So here we go, football should be back after a two and a half week break, no rain forecast and temperatures not plunging below freezing so fingers crossed the game is on! A 100% record in 2025 to defend.
We’re still sitting in fifth in the league, with some teams behind us with games in hand. Moneyfields seem to have made the biggest move since we last played, having scored 12 goals and claimed three wins to put them in the chasing pack. That includes a win against Uxbridge which is useful.
At the start of the season Rayners Lane coming to town looked like a visit from H&Y Old Boys, but seems less so now, Elliot Buchannan being the only ex-player I recognise in their lineup. He’s knocking the goals in though. An impressive goalscoring career at or above this level from EB.
Hinds and Hippolyte are no longer on our books, so it will be interesting to see if there are any late attacking additions before kick-off or, if not, if others make up for the attacking threat those two gave the team.
Elsewhere, there’s a clash of teams just above and below us, Uxbridge v Raynes Park Vale and it would be useful if Harrow could regain some form and get something from their visit to Hartley Wintney.
COYH&YU!
Rayners Lane (H) - 18 Jan 2025
Re: Rayners Lane (H) - 18 Jan 2025
I see Uxbridge were 'without top scorer George Moore', and they did just co-incidentally take a striker from us.
Looking at his goalscoring record, if that loss is more permanent that's a massive blow.
According to Footballwebpages, he's scored 16 in his last 13 appearances for them, which coincides with their surge in form.
Looking at his goalscoring record, if that loss is more permanent that's a massive blow.
According to Footballwebpages, he's scored 16 in his last 13 appearances for them, which coincides with their surge in form.
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Mr Heinstein
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2023 4:43 pm
Re: Rayners Lane (H) - 18 Jan 2025
An entertaining match and probably a fair result. However, two points dropped if we have pretensions of returning to step 3 at the first attempt.
Both sides had their chances in the first half and Bangura, who had a great attacking first half down the left gave us the lead. Then the second half, night and day.
Rayners Lane seemed to have us under the cosh for 15 or 20 minutes. Some great organised defending from H&Y and if it was a defensive training session all well and good, but we just couldn't seem to transition into an attacking force. The ball went straight back to Rayners Lane and there we were working hard to keep them at bay. It looked unlikely we could play out the whole match without conceding and it was a mistake which led to the almost inevitable. Flick the switch again.
We're an attacking force again for the end of the half, now stronger and more threatening than RL. Fresh legs from Hercules. Sani showing enough good close touches in the box to make me want to see more of what he has to offer. No repeat of the Southall smash and grab though.
Is it psychological? I just left wondering why we were so overrun when 1-0 up but were able to turn the tables once we'd conceded.
Both sides had their chances in the first half and Bangura, who had a great attacking first half down the left gave us the lead. Then the second half, night and day.
Rayners Lane seemed to have us under the cosh for 15 or 20 minutes. Some great organised defending from H&Y and if it was a defensive training session all well and good, but we just couldn't seem to transition into an attacking force. The ball went straight back to Rayners Lane and there we were working hard to keep them at bay. It looked unlikely we could play out the whole match without conceding and it was a mistake which led to the almost inevitable. Flick the switch again.
We're an attacking force again for the end of the half, now stronger and more threatening than RL. Fresh legs from Hercules. Sani showing enough good close touches in the box to make me want to see more of what he has to offer. No repeat of the Southall smash and grab though.
Is it psychological? I just left wondering why we were so overrun when 1-0 up but were able to turn the tables once we'd conceded.