Non-League and Academy football writer

There was plenty of league and cup action involving the teams from the Middlesex County Football League, on Saturday afternoon. In the Premier Division of the Middlesex League, there were three fixtures taking place, owing to various cup games also taking place on the same day. On the show pitch at Hackney Marshes, Camden & Islington United won 2-1 against Eagles Land Cricklewood, in what was both side’s second Premier Division meeting of this season. Josh Gruby and Ryan Pickles got the goals for the home side, with Kristo Beshiku getting the goal for Eagles Land Cricklewood, which was his seventh league goal of the season so far. In the second game from the Premier Division, Indian Gymkhana Club won 2-1 at home to London Tigers.

In the third and final Premier Division match of Saturday, Jolof Sports would draw 2-2 at home to Camden United, in what sounded like a great game of football. For Danny Brissett’s Jolof Sports side, Gherardo Lucchesini and Jolof Sports’ goalkeeper Zakaria Kechekar (he scored a brilliant lobbed goal from a free-kick on the half-way line) got the goals for the east London club, who impressively still remain unbeaten this season in all competitions. At step 8 of the Middlesex League, in the Division One (East & Central) LBS Lions continued their perfect start to the season, with a big 3-2 win over Apollo London, in Finchley. And at Paddington Recreation Ground, Soccer Stars Fennecs Ascenders won 6-5 at home to FC Wood Green, in what sounded like another fantastic game of football.

In the Division One (South & West) history was made, as Feltham FC played their first game of this season at Feltham Rugby Club. This league fixture against CB Hounslow & Abbots A, would see Feltham get a late equaliser, thanks to a late goal from Aaron Flower, to draw this game 1-1. And in the same division, the impressive Harrow United (I hope to report on one of their games soon) would make it six league victories from seven, as they won 4-1 away to SL Benfica B, on Saturday. In the Division One (North & West), Celtic (1995) won 1-0 away to Hillside AFC, and Portobello won 5-3 in a game of many goals with Eagles Land Cricklewood XI.

In round two of the London County FA Saturday Junior Cup, Soccer Stars Fennecs won 6-2 away to Sporting Duet Academy, at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub. Many games involving step 7 and step 8 sides of the Middlesex League took place in the second round of the Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup, on Saturday. Brent United would win 3-2 at home to Ruislip Town, in this competition on Saturday, at Harris Lowe Academy. And at Cranford Community College, Premier Division side Kensington Dragons lost 3-2 to Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) Development. Larkspur Rovers recorded a 9-1 home victory against Hilltop Reserves, in the same competition. Larkspur’s top scorer in this competition, Liam Walford, would score a hat-trick in this cup game.

Also in the Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup second round, Kodak (Harrow) were unfortunate to be knocked out of the competition, on penalties to Hayes & Hillingdon, after drawing 2-2 with the inform visiting side, at Harrow Weald Recreation Ground. Ayub Albadri and Able Kpogho got Kodak’s goals on Saturday. And at Brentham Club, Brentham and Hillingdon Borough Under 23s were drawing 4-4 after 90 minutes, with Brentham advancing into the next round however, (5-4) on penalties. Step 8 side AFC Southall would do very well to really push SL Benfica, in this competition on Saturday, only losing 3-2 to this talented side over at Amersham Town’s ground. Also, Southern Amateur League side, Actonians Association, would advance into the next round of this competition, with a 4-0 win over Stonewall.

The next fixture in this prestigious cup competition, came from Roger Bannister Sports Centre, as Harrow Bhoys continued their excellent form with a 3-0 win over Bessingby Park Rangers. A 3-3 draw at University of Westminster Sports Ground, after 90 minutes, would take West London Athletic’s cup-tie with Ickenham to penalties. With Ickenham winning the game from penalties. In normal time however, inform Ickenham centre-forward Matthew Dent would add another two goals to his tally for this season, so far. Step 8 side Westminster & Kensington’s good start to the season continued, with them winning 5-3 over Hayes Town at Paddington Recreation Ground on Saturday (Alican Calim was awarded the home side’s player of the match). And in the final game involving a step 7 or 8 side from the Middlesex League in this cup competition on Saturday, Fh Whistlers of the Middlesex League, would lose 3-1 on penalties to Wilberforce Wanderers, with this cup game level (3-3) after 90 minutes.

One of the Middlesex League games of this coming Saturday that really stands out, is a north London Premier Division derby, between Camden United and Camden & Islington United, at New River Stadium. Although I won’t be able to make this particular match, it should be a fantastic game of football between two very good step 7 sides.