Report by Jools Thomas

FC returned home from one of their traditional bogey grounds victorious and despite falling behind to a defensive error, the team hauled themselves back into the match to claim all three points. All this was played on a very heavy pitch and this didn’t quite allow FC to enjoy their natural passing game.

The first chance came after five minutes. Aston Goss crossed for Brian Haule however Melvyn Minter in the NGU goal was able to collect. Three minutes later Aston was again the provider, this time for Jeanmal Prosper whose looping header just cleared the bar. This bright start from the visitors was interrupted after just ten minutes. A mix up on the edge of the box, involving James Weatherill and Adam Logie, allowed Eugene Asante an open goal and he placed his lofted shot into an empty net for 1-0.

FC dusted themselves down in search of an equaliser and were unlucky not to regain parity on 14 minutes. First Brian Haule and then Sonny French had snapped efforts that were blocked by Minter. More pressure was exerted on the home goal as the energetic Bradley Wadkins saw his half shot sliced over the bar by centre back Gavin Austin. An equaliser did not appear too far away. Aston Goss and Connor Baker combined well on the left with Connor’s cross causing panic before being palmed away to safety.

North Greenford reminded FC that they needed to concentrate when on the half hour mark David Manu struck a powerful shot which James Weatherill managed to save at his near post. The Moles were soon on the attack however. Sonny French played in Aston Goss with Aston curling a hopeful effort over the bar. Aston Goss and Baker were causing all sorts of problems for the home full backs and again the pairing were able to get behind defenders with Connor delivering a menacing cross which the keeper did well to clear. FC finally got the equaliser their play had merited on 37 minutes. Aston Goss thrust forwards and although his goal bound shot was scuffed, Sonny French was running in and he smacked the ball home from all of a couple of yards.

The second half started with a superb chance for the home team. After confusion in the FC box, the ball fell to Jack Hutchinson and his placed shot crashed off the bar with Weatherill beaten. FC recovered and Brian Haule was the next man in grey and maroon to chance his arm with a couple of half chances before Lynton Goss also attempted to give his side the lead as he attempted an audacious back heel. Bradley Wadkins had an effort soon afterwards and his shot was hit powerfully over the bar. The North Greenford strikers were finding it difficult to get out of their own half but they did have pace in abundance. David Manu is particular was a constant threat and Jeanmal Prosper had to be at the very top of his game to prevent this dangerous attacking threat.

With 25 minutes of the game remaining, FC grabbed the winner. An almighty scramble in the box saw the home keeper clear the ball only as far as Adam Logie. Adam made up for his earlier mistake by firing the ball home much to the delight of his team mates. The merry band of FC supporters had now found their voice and buoyed by the team’s winning position were chanting their favourite songs. The backdrop to this was a period of pressure from the home team with both Gavin Suddell and Lewis Lavender unlucky with chances. Lavender tested Weatherill on 77 minutes with a stinging shot .

The final chance of the game fell to Aston Goss with a few minutes left. He beat the offside trap and the goalkeeper but with an ever narrowing angle, could not find the accuracy he desired and instead fired the ball over the bar.