Non-League and Academy football writer

Starting off my weekly round-up of the Middlesex County Football League, and there was a big county cup win for Premier Division side Eagles Land Cricklewood, who won on penalties (the score in 90 minutes was 2-2) against step 6 side Hillingdon Borough. That was a second round tie of the Middlesex County FA Premier Cup. At the New River Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Camden United prepared for their big Middlesex County FA Premier Cup tie with the holders, step 6 side Brook House, with an important 4-1 Premier Division win over LBS Lions. In west London, Hayes & Hillingdon recorded a 6-2 win against Indian Gymkhana Club, with their top goalscorer so far this season (Liam Walford) adding another two goals to his tally for the season.

Camden & Islington United recorded a big 2-1 Premier Division win over Eagles Land Cricklewood on the show pitch at Hackney Marshes yesterday. For Nick Wigmore’s Camden & Islington side, Jonathon Ding and Karl Usher-Williams got their goals. Top of the league table London Fennecs, returned to winning ways, with a good 2-0 win over an inform Larkspur Rovers side, and PFC Victoria London Reserves and Harrow United played out a 2-2 draw at The Ranch. Finally from the Premier Division, Sporting Duet Academy continue to impress in their debut season at step 7, and they would win in emphatic fashion (5-2) against a Stonewall side who had previously only lost one game this season.

Moving on to Division One (step 8). And in Division One East Bloomsbury won emphatically against FC Wood Green, as they won that league game 9-3. In the first of two games taking place at Paddington Recreation Ground, the FC Marylebone and Westminster & Kensington match would finish in a 2-2 draw. Soccer Stars Ascenders would bounce back in style from their heartbreaking exit from county cup competition, with a great 5-2 home league win over Edgware & Kingsbury Reserves, in the second game taking place at Paddington Recreation Ground. And Stonewall Reserves were awarded the win for their scheduled game with LBS Lions Reserves.

In Division One West Barnes would win 4-2 at home to CB Hounslow & Abbots A. There was a big win for Explorers, who won 4-0 away to Feltham, whilst Hayes Town beat Townmead 3-2, and Ickenham won 6-3 at home to Ruislip Town. In Division One Central Bessingby Park Rangers won 3-2 at home to Ruislip Rangers, becoming the first side to beat Ruislip Rangers in the league this season. Goals from David Eze, Kyle Lewis-Sinclair, Shane McGuinness and Abdul-Gafar Olakunle Oladimeji, helped Brent United to a 4-0 home win over Brentham. And at London Academy, London Athletic won 7-2 against London Tigers.

In the first of two The Russell Grant Division 2 matches on Saturday, Old Isleworthians won 4-3 away to Inv3ntive, with Heston winning 3-2 away to Sudbury Court. In The Jeff Nardin & Combination Division AFC Heathrow won 7-2 against Indian Gymkhana Club Reserves, and Holy Rood and CB Hounslow & Abbots 3rds played out a 3-3 draw. Also in that division Kensington Dragons Blues won 9-1 away to OHM Sports, with Kodak (Harrow) 3rds winning 7-2 away to Old Isleworthians Reserves. At the Isleworth Club, The Isleworth lost 5-0 to West London Wanderers. 

The following cup ties took place on Saturday. In round one of the AFA Senior Cup Division One East side Apollo London progressed into round two, with a good 2-1 away win over Old Minchendians. In the second round of the London FA Junior Cup there was a good 3-1 away win for Camden & Islington United Development against London Olympia West, whilst there was another good win for another Division One East side, in Hackney Wick Reserves, who beat SAL side Hammersmith B, on penalties after a 3-3 draw. In The Alec Smith Premier Division Cup Jolof Sports progressed into round three, winning on penalties against Kensington Dragons, after the tie finished 2-2 in regulation time.

In round two of the Middlesex FA Junior Cup, there was a fine win for Kodak (Harrow) Reserves, who beat Whitton 3-2 at the Harrow Weald Recreation Ground. At Cranford Community College Wiseman West won 3-2 against Winchmore Hill 4ths, and Casual Ballerz beat Feltham Town 5-1. At home to SAL side Old Millhillians, R F Elite won 4-1, and finally, after a 3-3 draw in normal time (between FH Whistlers Originals and Winchmore Hill 5ths) it was the Middlesex League side, FH Whistlers Originals, who won 4-3 on penalties. 

There are some really good games taking place next week, involving teams from the Middlesex County League. The game that I would like to highlight, is a cup game which takes place next Saturday, in the second round of this season’s AFA Minor Cup. As Middlesex League side Old Isleworthians, face SAL side Civil Service 4ths, in what should be a great cup tie, which I might well attend.