SAT 05 NOV 22 - WORCESTER PARK v S&LMFC

WORCESTER PARK (0) 2 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (3) 3

A classic ‘game of two halves’ ensued after the Staines squad had battled through heavy traffic to reach Worcester Park.

The visitors made a dream start with Josh Hieke firing them ahead with a low shot through a crowded area after only 2 minutes. The home side settled into a good spell, sending two chances just over, and drawing a great save from Kennedy with a third. But on 23 minutes, good close control by Richard Bond set himself up for a powerful shot which took a deflection and looped in to make it 2-0. Six minutes later, Hieke scored the goal of the match, a super swerving volley, to make it 3-0, and Staines supporters spent the half-time interval dreaming up headlines based on the “FLOODGATES MUST BE KEPT CLOSED” signage at the ground, secure in the knowledge that their team would be kicking down the slope after the break.

However, Worcester Park had other ideas, and they pulled a goal back after just 5 minutes when a free-kick was touched to Chris Burke, who shot home from distance. Their revival might have been derailed three minutes later when Teuten received his marching orders for what appeared to be a stamp on Canderton, and a foul on the same player by Wilson brought a yellow card to Wilson in the 57th.

Further niggles saw Ross (Staines, 60 minutes), Thomas, and Reynolds (both Worcester Park, 61 & 77m) go into the referee’s notebook, but all the while it was Worcester Park who were carrying the game to Staines and forcing them into a lengthy spell of defence. Another free-kick led to Burke pulling another goal back on 65 minutes, and the visitors were in for an uncomfortable final 25 minutes.

Dissent by Ross made S&L’s task harder still as he was sin-binned from the 73rd-83rd minute, but they managed to hold firm, even when home ‘keeper Wheeler went upfield for a corner in the 4th of 5 added minutes, and secured the 3 points that took the side back to the top of the table.

Staines & Lammas wore their away kit (sponsored by Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd) for the first time: all red, with blue bands and white trim & numbers on the shirts, and white trim on shorts. The home side included Joel Brown, younger brother of former Staines Town player Charlie Brown.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Paul Baker, 3 Luke Halsey (14 Josh Stewart 70), 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Hamish Gwynne-Porter, 6 Jason Robertson, 7 Richard Bond, 8 Jamie Ross, 9 Joshua Hieke, 10 Thomas Marshall (12 Tom Betts 77), 11 Joshua Hooks; unused subs: 15 John Pomroy, 16 Jacob Fuller (g).
WP:
1 Kevin Wheeler, 2 Mason Reynolds (16 Jordan Bridge 86), 3 Christopher Burke, 4 Tom Resch, 5 Lee Wilson, 6 Tom Batten (15 Tiago Paulino 87), 7 Declan Teuten [SO 53], 8 Joseph Blendell, 9 Joe Cheesman ©, 10 Joel Brown (14 David Bonsu 76), 11 James Thomas; also subs: 12 Samuel Burt (on 51 for ?), 17 Dave Cheesman (unused). [all blue; white trim throughout].

Ref: Brendan Walsh; ARs: J Stewart, T Betts, P Baker (S&LM subs) / ? (WP subs); Att 61.