The Reds welcomed in-form Moneyfields who had won 9 out of the last 10 which included a 2-0 (both penalties) win against the Red Army on the 14th January. The home side made four changes to the starting line up following the defeat last weekend, with Kai Hobbs and Massimo Giamattei restored to the defence in place of Harry Gallagher and Casey Bocarro the latter dropped to the bench. Leo Decabo replaced Wilson Chingoka and new signing Daniel Fosu replaced Ada Okorogheye, both Wilson and Ada were substitutes and made a good contribution later on.
The match was delayed by half an hour as the assistant referee suffered a punctured tyre en route to the ground but it was Moneyfields that started off flat with less than 2 minutes on the clock a good move on the left hand side involving Giamattei feeding the ball to Decabo on the edge of the area, but unfortunately it was straight at Callum Smart in the Moneyfields goal. Eighteen minutes had passed without much to shout about but that was to change when a cross from the Uxbridge right, bounced across the box, seemingly onto the Moneyfields right back hand, however the referee Mr Roberts waved away the protests. 5 minutes later though, Uxbridge did have something to shout about when a set piece was partially cleared to the impressive Harry Rush, who skipped passed a tackle on the right hand side of the area and chipped a delicious ball to the back stick, eluding Smart for James Taylor to expertly nod home. In the 29th minute, Moneyfields made their first sub when Jordan Pile replaced Steve Ramsey. This may have unsettled Moneyfields as Josh Addae was finding acres of space on the right and in the 30th minute was sent through by Rush, only to be thwarted by Smart diving to his right. It was all Uxbridge at this stage and 3 minutes later it needed Tom Jeffes to make a goal saving tackle from the feet of Hippolyte to not double Uxbridge lead. 40 minutes had passed with Moneyfields not registering a single shot on target and a great block by Hobbs on the edge of the area following a through ball ensured that was the case! 3 minutes later Giamattei did exactly the same thing, fantastic defending! With half time approaching and George Legg’ in the Uxbridge goal having seen little action, dived to his right and held onto a rasping volley from the edge of the area which went through a crowd of players. Many a Premier League keeper would have parried it ( or let it in) but Legg held the ball. This was the visitors first and only shot on target in the first half.
HT 1-0
Moneyfields started the second period brightly, and Legg was called into action in the 48th minute when a good ball was played through the Uxbridge defence, giving the striker a one on one with Legg. The Uxbridge keeper doing well to snuff out the danger. 51 minutes had passed when an Uxbridge set piece saw a scuffle between captain Fearn, and Jeffes, with Jeffes picking up his 7th yellow together with his one red card in 21 games this season. Ten minutes later, Legg again saved a one-on-one. Moneyfields at this stage were looking like a team full of confidence knocking the ball round well. A minute later Moneyfields made their second sub with Michael Ani replacing Dellaud. Again, maybe the substitute unsettled Moneyfields as a ball over the top saw Fosu sprinting past the last defender, keeper Smart appearing to then handle the ball outside the box, but nothing was given. Moneyfields were looking the most likely to score and in the 68th minute Legg again made a good save at his near post. Danny Edwards swapped Wilson Chingoka for Leo Decabo in the 71st minute and it nearly had the desired effect a minute later when Chingoka cross was partially cleared to Hippolyte who shuffled the ball onto his right foot but saw his shot blocked by more luck than judgement from the defenders head! In the 75th minute the pressure from Moneyfields eventually told, when a cross was uncharacteristically dropped by Legg to the feet of Laycock who tapped home to level the scores. Harsh on Legg who had been excellent all afternoon.
With Uxbridge having a dry January - just 2 points from 4 games - and Moneyfields having won 9 out of 10, many would have thought that Moneyfields would go on to win but this Uxbridge side have character and in the 80th minute a foul by Moneyfields centre half Tom Cain, on his opposite number, James Taylor, gave Uxbridge a penalty which was tucked away by man of the match Josh Addae, even though the keeper guessed the correct way. This was Addae's last involvement in the match as he was replaced by striker Ada Okorogheye. The Uxbridge faithful could see a win in their sights, however there were 5 minutes of injury time to play. The first minute of this saw Moneyfields nearly equalise but a clearance off the line ensured the home side's lead remained intact. A minute later, Chingoka picked up a yellow for a foul on the edge of the area and again, Uxbridge threw their bodies in the line to ensure that the ball didn’t go in, fantastic defending.
Uxbridge held on for a superb win going into the local derby on Saturday against Hayes & Yeading. A really good team display which should ensure they have confidence next week.
FT 2-1
Att :181
Josh Addae - our Man of the Match today as voted for by the fans… sponsored by E&A Designs
Josh seen here receiving his award from match reporter David Mallam.
Match Gallery here (Courtesy of Michael Bodman)
Comments