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Tuesday night football saw the Lions make the short journey to Northwood FC, who compete in the next step up of English Football.
The match, which took place at the Fenton Civil Engineering Stadium, finished 2-0 to the hosts; who progress through to the next round of the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup.
Wembley manager Ian Bates fielded a strong side for the tie, with the likes of Sam Adetiba and captain Yassine Fehmi-Gil starting. Jahara Kenbally and Alvin Walters were named on the bench also.
The Lions started strong in the match, with a few early fouls from the home side to keep out an energetic Wembley side. The early attacking play of the match was all coming through the Lions.
A few shots had been taken by Wembley by the 30th minute, but they were all slightly high and wide of the mark. The second attempt of the game was taken by Osborne, who had surged out from the back but was unable to keep his shot down to finish off the move.
In an end to end encounter, the Lions had a corner one minute, and then were found having to defend a counter attack the next’ with Tyrer making a brilliant block to turn the ball over the bar from a few yards out following a deep cross.
Unfortunately, the resulting corner was somehow turned into the Wembley net, following a hectic scramble in the box. A deflected header bounced around between the legs of the players, and a Wembley boot clattered the ball into the leg of Northwood’s Ryan Avery, before spinning off out of reach of Mierzwa.
Following the conceding of the opener, the Lions pushed hard to get the game on level terms, winning a few free kicks in dangerous positions; with the closest attempt coming courtesy of Yassime, whos free kick was inches away from nestling in the top right corner.
Despite a late push in the first half for an equaliser, the Lions went in a goal down at the break, with work to do in the second half.
Northwood came out of the break with real intent, piling the pressure on the Wembley back line from the whistle. The first chance came through a free kick, which Mierzwa got across and saved firmly.
By the 57th minute however the hosts got their reward, and a strong, low ball was fizzed to the edge of the box; falling to substitute Matteo Esposito. The forward made no mistake in sweeping the ball into the bottom right corner first time, netting his first for the Woods.
The chances were then sparse for Wembley, but they still pressed with real intent and drive.
A strong save from Mierzwa set up the Lions for a counter attack, which set Jones through on goal, but the keeper got down well to stop it and retain the clean sheet.
Another attack in the Wembley half forced Mierzwa to make another strong save, but with the clock running down; the Lions were running out of time.
Despite the scoreline, Wembley pushed until final whistle to find a goal, and the Woods’ keeper Purdue had to make a smart save to keep the visitors out.
As the final whistle went, the Northwood players celebrated with the fans, securing their place in the next round of the cup.
Wembley FC are back in action on Saturday 13th November where they travel to Tadley Calleva for a League Match.
Come on you Lions!
Wembley FC: Mierzwa, Osborne, Ejimfor, Tyrer, Jones, Larrington, Bates, Adetiba, Khan, Fehmi-Gil (C), Iley. Subs: Obamakinwa, Kenbally, Walters, Heron
Northwood FC: Purdue (C), Batten, Palmer, Surmon, Avery, Milenge, Jenkins, Ehvi. J, Ehvi. I, Shrowder, Stewart. Subs: Nche, Petch, Esposito, Joseph
