05/08/2025 – REPORT – A. V. LEE TROPHY TROPHY FINAL – EARLS COLNE FC versus GREAT BENTLEY FC.

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

A. V. LEE MEMORIAL TROPHY

EARLS COLNE FC                    0          (PENALTIES:              3.)

GREAT BENTLEY FC.              0.         (PENALTIES:              2.)

Date:   Tuesday 5^th August 2025.                             Venue: Coggeshall Town FC.

Well, that’s summer over and the new football season is already upon us, are Clubs ready, are players still making their minds up, to play or not to play, and who for, a manager’s nightmare and the season proper kicks off with a reduced fixture list this coming Saturday 9^th August 2025.

Tonight’s season opener was the A. V. Lee Memorial Trophy, normally played between the Premier Division Champions and the Knock-Out Cup winners but with both those Clubs leaving the competition it was third placed Earls Colne FC who would play promoted, Great Bentley FC, last season’s winners of Division One.

Tonight’s match officials on a bright and warm evening, were referee, Simon Lyons, who would be assisted by Greg Hart and Daniel Sage with Carl Pearce acting as the Fourth Official, once again the pitch at Coggeshall Town FC, looked in good shape, considering the lack of rain recently.

            As a mark of respect, and before the “Respect Handshake” the match was preceded by a minute’s silence to remember of Robert (Bob) Tyler, Club Founder and former Chairman of Barnston AFC, he will be greatly missed by the Club and local community.

            Great Bentley kicked off and Vaughan tried an effort from outside the penalty area, keeper, Stigant (C) was untroubled and from his clearance Earls Colne gained a free kick, taken, left-footed by O’Keefe, the ball fell to Molloy who was rightly flagged as being offside. Another long clearance from keeper, Stigant (C) saw Baker (C) put the ball out for a throw-in, and early defensive ploy was Earls Colne putting a player both in front and behind the Great Bentley, target player, Baker (K). A few early free kicks were awarded as both teams tried to stamp their authority on this match, a match which on paper should be competitive and a close fought affair with a winning team difficult to forecast. Peace cleared up field after dispossessing Molloy after a flick on by Nicholson, then Molloy chased down a forward ball with Baker (C) and Peace combining but conceding the first corner of the match. Andreass took the corner kick, Baker (K) headed away but only to Suttle, whose curling right footed effort flashed round the far post. On ten minutes, defender, Burch was cautioned for a poor challenge from behind on Nicholson, Nicholson picked himself up to take the free kick which went out for a goal-kick, at the other end Willsher defended well against Warin to relieve the pressure and on twelve minutes Vaughan was cautioned for poor challenge on McNicholas, Molloy was perhaps fortunate to not receive a yellow card for an untimely challenge on Burch who need treatment on the edge of the penalty area.

            Another caution followed on fifteen minutes, a threaded pass from Brown (D) forced keeper Stigant (C) to advance outside his penalty area, his attempted clearance was poor and Vaughan was about to pounce when the keeper impeded Vaughan, was this a “DOGSO” incident (denying a goalscoring opportunity), there were at least three defenders behind the stricken keeper, the referee, well placed awarded a free kick and cautioned the keeper, much to the annoyance of the Great Bentley management team who considered it warranted a dismissal. The free kick was defended well but Great Bentley advanced again through Herbert then Baker (C) who was fouled by Raven, the free kick taken by Herbert cleared the crossbar. Both teams were using the high ball, but tall central defenders stuck to their task whilst both Management teams were becoming very vocal on the far side, not sure what the definition of “friendly banter” is these days, but the fourth official saw they remained in check. Young Brady made a fine interception to a pass intended for Brown (D), Brady was the last defender and showed great maturity throughout, a free kick taken by Vaughan saw Brown (D) foul Willsher, it was so obvious to see but it did not stop the comments from the touchline, this game was now very competitive. Vaughan, seemingly fouled Fitzsimmons but play was waved on, his pass found Warin who dragged the ball just wide when well placed, thus far neither keeper had made a save. Molloy was back helping his defence when Peace got forward, a goal kick followed, Peace then did the same when Raven threatened and both defences held firm.

            On thirty minutes, the injured Burch was replaced by McMahon, a throw in from Willsher sent Raven away, his pace was matched by that of McMahon and a goal kick followed, a corner won by Suttle was taken by Andreass, but the Great Bentley defence stood firm. O’Keefe got the better of Warin but from his short clearance, Nicholson fouled Warin and on forty minutes Nicholson saw a yellow card issued, probably under the totting-up procedure for a late tackle on Brown (R). Baker (C) played in Vaughan, but his snatched right footed effort flew well wide, keeper, French, was called into action to catch a throw in from Fitzsimmons and was then quickly out to the edge of his penalty area when Raven broke through. With his keeper, Stigant (C), beaten, McNicholas made a great block when Baker (K) threatened this was after good forward play from Vaughan and Warin and the final action of the half saw McNicholas cross from the right side, keeper French gathered at the second attempt with Andreass in close attendance.

HALF-TIME:    0 – 0.

            What we need is goals, well one would suffice, the game whilst competitive had seen little in terms of goal mouth action with neither keeper extended, lets hope the second half shows more promise. Earls Colne kicked off, Peace fouled McNicholas close to the corner of the penalty area, the free kick taken by Molloy was straight to keeper, French. Baker (C) again found Vaughan running into space but keeper, Stigant (C) was quickly out to the edge of his penalty area to collect. O’Keefe fouled Baker (K), Brady cleared the free kick taken by Herbert and Molloy brought the ball away. On fifty-two minutes Vaughan made way for Newland, from the restart, keeper, Stigant (C) launched the ball forward towards Raven but McMahon made a fine challenge and Great Bentley worked the ball forward to Newland who turned, shot goalwards and was denied by a fine flying save by keeper, Stigant (C), who pushed the ball wide.

            On the hour mark, there was little sign of a breakthrough, Molloy found Raven in a wide position but after one bounce he volleyed the ball over the goal, whereupon Great Bentley replaced Brown (R) with Morley and within a minute Earls Colne made their first change, Stigant (T) replacing Andreas who handed the captains armband to Nicholson. Warin, forced a corner, taken by Herbert but McMahon headed over the crossbar. Another substitution followed on sixty-five minutes, off went Warin and on went Lampton, Earls Colne held possession and a fine run down the left side by Molloy ended with a great cross, unfortunately there was no team colleagues there to capitalise, and Great Bentley pushed forward through Brown (D), only for O’Keefe to make a timely tackle. Brady played a pass into Molloy whose first time pass fell to Raven whose left footed effort flew narrowly wide. Morley was the fifth player to receive a caution, this for a foul on Nicholson, Mountenay gained a corner off Fitzsimmons, then in another attack, Baker (K) controlled the ball with his hand when inside the penalty area.

            Fitzsimmons was replaced by Walker to became captain number three for Earls Colne, Lampton set up Morley whose cross was too deep, Stigant (T) played an astute pass forward to Raven but McMahon, not for the first time was well placed to defend. With ten minutes of normal time remaining, Earls Colne made another change, Harris replacing Molloy, Peace played a long searching ball for Newland to chase, Suttle got across to cover, at the other end, Baker (C) made a superb block to deny Raven, whose was odd’s-on to score with eight minutes to go. Another change for Earls Colne followed, Shields replacing Nicholson, for Great Bentley, Baker (K) was also off the pitch suffering from cramp, Stigant (T) showed some class with another fine pass, but no one read the passage of play. The final substitution came on eighty-eight minutes, Suttle being replaced by Chaiyanto, perhaps the last throw of the dice! Peace made a fine challenge on Harris who was running on to a pass from Raven, and the referee signalled five minutes of added time. The last goal scoring chance fell to Lampton, encouraged by his management to run and have a shot, he did exactly that only for keeper, Stigant (C) to leap high to his left and palm the goal bound effort over the cross bar for a corner, great save.

FULL TIME:     0 – 0.

PENALTY KICKS:

Great Bentley FC                                            Earls Colne FC

K. Baker:          Scores              1 – 0.                T. Stigant         Scores                          1 – 1.

R. McMahon:    Saved               1 – 1.                T. O’Keefe:       Saved                           1 – 1.

T. Newland:      Scores              2 – 1.                W. Willsher:      Scores                          2 – 2.

C. Baker:          Saved               2 – 2.                E. Chaiyanto:    Scores                          2 – 3.

D. Brown:         Saved (x2)        2 – 3.              

EARLS COLNE FC win by THREE penalties to TWO.

Turning to my choice of Star Players, this match as expected, lived up to expectations, very competitive but with both teams cancelling each other out in normal play.

For Earls Colne and this was a team effort, O’Keefe was a rock in central defence alongside the impressive Brady, Molloy was in the centre of most attacks and Raven was a willing runner, keeper, Stigant (C) will thank his lucky stars that his first half indiscretion was only a caution as he then saved three spot kicks, the last one a re-taken effort as he has moved off the goal-line.

For Great Bentley this was also a big team effort, this match will be a guide as to how strong the Premier Division will look, they have signed new players with experience, tonight it was defeat by the dreaded penalty shoot-out, having been unable to score in normal time. Defensively strong, Brown (R), Burch, Baker (C), then McMahon missed nothing, Brown (D), Mountenay, Vaughan and Warin worked hard in midfield and Baker (K) kept the Earls Colne defence on their toes by his shear presence.

ESBFL, Hon Secretary, Alison Stanford delivered a short message and thank you to Coggeshall Town FC, the match officials, and the two competing teams before medals were awarded by Roger Crane, ESBFL, Committee member.

Teams:

EARLS COLNE FC.

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

Team:

Calin Stigant., Will Willsher., Tommy O’Keefe., Preston Brady., Jack Fitzsimmons., Braenan Andreas (C1)., Ryan McNicholas., Joe Suttle., Taylor Nicholson (C2)., Bleu Molloy., Devon Raven.

Manager:                      Ross Debrick.

Team Management:      Gary Pearce.

Used Substitutes:          Alfie Shields., Taylor Stigant., Ekkaphop Chaiyanto., Will Harris., James Walker (C3).

GREAT BENTLEY FC. 

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

Team:

Jack French., Archibald Herbert (C2)., Alfie Peace., Ryan Brown., Conrad Baker., Jack Burch., Dale Brown., Lewis Mounteney., Jake Vaughan (C1)., Rory Warin., Kieran Baker.

Manager:                      Jack Murray.

Assistant Manager:       Greg Taylor.

Used Substitutes:          Tom Newland., Ryan McMahon., Rhys Morley., Ziggy Lampton.

Unused Substitutes:      Charlie Ellis-Hall.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee:                       Simon Lyons.

Assistant Referees:       Gregory Hart

                        &:         Daniel Sage.

Fourth Official:              Carl Pearce.

STAR PLAYERS:         

Tommy O’KEEFE                     (EARLS COLNE FC)                                        

Conrad BAKER                       (GREAT BENTLEY FC)