Windsor & Eton vs British Airways

Match Report

A Nick Thumwood brace seals all three points as our promotion push continues with a 2-1 home win on Saturday.

After going 1-0 down from a mistake at the back, the home side bounced back quickly with Thumwood scoring from the spot just minutes later.

This win continues a run of eight home wins on the bounce, showing how important Stag Meadow has become for the side.

After losing on penalties to Fisher in the cup a week earlier, this was the perfect way to bounce back.

Rob Webb’s side faced a struggling British Airways team who sat 16^th in the table with us looking to keep the pressure on the teams ahead with promotion places up for grabs and potentially the title.

We dominated the ball in the opening minutes of the game, attempting to play out from the back and carve open the British Airways team.

The first shot of the game came from the away side as midfielder

Sean Alexander fired up and over from the left corner of the box, an ambitious attempt in the ninth minute.

Just moments later, Alexander laid the ball off to Alfie Essex who drilled a low shot which smashed against the post

We found themselves pilling on the pressure with set pieces in the opening fifteen minutes as on this occasion, a Kieran Jordan corner caused problems for the British Airways defence, forcing the fourth corner of the game.

Nothing comes from the next corner as the ball finds itself back at the feet of goalkeeper Finley Purcell, he launches it up field and is flicked on well by Ben Catt towards Thumwood. He chests takes it down well before finding half a yard of space to shift it onto his right boot before smashing a low shot that looked to be destined for the bottom left corner but somehow rolled wide.

Left back Luke Phillips lined up a free kick 20 yards from goal after being fouled. His left-footed effort had to be dealt with by Eric Negraru with his first save of the match.

Purcell had to be alert to save Joe Barnieh’s shot after the ball was cleverly flicked into his path on the right-hand side of the box and unleashed his effort which Purcell had to get down well to his left  to stop.

The away side take a short corner which finds Tristan Goodridge on the edge of the box whose tame side footed effort goes through a crowd of players before being collected into the gloves of Purcell.

On the 31^st minute the visitors struck first, after a defensive mistake at the back, the ball was collected on the edge of the box by British Airways before lobbed into the path if Alexander who finished past Purcell.

It wasn’t too long until the scores were level again thanks to a Thumwood penalty. Phillips’ left-footed effort struck the most obvious outstretched arm of the defender, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Our Number 9 calmly stepped up before tucking away his spot kick into the bottom right corner. 1-1.

After absorbing some pressure from British Airways’ set pieces, we countered, through Isiah Chase-Kelly who received the ball inside his own half before carrying the ball about 60 yards, skipping past challenges, only to see his effort saved by Negraru.

The visitors started the second half by rattling the crossbar as Purcell was called into action by tipping the shot onto the woodwork after midfielder Joe Barnieh unleashed his effort from 25 yards.

On the 53^rd minute, Tahir Carmichael’s first-time ball over the British Airwway’s backline perfectly picked out Chase who was through on goal. He squares it to Thumwood whose effort hits the post before bouncing back into the path of Chase who sets up Thumwood to finish well for his second of the match.

Ross McKernan fired over after Chase beat the defender to the ball in the corner of the pitch and plays a clever ball into feet, McKernan shoots from a tight angle but unfortunately sees his effort fly over the bar.

Chase was through on goal again, after being played through this time by Number 10, Catt. He takes a touch to set himself before firing his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

British Airways have some half chances later in the half from throw ins but Webby’s side deal with the danger and continue to be solid at the back.

The final whistle blows, and another three points gained which puts us in great stead for promotion as we currently occupy fifth spot in the table but have eight games in hand of first place Burnham and 15 points off.

Thumwood received a much-deserved Man of the Match, with his goals being the difference.

We travel to Ardley on Saturday the 7^th February, the reverse fixture saw a 1-0 win for Webby’s men and they will look for another win to continue their impressive campaign.

– Samuel Scrace