SAT 24 SEP 22 - WIMBLEDON CASUALS v S&LMFC

WIMBLEDON CASUALS (1) 2 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (0) 0

Staines retained top-spot (on goal difference), but saw Wimbledon emerge with the League’s only unbeaten record, following this game on the Reserve 3G pitch at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub. Kick-off was brought forward at the home club’s request, thus staggering the start with Walton & Hersham’s FA Trophy tie on the main pitch.

Casuals made a storming start, and had already created a couple of good chances before a fine finish by Dan Wanyonyi from a Marshall pass gave them a 13th minute lead. Al Harlington then saw an effort blocked on the line, and Staines’ difficult opening period continued with Hooks being cautioned for a foul on 17 minutes. However, the visitors then settled down and set about trying to find an equaliser.

Unfortunately, the end product eluded them, and despite continuing to shade play after the break, they were eventually undone when a Wilkinson ball to Liam Marshall was not cut out, and he turned smartly in the box before firing home Casuals’ second on the hour mark. It was still 2-0 going into the final stages, when last season’s top-scorer Hieke was brought on for his first game since sustaining a hamstring injury in pre-season, but the closest his side came to reducing the arrears was a shot by Belahcene that flew wide.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Paul Baker, 3 Matthew Hogg, 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Paul Bartholomew, 6 Jason Robertson (12 Etan Leeks 72), 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Tom Betts (15 Bobby Cooper 80), 9 Josh Stewart (19 Josh Hieke 80), 10 Josh Hooks (14 Adam Belahcene 65), 11 Jamie Ross; unused sub: 18 John Pomroy.

WC:
1 Ross Cusdin, 3 Henry Wilkinson, 2 Robert Christieson, 13 Toby Godfray, 6 Shervin Mohajeri, 12 James 'Jim' Dolman ©, 7 Tom Phillipson, 10 Al Harlington (9 Will Gale 72), 14 Jasper Harlington (15 David Wren 72), 17 Liam Marshall (16 Matt Hinks 63), 8 Daniel Wanyonyi.

[White (grey & black trim); Black (white trim); White].

Ref: Andrew Gilchrist; ARs: E Leeks / B Cooper / J Robertson (S&LM subs); ? (WCFC); att: 51.