Harefield Utd (H) match report by Pat Hillier

North Greenford’s four match unbeaten run was ended by Harefield United on Tuesday evening when the visitors won this First Round MFA Senior Charity Cup tie by three goals to one.

On a heavy and sticky Berkeley Fields pitch Greenford, playing towards the clubhouse, had the better of the opening exchanges with their best move coming at the midway point when an Andrew Manitou overhead kick was kept out by an excellent point-blank save by Hares keeper Jacob Balheimer.

Shortly afterwards Blues striker Nathan Davis was played in behind the visitors defence but flagged for offside. As the hosts were contesting the decision, Hare’s No 10 Samuel Shaw played a lovely long ball through to Lenny Farhall down the left who took a touch before placing a lovely finish past Greenford keeper Jack Curd into the corner.

From that point the home side began to lose their shape and composure and had to work hard to prevent Harefield extending their lead before the break.

Unfortunately within five minutes of the resumption the visitors had done just that when a poor clearance straight to Richard Pacquette was fired straight back towards the home goal with the ball finding the back of the net via the post.

When Pacquette added his second just before the hour in similar circumstances the contest had clearly and decisively swung in Harefield’s favour and, although Blues full-back Damel Dioum grabbed a late consolation with some 6 minutes of normal time remaining, the visitors were able to see out the game quite comfortably.

Greenford will be looking to put this defeat behind them as they prepare to welcome fifth-placed Harpenden Town to Berkeley Fields on Saturday and hopefully return to winning ways.

NGU Team: Jack Curd, Damel Dioum, Ridwan Euba, Tom Ward, Ekow Coker (Simon Wright 75), Nikolas Muller, Conor Molyneaux, Georgie Brown, Nathan Davis, Andrew Manitou, Sam Molyneaux (Daniel Clifton 60)

Match report by Pat Hillier