Match Report: Greenford Can't bridge the Gap

Uxbridge 5-0 North Greenford Utd

North Greenford’s second visit to Honeycroft this season, was no more successful than the first in November, as Uxbridge put their lower league opponents to the sword in the second half, thanks mainly to a fine hat trick from debutant Josh Adepoju, who had joined on a dual registration from Slough, and along with Bill Montague who has joined us from Chertsey, and keeper Marco Underwood was one of three new faces in the starting eleven, there was also a place for youth team player Ricco Bullard-Jeffrey on the bench

The game started with high intensity as North Greenford looked to unsettle the hosts early, no doubt with thoughts of the earlier 6-1 defeat in their minds. In the 2nd minute, a North Greenford effort whistled just past the post, followed shortly by a deflected shot that forced Underwood into a sharp low save. Uxbridge though began to find their rhythm around the 13th minute when a Harry Rush free-kick found Nams Nwachuku, though his header went straight to the keeper. Momentum shifted further in favour of the home side further as Montague had a shot cleared off the line following great interplay with Nwachuku. The breakthrough for the Reds finally came in the 23rd minute, as the always dangerous Nwachuku again showcased his strength, breaking into the box before being clipped by the defender leading to a penalty. He stepped up himself, firing the ball down the centre to make it 1-0. North Greenford nearly responded in the 30th minute with a rasping shot from Rahim Jude-Boyd after a good flowing break, but Underwood was equal to it, tipping the ball over the bar to preserve the lead. Shortley after a good Rush through ball looked to have released Adepoju, but Lehane in the North Greenford goal rushed out of his box, seemingly blocking the shot with his hands, despite an initial raising of the flag by the linesman, the referee waved the protests away - leaving the score and number of players on each side intact at the break.

HT 1-0

As in their previous meeting the second half proved to be a different kettle of fish, as Uxbridge came out determined to put the game to bed. After a series of corners and a shot from Adepoju that rattled the post, the floodgates finally opened in the 67th minute. Following a brief injury timeout for Nwachuku, Adepoju combined brilliantly with Okorogheye to skip past the visitors defence and coolly chip the onrushing keeper for 2-0. Before North Greenford could catch their breath, The Reds struck again, as just sixty seconds later, Kai Hobbs broke down the right and delivered a superb low cross, which was perfectly weighted for Adepoju to tuck home with ease to make it 3-0. The dream ten-minute spell for Adepoju was completed in the 73rd minute. After some great work by Kyle Bailey weaving his way through the defence to set up Bernie Tanner, his shot was blocked by a hand in the area and Adepoju stepped up to the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way to claim his hat-trick and a 4-0 lead. With the North Greenford defence tiring, Bullard-Jeffrey did well to release Dan Hector, who broke away in the 88th minute to provide a low cross for substitute Frank Keita, who finished clinically to make it 5-0. There was time for a late free-kick save from Underwood ensuring a well-deserved clean sheet. The only blot on the landscape was a very late injury to Kai Hobbs, who hobbled off with a knee injury late on - here’s hoping its not too serious.

Uxbridge now move onto the semi finals of the Middlesex Charity Cup, with one of Hanwell, Northwood or Broadfields Utd awaiting them.

FT 5-0

Att: 141

Uxbridge: Underwood, Hobbs, Giamattei (Bocarro), Bailey, Tanner, Boorn, Hector, Rush (Keita), Nwachuku (Okorogheye), Montague, Adepoju (Bullard Jeffrey)

MoM: Josh Adepoju