EGHAM TOWN 4 DAVENTRY TOWN 1

CALOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL
WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2014
EGHAM TOWN 4 (1)DAVENTRY TOWN 1 (1)

Egham Town scorers: Mo Harkin (27) Josh Andrew 2 (54, 66) Reis Stanislaus (90 + 2)

At the third time of asking this fixture went ahead, after a postponement and abandonment. Daventry came back seeking the win that would put them back on top of Calor One Central, two points ahead of Dunstable Town. Tonight, though, they faced a side on the rebound from that absolutely dreadful performance at Ashford Town (Mx.) on Easter Monday. It has certainly added an extra twist to the promotion/play-off battle which will go down to the wire for the top four.
However, there was one concern that must override all of this, which is the health of assistant referee Simon Maynard, who at half-time suffered a suspected heart attack. Thanks to the skills of the physiotherapists from Daventry Town (Jack Champelovier) and Egham Town (Heather Stevenson) assistance was given immediately, until the arrival of the ambulance. Both clubs wish Mr Maynard a full and speedy recovery.
Daventry had the better of the early exchanges, looking full of attacking vim and vigour. The goal with which they took an 11th minute lead was, though, fortuitous as, when Egham thought they had cleared their lines a pass forward found Luke Keen two yards offside and he finished with assurance. No flag was raised; the assistant decided the crucial pass came from an Egham player. The version of Egham that is not up for it would have found it hard to get back into the game but after 20 minutes they should have had a penalty for a clear handball in the area. Then came the two moments that shifted the game Egham’s way. Firstly Egham keeper Jamie Norris produced a superb save from Keen after 22 minutes and secondly, five minutes later the Daventry keeper Richard Morris dropped a Joe Chandiram corner at Mo Harkin’s feet; 1-1.
The second period was but nine minutes gone when Egham took the lead. Daventry had no option but to push up on Egham, Ryan O’Toole played a long pass down the middle for Josh Andrew, he ran from the halfway line, let the ball bounce kindly for him and smashed the ball home from outside the box. On 66 minutes he did it again, off Harkin’s pass, racing clear and rifling the ball into the top left corner. Daventry were not happy with themselves, and from a nothing incident Marcel Simpson got away with throwing a punch at an Egham player. Referee Reuben Simon seemed to miss that one but found some reason for dismissing Daventry substitute Scott Cross. Two goals and a man down, with three minutes left, the visitors kept pushing forward and were again undone. Jake Galbraith, the Sarnies magnificent left back, carried the ball forward and spotted a huge gap where a defender would normally be. He played the ball forward, ran onto his own pass and fired in a shot that Morris could not hold. Reis Stanislaus, who has recently overtaken Ryan O’Toole as Egham’s leading scorer, was the first to react. He had work to do; the ball was running away from the goal, but he got there first, wrapped his left peg round the ball and hammered it home. Daventry’s heads dropped. That was the first time this season they have let in four in the league.

EGHAM TOWN: 1. Jamie Norris 2. Luke Muldowney (Captain) 3. Jake Galbraith 4. Richard Byrne 5. Ryan Lake 6. Mo Harkin 7. Calvin Thomas 8. Joe Chandiram 9. Reis Stanislaus 10. Ryan O’Toole 11. Josh Andrew Subs: 12 Louis Chandler-Joseph (6/87 minutes) 14. Brendan Matthew 15. Jim Ward 16. Andy Crossley ).