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Sat 06 Sep 2014 · Division 1 Central
Leighton Town
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LEIGHTON TOWN O EGHAM TOWN 3
Tempest Ward8 Sep 2014 - 20:30
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The benefits of a midweek friendly...
It is perhaps too early to mark a 1-4 reverse in a midweek friendly at Vanarama Conference side Farnborough Town as a turning point in a season still just six league games old, but there came from that match some hidden gems that played their part in this win against the only team so far to lower divisional top dogs Kettering Town’s colours.
It was known that Danny Williamson was quick but against Farnborough he was able to flex muscles hitherto barely used thus far, and proved he could deliver decent crosses into the box. He proved that was no one-off with a solid showing in this match. The major revelation though was that George Gould, who joined as a striker, is an excellent right back. Apparently he doesn’t like playing in that position but perhaps after his superb performances in midweek and again here he can be persuaded to lend his undoubted talents to defensive duties instead. Williamson and Gould were not alone as Lee Passmore added two more names to the growing roster (27 so far) of those who have been named on his team sheets this season. In came centre back Wilson Gondwe, from Kingstonian, and Dan Pearse from Farnborough; both fitted in superbly, as you’d expect with their pedigree. With striker Reis Stanislaus serving the first of a two game suspension and Ricky Farnden, who has been a key player in central defence, unwell it was, therefore, an untried line-up that faced a Leighton Town whose defence was unbreached by Egham last season.
It was the home side who threatened first, after nine minutes, when Jerry Lyons popped up at the back post and missed from close range. A minute later Egham scored their first. Williamson sprinted down the Egham right, and was hauled back by Robbie Goodman, but no free kick was given. Instead the Egham man crossed the ball from near the byline and found Josh Andrew at the back post for a well placed, scoring header. Leighton hit back but Phil Draycott missed a sitter. Jamie Norris then kept Egham ahead with a sharp save off Danny Watson.
Norris was called into action early in the second half as Tyrone Taylor connected perfectly with a cross that would have found its mark had Norris not leapt acrobatically to turn the ball over from point blank range. Taylor was turning away to celebrate an equaliser; in Egham’s next, almost immediate, attack Gondwe bypassed midfield with a perfect pass into the path of Andrew who was calmness personified as he drilled the ball past Matt Griggs. Leighton took off both their full backs and tried to augment midfield and attack, a tactical decision that nearly bore fruit as Stephen Kemoagna forced another good save from Norris. Between the 68th and 76th minutes Williamson, Andrew and Dan Read were replaced by Brendan Matthew, Dwayne Antonio and Matt Grave respectively. Given that all three substitutes are attacking players that meant that Leighton were not going to be given any respite, Grave emphasising that point by winning a corner immediately just by closing down centre back Dave Murphy.
Grave was a prolific scorer for the Sarnies in the Combined Counties League, but has not played competitive football for a couple of seasons until he returned in pre-season. He had a chance to score in the 80th minute off a Calvin Thomas cross from the right but a horrible bobble did for him. As the subsequent goal kick was cleared by Egham’s defence Mo Harkin fed the ball to Grave out on the left. He cut inside, sized up the situation and steered his shot into the far corner, just like he used to. His “crocked old man” celebration reflected his relative age in the current Egham squad. Leighton tried to claw something back but Norris saved again, this time from Jamie Nicholls’ shot.
Egham face Northwood, 3-0 winners against Marlow, on Tuesday but do not have a game on Saturday thanks to their early exit from the FA Cup.
EGHAM TOWN: Jamie Norris, George Gould, Ryan Lake, Luke Muldowney (Captain), Wilson Gondwe, Mo Harkin, Danny Williamson, Dan Pearse, Dan Read, Calvin Thomas, Josh Andrew. Subs: Matt Grave (Read, 76), Joe Chandiram, Brendan Matthew (Williamson, 68), Dwayne Antonio (Andrew, 73).
It was known that Danny Williamson was quick but against Farnborough he was able to flex muscles hitherto barely used thus far, and proved he could deliver decent crosses into the box. He proved that was no one-off with a solid showing in this match. The major revelation though was that George Gould, who joined as a striker, is an excellent right back. Apparently he doesn’t like playing in that position but perhaps after his superb performances in midweek and again here he can be persuaded to lend his undoubted talents to defensive duties instead. Williamson and Gould were not alone as Lee Passmore added two more names to the growing roster (27 so far) of those who have been named on his team sheets this season. In came centre back Wilson Gondwe, from Kingstonian, and Dan Pearse from Farnborough; both fitted in superbly, as you’d expect with their pedigree. With striker Reis Stanislaus serving the first of a two game suspension and Ricky Farnden, who has been a key player in central defence, unwell it was, therefore, an untried line-up that faced a Leighton Town whose defence was unbreached by Egham last season.
It was the home side who threatened first, after nine minutes, when Jerry Lyons popped up at the back post and missed from close range. A minute later Egham scored their first. Williamson sprinted down the Egham right, and was hauled back by Robbie Goodman, but no free kick was given. Instead the Egham man crossed the ball from near the byline and found Josh Andrew at the back post for a well placed, scoring header. Leighton hit back but Phil Draycott missed a sitter. Jamie Norris then kept Egham ahead with a sharp save off Danny Watson.
Norris was called into action early in the second half as Tyrone Taylor connected perfectly with a cross that would have found its mark had Norris not leapt acrobatically to turn the ball over from point blank range. Taylor was turning away to celebrate an equaliser; in Egham’s next, almost immediate, attack Gondwe bypassed midfield with a perfect pass into the path of Andrew who was calmness personified as he drilled the ball past Matt Griggs. Leighton took off both their full backs and tried to augment midfield and attack, a tactical decision that nearly bore fruit as Stephen Kemoagna forced another good save from Norris. Between the 68th and 76th minutes Williamson, Andrew and Dan Read were replaced by Brendan Matthew, Dwayne Antonio and Matt Grave respectively. Given that all three substitutes are attacking players that meant that Leighton were not going to be given any respite, Grave emphasising that point by winning a corner immediately just by closing down centre back Dave Murphy.
Grave was a prolific scorer for the Sarnies in the Combined Counties League, but has not played competitive football for a couple of seasons until he returned in pre-season. He had a chance to score in the 80th minute off a Calvin Thomas cross from the right but a horrible bobble did for him. As the subsequent goal kick was cleared by Egham’s defence Mo Harkin fed the ball to Grave out on the left. He cut inside, sized up the situation and steered his shot into the far corner, just like he used to. His “crocked old man” celebration reflected his relative age in the current Egham squad. Leighton tried to claw something back but Norris saved again, this time from Jamie Nicholls’ shot.
Egham face Northwood, 3-0 winners against Marlow, on Tuesday but do not have a game on Saturday thanks to their early exit from the FA Cup.
EGHAM TOWN: Jamie Norris, George Gould, Ryan Lake, Luke Muldowney (Captain), Wilson Gondwe, Mo Harkin, Danny Williamson, Dan Pearse, Dan Read, Calvin Thomas, Josh Andrew. Subs: Matt Grave (Read, 76), Joe Chandiram, Brendan Matthew (Williamson, 68), Dwayne Antonio (Andrew, 73).
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