BEDFONT SPORTS TRIUMPH IN LOCAL DERBY
Jim Taylor
The first round of this season’s Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup is now underway and on the evening of 19th October, your roving team decided to visit Bedfont Sports, who were hosting local rivals Ashford Town (Middlesex).
Bedfont Sports continued their recent good form with a convincing victory.
The Tangerines made a bright start with some early forays by Deven Reid-Solanki but once the home side had got into their stride, they dominated the proceedings. They played exhilarating football and scored twice in each half to overcome their visitors, who are currently a tier above them in the non-league pyramid.
Sports scored in the 12th minute, as a result of their first attack. New signing, Makael Scott, broke down the left, leaving two defenders in his wake and crossed for Aston Greaver to net from close range.
Makael Scott (11) crosses and Aston Greaver nets Bedford Sports' first goal
Bedfont’s Tommy O’Neill headed off of his goal-line during a hectic goalmouth scramble.
Tommy O'Neill heads off of the Bedfont goal line
Back at the other end, Jared Myers set up Makael, whose shot was deflected over the crossbar by a defender. Then a freekick, taken wide from around 30 yards by Harrison Livingstone, just cleared the bar.
Aston Greaver’s run and low cross produced a corner and then keeper, Bill Wilson dived to save Aston’s shot from the edge of the penalty box.
Makael Scott put the Eagles two goals ahead in the 35th minute, when he intercepted a defender’s pass and hit the ball home from just outside the box.
Aston Greaver’s run and low cross produced a corner and then keeper, Bill Wilson dived to save Aston’s shot from the edge of the penalty box.
Makael Scott put the Eagles two goals ahead in the 35th minute, when he intercepted a defender’s pass and hit the ball home from just outside the box.
Makael Scott (11) shoots to put Sports 2-0 ahead
A good move involving Jared Myers and Aston Greaver released Makael, who fired marginally wide.
Half-time score: Bedfont Sports 2 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0
In the 65th minute, Joshua Eatwell advanced down the left and crossed for Dawson Strafron to score the Eagles’ 3rd goal, with a glancing header.
Joshua Eatwell (3) crosses...
... and Dawson Strafron (13) heads Sports' third goal
A well hit drive from Ashford’s Adam Poynter was turned around the upright by Sports’ custodian, Henry Poole.
Adam Poynter (16) shoots...
... and Henry Poole saves
Bedfont substitute, Efrain Difuamna-Ngungi picked up a loose ball and beat the keeper with a lob, which hit a post and bounced behind.
A flurry of activity in the home goalmouth ended with Adam Poynter blazing the ball wide.
Dawson Strafron concluded a very disappointing evening for Ashford Town by netting his second goal in the 84th minute, following great approach work by Efrain and Alfie Lal.
A flurry of activity in the home goalmouth ended with Adam Poynter blazing the ball wide.
Dawson Strafron concluded a very disappointing evening for Ashford Town by netting his second goal in the 84th minute, following great approach work by Efrain and Alfie Lal.
Dawson Strafron (13) shoots...
... and nets Sports' fourth goal
Referee Conor Griffin controlled the proceedings in his usual efficient manner, ably assisted by his assistant referees, Joe Alborough and Robert Alderton.
Result: Bedfont Sports 4 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0
TEAM LINE-UPS
Bedfont Sports: Henry Poole, Tommy O’Neill, Joshua Eatwell, Kyle Eakin (Jordan Ireland 74), Charlie Wickham (capt), Stephen Langley, Jared Myers, Thomas Kanek, Aston Greaver (Efrain Difuamna-Ngungi 71), Harrison Livingstone (Alfie Lal 52) and Makael Scott (Dawson Strafron 57).
Unused substitute: Scott Weight
Manager: Barry Chapman Assistant Managers: Gavin Bamford and Alfie Chapman Physio: Andy Nolan.
Ashford Town (Middlesex): Bill Wilson, Ahkeen Belford, Harry Woodward (Adam Poynter 46), Ben Holder (Alex Stingelin 60), Jake Eales, Aaron Goode, Deven Reid-Solanki (Nathan Rogers 60), Carlos Bain, Qasim Khan (Ross McKernan 68), Scott Day (Jack Arnold 46) and Sam Humphreys (capt).
Manager: Luke Tuffs Assistant Manager: Carl Taylor Physio: Callie Lansley
Report: Jim Taylor.
Photos: Chris Benn
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