HANWELL TOWN 1 v ST MARGARETSBURY 0
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We gained our first points of the season from this single goal victory over a dogged St Margaretsbury side. Ironically, this was probably a lesser performance than we had given in our two previous games both if which we had lost, but nevertheless we were the better side on the day and were deserving winners.
We should have taken the lead after just five minutes when a fine pass by Dean Scarlett put Victor Osobu clean through but Victor scuffed his shot wide. We then should have had a penalty kick when Charlie Baverstock was clearly fouled in the box but the referee waved our appeals aside. On the half hour mark, the St Margaretsbury keeper Kris Smithers made a tremendous save to turn Daley Joseph's free kick around the post. A bad mistake by Maradona Mason making his debut for us then gave Matt Maskell a clear run on our goal but Antony Rowlands came across with a tremendous sliding challenge to block Maskell's shot. Towards the interval, St Margaretsbury came more into the game but they never really troubled Simeon Charles in our goal, who's handling of crosses throughout the game was of the highest order.
Five minutes into the second half, Russell Mundy headed Aziz Khoshimov's corner kick just wide and then an excellent move between Danny Edwards and Charlie culminated in the latter's shot beating Smithers but hitting the outside of the goal post. Keith Rowlands replaced Dean in the sixty second minute, a move that almost brought us a goal with Keith's astute through ball finding Daley in space but Smithers made another excellent save from Daley's shot. With twenty minutes remaining, Louis Rose missed a clear cut chance for St Margaretsbury heading wide from close range. At the other end, Keith then missed a clear cut chance after Victor had put him through on goal. Blake Goodman replaced Charlie with fifteen minutes remaining, five minutes before we scored the decisive goal. Keith was scythed down in reckless fashion by Ben Tobin as he played the ball into the path of Victor. The referee played the advantage rule and Victor steered the ball past the excellent Smithers for our winner. Two minutes later, Danny Edwards in an act of retribution earned himself a red card for an alleged stamp on Tobin. With ten men we held on comfortably to the final whistle.
Side: Simeon Charles, Antony Rowlands, Maradona Mason, Jake Jenkins, Russell Mundy, Aziz Khosimov, Danny Edwards, Daley Joseph, Charlie Baverstock, Dean Scarlett and Victor Osobu. Subs: Keith Rowlands for Scarlett (62) and Blake Goodman for Baverstock (75)
HANWELL TOWN 2 v LANGFORD 0
SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We retained our unbeaten record against Langford in this our seventh meeting and in so doing recorded our second win and our second clean sheet in succession. However, the scoreline does not reflect the game in any way and had it not been for keeper Simeon Charles in the first half and some dreadful Langford finishing the result would have been a lot different.
We got off to the perfect start taking the lead in the third minute. An excellent run down the right by Charlie Baverstock culminated in him pulling the ball back into the path of Keith Rowlands, Keith's close range shot struck the Langford keeper and as Danny Edwards raced onto the rebound he was tripped by Joe De-La-Selle and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Keith made no mistake with the resultant kick. Keith then missed a good chance after further good play by Charlie but play soon switched to the other end with Langford dominating the midfield area where both Daley Joseph and Aaron Patton were totally ineffective. Simeon prevented Langford from equalising as he took the ball off the feet of Dave Browne after a dreadful back pass by Jake Jenkins had given Browne a clear run towards our goal. Simeon then blocked a close range effort by Browne before denying Langford's Gary Walker with a brave dive at the forward's feet. Our cause was not helped when Russell Mundy limped off five minutes before the interval to be replaced by Blake Goodman.Seven minutes into the second half, Mark Wright sent a header just over our bar from Rob Groves's corner kick as Langford continued to have the upper hand but against the general run of play we went further ahead on the hour mark. A good ball down the right by Blake sent Charley away and when he pulled the ball back into the middle, Victor Osobu turned it on into the path of Danny who rounded a defender before crashing the ball past the helpless Anthony Lloyd in the Langford goal. This goal coupled with the extreme heat seemed to take a lot of the wind out of the Langford sails and the game began to drift towards its climax. Dean Scarlett on instead of Keith should have scored our third and when the ball came back into Victor's path he drove it wide of the empty net. Langford's day was summed up deep into injury time when substitute Chris Chandler headed wide on the far post from point blank range.
Side: Simeon Charles, Antony Rowlands, Aziz Khoshimov, Jake Jenkins, Russell Mundy, Aaron Patton, Danny Edwards, Keith Rowlands, Charlie Baverstock, Daley Joseph and Victor Osobu. Subs: Blake Goodman for Mundy 40, Dean Scarlett for K.Rowlands (60) and Milo Browne for Patton (73)
HAREFIELD UNITED 2 v HANWELL TOWN 3
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
Just seventy two hours after our insipid display against Langford, we produced a tremendously committed and spirited display against local rivals Harefield United to record our third successive League victory. As against Langford, we got off to the perfect start taking the lead in the second minute. Jason Tucker making his first appearance of the season took a quick free kick into the path of Keith Rowlands who made no mistake shooting across the Harefield keeper Mark Oliver into the far corner. Play swung from end to end in a game played at a furious pace with Harefield's Sean Sonnor having a goal disallowed for offside. Danny Buckle then headed just wide on the far post for the home side from Craig Totton's cross. At the other end, Charley Baverstock with a half chance on the edge of the box fired wide and then delayed his shot when well placed which resulted in his shot being blocked. It seemed as if Harefield must equalise when Paul Haines sent a low cross into our goal area but Simeon Charles made a tremendous save with his body from Sonnor's close range effort. We suffered a blow when Antony Rowlands limped off to be replaced by Reiss McGrath making his debut for the club but worse was to follow three minutes after the interval when Simeon was badly injured as he was heavily challenged as he collected a cross from the left . The game was then held up for forty one minutes whilst an ambulance was summoned and Simeon was stretchered off to hospital. As we did not have a keeper on the bench despite Paul Taylor being in the squad, central defender Jake Jenkins had to take over between the posts with Milo Brown coming on to join Blake Goodman at the heart of our defence. Five minutes after the restart, Harefield had drawn level, Adam Willis giving Jenkins no chance with a fierce cross shot. Buckle then gave Harefield the lead, moving across the face of our penalty area before firing the ball home. At this stage, it looked as if Harefield would go on to score again but to our great credit, we pulled ourselves back into the game with everybody working extremely hard. Jake did well to turn a tremendous shot from Haines over the bar and then Willis unmarked at the far post fired high and wide. With thirteen minutes remaining we drew level when Charley Baverstock, who did not stop running all night, raced clear down the right and in almost a replica of our goal against Langford, his ball into the goalmouth was turned on by Victor Osobu and Danny Edwards had a simple tap in on the far post. Vigan Qehaja then shot narrowly wide after a great cross into the goalmouth by Aziz Khoshimov but in the final minute of normal time, from a free kick on the edge of the box, Jason Tucker curled the ball wide of Oliver into the far corner for the winner.
Side:Charles,A.Rowlands,Khoshimov,Jenkins,Goodman,Tucker,Joseph,K.Rowlands, Baverstock, Edwards and Osobu. Subs: R.McGrath for A.Rowlands (32), Brown for Charles (47) &Qehaja for K.Rowlands (68)
BARKINGSIDE 2 v HANWELL TOWN 1
SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2007
FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
Our dismal record in the FA cup continued with this very disappointing defeat away to Essex Senior League side Barkingside. The last time that we progressed beyond the preliminary round was in the 1997/98 season but we wasted a golden opportunity to match that ten years later as this was a game that we most definitely should have won. Barkingside were inferior opponents compared to Harefield United who we had beaten earlier in the week but our display bore little resemblance to our mid week effort and we paid the ultimate penalty, not just by losing but also squandering the opportunity for the club to gain the much needed prize money of £1,000. In a very ordinary first half in which good footballing moments were at a premium we created several excellent goal scoring opportunities and had we have taken just a small percentage of these, then it is likely that the victory would have been ours. After some early Barkingside pressure in which both Jamie Langton and Mark Doyle fired narrowly over our bar, we missed our first chance when Charlie Baverstock scuffed his close range shot straight at Chris Clark between the Barkingside posts after good work by Danny Edwards. Charlie was again the culprit when a long ball out of defence saw him racing clear but he lifted the ball over the vacant net as Clark advanced from his goal. However, we took the lead in the forty second minute when a clever through ball by Maradona Mason put Charlie in the clear again and this time he made no mistake, steering the ball past
the helpless Clark. Our fears at the interval that this single goal might not be enough to win us the game were confirmed in the second half as our opponents with their direct style of play immediately gained control and it came as little surprise when they equalised in the seventy third minute when a shot from Brian Suchley beat Paul Taylor and hit the bar but Suchley reacted quickly to head home the rebound. Eight minutes later Barkingside clinched victory when our poorly placed defensive wall gave Paul Kavanagh to steer his free kick from the edge of our box into the unattended corner of our net. We rarely looked like gaining an equaliser in the remaining minutes of the game and it was a sad squad who made the journey home from East London.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Aziz Khoshimov, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Jason Tucker, Danny Edwards, Vigan Qehaja, Charlie Baverstock, Daley Joseph and Victor Osobu.
Subs: Dean Scarlett for Edwards (61), Keith Rowlands for Qehaja (65) and Milo Browne for Mason (75)
HANWELL TOWN 0 v BIGGLESWADE TOWN 2
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
Our lack of a cutting edge in front of goal, so evident in our FA Cup defeat at Barkingside the previous Sunday raised its ugly head again last Saturday when we were beaten 2-0 at home by Biggleswade Town. Our cause has not been helped by the continuing absence of leading goalscorer Keith Rowlands who is struggling to recover fully from a long term ankle injury. We were also without the injured Simeon Charles and Russell Mundy , the suspended Danny Edwards as well as Dean Scarlett and Jake Jenkins away on holiday. However, their absence was partly offset by the return to the club of Sean James and Warren Williams with Sean in particular very prominent in the opening stages with his strong runs down the left flank. However it was Biggleswade who took the lead in the fifteenth minute when Daniel Heron burst through our attempted offside trap to calmly slide the ball past Paul Taylor. We were playing some neat controlled football but rarely looked like breaking through an organised Biggleswade defence. Five minutes before the interval we had Sean to thank for us not falling two behind. An intended cross field pass by Anthony Rowlands was intercepted by Bradley Harrison who had a clear run to goal. Harrison rounded Paul before directing his shot towards an unguarded goal only for Sean to appear from nowhere to block the ball on the line.
At half time we made two substitutions with Vigan Qehaja and Alvin Bubb replacing Williams and Daley Joseph as we switched to our more normal 4-4-2 system and the move almost immediately paid off with Charlie Baverstock putting Bubb through but as Aaron Springham advanced from between th Biggleswade posts, Alvin lifted the ball over the keeper and the crossbar. On the hour mark, Paul made a fine save as he dived at the feet of Jamie Steele. Seven minutes later we had our best chance of the game when an astute pass by Jason Tucker put Victor Osobu through on the right, but Victor's fierce drive was blocked by Springhams' face and the ball deflected for a corner. Our fate was sealed sixteen minutes from time when Victor needlessly gave away a free kick right on the edge of our penalty area. Jack Weeden sent his kick right across our goal area and we somehow allowed the ball to reach the unmarked Heron on the far post who had an easy task to score from close range. Nine minutes from time we made our final substitution, Altonio Stennett coming on to make his debut in place of Charlie who as always had not stopped running all afternoon.
Side: Paul Taylor, Antony Rowlands, Sean James, Milo Brown, Blake Goodman, Jason Tucker, Warren Williams, Daley Joseph, Charlie Baverstock, Aziz Khoshimov and Victor Osobu.
Subs: Vigan Qehaja and Alvin Bubb for Williams and Joseph (45) Altonio Stennett for Baverstock (81)
BEDFORD FC 1 v HANWELL TOWN 4
TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2007
LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY FIRST ROUND
Meeting the current Division One League leaders Bedford we recorded a 4-1 victory to earn ourselves a second round home tie against London Colney.
On a good playing surface we began the game in excellent fashion and could easily have scored after just five minutes when Victor Osobu's low cross was missed by Blake Goodman but Warren Williams following up sent the ball goalwards only for Martin Bennett to make a fine save for the home side. However, two minutes later we were ahead when Blake was tripped in the box in the act of shooting and Jason Tucker made no mistake from the resultant spot kick. Bennett then made another fine save to turn Daley Joseph's header around the post before Bedford in almost their first attack of the game should have equalised but Jason Layne drove the ball straight at the advancing Paul Taylor. Bedford had a good period before the interval and we were grateful to Paul for a tremendous save on the stroke of half time from Daren Joziwak's point blank range header.
Bedford equalised twelve minutes into the second half when Luigi Rocco's speculative cross shot from wide on the right curled over Paul into the far corner. Shortly after Daley limped off to be replaced by Vigan Qehaja and we changed our formation with Vigan going up front to join Charlie Baverstock, Blake dropping back into central defence and Jason moving into mid field. Vigan was immediately in the thick of the action and Bennett made another fine save from his fierce drive with Charley hooking the rebound wide of the far post. Vigan was not to be denied and ten minutes after coming on he scored his first goal for the club as Aziz Khoshimov picked him out with a cross towards the far post and Vigan crashed the ball home via the underside of the cross bar. Three minutes later, Vigan was on the score sheet again as a good ball out of defence by Jake Jenkins found Charlie in yards of space giving him the time to turn before playing the ball through into Vigan's path and he made no mistake rounding Bennett before sliding the ball into the vacant net. Any chance that Bedford had of getting back into the game were ruined by Blake's tremendous goal line clearance from Chris Huckle's shot and we made it four when Jason played Victor through and he notched his third goal of the season calmly steering the ball past the helpless Bennett.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Jason Tucker, Jake Jenkins, Daley Joseph, Warren Williams, Aziz Khoshimov, Charlie Baverstock, Blake Goodman and Victor Osobu.
Subs: Vigan Qehaja for Joseph (59) and Alvin Bubb for Williams (75)
HANWELL TOWN 3 v LEVERSTOCK GREEN 0
SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We followed up our mid week cup victory over Bedford with an excellent 3-0 home win against Leverstock Green. The main reason for our victory was the pace of our front players Victor Osobu, Blake Goodman and Warren Williams with all three of them benefiting from the excellent manner in which Vigan Qehaja created opportunities for them.
We almost took the lead in the first minute when Antony Rowlands sent the ball just over the Leverstock cross bar with Graeme Milner in our visitors goal beaten. However, three minutes later we were ahead when Victor played into space by Vigan saw his shot blocked by Milner's legs. Blake and Vigan both saw their follow up efforts blocked but when the ball ran to Warren he made no mistake from the edge of the area. Simeon Charles at the other end then saved well from Alan Arthur but this was an isolated incident as we dominated proceedings and Milner made a tremendous save to deny Vigan before Victor fired just wide. Leverstock's Louise West then rescued his side with a last ditch tackle when it seemed as if Vigan must score from Jason Tucker's quickly taken free kick. On the half hour mark, Jake Jenkins saw his header cleared from the line by Kenny Hull with Milner just managing to smother his follow up effort.
Leverstock Green came back into the game in the early stages of the second half but we went further ahead in the fifty fourth minute when Victor raced through onto Vigan's through ball and rounded Milner before virtually walking the ball into the unattended net. This goal seemed to end any real threat of Leverstock Green getting anything from the game and had it not been for Milner and some resolute defending in which Stuart Bailey was outstanding, we could have notched several more goals before we got our third in the final minute. Victor racing through with a one on one on Milner was denied by the keeper's legs and then another last ditch tackle, this time by substitute Colin Wilson denied Vigan after Warren had raced almost the full length of the pitch before squaring the ball into the goalmouth. Our third and final goal came in the last minute of the game when Warren beat Milner with a low shot from fully twenty five yards after Vigan had set up the shooting opportunity. There still remained time for Victor to set off on another run at Milner but this time having got around the keeper, Victor managed to shoot against the post when it seemed simpler to score.
Special mention should be made of manager Chris Boothe who donned his boots for the first time in a long while to form a resolute partnership at the centre of our defence with the very impressive Jake Jenkins.
Side: Simeon Charles, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Chris Boothe, Jake Jenkins, Aziz Khoshimov, Jason Tucker, Warren Williams, Vigan Qehaja, Blake Goodman and Victor Osobu.
HANWELL TOWN 1 v WALTHAM FOREST 2
TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2007
LONDON SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND
Meeting Ryman Division One North side Waltham Forest in the First Round of The London Senior Cup, we were unfortunate to be beaten by the odd goal in three in an entertaining contest that could have gone either way.
Both sides had chances to score in the opening ten minutes, Warren Williams volleying wide on the far post for us whilst at the other end, former Town player Paul Olima side footed his shot just wide of the post with only Simeon Charles to beat. As in the previous Saturday's game both Warren and Victor Osobu on the opposite flank were a constant threat to the visitor's defence and had Victor's first touch been better after Warren had played him into space with a clear route to goal, there would have been a better result than him running the ball gently into the arms of the advancing Jason Willis in the Waltham goal. Shortly after Vigan Qehaja pulled the ball back into the path of Jake Jenkins who drive the ball just wide of the far upright. We deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark when Warren sent a low cross into the box and determined play by Charlie Baverstock, enabled him to play the ball back into Vigan's path and he directed the ball across Willis into the far corner. Victor then shot over from a narrow run after a good run on the left before we conceded a disappointing equaliser on the stroke of half time. Maradona Mason and Jake both went for the same ball opening up our defence and Jake's retrieving tackle on the edge of our box resulted in a free kick being awarded. Waltham Forest's player/manager Danny Honeyball curled the ball over our defensive wall wide of the stranded Simeon.
Another mistake, this time by Blake Goodman in the opening minute of the second half almost gifted Waltham their second goal, Emmanuel Umeh driving the ball wide with our goal at his mercy. We then missed an even better chance when Warren pulled the ball back into the path of Vigan who scuffed his shot wide right in front of the goal. We had a scare when Simeon allowed Umeh's shot to squirm under his body but fortunately the ball rolled just wide of the post. As play swung from end to end, Victor with only Willis to beat steered Warren's through ball wide before Waltham Forest scored what proved to be the winning goal ten minutes from time. Antony trying to turn the ball onto his favoured right foot was dispossessed just inside the Waltham half and the ball was swiftly dispatched forward when Simeon made a great save to block Obi Nene's shot but the ball rolled into the path of Olima who had a simple task to steer it into the vacant net. With virtually the last kick of the game, Victor somehow contrived to blaze the ball wide when it seemed to be easier to score.
Side: Simeon Charles, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands,Jake Jenkins,Blake Goodman, Leon Cover, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Vigan Qehaja,and Victor Osobu. Subs used Eugen Berlacu for Mason (70) and Dean Scarlett for Cover (82)
AYLESBURY VALE 1 v HANWELL TOWN 2
TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We moved up to third place in the League table after recording an excellent 2-1 win away against the former League leaders Aylesbury Vale.
As has been the way in our recent games, we made an excellent start and took the lead after just six minutes. A low cross from Jason Tucker found Antony Rowlands in space some thirty yards from goal. Antony drove the ball goal wards where the Aylesbury keeper Steve Smith failed to hold it on the slippery surface and Vigan Qehaja was the quickest to react to steer the loose ball into the net. Smith then made a good save diving to his left to hold onto Victor Osobu's shot after Charlie Baverstock had set up the shooting opportunity. The game proceeded at a furious pace and we almost went two ahead when Warren Williams drove the ball across the goalmouth and it deflected off an Aylesbury defender just over his own crossbar. On the half hour mark, Aylesbury's Danny Jones should have done better when a long ball from Steve Sanson found him in yards of space on the edge of our penalty area. Fortunately for us Jones volleyed well wide when he had sufficient time to have brought the ball down before shooting. However, five minutes later Jones made amends when we failed to clear another cross from the right and he had ample time to drive the ball wide of the helpless Simeon Charles to bring the scores level. On the stroke of half time , Smith made another good save from Vigan's powerful header following Jason's corner kick.
Play swung from end to end in the opening minutes of the second half, before we broke the deadlock thirteen minutes into the half. We were awarded a disputed free kick thirty yards from goal to the left of the penalty area. Jason swung the kick in goal wards and the ball somehow found its way through a mass of defenders and attackers before nestling in the far corner of the net. As the minutes ticked away, Aylesbury began to enjoy more of the ball and we lived rather dangerously at the back at times, but when Billy Perry did manage to escape the attentions of Jake Jenkins and Blake Goodman,Simeon was equal to the task advancing quickly to take the ball off Perry's toes. In the final couple of minutes, Victor had two great chances to assure us of the points. Firstly, Jason played him through the middle but as Smith advanced Victor steered the ball wide of the far post and then he somehow blasted the ball wide from close range when it seemed easier to score.
Side: Simeon Charles, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Jason Tucker, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Vigan Qehaja and Victor Osobu.
Subs used: Daley Joseph for Charlie Baverstock (80).
COLNEY HEATH 1 v HANWELL TOWN 3
SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We consolidated our current third spot in the League table with rather a scrappy 3-1 away win at Colney Heath.We could have taken the lead in what would have been in highly controversial fashion after just eight minutes. From an Aziz Khoshimov cross to the far post, Jake Jenkins steered the ball back across goal and it rolled just wide of the far post. It was retrieved by Charlie Baverstock and prodded back into the direction of the goal without Charlie realising that neither the referee or his assistant had indicated that the ball had gone out of play. Had the ball entered the Colney net a goal would have been allowed. However, ten minutes later Charlie did find the net and this time there was no confusion as he headed home Jason Tucker's cross. A feature of Colney's play throughout the game was the accuracy of their corner kicks and mid way through the half, Simeon Charles did well to claw away one of these from right under the crossbar. Simeon was badly at fault when Colney Heath equalised on the half hour mark. Firstly his short throw to Aziz put the full back under pressure and when the ball was only half cleared, Colney's full back Dean Shuttleworth lofted a high cross to the far post, Simeon called for it but then hesitated giving Scott Lacey an easy task to head the ball into our unattended net. In the final minute of the half, the completely unmarked Jake Parrett shot straight at Simeon from close range and then Simeon turning aside a high ball that was dipping under the bar damaged his back as he collided with the post, which resulted in him being replaced by Paul Taylor at the interval. We also replaced Danny Edwards with new signing Aaron Samuels at the break.
We were fortunate not to fall behind eight minutes into the second half when a long clearance found Parrett in yards of space with only Paul to beat. Parratt lifted the ball over Paul only to see it hit the post and Paul got back in time to turn his follow up effort over the bar. Two minutes later we were back in the lead. A good interception by Jake Jenkins and a neat pass to Jason was followed by a chip over Colney's back line and Warren Williams raced away to drive the ball home. Colney fought desperately for the equaliser and won a string of corner kicks but we defended resolutely and the three points was assured in the final minutes when Warren's low cross from the left wing was turned home by Leon Cover from close range.
Side: Simeon Charles, Antony Rowlands, Aziz Khoshimov, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Daley Joseph, Jason Tucker, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Danny Edwards and Victor Osobu. Subs: Aaron Samuels and Paul Taylor for Charles and Edwards(45)Leon Cover for Osobu (84)
HANWELL TOWN 3 v LONDON COLNEY 1
TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2007
LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY SECOND ROUND
We reached the third round of the League Challenge Trophy where we will meet Kingsbury London Tigers at home, following this 3-1 home win over London Colney. With an important FA Vase game coming up on the following Saturday, manager Chris Boothe decided to leave out five of the players who were in the starting line up at Colney Heath seventy two hours earlier which also enabled him to have a look at members of the squad who had not been featuring in the team on a regular basis.
London Colney arrived having lost their previous nine league games having opened their season by beating us 4-2 and they must have thought that history might repeat itself when they took the lead after just eight minutes play. We failed to clear a long free kick from the right into our box and the ball ran loose to Cain Davey who scored with a low shot that was deflected wide of the stranded Paul Taylor. We fought back strongly, enjoying a lot of possession but without really threatening to score until we equalised midway through the half. London Colney's keeper Dean Richardson failed to deal with Maradona Mason's cross to the far post and the ball fell to Jason Tucker who managed to score from a narrow angle. Five minutes later, Blake Goodman unmarked at the far post headed over from Jason's corner. Ten minutes before the interval, we almost conceded again when debutant Michael McCosker ignoring Paul's call behind him tried to head clear but only succeeded in heading it straight to Davey, but fortunately his header back goal wards drifted just wide of the post. At the other end, Vigan Qehaja should have put us ahead when Richardson fumbled Aziz Khoshimov's shot straight into his path but Vigan somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar. Two minutes before the interval we took the lead when Jason's astute through ball sent Warren Williams racing through to drill an unstoppable shot past the helpless Richardson.
The second half was a rather mundane affair with Colney seemingly content to defend in depth and only threatening in breakaways. Both sides introduced all three of their substitutes which rather added to the disjointed nature of the half. Both sides had goals disallowed for offside, Victor Osobu finding the net for us and Davey for London Colney, before we assured ourselves of a third round place in the last minute of the game when Vigan's shot from the edge of the area was deflected past the wrong footed Richardson. The final word of praise goes to the referee Russell Howes who had an excellent game.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Michael McCosker, Blake Goodman, Jason Tucker, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Dean Scarlett, Vigan Qehaja and Desmond Phillips.
Subs: Victor Osobu for Phillips (45), Leon Cover for Tucker (60) and Aaron Samuel for Scarlett (65)
HANWELL TOWN 7 v SUN POSTAL SPORTS 1
SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2007
FA CARLSBERG VASE FIRST ROUND
Meeting Molten Spartan South Midlands Division One side Sun Postal Sports in the First Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase, we recorded an emphatic 7-1 victory. Our margin of victory could and should have been much larger as we missed countless chances, particularly in the first half when we looked likely to score almost every time that we attacked.
The game got off to an explosive start with three goals in the opening six minutes. We took the lead in the third minute when Aziz Khoshimov scored his first goal for the club with a fine left footed drive from fully twenty five yards. Sun Postal equalised two minutes later when Stuart Farrell prodded the ball home from close range during a goalmouth scramble but play immediately switched to the other end and we were back in front when a good interchange of passes between Charlie Baverstock and Victor Osobu, culminated in Charlie rounding the keeper before pulling the ball back into Victor's path and his deflected shot found the net. A dreadful mistake by Blake Goodman should have gifted Sun Postal an equaliser when his pass across our penalty area went straight to the feet of Stuart Stedman who only had Paul Taylor to beat but Paul saved well much to Blake's relief.
In the remaining period before the interval, we added three more goals through Charlie, Warren Williams and substitute Dean Scarlett, Dean scoring with virtually his first touch of the ball after replacing the injured Vigan Qehaja. However, we should have scored six or seven in this period at least with Charlie, Warren, Aziz, Victor and Daley Joseph all either missing clear cut chances or being denied by the rather eccentric keeping of Mick Walbond in the Sun Postal goal.
With the game effectively over as a contest, the second half was a very mundane affair although to give Sun Postal due credit, they never gave up and two of their defenders Luke Reid and Matthew White performed heroics to keep the score down. We scored our sixth goal twenty minutes from time when Walbond could only parry Danny Edwards's shot into the path of Aziz who scored from close range, Danny having replaced Victor ten minutes into the second half. At the other end, casual play by Jake Jenkins which resulted in him losing the ball leaving Farrell a clear run to goal, ended up with Paul getting booked as he brought down Farrell way outside the area with the referee deeming that Farrell was not in a goal scoring position. Our final goal came in the ninetieth minute of the game and it was fitting that it as scored by Charlie who never stopped working from first minute to last.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Daley Joseph, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Vigan Qehaja and Victor Osobu.
Subs: Dean Scralett for Qehaja (32) and Danny Edwards for Osobu (56)
HANWELL TOWN 3 v HOLMER GREEN 1
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2007
MOLEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
In a game that we dominated for long periods, we recorded a relatively comfortable 3-1 win over Holmer Green to move up to third place in the League table.
From the kick off, we put pressure on the Holmer Green goal and could well have taken the lead in the opening minutes as Warren Williams who had an outstanding game for us saw his shot deflected just wide and from the resultant corner taken by Aziz Khoshimov, Blake Goodman's goal bound shot hit James Apps standing on the Holmer Green goal line and the ball was scrambled to safety. Warren then saw another effort crash against the post with Dave Clark in the Holmer Green goal beaten after a fine cross field pass by Antony Rowlands. The almost inevitable goal came in the 21st minute when good work by Aziz and Victor Osobu gave Charlie Baverstock th chance to bundle the ball home from close range. Shortly afterwards, Aaron Samuel picked up an injury and was replaced by Usif Bangura, making his first team debut.
Totally against the run of play, our visitors equalised on 37 minutes when a mix up in our defence enabled Steve Groves to volley home from twenty yards. On the stroke of half time, Usif almost marked his debut with a goal but Clark made a brilliant save to turn aside his header from Warren's accurate cross.
However, two minutes after the restart Clark was picking the ball out of the net when Jake Jenkins scored his first goal for the club, powerfully heading home Aziz's corner kick. We continued to press forward and mounted attack after attack before we made the game safe in the fiftieth minute when good work by Warren gave Maradona Mason the opportunity to cross the ball into the goalmouth where it was deflected wide of his own keeper by the unfortunate Adam Chaumeton.
At this stage of the game it seemed that we would win the game by a much greater margin but we seemed to be content to protect our two goal lead and our opponents were able to enjoy their best period of the game but without ever being able to test Paul Taylor in our goal. With twelve minutes left, we suffered a blow when Warren limped off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury and he was replaced by John McKnight, another player making his first appearance for the club.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Daley Joseph, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Aaron Samuel and Victor Osobu.
Subs: Usif Bangura for Samuel (25), Jason Tucker for Khoshimov (67) and John McKnight for Williams (78)
WELWYN GARDEN CITY 0 v HANWELL TOWN 3
SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
Following our sixth consecutive League win, we moved up to second place in the League table, with only Biggleswade Town's superior goal difference denying us top spot.
We made a bright start and almost took the lead in the opening minutes when from a long throw in by Michael McCosker, Jason Tucker headed the ball on and Charlie Baverstock's follow up header looped just over the junction of bar and post with the Welwyn keeper Simon Bartley stranded. On the quarter hour mark we were fortunate not to fall behind when slack marking from a free kick by Carl Ashton gave Matt Wardle a free header in front of our goal but he glanced the ball wide. David Parkinson for Welwyn was dangerous with his speedy runs and we were gain fortunate not to fall behind when Maradona Mason cleared from the line with Paul Taylor beaten and then in the ensuing melee in our goal area we blocked three goal bound shots in quick succession. From an Ashton corner played low to the edge of the box, Rob Moules shot struck Danny Edwards guarding the post and the ball rebounded to safety. Five minutes later, Danny was instrumental in our opening goal. His cross field pass was completely misjudged by Welwyn's Rickelle Christian giving Warren Williams a clear run at goal and Warren made no mistake cutting inside to shoot across Bartley into the far corner.
Five minutes into the second half, Welwyn's Matt Wardle missed a good chance shooting straight at Paul when well placed and this miss was to prove costly for the home side as two minutes later, a weak clearance by Moules sent the ball straight to the feet of Jason who rolled it into the path of Charlie who beat Bartley from close range to put us two ahead. Welwyn fought back strongly winning a succession of free kicks and corner kicks but some resolute defensive work kept them at bay and Paul was rarely troubled. We made two substitutions in quick succession, Victor Osobu and John McKnight joining the action but John's involvement was brief as a rash two footed tackle saw his red carded within five minutes of him coming on. With Welwyn now committed to all out attack, we began to look very dangerous in break away raids and Warren missed a great chance when Victor's cross found him unmarked at the far post. Five minutes from time, Bartley made a fine save at Victor's feet after he had burst through on the left but in the ninetieth minute, Victor again got clear and this time cut inside before rifling the ball past Bartley to ensure that the points were ours.
Side; Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Michael McCosker, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Leon Cover, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Jason Tucker and Danny Edwards
Subs: Victor Osobu for Edwards (6), John McKnight for Cover (67)
COCKFOSTERS 0 v HANWELL TOWN 1
TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
In a tense encounter in very heavy rain, we scrapped our way to a narrow single goal win over a decent Cockfosters side who could justly feel aggrieved that they failed to take anything out of the game.
We began the game in excellent fashion, moving the ball quickly on the slippery surface and took the lead in the sixth minute, when Blake Goodman,playing up front to allow Russell Mundy to return to the heart of our defence, scored his first senior goal for the club with a low drive from twenty five yards that beat Chay Morris in the home goal. Minutes later, Blake sent a shot just over Morris's bar after another good interchange of passes. Russell then saw his close range header from Aziz Khoshimov's free kick blocked on the goal line before being scrambled to safety. Cockfosters began to come more and more into the game with Dan O'Connor out on their left flank dangerous almost every time he gained possession and the home side missed a gilt edged opportunity to equalise when O'Connor's low cross from the left was only partially cleared and it ran to Samson Okeke right in front of goal but he somehow managed to lift the ball high and wide over the crossbar. Shortly after Antony Rowlands limped off to be replaced by Michael McCosker. O'Connor sent another low cross right across the face of our goal without there being anybody up in support to take advantage and then on the stroke of half time, Paul Taylor did well yards from goal to half block Nicky Paige's effort, giving covering defender Maradona Mason the time to get back to clear the danger.
We made a good start to the second half with Blake firing just wide and then Victor Osobu shooting into the side netting from a narrow angle ignoring better placed colleagues. At the other end Ben Penfold rounded Jake Jenkins before firing just wide of our far post. Shortly after, Jake was replaced by Danny Edwards with Blake dropping back into his more usual central defensive position. Penfold then had a shot deflected just wide as Cockfosters continued their quest to bring the scores level but we began to look more and more dangerous as we exploited their gaps at the back and Aziz should have made the game safe but he fired wide on his favoured left foot after a good move involving Charlie Baverstock, Usif Bangura and Danny Edwards. Victor then had a close range blocked after Charlie had set him up. In the final minutes, another low cross from O'Connor went right across the face of our goal and wide of our far post just and shortly after to our relief the referee blew the final whistle.
Side: Paul Taylor, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands, Jake Jenkins, Russell Mundy, Daley Joseph, Aziz Khoshimov, Usif Bangura, Charlie Baverstock, Blake Goodman and Victor Osobu.
Substitutes: Michael McCosker for Rowlands (32) and Danny Edwards for Jenkins (60)
BIGGLESWADE UNITED 1 v HANWELL TOWN 1
SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2007
MOLEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
For the second game in succession, we took part in a 1-1 draw, but unlike the previous week when Kingsbury London Tigers were full value for their point, this was a game in which we should have claimed maximum points, such was our overall superiority in the second half. The first chance of the game came in the fifth minute when Antony Rowlands was caught in possession and the ball was played through to Luke Lincoln but a tremendous block tackle by Blake Goodman prevented Lincoln from testing our debutant goalkeeper Jakub Machlowski. Two minutes later we took the lead with a goal that would have graced any level of football. From just inside our own half, Jason Tucker played the ball into the path of Danny Edwards and then set off on a long diagonal run towards the far side of the Biggleswade penalty area. Danny's long cross field ball was inch perfect and enabled Jason to volley the ball back across goal where Dean Scarlett netted from close range, definitely a goal to savour. Our lead lasted for just twelve minutes when poor marking from a throw in gave Robbie O'Dell the time to cross the ball into our box where it was slipped through to Andre Maltay who had a simple task to steer the ball home. Play was very even until the interval, with neither keeper being seriously troubled although Lincoln sent a shot just wide of our goal whilst at the other end, a cross by Danny was deflected into the path of Warren Williams who volleyed high over the bar.
We began the second half in determined fashion and immediately began to put pressure on the Biggleswade goal. Ten minute into the half, the Biggleswade keeper, Jay Tingey, was fortunate to escape a red card when he brought down Dean yards from his goal. The referee reached for the red card only then to speak with his assistant and a yellow card was produced. From the resultant free kick, Tingay made a good save from Jason's kick. In quick succession we made three substitutions, Victor Osobu, Usif Bangura and Daley Joseph replacing Williams, Michael McCosker and Dean. With Machlowski virtually a spectator, we continued to press forward and might have gone ahead when Tingey missed Aziz Khoshimov's long free kick but Jason directed his header into the side netting. Charlie Baverstock then sent a shot just wide of the post with Tingay stranded. Victor Osobu shot into the side netting and then Charliegot clear with only Tingay to beat. The keeper did well to block Charlie's shot into the air but could not prevent the ball continuing its path towards the unattended net but to our great disappointment the ball bounced up off the ground over the crossbar and with it went our final hopes of three points.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Antony Rowlands, Michael McCosker,Jake Jenkins,Blake Goodman,Jason Tucker, Aziz Khoshimov, Warren Williams, Charlie Baverstock, Dean Scarlett and Danny Edwards
Subs: Victor Osobu for Williams (62), Usif Bangura and Daley Joseph for McCosker and Scarlett (67)
HANWELL TOWN 7 v OXHEY JETS 1
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We recorded our most emphatic League win of the season to date as we beat Oxhey Jets 7-1 in a game in which Charlie Baverstock celebrated his 50th full appearance for the club with a hat trick whilst there was also three goals for Jason Tucker and four assists also. Our seventh came from second half substitute Victor Osobu.
We took the lead after just four minutes when a long ball forward by Jason was chested into the path of Warren Williams by Danny Edwards. Warren's instant cross to the far post reached Charlie who turned inside his marking defender before steering the ball across the Oxhey keeper Ross Channer into the far corner. Jason then sent a free kick just over the bar before Oxhey wasted a golden opportunity to equalise when we failed to deal with a long throw in into our box by Marc Ayres and the ball was flicked on at the near post into the path of of Ian Bywater who headed over from point blank range. Twenty minutes into the half we went two ahead when a long ball forward by Jason found Charlie who shrugged aside the challenge by Anthony Shepperd before driving the ball low into the net. Two minutes later we were three ahead with the goal of the game when a long throw by Antony Rowlands was only half cleared and Jason from the edge of the penalty area rifled a left footed shot past the helpless Channer. We now looked like scoring almost every time we attacked and we went four up when a long ball to the far post by Antony was misjudged by Channer and Jason came in behind him to head the ball firmly into the net. Before the interval, both Danny and Warren saw their efforts flash across the face of the Oxhey goal with the keeper beaten.
We began the second half in rather lackadaisical fashion and Oxhey should have pulled one back when Sam Worrall shot wide with only Jakub Machlowski to beat. In the next minute Charlie completed his hat trick when another ball by Jason put him in possession and he turned quickly to shoot across Channer into the far corner. Oxhey struck back immediately with Luke Lloyd making no mistake from close range. Jakub then made a fine save to turn Ian Holdum's shot aside. Victor then scored our sixth goal after Jason had put him clear and Jason and Danny both missed good chances before Aziz Khosmimov was pulled down in the box after a good interchange of passes with Danny and Jason completed his own hat trick from the resultant penalty kick.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Antony Rowlands, Lee Grant, Jake Jenkins, Blake Goodman, Daley Joseph, Aziz Khoshimov, Jason Tucker, Charlie Baverstock, Warren Williams and Danny Edwards.
Substitutes: Victor Osobu for Williams (45), Maradona Mason for Grant (57) and Vigan Qehaja for Baverstock (70)
HANWELL TOWN 1 v WEMBLEY 2
TUESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2007
MIDDLESEX SENIOR CUP - FIRST ROUND
Our unbeaten run covering eleven games and dating back to mid September, came to an end when we were beaten 2-1 by Combined Counties League side Wembley in the First Round of The Middlesex Senior Cup.
With one eye on our FA Vase game the following Saturday, manager Chris Boothe decided to leave on the sidelines three or four of the regular first team so our line up had a rather unfamiliar look about it.
Both sides could have taken the lead in the opening ten minutes, Victor Osobu shooting into the side netting for us from a clear cut opportunity whilst at the other end, a mistake by Jake Jenkins let in Shane Sinclair but he shot wide. In the twelfth minute, Wembley's keeper Mark Jessop was forced to leave the field with a groin injury and outfield player Marc Talbot took over between the posts. Almost immediately after this change, a superb through ball by Dean Scarlett put Victor through with only Talbot to beat but he steered the ball wide of the far post. At the other end, Gavin Smith saw his effort drift right across the face of our goal after a neat interchange of passes with Paul Shelton. Wembley took the lead on the half hour mark when a quick free kick by Ian Bates caught our defence napping and when Sinclair crossed the ball low into our goalmouth, Bradley Scott scored from close range. Five minutes before the interval, Jake limped off to be replaced by Antony Rowlands and at the interval we were forced into another change when keeper Jakub Machlowski, who had been the victim of three separate heavy challenges by Wembley's Joel Bevis, was unable to continue.
Three minutes into the second period we drew level when the persistence of Vigan Qehaja was rewarded when the ball rolled loose to Danny Edwards on the edge of the penalty area and Danny drove it fiercely back into the net past the helpless Talbot. Bevis then missed two easy chances in quick succession, firstly missing a clear header after a free kick by David Taylor had found him unmarked at the far post and then when he burst through the middle with only Simeon to beat but managed to run the ball wide of the post. However, minutes later Bevis atoned for his misses when Daley Joseph tried an ambitious cross field pass only to play the ball to the feet of Shelton who played it forward to Bevis who beat Simeon with a low shot into the far corner. Charlie Baverstock came on for the final fifteen minutes as we strove for the equaliser and he came closest to getting us back on terms in the final minute when his chip from an acute angle drifted just wide.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Maradona Mason, Michael McCosker, Jake Jenkins, Daley Joseph, Leon Cover, Aziz Khoshimov, Danny Edwards, Vigan Qehaja, Dean Scarlett and Victor Osobu.
Substitutes: Antony Rowlands for Jenkins (40), Simeon Charles for Machlowski (45) and Charlie Baverstock for Scarlett (75)
HANWELL TOWN 0 v COGENHOE UNITED 1
SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2007
FA CARLSBERG VASE CUP-SECOND ROUND
If ever there was a game that we deserved to win it was this and had it not been for an outstanding display in the Cogenhoe goal by Darren Watts, we would have won by a healthy margin. It was little consolation to hear from the Cogenhoe manager and their officials after the game that they considered the result to be 'daylight robbery'.
We made an excellent start and should have opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Watts was only able to parry Warren Williams's shot into the path of Danny Edwards but somehow Danny with an open goal in front of him scooped the ball wide. Danny almost made amends mid way through the half but Watts was equal to the task turning Danny's shot wide of the post after an excellent build up involving Charlie Baverstock, Warren and Jason Tucker. It was not until the thirty minute mark that Jakub Machlowski was tested in our goal as he comfortably saved from Malcolm Nedweke. Watts then made two tremendous saves in quick succession, firstly turning Warren's goal bound shot which seemed destined for the top corner over the bar and then from the resultant corner, he again denied Warren clawing the ball back from the goal line after Warren had turned Jason's precision cross goal wards.
Cogenhoe who had been rarely seen as an attacking force in the first half missed the first chance of the second period when Tom McGowan headed wide when well placed but it was not long before we were again in the ascendancy and a cross shot from Charlie was deflected just wide of the far post with Watts stranded. New signing Kwasi Frempong, who enjoyed an excellent debut in mid field,then shot wide with a clear scoring opportunity but almost redeemed himself minutes later but again Watts denied us, diving high to his left to turn Kwasi's shot aside. With the minutes ticking away extra time and a replay at Cogenhoe began to look the likely result.
With six minutes remaining, Charlie at last evaded his marker Adam Knight but volleyed over the bar and then two minutes later, Cogenhoe stole the game with a breakaway goal. A long clearance by Watts was flicked on by Zac Nedimovic into the path of Cogenhoe's leading scorer Rob Foster and he made no mistake driving a low shot past Jakub into the far corner. We just knew it was not to be our day when virtually on the final whistle, Daley Joseph, who along with Kwasi and Jason had dominated the mid field throughout, tried his luck from some distance and at last Watts was beaten but the ball thudded against the cross bar and was then scrambled to safety and with it went our place in the third round draw and the winner's cheque of £1,000.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Maradona Mason, Antony Rowlands,Ricki Browne, Blake Goodman, Kwasi Frempong,Daley Joseph, Jason Tucker, Charlie Baverstock, Warren Williams and Danny Edwards.
Subs:Lee Grant for Mason (74) and Vigan Qehaja for Edwards (89) .
HANWELL TOWN (2) v BEACONSFIELD SYCOB (2)
TUESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
The point that we gained from a hard fought game against Beaconsfield Sycob enabled us to go top of the table for just a brief period of twenty four hours, before Biggleswade Town won on Wednesday night against Broxbourne Borough to reclaim top spot.
The game against Beaconsfield was a match of two differing styles, with us playing a lot of neat controlled football but often within our own half whilst the more physical Beaconsfield side adopted a much more direct approach.
There was little goal mouth action in the first half, the best chance in the early stages falling to Beaconsfield's Adrian Allen after a mistake in our defence but Allen shot straight at keeper Jakub Machlowski. At the other end, Daley Joseph's overhead kick saw the ball go just over the bar. Two minutes before the interval, player/manager Chris Boothe was caught in possession inside our penalty area and the ball was played into Aaron Lennon who had a clean shooting opportunity but he delayed his shot enabling Aziz Khoshimov to dispossess him. In the next minute we took the lead when Danny Edwards moving in from the left wing played the ball into Charlie Baverstock who turned away from his marker before firing the ball into the Beaconsfield net from around twenty yards, the ball striking the inside of the far post before rebounding past Ian Hart between the Beaconsfield sticks.
Early in the second half we had a let off when Blake Goodman after some sloppy defending pulled back Lennon as he cut in towards our goal. The assistant referee immediately flagged to indicate that a foul had been committed but the referee allowed play to continue, much to our relief as the incident had taken place inside our penalty area. With twenty five minutes remaining, a tremendous strike by Danny Edwards from fully thirty five yards beat Hart all ends up to send us two ahead and at this stage we looked the likely winners but with twelve minutes remaining from a needlessly conceded free kick out on the right flank, Stuart Swift swung the ball in towards our goal. Everybody missed it and it left Antony Wright with a simple task to turn the ball past Jakub at the far post. An excellent move then created a good opportunity for Jason Tucker but Hart beat away his close range effort. Seven minutes from time Beaconsfield equalise when a mistake by Antony Rowlands gave Wright the chance to steer a tremendous ball infield to Steve Jones who made no mistake, driving the ball across Jakub into the bottom corner of our net. Antony almost made amends in the final minute when his long cross was headed back across goal by Jason Tucker but Charlie was just unable to apply the finishing touch.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Antony Rowlands, Aziz Khoshimov,Chris Boothe, Blake Goodman, Qwasi Frempong, Daley Joseph, Jason Tucker, Charlie Baverstock, Warren Williams and Danny Edwards.
Sub used Victor Osobu for Williams (60)
HANWELL TOWN 1 v HERTFORD TOWN 1
SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
Meeting fellow League title contenders Hertford Town, we had to settle for a point after a hard fought game with the final result just about right on the day. In very difficult playing conditions with rain and a strong wind blowing from end to end, Hertford enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and almost took the lead in the eighth minute, but a timely interception by Chris Boothe resulted in Ryan Redford's shot being deflected just wide. However, nine minutes later Hertford were in the lead. Blake Goodman was penalised for handling just outside the area and although the kick was blocked by the defensive wall, the ball was eventually threaded through to Kevin Cooper who beat Jakub Machlowski from close range. Kwasi Fremong and Charlie Baverstock both went close as we fought to get back into the game and Jason Tucker brought out a good low save from Hertford's Lee Robinson.
With the wind and rain at our backs in the second half, we began to take the game to Hertford but without being able to create any clear cut chances and there was not a lot of rhythm to the game as a series of petty fouls blighted the flow.
We had a let off five minutes into the half when a shot by Cooper beat Jakub but the ball rebounded to safety off the crossbar. The referee then waved aside Hertford's claims for a spot kick when Redford felt he had been pushed in the penalty area. We equalised when Danny Edwards broke clear on the right before pulling the ball back into the path of Maradona Mason. Jason challenged Robinson as he came for the cross, just managing to get his head to the ball which went on to Charlie who headed home from close range. Hertford were then reduced to ten men when the referee rather harshly sent off Matt McCardle for what he deemed to be a two footed tackle. However, we failed to make this numerical advantage count despite enjoying a lot of possession as Hertford sat back and absorbed the pressure. Robinson was only called upon to make two saves of any significance and Hertford might have stolen the points three minutes from time when Redford got clear only to shoot wide when well placed.
A point apiece did little for either side's promotion chances with Biggleswade Town opening up a four point lead at the top of the division following upon Brimsdown Rovers going down 4-1 at home to Beaconsfield Sycob.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Anthony Rowlands, Maradona Mason, Chris Boothe, Blake Goodman, Kwasi Frempong, Daley Joseph, Jason Tuker, Charlie Baverstock, Warren Williams and Danny Edwards.
Subs used Victor Osobu and Vigan Qehaja
CHALFONT ST PETER 4 v HANWELL TOWN 0
TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
We suffered our first League defeat since early September, when Chalfont St Peter inflicted our heaviest defeat of the season on us and in so doing completed a League winning double over us.
Our line up had an odd look about it with three of our regular back line, Antony Rowlands, Jake Jenkins and Blake Goodman missing for various reasons. As a result, player manager Chris Boothe donned his boots and alongside him in the centre of our defence was debutant Dennis Inboli. Play was very even in the opening minutes but we fell behind in the fifteenth minutes when we failed to deal with a corner from the left flank and Bradley Bubb scored with a low shot from the edge of the area that was deflected past the wrong footed Jakub Machlowski in our goal. Worse was to follow four minutes later when a long ball by Adam Bunce found Jerome Okimo in space on the left and his hard low cross into the goalmouth struck Maradona Mason and flew past Jakub into the corner of the net to put Chalfont two ahead. We then enjoyed a good spell pushing Chalfont onto the back foot and Jason Tucker might have done better when shooting wide after a good interchange of pases with Charlie Baverstock.. Shortly after a good ball by Jason found Warren Williams who cut inside his marker but then shot straight at Michael Power-Simpson between the Chalfont sticks. Having weather this brief spell of pressure, Chalfont resumed their ascendancy and should have put the game beyond our reach in the closing minutes of the half, firstly when Jakub made a fine save to deny Terrell Lewis and then Okimo shot straight at Jakub when it seemed easier to score. We came out for the second half in determined fashion and almost pulled a goal back when Charlie headed home from close range only for his effort to be denied by the assistant referee's raised flag. On the hour mark, Chalfont notched their third goal when skipper John Carroll curled a free kick in from way out on the right touchline and nobody got a touch as the ball found its way across Jakub into the far corner. Five minutes later an aimless ball by Jason towards Aziz Khoshimov was intercepted and the ball was played through to Terrell Lewis who rifled the ball past our helpless keeper. With the game effectively over as a contest, both sides made substitutions with us switching formation to just leave three defenders at the back. As a result despite the best efforts of Inboli who enjoyed a satisfactory debut, Maradona and Aziz, Chalfont created several good chances before the final whistle but either their finishing was wayward or they were denied by Jakub, who was our man of the match despite the four goals conceded.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Maradona Mason, Aziz Khoshimov, Chris Boothe, Dennis Inboli, Daley Joseph, Victor Osobu, Jaon Tucker, Charlie Baverstock, Danny Edwards and Warren Williams.
Subs used: Vigan Qehaja for Edwards (65) and John McKnight for Joseph (71)
HANWELL TOWN 2 v RUISLIP MANOR 1
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2007
MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
Meeting lowly Ruislip Manor we recorded a 2-1 win, a scoreline that did not do justice to our overall superiority but three disallowed goals plus numerous near misses meant that the final whistle was greeted with some relief with the three points secure. With Daley Joseph joining Antony Rowlands, Blake Goodman, Jake Jenkins and Lee Grant on the unavailability list, Chris Boothe as well as playing himself had to play Warren Williams in an unaccustomed right full back position where he acquitted himself very well. Against a very young Ruislip side we made a good start and dominated the opening fifteen minutes but the first chance of the game fell to Ruislip with Michael Walker getting free on the right but Jakub did well blocking Walker's shot with his feet. Play quickly switched to the other end where Victor Osobu, who enjoyed a good game playing with freedom just behind the front two, made a good run down the left but Dean Scarlett scooped Victor's low cross over the bar from close range. We took the lead after twenty five minutes when a good ball by Jason Tucker gave Aziz Khoshimov the chance to drive the ball across the face of the goal. It was partly parried by the Ruislip keeper James Christian but he was unable to prevent Victor from turning the loose ball home from close range. In the next ten minutes, Dean, Charlie Baverstock and Victor all missed gilt edged chances as we threatened to over run our opponents. We eventually found the net again in the thirty seventh minute when Jason's through ball put Charlie through and this time Charlie made no mistake, notching his sixteenth and final goal as a single man, prior to his marriage just after Christmas.
Play in the early stages of the second half continued in a similar fashion with Charlie shooting into the side netting when well placed and then Warren heading Jason's cross over from close range. Completely against the run of play on the hour mark, Ruislip pulled a goal back. Hesitation between Chris and Jakub gave Justin Bailey the chance to win the ball and turn it into the vacant net. Five minutes later, Chris limped off to be replaced by Keith Rowlands , making a return to action for the first time since early September. We then had what appeared be two perfectly valid goals ruled out from Aziz Khoshimov's corner kicks and our cause was not helped when John McKnight, the victim of a dreadful two footed tackle, retaliated and was shown his second red card of the season. Despite being down to ten men we remained in control and in the final minutes, Christian made a tremendous save to deny Keith a goal on his return to action.
Side: Jakub Machlowski, Maradona Mason, Aziz Khoshimov, Chris Boothe, John McKnight, Jason Tucker, Warren Williams, Danny Edwards, Charlie Baverstock, Dean Scarlett and Victor Osobu.
Substitutes: Keith Rowlands for Boothe (65) and Leon Cover for Scarlett (87)