The Wolves, currently based at Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane ground, were on the brink of folding this summer but thanks to a sponsorship deal with AC1 Developments and AC1 Construction they will continue to play which is good news for local non-league football.
It's a much changed squad for FCR this season as only Zenon Stylianides and Ionut Illies remained in the starting XI and on the bench compared to their final game last season.
Youngster Jesse Friend, who played 8 games last season after signing from Cheshunt where he played for their under 18 side, was also included alongside right-back Williams Danquah. The former Ware player has been with The Wolves for the past two seasons but wasn't involved in the the play-off final.
New signings included Goalkeeper Dren Hoti who was back-up goalkeeper for Haringey Borough last season. Alex Awobimpe formerly of Saffron Walden Town, Hussein Dabbouk who played for Barking U23s last season and Flavio Gyawu-Kyem who has played for St Panteleimon in the past. Tommy Pidgeon who played for London Colney last season was also in the starting XI alongside Marius Leca who is perhaps the club's most interesting signing this summer.
The 24 year old defender most recently played for Indian Second Tier side NEROCA and has played in Romania for Viitorul Constanța, Farul Constanța, Unirea Constanța, Dunărea Călărași and Afumați. He was also capped by Romania at u18, u19 and u21 level.
For the home side it's also been a summer of change as Manager Tommy Cooney who has been in charge since December 2023 prepares for this first full season in charge of the club. Cooney is only 28 years old but has a huge amount of playing experience having represented a whole host of clubs including Potters Bar Town, Faversham Town, Hornchurch, Braintree Town, Hungerford Town, Boston United and Cefn Druids to name a few of his previous clubs. He began his career in Ireland with Longford Town and Sligo Rovers before a move to the UK with Brentford B in 2015.
Arlesey Town's starting XI only had Matt Gilbert, Oliver Skinner and Noah Mosanya from last season's final day defeat at home to Colney Heath. New signings included centre-forward Alex Cathline who has played for Welling United, Enfield Town, Chesham United and Bedford Town earlier in his career alongside Charne Lemba who has played for New Salamis, Hadley and Cockfosters was facing one of his former clubs - he made 17 appearances for The Wolves in the 22/23 season. Deshon Lewis-Burgess, who has played for Potton United, Buckingham and New Bradwell St Peter was on the bench.
Going into the game Arlesey Town had comfortably and impressively won their opening game of the season 0-5 at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos with another new signing in former MK Dons and Hitchin Town midfielder John Freeman scoring two free kicks. FC Romania had lost 0-3 at home to MK Irish who avenged their play-off semi-final defeat last season.
It was a pretty level game with both sides playing some good football but never really troubling the goalkeepers. The best chance of the first half came when Zenon Styliandies hit the post with a free-kick from just outside of the box.
With the game drifting towards a 0-0 it was FCR who scored three late goals via Styliandies from the penalty spot on 86 minutes followed by Flavio Gyawu-Kyem who slotted home on 89 minutes and celebrated by taking his shirt off to which the referee game him a second yellow card followed by a red.
The goal of the game came on 90 minutes when former Aldershot Town u19s and u23s player Lewis Horn-Hayes was able to loop the ball over Oliver Skinner in the Arlesey Town goal after he seized upon a mis-placed pass on the edge of the box. I predict the left sided attacker who has also played for Barton Rovers on loan will have a great season for FCR and score a good amount of goals along with lots of assists.
Both clubs are in FA Cup action this weekend with Arlesey Town travelling down the A1(M) to play London Lions and FCR also on the road to Essex Senior League side Sawbridgeworth Town. Sawbo have lost their first two games of the season 0-2 to Woodford Town and Frenford. The Lions have started their SSMFL season off with a 2-0 win over Potton United and a 2-1 defeat at Tring Athletic.
The excellent Base of The Pyramid website was also at the game and you can read their report here.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - SHORT
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - LONG
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