03/05/2019 – REPORT – Gas Recreation FC versus AFC Sudbury “A” (KOC-Final)
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
KNOCK-OUT CUP FINAL.
GAS RECREATION FC: 2. AFC SUDBURY “A”: 1.
Date: Friday 3rd May 2019. Venue: Brantham Leisure Centre, Brantham.
Last evening saw the third and last cup final match for this season, the Knock-Out Cup Final played at Brantham Leisure Centre between Premier Division Champions and current Cup-Holders, Gas Recreation FC and Division Two new-comers AFC Sudbury “A” who can still finish Runners-Up in their division, this after lifting the Tommy Thompson Cup last week when defeating Stanway Pegasus FC.
Gas Recreation FC (P) had reached this final courtesy of victories over Holland “A” (W/O)., Rowhedge (D2) by 7-0., Cavendish FC (D2) by 4-0., Alresford Colne Rangers FC (P) by 3-0 then in the Semi-Final they beat Brantham Athletic FC Reserves (P) by 5 penalties to 3 having drawn 3-3 After Extra Time.
AFC Sudbury “A” (D2) have reached this final courtesy of victories over Harwich Rangers FC (D2) by 8-1., Little Oakley FC Reserves (P) by 3-0., Hedinghams United FC (P) by 2-1 then Lawford Lads FC (P) by 6-0, in the semi-final.
Despite a cold and wet evening, a decent crowd had assembled, attendance numbers were down compared to the two previous finals held this season, was it the weather or were people expecting Gas to win comfortably given their renowned cup-fighting history and the supposed “gulf” between divisions.
The appointed match official was Steven Tovey who was ably assisted by Stuart Gillman and Wayne Dearsley with Rhys Collins acting as the 4th Official and after the “Respect” handshake we were ready for kick-off.
Gas kicked off playing down the slope and a lively start followed, Dale and Page breaking forward with O’Malley defending well for a throw-in and at the other end Critchley won a corner off Ogunsayna, with the low corner taken by Girling (S) being hacked clear by the feet of keeper, Beeson. AFC set another quick passing move together getting the ball forward to King which Gas defended with a big punt forward towards Page, a willing runner tonight. Girling (S) put King through and when he passed to Girling (S) the first-time effort cannoned off the body of keeper, Beeson to King who skied the ball over the cross-bar. Taylor (R) fouled O’Malley and when Bulmer did the same on O’Malley, with more weight behind the foul, he was cautioned after only eight minutes. Taylor (R) was then fouled himself by O’Malley, tit-for-tat I suppose, and the free-kick taken by Beeson was headed out by Wooldridge to Dale who sent a dipping left footed effort just over the cross-bar. On twelve minutes, a breakthrough, when a free-kick taken by Machin, just shy of the half-way line, found the head of SCOTT PAGE running into the penalty area to guide the ball wide of keeper, Wright with defenders standing still, route one, maybe, but they all count! Gas followed this success with another attempt, a Machin throw-in found Taylor (L) who lofted the ball into the six-yard box, keeper, Wright elected to punch clear and AFC cleared before Taylor (R) could latch onto the ball. Another corner from the left-foot of Machin forced keeper, Wright to palm the ball over the cross-bar for a corner cleared by Wooldridge. AFC remained determined and unflustered, Critchley and Girling (S) worked the ball forward with the latter player having a shot blocked by Taylor (R) with Osborn chipping the rebound to keeper, Beeson.
Gas increased their lead after twenty-one minutes, a corner from Machin was palmed down by keeper, Wright and when neither O’Malley or Langridge could properly clear the ball it fell kindly to JOHN BULMER who blasted home from the edge of the penalty area. The tempo of the game did not subside, Minter was pulled up for obstructing Osborn wide on the left side, and on twenty-nine minutes AFC scored the goal-of-the match, King ran over the ball at a free-kick, Osborn played a short ball to Girling (S) who set up FRED KING who fairly rifled an unstoppable shot past the dive of keeper, Beeson, that one was devised on the training pitch for sure. Buoyed by this goal, AFC pressed forward to find space and play their pass and move game which forced Gas back. The next Gas attack was started with a high up-and-under ball into the six-yard box by Machin, when the ball bounced, keeper, Wright jumped for the ball alongside Page but as he landed he was caught by Taylor (R). When Minter handled the ball mid-half another free-kick routine followed with Wooldridge striking the ball off Dale for a corner, taken by Girling (S) and after one bounce cleared off the goal-line by Minter.
Taylor (L) was on hand to cover his defence after a ball from Girling (E) was heading to Renwick, and AFC continued to move the ball around quickly and Minter was spoken too about an incident in some earlier build up play with advantage being played. Gregory covered to concede a corner as Osborn broke free, the corner taken by Osborn was met firmly by the head of King only for keeper, Beeson to make a fine one handed save tipping the goal-bound header over the cross-bar. The subsequent corner was hit long by Osborn to Wooldridge whose return header was clutched under the cross-bar by keeper, Beeson. Taylor (R) managed to get behind Critchley but his cross to the far post had already gone out of play before brother Taylor (L) latched onto the ball to volley back across goal. Taylor (L) so often the creator for Gas then sent Dale clear but keeper, Wright was quickest to the ball on the edge of the penalty area only to be fouled and Critchley was flattened by Page in another incident just before half-time.
HALF-TIME: 2 – 1.
AFC restarted this interesting tie, the young Division 2 under-dogs had shown plenty pf promise and seemed un-fazed by their opponents, they gained an early free-kick for a handball incident just wide of the right side of the penalty area. Osborn stepped up to strike a fine left-footed shot over the defensive wall with the ball destined for the top right corner until keeper, Beeson made an excellent save tipping the ball out for a corner. Osborn took the corner finding Wooldridge and then Renwick, with keeper, Beeson stopping any further efforts. Taylor (R), under the totting up process, was cautioned for a foul on Girling (E), a run and cross from Stoneman was headed out for a corner by Langridge, Machin took the corner finding Minter and when keeper, Wright collected the tame header he threw the ball out to set up another AFC attack. Taylor (L) was cautioned for hauling back Osborn, rugby style, perhaps lucky that the ball had gone forward, and the incident was wide of the penalty area however, the Gas defence was going to be under pressure once again. On fifty-four minutes Taylor (L) was replaced by Mitchell, perhaps a precautionary measure, and when Gregory uncharacteristically dithered on the ball he was robbed by King who strode past two defenders before pulling his shot wide.
An error by Beeson, when kicking clear a rolling back-pass almost set up Renwick but the ball could not be controlled properly, then Minter fouled Renwick, looked a bit harsh this time but it was indicated by the referee that it was his last chance, so what does he do, speaks out of turn and gets a caution! Worse did follow for Gas as when Dale lost the ball he chased after Langridge and after at least two bites at the ball, missing both times, he took the AFC defender down for a straight red card on sixty-one minutes. Taylor (L) put in a big block on Mayhew as AFC seeked to profit from that dismissal, and on sixty-five minutes Bulmer was replaced by Dadds, like for like midfield replacement. Critchley used his pace to get round Stoneman and send in a great low cross that keeper, Beeson saved, parrying the ball which bounced just behind King who was ready to pounce, an important stop there! A cross from Osborn found Langridge with keeper, Beeson punching the ball away for a corner, taken by Girling (S) finding Langridge who headed over the cross-bar. A long ball forward from Beeson sent Page chasing forward and to those watching, it seemed he had climbed all over defender Langridge in order to gain possession, some bright spark sitting near me called it a mugging, but Page ran on only to fluff his attempted shot at goal. Straight away at the other end a big shout for a penalty kick, King seemed to have been felled but again no decision was given and play continued, Gas had been forced into some determined professional defensive work as AFC attacked again and again, but what they needed was that decent final ball!
Wooldridge sent the ball forward to Mayhew whose progress was blocked by the advancing keeper, Beeson and we had about fifteen minutes plus stoppage time remaining. King dribbled through and past four players before sending in a low cross that was gathered on the ground by keeper, Beeson, that final ball again! Minter was lucky again when he fouled Girling (S), another warning was issued and the free-kick from Girling (S) was too close to keeper, Beeson who comfortably held the ball. AFC, through Osborn should have scored the equaliser, clean through on goal down the right side he opted to try to chip the advancing keeper but fluffed his effort and the keeper held the ball in his midriff. AFC replaced Renwick with Horlock and keeper, Beeson was quickest to the ball when the substitute threatened from the restart. The game had been played at a fast pace throughout, needless-to-say, that some players, mainly from the Gas, were troubled with cramp and when the game stopped for treatment to Page, Hughes entered the game for AFC and Firkens replaced Page. In time added on Taylor (L) rode two challenges when working the ball out of his own penalty area but in his over-enthusiastic attempt to regain possession just in front of the dug-outs he clattered into Girling (E) to receive a second yellow card followed by a red card and the Gas were down to nine players. AFC continued to run forward, a great cross from Girling (E) skimmed off the head of Horlock and behind for a goal-kick, all Gas had to do was keep possession and the victory was theirs.
FULL TIME: 2 – 1.
So once again its Gas Recreation FC who lift the ESBFL Knock-Out Cup, to complete a remarkable double-double in repeating last season’s achievements, John Bulmer and Dean West lifted the trophy presented by ESBFL, Chairman, Brian Tatum and celebrated as only Gas do! Spare a thought though for the beaten finalists, AFC Sudbury “A” who have had a fine season that should lead to promotion from Division Two should they gain a point on Tuesday evening away at Hatfield Peverel FC Reserves.
Now for my Player-of-the-Match choice, where do I start, this game was played a fast and furious pace, numerous chances throughout but the goal-scoring was all in the first half, I could go on an analyse every player all of whom played their part, but let’s cut to the chase, to me one player stood out, keeper, Beeson for Gas Recreation FC, without some of his saves the score-line might well have been a different one!
Teams:
GAS RECREATION FC: Colours: Yellow Shirts., Yellow Shorts and Yellow Socks
Daniel Beeson., Jack Stoneman., Gary Machin., Ryan Dale., Luke Taylor (C)., Craig Minter., Jonathan Ogunsayna., Jack Gregory., Scott Page., John Bulmer., Ryan Taylor.
Manager: Simon Hayward.
Assistant Manager: Calvin Firkins.
Used Substitutes: Jake Mitchell., Liam Dadds., Calvin Firkens.
Unused Substitutes: Harry Willoughby., Benjamin Penna.
AFC SUDBURY “A”: Colours: Red Shirts, Red Shorts and Red Socks.
Sam Wright., Ellis Girling., Harry Critchley., Lewis O’Malley (C)., Reece Langridge., Matt Wooldridge., Sam Girling., Ethan Mayhew., Fred King., Jack Renwick., Joe Osborn.
Managers: Crag Power & Jamie Souza
Used Substitutes: Jake Horlock., Josh Hughes.
Unused Substitutes: Josh Tysoe., Rauf Kabangu., Ethan Mills
Referee: Steven Tovey.
Assistant Referee: Stuart Gillman
and Wayne Dearsley
4th Official: Rhys Collins.
Player-of-the-Match: Daniel BEESON (GAS RECREATION FC)
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