SAT 18 FEB 23 - BANSTEAD ROVERS V STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX)

Saturday 18th February 2023 (1:30pm) - Surrey Intermediate Cup, Quarter-final

BANSTEAD ROVERS (0) 1 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (1) 3

There was some confusion over the kick-off time (originally incorrectly published by the Surrey FA as 2pm) and venue for this game, which was played at the “4G Fortress” at Epsom & Ewell High School, Ruxley Lane, West Ewell, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9JW. The opponents converted from Sunday football only 4 seasons ago, and are currently well placed in the Surrey South Eastern Combination (Intermediate Division 1), which is one level below the Surrey Premier.

Staines looked a little uncomfortable on the artificial surface to begin with, but weathered the early storm before grabbing a 22nd minute lead in spectacular fashion, when Tom Betts unleashed a ferocious shot from 30 yards, which went in on the bounce after being misjudged by Nimmo. Nimmo looked shaky again a few minutes later, but was grateful to his defence for tidying up after he fumbled a Hooks shot. Gore put one just over the bar for Banstead soon afterwards, before Gwynne-Porter saw a header cleared off the line following a 36th min Hooks corner. Each side picked up a caution either side of the interval for a Canderton foul (43’) and a Bradley push (46’).

Rovers made a positive start to the second half, M O’Donoghue getting a stooping header to an incisive cross only for Kennedy to save, and Taylor firing just wide from a promising position on 52 mins. But their pressure was rewarded in the 53rd minute when Kennedy made a super double save, only for Maverick Gore to force home the equaliser.

However, Staines regained the lead just 4 minutes later, as Matthew Hogg fired in a shot which took a cruel deflection off the heel of Bradley to wrongfoot Nimmo. This seemed to fire up the visitors for a dominant last quarter of the game: Hieke’s shot was helped onto the bar, and Hooks had a shot well saved. The same players both drew excellent 89th minute saves from Nimmo, but the Rovers ‘keeper was deceived by Hieke’s follow up shot which left Josh Stewart in space to tuck in the decisive third goal. Young George Bezer, 18, came off the bench for a cameo début appearance in the closing moments. Staines dropped from 3rd to 5th in the table, though with games in hand on all teams ahead of them.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Matt Hogg, 3 Luke Halsey, 4 Jamie Ross, 5 Hamish Gwynne-Porter, 6 Russell Canderton, 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Tom Betts (14 Jason Robertson 74), 9 Josh Hieke (17 George Bezer 90), 10 Josh Hooks, 11 Ethan Leeks (12 Josh Stewart 81); unused sub: 15 John Pomroy.

BR:
1 Jake Nimmo, 66 Kane Macey ©, 19 Alfie Willis, 6 Joseph ‘Joe’ Crabb, 33 Archie Drewett, 8 Ryan O’Donoghue, 77 Taryn Bradley, 14 Liam Taylor, 11 Matthew O’Donoghue, 17 Maverick Gore, 7 Nathaniel Williams; subs: Owen Maurice, Jordan Payne, George Hawkes, Luke Davison [substitution details not known, but #15 replaced Taylor 61m; #42 and one other replaced Drewett and Williams ~70m; #2 replaced R O’Donoghue 90m.

Ref: Iain Bryant (Leatherhead); ARs: J Robertson / T Betts (S&LM subs); ? (BRFC); att: 52.