01/05/2026 – REPORT – Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves versus Hedinghams United FC – Peter Andrews Charity Cup Final

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PETER ANDREWS CHARITY CUP FINAL.

HATFIELD PEVEREL FC RESERVES.  1.         HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC:                0.           

Date:   01^st MAY 2026.                                  Venue: “The Crops”, West Street, Coggeshall.

            This was the second ESBFL Cup Final of the season, the Peter Andrews Charity Cup, once again this year it was an evening kick-off at “The Crops”, home of Thurlow Nunn Division One South, Coggeshall Town FC and the ESBFL extends a big thank you to Graeme Smith and his staff for providing the venue, facilities and hospitality on a very warm and dry evening.

            Last season the ESBFL donated money to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, also known as the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association, is a UK charity that provides trusted support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents, the ESBFL will again be donating to this worthy charity.

            This Cup Competition, the Peter Andrews Charity Cup, a cup kindly donated by Lt Col Peter Andrews, OBE, who is our league, President, started with eighteen teams drawn from Division One plus four invited teams, the bottom two teams from the previous seasons Premier Division, and the two relegated teams at season end, after a Preliminary Round, Round One, the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals we have reached this year’s final.

            Tonight’s finalists are Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves and Hedinghams United FC, who beat Dovercourt Rovers FC and Clacton Regent FC respectively and a crowd, more than two hundred and fifty, had assembled to watch, what turned out to be a close match, by quirk of the fixture list they had played each other last weekend with Hatfield Peverel Reserves winning by four goals to one.

            On a warm, dry evening, under the floodlights on a rock-hard pitch the Match Officials were the experienced Stuart Franklin who had Michael Wallace and Grant Teasell as Assistant Referees with Wendy Townsend as the fourth Official.

            Hedinghams United kicked off, a fast start was seen with a long high ball pumped forward by Turner (C) which found Buckingham, but a goal kick followed, Hatfield Peverel countered and Arnold controlled the ball well before sending in a cross from the left side that was headed clear by Everleigh at the near post. From a throw in taken by Turner (R), there was a clash of heads between Thompson and Reading, both were okay to continue after treatment. Arnold, operating down the left side for Hatfield Peverel Reserves again showed good control and followed this with another fine cross which keeper, Knock clutched out of the air. Both teams had shown a positive attacking approach and play switched ends repeatedly, Young (R) was spoken too for showing slight dissent, when a handball decision was not upheld, however a corner was given, this was cleared, then another free kick was awarded, taken by Pretty but was high enough for a comfortable save by keeper Knock. On twelve minute, Arnold burst through and forced keeper, Knock to make a save but the Assistant Referees flag was waving for offside and play switched with Willshire being fouled by Blakey-Sewell, twenty-five yards out, the free kick taken by Le Comber was cleared, a few niggly fouls had crept in as we completed the first fifteen minutes.

            Leader, overhit a long ball forward to keeper, Knock, then Reading fouled Le Comber after he embarked on a fine dribble past numerous retreating players, Le Comber took the free kick himself, this was cleared but led to Blakey-Sewell impeding Tyson and another free kick, taken by Turner (C) saw Buckingham flick the ball onwards, but out of play for a goal kick. Pullinger, defended well inside his penalty area, when Arnold and Walton tried to close him down, as he was the last defender, from the next attack, Young (R), sent the ball forward to Le Comber whose cross fell at the feet of Buckingham, who turned sharply but sent a weak shot to keeper, Robinson. Midfielder, Pretty, showed some good footwork to get out of a player sandwich but in his haste to move further up field he fouled Pullinger, to earn the first yellow card of the match, Turner (C), took the free kick, which was deflected wide for a goal kick.

            With half an hour gone, this game remained very tight, Walton sent a long ball forward to Arnold who was fouled by Turner (C), another yellow card as brandished, the free kick taken by Drew hit the defensive wall and thus far there had only been one direct shot at goal! Arnold took on Young (R), this time down the right side but the defender matched the pace and his keeper, Knock was quickly out of his penalty area to clear the ball. Leader has lost none of his desire to get forward but after crossing the half-way line lost control of the ball and had to track back as Tyson played it forward into the space left behind, the game continued to be end-to-end. On thirty-eight minutes, keeper, Knock, made a fantastic save, diving to his right side to save a fine volley from Arnold whose control was once again spot on. With just minutes to half-time, the match had probably seen too many high balls, too many niggly fouls and only one real chance of a goal, but both teams were having a go. Keeper, Robinson had to be alert and collect the bouncing ball just on the edge of his penalty area, after Leader let it go through with Buckingham threatening, Pretty, struck another free kick straight to keeper, Knock. With just a minute remaining of the first half, Hussain worked the ball down the left side and passed to Arnold who struck another volley, this was destined for the back of the net until keeper, Knock again excelled with a fine one-handed save to push the ball up and over the crossbar.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 0.

            Right, let’s get this second half started and hope a goal, or more, are scored at some stage, on the first half balance of play Hatfield Peverel Reserves should be ahead but for two smart saves by Hedinghams United keeper, Knock. Hatfield Peverel Reserves kicked off and Turner (R) fouled Johnson, after some treatment he was ready to play on, Buckingham pressurised Blakey-Sewell into conceding a corner, Thompson fouled Walton to earn a yellow card, then Drew did likewise on Willshire and he saw a yellow card as well. When Arnold was caught offside, the free kick taken by Pullinger was decidedly poor by his standards, the ball did cause confusion inside penalty area and a goalmouth scramble ensued, keeper, Robinson was unable to reach the ball which allowed Pretty to hack the ball clear. Keeper, Robinson anticipated a long through ball and collected the ball on the edge of his penalty area with Buckingham bearing down, as in the first half, there was a tendency to use a long high ball to create attacks but thus far, defences were in control. On fifty-five minutes Hatfield Peverel Reserves sent on Smith-Lightfoot for Leader, a cross from Arnold was held by keeper, Knock, with Young in contention but it was Arnold who set up Hussain whose driven shot found the side netting, in such close proximity to the goal it did get a few spectators celebrating! Turner (R) was replaced by Joshua on fifty-seven minutes, and Walton had the next shot, albeit a weak one to keeper, Knock.

            On the hour mark, Joshua embarked on a dribble through midfield striking the left hand upright with a fine effort which was cleared with the keeper beaten, Pretty for Hatfield Peverel had a long range shot charged down then Young received a yellow card for clattering Tyson, then we witnessed a fine rugby tackle by Everleigh on Hussain, and yes, another yellow card was brandished. With just over twenty minutes remaining Hatfield Peverel Reserves made a double change, off went Walton and Young with Webb and Potter entering play. This game remained end-to-end without any sign of a goal, Turner (C) whacked the ball out of play, a row Z clearance, then Thompson set off down the left side, sending in a fine cross that keeper, Robinson caught near the penalty spot. Young (R) and Drew put in a crunching fifty-fifty tackle in attempting to win the ball, Le Comber tried to get Buckingham away, but the ball had too much pace and a goal kick followed. Smith-Lightfoot put in a fine block to deny Webb then at the other end, Willshire for Hedinghams United hit the crossbar with a rising effort.

            Hatfield Peverel Reserves scored in the seventy-eighth minute, a long throw in from Blakey-Sewell was headed out by a defender but only to GEORGE PRETTY who ran onto the ball and he despatched it into the back of the net. Before the restart, Hatfield Peverel Reserves took off Drew and sent on McHaffie, a lively player who was prepared to chase anything and everything, from his first cross, defender, Turner (C) lashed the ball out of the ground. With eight minutes of normal time remaining, Hedinghams United made two changes, off went Everleigh and Le Comber and on went Smith and Loe, followed two minutes later by Young (R) being replaced by Lewis. Arnold gave chase to a long forward ball, avoided the advancing keeper, Knock, but could only put the ball into the side netting, that same section of the crowd, were caught out once again, Specsavers, anyone! The substitutions kept coming, off went the struggling Turner (C) and on went Taylor, a free kick taken by Smith was missed by everyone and a goal kick followed, and the referee indicated that five minutes of added-time remained, could be more as four match balls had already gone over the catch fencing! Willshire fouled Arnold, Hussain lined up the free kick but struck the ball round the four-man defensive wall, missing the goal at the near post. McHaffie picked up a needless yellow card, Loe took the free kick finding Thompson, with the game stopped, Hatfield Peverel sent on Fitzgerald for Arnold, who had played his part to the full, keeper, Robinson plucked another cross out of the air and just before the end, Loe received a yellow card, to make it eight for the match!

FULL TIME:     1 – 0.

            This game had plenty of endeavour and commitment, both teams had plenty of vocal support, but goal chances were limited and only one goal was scored late in the second half.

            Lt Col Peter Andrews, President of the ESBFL, gave a short speech, thanking everyone for attending, then detailing how the match proceeds will once again be donated to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, there followed the usual presentation of medals to the match officials, the runners-up, Hedinghams United FC, who this year receive a shield and the winners, Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves who receive the Peter Andrews Charity Cup.

Turning to my choice of Star player, for a Cup Final, I usually choose one from each team, numerous players were in contention but for Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves it’s Harry Arnold and for Hedinghams United FC its keeper, Aaron Knock who made two superb saves in the first half.

Teams:

HATFIELD PEVEREL FC RESERVES.

Colours:                        Blue & Black striped shirt, Black Shorts and Black Socks.

Team:

Brody Robinson., Nathaniel Blakey-Sewell., Woody Reading., Steven Johnson (C)., John Leader., Jake Drew., George Pretty., Connor Young., Conor Walton., Jacob Hussain., Harry Arnold.

Management:               Paul Rolfe and Reece Packford.

Used Substitutes:          Simon Potter., Joe Webb., Miley Smith-Lightfoot., Liam McHaffie., Scott Fitzgerald.

HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC:

Colours:                        Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

Aaron Knock., James Tyson., Roman Young., Liam Everleigh., Charlie Turner., Barrie Pullinger (C)., Riley Turner., Kyzer Willshire., Thomas Buckingham., Stanley Thompson., Christopher Le Comber.

Manager:                      Graham Cannon.

Used Substitutes:          Joe Lewis., Leon Joshua., Sam Smith., Ashley Taylor., Harry Loe.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee:                       Stuart Franklin.

Assistants:                    Michael Wallace & Grant Teasell.

Fourth Official:              Wendy Townsend.

STAR PLAYER:            Harry ARNOLD           (HATFIELD PEVEREL FC RESERVES)

                                    Aaron KNOCK             (HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC)