Thurlow Nunn Division 1 South - Friday 15th August
Lymore Gardens 3-2 NW London
CJ Eseka 9' (NW London)
Dylan Roberts PEN.16' (Lymore Gardens)
Malik Donaldson 45' (Lymore Gardens)
Dylan Roberts 45+2' (Lymore Gardens)
Emmanuel Okoko 87' (NW London)
Another thrilling contest in the league for NWL, but once again one where they will feel they should have come away with something after a strong display against a Lymore Gardens side who had won four from four.
With Al-Nashi returning to captain the side and CJ Eseka back from injury, NWL made a positive start, moving the ball well and setting the tempo. Their good play was rewarded when Eseka struck a superb volley from 20 yards, leaving the keeper with no chance.
The game turned on a contentious moment. Joseph was penalised for a foul that appeared to be on the edge of the box, but after the linesman's intervention the referee awarded a penalty, which Lymore converted.
That decision gave the visitors momentum, and they hit NWL with a quickfire double just before half-time, turning the game on its head.
NWL regrouped after the break and worked their way back into the contest. They controlled large spells of possession and created good opportunities, with Mata and Eseka both going close before Okoko pulled one back with a crisp finish from the left side of the area.
The away side pressed hard in the final stages, and Rahman's late strike looked destined for goal until it was blocked by a last-ditch challenge, but the equaliser wouldn't come.
In the end, NWL were left to rue a costly spell before half-time. Still, there were positives to take into their next outing on Monday night in the League Challenge Cup.