The preliminaries

TAKERS FC WIN A THRILLING SUNDAY PREMIER CUP TIE

Jim Taylor

The second round of the Middlesex Sunday Premier Cup was contested on Sunday last and the roving team of Chris Benn (County photographer) and Jim Taylor (reporter) decided to cover the match between the holders, Takers FC and ShoTime FC at the Middlesex Stadium.

We were not disappointed with our choice, as a thoroughly entertaining contest ensued (although ‘exploded’ would be a more appropriate word).   It was a really high class no-holds barred cup tie, played at a tremendous pace,  with a high skill factor.   Both teams were encouraged by their large voluble following.

Referee Daniel Maragh must take a lot of the credit for the quality of the match.   Its intensity made it difficult to referee but he applied the appropriate level of control to keep play moving and to diffuse some difficult situations.   Furthermore, he did this without the support of neutral assistant referees.

The referee had to deal with his first potentially explosive situation a few minutes after the kick off, when the Takers’ goalkeeper objected at length to a challenge from a ShoTime forward while chasing a through ball.  In a matter of seconds, a confrontation occurred, involving several players from either side. This was dispersed with the issue of a couple of cautions.

The first clear goalscoring chance occurred in the 12th minute, when Takers’ creative midfielder, Carlos Ribciru set up Reanu Grossett, who shot wide of the far post.   Two minutes after this, ShoTime striker, Deandre Johnson was put through by Zakari Otoo but he shot straight at keeper Raven Constable.

Takers’ Gianni Crichlow went on a good run and cut in.   However, his shot, hit from a narrow angle passed right across the goal mouth.  Then skipper Reanu Grossett netted but was adjudged offside.

Carlos Simao went on a run for ShoTime and was pushed over.   He took the free kick himself and shot straight at the keeper.

A good Takers’ move, started by Carlos Ribciru and carried on by Corcy Parchment, finished with Gianni Crichlow’s shot clearing the ShoTime bar.

In the 38th minute, ShoTime were reduced to ten men, when Sajad Mohammed received two  yellow cards in quick succession.   Within a minute, Takers took the lead.   A good build up was finished from close range by Jack Smith.   The ShoTime keeper, Kamal Foster, got a foot to the shot but could not keep it out.

Jack Smith puts Takers ahead

The reaction to this turn of events, by the occupants of the ShoTime dug out and the adjacent spectators, necessitated the referee delivering a stern warning.

Takers went two goals up in the 45th minute.   Reanu Grossett hit the post and Jack Smith netted the rebound, for his second goal.

Jack Smith hits Takers' second goal

Half time score: Takers FC 2   ShoTime FC 0

Play continued to move rapidly up and down the pitch.   ShoTime’s Deandre Johnson headed wide from Jermaine Heron’s well placed cross.   Takers’ Jack Smith curled his shot narrowly wide, after being released by Reanu Grossett.   A well struck free kick from around 25 yards by Jack Smith narrowly cleared the ShoTime cross bar.

A confrontation after 73 minutes...

A mass confrontation, starting in the 73rd minute, led to a further reduction in the number of players on the pitch.   Takers’ Aldis Alvi received a yellow card for the tackle that initiated the fracas and this, together with an earlier yellow card, earned him his dismissal.   Renaldo Otoo of ShoTime received a straight red card for violent conduct.   So, play resumed with 9 ShoTime players against 10 from Takers.

...and one of the consequences

Jack Smith had a chance to increase his sides’ lead but the Shotime keeper’s save deprived him of a hattrick.

Everybody up, looking for an equaliser (#1)

ShoTime now threw everyone, including  goalkeeper Kamal Foster, forward.   Jermaine Heron lofted a free kick into the Takers’ penalty area.   Rumaro Sylvestre connected with it but the keeper saved his shot.

Everybody up, looking for an equaliser (#2)

Deandre Johnson was tripped entering the Takers’ box in the 87th minute.   He coolly netted the penalty himself to set up a frantic but for ShoTime, a fruitless finale.

Deandre Johnson scores for ShoTime from the spot

Final Score: Takers FC 2   ShoTime FC 1

Full time, and all is forgiven

TAKERS FC: Ravan Constable, Aldis Alvi, Remarrio Francis, Edwin Twesigomwe, Danny Slevin, Riccardo Clarke-Rowe, Corcy Parchment, Carlos Ribciru, Gianni Crichlow, Reanu Grossett (capt), Jack Smith, Zaine Vincent, Patrick Okolo and Reece Manning (rolling substitutes were used).

SHOTIME FC: Kamal Foster, Renaldo Otoo, Deandre Johnson, Zakari Otoo,  Osamu Allman, William Thomas Dawkins, Rumaro Sylvestre, Jermaine Heron, Carlos Simao, Marcus John Lewis, Wahid Rashid, Javier Otoo (capt), Sajad Mohammed, Davantury Hastings, Shamaen Evans and Aaron Hughes.

REFEREE: Daniel Maragh.

Other Results in Round 2

Ivy Leaf WD  5 v 0 Atletico Cerezo 
Larkspur Rovers (Sunday) 3 v 1 Hanworth Sports
Park Royals (4) 0 v 0 (5) AFC Hammersmith Town
Highgate Albion 5 v Real Menza
Abbey  (4) 1 v 1 (3)  Chiswick Griffin Albion
Club Assyria 6 1 Indian Gymkhana Sunday
Gower All Stars 4 3 NLO

DRAW FOR QUARTER FINALS (Scheduled for 16th January, 2022)

AFC Hammersmith Town v Highgate Albion

Larkspur Rovers (Sunday) v Club Assyria

Gower All Stars v Ivy Leaf WD

Abbey v Takers FC

Thanks to Chris & Jim for giving up their time to cover this match, they have selected a variety of photos as seen in the report alongside the full album of imagery.

Chris & Jim's picks

Full album courtesy of Chris Benn