CB Hounslow 1, Badshot Lea 2

TWO goals in the first 16 minutes paved the way for a fully-deserved three points for Badshot Lea in a pulsating Combined Counties Premier Division clash in west London on Saturday in which three players saw red.

Reece Connolly volleyed home Ryan Bell’s fine corner to put Lea ahead on seven minutes before Liam Roberts doubled the lead after a cleverly worked free-kick nine minutes later.

And the impressive Mac Ford could have put the result beyond doubt but his weak penalty was comfortably saved by the Hounslow goalkeeper low to his left six minutes into the second half.

Yet Lea were forced to do it the hard way when substitute Cameron Blackie, who replaced injured goalscorer Connolly just 60 seconds after he had opened the scoring, was sent off on 64 minutes after being shown a needless second yellow card for refusing to retreat 10 yards after Hounslow had been awarded a free kick.

But the drama didn’t end there as Lea’s Liam Flanighan and Hounslow’s Jerome Edwards were sent off for their part in a big melee three minutes from time.

And there was just time, as the game entered a fifth minute of stoppage time, for Hounslow to score the best goal of the game, a crisp half-volley from the just outside the left-hand edge of the penalty area.

But battling Lea were not to be denied and ended a run of three consecutive defeats in fine style to move up three places to 14th in the league.

For full match report and reaction, see this week’s Herald.