CB HOUNSLOW UNITED IN THEIR LEAGUE CUP FINAL
CB Hounslow United FC are one of the two Middlesex FA affiliated clubs that compete in the MJM Sports Surrey Premier County League. The other one is Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) FC. Your roving team visited CB’s welcoming Green Lane HQ on Thursday, 11th April, for their league’s Premier Challenge Cup semi-final, against AFC Cubo.
AFC Cubo are currently occupying 10th place in the league table. They had reached the semi-finals of this competition by beating Frenches Athletic 4-2 at home in round 1 and Keens Park Rangers 2-1 away in the quarter-finals.
CB Hounslow United, who are in 8th position in the league table, had drawn a bye in round 1 and had then beaten Battersea Ironside 4-1, at home in the quarter-finals.
The teams produced a well contested and exciting match. CB scored midway through the first half and added to their lead before the interval. A determined AFC Cubo started the second period with a sustained attack and pulled a goal back. They remained on the offensive and put the home side under considerable pressure. However, CB dug deep and fought their way back into the game. The crucial point in the match came in the 63rd minute, when CB Hounslow scored their 3rd goal. After this they survived another Cubans’ onslaught and then controlled the proceedings against their opponents, who had given their all, had suffered knocks to important players and were now running out of steam and ideas.
CB’s Kyle Mendez initiated the game’s first goalmouth action. He picked up a clearance, made ground and played a through ball, which Dan Boyden couldn’t quite reach.
Then, at the other end, Calum Forster’s shot was charged down. The ball rebounded for Oliver Perkins and CB keeper, Albie Burgess, pushed Oliver’s high shot for a corner.
Ollie Wright fastened onto a through ball and forced Cubans’ keeper, Sam Harrison to save with his feet.
CB captain, Tai Okawa-Marles shot just too high from 25 yards.
Oliver Perkins set up Oliver Price, who skied his shot.
CB worked a freekick move to the right of the Cubo box but the ball eventually ran through to goalkeeper, Sam Harrison. However, CB went ahead after 22 minutes through Ade Owalana, who netted Ollie Wright’s low cross.
Both sides continued to make chances. CB’s Miles Collins burst through but shot wide. Then, Albie Burgess saved from Oliver Perkins, after good approach work involving Sam Rees and Paul Maas. Albie then saved at close range from Oliver Price.
CB doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, through a successful freekick move involving Ollie Wright and Kyle Mendez, who shot through the defensive wall to beat Sam Harrison.
CB survived a couple of goalmouth skirmishes as the interval approached. Then Calum Forster’s dangerous freekick, into their box, was headed over by Paul Maas.
Half time score: CB Hounslow United 2 AFC Cubo 0
AFC Cubo came out for the second half with all guns blazing and forced Albie Burgess into a double save in the first minute. They soon pulled a goal back through Sam Rees, who netted from close range, following a corner, in the 47th minute.
The Cubans continued their onslaught on the home goal but the CB defence, with Donald Adeoson outstanding, held firm.
CB fought their way back into the match. Ollie Wright’s initial shot was blocked and he hit the rebound wide.
Miles Collins shot wide from a low cross. A long freekick by Tai Okawa-Marles troubled the keeper, who managed to push it behind for a corner.
CB Hounslow scored the crucial goal in the 63rd minute, through Ollie Wright, who headed home, after the ball was played back to him, following a corner.
Cubo responded with another sustained attacking spell, during which several shots were blocked by CB bodies. Albie Burgess saved at Sam Rees’ feet.
Dan Sparks headed over the CB crossbar from a corner.
Kyle Mendez set up Jaiden Brookman, who was thwarted by a timely tackle.
Final score: CB Hounslow United 3 AFC Cubo 1
Our congratulations go to CB Hounslow United manager, Roy Wright, who celebrated his 60th birthday by taking his team to a cup final.
Nick Pye, the referee impressed throughout, administering justice firmly and accurately. His assistants, Lewis Rescorla and Phil Wrighton also performed their duties well.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
CB Hounslow United: Albie Burgess, DeJuan Gayle-Kirby (Stephen Udeze 87), Jon Lloyd, Diogo Costa, Donald Adeoson, Tai Okawa-Marles (capt) (Jaiden Brookman 76), Ade Owalana (Ivan Bitha-mba 67), Oliver Wright, Miles Collins (Kieron Horrill 87), Dan Boyden and Kyle Mendez.
AFC Cubo: Sam Harrison, Mitch Seymour, Julian Chetwynd (Dan Sparks 78), Charles Essam (Tom Shaw 72), Sam Rees (capt), Tim De La Haye (Rory Kilcoyne 86), Calum Forster (Robert Davies 78), Oliver Price, Oliver Perkins (Marcus Torr 72), Paul Maas and Calum Stratton.
The final is scheduled for Thursday, 9th May at Abbey Rangers FC.
Words: Jim Taylor
Pictures: Chris Benn