Four matches were played in the First Round of the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup on Tuesday last, 12^th October.   County photographer, Chris Benn visited Ashford Town (Middlesex)’s Robert Parker Stadium for the visit of North Greenford United.

Ashford Town started brightly and went ahead in the third minute through Matthew Bunyan, who headed Dan Brown’s cross home.   They almost added to this lead when Aaron McLeish-White’s drive just cleared the crossbar.

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Matthew Bunyan's header puts Ashford Town 1-0 up

However, Ashford didn’t have to wait long for a second goal, which arrived in the 9^th minute through a glancing header by Matthew Bunyan, from Jack French’s shot.

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Matthew Bunyan heads Ashford Town's scond goal

In the 22^nd minute, Clyde Obdo worked himself neatly into the visitors’ penalty area, to lay on Ashford’s third goal, which was converted by Aaron McLeish-White.   Then Aaron went close to scoring again, when North Greenford goalkeeper, Jack Curd diverted his shot onto a goalpost.

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Aaron McLeish-White has put Ashford Town three ahead

North Greenford United reduced the deficit in the 25^th minute, with a penalty taken by Harvey Killeen, following a rash tackle by Dan Brown.

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Harvey Killeen scores for North Greenford from the penalty spot

The visitors now came more into the game but no further goals were scored before the interval.

Half time score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 3   North Greenford United 1

Matthew Bunyan converted Aaron McLeish-White’s short pass to complete his hattrick in the 51^st minute and 6 minutes later, Dan Brown’s cross shot made the score 5-1.  

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Ashford's fourth goal scored by Matthew Bunyan

Matthew Bunyan headed home at the far post from Kiran Khinda-John’s cross, for his 4^th goal of the match, in the 80^th minute.

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Matthew Bunyan heads his fourth and Ashford Town's sixth goal

North Greenford’s Kai John-Charles completed the scoring in 82^nd minute, with a shot that went in off of a post.

In the closing minutes, Ashford substitute, Matthew Mihell rattled the crossbar with a powerful header.

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Jack Curd leaps for Matthew Mihell's header, which rebounded from the crossbar

Final Score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 6   North Greenford United 2

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Paul McCarthy, Clyde Obdo, Harry Woodward, Siao Blackwood, George Spiers, Kiran Khinda-John (Dylan Ive 70 mins), Daniel Brown, Jack French, Aaron McLeish-White, Matthew Bunyan (Matthew Mihell 83 mins) and Angelos Theophilou (Ethan Hellyer 62 mins).

Unused substitutes: Dean Greenwood and Dale Burnham.

North Greenford United: Jack Curd, Sivaruban Sathiyananthan, Sanna Jobarteh, Harrison Okwu (Wilton Domingos 66 mins), Georgie Brown, Sam Molyneaux, Christopher Martin-Thomas, Kai John Charles, Charlie Mitchell, Harvey Killeen (Gospel Mombongo 66 mins) and Joseph Mills (Samuel Brown 66 mins).

Unused substitute: Ryan Lehane.

Referee: Paul Andrews   Assistant Referees: Sam Gregory and Aiden Farrelly.

The results of the other Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup matches played that evening were:

Then the following evening, 13^th October, we had:

The remaining matches to be played in Round 1 are:

Hanworth Villa v Wingate & Finchley  Tue, 19^th Oct

Northwood v Uxbridge                           Tue, 26^th Oct

St Panteleimon v Brentford B                Wed, 27^th Oct

The line up for Round 2, scheduled for the week commencing 8th November is as follows:

Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Hanworth Villa or Wingate & Finchley

Spelthorne Sports v Harefield United

Hendon v Hanwell Town

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Harrow Borough

St Panteleimon or Brentford B v Broadfields United

Enfield Town v Bedfont Sports

Northwood or Uxbridge v Wembley

Hayes & Yeading United v Barnet

As ever we thank Chris Benn for getting out and about with his camera, he has caught all the key moments from the match.

Photos available courtesy of Chris Benn