THU 18 AUG 22 - VIRGINIA WATER RESERVES v S&LMFC U23R

VIRGINIA WATER Reserves (1) 2 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) U23R (0) 0

Train strikes led to heavy traffic, precipitating several late arrivals, a temporarily borrowed kit (returned to the hosts before kick-off), and a slightly delayed kick-off at Virginia Water FC’s well-appointed ground.

The Combined Counties League club capitalised on Staines’ disrupted preparation by grabbing a 3rd minute lead through Philip Oladunjoye, pouncing from close range after some disorganisation at the back. The visitors slowly got into the game, however, and an entertaining tussle followed, with Waters rattling the crossbar, and Cooper going close with a powerful volley, while some tricky footwork by Sankoh would have produced a goal but for some last-ditch defending.

Staines got on top early in the second period, with Sankoh powering a 48th min free-kick into the wall, and the same player hitting the post on 61 mins. However, a good strike somewhat against the run of play by Max Jarzabek made it 2-0 three minutes later, and – as the dusk started to fall – there were no further goals despite the best efforts of each team. Z Halsey had a spell in the “sin bin” in the second half. K Cane is a normally goalkeeper, but is currently playing outfield due to a wrist injury.

S&LM:
1 Ben Appleton; 2 Zac Halsey, 16 Harry Steele, 5 Victor TJ Sunday; 6 Ross Lambdon ©, 14 Daniel McNeice, 7 Bobby Cooper, 8 Harry Ackerley, 17 Jason Sapsford; 9 Umran Sankoh, 10 Adrian Kukawski; subs coming on: 3 Mitchell Whelan, 11 Kieran Cane, 4 Darrel Burgess, 11 Lamar Besidonne, 18 Oliver Scothern.

VW:
1 Jack Woods; 2 Josh Blakeborough, 14 Matt Holiday, 15 James Armitage, 6 Michael Chambers ©; 13 Austin Okolo, 8 Aaron Ross; 10 Max Jarzabek, 7 Saaim Shabbeer; 11 Rhys Probert, 9 Philip Oladunjoye; subs coming on: 12 Seb Deaversa, 17 Stiven Mitreski, 19 Jamie Watson, 3 Sam Coles, 18 David Chipping, 16 Finn Brindley; not present: Martin Lauber.

[all maroon (white trim & green flash on shirts].

Ref: Phil W Rees (Bracknell); ARs: O Scothern / H Steele (S&LM) / ? (VW); att: 39.