04/02/2023 – REPORT – Chelmsford City FC Reserves versus Belle Vue Social FC

CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

CHELMSFORD CITY FC RESERVES.   1.       BELLE VUE SOCIAL FC.            2.

Date:               Saturday 04^th February 2023             .          

Venue:             Hullbridge Sports FC. Lower Road, Hullbridge.

            Now, the trek to Hullbridge, is long and arduous, for me, this was a first visit to this venue and it was my first chance to watch ninth placed Chelmsford City FC Reserves (23pts) play seventh placed Belle Vue Social FC (31pts) who I had watched earlier in the season. The main pitch looked in good condition, cut and rolled, the surface was however, soft and would cut up later, the weather was chilly, no wind and there was no sun so this game might finish in semi-darkness.

            The match official was John Tyson, another new referee I had not met before, similarly Assistant Loui Motley was also new, and he was joined by Anthony Darke and generally they worked well as a team, there were few major incidences of note with the visitors receiving three cautions.

            Belle Vue kicked off playing the ball back towards their defence then setting up an attack down the right side, Cripps rolled his foot over the ball to distract Olagunju, who promptly fouled Cripps, just wide off, but level with the penalty area, Urwin stroked his free kick towards the far post where ALEX DRENNAN rose to head firmly home and we had less than two minutes on the clock! As expected Chelmsford hit back gaining a corner , taken by Motobaluti, and cleared from the near post by Henry, Drennan failed to tackle Ameyaw who skipped past him, fortunately Francis was covering his central defensive partner. After five minutes this game was open, both teams looked to attack positively, normally at pace, very encouraging especially as we had seen one goal already. Drennan then fouled the lively Hawney just outside the penalty area, Lloyd stood over the ball, before placing the ball round the defensive wall and into the arms of keeper, Thorndyke. Chelmsford kept up their pressure, Wilkes got forward but shot wide but in midfield Webb and Urwin were working hard for the visitors, the latter verbally directing play to his colleagues. Wilkes was again involved spraying the ball wide to Badjana whose cross from the right side, fairly fizzed across the six yard box. Drennan again fouled a player, this time Millett who had turned his marker and had already shown his control and pace if given a chance, once again, Lloyd took the free-kick, a better effort this time but keeper, Thorndyke was perfectly placed for a comfortable save. Belle Vue started another fine move, Cripps made ground with the ball down the right side with Pointer in support, Harrington took the ball on finding Urwin whose pass fell at the left foot of Goodman, a slight delay to change feet saw his goal-bound effort be expertly saved by home keeper, Cassie, the ball striking the post to be cleared away for a corner by Davidson. Another foul, this time on the left side was taken by Webb, left-footed and long towards Cripps who was challenging keeper, Cassie, inside the six-yard box, the keeper coming out on top.

            The visitors had got into their stride now, Harrington passed to Cripps, the ball was played back to Harrington outside the penalty area, from where Urwin lobbed goalwards with keeper Cassie backpedalling to retrieve the goal-bound ball. Wilkes and Badjana worked the ball down the right side and from a deep cross defender Henry got the better of Ameyaw to win a goal-kick. Millett used his pace to get round the back of the Belle Vue defence, but Francis was there to clear, further up field Cripps clipped Olagunju, voices were raised but the incident was dealt with efficiently by the match official, the visitors do tend to challenge every decision! Urwin and Harrington set up a shot which was blocked by Davidson on the edge of the penalty area, and the home team built a forward move patiently from defence, Ameyaw to Millett inside to Wilkes whose shot was still rising as it cleared the cross-bar, but much better from the hosts. Keeper, Thorndyke kept his goal intact with a fine save, when advancing into a one-on-one situation with Millett who had evaded tackles from Drennan and Henry down the left side.

            I had been impressed by the work-rate of Urwin for Belle Vue, one minutes supporting his forwards, next he has tracked back to defend and win a throw-in as Badjana threatened, then a free-kick taken by Drennan fell to Cripps whose moved inside before powering a shot direct to keeper, Cassie. When Wilkes threatened down the right side, Hazlewood did well to get back and defend conceding a corner, which flew straight behind for a goal-kick! This match had been competitive throughout, only one goal but plenty of effort from both teams, the visitors probably had more possession. Cripps dived into a challenge wide on the right side, whether he clipped the defender or not the challenge was poor, the referee stopped the game to speak to Cripps, who acknowledged his misdemeanour, but substitute Martyr, laboured the point with the Referee Assistant, only to earn a caution for dissent. The persistence of Millett, for Chelmsford, earned a corner off Urwin, this was cleared but as the half closed a deep clearance from keeper, Thorndyke fell over the shoulder of the retreating Olagunju who calmly controlled the ball on his left foot and in one movement had passed the ball back to his keeper, Cassie, that was a fine piece of skill shown there.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 1.

            No player changes as the players emerged from half-time, Chelmsford were to kick-off and showed plenty of movement with the ball, Harrington fouled Wilkes, Urwin fouled Badjana, and that home pressure was eased when defender Ogbeghie pushed Cripps in the back. Urwin took the free-kick, Cripps knocked the ball down and Goodman tried an overhead kick which cleared the cross bar. When Ameyaw intercepted a pass out of the visitors defence, Millett was quickly sent away but the experienced Drennan got back to shield the ball out of play. A poor clearance, bit of a skier, from Francis from inside his own penalty area put pressure on his own defence and a deflected shot from Millett cannoned back off the far post to be scrambled away, but not so far as Lloyd for Chelmsford placed the ball back across goal where keeper, Thorndyke managed to palm the ball away for a corner on the other side. In a frantic start from the hosts, Webb fouled Ameyaw just a foot outside the penalty area, Badjana took the free-kick smashing the ball over the defensive wall onto the cross-bar and out of play. When play was stopped for a head injury to a Chelmsford player the restart was on the half-way line, normally the ball is dropped to allow the ball possessor, Chelmsford, to restart the match, unfortunately Webb was too eager to get to the ball and touched the referee who cautioned him.

            At the hour mark, Ameyaw and Millett were now causing a few problems with their passing and pace, Belle Vue were defending stoutly, Millett sent in a low cross and in the scramble the ball was deflected back to keeper Thorndyke and Belle Vue breathed a big sigh of relief. A long and high clearance from Webb was fielded by keeper, Cassie, despite the presence of Cripps, whose attempt to gain possession led to Olagunju clearing the ball. Chelmsford had definitely come out with more fight, taking the game to Belle Vue, both teams were asking for every decision, the referee was letting play continue as required and only stopped proceedings if deemed necessary. On sixty-seven minutes, at a stop for a corner, Chelmsford replaced Motobaluti with Sain, the corner taken by Badjana was cleared by Francis and this was followed by a foul by Ogbeghie and Belle Vue could relax, once again. Chelmsford were “calling the shots” now but they needed that final pass to their forwards to get anywhere near goal, Henry, Hazlewood, Drennan and Francis had been big and strong all game, playing with a “though shalt not pass” mentality. On a rare break forward, Belle View, through Urwin, who pushed the ball wide to Pointer and from his first time driven cross, Badjana handled the ball, the Assistant Referee signalled, and the referee had to run across to ask why the flag was raised, as he, the referee, was unsighted. The resultant penalty kick was despatched by SAM CRIPPS, that second goal was possibly a crucial score as the home team were looking more and more dangerous. On seventy minutes Chelmsford replaced Ameyaw with Pheby.

            There were fifteen minutes left when Belle Vue replaced Harrington with Crane, Chelmsford pushed forward again, Webb and Urwin helped out their own defence as Millett and Badjana threatened once again and it was this combination down the left side that created their goal, Badjana got the better of Henry and passed inside to DIIONE MILLETT who, with his back to goal, turned away from Drennan to power a fine shot past the diving keeper, Thorndyke. Before the restart Belle Vue introduced Aigbogun for Goodman and three minutes later Chelmsford replaced Badjana with Adigun, play continued at a fast, somewhat tetchy pace, both teams contesting every tackle and asking for every decision to go in their favour. As we entered the last five minutes of normal time, Hazlewood received a caution for a tired challenge, Chelmsford replaced Hawney with Olley, the visitors may be tiring now and a fine run by Pheby saw him strike a fine shot that kept rising to just clear the cross-bar and it was left to Belle Vue substitute Aigbogun to make a last ditch tackle to thwart the home teams aspirations for a late equaliser.

FULL TIME:     1 – 2.

            Not a bad game, certainly plenty of effort, not so many chances but plenty of attacking play, Belle Vue just scrapped home having been the better team in the first half, but the hosts made them work harder in the second half and some might say they deserved a point, they drop one place as other results went against them.

            Finally, turning to my “Star Player” choice, for Chelmsford City FC Reserves, these players are youth players, they can certainly play and are very fit, the early goal conceded probably knocked their confidence, Belle Vue Social are a resolute team and make things very difficult. Players that stood out were Olagunju, Davidson Ameyaw with Badjana and goal-scorer Millett the threat up top. For Belle Vue, defensively as already stated, they were strong, in Harrington, Goodman and Cripps they have a goal threat but its in midfield where Webb barks instruction, whilst Pointer and especially Urwin battle away to gain possession and then create chances, the latter was excellent throughout.

Teams:

CHELMSFORD CITY FC RESERVES:   

Colours:                        Claret Shirts, Claret Socks & White Socks.

Team:

Aaron Cassie., Emmanuel Olagunju., David Ogbeghie., Harry Davidson., Kelean Motobaluti., Samuel Ameyaw., Samba Badjana., Finn Wilkes., Harry Lloyd (C)., Alex Hawney., Diione Millett

Management:                Marc Stephen.

Used Substitutes:           Freddie Pheby., Adefolarin., Zak Olley., Leandro Sain.

Unused Substitutes:       Nathan Ball.

BELLE VUE SOCIAL FC.

Colours:                        Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Jack Thorndyke., Wesley Henry., Shaun Hazlewood., Dylan Francis., Alex Drennan (C)., Jack Urwin., Jack Webb., Dan Goodman., Josh Pointer., Sam Cripps., Jack Harrington.

Manager:                      Jack Mitchell.

Used Substitutes:           Josh Crane., Gabriel Aigbogun.

Unused Substitute:         Ryan Martyr, Billy Clarke.

Referee:                        John Tyson.

Assistant Referees:        Anthony Darke & Loui Motley.

Star Player:                Jack URWIN                            (BELLE VUE SOCIAL FC)

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

February:                                                                      14:30pm

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.