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Uxbridge FC v Bedfont Sports
Date – 24/09/22
FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
This afternoon, Uxbridge were in cup action as they welcomed Bedfont Sports to Honeycroft for a 3pm Kick-off in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The Sports are no strangers to the Reds having played them on numerous occasions over the years. Whilst the Reds faced a tough test away at Chertsey Town in the First Qualifying Round running out 1-3 winners. The Sports were drawn against Hashtag United a side which was founded in 2016 by two brothers Sebastian and Spencer Owen, which quickly rose to stardom on YouTube with a following of 611k subscribers, meaning that the pressure was on them to show what they could do. The two teams could only be separated by a penalty shoot-out after the regulation period ended 2-2. 5 perfect Sports penalties saw them progress into the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Uxbridge were quick out of the blocks, with Lonit Talla winning a header high up the pitch, which was hoofed out of play with ease by the Sports centre half, Mullings. They came knocking again moments later with an attempted pass that just fell short when trying to find Osobu, making it easy for Ngunga to clear the danger. They were then awarded a freekick on the right hand side of the 18 yard box following a pull on Talla’s shirt, the delivery was cleared away only as far as Osobu who ran at the Sports defence, beating his man for pace at the by-line however, it was gathered by Gary Ross in the Sports goal. He was quick to release the ball with a kick up field which found Sam Evens, who chested the ball out of the sky, he spurned the chance by blazing it way over the bar. The visitors who now had momentum and wind in their sails came with an attacking intent down the left wing and put in a menacing cross into the box. only for it to be cleared expertly by Elliott Poley in the defensive line.
A quarter of an hour into the first half, saw the Reds register their first shot on target after a corner was whipped into the centre, unfortunately Osobu was unable to get any real purchase on the header and therefore was only able to direct it into the keepers gloves. With 22 minutes on the clock the pressure from the home side finally told as Dan Williams broke the deadlock with a bullet header that gave the keeper no chance to even get a hand on his effort 1-0. As the 30 minute mark hit, Ryan Haugh attempted to play in Kensley Maloney with a swift diagonal pass however, Firgueiredo was alert to his idea and cut it out. Minutes later Osobu, whose first half showing was nothing short of outstanding, once again found himself on the ball, but he was caught in two minds and he was hesitant to pull the trigger which brought to an end an excellent move from back to front. Play was even until a chance broke for Osobu with the keeper off his line 1v1 his chip was just over the bar 1-0 HT.
The Eagles who came into the second half trailing 1-0, created the first chance of the half as forward Michael Goddard seemed to be played through on goal, the pass on this occasion was too heavy and was cleared away by Tyler Tobin who rushed off his line shouting KEEEPEEERRRR! Uxbridge were showing signs of complacency as a lose pass played by Josh Andrew back to Tobin created a scare, luckily the Sports forward was caught unawares therefore posing no threat to the Reds goal. 20 minutes from time there was a break in play as a lofted pass by Andrew smashed against the face of Agwu, therefore the referee halted play for him to receive treatment.
Play was on a knifes edge, as the visitors found their second wind towards the latter stages of the game, leading to them having a flurry of late chances, shots on goal, corners, and set pieces. The tie was finally settled in the 86th minute after defender Morrison poked the ball past Ross under pressure from Juwon Akintunde, to make it 2-0 to the Reds. A relatively easy afternoon baring a few nervy moment. The Reds winning 2-0 to set up a Third Qualifying Round tie at home to Walton & Hersham.
Report by Sergio Navarro
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