04/05/2019 – REPORT – Mersea Island FC versus Cavendish FC
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION TWO.
MERSEA ISLAND FC: 2. CAVENDISH FC: 1.
Date: Saturday 04th May 2019. Venue: The Glebe, West Mersea.
There were only two matches to consider going to see on Saturday, having seen Great Bentley FC Reserves win, over at Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves in mid-week to secure the runners-up spot I opted to go to West Mersea to watch the Division Two match between Mersea Island FC and Cavendish FC, seventh versus sixth so not much to play for really as neither teams could improve on those league positions in this their final game for season 2018-2019. What I wasn’t expecting was a high tide that would cover “The Strood” and I started queueing at the old Langenhoe Lion pub which does look rather sad these days!
Upon arrival, on a cold, very windy afternoon with rain / hail threatened later, I was informed by the match referee, Ricky Johnson, that, as both he and the Cavendish players had also just arrived ther kick-off would be put back to three-fifteen.
Cavendish kicked-off against the wind which was blowing straight down the pitch towards the clubhouse and the first chance fell to Bethell who lashed the ball over the cross-bar after running in from the left side. Atton and Brewster, two big players on each side were in early contention for the battle for supremacy and when a cross came in from the right wing, keeper, Harvey-Piggins, punched out, Atton failed to react to the loose ball and CHRIS BREWSTER had a simple tap in chance for the opening goal, only eight minutes had elapsed. Given that this was each team’s last match, the game at least at the start was a fairly pedestrian, affair, one or two players over-did the effort for the wrong reasons, moaning and dissent borne out of frustration. Rutter found the side netting running onto a cross from the left by Mahon (R) and Ayton was spoken too by the referee, for putting his arm around the head of Chaplin.
On fifteen minutes Brewster got the better of Bethell who turned to haul the visitor’s player back and the yellow card was shown whilst Rutter vented his frustration verbally to also be warned. A cross from Rutter was almost latched onto by Ayton surging forward from midfield, Bolton was beaten for pace by Palmer, a foul followed as did a caution, Mersea had the upper hand possession wise but could not capitalise as the final pass was not forthcoming. Rutter broke from his own half to outstrip the Cavendish defence however his final shot was tame but still forced keeper, Hastie to dive and save at the expense of a corner. Gibbons took an in-swinging corner kick which nobody read, and the ball went out on the other side for a goal-kick and Mersea continued to keep Cavendish in their own half.
Rutter, for Mersea had the ball in the net on thirty minutes, this after a poor clearance from keeper, Hastie, however the linesman’s flag had been raised for off-side as Rutter had not retreated far enough after a previous attack, and Ayton was spoken too for questioning the decision. Keeper, Hastie made two excellent saves with his feet as Mersea kept up the tempo then Ayton was cautioned, clearly hadn’t listened! The game, with only one goal and not much other goal action was a scrappy affair, definiely spoilt by the wind, but when Palmer and Mahon (R) pushed forward, it was from a goalmouth scramble that the home team equalised through JAMES RUTTER, side-footing home from close range with two Cavendish players ending up on their backs inside the six-yard box! Chaplin for Cavendish was his wily best teasing players with dribbles and step-overs and giving Atton and Passfield a hard time and just before the first half closed Jackson was forced to make a great tackle on Horne who threatened down the right side.
HALF-TIME: 1 – 1.
Mersea kicked-off the second half, against the wind which did abate a bit only for a heavy shower to follow, then sunshine and the wind returned once again as the half progressed. Defender Atton chipped the ball over Brewster, ran forward losing the ball and King (A) got the ball to Wyatt who could only shoot straight at keeper, Harvey-Piggins, at the other end Mahon (R) won a corner off Tatum with the corner taken by Gibbons cleared upfield. This was a better start from both teams, Brewster chased a long ball forward, sent in a cross which Westbrook cleared, danger over. Keeper, Hastie, made another great save with his feet from Rutter, this after a typical surging run forward by Ayton through midfield, a move which left Cavendish player Tatum nursing a sire head for which he had to leave the field of play. From a drop ball situation Chaplin played the ball back to keeper, Harvey-Piggins with Bethel still moaning to once again tobe warned when Palmer was caught off-side not once but twice!
A long clearance from keeper, Hastie fell nicely to Chaplin who netted the ball only to find he was flagged for off-side, Chaplin then forced keeper, Harvey-Piggins to save at his near post, a corner followed, and Ayton hacked the ball clear from the near post. A break from Rutter forced keeper, Hastie to save and from his high wind-assisted clearance the ball bounced once before flying over the cross-bar at the other end. On the hour mark, Mersea made a triple substitution, off went Bethell, Mahon (R) and Ayton with Mahon (J), Akinola and Lamb entering the game for the last fifteen minutes. Another long clearance from keeper, Hastie was wasted by the Cavendish forward who failed to control the ball.
Taylor made a fine tackle on Akinola, just as he was about to break away, but when an error was made by defender, Jackson, young JACK MAHON with almost his first touch, fairly rattled the ball past keeper, Hastie and the home team were ahead. The over enthusiasm of Westbrook led to his caution when he clattered into Taylor, King (A) took the free-kick forcing keeper, Harvey-Piggins to tip the ball over the cross-bar. Jackson for Cavendish was cautioned for a foul as Mersea kept going forward, then with ten minutes to play, Brewster was upended inside the penalty area by Atton, for a penalty kick. Tatum stepped up to strike the ball hard and at a decent height only for keeper, Harvey-Piggins to dive and save the ball on his goal-line. With time running out, two players, Atton and Brewster had another coming together, a great tackle by Atton saw both players get up and shake hands, mark of respect or what! Cavendish still looked for an equaliser and a great cross from Jackson was met on the volley by Tatum, but he could not direct the ball on goal, instead it flew just wide. A direct run by Akinola down the right-side beating Jackson forced keeper, Hastie to concede a corner, Palmer and Chaplin clashed, and from the free-kick taken by King (A) the ball flew too far to trouble anybody, game over.
FULL TIME: 2 – 1.
I suppose you could say this match was treated as an end of season friendly, both teams went through the motions, a draw would probably been the right result but Mersea finish on a high with much credit going to the Management Team of Michael Gibbons and Malcolm Price who took over at the start of the season with insufficient players to raise one team eventually competing with two teams, well done guys. Cavendish FC had joined the ESBFL at the start of the season, were placed straight into Division Two and after a slow and erratic start have competed well in a difficult division which had some quality teams in it this year.
Now for my Player-of-the-Match choice, Mersea Island FC, keeper Harvey-Piggins made numerous saves, including a penalty kick, defender Atton plugged away all game against Brewster with the rest of the team playing their part. Cavendish FC, under strength on the day, I understand, also have some skilful players and if they can get the ball forward to Brewster, my choice by the way, they will always look likely to score goals.
Teams:
MERSEA ISLAND FC: Colours: Black & White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Keiran Harvey-Piggins., Brendon Horne., Sean Palmer., Harrison Westbrook., Matthew Atton., Adam Passfield (C)., James Rutter., Sebastian Bethell., Ryan Mahon., Andy Gibbons, Lewis Ayton.
Managers: Malcolm Price and Malcolm Gibbons
Used Substitutes: Alex Akinola., Jack McMahon., Frazer Lamb
CAVENDISH FC: Colours: Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Liam Hastie., Ben Bolton., Robert Jackson., Ryan Tatum., Aaron Taylor., Will Chaplin (C)., Louis Appleby., Chris Brewster., Adam King., James Wyatt., Oliver King.
Manager: Oliver King.
Unused Substitutes: Adam Green.
Referee: Ricky Johnson (Colne Engaine)
Player-of-the-Match: Chris BREWSTER (CAVENDISH FC)
************************************************************************************
Additional Reporting – FACEBOOK (x2) & TWITTER
This season the ESBFL is widening its match-day reporting coverage, in addition to a full report written by Brian Reed, the league has enlisted the help of a young volunteer, Spencer Hume, who will also attend games using Facebook and Twitter to communicate up-to-date information and replicate other match reports, please make him welcome.
****************************************************************************************
ESBFL “web-site”
The web-site for the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League is: www.esblfootball.com
Clubs are reminded that the following documents are all available on this website under Clubs / Documents etc:
ESBFL Handbook,
Player Registration Sheet,
Player “Signed-On-Match-Day” Form,
Player Transfer Form,
Match Postponement Form,
Referee – Low Mark Form Please report via “FA Full-Time”
Match report to follow
About Post Author
