Non-League and Academy football writer

I went to Coles Park on Saturday afternoon, to watch Isthmian Premier Division side Haringey Borough take on Redbridge FC, of the Isthmian League North Division, in an FA Trophy first round tie. I often attend matches at Coles Park, where Haringey Borough play, as well as watching New Salamis, who also play at the same ground. The match on Saturday between Haringey and Redbridge, was a good and competitive cup game, as both teams looked to reach the second round of the FA Trophy. Haringey Borough are currently bottom of the Isthmian Premier Division, but they have done well in cup competitions so far this season. Meanwhile Redbridge, are in eighth place in the league standings of the Isthmian League North Division, the league below the Isthmian Premier Division. During the early stages of the match Haringey Borough player Mekhi Leacock-McLeod tried his very best to connect with Bobson Bawling’s cross into the Redbridge penalty area, from the right flank. However, Leacock-McLeod just missed the ball as it went across the goal. Dillon Barnes saved Redbridge player Jerold Cobbiah’s effort from inside the Haringey box, but it was the home side who were seeing more of the ball during this stage of the first half.

Despite Haringey seeing more of the ball, it was actually Redbridge who created the best goalscoring chance of the first half. Abs Thompson’s sliding effort inside the Haringey penalty area hit goalkeeper Dillon Barnes’ crossbar, after the Redbridge player had met Mekael Williams’ low cross into the penalty area. After Redbridge had won a free-kick on the edge of the Haringey penalty area, Solomon Ogunwomoju hit his free-kick effort over the Haringey goal. There wasn’t a lot of of chances in the first half of the match, but there was still time for one more chance for Haringey, with Georgios Aresti hitting an effort wide of the Redbridge goal, from inside their penalty area. The second half of the match saw a lot more chances for both sides. Georgios Aresti hit an effort over the Redbridge goal from distance, not long before Mekhi Leacock-McLeod’s cross into the Redbridge box, was dropped by goalkeeper George Martin, however, Jorge Djassi-Sambu’s effort from close range on the follow up, was really well blocked over the goal, by a Redbridge defender, as the score stayed goalless.

Former Chelsea Academy player Walter Figueira was leading the line for Haringey Borough on Saturday. His back-heeled pass to Georgios Aresti on the edge of the Redbridge box, saw the Haringey midfielder try to score a goal with a low effort, however, it went just wide of George Martin’s goal. Just past the hour mark of the game, Redbridge took the lead following a free-kick. Jack Chawner’s good delivery into the Haringey box, was turned in well from close range, by Redbridge captain Dean Hall, to give Redbridge the lead. Redbridge responded to taking the lead, by defending their one goal advantage really well. Walter Figueira had an effort on the turn saved by George Martin. Abs Thompson had an effort saved by Dillon Barnes, after the Redbridge winger had cut inside with the ball from the left flank, towards the edge of the Haringey box. Abs Thompson won a penalty for the away side with just over six minutes of the 90 remaining, after being tripped inside the Haringey Borough penalty area. Solomon Ogunwomoju stepped up to send goalkeeper Dillon Barnes the wrong way from the penalty spot, to double Redbridge’s advantage.

On 87 minutes, Haringey managed to get a goal, to make sure that the final minutes of the game wouldn’t be easy for the visitors. The goal came about after a long ball from Haringey Borough went into the Redbridge penalty area, and from there the ball eventually came to substitute Nahum Melvin-Lambert, who found the bottom left corner of the goal with a powerful effort, to give Haringey a chance of getting back into the game, with just minutes remaining. However, Redbridge defended the final minutes of the game well, just as they had done for the entirety of the game. The final score was Haringey Borough 1-2 Redbridge, as the club from the eighth tier of English football booked their place in the second round of the FA Trophy. It was a good game, particularly in the second half, and I thought that Redbridge deserved to win the cup tie, such was their fine team performance on Saturday afternoon. For me, it was their captain – Dean Hall, who was the man of the match, such was his fine defensive performance in the centre of the Redbridge defence. He also scored one of the Redbridge goals on the day. I always enjoy going to Coles Park, to watch either Haringey Borough or New Salamis play. It is a nice ground, and there is always a good atmosphere when Haringey play at home.