Non-League and Academy football writer

On Saturday afternoon, in the Premier Division of the Middlesex League there were three matches taking place. In Osterley, at the Indian Gymkhana Sports Club, the away side (Camden & Islington United) won 2-1, as they returned to winning ways. However, for the home side, in that match, Alexander Owuadey got their only goal of the game. In north London, at New River Sports Centre, Camden United recorded a 7-0 win over Pitshanger Dynamo. With Kairo Theophane scoring a hat-trick, Matheus Santana getting a brace of goals, and Jahed Ahmed and Arif Bala getting the other goals for the home side. And at Wembley FC, Valentino Qoku’s Eagles Land Cricklewood would return to winning ways in the league, with a good 4-1 win against Hillitop Reserves, with the impressive and inform Kristo Beshiku, once again getting among the goals for the home side. Also, a special mention for Premier Division side Stonewall FC, who during the previous weekend, were crowned IGLFA World Champions, for a tenth time. With Stonewall winning 2-1 in the final against West Hollywood SC, in Argentina.

At step 8 of the Middlesex League, in the Division One (East & Central), Soccer Stars Fennecs Ascenders won 3-2 in a league match with Camden & Islington United Reserves, at Christ College, in Finchley. Also in north London and in the same division, FC Marylebone won 5-2 against FC Wood Green. FC Marylebone player Jevonte Deabreau scored his 12th goal in all competitions (this season) for the away side, with the other goal-scorers on the day being – Omar Debbagh, Romario Edwards (he scored two goals), and Mohammed Maki, as FC Marylebone make it three wins in a row, in the league. 

At the London Marathon Community Track, Stonewall Reserves faced Alexandra Knights (also in the East & Central Division). In what was a game, on the balance of play, that probably should have ended in a draw, Alexandra Knights managed to get the win, winning 1-0 in east London. Stonewall Reserves hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions, in this evenly balanced game, and they also thought that they’d scored a goal, but for it to be disallowed for offside. However, there were three great chances for both sides, in this game. But it was Alexandra Knights who managed to get all three points, and return to winning ways after a 2-0 away loss to Hackney Wick Reserves on the previous Saturday. For the only goal of the game, Uchenna Valentine Ezeoke would make a run from midfield, into the home team’s penalty area. His effort on goal was saved by the Stonewall goalkeeper, with David Rojas on hand, inside of the penalty area, to finish into the roof of the goal, on the follow-up.

In the second half of the match between Stonewall Reserves and Alexandra Knights, the visitors would hit the crossbar and also be kept out from three one on one chances with the goalkeeper to beat, by the impressive Stonewall goalkeeper. Dayshawn Watson-Obi was the best player for Alexandra Knights on the day, with Uchenna Valentine Ezeoke doing some good in work in central midfield, and the experienced (former NW London and Clapton Community player) Johan Ahipeaud controlled the defence from the centre back position, quite well. And finally, from the Division One (East & Central), Westminster & Kensington stopped LBS Lions from continuing their perfect start to the season in all competitions, with them drawing that game 2-2. Benyousef Cherif and Akindeinde Johnson got the goals for Westminster & Kensington, at the Paddington Recreation Ground. For LBS Lions, Dumebi Chukwuma Dumaka, and Arthur Lutyens, got their goals on the day.

In the Division One (South & West) Brentham would draw 1-1 with AFC Southall, at Brentham Club, with Burnett Basworth scoring the only goal of the game for AFC Southall (his sixth league goal of the season). Harrow United are a side who continue to look like real contenders for the South & West Division title, this season. And they would win yet another league game (2-1), this time against second placed Sporting Duet Academy, at home on Saturday afternoon. At Cranford Community College, AFC Hayes would beat CB Hounslow & Abbots A, 3-2. At Brunel University Sports Complex, there were two more step 8 games taking place, as West London Athletic beat Ickenham 1-0, and Ruislip Town won 3-2 at home to Feltham FC.

Five games were played in the Division One (North & West), on Saturday. At London Marathon Playing Field, Bessingby Park Rangers beat Hillside AFC 2-1. With goal-scorers Samuel Drake (his third league goal of this season) and Michael Socher also getting his third league goal of the season, to help Bessingby Park Rangers get the win. Wood Lane FC would become only the second team in this division to beat Bloomsbury, with this youthful Wood Lane side winning 4-1 away to them on Saturday. Abdisalam Yusuf (he scored two goals), Nur Abdulrahman, and Mohamed-Amin Astan getting the goals for Wood Lane. Despite having played the least amount of games in this division, at this moment in time, Wood Lane are another side who could really challenge for the title this season.

Also in the Division One (North & West), Brook House Reserves won 6-4 against Brent United (among the goals for Brook House was Danildo Barrow Correia De Araujo, who scored a hat-trick). And on the 3G pitch at Vale Farm, league leaders Harrow Bhoys won 12-0 against Eagles Land Cricklewood XI. Among the goals for Harrow Bhoys, was Rhys Murphy, who now has ten goals for the season, so far. At Cardinal Wiseman School, FH Whistlers would beat Celtic (1995) 2-1, in the final game from this division. In the Russell Grant Division Two (step 9), FC Sunbury won 6-3 away to Elite Football Club London, and second placed side Townmead, won 7-2 away to Kensington Dragons Blues. With Kodak (Harrow) Reserves being awarded the win from their scheduled league fixture with The London Kings.

The step 7 to step 9 clubs of the Middlesex League, who were in cup competition on Saturday, are as follows. Kodak (Harrow) lost 2-0 away to step 7 Essex Olympian League side Sungate, in the first round of the Anagram Records Trophy. In the AFA Challenge Cup, Apollo London won 4-0 away against amateur side Latymer Old Boys. There was a big cup win for Premier Division side London Tigers, who won 2-1 away (at Mile End Stadium) to step 6 SCEFL Division One side Soul Tower Hamlets, in the second round of the London Senior Trophy. In the same round of the same competition, Jolof Sports’ unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end, as they lost 5-1 (at home) to step 6 side NW London.

In round three of the Middlesex Intermediate Cup, at Harefield United FC, Shepherds Bush won 4-3 against Staines & Lammas Development. Some of the last first round ties of this season’s Alec Smith Premier Division Cup, also took place on Saturday afternoon. Larkspur Rovers won 3-1 at home to Kensington Dragons ,in that competition. And SL Benfica would beat Hayes & Hillingdon 2-1, at home, in the same competition. In the Middlesex County FA Junior Cup (round two) Southall Athletic lost 3-0 at home to CB Hounslow & Abbots Reserves, and in round three Wiseman West lost 3-2 to at home to CB Hounslow & Abbots Senior Reserves. Finally, (also in round three) Russell Grant Division Two league leaders Eastcote British Legion won 4-2 at home to Cuckoo Hill, as they continue their really fine start to the season in all competitions.

For next Saturday (the 23rd of November) my game of the day comes from the New River Sports Centre, as two talented sides in Camden United and Eagles Land Cricklewood face each for the second time in the league this season. The first meeting between both sides ended in a 6-2 win for Eagles Land Cricklewood. Also, a special mention for the third round tie of the Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup, between Southern Amateur League side Actonians Association and Harrow Bhoys. This will be a really interesting game, and another good test for unbeaten side Harrow Bhoys.