Report by Jools Thomas

the conversation was not whether FC would win but indeed by how many. At full time whilst the home side had secured all three points, it had not been by the predicted avalanche and although there were plenty of chances for the home team, only a further goal deep into injury time had made the points truly secure.

The opening few minutes saw the teams sparring and it wasn’t until the 9th minute that the first clear cut emerged as Ben Stevens thudded a header against the post from a Ryan O’Toole cross. O’Toole then had a chance of his own from a Dave Deeney free kick however the striker hit the shot over the bar.

Ryan O’Toole was full of running all afternoon and he carved out a further opportunity for himself on the quarter of an hour mark, seeing his curling shot deflected behind. Shortly afterwards Jeanmal Prosper fed in Bradley Wadkins whose powerful shot was turned away by Tangara in the NGU goal. It was constant pressure on the away goal and this forced an away defender into a handball in the box on 20 minutes. O’Toole confidently converted the spot kick to give his side the lead.

O’Toole was once more in the thick of the action six minutes later. His darting run saw him round Tangara with the keeper trippingthe FC striker. The referee saw the offence as a preventing a direct scoring opportunity and there was little hesitation as she gave the keeper a straight red. O’Toole repeated his feat of just a few minutes earlier and stroked the ball home past reserve keeper Yvan Imbert.

It wasn’t until 36 minutes that North Greenford had a foray into the FC box. Anton Robinson crossed over, allowing Orlando Rodrigues to head an effort which James Weatherill did well to gather. An O’Toole half volley might have brought more luck on another day as might his dinked effort on 43 minutes. Bradley Wadkins powerful rifle towards the end of the half could also have extended FC’s lead but as it was a terrific goal by the away side halved the deficit. George Moore found space on the edge of the area and his daisy cutter whistled past a sprawling Weatherill and into the bottom corner.

Aston Goss had a fair chance early in the 2nd half before Rodrigues attempted to chip Weatherill. Gareth Price had an impressive afternoon on the right and his wing work on 48 minutes created the space which neither Aston Goss or Deeney could profit from.
Davis Haule, on for the injured Kyle Anthony, produced almost a carbon copy of Moore’s earlier shot but this time Imbert produced a save of high quality. Another moment of class occurred on 53 minutes when Deeney lofted a pass and Adam Logie hit a sweet volley which just cleared the bar. A few moments later FC were awarded their third penalty of the afternoon. Away captain Yannis Ambrosine and Imbert combined to bring down Ryan O’Toole. O’Toole dusted himself down to take the penalty but on this occasion the FC man blasted the ball over the bar.

On 69 minutes, good interplay between Price and Aston Goss saw Goss hit the side netting and a few minutes later Lynton Goss played in the industrious Ryan O’Toole but O’Toole dallied allowing home defenders to block the effort.

Ryan O’Toole capped a majestic performance as he provided the assist for FC’s 3rd goal deep in injury time. A determined run on the right wing allowed him to place the ball into Adam Logie’s path and Adam was not about to waste a golden opportunity as he crashed the ball past Imbert to make the points safe.