Reds Play Off Bound

There have been a few stumbles recently, but The Reds finally confirmed their place in the Isthmian League South Central play-offs with a hard fought victory over a solid and committed Southall side. And barring a large goal swing with 3rd place Ascot - The Reds have secured 2nd place advantage, meaning they will enjoy a home match in the semi final.

Uxbridge lined up against Southall with a couple of enforced changes. George Legg, who thankfully had not suffered as bad an injury as first thought on Saturday, replaced by Gary Ross, who had made a couple of appearances earlier in the season for us. George Moore also sat this one out as Fabio Sole came into the starting eleven.

The Reds started the match on the front foot, and saw a great chance go begging early on when on 8 minutes Casey Bocarro whipped in a free kick from the right hand side, but Dernell Wynter could only steer his header over the bar. Wynter in fact was proving to be a real thorn in Southall's side putting the defence under pressure at every opportunity, he went close again on 10 minutes, this tie though his header from just inside the box went narrowly wide. On 16 minutes there should have been an opening goal for the home side though, when a corner was not dealt with by the Southall defence and the ball found its way back access goal to Wynter, with the target at his mercy he could only screw the ball wide as he took the shot first time. Still, chances being created in a match Uxbridge had to win was a welcome place to be. Chances still came as The Reds controlled the play, Fabio Sole going close on 23 minutes when well placed. Two minutes later, most Uxbridge players and fans thought they had earnt a penalty as a ball over the top to Wynter was expertly controlled by the hand of the Southall defender under pressure in the box, however the referee disagreed and no penalty was awarded. It wasn’t until 38 minutes that the visitors truly threatened Ross in the Uxbridge goal, when a loose pass in midfield gave Lasney Traore the chance to run on goal, but he shot wide with Ross untroubled. There was time before the break for Andrio Brandao to fashion a header on target from a free kick, but it was comfortably dealt with by Max Foulkes in the visitors goal, to leave things even at the break.

HT 0-0

The second half saw Southall happy to absorb any pressure and try and Uxbridge on the break, and on a number of occasions early on Southall’s No 11 Bright Siaw would give the Uxbridge defence plenty to think about, as he broke at pace taking on the Reds defence with his weaving runs. The defence though held firm with Kai Hobbs, James Taylor and Captain CJ Fearn keeping the attacks at bay. It was at the other end of the pitch though that Taylor & Fearn would combine to get Uxbridge’s noses in front on 52 minutes. Casey Bocarro put over a fine corner, which Taylor met with his head, only to see the ball cannon back off the far post, luckily though Fearn was on hand to smash the loose ball home, as he lost his balance. Less than 2 minutes later Taylor was again getting his head to a corner, but this time could only glance the ball past the far post. It was becoming quite a tense half, with Uxbridge keen not to lose their advantage, and Southall always looking to break away when they got the ball. The referee was certainly not helping the game to flow, with a number of inconsistent decisions proving very frustrating. On 63 minutes Southall had their best chance of the half when Siaw again did well to beat the Reds defence, but he could only shoot over the bar. The game began to drift, with neither side willing to over commit - but there was time for one last chance as substitute Morrison Hasshii did superbly to hold off his defender, and get his shot away - the ball seemingly coming off the defenders hand - but again nothing was given - and soon after the final whistle bought a sigh of relief around the ground.

Uxbridge have one final league game away to Westfield on Saturday, before the playoff semi final on Wednesday 30 April. Any support you can give the boys over the next couple of games would be greatly appreciated.

FT 1-0

Att 240

The “E” in E&A Designs presented captain CJ Fearn with his man of the match prize today