8 February 2022

London Senior Cup quarter-final

 

Erith and Belvedere          0

Haringey Borough             3          Bawling 20, Olufemi 47, Sambu 53

 

DERES OUT HOLDING HEADS HIGH

 

Written by Mark Doig
 

Dreams of London Senior Cup glory were ended for Erith and Belvedere when beaten at home by Haringey Borough.

 

Two goals early in the second half, to add to their first half strike, meant that the Borough had a fairly comfortable last half hour to ease their way into the semi-final. The Deres were missing a number of first team players and they put in a spirited performance however, the two league difference showed as the visitors had the extra quality. 

Mekhi Leacock-McLeod had a fierce shot blocked bravely by Rob Curtis. The former Welling United and VCD Athletic wide man again had a chance but could not get enough on his lob to beat Rilwan Anibaba, in the Erith goal.

Stefan Cox had the first chance for the hosts which required a full length low diving save by Alexander Zamani, at the cost of a corner. Nathan Palmer then hit a first time shot wide but it was the Borough who went ahead in the twentieth minute.

Sloppy passing out from the back gifted a chance to Alf Bawling, and his first touch gave him time and space to thrash his shot into the net.

Andronicos Georgiou seemed sure to add a second but Bawling could not get out of the firing line, and could only deflect it wide. Zamani claimed a long shot from the Deres Greg Benbow at the second attempt before Bawling had another effort when cutting in and shooting, but Anibaba got down well to save.

Stefan Cox found Neil Spencer but his first time shot flew over as Erith searched for a leveller. However it was Haringey who had the last chance of the half when Georgiou nicked it away from Kazeem Richards and his audacious effort from forty-five yards flew just over with Anibaba struggling to get back

Two minutes after the break, Haringey doubled their lead. Bawling sent David Olufemi clear down the right hand side of the penalty area and he eased in to slot it beyond Anibaba.

 

After a further five minutes they added a third. Although the free kick that was given against the Deres seemed harsh, Haringey made the most of the opportunity and it fell to Jorge Djassi-Sambu who made no mistake with a crisp finish.

Sami Bessadi might have got himself on the score-sheet when Olufemi and Bawling combined to set him up but he shot just wide from the edge of the area. 

At the other end Danny Lear pressurised Zamani into a hurried clearance that hit the Deres forward but flew wide then Rob Curtis came close with a point blank range header from a corner that Zamani did well to keep out.

Leacock-McLeod had another opportunity for the Borough but Benbow did well to block his shot into the side netting before they should have added a fourth. Georgios Aresti squared it but Olufemi somehow managed to blast it over from three yards out. 

Bawling also shot over before the Deres brought on sixteen year old Jake Harris for his debut and he attempted to mark the occasion with a goal but his effort from distance flew well wide.

Callum Ismail might have made it four in injury time but Richards threw himself into the line of his shot to deflect it over.

Although they will be disappointed that their cup campaigns have ended, the Deres can look back at the scalps that they have taken from higher leagues this season.

 

Erith and Belvedere: Anibaba, Lewis (Harris 81), Benbow, Richards, Curtis (Rooney 73), McGeehan, Spencer, D. Allassani, Lear, Palmer, Cox (Pepple 66). Unused subs: Springett, Jimoh.

 

Haringey Borough: Zamani, Olufemi, Ismail, Cook (O’Donoghue 46), Mitchell, Owen, Djassi-Sambu, Bessadi, Bawling (Melanarkitis 79), Georgiou (Aresti 56), Leacock-McLeod. Subs not used: Marigliani. 

Goalscorers:  Bawling (20), Olufemi (47), Djassi-Sambu (52)

 

Referee: Morgan Conn

Assistants: Bogdan Khimych and Alan Steward

Attendance: 107