SAT 11 MAR 23 - STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) v HORSLEY

STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (2) 3 HORSLEY (1) 1

The only meeting with Horsley this season had been the sadly abandoned away match, when the opponents had shown that they could not be taken lightly, especially without the unwell Gwynne-Porter this time.

Paul Burgess was back from a week convalescing, and his men made a bright start, but early chances to Hogg and Hieke were not converted, and they paid the price when L Halsey was adjudged to have fouled the visiting forward in their first serious attack, with Steven Harcombe converting the 22nd minute penalty.

The home side slowly regained their confidence, and were able to go in ahead at the break, thanks to a quickfire double on 40 and 43 minutes. First, R Bond’s good approach work led to a shot that Bawn could only parry into the path of Tom Betts who netted. Betts played a big part in the second, too, virtually rounding Bawn before the ‘keeper was able to divert the shot for a corner, which Hooks sent to the far post, for the looming Russell Canderton to head home from a tight angle.

Hieke had an early second half ‘goal’ ruled out for offside, but Staines made the game safe on 65 minutes with a tremendous Josh Hooks goal, slamming the ball into the net direct from a 25 yard free-kick. Staines looked comfortable for the rest of the afternoon, securing three important points, and being able to introduce young Luke Rippon for his First Team début near the end.

A contingent of 12 members of the Swedish Massive visited (although one was unwell and failed to make it from his hotel to the game) and their merry contingent, headed by Jan-Over Johansson, presented the Man of the Match award to Josh Hooks at the final whistle.

S&LM:
1 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Matt Hogg (12 Paul Baker 78), 3 Luke Halsey, 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Paul Bartholomew, 6 Jason Robertson, 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Tom Betts (19 Luke Rippon 88), 9 Josh Hieke (14 Ethan Leeks 72), 10 Josh Hooks [MoM] (15 George Bezer 88), 11 Jamie Ross (17 Josh Stewart 72).

H:
1 Michael Bawn, 2 Jeffrey Twumasi, 3 David Limbu (17 Alex Pearson), 4 James Ellis (14 George Brett), 5 Andrew Rothwell, 6 Alex Ranger, 16 Abiola Ajayi (9 Ismail Kifoun), 8 John O'Sullivan, 12 Beckett Oliver © (7 Justin Trow 80), 10 Steven Harcombe, 11 Stuart Russell (15 Lucas Bond).
Ref: Gary Taylor (Walton-on-Thames); ARs inc: E Leeks / L Rippon (S&LM subs), L Bond (H sub); Att: 103.