Match Report
London Senior Trophy Quarter Final
Bridon Ropes 6-1 NW London
Pat Ward 6' (Bridon Ropes)
Pat Ward 12' (Bridon Ropes)
Joe Jamal 28' (Bridon Ropes)
Pat Ward 63' (Bridon Ropes)
Pat Ward 71' (Bridon Ropes)
Joe Jamal 78' PEN (Bridon Ropes)
Howard Nhemachena 85' (NW London)
Gorillas Fall to Heavy Defeat Against Bridon Ropes
NW London suffered a humbling exit from the competition after a crushing defeat to Southern Counties opposition, Bridon Ropes, in the quarter-finals.
Having endured a heavy loss to Hackney Wick in their previous outing, NW London traveled to South London hoping for a turnaround. However, the contest was effectively over within the first 28 minutes, as Bridon stormed to a commanding lead.
First Half Blitz Leaves Gorillas Reeling
The Gorillas had fond memories of last season's 2-0 victory over Bridon Ropes in the same competition, but this match could not have been more different. Three early goals from the hosts left NWL shell-shocked.
The opener came after Ashiqur Rehman was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, allowing Pat Ward an easy finish. Moments later, a rebounded free-kick made it 2-0, and things went from bad to worse when Al-Nashi's turnover in midfield sparked a quick counterattack. A sublime dink by Joe Jamal over Casey gave Bridon a 3-0 advantage, leaving NW London with a mountain to climb before the half-hour mark.
Glimmers of Hope Fade in the Second Half
Despite trailing heavily, the Gorillas showed flashes of intent. However, the first half saw NWL muster only a few speculative shots from range.
The second half brought urgency as NW London looked for a crucial early goal, but Bridon Ropes remained dangerous on the break. Their composure paid off when they countered effectively to net a fourth, extinguishing any hopes of a fightback.
The closest NWL came to scoring was when Al-Nashi fired over the bar after good work from Burcea on the touchline.
Late Goals Seal NWL's Fate
As NW London pushed forward, Bridon Ropes continued to punish them on the counterattack. A squared pass for Pat Ward's fourth goal and a penalty added further gloss to the scoreline. Debutant Ihemachena managed to salvage some pride with a well-taken volley, but it was little more than a consolation as the Gorillas exited the competition in disappointing fashion.
A Performance to Forget
A combination of defensive errors, midfield turnovers, and vulnerability to counterattacks left NW London with no answers against a sharp and clinical Bridon Ropes side.
This heavy loss marks a sobering moment for the Gorillas, who will need to regroup and address their frailties ahead of their next fixtures.