The teams take the field

SOUTHALL EDGE HOME IN LOCAL DERBY

Jim Taylor

A battle for vital league points between local rivals, Southall and Bedfont Sports, was staged at the Robert Parker Stadium on Saturday last, 11th March.   Although, they are based barely two miles apart along the A30, these clubs haven’t played each other very often.   The last time that they met for league points, before this season, was in a Middlesex County League Premier Division match at Bedfont Rec in May 2009, which Bedfont Sports won by 2 goals to nil.   They have clashed twice in the Middlesex Senior Cup since then though, with Bedfont Sports winning both matches, 4-2 at home in 2018 and 2-0 away in 2019.   This match, in the Isthmian League South Central Division was made possible by Southall’s promotion to Level 4, following their second place finish in last season’s Combined Counties League Premier Division North.

Today’s teams needed the points for differing reasons.   Following a successful campaign last season, when they finished 3rd in the league table and only missed out on promotion in the play-offs, Bedfont Sports currently occupy an unaccustomed position (temporarily we hope) in the relegation places.   Before this match, they had obtained 27 points from their 30 matches.   They had. however, gained draws in 5 of their previous 6 games.

Southall were just outside the play-off places, with 42 points from their 29 matches.   Although their recent form had fallen away slightly, a win in this game would give them the impetus for a good end of season run-in.  Southall had won 4-1 at Bedfont Rec, earlier in the season, after the score had been level at the interval at 1 goal each.

A hard fought and tense match was decided by a single goal, scored by Southall striker, Jaden Thompson-Brissett, just before half-time.

Michael Edegbe saves at close range from Aidan Brown (10)

The visitors went onto the attack immediately and had two goal attempts in the opening minutes.    Aidan Brown’s shot from close range was turned for a corner by Michael Edegbe.   Then Kofi Anoyke-Boadi cleared the bar.

Kofi Anoyke-Boadi (11) shoots over the bar

Southall came into the match and Luke Heneghan’s free kick, from outside the box, took a deflection on its way through to keeper, Joe Ringer. 

Luke Heneghan's (10) deflected free kick is saved by Joe Ringer

Joe then held a low shot from Luke.

Kevat Serbonij shoots...

Bedfont Sports came back and Kevat Serbonij hit the post with a drive, in the 17th minute.

...and hits the post

Luke Henighan's free kick over the wall...

A good run by Jaden Thompson-Brissett ended when he was tripped just outside the box.   The keeper saved Luke Heneghan’s free-kick high up.

...is saved by Joe Ringer

A long ball into the Bedfont box by Azeez Alabi just eluded Jamie Hanlon and went through to Joe Ringer.

A penetrating run by Bedfont’s Reyon Dillon finished with his low cross being intercepted by Azeez.

Kofi's (11) shot...

Reyon Dillon squared the ball for Kofi Anoyke-Boadi, whose shot was blocked on the goal-line.

...is blocked on the goal line

A good move involving Sam Evans and Kofi set up Aidan Brown, whose shot didn’t trouble Michael Edegbe.

"Biscuit" (9) scores the only goal of the match...

Jaden Thompson-Brissett fired Southall ahead in added time before the interval.

...and wheels away in jubilation

Score at half time:  Southall 1   Bedfont Sports 0

Southall’s Louie Stead released Luke Heneghan, whose shot was charged down.

Bedfont’s Sam Evans headed over from a free-kick, taken wide on the right.

Cerny Ando released Sam Evans through the middle but keeper Michael Edgbe blocked his shot.

A move involving Sam Evans and Noe Vendreus released Aiden Brown , whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Caleb Wright cleared the Southall bar from close range.

Joe Ringer saves Jaden's free kick

Bedfont’s Ethan Kaiser was cautioned for bringing down Jaden Thompson-Brissett.  Joe Ringer saved the resulting free kick, taken by Jaden   The ball ran loose but the forwards following up were clearly offside.

Cerny Ando's long throw is dealt with by the Southall defence

Cerney Ando’s long throw into the Southall goalmouth was dealt with by the defence.

As events became heated, in the closing minutes, a member of the Bedfont management team, who had previously been cautioned for his aggressive behaviour, was sent to the stand by the referee.

Final Score:  Southall 1   Bedfont Sports 0  

TEAM LINE UPS:

Southall: Michael Edegbe, Kevin Diormande, Frankie Taylor, Louis Stead, Kevin Songolo, Azeez Alabi, Ryan Hope (capt), Ryan Cassidy, Jaden Thompson-Brissett, Luke Heneghan (Elliot Satiorius 79 mins) and Jamie Hanlon (Darreon Mark 71).

Unused substitutes: Carl Pearce, Jake Frailing and Michael Bryan.

Manager: Max Howell   Coaches: Don Bennett and Jesse Smith  Physio: Bren Briggs.

Bedfont Sports: Joe Ringer, Noe Vendreus, Marco Firgueiredo, Caleb Wright (capt), Ethan Kaiser, Cerney Ando, Reyon Dillon, Kevat Serbonij, Sam Evans, Aidan Brown and Kofi Anoyke-Boadi (Nathan Hogan 61).

Unused substitutes: Ryan Holt, Troy Silvera and Jake Beck-Nardoni.

Joint Managers: Jay Reader and Harrison Williams   Assistant Manager: James Deacons   Physio: Andy Nolan   Goalkeeping Coach: Luke Russell.

Referee: Thomas Hood   Assistant Referees: Ahmad Rafique and Adriana Bucur.

Attendance: 95

After the match, the Southall Manager, Max Howell was presented with a club cap and a certificate to mark his 200th game in charge.

One of the pleasures of visiting Southall FC is the opportunity of perusing the latest edition of the match programme.   It is lovingly put together by Editor Gary Drew and is packed with information and entertaining content.   I particular enjoy his brutally honest observations.   He is also the club historian, following in the footsteps of the late Geoff Harrison.    The publications that he has produced include “A Southall Kit History”, spanning 150 years and recently “The Rise and Fall of Western Road”.   The latter is a fascinating account of Southall’s home for nearly 90 years and also includes chapters covering the grounds that came before and the club’s nomadic existence after they were made homeless.   This is an essential read for anyone with an interest in the history of Middlesex football.

Thank you as always to Chris & Jim for covering the match. As ever, they have selected their favourite shots which can be found throughout the report. Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery from the game.

Chris & Jim's Picks

Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn