1st Team v Uxbridge

A determined, spirited performance from North Greenford United at the Honeycroft Stadium on Saturday saw the West London side notch up its first points in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central with a 3-1 win against local rivals Uxbridge.
 In what proved a lively start to Saturday’s contest, United took the game to their hosts from the outset with midfielder Charlie Hill coming close to opening the scoring in the first minute with a fine strike from the edge of the Uxbridge area which narrowly missed the target.  Uxbridge too looked sharp and dangerous going forward as front runners Danny Julienne, Chris Moore and Leon Yarnie posed threats to the Greenford back four.
With just five minutes on the clock a well worked Uxbridge move ended with Julienne being thawarted by Blues defender Jamie Diston, he then rolled a short pass across his own penalty area towards centre back Stuart Derry to clear, but Moore reacted first and he was fouled by the centre back as he attempted to drive into the box, and Uxbridge were awarded a free kick in an ideal central position for ex-Greenford player and dead ball specialist Michael Murray to give his new team an early lead. Murray made no mistake as, with typical power and accuracy, he placed the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the Greenford net, giving keeper Richard McCabe no chance.
 The game continued at a fast and furious pace with both teams creating chances to add to the scoreline.  Greenford midfielders Charlie Hill, Sean Hillier and Wayne Jackson were moving the ball quickly and the side’s young winger Zak Joseph was causing problems for the Uxbridge defence whenever he received the ball down the right flank.  Uxbridge had their moments too and on twenty minutes it took some determined, resilient defending from the visitors to keep the ball from crossing their line following a well executed Murray corner.  It needed two goal-line blocks before the ball was finally cleared from the Greenford area.
 United levelled the score just before the half hour mark.  A misunderstanding between Reds centre back Tom Bentley and keeper Michael Parkin saw Bentley head towards goal with Parkin stranded.  An alert Hill raced past them into the box to round Parkin and tap the ball into the empty net.
 The score remained at 1-1 up to the interval despite both teams having chances to take the lead.  On thirty-four minutes a Hillier delivery from some twenty-five yards was tipped over the cross bar by Parkin, and soon after skilful play by Joseph led to a cross into the danger area which was well defended by Howard Hall to prevent the ball reaching the Greenford strikers.  At the other end a strong, mazy run by Moore past several United defenders ended in a goal bound strike that was superbly saved by McCabe.
 The second period was played at an equally fast tempo with play going from end to end.  Just a minute into the half a fine defensive header from left back Danny Bennell prevented the Reds front line getting on the end of a fine cross from the left.  A minute later Greenford had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Rob Smith when Joseph appeared to be fouled inside the box.  And on fifty-one minutes another Moore strike was driven into the side netting.
 United’s second goal, their best of the game, was scored on fifty-five minutes.  On the end of a fine move, the ball was played to striker Aaron Samuel, who had peeled off to the right of the Uxbridge area.  Samuel showed tremendous strength and persistence as he shrugged off a challenge before delivering an accurate cross into the danger area.  The ball was met by Jackson who kept his composure to drive a well controlled shot past Parkin.
 The goal was followed by a relatively scrappy, frenetic passage of play, with first Greenford and then Uxbridge having periods of pressure but neither side able to control the game, particularly in the final third and chances went begging.
 With some six minutes of normal time remaining United scored a third goal, a goal that was to prove decisive.  Parkin was unable to hold on to a fierce Hill strike driven in low from the edge of the area and substitute Anthony O’Connor was quickest to react, nipping in to slot the rebound into the back of the Uxbridge net.
 The home side tried to rally in the dying moments of the game when substitute Stuart Farrell struck the post in a goalmouth scramble and a shot from ex-Blues full-back Ryan Fenton grazed the top of the crossbar and sailed over.  But it wasn’t to be Uxbridge’s day and North Greenford were able to leave the Honeycroft with all three points, delighted to have finally opened their league account.
 This win will have done much to lift the spirits and confidence of the United players, all of whom played their part in what was undoubtedly a deserved victory.  They will be determined to apply the same level of effort and commitment in the club’s forthcoming matches: at home to Beaconsfield on Tuesday evening (k.o. 7.45pm), a visit to Ashford Town next Saturday followed by another home fixture on Bank Holiday Monday when the team faces Northwood (k.o. 3.00pm)