DRAW HELPS ST PANTELEIMON IN THE TITLE RACE

Its was second v first in the Middlesex County League Premier Division on Wednesday evening as Pitshanger Dynamo entertained St Panteleimon at Hanwell Town where they currently ground-share. It was an excellent game between two very good sides who I think on this showing could hold their own at Step Six of the non-league ladder where they would be promoted if they go up from their current division. The pitch at Reynolds Field certainly helped - it was one of the best playing surfaces I've seen all season.  

St Panteleimon were the better side in the opening ten minutes pressing high up the pitch and not letting the home side settle. They had some chances to score but it was the home side who came back into it and looked the more creative going forward. It was a real end to end game as Dynamo hit the post from close range and then The Saints hit the bar from an impressive long range shot. 

Pitshanger made it 1-0 when midfielder Greg Miley, who impressed all evening with good technique and a great touch, crossed from the left hand side for Luke Wretham to take a few steps back to lose his marker and smash the ball into the net. 

In the second half The Saints piled on the pressure with the home side breaking forward having some good chances to score. With around ten minutes to go the ball pinged around the Dynamo box bouncing off their keeper and defenders before former AFC Dunstable and Berkhamsted player Courtney Massay was able to touch the ball into the net to the delight of their bench and supporters. 

Massay then had a chance to win the game when his low shot from just inside the box looked in all the way until it rolled past the post by the tightest of margins. 

The 1-1 draw keeps The Saints unbeaten record in the league fixtures going since they moved across from Sunday football (they were in the Kopa League) to the Middlesex County League in 2017. They played twenty-two games in Division One (Central & East) last season and now eighteen this season without a defeat. 

It was a good evening for the table toppers as PFC Victoria also drew (1-1 with fourth placed CB Hounslow United Reserves) which puts The Saints in the driving seat for the title although with eight and ten games to play for both them and PFC there will certainly be some twists and turns - starting possibly this weekend as Pitshanger go to PFC Victoria. 

MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
TOP THREE ONLY

TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
ST PANTELEIMON	18	+54	50	WWWWWD	74
PITSHANGER DYNAMO	20	+36	44	WLWDWD	56
PFC VICTORIA LONDON	16	+32	38	WLWWWD	68

MINI-HIGHLIGHTS 

FULL HIGHLIGHTS