Warlingham bow out of Challenge Cup

Warlingham travelled to Colliers Wood Utd from the Premier Division on Saturday in the 3rd round of the Combined Counties League Cup and they put up a very good performance to give the hosts a real scare. Manager Mark Doherty lost Liam Neaves and Michael Brown on the morning of the game through injury so they travelled with a 13-man squad to face a side in good recent form at the higher level.

Both sides had good opportunities in the first ten minutes and Colliers forwards looked a constant threat when on the ball yet Warlingham's Janson, Joseph and Mart caused the home side many problems going forward. On 20 mins Janson put Wars in front after good work down the right from Simon Mart and the pacy wide man delivered a good cross for Lee Janson to convert from 7 yards. Despite Wars taking the game to the home side Colliers equalised on 30 mins from good flank play and a close range shot. Mart was getting plenty of ball down the right and another cross was met on 44 mins by Tom Greenhouse who headed over the home keeper to give Wars a 2-1 half time lead which on balance they probably just deserved.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Warlingham having plenty of possession. The only difference was that Colliers wide players started to get crosses in themselves and give their own forwards some good service. Stephan Joseph had a good chance to put wars 3-1 up but hesitated on 50 mins and Wars were duly punished when the home side struck with 2 quick goals on 55 and 62 mins to go in front. Both goals being of the highest quality finishes. The goals gave Colliers a cushion and allowed them to pass the ball a bit more and a 4th goal was added on 78 mins to give the home side a 4-2 win that probably did not do justice to the part that Warlingham played in a very good cup tie. Doherty praised his team’s performance and felt that the only difference on the day was that the home team took a greater percentage of their chances.

Team: Danny Eaton, James Hodge, Ricky Bygraves, Dean Suckling, Tom Greenhouse, Ritchie White, Paul Stuart, Nick Brown, Simon Mart, Lee Janson, Stephan Joseph.

SUBS Jack Higgins for Dean Suckling on 75 Paul Nash for Nick Brown on 80 mins