Cademy Red hosted Old Actonians Red, in round 2 of the Middlesex FA Dudley Harper Under 12 Cup on Sunday last, 24th November and your Roving Team was at the Osterley Sports Centre to see the match. 

The Middlesex Under 12 Cup was first competed for in season 1971-72, when it was won by Discus FC.   The current holders are Bedfont Eagles, who beat Hampton & Richmond Borough Stags 3-1, in last season’s final at the County’s Rectory Park HQ. 

51 teams entered the competition this season.  

Old Actonians Reds had a convincing 8-1 home victory over Celtic Red in round 1 to reach this stage.   Cademy Red had received a bye.

Matches in this competition are 9 a side, with rolling substitutes and are played over 30 minutes each half.

This game, which had been postponed from the previous Sunday, because of an unfit pitch, took place in a very strong wind.   However, despite the conditions, both sides played excellent football and entertained their audience with an interesting encounter.   The visitors scored midway through the first half and led at the interval by that single goal.   However, Cademy dominated the second period.   They equalised within 2 minutes of the restart and took the lead 11 minutes later.   They made the score 3-1 with 6 minutes remaining.

Old Actonians, with the wind blowing in their favour, took the early initiative.   Samuel Shapiro hit the crossbar with his drive and the ball bounced down onto the Cademy goal-line behind the goalkeeper before being cleared.

At the other end, Oliver Sek took the ball through the Old Actonians defence and around the keeper but his shot was stopped on the goal-line.

Max Sek’s freekick was blocked by the Old Actonians’ wall.

The powerful Eddy Blake was causing the home side problems and put Old Actonians ahead with a low drive in the 15th minute.

Max Sek’s low shot was saved low down by Elias Alexander.

Then, Eddy Blake broke clear of the Cademy defence but he was thwarted by keeper Flynn Brown.    Flynn was quickly in action again, with a fine diving save from Eddy.

Cademy came strongly into the match as the half progressed and had several scoring attempts.   Julia Rycerz showed fine control and was prominent in midfield.   

Max Sek’s shot cleared the bar.    Elias Alexander saved at Julia’s feet.    Aleksander Tor’s drive was deflected for a corner and then Max Sek shot narrowly wide.

Half time score: Cademy Red 0   Old Actonians Red 1

Cademy immediately took control and Aleksander Tor hit the side netting in the opening minute of the half.   He equalised from close range in the second minute.

Julia Rycerz fired just wide and then Elias Alexander pushed Aleksander Tor’s shot onto his crossbar.

Elias then saved Oliver Sek’s long range effort.   He then saved at close range from Aleksander, in the 13th minute of the half.

However, Oliver Sek immediately put Cademy ahead from close range.

Old Actonians retaliated and Flynn Browne pushed Eddy Blake’s drive onto the post.

Oliver Sek’s long shot just cleared the Old Actonians bar.

Oliver scored his 2nd and his team’s 3rd goal in the 25th minute of the half, when the ball rebounded to him, after Taylor Lee’s shot had been saved by the keeper.

In the closing minutes, Eddy Blake’s long freekick hit the wall.

Final Score: Cademy Red 3   Old Actonians Red 1

The match was played in a sporting spirit by two very skilful and well coached sets of players.   Referee Nish Nakarja, who had a very good match, obviously enjoyed the proceedings.

We were very well received by the members of both clubs.   Our thanks are due to Jason Norris of Cademy and Pat Younge of Old Actonians for their help and cooperation.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Cademy: Flynn Browne, Joshua Valencia, Rory Willingham, Julia Rycerz, Max Sek, Oliver Sek, Aleksander Tor, Sohayb Bennarou, Bobby Dempster, Rajbir Singh, Lucus Grzeskow, Taylor Lee, Mikel Nwachi and David Bornea.

Manager: Darious St Louis

Old Actonians: Elias Alexander, Olivier Wilinski, Isaac Younge, Dash Quinn, Samuel Shapiro, Dion Haliti, Oliver Hall, Alex Zoumidou, Josiah Staiano, Eddy Blake, Otis Monaghan and Kayse Galaydh.

Manager: Kieran Adije   Assistant Manager: Pat Younge

Cademy Red will now play Cre8tive Football away in the 3rd round on 15th December. 

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET