Uxbridge’s defence of the Middlesex Charity Cup ended at the first hurdle this season, as Southall ran out 4-2 winners on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening at Honeycroft.
It was a fairly open game with both teams having periods in the ascendancy, it was the home side who made most of the early running though – and Alex Witham had the first real chance on 13 minutes, when he headed narrowly wide from a throw into the box. Southall though came into their own and created their own chances, notably on 20 minutes when a fine cross came onto the box, with the Uxbridge defence beaten – but the ball evaded everyone and went behind. The reprieve was short-lived however as the visitors took the lead one minute later when the ball dropped to Ryan Hope outside the box – and his fierce shot took a wicked deflection to leave George Legg stranded and the ball ended up in the net. Five minutes later though, Legg was called into action to superbly deny 2 Southall chances when it looked easier to score. Again, though Southall didn’t get disheartened and doubled their lead just past the half hour when a defensive mix up allowed Jaden Thompson-Brissett to score into an empty net. Southall may have harboured thoughts of a half time lead, but that rapidly changed, as firstly on 37 mins Wilson Chingoka outpaced the last defender and clipped a fine finish over Milan Czerwonka in the Southall goal. Right on the half time whistle came a moment of real brilliance from Uxbridge defender James Taylor, as he picked up a loose ball on the half way line and unleashed a fully 50 yard shot that dipped over Czerwonka - to leave everyone in the ground in amazement. One of the best goals Honeycroft will have seen for many a year.
HT 2-2
As the frost formed on the pitch in the second half, Uxbridge were the ones making the early running. An early corner was scrambled away at the last minute by Southall, and then Czerwonka was at full stretch to deny Alex Witham. As the half wore on, Southall got stronger and created the better chances, Legg needing to be at his best to tip over an excellent shot from Brendan Matthew on 69 minutes. Matthew wasn’t to be denied two minutes though as he held off a few defenders and then slotted the ball into the corner. A flurry of substitutions and injuries then interrupted the flow of the game, and in fact Uxbridge ended up with back up goalkeeper Adam Hasaane having to play as a makeshift striker. Southall in truth were in control now, and when Uxbridge did get a late throw on the edge of the box, Legg came up from the back – so there were 3 goalkeepers in the Southall box at that point – unfortunately the ball fell kindly to Makael Scott to pick up the ball and run unopposed the full length of the field and put Southall into the Semi Final.
A disappointing end, but Uxbridge will now be free to concentrate on the league, starting with a tricky looking trip to Leatherhead on Saturday.
FT 2-4
Att 96
Comentarios