The preliminaries

WHITTON WANDERERS BOOK A PLACE IN U18 CUP SEMI-FINALS

Jim Taylor

The Middlesex FA Under 18 Cup Quarter Finals were played on Sunday, 5th February and your reporting team chose the match between Whitton Wanderers Youth Hawks and Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Colts.

Whitton Wanderers Youth Hawks had received a bye in round 1 of the competition and had then reached this stage by convincingly winning consecutive away matches against Pitshanger Blue (4-0) in round 2, Pitshanger White (5-1) in round 3 and Venceremos Red (3-0) in round 4.

Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Colts had also received a bye in the first round and had then convincingly disposed of Old Actonians Youth Red and Hinton & Finchley Revolution (both 4-0 at home).   They had stiffer opposition in round 4, in which they beat Spelthorne Sports Youth U17 Navy 2-1.

The match was played on the main pitch of the pleasant Whitton Park Sports Association grounds, which were a hive of activity, with several other matches, involving varying age groups, being contested on the surrounding pitches.   Unlike on recent Sunday mornings, the conditions were comfortable.   There was no sign of rain or frost and the sun shone throughout the match.

Both sides played attractive football, which entertained the large gathering of spectators.   After the early exchanges, Whitton Wanderers took control and went ahead in the 15th minute.   They added two further goals in the next ten minutes and another one 5 minutes before the interval.   Whitton were not as dominant in the second half but scored another goal in the 75th minute.   Hampton & Richmond Borough netted a consolation goal 3 minutes later.

The kick off

Whitton’s Jack Johnson had the first attempt on goal, a free kick from the left, which was safely gathered by Hampton keeper, Francis Wiggins.   Then Hampton’s Charlie Rollo tried a shot from around 30 yards, which went high and wide.

Luca Brunelli puts Wanderers ahead

Luca Brunelli gave Whitton the lead after 14th minutes, with a low shot after he had cut in from the wing.

The ball rebounds off a defender to make it 2-0

Whitton quickly doubled their lead.   A clever flick released Jack Johnson, whose shot was saved by the keeper but the ball rebounded from a defender into the net.

Jack Johnson (9) scores Wanderers' third goal

Wanderers continued to control the game and Jack Johnson hit their third goal, from close range, in the 24th minute.

Whitton’s Nate Farrell fastened onto a good through ball but was thwarted by Francis Wiggins.

At the other end, a good interception foiled Aidan Hobday.   Then Charlie Rollo and Aidan combined well before Oisin Ryan headed away at the expense of a corner.   Keeper Joe Edet saved Aidan’s header from the corner kick.

Archie Payne shoots...

Francis Wiggins saved at Jack Johnson’s feet before Wanderers increased their lead, in the 40th minute through Archie Payne, who hit a spectacular shot high into the net from the corner of the penalty area.

...and makes it 4-0

Francis then made a good fingertip save from Nate Farrell.

A good save by Francis Wiggins

Score at half time: Whitton Wanderers Youth Hawks 4   Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Colts 0

The second half was more even.

Whitton Wanderers’ effectiveness was reduced because their talented playmaker, Luca Brunelli, received a painful kick early on, which put him out of action for much of the half.

Hampton’s Aidan Hobday went on an incisive run but his shot was too high.    Then Jozef Kandrac tested Whitton keeper, Joe Edet, with a header from Aidan Hobday’s free kick.   Jozef was then tripped on the right, just outside the box but Aidan’s freekick was cleared.   Aidan intercepted a clearance and delivered a good shot, which was saved by the goalkeeper.

Louie Yiasouma (12) nets Whitton's fifth goal

Wanderers scored a fifth goal against the run of play, in the 75th minute.   Louie Yiasouma netted from close range after his shot had been parried by the keeper.

Leo Kinchin places the ball past the keeper...

Hampton eventually found a way through their hosts’ defence, 3 minutes later.   Leo Kinchin collected a good through ball, took it on and placed it past the keeper.

...for Hampton's goal

Whitton hit back.   A good move involving Archie Payne and Luca Brunelli, who had returned to the fray, set up Louie Yiasouma, who shot just wide.   Oisin Ryan beat the keeper to a cross but Keith Stroud cleared off of the goal-line.

Oisin Ryan's (25) header hits the bar

Dylan Teale dribbled the ball in from wide and fed Louie, who fired past the post.   Oisin headed Archie’s free kick against the crossbar and collected the rebound but his shot was well saved by Francis Wiggins.

A good tackle by Charlie Rollo stopped Luca, who had cut in from the wing.                 

Final Score: Whitton Wanderers Youth Hawks 5   Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Colts 1

TEAM LINE UPS:

Whitton Wanderers Youth Hawks: Joe Edet, Thomas Webb, Adam Mackinney, Oisin Ryan, Louie Yiasouma, Archie Payne (capt), Jack Johnson, Luca Brunelli. Nate Farrell, Zac Stewart and Dylan Teale

Substitutes (rolling substitutes were used): Daniel Mackinney, James Holloway, Alfie Cheal and Riveria Mateo.

Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth Colts: Francis Wiggins, Billy James, Kairan Dhillon (capt), Keith Stroud, Archie Twigg, Archie Sharp, Charlie Rollo, Mansoor Mohamaddi, Aidan Hobday, Damien Hui and Leo Kinchin.

Substitutes: Jozef Kandrac, Mungai Macharia, Jeremy Galeas Soria, Sam Musgrave and Aidan Arthur.

Referee: Mike Corcoran obviously enjoys his refereeing and had a very good match.   He controlled the proceedings in a firm yet friendly manner and earned the respect of the players and the spectators, for his contribution to the morning’s entertainment.

The other Middlesex Under 18 Cup Quarter Finals all produced conclusive winning margins.   Enfield Borough (Youth) Panthers scored 9 goals, without reply, at home to Omonia Youth Silver.   St Joseph’s Youth ’88 U17 Red won 5-0 at Kensington Dragons Youth U17 Red and Harrow Stars beat Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth 4-1 at home.

Whitton Wanderers (Youth) Hawks will travel to Enfield Borough (Youth) Panthers in the semi-final on 5th March.   Harrow Stars are at home to St Joseph’s Youth ’88 U17 Red.

We thank Chris & Jim for giving up their Sunday to cover this game, as usual they have seleceted some images to help tell the story. Chris has also kindly provided a full album of imagery from the match.

Chris & Jim's Picks

Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn