Non-League and Academy football writer

After winning their first ever game at step 6 on Saturday (against Southend Manor), FC Baresi hosted NW London at Wodson Park, on Wednesday night in a Thurlow Nunn League First Division South fixture. FC Baresi started this game in 18th place in the league table, after six league matches played. NW London started Wednesday’s match in 17th place in the league, after eight league matches played. It was the away side, NW London, who won this match 3-1. After NW London centre-forward Damian Tryczynski had hit a low effort wide of the Baresi goal from distance, after meeting a long forward ball straight from kick-off, FC Baresi would then go close to taking an early lead. As following Ahmed Abdulla’s good forward pass to Kishawn James, on the edge of the NW London penalty area, James would hit a low effort just wide of the goal.

A good and long throw-in from Junior Appiah, to Teyon Weston at the near post, inside of the NW London box, would result in Weston having a good first time effort on goal, which was excellently pushed behind by Samuel Nwabuko, in the NW London goal. However, despite a positive start to the game from the home side, NW London would score two goals, in quick succession. Following a lofted ball to Arianit Krasniqi, in behind the FC Baresi defence, the NW London forward would send a really fine lob (from the edge of the penalty area) over Harvey Simson, and into his goal, 0-1. And shortly after having taken an early lead in the match, a corner-kick for NW London would result in them scoring their second goal of the game. As following a good delivery towards the back post, the ball was met by Lucas Gonzalez, who volleyed the ball into the goal from close range.

FC Baresi would try to respond swiftly. Kishawn James had managed to get to a lofted forward pass in the centre of the NW London box. However, James’ effort on the bounce was well pushed away by Samuel Nwabuko, in the NW London goal. Shortly after that chance, Arianit Krasniqi would hit an effort wide of the FC Baresi goal from distance, before FC Baresi went forward with the ball and they managed to get a goal back in the game. A good move from the home side resulted in the impressive Ahmed Abdulla finding Kishawn James, on the right-hand side of the NW London penalty area. James would then square the ball for Teyon Weston, at the near post, and his first time effort went into the goal, despite the best efforts of Samuel Nwabuko, 1-2.

Towards the end of the first half both sides would continue to create chances, in this fast paced end to end game of football. After Ahmed Abdulla had found Teyon Weston on the left flank, Weston would continue forward into the NW London penalty area. However, his resulting low effort was well saved by the outrushing Samuel Nwabuko. And then after Arianit Krasniqi had lobbed an effort wide of the FC Baresi goal from the edge of their penalty area, FC Baresi would go very close to finding a very late levelling goal. Murat Karagul’s cross from the left flank almost went into the NW London goal, but for some great work from Samuel Nwabuko, to somehow clear the ball away from the goal, at the back post.

FC Baresi would initially start the second half well. After an effort from Teyon Weston (inside of the away team’s box) was blocked by a defender, Weston would manage to get back on the ball. He would then lay it off for Glody Kalunda, on the edge of the penalty area. However, the Baresi substitute’s low first time side-footed effort went narrowly wide of the NW London goal. The game was changed quite significantly, after NW London had won a penalty, shortly after that chance for the home side, after Bernardo De Quadros had been fouled inside of the FC Baresi box.  Damian Tryczynski stepped up to send Simson the wrong way from the penalty spot, as he found the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 1-3.

NW London were defending their goal a bit deeper after having scored their third goal of the game. After Murat Karagul had hit a low effort on the NW London goal, which was saved by Samuel Nwabuko, the visiting side would go on to finish the game strongly. Bernardo De Quadros would manage to get to a lay off inside of the FC Baresi box, which resulted in him hitting an effort over the goal, and then shortly after that chance, Nathaniel Binney would go close to extending NW London’s lead. However, after he had surged forward down the left-hand side of the Baresi penalty area, his resulting effort would go over the goal. Two very late chances for the home side would follow, before the referee had brought the game to an end. Firstly FC Baresi substitute Jamie Newby-Harris had an effort on goal (from the left-hand side of the NW London box) which was held by Samuel Nwabuko. And then another late substitute, Nicola Rapacchiani would get to a pass on the left side of the away team’s box, but his low effort was saved well by the goalkeeper.

Although both sides created a number of chances on Wednesday, NW London were more clinical and they managed the game really well. My player of the match was Samuel Nwabuko, who was decisive in the NW London goal, and he made some really crucial saves at crucial times in the game. However, NW London are a real footballing side and they played really well and effectively as a team. With players such as Lucas Gonzalez, Bernardo De Quadros and Arianit Krasniqi, all impressing for the away side. For FC Baresi, I thought that Ahmed Abdulla in central midfield (he was substituted off at half-time, because of injury) and their goalscorer Teyon Weston, were their best players on Wednesday night.