Hanwell Town 2 Enfield Town 4
Report by Paul Manel
Photo: Michael Michalia
His loan signing from Leyton Orient was only confirmed on Friday evening, but Tariq Al-Sadi wasted little time in introducing himself to Towners fans. The speedy winger came off the bench to score two late second half goals to settle this rumbustious FA Trophy 3rd qualifying tie against fellow step 3 side Hanwell Town.
Towners came into this match full of confidence following last week’s amazing FA cup victory by a much-depleted side at step 2 Billericay Town.
Hanwell were also buoyed by FA cup success, putting aside their league woes (20th Southern League Premier South) by defeating Burgess Hill.
Towners made three changes from the side that produced that wonderful win in Essex last week. Franklin Domi came in for the unavailable Mickey Parcell, EJ Mensah replaced the injured Junior Valasquez and Nana Kyei was in for Shiloh Remy. With no Mickey Parcell and Sam Youngs and Adam Thompson on the bench, Billy Leonard skippered the Towners for the first time.
It was the home side who started on the front foot. The muscular Henry Snee and Jordan Esprit making life uncomfortable for the Towners back line. In the 7th minute a cross from the left, found an unmarked Snee who could only direct his header straight at Dylan Thompson.
As the game settled down, Town started to find their passing rhythm. Often it was just the final ball that wasn’t quite precise enough. Town’s best chance of the half was from a quick break after their West London hosts gave the ball away in midfield. Amrit Bansal -McNulty fed Tommy Avgoustidis. His cross just failed to find the on-rushing Nana Kyei. Tommy’s best option seemed to be to have a shot, but it is an easy game from the stands!
Hanwell responded with the game becoming stretched. Snee cut in from the right to shoot, Thompson parried and EJ Mensah cleared off the line.
HT: 0-0
Town exploded into action at the start of the second period. A great move culminated in Franklin Domi’s low cross inviting a finish but neither Avgoustidis nor Luke May-Parrott could make contact.
As so often happens in football, the opposition broke away to the other end and opened the scoring. Espirit cut in from the left unchallenged and his right foot shot beat Thompson at the near post.
We had an all-action cup tie on our hands! On 50 minutes Hanwell goalkeeper and captain Sam Beasant (son of FA cup final hero Dave) fouled May-Parrott in the box but the flag went up for offside.
There was nothing Beasant could do two minutes later. Avgoustidis broke down the left, the Hanwell keeper managed to parry but Nana Kyei twisted and adjusted his body to tuck the ball away to make it 1-1.
This was now end to end with both sets of fans in fine voice. Smee showed great pace to break away but Mensah stayed with him and timed a perfect tackle to get the ball away for a corner.
It looked like there would be more goals in this open encounter and on 58 minutes Towners went in front. Amrit fed May-Parrott and his cross found Nana who produced a fine powerful finish out of the reach of Beasant.
On 60 minutes new man Tariq Al-Sadi entered the fray replacing Avgoustidis. The loanee from the O’s made an immediate impact. He showed great pace to burst down the right. His cross was met by May – Parrott who forced Beasant into a super reaction save.
The ‘Geordies’ playing in their trademark black and white stripes, were still knocking on the door and Dylan had to race from his goal and perfectly time his interception. Espirit then shot straight at Thompson from the edge of the box.
A Hanwell equaliser looked to be on the cards, and it arrived via a free kick. Dan Carr delivered it with his left peg. It floated across the box and Dwayne Marlon Duncan was the quickest to react, stretching to get his foot on the ball and finish to make it 2 -2.
The home side now had the impetus. Thompson made several crucial stops and Towners fans started to wonder if their side could hang on for penalties.
Enter super – sub-Tariq! He showed electric pace once again to burst down the left. He cut in and his shot was blocked by a defender. May – Parrott seized on the rebound and his shot was also intercepted. The ball seemed to strike Tariq and in it went! A touch of luck maybe but Towners fans were not complaining!
With time running out, Hanwell now had to commit numbers in search of an equalizer. Town broke away in added time. The impressive Jez Davies fed Nana out on the left. Beasant could not hold his cross and there was that man Tariq Al-Sadi to fire into the corner.
A wonderful cup tie and four more goals for our EN1 entertainers. It also looks like we have another gem in the form of Tariq. What an introduction! We now start to dream of further cup success as we travel to the city of those dreaming spires!
Town: Thompson, Tanimowo, Hart, Mensah, Domi (Tarima 89)/ Bansal – McNulty, May – Parrott, Leonard (Rydings), Kyei, Davies, Avgoustidis ( Al – Sadi 60)