04/03/2023 – REPORT – Brightlingsea Town FC versus Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION ONE
BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN FC. 3. STANWAY PEGASUS FC RESERVES. 1.
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 Venue: Strangers Corner, Brightlingsea.
There were a lot of ESBFL Cup matches this weekend with the top divisions having only a few league matches, so, having watched a Premier Division match the night before, where else could I go but Division One where leaders Brightlingsea Town FC were to play third placed Stanway Pegasus FC Reserves. Brightlingsea Town FC joined the ESBFL for season 2020/2021 finishing tenth in Division Three, with a League restructure they were elevated to Division Two for season 2021/2022, topping the Division by winning all twenty-four matches. This season their progress has continued in Division One, the only points (two) dropped were in this reverse fixture but fourteen wins from fifteen matches is very creditable at this stage. That said, Silver End United FC sit second with only defeat to date, they have four games in hand but points in the bag, and a superior goal difference, as they say count, for more.
On a cold afternoon, at Strangers Corner, high above the River Colne estuary, on a pitch that looked a bit bumpy, the match official was Carl Pearse, a much experienced referee who would be assisted by Club volunteers.
Brightlingsea Town FC kicked off and the pace of Griggs saw him get down the right side to fire in a low cross towards the near post with keeper Kendle collecting before launching a high clearance into the Brightlingsea half. Defender Burnett and midfielder Wallis both challenged for the ball with Burnett suffering an injury, now one player you don’t want to be tackled by is the competitive Wallis, especially when it’s your own player! The initial stages of this game were a bit disjointed neither team could control and keep the ball on a tricky surface, a long throw-in from Simmons towards Baker (K) caused a few problems due the height of the forward inside the six-yard box. On nine minutes the first goal arrived and was duly scored by RICKY GRIGGS, Wallis played the ball forward, Baker (K) flicked the ball on and the player, manager, did what he does best and scored. The outlet of Griggs is a lethal weapon and in tandem with the equally quick Sauka, who was missing today, they have a potent strike force, which is used very effectively judging but the number of goals they have scored this season, with target player Baker (K) the divisions leading scorer. Wallis fouled Tiffney through midfield on the half-way line, but the dependable Burnett headed the ball clear to set up another attack. The visitors were at sixes and sevens after the early goal and could not get the ball forward, dithering on the ball and losing possession cheaply, which put more pressure on an increasingly overworked defence.
When Griggs chased down a high bouncing ball, visiting keeper, Kendle advanced but totally missed his attempt to punch clear, but got lucky as defender Richards got back to clear the danger. A clearance by keeper, Kendle was destined for Payne but he fouled Burnett in the process, the free-kick, driven by Burnett headed straight to keeper, Kendle, bit of a waste I suppose as both Baker (C) and Baker (K) were present inside the penalty area. The referee had cause to speak to Payne, the first of many times, for some outspoken words when a decision didn’t go his way and generally, despite the single goal, both teams were making hard work of this match! One player who kept popping up in dangerous positions was the diminutive Morley, for Brightlingsea, those positions were not just through midfield but in higher positions and even back in defence, the last time I watched his team he was my “Star Player”! On twenty minutes, Tiffney played in Caulfield who gained a corner off Simmons, taken by Chambers but Baker (C) headed clear when rising high above everyone else. Minutes later, a free-kick taken by Burnett was sent to the far post where Baker (C) headed back into the area near the penalty spot, Griggs rifled a shot goalwards, keeper, Kendle made a fine flying save but MATT SIMMONS reacted quickly to steer the loose ball home from eight yards out. When Walker, was seemingly fouled by Ekins, the referee allowed play to continue with the visitors in possession until Hunt intercepted a pass from Brook inside the penalty area and on the counter attack, Drysdale linked up with Simmons before getting the ball back but shooting wide with his left foot.
Drysdale thought he had scored when chasing a bouncing through ball, his header over the keeper lacked the pace to go over the goal-line and keeper, Kendle recovered to catch the ball before it entered the unguarded net. Another long ball forward from Wallis sent Griggs away down the right side, checking back inside he beat Chambers before lifting a rising shot over the crossbar with the unmarked Drysdale screaming for the ball at the far post. A rash backwards clearance by Richards led to a throw-in putting more pressure on his defence, the long throw-in from Simmons found Baker (K) whose flick-on was collected by keeper, Kendle. Morley won a midfield challenge against Payne, feeding the ball forward to Griggs whose cross from the right side found Baker (K), who chested the ball down before firing into the side netting, another close call. When Morley and Tiffney challenged for the ball down near the corner flag, a corner was tightly given, the corner taken by Tiffney was headed away by Baker (C) for what should have been another corner, but a goal-kick was given! Stanway Pegasus Reserves ended the half in better shape and from a last-minute corner the ball was played short to Chambers who rifled a fine effort over the cross-bar.
HALF-TIME: 2 – 0.
The start to the second half was similar to the first, slow, lethargic and no pattern of play, things have to improve, a throw-in from Hart found Baker (K) who fed the ball back to Hunt whose first time cross found Baker (C) who clattered a defender in his determination to win the high ball. Burnett used some guile when defending against Brooks, to stride away with the ball in a tight situation, passing to Hunt whose forward ball let Griggs chase away and return the ball to the supporting Hunt whose fine cross found Baker (K), whose control was excellent, for a big player, before his close-range effort was blocked, by Grove, to loop over the crossbar for a corner. From the corner taken by Burnett, Simmons headed over the cross-bar and with play stopped Stanway Pegasus introduced Dexter for Walker. A long clearance from keeper, Kendle fell to Payne who passed the ball wide to Caulfield, whose return ball led to a decent cross that was headed firmly away by Simmons and with play stopped, Brightlingsea Town replaced Ekins with Close, another tall player for the visitors to contend with.
Stanway Pegasus Reserves were finally rewarded for their improved form this half, Chambers started the move finding Brooks and LUKE PAYNE drove the ball home from close range running onto the pass from Brooks. Hunt played the ball long to Griggs who gained control to round Chambers, sending a left-footed shot that forced keeper, Kendle to save at full stretch. Baker (K) cleverly dribbled down the right side and was only stopped by a fine tackle by Tiffney, thereafter a corner taken by Burnett caused confusion inside the six-yard box. Caulfield defended well against Hunt, a good contest had developed here, with the visitor’s player looking threatening when given space down the left side. On seventy-four minutes Brooks was replaced by Burns for Stanway Pegasus Reserves, Griggs was cautioned for dissent, then Payne had a goal-bound shot blocked by Caulfield, his own team colleague, was also flagged as being off-side and Brightlingsea Town replaced Drysdale with Hill on seventy-five minutes.
Brightlingsea Town kept getting forward, the visitors defended well, Burnett pushed the ball forward to Close then Baker (K) whose made an audacious attempt at goal when flicking up the ball and volleying just over the cross-bar. From a corner taken by Richards, a fine goal-bound header by Grove was headed off the goal-line by Morley, the smallest player on the pitch guarding the far post with keeper Reedman well beaten! Brightlingsea Town scored their third and final goal with five minutes remaining, as usual a well struck free-kick from Burnett found the head of Close rising on the penalty spot, his header did not go goalwards but fell to Baker (C) who lashed the ball goalwards where keeper, Kendle saved but LIAM CLOSE was well placed to lash the ball into the net. Another change for Stanway Pegasus Reserves followed, at least all their substitutes got some action, barring the manager, this time Buda replaced Tiffney. Every corner, taken by Burnett had been well flighted, Baker (C) connected well with another, and Caulfield blocked the ball on the line with his knees. Back at the other end a decent strike from Grove streaked over the cross-bar and Brightlingsea Town made their third change with minutes remaining when Lee came on for Simmons with the match finishing minutes later.
FULL TIME: 3 – 1.
Not a classic game from two teams at the top of the division but the home team looked comfortable and probably should have scored more goals, the visitors had lost three players to their first team and had to resort to younger players, to make up the numbers, credit to them though, this is adult football played by players who are sixteen or over. Brightlingsea Town FC remain on course for the championship but Silver End United FC have those games in hand, so a big game is on the cards for Saturday 18th March when the two teams met at Silver End.
Finally, turning to my “Star Player” choice, for Stanway Pegasus Reserves, Caulfield had a good second half, Grove tried to play the captains part by not only defending well but encouraging his team-mates. Now, Brightlingsea Town FC, have a good team and work ethic, they defend well, marshalled by Baker (C) with Hunt and Simmons regularly getting forward and Burnett supplies the critical passes, delivering excellent free-kicks and corners. Up front Griggs has pace to threaten and Baker (K) is a challenge for any defender to mark, in midfield Wallis, takes no prisoners, Ekins, Drysdale work hard but today Morley was everywhere, as shown from early in the first half, once again he gets my vote.
Teams:
BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN FC.
Colours: Blue Shirts, Black Shorts and Blue Socks.
Team:
Aaron Reedman., Mat Simmons., Rowan Hunt., Darryl Wallis., Conrad Baker., Richard Ekins., Rhys Morley., Philip Burnett (C)., Adam Drysdale., Ricky Griggs., Kieron Baker.
Manager: Ricky Griggs.
Used Substitutes: Matt Hill., Callum Lee., Liam Close.
Unused Substitute: Lee Gomesh., Sam Askew.
STANWAY PEGSASUS FC RESERVES:
Colours: Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts and Yellow Socks.
Team:
Sam Kendle., Max Caulfield., Harry Chambers., Kieron Hynes., Travis Richards., Matt Grove (C)., Frank Tiffney., Elliot Walker., Lewis Brooks., Luke Payne., Lewis King.
Manager: Craig Isom.
Used Substitutes: Samuel Buda., Joe Burns., Harry Dexter.
Unused Substitutes: Craig Isom.
Referee: Carl Pearse.
Star Player: Rhys MORLEY (BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN 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
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.
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