Embarking on their second North London trip in two weeks, the Two’s were looking for a more satisfactory end result than the preceding weeks trip to EBOG. Having made to the trip to Hill with a depleted squad last season and coming away with a 5-0 victory, confidence was up that Cars could pick up their first league win of the season. However, an organised looking Winchmore Hill team did not look in the mood for surrendering as meekly as they had towards the end of last season.

Winchmore Hill got off to the more lively start, passing the ball around nicely and finding space a little too easily in the middle of the park. When Cars did manage to get the ball, they were giving it away far too easily and it was back to another game of chasing the ball. Despite having the majority of the possession, Hill didn’t really create any chances, and despite a couple of dangerous looking crosses, Cars back line was looking comfortable. Any time Hill did get in behind things were swept up well by Tom Lawler and Chris Tilley. Towards the end of the first half, however, the hill centre forward did manage to break into the box, and despite a rather theatrical fall, there was no disputing that Andreas Carey- Bailey had brought the player down, and the referee had no option but to give the penalty. What was disappointing was the Hill player who then proceeded to request the goalkeeper should also be sent off. Essentially we are all here to enjoy ourselves and I am pretty sure no-one at our club would want to see a member of the opposition sent off unless they fully deserved it. Despite going the right way, Carey-Bailey was beat and Hill took the lead. They also came close with a free kick just before the half time whistle was blown.

With Hill out warming up before the majority of Cars team had arrived at the ground, it was maybe no surprise that they got out of the blocks quicker than the visitors. However, Cars also had a good warm up and the first half performance was so poor that they were lucky they were only trailing by the single goal at half time.

After a somewhat strong talking to from Charlie Sinclair at half time, Cars came out with a lot more purpose in the second half. The pace of Shane Bowes down the left started to get used a lot more frequently and the midfield were getting around Ryan Polley more often to win knock downs. After a period of sustained pressure, Cars finally got their equaliser when a long throw was challenged by Polley, and after a scramble Graham Lynch managed to squeeze the ball home. Shortly after, Lynch made way for the return of Frazer Addo. It wasn’t long before Addo was involved and his first involvement was to provide a pin-point cross for Bowes to head home and make it 2-1 Cars. Despite Carshalton having a number of other chances, most notably David Booth hitting the post after some great work by Polley down the left, they failed to add to the score line and there was still time for Carey-Bailey to have to pull out a fantastic full stretch save as Hill looked to score an equaliser.

All in all, a good result. However the Two’s will need to start playing for the full 90 minutes rather than relying on a decent second half to get them out of trouble. Some teams will have the game out of reach by half time if we continue to put in first half performances like this.

 Team: A Carey-Bailey, M Boyman, C Tilley, T Lawler, D Fenton, G Lynch, Badgie, D Lawler, D Booth, S Bowes, R Polley, F Addo

Boothy