HULLBRIDGE SPORTS 1 HARINGEY BOROUGH 5
Monday 24th March 2014 – Essex Senior League
The match did not seem likely to be a comfortable win in the opening stages as two well matched teams playing attractive attacking football looked like making for a very close contest. Neither side managed to seriously test their opponents keeper in this period and Hullbridge probably enjoyed slightly the greater share of possession. But all changed after 25 minutes as Borough hit a purple patch to net three times in a many minutes. First Ashley Fashanu blasted home straight, low and true just inside the ‘keepers left hand post from the inside right position a yard or so outside the penalty area. Then a corner was cleared but fell perfectly for Daniel Arisitidou, lurking in the inside left position just outside the area, to smash home on the volley equally straight and true just inside the ‘keepers right hand post – and while he dived and almost got the earlier goal he had no chance whatever with this volley which was in the net before anyone had time to move. And it was Arisitidou who effectively set up the third when his 35 yard snapshot cracked against the bar, a post and the ‘unfortunate keepers back to roll invitingly along the goal – line enabling Walid Matata to rush forward and apply the coup de grace. That effectively sealed the result although Hullbridge continued to play in their neat and skilful manner but without troubling Borough ‘keeper Ashley Harris. Borough were now in full control with Anthony McDonald and Aristidou on the flanks causing the home defence plenty of problems while Fashanu and Stephen Obeng imposed their physical presence to good effect to boss the middle of the park. With Walid Matata and Darrell Cox the up front spearhead it was almost a surprise that the next goal did not arrive until the second half was five minutes old when Cox collected a low cross from the right in the centre of the box and although surrounded by defenders forced the ball over the line. With the match effectively sealed and matches very Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday until 15th April looming the opportunity to rest three regular starters was taken with two of the substitutes – Neil Johnston and Ehibhanre Izokun recently signed from EnfieldTown and North Greenford United respectively – making their Club debuts. Aristidou sent a fine half chance just over and Rakim Richards raced forward from the right back berth to meet a corner but his powerful header just cleared the bar. But ten minutes from time the fifth goal arrived when Johnston threaded a fine through ball into Cox and he again succeeded in shrugging off defensive challenges to drive the ball into the corner from close range. Hullbridge who had been unable to test Harris in open play throughout the game finally beat him two minutes from time with a well struck 25 yard free kick from a central position which flew into the corner low to his right
Borough squad:- Ashley HARRIS, Rakim RICHARDS, Cedric LAKOLE
Ashley FASHANU, Joseph O’CEARUILL, Daniel WALKER
Daniel ARISTIDOU, Stephen OBENG (Patou KATSHENGE),
Walid MATATA (Ehibhanre IZOKUN), DARRELL COX
Anthony McDONALD (Neil JOHNSTON)
Unused Substitutes:- Andreas LOIZOU Austin BYFIELD (GK)
