HSFC 1st XI v. Campion Havering left Fairlop’s icy weather with four points as they battled against Campion in an enticing double header. The six points on offer for the first team was enough to put them level on points with the league’s leaders, and level on games. However, despite strong displays from Jason Mbelek and his attacking support, a precarious penalty decision and a wonder strike in the second half denied HSFC all six points. The double header rules, set up before the game between the two coaches and referee, stated that each half of the game would represent a match, making each half worth three points. After some confusion about which of Fairlop’s pitches would host the game, the game began in a late kick off with the winter cold settling around those on the sidelines. Havering’s striker Jason Mbelek however remained unaffected by the chilling conditions and quickly confirmed the quality Havering have in the side, and why they should be battling for the title, with a composed finish in the opening minutes into the bottom corner. Havering’s class continued to keep the gap between the two teams, and they were away again as Oliseh Okuguni broke away on the counter, and only a good tackle from the Campion defender could keep Havering’s number 14 from scoring. Havering’s dominance was eventually given credit as some great footwork from Ruben Duarte on the edge of the box drew his marker into a mistake and brought him down inside the box, leaving the penalty to be put away calmly by Rigers Kabashi, sending the keeper the wrong way. Despite a tight goalmouth scramble, which was easily swept up by Anthony Madden wearing Havering’s number 1 jersey, Havering suffered no real problems during the opening half hour. The strength of the back four had been apparent, and a lack of a striker to act as a pivot for Campion only helped the back four to pick off any ball being played from deep by Campion’s number 6. Jake Hendy, playing out at right back, occasionally struggled as he found himself out of position a couple of times and as a result, was relying on his pace to reposition himself goal-side of the winger. However, he gave away a couple of freekicks over on theright side of Havering’s defence, but both deliveries were poor. The rest of the first half an hour was filled with top-quality HSFC play. Some great composure and skill from Charlie Spalding and some showmanship in dangerous areas from Christian Odulami was proving too quick for the Campion back-four. Chris’ skill didn’t go unnoticed, as he found space on the edge of the box and set up Oliseh to whip in a cross, with Ruben arriving unmarked at the back post. The cross was inch perfect, but Ruben was unable to get over the ball enough and clattered the bar with his attempt. Despite the dominance across the park, Havering were hit with a setback as Rigers was hit hard in a challenge from a Campion defender. The midfielder required a couple of minutes of treatment and
was soon substituted for Dee Grant, which reorganised the shape of the team, pushing Chris wide and Dee would partner Jason up top. After some small openings for Havering, where Oliseh had a freekick cleared and Ruben struggled for space after some great work in the middle, a third goal was granted as Jason dispatched another cool finish under the keeper, after a defence-splitting pass from Ruben from the left side of midfield. Havering’s last big chance of the half, despite all-but sealing at 3-0, was a combination of some slick midfield passing and some poor positional awareness from the Campion centre-back. As Charlie found space out wide to fizz in a cross, the Campion defender nodded it against his own crossbar and then against the line, causing some big calls from the players that it went over the line. The last knockings of the half saw two Campion chances, as the first came from a poor touch at the back from Will Tracey, who gave the Campion forward a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit. However, the striker’s long touch allowed Jake to use his pace and cover get alongside, and then going to ground to good effect with a great tackle. Anthony Madden was to be sure he kept his clean sheet at for the first half as he was drawn into a smart save low down at his near post after a corner was cleared. As the ref blew the whistle, Havering could relax knowing they had both three points on the board and looks stronger all over the pitch throughout the first period. After a short interval, the whistle blew again for the second half/game and it was Campion who were to have the first of the chances. After a sceptical back pass was picked up by the Campion striker who hit his shot quickly, forcing Anthony to stretch to tip it wide. Havering quickly found some rhythm after this defensive blip and made it 1-0, through Jason Mbelek once again. Despite his calm finish into the top right, it was Oliseh who must be given the credit after a driving run across the box was completed with a shot that was palmed by the keeper straight into the path of Jason, who could score his third of the afternoon. After a pot shot from a Campion midfielder, it was Havering who stretched their lead just a few minutes later as Christian used his quick feet and strength to both out-muscle and out-manoeuvre three Campion players on the edge of the box, before slotting the ball into the far corner with his left foot. Chris’ skill was the followed up by some equally extravagant celebrating as he somersaulted his way back into position for the kick off. However, Campion’s hard work and tenacity was rewarded after a Campion striker was brought down on the line of the box, and was given as a penalty by the referee, which was met with a stern reaction from the man who had given the penalty away, Jake Hendy. The penalty was dispatched perfectly into the left hand side, with Anthony agonisingly close to making a terrific save. Campion, whose tails went up after reducing the deficit, capitalised on Havering’s heads dropping and scored again, this time with an exquisite finish in off the post from quite a distance. Havering quickly regained some confidence however and penned Campion in for most of the half, as HSFC continued to ask questions of the Campion defence. Jason had two attempts cleared off of the
line, one after cutting in from the left had side and slotting the ball underneath the keeper and another from a rebound after a great run from Ruben. A barrage of Havering corners followed and despite Dee towering over the rest of the defence, could not find the space to attack the ball as it swung in. The final chance of the game fell to Campion, as Merveil Kasanganay at left back made a host of errors to gift Campion a chance to steal three points, but as the volley was struck after it sat up kindly, a sharp reflex save from Anthony to his right tipped the ball away for a harmless corner. As the final whistle blew, Havering’s players will surely be frustrated with not being able to completely close the gap to the leaders, but with five games to go and just two points in it, the pressure is on at the end of the season.
Squad: 1: Anthony Madden (GK) 5: Ben Woolven 6: Charlie Spalding 7: Jake Hendy (C) 8: Merveil Kasanganay 9: Jason Mbelek 10: Rigers Kabashi 11: Ruben Duarte 12: Will Tracey 13: Christian Odulami 14: Oliseh Okuguni 16: Dee Grant