Haringey 3-6 Brent
Middlesex Schools’ FA, Watkin Cup, 28th January 2017
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Two superb goals from Brandon Njoku set Brent on their way to their biggest win of the season so far, away to Haringey at The New River Stadium, White Hart Lane.
The first goal came after 5 minutes when Albi Alexander’s inch-perfect pass released him on the right hand side of the box and he fired into the top left corner. The second came just minutes later and was a magnificent solo effort. Njoku collected the ball thirty yards out after a neat pass by skipper Rafi Amblin then skilfully dribbled past three defenders before unleashing an unstoppable power drive into the roof of the net to double Brent’s lead.
Striker Marcel Baumard was introduced into the action, replacing the injured Theo Alexandrou. The substitute made an instant impact, reacting quickest in a goal mouth scramble to shoot into the net to make the score 3-0. Shortly afterwards, Jhamar McDonald drove down the left wing and cut back the ball for Alexander to shoot into the net and the half ended with the visitors 4-0 ahead.
Determined to stay on top, Brent started the second half quickly and centre-half Bradley Morrison was next to get onto the scoresheet, curling a free kick into the top corner. Then Marcel Baumard made it six showing good pace to find space for a fierce snap shot from 20 yards.
Haringey kept pressing to get back into the game and keeper Naythan Bryson pulled off a magnificent fingertip save from point blank range pushing the ball past the post. Rishan Herath and Stanley Willis defended superbly and kept the Haringey attacks at bay until the home side managed to get the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble.
Then came the move of the game. With Haringey pushing forward Brent launched a classic counter attack. Morrison slid the ball to Alexander in midfield. Alexander drove a first time diagonal pass 40 yards for Jhamar McDonald to out pace the defense but his thunderbolt shot rattled the bar. In the final three minutes of the game Haringey got two quick consolation goals and the game ended 6-3.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo: “The players showed character, team spirit and determination today. They work hard in training, battled and were rewarded. To score six goals is great but the team also defended magnificently today. It was fantastic.” The win puts Brent into second place in the Middlesex League. Brent face third placed Hillingdon next at home at Northwick Park on 4 Feb. 10.00am kick off.
Brent: Albi Alexander, Marcel Baumard, Stanley Willis, Theo Alexandrou Jhamar McDonald, Rishan Herath, Naythan Bryson, Bradley Morrison, Rafi Amblin, Brandon Njoku