Herts Senior County Premier League
Cuffley FC 0 – 3 New Salamis FC
New Salamis travelled the short distance to Cuffley for the first game of 2019. Having finished 2018 with two disappointing results, it was very important start positively. Also with missing players returning after missing the last month, Salamina were almost at full strength again. Bobby Smith, Marcus Rose & Ryan Hervel all returning. Although today we were missing Richard Georgiou, but the bad news is, that it looks like we have lost Charlie Georgiou for the season, although we may have long term injury absentee John Kyriacou back in the next week or so.
Cuffley are a very strong outfit, and really pressurised Salamina in the opening exchanges. However the Salamina defence were strong and kept all efforts on goal at a distance. Salamina woke up after around 15 minutes and Deniz Mehmet raced through a sea of players, driven wide his shot across goal just went wide.
Deniz was to play a key part in the game and on the 34th minute mark raced into the penalty area and was pulled down. Penalty.
Leon Fisher stepped up with calmness and side footed home for 1-0 to Salamina. The reds came on strong and with Harrison Georgiou and New Signing Lauric Diakiesse linking up well, the reds finished the half very strong, but could only go in 1-0.
The second half started with Cuffley almost equalising in the first few minutes, but somehow, a header that beat everyone including Bobby in goal somehow looped over. The game was tough and both teams gave everything. Debutant Bradley Empson should have put Salamina 2-0 up when his side foot shot hit the cross bar in the 50th minute. Salamina got the goal their attacking play deserved on the 65th Minute. Harrison put Lauric through on the left hand side of the area, he powered past the defender and hit a left shot into the far corner for 2-0.
Salamina were in control and scored again 9 minutes later. Deniz was once again brought down in the 74th Minute and Leon Fisher stepped up again and found the corner of the net from the spot 3-0.
With minutes remaining Bobby Smith made his first save of the game, and what a save. A one two in the box from Cuffley and the sticker 14 yards out smashed the ball at goal, Bobby stood strong and pushed the ball over the bar. Strikers love goals, and keepers love clean sheets. Booby wanted his today.
A great way to start the New Year with a 3-0 win at tough opponents.
Goalscorers : Leon Fisher 2, Lauric Diakiesse
Team : Bobby Smith, Andreas Chambi, Chris Arthur, Ryan Hervel (C), Lee White, Marcus Rose, Bradley Empson, Leon Fisher, Lauric Diakiesse, Deniz Mehmet, Harrison Georgiou : Subs : Christian Artimadis (50 Mins) Nicholas Kouroushi & Mike Anastasiou (75 Mins) Chris Xiouri, Andy Anastasiou
