SOUTHALL WIN SENIOR CUP SHOOT-OUT
The first round of this season’s Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup was concluded on Tuesday, 18th October at the Robert Parker Stadium, when Southall met Wembley. Your roving team covered the match, which was hard fought and evenly contested. However, because of the solid defensive work of both sides, supported by the efficiency of the goalkeepers, neither side could register a goal to win the match in 90 minutes. The result was eventually decided, in Southall’s favour, by a penalty shoot-out.
Both sides played the ball around well in midfield but could not find the all-important final pass. Southall enjoyed the most possession in the first half and forced a number of corners but they were unable to profit from any of them. Wembley initially relied mainly on breakaways but they too were unsuccessful in their attempts to create a decisive opening.
Southall won a freekick, on the corner of the visitors’ penalty area, in the third minute. Skipper Louis Stead’s kick produced a melee in the Wembley penalty area before finishing in keeper, Victor Cristea’s hands.
Wembley’s first attack came in the 10th minute when Donnell Moore’s cross went across goal and out for a goal kick.
Wembley’s goal attempts in the first half were few. Devante Jones and Jayden Mitchell-Brown both tried shots from a distance, which were off target. An effort by Donnell Moore, after he was put through by Ben Lawson-Hatch, was deflected for a corner and another shot from Donnell lacked the power to trouble the keeper.
Southall’s main threat came from corner kicks, when their big defenders joined the attack.
Wembley had a greater share of the play territorially after half time. However, the overall pattern of the match did not change. Defences continued to dominate and it became increasingly obvious that a penalty shoot-out would be needed to separate the teams.
Score at full time: Southall 0 Wembley 0
Jonathan Iley took the first penalty kick for Wembley and scored. Alex Nolan did likewise for Southall.
Jayden Mitchell-Brown hit Wembley’s second kick high over the crossbar and Louis Stead scored to put Southall 2-1 ahead.
Southall didn’t relinquish the lead, as the remaining kicks were all converted. The successful kickers were Hayden McConnell (Wembley), Luke Heneghan (Southall), Jayden Newman (Wembley), Chinua Cole (Southall), Devente Jones (Wembley) and Ryan Hope (Southall).
Result of penalty shoot-out: Southall 5 Wembley 4
The match was very well handled by referee Mark Jolley. He was ably supported by his assistant referees, Nigel Hickes and Luke Partington.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Southall: Koju Abayomi, Alex Nolan, Chinua Cole, Louis Stead (capt), Louis Dailey, Frankie Taylor (Luke Heneghan 85 min), Ryan Hope, Samuel Bello-Balogun (Joe Wylie 46), Anthony O’Connor, George Isaac (Jack Roper 64) and Lenny Farhall (Arell Amu 64).
Unused substitute: Carl Pearce.
Manager: Max Howell Coaches: Don Bennett, Jesse Smith and Frankie Atwell Physio: Bren Briggs.
Wembley: Victor Cristea, Calvin Osborne, Ronnie Swash, Ethan Tyrer (capt), Henry Osei, Jayden Mitchell-Brown, Alfie Bates, Tag Rowe (Hayden McConnell 85), Ben Lawson-Hatch (Jonathan Iley 50), Donnell Moore (Jayden Newman 72) and Devente Jones.
Unused substitutes: Chris Allen and Dan Sefton.
Manager: Ian Bates Assistants: Keith Camacho and Danny Cook.
Attendance: 36
OTHER ROUND 1 RESULTS
Bedfont Sports 3 St Panteleimon 3 (penalties 3-1)
Northwood 1 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0
Uxbridge 4 Spelthorne Sports 1
North Greenford United 7 Broadfields United 2
Harefield United 1 Hanworth Villa 6
Hilltop 3 Edgware & Kingsbury 4
DRAW FOR ROUND 2
Uxbridge v Enfield Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Hayes & Yeading United
Hanworth Villa v Northwood
Brentford B v Bedfont Sports
Hanwell Town v Harrow Borough
Edgware & Kingsbury v Wealdstone
North Greenford United v Hendon
Barnet v Southall
The Uxbridge v Enfield Match has been arranged for Tue, 1st Nov and the Hampton & Richmond Borough match for Tue, 15th Nov. The remaining ties are scheduled for the week commencing 7th Nov.
We thank Chris and Jim for giving up their time to cover this match, as ever, they have selected some of the key shots from the match which can be seen throughout the report. Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery from the match.
