01/04/2023 – REPORT – Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves versus Gas Recreation FC
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION THREE.
DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC. 0. GAS RECREATION FC. 1.
Date: Saturday 01st APRIL 2023 Venue: The Drift, Dedham.
Saturday morning was spent watching “FA Full-Time” to see which games were being cancelled due to the wet weather, I had already intended to go over to Dedham to watch the Division Three match, for the Old Boys Reserves match against the Gas Recreation FC First team. Before the season had even started, the visitors had withdrawn their Premier Division placed, First Team, this meant the Reserves, promoted into Division Three would take on the Clubs lead role whilst their newly formed “A” Team became the Reserves, in Division Five, player youth, experience and depth has seen both teams doing well in their respective Divisions, their Reserves remain unbeaten and have won the Division Five title. Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves are mid-table but had resisted the temptation to strengthen up with their First Teams match at Barnston falling foul of the wet weather, they sat seventh before kick-off with Gas Recreation FC handily placed in third.
On a cold but dry afternoon at the “Drift”, Dedham, on a soft pitch, I thought the match might be a close affair and so it proved, the appointed Match Official was Nathan Tansley, and he would be assisted by Club Assistants.
Dedham kicked-off and Gas won possession through Firkins down the left side, a goalmouth scramble followed and when the cleared ball was sent back in, Maiden connected with his head and forced keeper, Schultz to react and push the ball onto the cross-bar to be cleared by Findlay, a fine save from the young custodian. Findlay sent McLean away down the left side, he found Fuller (F) who moved the ball onto Rush, but Venner got across to clear the ball, again McLean found space on the left, again Fuller (F) was there in support but Smith overhit the intended cross out for a goal-kick. The initial five minutes had seen both teams committed, Firkins was clearly going to be the instrumental player for Gas, his pace and ability to hold the ball on a dribble would test the home midfield and defence, so when he found Hynes, supporting the forwards he rounded Avery with McLean doing a fine defensive job to concede the first corner of the match. Cooper, for Gas, vented his frustration about a late off-side flag, it may have been late, but it was correct, just watch “Match-of-the-Day” and their replays and consider if this was any later than those replayed time and time again! Smith played a fine pass forward to McLean, his first-time control was good on the edge of the penalty area but visiting keeper, Harding had read the danger was quickly off his line to block and the keeper saved a shot from McLean with a corner following. Fuller (F), took the corner sending the ball deep to Smith at the far post where his header back into the six-yard box was met by Rush who could not get enough power behind his header and keeper, Harding caught the ball on his goal-line. The pairing of Firkins and Maiden for the Gas looked dangerous in front of goal, both looking for opportunities to shoot, the home defence batted those away, no messing there! The first call on a crucial decision came on fourteen minutes, Avery sent the ball long, Rush gave chase in front of Venner, was there a tug back, the referee would not have seen it the same way as anybody on the side-lines, as he was directly behind the run of forward and defender, Rush was not happy, neither were the home bench but, as a referee, you can only give what you see!
On fifteen minutes Hynes, having been tackled by Fuller (J) flicked out a boot as the players separated, the referee rightly administered a caution, it was a flick, not a deliberate kick with force, which action was explained a number of times to the home bench. Gas took the lead with a fine goal, Firkins drove through midfield spraying the ball wide to Hynes whose excellent cross was headed firmly home by ALEX COOPER, one of the smallest players on the pitch! Dadds fouled Smith, from the free-kick Firkins fouled King (L), the free-kick taken by Fuller (F) found Avery and from his cross keeper, Harding just got to the ball ahead of Rush. Bethell (F) fouled King (L) on the half-way line, but the free-kick was easily cleared, Dedham were pushed back to defend in numbers and eventually cleared the ball but a rasping volley from Bethell (F) stung the hands of keeper, Schultz who pushed the ball wide. Schultz was in action again minutes later, this time clearing up from a poorly directed headed back-pass, the ball bouncing once before Maiden pressurised. Dedham were trying to get McLean into the game down the left side, his darting run’s inside, then out again, gave Dadds something to think about, he did find Rush but West was quickly on hand to clear the danger and the ball was cleared to the other end where keeper Schulz made a fine save with his feet to deny Maiden in a one-on-one situation. On twenty-nine minutes Cooper showed dissent towards the Match Official and was shown a yellow card and directed off the pitch for a ten-minute “sin-bin” break.
On thirty minutes, Firkins gained possession, drove across the outer reaches of the penalty area and tumbled to the ground, if there was any contact by a defender, it was minimal, such that the Referee waved play on, Firkins raised his voice and showed dissent for which a yellow card was shown and the player was also directed off the pitch for another “sin-bin” offence. Unfortunately, the foul language from Firkins, continued to such an extent that the referee showed the player a red card, dismissing Firkins for foul and abusive language, the player did leave the pitch but continued to berate the official, this behaviour should not be seen at grassroots football, nor witnessed and heard on a public area. Once play resumed and level heads were more focused, it was Dedham who had a chance, through McLean but saved low down by keeper, Harding. Dedham again showed some punch when Avery, Macklin, McLean and Smith linked up to find McLean on an overlap but his cross was over-hit, then when Findlay ventured forward his lay-back to Fuller (F) saw a fine dipping effort just clear the cross-bar. A corner from Fuller (F) was headed on by Rush but Ross fluffed his attempt at a cross with a goal-kick awarded, Fuller (F) and McLean forced Venner into a tackle with the bouncing ball then striking the hand of McLean just as he thought he was through on goal. Ross found Findlay who had stayed forward after a corner but keeper, Harding was close on hand to gain a goal-kick off the home defender, Venner then embarked on a long run forward until he over-ran the ball and just before the half ended, Maiden was injured and received treatment before returning for the last minute or so.
HALF-TIME: 0 – 1.
Before the restart, Dedham made two changes, Ross and Avery, both of whom, I thought had defended well, were replaced by Parker and Ruffles, then in a Gas move, the ball hit the referee, the game was stopped and Gas took possession from the free ball, it seems that numerous players do not know that rule that was introduced at the start of this season! Cooper stabbed the ball wide, when well-placed as the home defence dithered and play remained a bit scrappy with half chances being created by both teams. Parker fouled Bethell (F) on the half-way line, Bethell (D) lobbed the ball goalwards, but play was brought back, but Dedham had shown more fight this half against the ten players of the visitors. Hynes made a fine tackle on McLean down the left side, then Fuller (J) made his presence felt going through Maiden to reach the ball, tackles from behind were outlawed several years ago, the home defender was spoken too, the free-kick taken by Dadds was cleared by Parker to Bethell (D) who fired the ball way over the goal.
At a throw-in, Rush and Bethell (F) had a spat on the half-way line, both received a talking too, shook hands and moved away, and Dadds restarted the game with the throw-in, when Dadds fouled Parker, Fuller (F) took the kick, keeper, Harding, under pressure, fumbled the ball and was awarded a free-kick on the six-yard line, then a deep cross from King (L) saw keeper, Harding scrambling across his goal line to ensure the ball went wide. Dedham kept going forward, Fuller (F) found Rush and from his driven cross West headed the ball wide. On sixty-five minutes another double change for Dedham, off went Rush and Macklin, who had done a good job in midfield with Newman and Ayemi going on, Fuller (F) found Parker who moved the ball on to McLean who returned the ball to Fuller (F) who fired over. Gas made their first substitution on seventy minutes, goal-scorer, Cooper was replaced by Willmore, whose first action was to run at the home defence to be tackled by Fuller (J) who conceded a corner. A minute later and Dedham made their final change , Fuller (J) who had picked up an injury being replaced by Baister, a dependable defender replacement. Another substitution followed, this time for Gas, Andrews was replaced by Bardell, but Willmore ran on to a loose clearance but shot well wide, more composure was needed from the young forward. Dedham were not desperate but began to rush things, Fuller (F) ran forward through midfield but with McLean and Ayemi in space on either flank, he chose to shoot well wide, credit goes to him though as he was key to the home performance through that central area.
McLean and Fuller (F) set up another attack but West did what he has always done well, defend, no messing, if in doubt, you know the rest! Bethell (D) and Dadds got down the right side with Baister thwarting that attack conceding a corner. King (L) did well to work his way out of trouble inside his own penalty area and when play stopped, Gas replaced, Maiden with King (R), whose forced keeper, Schulz to make a fine save with his feet, another corner followed, taken by King (R) but kicked straight out for a goal-kick. Ayemi, Newman and Ruffles put together a decent move by Dedham, working the ball into the penalty area where keeper, Harding and West scrambled the ball away following a bit of defensive indecision. Newman and Smith had another effort blocked, Bethell (F) had a late effort at goal, King (R) forced a corner off Bardell, taken by Fuller (F), the ball found Parker whose goal bound header was cleared off the goal-line by Bethell (D), best chance of the game for Dedham and in the dying seconds Fuller (F) let fly from thirty yards, the ball was heading towards the top left hand angle of the goal before deviating slightly to miss the target, a great effort though, which had some home heads in their hands.
FULL TIME: 0 – 1.
A competitive match certainly, Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves certainly frustrated Gas Recreation FC, who had to play best part of an hour with only ten players, that said, the better attacking options came from the visitor’s young side, who were aided by the experienced Bethell (D) and West.
Finally, turning to my “Star Player” choice, until his dismissal, Firkins was the player showing the most influence, he has to learn though, elsewhere the young team played as a compact unit, Dadds, Venner and Hynes were solid alongside West who has won more medals than most. The pairing of father and son, the Bethell’s, shored up the central midfield with Andrews at the top end Maiden and Copper, both of whom had goal-scoring chances, one took his, a fine goal it was as well. For the home team, keeper, Schultz made numerous saves, not always orthodox, but it stopped any more goals but he stood no chance with the one he conceded. Likewise, Dedham had experience at the back in Findlay and Fuller, up front Rush was looking to use his pace and chase down the longer ball, midfield is where they had a battle though. Again, the experience of Macklin and McLean, still a willing runner, garnered Smith, King and Fuller (F) who relished every challenge, took nearly every free-kick and corner kick, and had the best scoring opportunities for the home side, so he gets my vote this week.
Teams:
DEDHAM OLD BOYS AFC.
Colours: Blue Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Team:
Samuel Schultz., Aaron Ross., Craig Avery., Jamie Fuller., Daniel Findlay (C)., Liam Macklin., William Smith., Frederick Fuller (Jnr)., Lewis King., Jamie Rush., Russell McLean.
Manager: Fred Fuller (Snr).
Assistant Manager: Darren Tarling.
Used Substitutes: Toby Newman., James Parker., James Ruffles., Simon Baister., Trevor Ayemi.
GAS RECREATION FC:
Colours: Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.
Team:
Andrew Harding., Louis Dadds (C)., Dean West., Rooney Venner., Callum Hynes., Darren Bethell., Freddie Bethell., Asten Firkins., Alex Cooper., Brooklyn Maiden., Sam Andrews.
Manager: Richard Elms.
Used Substitutes: Jack Bardell., Harry Willmore., Rio King.
Unused Substitute: Callum Milton.
Referee: Nathan Tansley.
Star Player: Frederick FULLER (Jnr) (DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES)
MATCH NOTIFICATIONS
Fixture Secretaries of Clubs are required to notify all match details, date, venue, kick-off time, colours etc, to their opposition and any appointed official/s, at least FIVE days before the match.
KICK-OFF TIMES
March, to end of season: 15:00pm
ESBFL CUP TIES: 30 minutes earlier, if necessary.
ECFA CUP TIES: Kick-Off as advertised.
CUP TIES
There will be NO requirement for “Extra-Time” to be played in ESBFL Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.
SUBSTITUTES
The ESBFL allows ONLY FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off and ONLY those FIVE may be allowed to participate. Referees have been advised to consider any other named substitutes as ineligible.
Note:
In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior & Trophy) the Rule allows FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named and those FIVE SUBSTITUTUES may be used on a “Roll-On / Roll-Off” basis.
TEAM SHEETS
Team Sheets should be shown or sent to the Referee and the Opposition team either by text, email etc
The BLUE “League Copy” of the Team Sheet, FULLY completed, should be sent by First Class Post to reach Mick Willmore by the Thursday after a Saturday match.
This is the ONLY item of correspondence that is required by post.
(Allowances have been made for weeks where “Postal Strikes” have occurred)
RESULTS REPORTING
Rule 21(B)
BOTH Clubs shall notify/SMS the result of each Competition Match to the Competition within 30 minutes of the finish of the match. This will include Football Association and County Football Association matches.
The results of all League and Cup matches in the Competition should be reported by the FA Full-Time “SMS” (text) System.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
FA FULL-TIME
The Referees marks, team, players, substitutes, goal scorers, red / yellow cards, and sin-bin, etc MUST be entered to “FA Full-Time” by the end of the Tuesday following a Saturday match (ie 48 hours after any match).
Failure to complete “FAFT” correctly and on time WILL incur a League Fine/s.
“MATCH DAY APP”
This “App” is run by the Football Association and if Clubs have any issues on its use, then please refer to ECFA in the first instance.
As a Competition, the ESBFL does not recommend use of the “Match Day App”, it has known faults and any Club using it should check that all details are fully recorded before exiting the application.
A known issue is “Referees Marks” which have a habit of dropping off once the team statistics are entered, a number of Clubs have had Fine Warnings and / or Fines for these details being omitted.
DISCIPLINE
Since the start of the season, till the end of October, there have been 35+ players dismissed and over 550 cautions, there have also been 9 reported incidences of misconduct towards players, Match officials, members of the public and county officials.
These are situations the ESBFL Management feel very strongly about, and the statistics make poor reading, the ECFA will deal with all these cases as deemed appropriate but bear in mind these actions can be very costly both for players and your, Clubs.
WHOLE GAME SYSTEM (“WGS”)
All Club Secretaries should check “WGS” on a regular basis, if you don’t, the ECFA levy a fine (25%) for late acknowledgements and payments of fines and the Club could be put into a “SINE-DIE” situation meaning they cannot play until those debts are cleared.
Club Secretaries are also responsible for adding the matches missed by players who have been suspended.
Whilst the ESBFL regularly reviews the whole Club contents on “WGS” it is not their responsibility to monitor failures by Member Clubs to follow basic procedure/s.
REFRESHMENTS
Rule 20A
The Rule {Rule 20(A)} on Page 120 of the ESBFL Handbook states:
Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these have been declined before the game.
Clubs in default shall be fined (£15.00).
NB: Whilst the Rule does not actually detail what constitutes “refreshments”, for clarity, it is in the form of drinks, these can be hot, in the form of tea or coffee or cold, eg bottled water, diluted squash or bottled energy drinks are sufficient.
About Post Author
