Edgware can have few complaints about their exit from the Middlesex Charity Cup on Thursday for their 'shadow' squad, with many rested for the important league clash against Aveley, was second best to Hillingdon over the 90 minutes in this semi-final tie writes John Comfort

But there was justification in their criticism of referee David Belbin, whose decisions often favoured the visitors, with his award of a match turning penalty to Borough a minute before half time being little short of embarrassing.

That came after Edgware, despite being unhappily short of firepower, fought back from going behind to a fourth minute strike from Dave Lawrence to level with a well taken goal from Michael Bakare on 35 minutes.

Then a surging run from Hillingdon's Sam Byfield saw him break into the Edgware area, only to lose control. He made a half-hearted fall to win sympathy, but it got full marks from Mr Belbin, who controversially pointed to the spot. Edgware boss Steve Newing, not inaccurately, branded it "an absolute disgrace" and was sent off for airing his views, before Lawrence made it 2-0 from the resultant penalty.

That was a real body blow for Edgware, who sadly never really looked like recovering from that setback after the break and their woes are added to when they had Paul Marks taken off with a dislocated shoulder.

With Stuart Blackburne on for Ben Cain for the second period, they did have a couple of early chances. The best came when Hillingdon keeper Barclay Lawrencin miskicked an intended clearance, which found Bakare. But he was driven wide and his cross to Blackburne, lurking in front of the inviting goal, was desperately cleared by the head of a recovering defender.
Soon after Gavin Hart found Fabio Valenti, whose low, angled drive was held by Lawrencin.

At the other end Hillingdon missed several good opportunities to seal their place in the final, Blaise O'Brien and Kevin McKenna squandering the best of them.

However, with three minutes to go the visitors finally killed the game off with a third goal. McKenna found Leon Nelson in the home area and, when keeper Darren Bonfield dived bravely at his feet to save, the ball broke loose to Byfield, and his shot found the roof of the net off Chris Ingham as the defender attempted to clear on the line.

Edgware: Bonfield, Hayden, Salih, McKay, Ingham, Lockie, Marks (Christie), Hart, Cain (S Blackburne), Bakare (Fernee), Valenti.

Other subs: Moore, R Blackburne.