SOUTHALL SURRENDER TWO GOAL LEAD IN FA CUP
Nine Middlesex clubs were in action in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd September. Your roving reporting team was present at two of the matches, both co-incidentally involving clubs that are currently ground-sharing outside of the County.
We visited Burnham FC’s 1878 Stadium on Saturday, where Southall entertained Beaconsfield Town on the 3G surface. Southall have now returned to Wymers Wood Road, where they played in the 2017-18 season.
Southall had reached this round by defeating Chichester City 1-0 at home in the Extra Preliminary Round and Bearsted 2-1 away in the Preliminary Round. Step 3 Beaconsfield Town were entering the competition at this stage. This is the 98th season that Southall have played in the FA Cup, the first being in season 1873-74.
The spectators were treated to a very watchable and evenly contested match, on a pleasantly warm sunny afternoon. Southall were a goal up at the interval and doubled their lead midway through the second half. However, the visitors hit back with a goal with just over 15 minutes remaining and then took the game to a replay, with an equaliser in added time.
The game got off to a lively start and the visitors were immediately on the offensive. Dan Bradshaw tested Michael Edegbe in the first minute, with a well hit drive, which the keeper got well behind. Then Michael pushed a shot from Asher Yearwood for a corner.
The play moved quickly up and down the field, with both sides searching for openings. A good move by the Rams set up Sam Granville for a one-on-one with the Southall keeper. However, Michael Edegbe saved, diving to his left.
A goal-bound shot by Dan Bradshaw, who was the Rams outstanding player in the first half, was charged down by home skipper, Azeez Alabi.
Jaden Thompson-Brissett put Southall ahead in the 24th minute, when he converted Darreon Mark’s low ball across the goalmouth.
Soon afterwards, Darreon won the ball and set up Luke Heneghan. Keeper, Sam Beasant, did well to turn Luke’s close-range shot for a corner.
The ‘All were now having the better of the exchanges. Sam Beasant made a good diving save to thwart Dylan Kearney. A superb piece of ball control enabled Darreon Mark to break free on the right but his cross just evaded Dylan. Then Darreon fired just wide from the edge of the penalty box.
As the interval approached, Beaconsfield’s James Dobson received a yellow card for holding Jaden Thompson-Brissett, who had gone past him.
Score at half time: Southall 1 Beaconsfield Town 0
Southall continued on the offensive. Ryan Hope made progress up the wing but was eventually dispossessed. Luke Heneghan drove just wide. Then Luke’s freekick from 30 yards was headed away.
Play continued to flow as a result of some good passing movements by both sides.
The Rams’ appeals for a penalty, after Jonathan Hippolyte went down in the box, were in vain.
Ryan Hope worked his way across the front of the visitors’ penalty box but was eventually forced to fire wide.
Southall doubled their lead in the 69th minute, through Dylan Kearney, who volleyed home Luke Heneghan’s free kick from the left.
Beaconsfield now introduced former Southall striker, Lenny Farhall to their attack.
In the 74th minute, Michael Edegbe made a very good save from Asher Yearwood’s cross shot, at the expense of a corner. James Dobson took the corner kick, the ball ran loose and Jonathan Hippolyte netted to reduce the arrears.
Understandably, the proceedings now became very tense as the Rams pushed for an equaliser, with Southall working hard to take the pace out of the game.
Michael Edegbe left his box to tackle Lenny Farhall. Both players were hurt and Michael needed prolonged treatment.
James Dobson forced his way into the Southall box and his low shot was blocked on the goal-line for a corner.
Southall continued to threaten on the break and keeper, Sam Beasant, had to leave his area to head clear.
In the final minute of normal time, Beaconsfield introduced centre back, Luke Neville from the bench, to play up front, in an attempt to force an equalise.
The plan worked. In the 3rd minute of added time, Jonathan Hippolyte burst through the middle of the home defence to hit the ball home and set up a replay at Beaconsfield.
Final Score: Southall 2 Beaconsfield Town 2
TEAM LINE UPS:
Southall: Michael Edegbe, David Amate (Kevin Diomande 67 mins), Azeez Alabi (capt), Ryan Hope, Carl Pearce, Joshua Green, Jaden Thompson-Brissett, Dylan Kearney (Anthony O’Connor 77), Darreon Mark, Luke Heneghan (Jack Roper 72) and Abdulrahman Nurein.
Unused substitutes: Dimitris Savva, Kevin Songolo, Jaiden Celestine-Charles and James McCluskey.
Manager: Max Howell Assistant Manager: Jesse Smith Coaches: Darron Wilkinson and Josh Stroud Physio: Ben Briggs.
Beaconsfield Town: Sam Beasant, Ibrahim Sankoh, Elijah Anthony, Sam Togwell (capt), Dan Bradshaw (Jonathan Hippolyte 46)), Asher Yearwood, Elliott Buchanan (Lenny Farhall 73), James Dobson, Joe Morrison, Sam Granville (Luke Neville 89) and Joshua Payne.
Unused substitutes: Lewis Pegg, Jacob Gardiner-Smith, Ben Van Aurich and Cairo Richards.
Manager: Jon Underwood Technical Director: Tristan Lewis Coaches: Trent Phillips and George Belcher Physio: Phil Gray.
Referee: Fabio Roque Assistant Referees: Jay Knight and Harry Demo.
Attendance: 118
Southall pulled off a splendid win in the replay at Beaconsfield. They trailed 2-0 at the interval but hit back with a brace of penalties, converted by Jaden Thompson Brissett. Then, despite the ‘All being reduced to 10 men, Ryan Hope drove the winner from outside the penalty area, in the 7th minute of added time. Southall will now play Hampton & Richmond Borough at home in the Second Qualifying Round.
Three of the other Middlesex teams engaged in the FA Cup on the same day recorded wins. One drew and the other three lost.
Enfield Town dominated Potters Bar Town in a 3-0 home win. Marcus Wyllie, Sam Youngs and Joe Payne scored the goals. Town will play Felixstowe and Walton United at home in the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Hanworth Villa beat Hythe United 2-0 away, with a goal in each half. Their scorers were Seanan McKillop and Sam Merson. The Villains have been drawn away again in the next round, this time to Knaphill, the conquerors of Hanwell Town in this round.
Hayes and Yeading United scored twice in the final 10 minutes to beat Chertsey Town 2-1. Ashton and Rowe were the scorers. Keeper Adams had distinguished himself earlier in the match by saving a penalty and then keeping out the rebound. United have been drawn at home to Slough Town in the next round.
Northwood fought back from a 2-goal deficit at Binfield to earn a home replay. Their goals were scored by Harry Gallagher and Deago Dunbar-Bonnie. The ‘Woods won the replay with a dominant second half performance, capped by a 91st minute winner from Carl Stewart. They will now play host to Cray Valley (PM), the victors over Uxbridge.
Harrow Borough exited the competition at home to Bracknell Town. They went behind in the 27th minute and pressed for an equaliser in the second half, before finally succumbing to a second goal in the 90th minute.
Hendon were undone at home by a 3-goal blast by Margate in 7 second half minutes. Hamza Semahula and Niko Muir scored for Hendon on either side of it, while Hanwell Town lost by a single goal at Knaphill.
Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn
Photography provided by Chris Benn