Non-League and Academy football writer

I was in attendance for this Essex Alliance League Senior Division fixture between Frenford Development and CSM London, on Saturday, and it was non-League day! Frenford Development started the game in sixth place in the league table. And the away side on Saturday, CSM London, started the game in tenth place in the league. This game at The Jack Carter Centre finished in a 2-1 win for the home side, Frenford Development, but it was a close and competitive match. Played in windy conditions in east London, early on in the match, a lofted pass towards the Frenford Development penalty area, resulted in Lewis Grantham eventually getting onto the ball. However, he was closed down well by Frenford goalkeeper Joe Rowlatt, who made an important save. Not too long after that chance, Frenford took the lead in the match. A long forward pass to Kishawn James on the edge of the CSM London penalty area, saw goalkeeper Joe Biscoe rush out of his goal to try and get to the ball first. However, the goalkeeper was unable to clear the ball away, and Kishawn James was able to take the ball into the penalty area, and then finish into the empty goal, 1-0. 

Shortly after Ramiz Mahmood had hit a low effort from distance on the Frenford goal, which Joe Rowlatt had managed to gather, CSM London won a free-kick in a decent position out on the left flank. Ramiz Mahmood whipped a good ball into the Frenford Development penalty area, and Nana Sika-Sarfo would volley an effort wide of the goal, at the back post. Frenford would then go forward with the ball at the opposite end of the pitch, with Kishawn James hitting an effort wide of the CSM London goal, from the edge of their penalty area. A couple of minutes later, Cairo Bibbon passed the ball to Tyler Shillingford on the left-hand side of the Frenford penalty area, but Shillingford’s effort hit the side-netting of the goal. A great effort from just outside of the Frenford penalty area by Nana Sika-Sarfo, would move as it approached the goal, and in the end it hit goalkeeper Joe Rowlatt’s right-hand post. Two efforts late in the first half from the home side went wide of the CSM London goal, firstly by Louie Handley and latterly a decent effort by Teraun Davis, would end the first half.

During the early stages of the second half Odunayo Elifosi hit an effort wide of the CSM London goal, with goalkeeper Joe Biscoe out of his goal, after clearing the ball. At this stage of the match CSM London were looking the more likely team to score the next goal. After Kishawn James had received the ball out on the right-hand side of the CSM London box, he hit a low effort on goal, which was saved well by the legs of Joe Biscoe. Soon after CSM London forward Jaydon Charles had hit a free-kick effort from distance, wide of the Frenford goal, CSM London would score an equalising goal. It was a finely taken goal by Ramiz Mahmood, who had traveled with the ball from the right flank, to the edge of the Frenford penalty area, before hitting a really good low effort on his left foot, into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, 1-1. However, CSM London’s leveller didn’t last long, as Frenford Development regained their lead soon after. Kishawn James got the assist this time, with the inventive Frenford player delivering a good cross to the back post, inside the CSM London penalty area. Frenford substitute Amal Mujuzi was there to head the ball past Joe Biscoe, and into the goal from close range, 2-1.

The game was becoming much more end to end, as the second half progressed. After Lewis Grantham had an effort from inside the Frenford penalty area, which was saved by Joe Rowlatt, Odunayo Elifosi hit an effort wide of Joe Biscoe’s goal from distance. A lofted forward pass then managed to find Derrich Osei-Assibey on the edge of the Frenford penalty area. Osei-Assibey lobbed the ball over the head of the outrushing Joe Rowlatt, but the ball ended up going over his goal. Frenford player Dan Francis’ low first time effort from the edge of the CSM London box, was comfortably saved by Joe Biscoe, before the away side created one more very late chance in the game. A free-kick from the left-hand side of the pitch was taken by CSM London goalkeeper Joe Biscoe. He delivered the ball long up the pitch, into the Frenford box, and the ball was met by Mario Lubrano-Lavadera, whose headed effort was saved by Joe Rowlatt. This was a good game, between two sides who really wanted to win the match. However, in what was a close match, it was Wayne Phillips’ Frenford Development side who got the win.

My player of the match today was Frenford Development player Kishawn James. The Frenford winger made a really good impression on the match, getting a goal and an assist. I’d also like to give a mention to CSM London player Lewis Grantham, who had a fine game for CSM London. The highly skilful forward had a really good first half, and his skill on the ball and positivity with it, was impressive.