The preliminaries

HIGHGATE ALBION PROGRESS IN FA SUNDAY CUP

Jim Taylor

Highgate Albion visited FC Beaconsfield in Round 3 of the FA Sunday Cup on Sunday, 11th December.   Your reporting team attended the game, which was played on the 3G pitch at Buckinghamshire College in Flackwell Heath.   We were welcomed and very well looked after by the home officials.   Because of the freezing conditions, this tie was one of only four matches played, of the scheduled 16 in the round.

The cold but enthusiastic and vociferous crowd were well entertained by a competitive and skilful encounter.   This is FC Beaconsfield’s first season in the FA Sunday Cup, while Highgate Albion are seasoned campaigners in the competition and reached the final last season.

Both teams had started this season’s competition in round 2.   FC Beaconsfield   beat Lambeth All Stars 6-3, in an away match, played at Dulwich Hamlet FC and Highgate Albion won a penalty shoot-out 4-3, after a 1-1 draw with Hatch Lane from East London.

Highgate Albion won the match 4-1 and deserved their victory.   However, FC Beaconsfield gave a good account of themselves and were in contention until the closing minutes.   The scores were level at a goal each at the interval.   Albion then took a 2-1 lead in the 6th minute of the second half.   They scored their 3rd goal in the 85th minute and their 4th with the last kick of the game.

FC Beaconsfield made the early running and brought the Albion keeper, Charlie Taylor into action in the second minute, with a shot from Brad Miguel, following a move involving Adrian Smith and Kane Guy.   Then Keith Goldswain’s ball into the Albion box found Kane, whose shot was blocked.   Next, a free kick from around 30 yards by Cory Hathaway was fielded by Charlie Taylor.

Highgate Albion hit back and a free kick from their influential midfielder, Lewis Toomey, from wide on the left evaded everyone in the penalty box.   Another of Lewis’s free kicks found Richard Ennin, whose shot was saved by keeper Ben Flattery.   Then Ben was quickly off of his line to save at Jake Cass’s feet.   Jake led the Albion line well and was constantly troubling the home defence.

Beaconsfield’s Brad Miguel took a cross-field pass from Cory Hathaway on and shot narrowly wide.

Solomon Ofori (26) puts Albion 1-0 up

In the 26th minute Jake Cass hit a free kick into the Beaconsfield defensive wall and fastened onto the rebound to force a corner.   The ball was headed on from the corner kick to Solomon Ofori, who netted to give Albion the lead, after his initial effort had rebounded back to him.

Jake Cass outjumps Keith Goldswain

Albion now dominated the proceedings for a period of around 20 minutes.   Home keeper, Ben Flattery saved at Richard Ennin’s feet, after Richard was released by Jake Cass.  Then Lewis Toomey’s free kick found Richard, who was again thwarted by Ben Flattery.

Ben Flattery saves at Richard Ennin's feet

Jake Cass netted from Lewis Toomey’s pass but was adjudged to be offside.   Lewis fed Solomon Ofori, whose shot was blocked.   Richard Ennin won the ball and crossed for Solomon but the keeper saved from close range.   Richard shot narrowly wide from around 25 yards and then his cross-field pass found Solomon, whose angled shot was saved.

The keeper saves from Solomon Ofori

Ashley Howell shoots...

However, FC Beaconsfield equalised against the run of play, 5 minutes before the interval, through Ashley Howell, who finished off a good move.

...and equalises for FC Beaconsfield

Ben Flattery left his area to kick clear from Jake Cass, who had been set up by Lewis Toomey.

Score at half time: FC Beaconsfield 1   Highgate Albion 1

Jake Cass (9) heads past the post from a corner

Solomon Ofori received the ball with his back to goal and although closely marked, turned and forced a corner, which was cleared.   He then had another shot deflected for a corner, from which Jake Cass headed past the post.

Richard Ennin restores Albion's lead

Richard Ennin restored Albion’s lead in the 51st minute, when he brought the ball down and beat the keeper from close range.

Alvin Kyeremeh (18) makes a timely interception

Some good defensive work was then demonstrated at both ends of the field. Albion’s Alvin Kyeremeh made a timely interception in his goalmouth and then Keith Goldswain of Beaconsfield made a goal-saving block.

Ben Flattery turned Daniel Taylor’s shot for a corner, after the latter had been released by Jake Cass.  Solomon Ofori hit the bar from close range and then the keeper saved at full stretch from newly introduced substitute, Louie Remi.

At the other end, Beaconsfield were creating chances.    Ashley Howell hit a curling shot just past the angle of the goal frame.   Keith Goldswain headed over from a corner.   Charlie Taylor saved low down from Kane Guy.  Then Ashley Howell had 2 successive shots blocked.

The result was still in the balance, as both sides were creating scoring opportunities.   Richard Ennin broke down the wing and fed Louie Remi, who shot straight at the keeper.   A free kick by Cory Hathaway, from outside the corner of the penalty area and a long free kick by Ben Vicos, were both saved by Charlie Taylor.

Solomon Ofori worked his way through the home defence but shot wide from an acute angle.

Louie Remi (2) hits Albion's third goal

Louie Remi reduced the pressure on Albion, with 5 minutes of normal time remaining, by shooting low past the keeper for his side’s 3rd goal.

Solomon Ofori scores Albion's fourth goal

Jake Cass’s shot from 25 yards was deflected for a corner.   In the action following the corner kick, Ben Flattery saved low down from Daniel Taylor but Solomon Ofori smashed in the rebound with the last kick of the match.                                                                                                                                                        

Final Score: FC Beaconsfield 1   Highgate Albion 4

TEAM LINE UPS:

FC Beaconsfield: Ben Flattery, Adrian Smith, Jarelle Baptiste (capt), Keith Goldswain, Joe Anning, Ben Vicos, Kane Guy (Junathaen George 90 + 1 mins), Cory Hathaway, Ashley Howell, Brad Miguel (Harlem Hale 54) and Rhys Harper.

Unused substitutes: Spencer Allen, Aaron Couch, Alex Emery and Josh Peck.

Highgate Albion: Charlie Taylor, Ashley Dray (Akram Mohamed 74), Reece Lambert, Ian Maitland (capt), Alvin Kyeremeh (Louie Remi 64), Aaron Scott, Daniel Taylor, Lewis Toomey, Jake Cass, Richard Ennin (James Esprit 79) and Solomon Ofori.

Unused substitutes: Alexandru Gauriloaia (gkpr), Teddy Stacey, Pete Riley and Akinowa Fayoyin.

Referee: Shawn Barclay   Assistant Referees: Adam Jackson and Julian Davis.

Highgate Albion have been drawn away again in the 4th round, to the eventual winners of the postponed match between Rouge 21 and Frimley Green Sunday. 

We thank Chris and Jim for braving the coldest of December days to cover Highgate Albion in their quest to go one better than last season. As ever, our roving team have reviewed Chris' shots and have compiled their favourites, which can be found in the report, Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery from the match.

Chris & Jim's Picks

Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn