Darcy double inspires Windsor & Eton to fifth win in six and piles pressure on promotion rivals

Jabir Laraba celebrates his goal with Windsor’s Great Park Crew. Photo: Richard Milam

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Windsor & Eton’s fifth win in six matches in all competitions lifted Rob Webb’s side above Burnham in the Combined Counties Premier Division North table on Saturday, but they remain a couple of points adrift of new leaders Broadfields United.

The Royalists sit third in the table after Saturday’s thrilling 5-3 win over Edgware & Kingsbury at Stag Meadow, and the home side made the most of an electric start at their own ground.

The hosts stormed out of the traps, racing into a three-goal lead inside the opening six minutes.

In a barely believable opening, the Royalists took the lead through Ethan Darcy after two minutes, made it 2-0 through Jabir Laraba a minute later and then went 3-0 up in the sixth minute when Darcy grabbed his second of the game.

However, far from being blown away by their rivals’ fast start, Edgware responded brilliantly before the half-hour mark to put the outcome back in the balance. Fawwaz Odewale made it 3-1 in the 11th minute before Ryan Murad pulled another goal back in the 28th minute.

At that stage, it felt like Edgware might just have enough momentum behind them to get back on level terms - and then it would have been anyone’s game - but instead Windsor were able to restore their authority and stranglehold on proceedings with goals from Isaiah Chase in the 32nd minute and Leo Decabo - who netted from the spot to make it 5-2 in the 51st minute.

Ben Catt played a big role in Windsor’s fifth as he was brought down for the spot kick that Decabo slotted away coolly.

This time, Windsor were able to protect their three-goal cushion much better, and though Craig Tompkins pulled another goal back for the visitors in the 91st minute, it was much too late for them to threaten Windsor’s lead for a second time.

The result lifted the Royalists to within two points of leaders Broadfields, who they have two games in hand on. The third placed side also remain behind Ardley United on goal difference, with Ardley having played one fewer game than the Royalists.

Windsor & Eton are back at Stag Meadow on Saturday where they’ll host Bearstead in the second round of the FA Vase. The Royalists overcame Whitchurch United 2-0 away from home in the first round to set up this weekend’s clash with the high-flying Southern Counties East Premier Division side.

Bearstead are currently second to Whitstable Town in their equivalent step 5 division. They overcame Cowes Sports 1-0 at home in the last round and have generally been in very good form, however, they lost 3-2 away at Tunbridge Wells in the league on Saturday.

Burnham, who like Ardley have also played 14 matches, have dropped to fourth in the league, four points behind leaders Broadfields albeit with three games in hand on them. The Blues were last in action at home to Ashford Town on Wednesday where they were surprisingly beaten 3-1.

Joint manager Omz Bakali described it as a ‘weird one’, with the Blues collapsing to defeat after taking the lead through Rafael Bertoli (9') early on. Usman Lalustani (29') levelled matters before half-time before late goals from Cass Fried-Jones (86') and Oliver Mason (88') turned the game decisively in Ashford’s favour.

“Weird one to take last night,” said Omz. “The boys were good, and a couple unfortunate moments changed the game.

“Well done to Ashford who came with a game plan and executed it really well.

“No game in the league for a while now but ready for the Vase.”

The Blues divert their attention from the league to the FA Vase this Saturday when they visit Southern Counties East Premier Division strugglers Hythe Town.

Hythe sit second bottom of their division with only three wins from 15 matches so far. They edged out Peacehaven & Telscombe 1-0 in the last round of the Vase, but have been in miserable league form, losing their last six matches on the spin.

After a more competitive spell, Holyport have lost their last three matches in the league while conceding 11 goals in the process.

Port were thumped 5-1 by Reading City away from home on Tuesday night, Kickie Dzimba getting their only goal, but they couldn’t respond in a positive way at Abingdon United on Saturday as they lost 3-0.

Leo Cole’s first half hat-trick saw them lose for a 12th time in 17 league matches this season and the result leaves them 17th on 13 points - just five above the drop zone.

They next face a tough home game at home to Ardley United on Saturday, but rivals Burnham and Windsor & Eton at the top of the table will be hoping Port can pull a performance out of the bag and do them a big favour.