NGU 3 Edgware Town 0

NGU 3 Edgware Town 0
(Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division)
Tuesday 5th March 2019

On the previous Saturday, in their goalless 6-point relegation contest against Cockfosters, North Greenford had shown plenty of effort and endeavour to earn another much-needed point and keep a clean sheet, but very little in terms of quality. In this impressive victory over mid-table Edgware Town the team produced a performance in which they showed plenty of both.

It was in fact a performance to rank amongst the best Blues displays this season and although the side was boosted up front by the return of the experienced Liam Hind and the equally experienced newly-signed striker Gary James, the defence and midfield comprised the same 7 players who had started against Cockfosters.

From the moment the game began these same Blues players played with a quality that been lacking on Saturday, moving the ball quickly, accurately and intelligently when in possession, and equally quick to close down their opponents in all areas of the park when Edgware had the ball. At the back the United defence, supported by keeper Frazer Siddall, remained solid throughout the match.

Greenford were rewarded for their efforts as the contest approached half-time scoring twice in the final five minutes of the period. First, on 40 minutes, right midfielder Courtney Austin was tripped as he dribbled into the Wares penalty area with referee Harry Tarrant immediately pointing to the spot. Austin himself took responsibility and made no mistake sending keeper Sam Irish the wrong way.

Then, just two minutes later, a ball played in front of Irish along the edge of the visitors’ crowded six-yard box was not cleared and debutant James was on hand to stroke the ball into the back of the net from close range to give the Blues a significant advantage at the interval.

Although, predictably, Edgware were quickest out of the blocks at the start of the second period winning a free-kick in a dangerous position soon after the resumption, it was Greenford who scored first, extending their lead in the 53rd minute with a crucial third goal. On the end of another fine run by Austin, this time down the left, the ball was played back to Hind who made no mistake with the simplest of finishes.

Lifted by the goal, the Blues grew in confidence, working hard and with determination to notch up their third clean sheet on the bounce as well as looking the most likely of the two sides to add to the scoreline.

It had been an impressive all-round display by United which, with 7 points in their last three games, has taken the club above Leverstock Green in the SSMFL Premier Division table, and just 2 points behind London Colney, the team they face at Cotlandswick Park this coming Saturday. They will obviously be aiming for more of the same when they take on another side that wears Royal Blue, nicknamed ‘The Blueboys’!

NGU Team: Frazer Siddall, Tom Ward (Sammy Adams 70), George Harsini, Emmanuel Ndukwu (Darren Ankomah-Brew 78), Harvie Gardiner (captain), Manu Oke-William, Courtney Austin, Andrew Manitou, Gary James (Nick Turner 50), Liam Hind, Connor Hewitt-Coleman