Local Derby Ends All Square

West Middlesex Sunday Football League Premier Division - Chiswick Albion 1 Chiswick Griffin 1

The two major Sunday sides from Chiswick battled out a 1-1 draw in a highly entertaining West Middlesex Premier Division game. Such is the quality of this League; both sides are not in the running for silverware as they would be in any other local league.

The Albion started the brightest and Adam White struck a free kick straight at Simon Greening, the Griffin’s keeper in the first couple of minutes. Skipper Liam White fired another effort over as the Albion looked for an opening. Griffin themselves started to get going and claims for a penalty were waived away by the experienced referee.

The Albion took the lead from an Adam White free kick. A Griffin defender seemed to get a vital touch away, but Ognjen Soskic came in at the far post to head past Greening. This stung Griffin into action and they were soon level. A decent cross came in and veteran Dwayne Rhone gave Richard Ireson no chance from inside the box. Both sides were producing good football, but Griffin looked the more dangerous. Eugene Nouril was holding up the ball well, but Albion’s midfield were under the cosh from Griffin’s midfield counterparts, and found it difficult to support the forwards. Just before the break Griffin missed a glorious chance to go ahead. Gabs Jones ran through the heart of the Albion’s defence and was clear on goal. Jones a prolific scorer though found Albion’s man of the match keeper Ireson too much of an obstacle to beat.

The second period was end to end but it was Albion’s back four who were under the most pressure. Thankfully Matty Wozniak, Ben White and the Soskic brothers were up to the task and kept Griffin at bay. Griffin are a much improved side from last season, but have the same vital flaw as the Albion. They struggle to field the same eleven on consecutive weeks and this will always hamper them in the quest for trophies, barring an odd cup win now and again.

With Griffin missing their chances the likelihood of an Albion win increased. Liam White hit a wicked shot, but the ball was too true and the keeper clung on well. Griffin made another hilarious attempt into fooling the referee into giving a penalty. It was such a ridiculous dive even Greg Louganis would have been proud of it ( Reverse three-and-a-half somersaults, tuck) . It should have resulted in either a yellow card or a score of ten from ten from the poolside judges. Griffin will feel aggrieved they finished with a draw, but poor finishing and good defending from the Albion ruled the day.

Albion Team: Ireson, White B, Soskic O, Wozniak M, Soskic V, Clarke, O’Neill, Powell (Kwayke), White L, Nouril, White A (Wozniak N)

Man of the Match: Richard Ireson

Referee Paul Savva (Stanwell)

Match Report: Mark White

April 14, 2009