For the first week since the beginning of the season, the Ironsides first XI did not have a game. This meant that the only fixture would be for the 2nd XI who hosted Staines and Lammas Development in the first round of the Surrey Junior Cup.
Given that the first XI of both sides were without a fixture this weekend, one may have thought that both sides would have featured first team players. However, that is not the case as county cup rules prevent first team players from playing for the reserves in this competition. Both teams would therefore consist of their usual squads.
Storm Darragh threatened to stop the game going ahead, but the BIFC pitch stood the test of the conditions and was definitely playable, albeit under tricky conditions with the wind blowing diagonally across the pitch.
The game started at a fast pace with Staines having the better of the opening exchanges. Staines played a few nice ball behind the Ironsides defence, but the Ironsides goalkeeper was on hand in the sweeper role to deal with them. Staines had the best chance of the first half following a missed clearance in the Ironsides box. The Staines winger dragged his shot wide.
The breakthrough came from a set piece. An Alex Bishop corner was turned in by Quinn McMahon at the back post. HT 1-0.
The second half started in a similar fashion. Both sides were unable to build any decent play and the ball was mostly in the hands of either goalkeeper. Ironsides had a few decent shots from distance which were comfortably saved by the Staines keeper.
Staines thought they had equalised on 80 minutes. A free kick from the halfway line was headed across goal for a simple finish. The linesman had flagged the striker offside and the goal was chalked off.
The best chance of the game came on 90 minutes. A shot was parried at the near post by the Staines keeper. Jack Shabi was in the centre of the goal and 6 yards out, but somehow his side-foot finish went wide of the post. FT 1-0.
Overall, it was a poor game of football from both sides. But a clean sheet and in the hat for the next round is a good achievement for the lads who fought hard for the win.