In a thrilling cup encounter at Staines Lammas First on 16 October 2024, Staines & Lammas (Middx) FC edged past Harrow Borough FC Under 23 with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match, which kicked off at 7:45 pm, saw the home side secure their place in the next round with a determined performance, highlighted by Joe Cooper's decisive goal.
Staines & Lammas lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with Oliver James Mayer in goal. The back four consisted of Luke Rippon and Max Benincasa as the right and left defenders respectively, while Josh Stewart and Jake Swain occupied the central defensive roles. In midfield, Telmo Lima and Daniel Callan operated on the right and left flanks, with Bobby Cooper and Joe Cooper anchoring the centre. Up front, Fuad Banire and Rashane Wilson were tasked with leading the attack. The substitutes for the match included Daniel Bamba, Samuel Coles, Joshua Hooks, Joshua Hieke, and Daniel Boyden.
The match began with Staines & Lammas immediately looking to assert their dominance. Max Benincasa had an early attempt in the third minute, but his effort went wide of the target. Fuad Banire followed suit in the 11th minute, forcing a save from the Harrow goalkeeper with a well-placed shot. Joe Cooper then tested the opposition again in the 20th minute, but his effort was also saved, as the home side continued to press for an opening goal.
The breakthrough finally came in the 24th minute when Joe Cooper found the net, scoring from outside the box with a precise right-footed shot, assisted by Telmo Lima's short pass. This goal ignited the home crowd, who were eager to see their team build on this lead. Fuad Banire remained a constant threat, but his attempts in the 30th and 32nd minutes were either high or saved, as Staines & Lammas maintained their momentum.
As the first half drew to a close, the score remained 1-0, and the home side went into the break with a slender advantage. The second half saw a more physical contest, with Telmo Lima receiving a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 56th minute. Fuad Banire continued to be active in the attacking third, but his efforts in the 59th minute were again saved by the Harrow keeper.
In the 60th minute, Staines & Lammas made their first substitutions, bringing on Daniel Bamba for Max Benincasa and Samuel Coles for Telmo Lima in a tactical switch. The fresh legs seemed to invigorate the team, with Daniel Bamba making an immediate impact, although his shot in the 66th minute was saved.
As the match progressed, Fuad Banire had another opportunity in the 67th minute, but his shot went wide. The home side made further changes in the 72nd minute, with Joshua Hooks replacing the injured Daniel Bamba. Joshua Hieke then came on for Fuad Banire in the 75th minute, as Staines & Lammas looked to maintain their lead.
In the 76th minute, Daniel Boyden entered the fray, taking Bobby Cooper's place. Boyden quickly made his presence felt with a shot that was saved just moments after his introduction. Joshua Hooks nearly doubled the lead in the 78th minute, striking the post with a powerful effort that left the crowd gasping.
As the match neared its conclusion, Rashane Wilson and Daniel Boyden both had attempts that went high, while Joe Cooper's effort in the 89th minute was saved, ensuring the score remained 1-0. In the dying moments of the match, Samuel Coles received a yellow card for an unspecified reason, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the home side.
Ultimately, Staines & Lammas held on for a hard-fought victory, with Luke Rippon earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his solid defensive display. The win propels Staines & Lammas into the next round of the cup, leaving Harrow Borough to reflect on a valiant effort that fell just short.
