Thurlow Nunn Division 1 South - Saturday 9th August
NW London 2-2 Rayleigh Town
Jose Mata 4' (NW London)
OWN GOAL 8' (Rayleigh Town)
Jahvid Irish 29' (Rayleigh Town)
Hocine Krouchi 34' (NW London)
NW London produced another lively display at home but were left to rue missed opportunities as they were held 2–2 by Rayleigh Town in their fourth game of the season.
Coming into the match off a bruising 0–4 defeat away to Cannons Wood, NWL made two notable changes — Noah Salama handed a midfield start and Luchessini leading the line in the No. 9 shirt. Rayleigh, unbeaten in three with two wins, arrived in confident form.
The game burst into life quickly. From their own touchline, NWL pieced together a flowing move that ended with Mata coolly finishing to give the hosts an early lead. But joy was short-lived as just two minutes later a freak own goal from Krouchi, deflecting a corner into his own net, levelled the score.
Undeterred, NWL continued to shine in possession. However, on the half-hour mark, a misplaced pass from Mills was punished — Rayleigh's Irish cut in from the flank and fired low to put the visitors ahead. Redemption for Krouchi came swiftly as he powered in a header from a corner to make it 2–2.
Just before the break, Luchessini spurned a golden chance, blazing over from close range when it seemed easier to score.
The second half followed a similar pattern — both sides creating but failing to take clear opportunities. NWL goalkeeper Will Barker made two vital close-range saves to keep Rayleigh at bay, while Onur Gungor remained a constant menace for the hosts but couldn't convert, missing two big chances.
Rayleigh's discipline unravelled in the closing stages, with two players sent off in the space of six minutes for second yellow cards. Against nine men, NWL had one final chance to snatch the win, but Gungor again failed to hit the target.
For the home side, this was another performance full of attacking intent and promise, but the inability to convert dominance into victory means they settle for a single point — and the nagging feeling that it could, and perhaps should, have been all three.