar but almost immediately Gary Jallow was twice called into action. He saved from Spencer Slaughter, following a good run by that player and then from Aaron Watson at close range.
Sussex changed goalkeepers midway through the half and replacement Michael Hunter (Shoreham) was immediately in action. He saved from Danny Mitchell following an incisive Middlesex move also involving Ricky Pither and Michael Murray and then he blocked at close range from Pither. More Middlesex pressure followed and he did well to hold a glancing header from skipper Malachai Bulley.
Middlesex were now really putting on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Michael Hunter saved well from Andre Delisser in the 82nd minute and then Charlie McCarthy headed just wide. Both Sussex keepers played their part in keeping Middlesex out.
Substitute Kevin McKenna put Malachai through in added time but the latter’s shot was narrowly wide. However, Sussex were prevented from adding to their score just before the final whistle by Gary Jallow who saved well from Aaron Watson.
The game was excellently controlled by referee Steven Rea (Middlesex) and his assistants Stephen Woodison and Steve Williams.
Uxbridge FC hosted the match in their usual impeccable manner.
Middlesex team:- Gary Jallow (North Greenford United), Courtney Laidley (Harrow Borough), Adem Mahmoud, Jamie Diston (both North Greenford), Charlie McCarthy (Ashford Town (Middx)), Michael Murray, Andre Delisser (both North Greenford), Malachai Bulley (capt) (Ashford Town), Danny Mitchell (Brunel University), Ricky Pither (North Greenford), Nico Salapatas (Ashford Town).
Substitutes:- Kevin McKenna (North Greenford) (69 minutes) for Nico Salapatas, Jack Duffy (Brunel) (80) for Ricky Pither, Ali Simmons (85) for Danny Mitchell)
Not used:- Kians Siabi (Brunel) and Aaron Bufton (Northwood) (GK).
Joint Managers: Neil Cumming and Steve Ringrose Physio: Gary Strudwick