Egham Town 2 - 1 Met Police

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PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
EGHAM TOWN 2 (1) METROPOLITAN POLICE 1 (0)
30 July 2011

Egham Town scorers: Brendan Matthew (25) Dale Marvell (70)

Egham Town finished their five game pre-season games with their best result as they beat an apparently full strength Metropolitan Police side. Police had beaten Hartley Wintney of CCL One 3-0 and lost 0-1 against Hemel Hempstead before Saturday. Egham started their warm up matches with an ill-deserved 1-3 loss at Hillingdon Borough of the South Midlands League. they then went four game unbeaten with a 3-3 draw at Chertsey Town, home draws against Ashford Town (Mx.) (2-2) and a 1-1 result against Uxbridge on Tuesday. In all the matches against higher rated opposition Dale Marvell has netted, and he did it again on Saturday to double the lead young striker Brendan Matthew had provided before half time. I have no specific details of the match as I was not present, so Colin Bartholomew has penned the report below. The status of the opposition faced in this quintet of games – certainly the last four – and the results gained indicate that Egham Town will go into their first games, away to promoted Farnham Town on Saturday and at home to Ash United on Tuesday 9 August, full of confidence.

COLIN'S REPORT

Egham had concerns about playing the fixture because of injuries. Forward Ross White is out for up to ten days, after needing eight stiches in his lip from the Uxbridge game, left back Jake Galbraith is out with seven stitches in his neck and sidelined for 7 - 10 days, centre back Ken Durring had picked up a knock (but played) as had striker Matt Grave who also had an injury (but played the first half). Aaron Taylor, the other first pick centre back, was away.

It was a very good, disciplined performance. All the players put in 100% effort and kept their positions throughout the game. Met Police found it difficult to break us down. Brendan Matthew, who at 16 years old is showing a great deal of maturity, added to the goal he scored in midweek for the youth team. The ball was put through, going under a defender's foot for Brendan to run onto it and from just inside the left hand side of the box he took his goal well, placing it to the keeper's right. The first half was close, each team having limited
chances. In the second half Grave went off for Matt Evans. Met Police made changes to.
The half started with Police being slightly better in possession for the first 10 minutes. However we kept our shape and started to get back on level terms with possession. On 50 minutes Brendan went off for Frankie Driver. Midway through the second half the ball was played out to Dale (Marvell) on the left who ran forward and cut inside and let one fly straight into the right hand corner for 2-0. With 20 minutes to go Jamie Houghton was replaced by youth player Hakin Miiro. On 10 to go Ken went off, replaced by Wayne Noad (who had said playing was not on his agenda). New man Scott Todd (who played against us for Ashford Town and for us against Uxbridge) gave way to Adam Weir, and Kevin Borg was replaced between the sticks with the promising Josh Henry. Met Police scored a consolation goal with five to go but it was a solid performance. Luke Muldowney had a very good game at centre back filling in for Aaron.

It's also been a good week for the youth who are mainly 16 to 17 years old, beating Bracknell Town U19s 2-1 and Hayes and Yeading U19s 1-0. There was someone from the paper at the game.