Young greens win divisional cup again

Greensnet Editor
Wed 05 Apr 2006, 23:00

Mark Crawford's team repeated their feat of last season by winning their divisional cup, this time the Cherry Red Records Middlesex County League Senior Reserve Division Cup in which they play as Hendon "A". Despite going behind to a 3rd minute strike from Lee Osmond, the Greens went on to put in a very hard working performance, running their hearts out for ninety minutes. They controlled a large percentage of the game and deservedly equalised on the half hour mark when Mathew Peart fired home a fierce drive from 35 yards. Just ten minutes later Adilson Lopes gave the Greens the lead when he headed a loose ball across just inside the far post from six yards.

In the first twenty minutes of the second half Hendon had a number of chances to extend the lead but were unable to find the target. However, in the 69th minute Lopes picked up the ball on the halfway line, beat two challenges and sidefooted the ball home from 20 yards. Just four minutes later Otis Kingsley latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and slammed the ball into the net. From there on the Greens held on comfortably to secure their second trophy in consecutive seasons.

"We worked really hard tonight," said an ecstatic Mark Crawford, "and it was a real team performance. I can't single any individual out tonight. I am absolutely delighted."

Team : Siki Kambila, Chad Griffiths, Narcisse Nono (Apacha Iyala 76), Conor Carroll, Francois Gabbidon, Mathew Peart, Adilson Lopes, Otis Kingsley, Stephan Chambers-Bignall (Admir Meha 83), Ronald Adjekwei, Franklyn Morris (Marco Tacbajumi 71). Unused subs : Chris Cleary, Ricardo Braganza.