Combined Counties review: Webb era begins in style as 10-Man Windsor & Eton sweep aside Harefield

Toby Raggett (left) and Nick Thumbwood (right) – who scored twice for Windsor & Eton on Saturday. Photo Richard Milam.

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Windsor & Eton secured their first win under new manager Rob Webb as they comfortably got the better of Harefield United 4-1 at Stag Meadow on Saturday, despite being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half.

Supporters of the Royalists had been somewhat blind-sided by the departure of former boss Matty Angell in mid-week, but the hosts dealt with that disruption superbly as they swatted aside Harefield in Webb’s first game in charge.

Having fallen to fifth following a creditable 1-1 draw with second placed Broadfields United in Angell’s final match as boss and then lost in the first round of the Berks & Bucks Cup at home to Reading City in mid-week, Windsor & Eton bounced back superbly at home on Saturday, taking a firm grip on this game in the first half.

Nick Thumwood blasted them into an early lead from the penalty spot, after Isaiah Chase had been brought down in the box in the first minute.

Twenty minutes later it was Chase’s turn to get on the scoresheet as he turned home Toby Raggett’s cross to make it 2-0.

Mario Quiassaca pulled one back for visitors Harefield in the final seconds of first half stoppage time, but the Royalists all but wrapped up the three points when Thumwood headed home his second of the game from a corner just after the hour mark.

Ben Hutchings dismissal just a few minutes later might have made the final 20 minutes a little nervier than they should have been for Webb and his players.

But George Weston-Brown’s fourth goal in the 73rd minute restored the home side’s three-goal cushion, and the 10 men comfortably saw the game out for a hugely encouraging victory.

A selection of photos from yesterday’s game against @HarefieldUnited courtesy of Christian Preedy… pic.twitter.com/rlwQRiKzwh

— Windsor & Eton FC (@WindsorEtonFC) September 14, 2025

The result lifts Windsor & Eton back up to third in the table, level on points with Broadfields United having played two fewer games. However, they remain four points adrift of leaders Burnham who bounced back from their mid-week loss at Hilltop to get the better of Kidlington away from home on Saturday.

Mo and Omz Bakali’s lead leaders haven’t been at their free scoring best in recent matches, but their narrow victories over Abingdon last weekend and Kidlington on Saturday mean they now have seven wins from eight in the league this season.

Jordan Brown’s 32nd minute penalty put them on the way to victory at Yarnton Road; however, a clean sheet and a late penalty save from Archie Cunningham played a huge part in ensuring the Blues came away from this game with three points.

Brown had gone low to the keeper’s left, sending Charlie Bennett the wrong way to give Burnham the first half lead. But when Otis Castle was brought down in the area in the 82nd minute, Kidlington’s penalty taker went the same way, and Cunningham guessed right to push away the spot kick and Burnham survived.

Latham Hawkins was also sent off for the hosts in the 73rd minute as they chased the game.

Burnham are back in action in the second round of the Premier Challenge Cup at Abbey Rangers tomorrow evening (Tuesday) before getting back to league action at Wallingford & Crowmarsh on Saturday afternoon.

Windsor & Eton host Amersham Town in the Premier Challenge Cup tomorrow evening before going to local rivals Holyport on Saturday.

Port’s form has nose-dived under new joint managers Dan Rapley and Lee Ovens in recent weeks, and the club finds itself 16th in a 20-team Combined Counties Premier Division North table following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to North Leigh.

North Leigh arrived at Summerleaze Park without a win to their name, but they left Maidenhead with one thanks to a late goal from Rueben Githua (82').

Port do have two league wins to their name this season, but this result was also their sixth straight loss in all competitions.

They’re in Premier Challenge Cup first round action at British Airways on Tuesday before Saturday’s home game with Rob Webb’s high-flying Royalists.