Combined Counties League Premier Division North
Silver Jubilee Park, Kingsbury
Admission: £7.00
Programme: Online only
Attendance: 80 (rough head count)
For the second time in a month, I decided to take the opportunity to double up with an evening game following my afternoon's "entertainment" at The Valley, to revisit a ground that has been considerably enhanced since my last visit back in 2015. A 7pm kick-off was required for this game, as fellow ground users Hendon's Southern League Premier Division clash with Tiverton took priority for the 3pm slot. No complaints from me there!
At the conclusion of the drab 1-1 draw between Charlton and Accrington Stanley, I then made my way by train to London Bridge, then the tube up to Wembley Central, and finally a 10 minute bus journey to within a ten minute walk of the ground. After entering through a modern metallic turnstile block, there are a couple of wooden pitched roof huts, which were closed this evening, and then, beyond a toilet block, whose exterior wall is decorated with club crests of both Edgware & Kingsbury and Hendon, is a long building hosting the clubhouse, hospitality area and changing rooms. This has been completely redecorated inside since my last visit, and is now very bright and modern inside, including a bar area with plenty of seating and some big screens. The covered seating to the front remains, although it has been brightened up with new seating. Behind the end closest to the entrance, there used to be a stand covering a standing area, but that has since been replaced by a modern metallic all-seater stand in the same place, behind the goal. Above the corner flag adjacent to the entrance, there is now a small covered area for wheelchair bound supporters, with an elevated view point for them. On my previous visit, the remaining length and end just had hard standing, but now there is now a modern metallic stand positioned either side of the dugouts, with a similar structure behind the other goal.
Edgware & Kingsbury changed their name from Edgware Town last summer, and it looks like they are heading for a comfortable mid-table finish this season, coming into this game in eighth place, following twelve wins and two draws from 26 league games. On paper, this game looked a tough assignment for them though, with visitors Egham Town up in third place, following 18 wins and six draws from 27 league games, just a point off second place and a promotion play-off spot, but have played two games more. And they were in terrific form too, winning their last six league games, seven including a cup game, and despatched mid table London Lions 6-1 last Saturday. In the reverse fixture played in early January, Egham won 4-0.
On a cold and wet evening, and with a few hoppers in attendance, attracted by the evening kick-off, the game started off in a lively and energetic fashion, but with few real chances being created, until the home side took the lead on 29 minutes, when an inswinging cross from the left wing was met first time by Dan Taylor at the edge of the six yards box to tap the ball home. Egham had a great chance to equalise on 39 minutes when, following a corner, the loose ball was struck powerfully goalwards, forcing an excellent block by the Edgware keeper. And perhaps surprisingly, Edgware doubled their lead on 43 minutes, again the ball was crossed from the left but this time a flatter cross which just evaded a defender, and ended at the feet of Emerson Du at the edge of the area, and he took a touch with his left foot to put the ball on his right foot to strike low into the right side of the goal with a cool finish.
And so Edgware had a surprisingly fairly comfortable lead at the break, but Egham had shown enough to suggest that the far from sealed at half time. But after the game restarted in a similarly competitive vein to the first half, Edgware really did seem to seal the three points on 68 minutes, when a good drive to the byline ended in the ball being crossed low to the feet of Wilberforce Ocron just outside the six year box, and he clipped the ball home. Egham did keep plugging away, but it just didn't seem to be their night, and that was summed up perfectly in the eighth minute of added on time, when they were awarded a penalty for a trip, but Lonit Talla struck the ball powerfully over the bar, with the referee immediately blowing the final whistle. The result kept Edware in eighth place, but sent Egham down a couple of places to fourth, and are now four points adrift of second place, still having played two games more.
Some good video footage was uploaded by Twitter account @woodhouse50 , links below :-
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