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EGHAM TOWN 1 WINDSOR 0

EGHAM TOWN 1 WINDSOR 0

Tempest Ward27 Feb 2022 - 00:29
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B's penalty the difference in derby win

Brendan Matthew

CHERRY RED RECORDS COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER NORTH
SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2022
EGHAM TOWN 1 (0) WINDSOR 0 (0)
BRENDAN MATTHEW (75, pen)

A Brendan Matthew penalty was scant reward for Egham Town as they recorded a double over Windsor. With a performance that was generally dominant but without a cutting edge the win was deserved and needed, with Ascot United thrashing Burnham and sitting two points behind the Sarnies, who are 4th. Ascot have two games in hand, one of which will be played on Tuesday. It is unlikely that they will face too much hardship at home to Holyport. It is likely, therefore, that the trip to North Greenford United will see 2nd entertain 5th. NGU lost heavily away to Southall.
Jordan Berry gave a second debut to midfielder Prince Mbengui, who scored two goals under Tony Choules in season 2019-2020. He slotted in like he had never been away. Egham might have conceded only seven minutes in as keeper Michael Edegbe was left a bit flatfooted by Samad Kazi’s pass back, but the fleet footed Haluna Masembe was able to dispossess Stag’s forward Excellence Muhemba. Another heart-in-mouth moment came as home skipper Reece Yorke’s foul on the inrushing Lindell Stewart was deemed by referee Jake Atkinson as only worth a yellow. Stewart threatened to give Windsor the lead soon after, Edegbe saving well. Windsor were determined in defence, Luke Paris looking particularly impressive in the 5 shirt. In the 19th minute a Ryan Phillips free kick was cleared only as far as Brandon Trujillo, who saw his low drive blocked. The rest of the period had nothing to note other than Sandro Costa’s wayward shot clattering Roger’s ladder and some heat generated by Windsor feeling that Brendan Matthew had fouled debutant keeper Connail Ryan as the two collided chasing a 50-50 ball. Matthew went down injured as the break beckoned but was able to continue after treatment.
A livelier Egham emerged after refreshments and Jordan Berry’s pep talk. Phillips’ free kick was not cleared, Masembe hit a curling shot and keeper Ryan flung himself to his right to make an impressive save. He had to do it again from Mbengui, who had worked a one-two with Trujillo. Another Phillips’ free kick was met by Matthew’s header, just off target. Windsor were starting to commit fouls at an increasing rate, which just gave Phillips more chances to threaten with his free kicks. Yorke headed one past Ryan, but the skipper had fouled Paris. The breakthrough came when Trevan Robinson’s pace left the visiting defence failing to cope and, when he cut into the box, the young Windsor keeper impeded his run. Matthew’s penalty conversion was emphatic, his beaming smile perhaps betraying relief at finally breaching the visiting defences. Soon after the goal Matthew raced goalwards after some loose control by Paris, whose chase back and superbly timed tackle was indeed impressive. It would be a surprise if he is playing at Step 5 for much longer. Three minutes after that Matthew was showing again, tearing in on the penalty area before squaring the ball as Robinson and sub Jon-Jo Bates ran in to support. The ball bypassed Robinson. How Bates missed the two yard sitter… As the home support, gradually and thankfully increasing in number, raised the volume their team could have let the lead slip against a side that had not mustered a shot on target in the second half. Sloppiness led to Muhemba closing in on Edegbe, whose clearance hit the Windsor forward full in the face. The game was held up for four minutes and Muhemba left the field gingerly. Egham were not put under any more pressure, and recorded their fourth league double and first clean sheet since the same score saw off Holyport the week before Christmas.
As mentioned, Egham go to North Greenford United next week, and the week afterwards make the trip to Enfield to face St Panteleimon. The next home games are on 19 March, against Spelthorne Sports, and 26 March against Burnham. Egham lost to both in the away games so will be looking to make amends.
EGHAM TOWN: Michael Edegbe, Samad Kazi, Ryan Phillips, Adam Humphries, Reece Yorke (Captain), Haluna Masembe, Trevan Robinson, Prince Mbengui, Brendan Matthew, Brandon Trujillo, Sandro Costa.
Substitutes: Luke Brophy, Luke Maguire (Matthew, 90+2), Ezekiel Williams, Jon-Jo Bates (Trujillo, 72), Ashley Harrack (Robinson, 90+ 4).

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