Unconvincing Victory From Chiswick Albion

West Middlesex Sunday Football League Harry Edmondson Premier Cup Round One Ashview Rangers 4 Chiswick Albion 5

Chiswick Albion made it three cup wins from three with an unconvincing victory over Intermediate Division side Ashview Rangers.

After the almost perfect surface of last week, the complete opposite was on offer at Spelthorne College. The pitch at best could be described as a quagmire and completely dumbfounded Albion’s creative players.

Ashview though seemed well at home and took a deserved two nil lead after 15 minutes. Late arriving, late starting the Albion looked a sorry sight early on. Although in spite of this Greg Veazey crossed and Liam O’Neill headed over from close in.

Ashview did look likely to concede and O’Neill crossed for Adam White to squeeze the ball home. Ashview’s keeper pulled off a great save from White close in as the chances came at regular intervals. Ashview were content to let the Albion come forward, soak up pressure, and when in possession quickly get the ball up the other end with three or four of their forward players running for fun at the depleted defence.

Brian Flynn who had the unenviable duty of replacing Blaise O’Brien was up to his old tricks but this seemed to pay off as a desperate challenge on him led to a penalty. With penalty King Liam White also absent through injury, up stepped little brother Adam to just about convert the resulting penalty. The Albion were firing in shots from all angles and in particular Rob Ursell teased and probed Ashview’s rear guard.

With the usual rantings from the manager still ringing in their ears, the Albion were more purposeful in the second period. Well that was the plan, unfortunately Ashview scored immediately on the counter attack. Then Rob Ursell took the kick off and proceeded to ghost past the whole Ashview side and level the scores once again. Most teams would have folded at this point, but Ashview somehow took the lead again, taking advantage of the diabolical conditions.

The Albion then created enough scoring opportunities to win a dozen games but Ashview defended like lions at feeding time when the raw meat is thrown into the cage. Ursell known as the ‘Magician’ in his AFC Wimbledon days again drew the sides level after a good team combination move involving Nicky Wozniak, Flynn and Adam White.

Flynn hit the crossbar with a decent shot and the woodwork again saved Ashview as Adam White hit the post. The next goal came Albion’s way, the first time in the match they were in front. Rob Ursell was running the show and looked the only Albion player who could master the conditions. He set up Wozniak to fire home and surely Ashview would give up. No! Ashview who have struggled all season found one last attack that thankfully reluctant keeper Paul Edghill gathered at the second attempt.

Fair play to Ashview who after this performance should start picking up some League points. The Albion though face County champions next week in Round Three of the Middlesex Sunday Premier Cup and will need to get back to the form that swept Draytonians away the previous week to reserve a quarter-final berth.

Albion Team: Edghill, Salem, White B, Soskic O, Wozniak N, Clarke, O’Neill, Veazey, Ursell, Flynn, White A

Man of the Match: Rob Ursell

Champagne Moment of the Match: Rob Ursell’s mazy run that led to the Albion’s third goal

Referee Paul Andrew (Feltham)

Match Report: Mark White

December 1, 2008