Windsor & Eton secure derby bragging rights and move six points clear at the top

Pawel Kowalkowski celebrates his winning strike against Windsor FC. Photo: Richard Milam

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Windsor & Eton claimed the derby bragging rights and extended their lead at the top of the Combined Counties League 1 table to six points with Monday's narrow 1-0 win over Windsor FC - the team that used to call Stag Meadow home.

Pawel Kowalkowski scored the game's only goal four minutes before the interval when he was played through on goal and impudently chipped the advancing Windsor keeper.

And here’s Pawel’s goal in yesterday’s Derby Day win over @windsorfc at Stag Meadow…

Great crowd reaction

⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NUG7KjhSXf

— Windsor & Eton FC (@WindsorEtonFC) August 27, 2024

Having played less than 48 hours previously, in a convincing 3-0 win at Yateley, Windsor & Eton were, unsurprisingly, not quite firing on all cylinders. But with Ben Hutchings giving a man-of-the-match display, they showed the kind of resilience needed to challenge for promotion this season.

Winning when not quite at your best is another habit manager Matty Angell will be delighted his side have acquired as they moved onto 21 points for the season with seven wins and just one defeat from their opening eight matches.

Reflecting on the game, Angell posted: “Two games in less than 48 hours is a tough ask and I'm extremely proud of the squad and their efforts to bring home two wins.

“Even prouder of how the whole community came out to support today us today. Windsor & Eton on the pitch is going well but this is bigger than one team.”

Windsor & Eton had looked much more like themselves in Saturday’s win at Yateley where Isaiah Chase-Kelly scored two brilliant individual goals in the first half to put the visitors on course for victory.

Kowalkowski then finished off the job with a clinical finish into the bottom corner in the 89th minute to confirm the points.

Here’s the goals from Saturday’s game away at @YateleyUtdFC

⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/H1WRsjohSu

— Windsor & Eton FC (@WindsorEtonFC) August 27, 2024

Windsor had also picked up points in their match on Friday evening in a goalless draw with PFC Victoria London at Holloways Park.

However, it was the bank holiday Monday clash that everyone was talking about, and Angell said last week he was keen for his players to reflect the 'passion' of the fans in the game. This they did with a more workmanlike display; however, the Royalists are also starting to show that they're capable of winning matches in more than one way.

A crowd of more than 600 people turned out on Monday morning to watch the game, with large queues streaking out of Stag Meadow ahead of kick-off. The town's new MP Jack Rankin was in attendance, and he had his photograph taken with Windsor & Eton's chairman Mark Cooper before the game.

And most of them went home happy, even if the game had been a close one decided by one moment of brilliant, impudent play from Kowalkowski.

Does anyone else think Pawel has very quickly gained cult status?!

Who couldn’t love that celebration ❤️

courtesy Richard Milam pic.twitter.com/1CWKFJzo9X

— Windsor & Eton FC (@WindsorEtonFC) August 26, 2024

Angell has brought in several players with experience of this level - and the level above - during the summer, and the Royalists have hit the ground running at step six. Their form in the early weeks of the season has been almost exemplary, and a small gap is already starting to form between them and their rivals at the top of the division. Six points now separates them from second placed Penn & Tylers Green while eight points is the gap to third placed Hillingdon Borough, however, they do have two matches in hand on Angell's side.

The fixture had an extra dash of spice due to the manner of Windsor FC's departure from Stag Meadow last year. The club had enjoyed a rolling short-term lease for the ground and its facilities, however, that was ended when Mark Cooper formed Windsor & Eton and secured a new, long-term, lease for the ground. In the aftermath, Windsor were forced to look for a new groundshare to continue playing matches, something they managed to do with Beaconsfield Town and Holloways Park has been their home for this season and last.

The Royalists are back in action this Saturday when they visit Colliers Wood United. They then host Spartans Youth at Stag Meadow on Tuesday.

Windsor sit eighth and are back in action at home to Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) on Friday evening (7.45pm kick-off). The Jacks then visit Brook House on Tuesday evening.