1st Team
Matches
Sat 02 Sep 2017
Westfield
2
2
North Greenford United FC
1st Team
G Ansah-Palmer (0'), J Velinor (0')
1st Team v Westfield

1st Team v Westfield

Steve Goldfinch2 Sep 2017 - 15:00
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Match report

In a competitive and highly entertaining contest at Woking Park on Saturday North Greenford produced what, with the possible exception of the away win against Welwyn Garden City, was the team’s best all-round performance to date, to end league leaders Westfield’s 100% record.  
 
Indeed, during an enthralling finale United came agonisingly close to grabbing a late winner to end what has been a disappointing start to their campaign in terms of results, with three draws and a defeat in the club’s first four league fixtures.
 
From the outset United looked determined to do just that, and when the match kicked off took the game to their high-flying opponents who, not surprisingly given the side’s excellent start to their campaign, seemed to be suffering from complacency during the opening encounters.
 
With just two minutes played United striker Jamal Velinor missed a great opportunity to give the Blues an early lead with a free header from a corner, but he made amends four minutes later, finishing a lovely Greenford move with an accurate strike into the corner to beat Westfield keeper Sheikh Ceesay.
 
With still less than ten minutes on the clock another penetrating Blues move ended with James Simmonds getting behind the Field defence on the left and, although he found the net with a neat finish from a tight angle, his effort was ruled out for offside following what appeared a marginal decision by assistant referee Nick Arbuckle.
 
On the receiving end of strong words from manager Tony Reid during a break in play, whilst United’s Sandro Costa received treatment following another foul on the Blues winger, the home side finally woke up.  
 
The league’s top scorer Max Blackmore had already seen an on-target effort well saved by Lukasz Jasiorski and midway through the half, after being played through on goal, the Field striker rounded the Greenford keeper only to see his shot narrowly miss the visitors’ goal and nestle in the side netting.
 
Although further chances were created at either end, with Blues centre-back Guy Ansah-Palmer striking the Field post from a corner on 28 minutes, the remainder of the half was a largely scrappy affair with Greenford managing to protect their slender advantage up to the break.
 
Within ten minutes of the re-start, and reminiscent of the cup tie against Baldock, Westfield had taken the lead.  First, on 48 minutes referee Dominic Wynter awarded an extremely soft penalty to the hosts when a Field forward went to ground in the box following a challenge by Kamal Akel.  The spot kick was emphatically converted by captain Karle Carder-Andrews to level the score.
 
Westfield then added a second just six minutes later after United had conceded possession and, with the Blues defence split wide open, the Field’s pacey winger Arron Watson burst through the middle before producing a clinical finish that gave Jasiorski no chance.
 
On this occasion though Greenford immediately rallied and regained their shape and composure, scoring an equaliser just before the hour when a quickly taken Daniel Vincent corner found Ansah-Palmer at the near post who found the net with an exquisite finish from close range.
 
From that point play went from end to end as both sides did all they could to go on and win the contest.  Both created opportunities which they came close to converting, with the best of these for United coming as the game approached full-time.
 
After Field’s Watson had been denied a brace when a fine effort was well saved by Jasiorski on 85 minutes, Simmonds created a good chance for himself three minutes later, followed shortly afterwards by a Charlie Connor shot that was well blocked.  Then, as the match went into stoppage time, the Blues forwards were unable to get on the end of a low Vincent cross after the Greenford captain had made a strong run in from the left.
 
In the end that much-needed first Blues league win was again to prove elusive but, on the evidence of this display, it will soon come.  On this occasion, however, the team had to once again settle for a share of the spoils although it has to be admitted that, on the overall balance of play, the draw was a fair result.
 
This performance should certainly give the players the confidence to go on and win their First Qualifying Round FA Vase tie at home to Harpenden Town on Saturday and, if they do, the midweek home fixture against Spelthorne Sports followed by another home game against Walton & Hersham to be played on Saturday 16th September.
 
NGU Team: Lukasz Jasiorski, Georgie Brown (Carl Bower 45), Ryan Murphy, Charlie Connor, Kamal Akel,  Guy Ansah-Palmer, Sean Hillier, Daniel Vincent (captain), Jamal Velinor (Jordan Ellis 70), James Simmonds, Sandro Costa
 
 
 

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Sep 2017

Kickoff

14:00

Meet time

00:00

Attendance

55
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