SAT 27 AUG 22 - S&LMFC v AFC Walcountians

STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (1) 2 A F C WALCOUNTIANS (0) 1

The club played its first competitive game under its new name in front of an expectant crowd of 101 at the Lucan Pavilion, very close to the Club’s record for a league game at this ground. The spectators included specially invited guests Cllr Chris Bateson (Spelthorne Borough Council) and Cllr Denise Turner-Stewart (Surrey County Council).

The first programme in a while launched the redrawn club badge, with the only downer being that the new kit had not been delivered, and so last season’s had one last run-out. But there were to be no disappointments on the park, as Staines needed only 4 minutes to move ahead, a clever pass setting Josh Hooks away and he slid it past ‘keeper Farthing, eliciting a pleasing ‘roar’ from the crowd. But AFC Walcountians came back strongly, forcing several corners and threatening to breach Staines’ defences.

The home side held out until half time, but then conceded the equaliser just 2 minutes after the restart when King’s corner was powerfully headed home by Tom Jones. The home side dug deep and rode out the storm, coming back into the ascendancy in the closing stages. They might have settled for a draw, but Paul Burgess urged his team on, and they were rewarded with a Josh Stewart winner just 6 minutes from time.

S&LM Man of the Match: Cllr Bateson presented a bottle of bubbly after the match to Paul Bartholomew.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy; 2 Paul Baker, 3 Luke Halsey (17 Matthew Hogg 70’), 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Paul Bartholomew, 6 Jason Robertson (12 Joshua Stewart 56’), 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Tom Betts, 9 Adam Belahcene (16 Umran Sankoh 56’), 10 Joshua Hooks (15 Bobby Cooper 75’), 11 Ethan Leeks; unused sub 14 John Pomroy.

AFC Walcountians:
1 Jack Farthing, 4 Liam King [bkd 89m], 3 Lamar Fowakes, 18 Aidan Hawkins, 6 Tom Jones, 17 Albert Davis, 7 Nathan Lennard, 8 George Harrington, 9 Joe Wornham, 10 Sam Crosser ©, 14 Kyron Rose-Green; subs used: 16 Ryan McMorrow, 11 Ryan Thomas, 20 Jack Allen, 15 Joe Baldwin; unused sub: Luke Rodgers. [Mgr: Matt Scola].

Cautions: S&LM – Robertson 37’, Canderton 71’, both for fouls; Betts and opponent King for adopting an aggressive attitude 89’.

Ref: Rhys Wallis (Leatherhead); ARs: Jacob Fuller [S&LM]; Ryan Thomas / Jack Allen / Luke Rodgers [AFCW].

Att: 101.

League position: =3rd.