HIGHGATE ALBION 4TH PROGRESS IN SUNDAY JUNIOR TROPHY
The Quarter Finals of the Middlesex Sunday Junior Trophy were contested on Sunday last, 23rd January. Our roving team of Chris Benn (photographer) and Jim Taylor (reporter) decided to visit St Aloysius Playing Fields in Highgate, for the match between Highgate Albion 4ths and Woodlands United.
The venue was excellent with well-kept pitches and good well supervised facilities in a scenic setting. It was pleasure to visit. The game was enjoyable and very watchable, competitive but played in a good spirit. The standard of football was very good.
After receiving a bye in the First Round, Highgate Albion 4ths had achieved two high scoring away victories, to reach the Quarter Final stage. They beat Homenetmen London 6-2 in Round 2 and Hampton Terriers 5-1 in Round 3. Woodlands United had also received a bye in Round 1 and had then recorded away victories over West Drayton Reserves (2-1) and Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves (4-2).
The first half of Sunday’s tie was well contested but with the larger proportion of the frequent goalmouth action at the Woodlands United end. Both sides had a long throw-in specialist which put additional pressure on the defences. James Dill caused some awkward moments for Woodlands early on, with his throws.
However, it was a throw by Callum Jones from the left that led to the opening goal for the visitors, in the 15th minute. It was punched out by the goalkeeper to Dan Bartlett, who volleyed it into the roof of the Albion net.
The lead lasted for just 3 minutes. Albion were awarded a free kick for a foul, wide on the left. Albert Hicks took it and landed it on the head of James Dill, who finished in spectacular fashion.
Highgate Albion then pushed hard for the lead. A good saving tackle by Liam Thorne stopped Matt Sellar, who was through on goal. Then keeper, Shane McEvoy had to come a long way out of his area to clear from Matt and was injured in the process. He was able to continue after some lengthy treatment.
Albion took the lead after 37 minutes, through a very well struck free kick from almost 30 yards by Chelsea Sabine.
As the interval approached, Highgate forced a succession of corners. Following one of them, Shane McEvoy made a fine point-blank save from Tim Le Breton’s close-range header.
Score at Half time: Highgate Albion 4th 2 Woodlands United 1
The Woodlands United keeper made a high save from Matt Sellar and then did well to stop a low shot from the same player.
However, Albion increased their lead, 12 minutes after the break, through Tim Le Breton. He flicked the ball home, when it came to him off of an opponent, following a defensive mix-up.
Albion made the score 4-1 from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. Chelsea Sabine was felled enroute to goal in the 68th minute. Albert Hicks’ successful spot kick was hit hard and low into the corner of the goal, to the keeper’s left.
The United keeper then did well to turn a free kick over his bar. Then Chelsea Sabine broke through but hit his shot across goal and just wide of the far post.
The 5th Albion goal arrived in the 75th minute. It was scored by Matt Sellar, who finished from close range after James Dill had crashed the ball against the bar.
After 78 minutes, Shane McEvoy, the Woodlands keeper, who had carried on despite having been been injured in the first half, wisely decided to withdraw from the action.
Gaku Sato headed the 6th Albion goal in the 83rd minute. Jake Weber, the replacement keeper got his hands to the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Charlie Maitland added their 7th in the 88th minute.
Referee Demetri Anastasiou controlled the match very well.
Final Score: Highgate Albion 4th 7 Woodlands United 1
HIGHGATE ALBION 4th: Ollie Smith, James Dill, Socksy Palmer, Callum Ali, Jack Taylor, James Kelly, Chelsea Sabine, Matt Sellar, Tim Le Breton, Albert Hicks and Charlie Maitland.
Substitutes (rolling subs used): Harry Smyth, Felix Percy, Gaku Sato, Kyle Kidd and Steven Swain.
WOODLANDS UNITED: Shane McEvoy, Lewis Wager, Zico Forbes, Liam Thorne, Barry Oliver, Yann Manunga, Dan Okoro, Damien Philip, Matt Bower, Dan Bartlett and Callum Jones.
Substitutes: Jake Weber (GK), Robin Holloway, Owen Cahill, Steve Gangadeen and Chris Farr.
REFEREE: Demetri Anastasiou
OTHER QUARTER FINAL RESULTS:
The results of the other matches played in the competition that day were:
|
Arnos Rangers |
(5) 0 |
vs |
0 (4) |
Armenian Youth Association |
|
Colney Hatch Athletic |
3 |
vs |
5 |
Drayton 70 FC |
|
NW Galacticos |
6 |
vs |
5 |
Banstead Eagles |
SEMI FINALS DRAW (Scheduled for Sunday, 27th February):
Highgate Albion 4th v Arnos Rangers
Drayton 70 FC v NW Galactico
As always we share our thanks with Chris & Jim who made their way up to Highgate giving up their time. As always you can see their favourite shots from the key moments of the game as shown in the report, alongside a full album of imagery supplied by Chris.