12:00am Saturday 1st January 2000
WEMBLEY 2 STAINES TOWN 0
Bottom club Wembley repeated their recent County Cup success over Staines Town by comfortably beating their rivals in the Ryman League Division One on Saturday.
The in-form visitors have managed to obtain some notable victories recently, but on the evidence of their display at Vale Farm they looked a pretty poor side and Wembley's task of collecting three points was easily accomplished.
Wembley, much changed due to suspension and injury, gradually dominated affairs following a fairly even opening and created numerous chances.
The skilful Leon Woodruffe perhaps should have done better after shrugging off a defender to burst into the box, but he decided to shoot rather than deliver a square pass to an unmarked colleague and lost possession.
Soon after, the lunging Danny Norris missed the target from close range after the Staines 'keeper could only parry an awkward Woodruffe free kick
The Lions continued to press forward and their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 23rd minute when Jason Hicks, promoted from the reserves, collected a loose ball in the middle of the park and released an awesome 30-yard drive which gave Wembley a deserved lead.
Wembley maintained the pressure after that.
A Woodruffe effort was deflected onto the underside of the crossbar following an Avi Schwarz corner and Schwarz also went close with a low strike which Staines fully stretched 'keeper palmed aside.
The Lions were almost made to pay for not extending their advantage as the visitors put them under intense pressure at the start of the second half, but the Staines lacked the necessary artillery to penetrate a solid Wembley defence.
Wembley maintained control and their second goal in the 78th minute came as no surprise. Woodruffe peeled away from his marker at the far post to rifle home Sean McCarthy's long crossfield pass and wrap things up for the Lions.
Wembley: Karamoko, Schwarz, Mitchell (Griffiths 84 mins.), Walter, Norris, Lindsay, Bates, McCarthy, Hicks (Whall 85 mins.), Thompson, Woodruffe. Sub not used - Harris.
Wembley Reserves drew 0 - 0 away to Beaconsfield SYCOB in the Suburban League Northern section.
The Lions have two games in hand over Berkhamsted the team above them who are just two points ahead, but they are still eight points adrift of the safety zone.
Their next three games will prove crucial in their attempt to avoid relegation -- all are away. They were due to travel to Leyton Pennant on Tuesday and go Maidenhead United on Saturday and Romford on Tuesday.
One bright moment on the horizon. Wembley face Hendon in the Middlesex County Cup Final at Enfield on Easter
Monday. The match starts at 7. 30pm.
Minor league round up
Two late goals cost Old Salvatorians the points as they went down 2 - 1 to Old Boys League Premier Division title favourites Old Ignations on Saturday.
After taking the lead through player manager Eugenie Moriarty, Salvos seemed to be in total control, but the two late goals rattled their title hopes.
Old Salvos reserves went down 2 - 0 to Old Aloysians.
John Fisher picked up a 3 - 2 away victory over Old Sinjuns in Division Two of the same competition.
Parkfield went down 4 - 1 away to HAC in the Southern Olympian League Senior Division One.
In the London Commercial League, Kodak beat Cable Tech 4 - 1 at home in the First Division and Sudbury Court went down 4 - 0 at Eversheds in the Second Division.
Old Lyonians' Southern Amateur League side went down 4 - 1 against Old Owens.
JUNIOR SOCCER
Man of the match Ben Wright scored twice and Daniel Tyler was also on target to put St. Joseph's Youth U10s through to the Middlesex Cup Final with a 3 - 0 victory over Belmont United 3 - 0 on Sunday.
St. Joseph's U8s B side beat Pinner Albion 2 - 0 with goals from Ashley Gohil and Thomas Mannion.
Pinner United's U13s were worthy winners in a close 2 - 1 win over Forest. Jonathan Hickman and Steven Hardwick netted while Charlie Nicholls and man of the match Michael Cox excelled.
Goals from Gareth Long and Bobby Ellington gave United's U12 Youth a 2 - 1 triumph over Wealdstone. Stephen Holloway was man of the match.
A below par U12 Colts lost 1-3 to Rugby Youth. Jonathan Cook netted while 'keeper Gary Jones took man of the match. Kashif Quraishy and James Cowan played well.
The U10s were rocked 5-1 by Harrow Town. Steven Killeen scored and Jon Hubbard was man of the match.
Goals from Dominic Franklin, 2, Marcus Alexander-Nei l,2, and Steven Carey helped United's U9s to a 5-2 win against Pinner Albion.. Ryan Penhale was man of the match.
A Matthew Ayling hat-trick helped the U8s to an impressive 6 - 0 win over Bessingby Park Rangers. Man of the match Daniel Kennett, 2, and Matthew Hodges were the other scorers. Robert Gradwell and Jack O'Shea played well.
United's U15 Youth were knocked out of the league Cup 4-0 by Uxbridge Colts.
Three goals in 10 minutes by Michael Lloyd-Denyer helped Springfield U10s B to a 4 - 0 victory over Ruislip Rangers B. Marc Smith scored the other.
The U13s ran riot with an 8 - 2 win over Edgware B. Chris Welch,3, Martin Murphy,2, Alan Bolger, Richard Sampaney and Daniel Moran all got on the scorechart.
FINCHAMPSTED 2 RAYNERS LANE 1
Chiltonian League Premier Division leaders Rayners Lane came down to earth after last weeks 11 - 0 win, losing 2 - 1 to second placed Finchampsted on Saturday.
The homesters took the lead against the run of play after half an-hour and Lane flattered to deceive as they failed to convert their impressive build -ups into goals.
Their pressure finally paid off 20 minutes into the second period. Leading scorer Tommy Metcalfe had his effort charged down by the 'keeper and in the ensuing melee Simon Hordern was on hand to crack home the equaliser.
Lane looked to have secured at least a point and were pressurising their hosts to try and secure victory when Finchampsted broke to score again and send them home empty handed.
Lane, attempting to win the league at the first attempt, stay top, but the following pack is fast catching up.
They are without a match this weekend and travel to Stocklake the following week.
Rayners Lane Reserves lost 5 - 1 to Willesden Constantine in the Middlesex League Senior Division.
BRENTFORD NEW INN 3 PINNER ALBION 0
Pinner Albion's lean spell continued with a 3 - 0 Middlesex County League Division One defeat at Brentford on Saturday.
Albion's chances of winning the title in their first season in senior football seem to be fading as they find themselves in mid-table after being top club before Christmas.
Keith Jones, James Burke, Paul Karaiskos and Ashad Asari all had good games and Albion created plenty of chances, but once again defensive mistakes let them down.
Next week Albion travel to in-form Neasden hoping for a repeat of the corresponding game when they took full points at Headstone Manor.
In the Middlesex County League Alec Smith Cup, Harrow side Broadfields went out 3 -2 at home to Willesden Constantine.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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