THREE POINTS - CANNONS WOOD RESERVES WIN THEIR FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON - BARKINGSIDE RESERVES UNLUCKY NOT TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE GAME

A CROWD OF 39 PEOPLE WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE GAME PLAYED ON FRIDAY 26th AUGUST 

Cannons Wood FC, promoted from the Essex Alliance League Senior Division to the Thurlow Nunn First Division South at the end of last season, have added a reserve side who will play in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division Two. 

The new team played their first home game on Friday 26th August as Barkingside Reserves visited Harlow Town's home where they currently ground share. 

Since this game was played it's been all change at the club with joint reserve team bosses Alex Fairley and Ross Bishop taking over the interim running the first team squad following the departure of Rui Costa and Tumarie Palmer-A'Dam who had only been in charge for a very short spell since June of this year. 

Fairley and Bishop's first game in temporary charge was a 2-0 away defeat to Coggeshall United. Their next game is at home on Tuesday evening to Newbury Forest in the League Challenge Cup before a break of a week and half and a home game in the league against Barkingside. 

MATCH REPORT FOR CANNONS WOOD RESERVES v BARKINGSIDE RESERVES

This was a decent game between two good sides with some impressive young players on show. 

The home side who had drawn 3-3 away from home in their opening game were 2-0 at half time via goals from Jerae Burrell and Rob McKnight. 

Burrell scored early on with a shot from outside of the box with McKnight netting when a Cannons Wood defender was robbed of the ball on the left-hand side of attack for the ball to be crossed to McKnight at the back post who was able to touch the ball home. 

It was eventful game for attacking midfielder Burrell who was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence. I didn't see exactly what went on and it wasn't captured on camera either but there didn't seem to be any complaints as he made his way to the changing rooms. 

He looks a very good player who is small in stature but very skilful with bags of pace and an eye for goal.

Full credit to Barkingside who came back into the game and had had a good number of chances to score prior to bringing the game back to 2-1 when Michael James-Akerele sprinted clear of the Cannons Wood got on the end of a through ball to calmly slot the ball into the net. 

The visitors were the better side throughout the second half and could have made it 2-2 with a number of chances including hitting the post shortly after their first goal but it was the home side, who defended well and worked hard, who held on to record a memorable victory for all involved with their team. 

Barkingside Reserves have lost both of their games so far with a 0-4 home defeat to Redbridge Reserve in the opening game of the season. Their next game is away to Hashtag United Reserves in The Len Cordell Memorial Trophy on Friday evening. Cannons Wood Reserves are scheduled to travel to Woodford Town Reserves on Saturday in the same competition.

The best of luck to both teams for the rest of the season and beyond. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - SHORT (2mins 20sec)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - LONG (36 mins)