05/02/2022 – REPORT – Brightlingsea Town FC versus Hedinghams United FC

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION TWO

BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN FC:   10.     (HT: 5-0)    HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC:     0.

Date:   Saturday 05^th February 2022.            Venue:             Strangers Corner, Brightlingsea.      

            When my intended match was postponed, I decided to stay closer to home and took the shorter trip down the Strangers Corner, Brightlingsea, home of table topping, Brightlingsea Town FC, a Club formed just two years ago and in their second season in the ESBFL. Today’s visitors were mid-table Hedinghams United FC who have suffered mixed fortunes this season, and on, the day, may have been let down by players calling off, was it the long journey or the fact that they were playing a rampant home team, they were certainly a different squad to what I had previously seen!

            On an exceptionally windy afternoon, high above the River Colne, the match official would be Alfie Davidson, yes, he may play for Frinton & Walton FC in the same Division, but he showed his neutrality throughout with a comfortable performance assisted by Club Assistants, there were no cautions, in fact, hardly a raised voice in a game dominated by the League leaders.

            Brightlingsea Town FC, were, the league’s highest goal-scorers before kick-off and started this match kicking against that wind, player-manager Griggs set the early tempo with a quick raid down the left side with Pullinger making a block on Sauka who received the ball inside the penalty area, and from the ensuing corner, taken by Griggs, keeper McGregor punched the ball clear. Brightlingsea, as expected, kept the ball high up the pitch and when Hedinghams were awarded a free-kick the ball was struck way too far by Lewis who then fouled Askew, wide down the left side, near the half-way line. Burnett (P) took the free-kick finding Baker (C) and from his knock-down KEIRON BAKER nodded the ball past keeper, McGregor.

            Three minutes after that goal, came another, Griggs wriggled his way down the left side, crossing to Baker (K) whose header fell kindly at the feet of LIAM CLOSE who sided-footed home, the goal-scoring machine had already clicked into a higher gear. The free-kicks delivered by Burnett (P) were well struck and with numerous tall players to aim for were going to cause problems for the visitor’s defence, that said, the fast running of Griggs and Sauka would equally cause problems on the ground. Another Burnett (P) free-kick found Griggs who was fouled by Archer, again Burnett (P) played the ball into the crowded penalty area with keeper, McGregor tipping the dipping ball over the cross-bar. Just at the mid-half point Baker (K) played in Suaka, a turn to the right, a turn to the right and the next time, Pullinger stuck out a leg and Sauka went down, a nailed-on penalty was rightly awarded, no dissent was shown, and ASHLEY SAUKA opened his account for the day striking the ball high to the right side. Willis for Hedinghams had their best chance striking an opportunistic shot from twenty-five yards that failed to test keeper, Burnett (S) who watched the ball fly well wide. The score-line clicked up again on thirty-six minutes, Burnett (P) played the ball over the visitor’s defence and ASHLEY SAUKA raced on to pass the ball past the advancing keeper.

            The response from Hedinghams saw Lewis get round the back of the Brightlingsea defence but Baker (C) intercepted the intended cross, finding Baker (K) with Pullinger just doing enough to edge the ball away from Sauka, then as the ball was being cleared, Baker (K) was adjudged to have raised a high foot against Webb. Then keeper, McGregor was quickly out at the feet of Burnett (P) saving well when his defence left him exposed, Sauka blasted over the cross-bar from close range with keeper, McGregor thankful. Hedinghams were not keeping possession, passes were aimless and overstruck and to be honest even getting out of their own half was a problem as the home side pressed continuously. Right on the stroke of half-time the home team scored their fifth goal, Baker (K) persisted against some dogged defending until Pullinger, and Simpson slipped up and ASHLEY SAUKA from six-yards out completed a first half hat-trick, a player in his twilight years, maybe, but always with an eye for a goal. When Burnett (P) fouled Pullinger, the free-kick was put aside for the visitors first corner, by Morley, with Close doing enough to clear the home goal. At the other Stallan scuffed a decent chance wide when set up by Baker (C), then Sauka crossed to the head of Baker (K) whose knock-down fell to Griggs who chested the ball wide at the far post. By the way, that hat-trick is the fourth consecutive hat-trick, I have seen in the last four ESBFL matches, you want goals, follow me!

HALF-TIME:    5 – 0.

            Hedinghams re-started this match, would the half-time team talk have any effect, they certainly had their backs-to-the-wall as they say, so damage limitation, was perhaps the order of the day! A cross from Loe found the head of Willis but home keeper, Burnett (S) made a comfortable catch on his goal-line then a cross from Willis found Simpson whose cross was poor and really summed up the visitor’s day! Baker (K) leads the front line really well, his larger than life, presence is perhaps intimidating but very effective so another knock-down to Sauka forced keeper, McGregor into another fine save. Lewis was fouled by Askew, Loe struck the free-kick which fell to Lewis whose shot flew wide. For the first ten minutes Hedinghams seemed to have weathered the Brightlingsea storm, they were definitely fighting more against a well drilled team, then Morley sent Burnett (P) away, a fine left-footed cross followed and up popped RICKY GRIGGS to head home, unmarked at the far post. At this point, fifty-six minutes, Brightlingsea replaced Askew with Drysdale (A), keeper, McGregor was injured diving at he feet of Sauka whilst Captain, Pullinger cleared the loose ball when Baker (C) threatened.

            The league table rarely lies about the top team’s performances, fifteen straight league victories, eighty-one goals scored, only twelve conceded from fifteen matches, tells its own story. On sixty minutes, another goal, Griggs persisted against Pullinger and Lowe, the loose ball fell kindly and the leagues leading scorer, RICKY GRIGGS said thanks very much and scored his teams seventh goal. Number eight, duly followed, a cross from Burnett (P) fell on the head of ASHLEY SAUKA who stooped to head home at the far post, his fourth, no defence, no excuse! The goals kept coming, Griggs sent substitute ADAM DRYSDALE away down the left side and his cross-cum-shot was over the goal-line before Griggs got a touch, so who had followed Griggs on that run as he had made up nearly forty yards to get into the penalty area! Drysdale (A) sent another rasping shot goal-wards which keeper, McGregor tipped over the cross-bar, a fine save, and the home team played some good approach work once again with Stallan, Drysdale (A) and Griggs setting up Morley who fired just over the cross-bar.

            Nicholls for Hedinghams had joined the match and along with Simpson forced a rare corner kick which was easily cleared and Brightlingsea chased up field with Morley, clean through, only for keeper, McGregor to save with his feet. On eighty minutes Brightlingsea replaced Sauka with Gomesh then Burnett was replaced by Drysdale (L), Loe fouled Baker (K) on the edge of the penalty area, Baker (K) struck a shot which cannoned back off the defensive wall, Drysdale (A) sent the rebound into the crowded penalty area where Baker (K) lofted the ball over the cross-bar, still going for goals then! On eighty-seven minutes, goal number ten, Griggs won a corner off Loe, substitute Gomesh took the corner and LIAM CLOSE ran in to score from close range, this game is now definitely over!

FULL TIME:     10 – 0.

            Maybe, I was expecting a goal glut, this was the first time I’d watched Brightlingsea Town FC, the previous league encounter between these teams, late last year was a resounding seven goals to nil victory and given other results this season the home team are home and hosed as they say for the Division Two title. To be fair to Hedinghams United FC, they arrived with a depleted team, did not throw in the towel and were soundly beaten by a very good team, just as others have been and will be, before the seasons end, credit to them for trying throughout.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Now, let’s turn to my “Star Player, Hedinghams United FC battled away to no avail, keeper, McGregor, I believe on his debut made some timey saves but was powerless for most of the ten he conceded, chin up, it’s not like that every week! Captain, Pullinger, tried his best to galvanise his overworked team, encouraging his side especially after conceding every goal. For Brightlingsea Town FC, a team effort, just as I suspect most of their games have been, they have three players, Griggs, Baker (K) and Sauka who have notched twenty or more goals so far, today they claimed seven of the ten scored. If your forwards are scoring then they must have a supply chain, from midfield Burnett (P) and Close, with two goals himself, are vital as is Rhys Morley who was everywhere linking defence to attack, he gets my vote this week.

Teams:

BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN FC: 

Colours:                        Blue & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Blue Socks.

Team:

Steven Burnett., Samuel Askew (C)., Phillip Burnett., Matt Simmons., Conrad Baker., Scott Stallan., Rhys Morley., Kieron Baker., Ashley Sauka., Ricky Griggs., Liam Close.

Manager:                      Ricky Griggs.

Used Substitutes:           Lee Gomesh., Adam Drysdale., Luke Drysdale.

Unused Substitute:         Samuel Cowler., Jack Stoneman.

HEDINGHAMS UNITED FC

Colours:                        Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

Team:

James McGregor., Thomas Archer., Paul McLaughlin., Harry Loe., Joseph Lowe., Barrie Pullinger (C)., Alfie Simpson., Daniel Webb., Steve Willis., Joe Lewis., Joer Joseph.

Manager:                      Chris Coyston.

Unused Substitutes:       Chris Coyston., Archie Nicholls.

Referee:                        Alfie Davidson.

Star Players:              Rhys MORLEY                         (BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN FC)

REMINDERS:

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 Cup Matches, if scores are level at the end of “normal time” the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

SUBSTITUTES

The ESBFL continues to allow FIVE SUBSTITUTES to be named before kick-off but only “THREE SUBSTITUTES” may be allowed to participate.

Note:

In Essex County Cups (Premier & Junior) 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 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.

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.

DISCIPLINE

Since the start of the season there have been 45+ players dismissed and over 600 cautions, there have also been several 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 Refreshments for BOTH teams and Match Officials MUST be provided by the home Club at half time unless these are declined before the game. Clubs in default shall be fined.