Uxbridge FC 1 : 3 Cray Wanderers

Isthmian league side Uxbridge FC started the better side against their higher ranking opponents from Bromley at Honeycroft in this FA Trophy tie.

Uxbridge had overcome Hayes and Yeading United in the previous round and their early confidence was well merited. When Mahlando Martin gave the home side a 12th minute lead, it was a thoroughly deserved lead for the Middlesex Reds.

Slowly but clinically, Cray woke up and played a possession game that their hosts from a league below could never quite get to grips with.

Cry Wanderers fans were well represented among the 102 crowd
Photo: Steve Clare

When Wanderers had possession, they were able to string several passes together and keep the ball, even if it meant feeding the Phantom of the Opera Jay Leader often the furthest back defender, and starting again.

Leader was a steady presence throughout but was not alone in having a good night at the opera.

Tom Carlse at left back and Kyron Richards worked well together despite the best efforts of Martin to combine his forward duties with marking both of them.

Jay Leader was influential in the Cray defence
Photo: Hilligerpix.com

Cray eventually overcame that deficit with goals from Joe Taylor, Jason Banton and a second from Taylor that he slid coolly between the legs of an otherwise well positioned Reds keeper Tyla Tobin.

Perhaps the highlight of the night belonged to Tobin’s opposite number Lewis Carey. After Martin Onobaghbe had brought down Toby Little, referee Michael Smith awarded Uxbridge a penalty.

Little delivered a very good penalty but was thwarted by an outstanding save, beautifully captured on one groundhopper’s twitter:

Penalty Missed for @uxfc_redarmy . The @OfficialWands keeper makes a fantastic save. pic.twitter.com/l9P8k9nku9

— VINNYWHUFC (@vinnywhufc) December 8, 2020

Although the balance of possession and that all important first touch favoured Cray Wanderers, Uxbridge can lay claim to making the tie a little closer than the 3-1 score suggests, even before they consider the penalty:

3-1 to Cray Wanderers doesn’t tell the full story. Two goal line clearances, a squandered one on one, hit the post and a superb penalty save. Cray are a good side and deserved to go through. But a case of what might have been for the Reds.

— Uxbridge Football Club (@uxfc_redarmy) December 8, 2020

Wanderers move on to the next round due to be played on Tuesday 15 December. 43 new clubs enter, from the National League North and National League South. Dartford and Welling United are potential local derbies although the side might prefer a side from below them in the pyramid when the draw is made.

Cray Wanderers FC full match report

Despite the cold evening, there was a warm and friendly welcome at Honeycroft from both the turnstile operators to the ladies selling raffle tickets on entry who obligingly posed for a photo.

There was a friendly welcome at Honeycroft
Photo: Steve Clare

Full FA Trophy First Round Proper Results:

Kick Off	No.	Home		Away
19:00	4	Marske United FC	3 – 1	Warrington Town FC		+

19:30

Royston Town FC

3 – 1

Tamworth FC

19:30

Basford United FC

5 – 0

Rushall Olympic FC

19:30	23	Needham Market FC	P – P	Leiston FC		+
Postponed

19:30

Salisbury FC

0 – 1

Bracknell Town FC

19:45

Ashton United FC

2 – 1

South Shields FC

19:45	2	Runcorn Linnets FC	2 – 2	Morpeth Town FC		+
Morpeth Town FC won 3-2 on penalties

19:45	3	Witton Albion FC	P – P	Bamber Bridge FC		+
Postponed