02/05/2016 – TT Cup Final – Abandoned @ 89th minutes
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
TOMMY THOMPSON CUP FINAL
LITTLE OAKLEY FC RESERVES: 0. WEST BERGHOLT FC RESERVES: 0.
(ABANDONED AFTER 89 MINUTES DUE TO SEROUS INJURY TO A LITTLE OAKLEY PLAYER)
Date: Monday 2nd May 2016. Venue: Recreation Ground, School Lane, Lawford.
This was the last of this seasons Cup Finals, played at the well appointed Recreation Ground, Lawford. Both finalists play in Division One and they met recently in the final of the Reserve Knock-Out Cup Final with West Bergholt FC Reserves just managing a last minute extra-time winner.
Unfortunately this game will be remembered once again for the last minute action but this time for a very different reason when Richard Green of Little Oakley FC Reserves was seriously hurt as he challenged for a cross along with two fellow players, the goal-keeper and a defender. Whilst we are not sure of how the injury, a seemingly displaced knee-cap, occurred, it was evident that the match officials and players from both teams alike, all agreed that the match should be abandoned, which is indeed what happened before an ambulance arrived to access, treat and then remove the stricken player to hospital. On behalf of the ESBFL and all those present we wish the player a speedy recovery.
The Match Official for this match was Martin Avent and his Assistant Referee’s were Andrew Harvey and Daniel Hill with M/S Gemma Gardiner acting as 4th Official. Despite the early morning drizzle which faded away before kick-off there was a strong wind blowing straight down he pitch. The usual “Respect” handshake was undertaken and a perfectly observed minutes silence was held in respect of Brian Lawrence, ESBFL Authentication Officer, and former chairman of Little Oakley FC who passed away recently.
I have mentioned the well-appointed pitch at Lawford but with a hard pitch and an unpredictable strong wind blowing straight down the middle it could be a test of character for the players chosen for the final. Stanford fouled Farrow then Lord did a similar challenge on Sones, was this, a softening up approach and for ten minutes there was little football played! A Murrells free-kick found Bethell but Green challenged to concede a corner, taken by Murrells towards Bethell who only just managed a touch to the ball off Roots for another corner, this time Murrells drove his kick too far. Sones fouled Stanford but the free-kick from Kioussis (J) only found Day, this time playing in goal for West Bergholt FC Reserves. Little Oakley exerted more pressure but West Bergholt weathered the storm and found that they could also attack until the final ball was played and any attack broke down.
A fine run from Murrells down the left side saw him beat Mathurin and Roots before sending in a cross-cum-shot then after eighteen minutes Hinks was fouled by Newman and required treatment. Mathurin curled the ball into the penalty area with Farrow heading out for a corner, taking with the left foot of Kioussis (J) causing a goalmouth melee despite what looked like a foul on the West Bergholt keeper. From the eventual clearance by Day, Long had to come to collect the ball but misjudged the bounce and the ball ran out, fortunately for a goal-kick! Long was again in action with Green covering as Bethell threatened. Halls produced a decent cross towards Newman but Kioussis (J) won that tackle but in trying to set Mathurin away his excellent cross was met by an attempted overhead kick by Stanford. Good defending by Kioussis (J) on Hallas was spoilt by a poor clearance then Hinks worked his way steadily down the left side to set up Stanford who then had to chase back and defend. Farrow put in a huge challenge on Stanford at the expense of a corner, taken by Mathurin with Good totally missing a glorious headed chance into an almost empty net. Another forward move by Mathurin led to the ball falling to Hinks who blasted the ball over the cross-bar and Stanford was cautioned for a challenge under the totting up procedure.
HALF-TIME: 0 – 0
West Bergholt restarted this finely placed cup final, the first half had not been great as both teams cancelled each other out and neither keeper really having a proper save to make. A Hinks corner found Kioussis (J) whose cross found Roots heading over from close range, and another telling run and cross by Mathurin was so good that Stanford contrived to miss a simple “tap-in” chance and Mathurin was again running at the retreating West Bergholt defence, beating three players to find Lord whose shot was clutched out of the air by Day. Mathurin was clearly the player to set up any chances for Little Oakley and his next cross was flicked on by Stanford but straight to the keeper and Little Oakley replaced Good with Elmer. As the game temporarily livened up Long was lucky to get away with a challenge on Hallas and Murrells, could have been a penalty but referee Avent waved away protests. Mathurin again set off on a run giving Reddick a hard time and Stanford conceded a needless free-kick when fouling Murrells.
On sixty-five minutes Lord set Hinks away and from the cross Elmer headed wide and when Roots ran through into the West Bergholt half he clattered into Farrow to earn a caution and three minutes later Lord set Elmer through but Day was quickly out with Farrow running behind his keeper to clear as Stanford looked to gain possession. Hinks was replaced by Sheppard and Lord drove his way through but failed to get a free-kick when three players clearly, at least to me, brought him down mid-half! Little Oakley had been the better side after the break with West Bergholt at sixes and sevens as they say, being unable to gain possession but having to defend most of the time. A poor challenge by Kioussis (J) led to his caution, not unexpected perhaps then Reddick fouled Mathurin, not unexpected either given the run-around he had been given! Stanford headed over from a Kioussis (J) corner, this from six yards out and we entered the last ten minutes.
Mathurin left Reddick in his wake and Stanford forced a corner off Farrow, taken by Kioussis (J) with Revie heading clear to Sheppard whose, first time shot was held by Day. Bethell fouled Lord, Kioussis (J) as usual took the free-kick but Revie was cautioned after raising an arm towards, Elmer which allowed Kioussis (J) to try is luck from closer range, this he did with Day making an excellent save when tipping the ball onto the cross-bar with Wormall finishing the clearance with three Little Oakley players bearing down on the loose ball. West Bergholt replaced Read with Skingley but in the last minute of normal time Mathurin once again raced down the right wing to send in a fine cross, three Little Oakley players challenged for the ball along with keeper Day and several defenders, all we know now is that Richard Green sustained a nasty injury to his knee and the game was stopped and an ambulance called and the referee after consulting with the respective captains and assembled league officials called proceedings to a halt by abandoning the game.
FULL TIME: 0 – 0
The right decision, that of abandoning the game was made and all parties agreed that the game should be replayed with any gate receipts or donations being made towards the injured player who ironically suffered a broken leg just a couple of seasons ago. The league, both clubs and those numbered supporters and attendees wish the player well for a speedy recovery.
The clubs have agreed, with the blessing of the league that the game will be replayed on:
Saturday 21st May 2016
Kick-Off will be 13:30pm
and the game will be played at:
The War Memorial Ground, Little Oakley.
See you all there.
Teams:
LITTLE OAKLEY FC RESERVES Colours: Blue & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Blue Socks.
Ashley Long., Daniel Roots., Jacob Kioussis., Richard Green., Nathan Kioussis (C)., Daryl Hinks., Ian Lord., Reece Harte., Gary Stanford., Luke Good., Sean Mathurin
Manager: Gary Kioussis
Assistant Manager: Paul Beasley
Coach: James Good
Used Substitutes: Daryl Elmer., Luke Sheppard.
Unused Substitutes: Adam Eldridge., Jamie Eades
WEST BERGHOLT FC RESERVES: Colours: Red Shirts, Black Shorts, Red & Black Socks.
Sam Day., Connor Read., Stuart Reddick., Guy Wormall., Shane Farrow (C)., Jason Sones., Craig Hallas., Jonny Murrells., Darren Bethell., Darren Revie., Perry Newman.
Manager: Greg Murthwaite.
Used Substitutes: Christopher Skingley.
Unused Substitutes: Greg Murthwaite
Referee: Martin Avent (Tiptree).
Assistant Referees: Andrew Harvey (Colchester).
Daniel Hill (Brightlingsea).
4th Official: M/s Gemma Gardiner (Clacton-on-sea).
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