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Sat 22 Apr 2017
Epsom & Ewell
1st Team
3
2
A O'Connor (0'), (0')
1st Team v Epsom & Ewell
Steve Goldfinch22 Apr 2017 - 15:00
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Match report
Having matched fourth-placed Epsom & Ewell during an evenly-matched and entertaining, if somewhat scrappy opening period, North Greenford lost some of their shape and momentum after the break and were unable to respond to a Salts penalty scored on the hour, losing their second game on the spin by the narrowest of margins.
The opening exchanges were lively and competitive with both teams clearly looking for a win, with Epsom & Ewell keen to consolidate a top four finish and Greenford determined to secure their first win in seven matches since the club’s 1-0 victory over Knaphill at the end of March.
George Moore was also playing his first game for United following his dismissal at the end of the MFA Charity Cup game against Ashford Town and, with just two minutes on the clock, he struck a speculative long-range shot that was not far off target.
The best early strikes on goal, however, came from the Salts strikers with the pacey Jason Nwachukwu rounding Greenford keeper Bailey Mulhall in the seventh minute but firing his strike from a tight angle into the visitors’ side netting.
At the other end United were also putting together some potentially dangerous moves and, on 17 minutes, the best of these was brought to an abrupt end when full-back Josh Lewis-Evans was fouled by Craig Hastings on the edge of the Salts area.
An excellent Daniel Vincent delivery was met by Anthony O’Connor whose powerful header found the corner of the home net giving keeper Michael Eacott no chance.
In a dramatic spell, coming just after the contest had reached the half-hour mark, Epsom turned the game around scoring twice, with Reisse Griffin stabbing home after Mulhall had failed to hold on to a fierce low cross, followed two minutes later by Jordan Gallagher firing in an unstoppable strike into the corner.
Then, some five minutes before the break, Greenford levelled the score from another Vincent free kick. On this occasion a looping Moore back header struck the Salts cross bar and when the ball fell into the home six-yard box O’Connor was able to force in over the goal-line for his second of the game.
Compared to their battling first half display, the United performance after the interval was disappointing, though not helped by referee Derrick Laing who frequently halted the flow of play as he struggled to control the players when they challenged his decision-making. On the other hand, Epsom and Ewell raised their game and looked the more dangerous of the two teams throughout the second period.
The Salts went on to deservedly win the contest, scoring the crucial match-winning goal on 61 minutes when Matt Farrell produced a clinical finish from the penalty spot after referee Laing had awarded the home side a penalty for a foul on Gallagher. To be honest, their margin of victory would have been greater had they made more of the chances created.
NGU Team: Bailey Mulhall, Josh Lewis-Evans, Ryan Murphy, Kamal Akel, Guy Ansah-Palmer, Matt Travis, George Moore, Daniel Vincent, Anthony O’Connor, Carl Bower, Sandro Costa
The opening exchanges were lively and competitive with both teams clearly looking for a win, with Epsom & Ewell keen to consolidate a top four finish and Greenford determined to secure their first win in seven matches since the club’s 1-0 victory over Knaphill at the end of March.
George Moore was also playing his first game for United following his dismissal at the end of the MFA Charity Cup game against Ashford Town and, with just two minutes on the clock, he struck a speculative long-range shot that was not far off target.
The best early strikes on goal, however, came from the Salts strikers with the pacey Jason Nwachukwu rounding Greenford keeper Bailey Mulhall in the seventh minute but firing his strike from a tight angle into the visitors’ side netting.
At the other end United were also putting together some potentially dangerous moves and, on 17 minutes, the best of these was brought to an abrupt end when full-back Josh Lewis-Evans was fouled by Craig Hastings on the edge of the Salts area.
An excellent Daniel Vincent delivery was met by Anthony O’Connor whose powerful header found the corner of the home net giving keeper Michael Eacott no chance.
In a dramatic spell, coming just after the contest had reached the half-hour mark, Epsom turned the game around scoring twice, with Reisse Griffin stabbing home after Mulhall had failed to hold on to a fierce low cross, followed two minutes later by Jordan Gallagher firing in an unstoppable strike into the corner.
Then, some five minutes before the break, Greenford levelled the score from another Vincent free kick. On this occasion a looping Moore back header struck the Salts cross bar and when the ball fell into the home six-yard box O’Connor was able to force in over the goal-line for his second of the game.
Compared to their battling first half display, the United performance after the interval was disappointing, though not helped by referee Derrick Laing who frequently halted the flow of play as he struggled to control the players when they challenged his decision-making. On the other hand, Epsom and Ewell raised their game and looked the more dangerous of the two teams throughout the second period.
The Salts went on to deservedly win the contest, scoring the crucial match-winning goal on 61 minutes when Matt Farrell produced a clinical finish from the penalty spot after referee Laing had awarded the home side a penalty for a foul on Gallagher. To be honest, their margin of victory would have been greater had they made more of the chances created.
NGU Team: Bailey Mulhall, Josh Lewis-Evans, Ryan Murphy, Kamal Akel, Guy Ansah-Palmer, Matt Travis, George Moore, Daniel Vincent, Anthony O’Connor, Carl Bower, Sandro Costa
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