Chiswick Albion March On To League Cup Final

Chiswick & District Sunday Football League Cup Semi-Final: Hanworth Villa Sunday 2 Chiswick Albion 3

Chiswick Albion marched on into the final of the League Cup after a hard fought game against Hanworth Villa Sunday writes Mark White.

Villa were quick out of the blocks though, and the Albion needed to hold on to keep themselves in the tie. Within in a couple of minutes the referee could have sent off a player from either side.

First the Albion’s keeper gave away a penalty as Villa beat the offside trap, which was then converted. Then within a few minutes Ognjen Soskic burst through and was pulled down with the goal in sight. Neither deserved or received the dreaded red card though. This seemed to wake up the Albion, and Rob Ursell found Liam White who shot over.

The pitch made it difficult for both sides but it was the Albion who were pushing Villa back. Carl Ede sent in a cross that Liam White shot wide. Rob Ursell did everything but score as he juggled the ball in the box sending the defence one way then the other, but failed to put away the chance. The pressure though finally paid off when Rob Ursell found Liam White with a well weighted pass. Albion’s leading goalscorer was bundled down in the box and a penalty awarded. Liam White dispatched the penalty with ease.

The second half started as had the first half finish with the Albion in the ascendancy. Ognjen Soskic and Adam White both carved out chances and a second goal looked imminent. This came when Albion’s keeper Robert Dawson launched a long kick down the line to Carl Ede. Ede’s pace was too much for Villa’s defence as the winger homed in. Ede’s shot was well saved by Villa’s keeper, but Adam White was on hand to back heel the ball over the line. Ursell bought another good save out of the keeper as the chances kept on coming. Villa were reduced to breakaways but were not out of it. Albion’s third came when Adam White chased down what seemed like a nothing ball to set up Ognjen Soskic who side footed home. Soskic had been at the heart of most of Albion’s creative play and was also involved with preserving Albion’s lead with a last ditch tackle in the box.

The Albion looked to have won the game, but Villa pulled a goal back and now the Albion were holding on. Time ran out for Villa though and the Albion will play Acton & Ealing Whistlers in the final to be played at Hanwell Town FC on the 20th April.

Albion Team: Dawson, Wozniak N, Hughes, Salem, Nouril, Clarke, Ede, White L, Soskic O, Ursell, White A (Ralph) Sub not used White B

Man of the Match: Carl Ede

Champagne Moment of the Match: Oggy’s late goal saving tackle.

April 9, 2008