SAT 08 OCT 22 - S&LMFC v HERSHAM

STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (1) 2 HERSHAM (1) 1

In front of a crowd of 109 (believed to be a league record at this venue), both teams contributed to an exciting fixture, which eventually saw the home side emerge on top and make it 5 wins from 6 matches so far this campaign.

Despite several enforced changes, the side – temporarily managed by John Pomroy and Russell Canderton during Paul Burg3ess’s holiday – started in dominant fashion, and they took a 12th minute lead when The Robins failed to clear a corner and Paul Bartholomew powered home a header. A minute later, Staines were through again, only for the attack to be rather halted by Aylott who received a yellow card.

Hooks then twice went close only to be denied by brace saves from Toms, but from the mid-point in the first half, Hersham grew in confidence and started to take the game to their hosts. They were rewarded with a 35th minute equaliser, Harry Florio firing past Kalokoh from outside the box. Lammas went onto the attack again a couple of minutes later, but in the scramble in front of Toms’ goals, spectators were treated to the bizarre site of the goalposts toppling backwards, leading to a break in play while they were re-anchored.

The second half provided more of the same, with both teams pressing hard for victory. However, female referee Sue Henderson’s patience was tested, and snapped when Aylott committed a clumsy challenge in the 70th minute, and was dismissed after receiving a second yellow. Baker soon got his name taken for disputing a throw, but the tide had slowly turned in favour of the 11 men, and Staines pressure was rewarded by a winning on 82 mins, Canderton the provider for fellow defender Bartholomew to trap, turn, and shoot home from close range.

Paul Bartholomew was presented with the Man of the Match ‘bubbly’ by Laurence Wakefield after the match.

S&LM:
1 Idris Kalokoh, 2 Paul Baker [bkd 76] (14 Hamish Gwynne-Porter 90+1), 3 Luke Halsey (15 Matt Hogg 77), 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Paul Bartholomew [MoM], 6 Jason Robertson, 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Jamie Ross, 9 Joshua Hieke (17 Tom Betts 77), 10 Josh Hooks, 11 Josh Stewart; unused: 12 John Pomroy.

Hersham:
1 Nathan Toms, 2 Sean Summers, 14 Charlie Kenway, 4 Ben Watts ©, 5 Graeme Edwards, 16 Lewis Aylott [bkd 13 & 70 = SO], 7 Sam McDermaid (15 Adam Watkins 72 [bkd 87]), 8 Luke Willoughby, 9 Tariq Sidaoui (19 Alex Patel 72), 10 Tom Henzi, 11 Harry Florio; unused: 3 James Denison-Smith, 17 Marcus Slimane.

[yellow (green stripe & trim, white no's); green; green].

Ref: Susan Henderson (Stockwell, London); ARs: H Gwynne-Porter / L Halsey (S&LM subs); Kevin Drennan (HFC); att: 109.