Match Preview: Rayners Lane (h)

Uxbridge v Rayners Lane 3rd v 13th

Saturday 22nd March 2025 – Kick-off 3:00pm

Venue: Honeycroft, Horton Road, Yiewsley, Middlesex UB7 8HX

Capacity: 3770 - Seats: 353

Admission: Adults £5 – Concessions £1 – Under 16’s Free

At the start of the season, the perception was that Rayners Lane would be challenging for

one of the top five positions in the league. However, they have spent most of the season in the bottom half of the table and will travel the short distance to Honeycroft occupying 13th place in the table. They gained promotion last season from the Combined Counties League Premier Division North. After finishing runners-up to Flackwell Heath they entered the playoffs, and defeated Bedfont Sports 3-0 on penalties in the final, to take they place at Step Four for the first time in their history. They are Managed by joint Managers Josh Bostock and Mark Dacey and in recent months their form has improved to the extent that they will arrive at Honeycroft having won four of their last five league games. This sees them lying 5th in the current form table, three places and one point behind The Reds.

Last time out

What was looking like a straightforward afternoon in Horndean for The Reds last Saturday, turned into a nervous, nail biting last five minutes. Leading 3-0 through goals from CJ Fearn, Dernell Wynter and Andrio Brandao and with the clock ticking towards the ninety-minute mark, the Uxbridge faithful were enjoying a boozy afternoon in the late winter sunshine. Two goals in the dying moments however, caused many a heart to flutter before the sound of the final whistle brought the three points back to Middlesex. Rayners Lane were in impressive form on Wednesday evening, retaining the Middlesex Senior Cup against Hanwell Town at Honeycroft. They dominated the first half and deservedly took a 2-0 halftime lead. The

Geordies came more into the game in the second period but were unable to break down a resolute Lane defence. Elliott Buchanan and Marvin Sordell with The Lane’s goals in the 2-0 victory.

Previously

Our first meeting against The Lane came in September 1969 in the Preliminary Round of the FA Amateur Cup. This match ended all square at three goals apiece before we progressed into the next round of the competition winning the replay 2-1 at Cleveland Road. Mo Boreham and Terry Nice with The Reds goals. We have met another eight times since those two matches, the last of which was back in December when we returned from Tithe Farm with all three points in our first ever league meeting. Josh Addae (penalty) and George Moore on the scoresheet in a 2-1 victory. The Lane goal was scored by a certain Dernell Wynter.

The ones to watch

One name jumps out from the current Rayners Lane squad. Marvin Sordell, a recent signing from Kettering Town. Sordell can name Watford, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley as some of the clubs he played for professionally before retiring from the pro-game at the age of 28. He was also part of the GB squad at the 2012 Olympics and made three appearances for Stuart Pearce’s side. Captain, Frank Keita was named Player of the Season in 2023/24 and has continued to impress this season. His twenty-three league goals in thirty-three appearances from midfield certainly make him “one to watch”.