BANSTEAD EAGLES HIT NINE GOALS IN SUNDAY JUNIOR TROPHY
The outstanding second round match in this season’s Middlesex Sunday Junior Trophy was contested on Sunday, 27th November at Cranford Community College between Vintage (West London) Sunday and Banstead Eagles and your roving team were there.
Despite recent persistent rain, the match went ahead on an overcast and drizzly morning. The two teams brightened up the sombre conditions, with an entertaining match, which finished with the scoresheet heavily in favour of the visitors. Despite the result, Vintage didn’t give up and it was obvious that both sides enjoyed an encounter played in a very sporting manner.
Vintage had reached this round by beating Denham United Reserves 4-3 at home in round 1. Banstead Eagles had received a bye in round 1.
The dedication of the Vintage secretary, Mark Bedrossian was admirable. His day started badly with a puncture. Then, 2 of his players arrived after the kick off and another one walked away at half time, leaving him with just 10 players for the second half. Like the majority of his players, he remained cheerful and showed great fortitude. He was rewarded by scoring his team’s goal with a long-range shot.
Play fluctuated from end to end in the opening stages. Mark Bedrossian lofted a free kick into the Eagles box but his colleague, Florin Badea couldn’t keep the ball in play. Then Vintage keeper, Ian Coetzee saved at Josh Mooney’s feet. Eagles keeper Elliot Fry then saved a high shot from Florin Badea.
Banstead’s Josh Mooney pushed the ball through to George Martin but hit it too hard for George to catch. Then the Banstead keeper left his area to kick clear from Florin Badea.
George Martin was released up the middle and with only the keeper to beat, pushed the ball wide.
Banstead Eagles went ahead in the 15th minute through Nick Kemble, who was put through by Josh Mooney.
Then Eagles’ Bradley Holden’s low shot was blocked and he put the rebound over the crossbar. Nick Kemble’s shot took a deflection from a defender before the keeper pushed it over the bar.
George Martin added Eagles’ second goal in the 20th minute, with a low cross shot.
The visitors then mounted a series of attacks. Mathew Donovan fed George Martin, who worked himself into a good position but then scuffed his shot to the keeper. Josh Mooney shot on the run but just missed the target. Bradley Holden passed to George Martin, who lost his footing, allowing the keeper to gather the ball. Then George shot wide after being put through by Josh.
Mark Bedrossian reduced the arrears after 31 minutes, with a shot from around 40 yards.
Three minutes later Josh Mooney made the score 3-1 to Eagles from close range.
Three minutes after that, Bradley Holden added a 4th with a long shot.
George Martin’s low drive, in the 44th minute made the score 5-1.
Vintage were then awarded a penalty for hands but keeper Elliot Fry dived to his right to save Louis Owusu’s spot kick.
Score at half time: Vintage (West London) Sunday 1 Banstead Eagles 5
Banstead Eagles almost completely dominated play from the start of this half. Josh Mooney passed across the Vintage goalmouth without attracting a touch. Then Lee Glanville crossed for George Martin, who was robbed by a defender at the expense of a corner. Dan Stevenson’s sortie up the wing ended with him shooting wide. Bradley Holden shot over the bar from the edge of the box and George Martin placed his shot wide.
Eagles’ 6th goal eventually arrived in the 58th minute. Bradley Holden won possession and set up Lee Glanville, who had plenty of time to pick his spot.
Six minutes later David Luguterah added goal number 7 for the Eagles, after Ian Coetzee had parried his first shot.
Then Mathew Donovan worked through the home defence but hit an upright.
Eagles custodian, Elliot Fry was called into action twice. He saved a shot from around 30 yards from Awioala Kounpamo and then pushed Louis Owusu’s drive for a corner. In between these efforts, Ian Coetzee saved with his legs from Mathew Donovan, at the other end of the field.
George Martin’s shot was stopped on the goal line by Isaac Aliou Kwame’s hand. Sam Chapman converted the resulting penalty for Eagles’ 8th goal.
Lee Glanville side-footed the 9th from George Martin’s pass.
The match was well handled by referee Alan Barrett.
Result: Vintage (West London) Sunday 1 Banstead Eagles 9
TEAM LINE-UPS
Vintage (West London) Sunday: Ian Coetzee (capt), Step Ohanian, Mario Popescu, Florin Badea (left at HT), Mark Bedrossian, Mitch Scarvaci, Lucian Buse, Louis Owusu, Marius Ivan, Isaac Aliou Kwame and Awioala Kounpamo.
Banstead Eagles: Elliot Fry, Phil Dickson (capt), Ed Austin, Sam Chapman, Dan Stevenson, Callum Penfold, Josh Mooney, Nick Kemble, Mathew Donovan, George Martin and Bradley Holden
Rolling substitutes: David Luguterah and Lee Glanville.
Banstead Eagles will play AFC Roza U23 Pinks in the Quarter Final on 22nd January.
We thank Chris and Jim for covering this game, as ever they have selected some of their favourite shots from the match, which can be viewed throughout this report, Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery from the game.
Full Album courtesy of Chris Benn