Windsor lose by the odd goal in seven against runaway leaders Amersham Town

Photo credit: Gary House

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Windsor 3, Amersham Town 4

Few would have given Windsor much of a prayer against Combined Counties League 1 leaders Amersham Town at Holloways Park on Saturday, but the lowly Royalists raised their game to only go down by the odd goal in seven.

Amersham arrived at Beaconsfield’s ground with a goal difference of plus 53 to take on a Windsor side under interim management with a goal difference of minus 30.

Yet for the most part of this entertaining fixture there was little to choose between the two sides. In fact, had the hosts been a little more clinical in front of goal they may well have picked up a point against all odds.

Windsor came into the game off the back of a 4-2 win over Woodley United last time out with Max Jarzabek coming in for the injured Liam Jenkins.

Georg Gudjohnsen-Mitchell remained on the bench pending the outcome of a 10-day trial with Bolton Wanderers. If the name seems familiar it’s because he’s the nephew of former Chelsea, Barcelona and Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

In blustery, wet conditions both sides struggled to find their feet in the early stages, however, Amersham were two goals to the good inside 10 minutes. Earlier this season, that may have led to a Windsor collapse, but they’re made of sterner stuff these days, and Mackenzie Rand-Brade finished off a flowing, five-man, move to reduce the deficit in the 43rd minute.

A frenetic finish to the half saw Green and Jarzabek contrive to miss gilt edged chances when it looked easier to score.

A scything challenge on Windsor’s Alessandro Pelliccia by Amersham right-back Adeymi Adewale should have seen the visitors reduced to 10 men, but the referee chose to play on and the Windsor players trudged off at the break feeling rather aggrieved.

Had they harnessed that frustration better in the second half, they may well have got something from the game, but instead, Amersham scored the next goal on 48 minutes to effectively kill off their chances. Jake Tabor was the man to get his second, and the visitors third of the game. Windsor spurned several half chances to score a second before Louis Bircham tucked away Amersham’s fourth on the hour mark.

You’d have thought that was game over, but Windsor gave themselves a lifeline from the penalty spot when a goal bound effort was handled on the line. Amersham’s Luke Preedy talked himself into a 10-minute sinbin and Jarzabek tucked away the spot kick with aplomb.

Playing with 10-men for the remainder of the game, Amersham sat back on their two-goal lead. However, Windsor found a way around the parked bus in the 90th minute when Pelliccia squeezed in his third goal in as many games for Windsor at the near post. They continued to press in injury-time, but an equalising goal remained elusive.

Afterwards, caretaker boss Steve Hale said he’d take great encouragement from the side’s performance against the champions elect.

“Our season won’t be defined by results against Amersham or the top 6 but on how well we perform against teams around us,” he said.

“I’m confident that this squad has enough to finish at least mid-table.”

Windsor Team: Benjamin-Richards, Kambamba, Al-Shubasi, Mitani, Peapell, White-Glean, Pelliccia, Rand- Brade, Green, Jarzabek, Talaste. Subs: Gudjohnsen, Delaney, Supernak, Healey.