SAT 06 AUG 22 - S&LMFC v KEENS PARK RANGERS

STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (1) 2 KEENS PARK RANGERS (1) 2

Staines were denied a hard-earned victory in hot conditions in the opening friendly at Laleham Rec, when the visitors levelled with 5 minutes remaining. The visitors from Guildford were champions of the Surrey Intermediate Western Division 1 last season, but missed out on promotion to Staines’ league owing to a paperwork issue. They are chaired by John Crouch’s brother Paul, whose son James is a regular player, but neither were in attendance today owing to cricket commitments.

KPR, resplendent in gold shirts emblazoned with an image of a George VI definitive [SG466], made a positive start, hitting the post early on, but it was not until the 31st minute that the deadlock was broken in their favour with a goal from Josh Bullen. But the hosts had a decent share of the game, too, and levelled 6 minutes later when a Petch corner was forced in by Russell Canderton.

Just 5 minutes into the second half, Adam Belahcene forced home a second Staines goal from close range, and a 2-1 victory seemed on the cards until Bullen’s second goal late in the game. Worryingly, Hieke had to be withdrawn after damaging his hamstring.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy (g); 2 Joe Green, 6 Josh Stewart, 4 Russell Canderton, 11 Aaron Petch, 3 Luke Halsey; 7 Richard Bond ©, 17 Tom Betts, 12 Jason Robertson; 9 Josh Hieke, 18 Ethan Leeks; subs coming on: 14 Adam Belahcene, 15 Paul Baker, 16 Calum Beauchamp, 19 John Pomroy.

KPR:
Nick Pogson (g); Joe Munday, Connor Reeves, Luke Simmons ©, Gav Hawkins; Michael Woods, Dan Way, Niall Richardson, Doug Noble; Josh Bullen, Luke Mitchell; subs coming on: Liam Harrison, Owen Stutchbury, Vic Hamilton, Dougal Chudleigh, Ryan Wallace, Ollie White.

[gold shirts (black numbers), Black shorts & socks; in 2nd half changed into orange shirts].

Ref: Reuben Simon (Hanworth); ARs: C Beauchamp / J Robertson (S&LM); L Harrison / O Stutchbury / Vic Hamilton / D Chudleigh / R Wallace / O White (KPR); att: 54.