06/04/2019 – REPORT – Great Bentley FC Reserves versus Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves (Reserve KO Cup – S/F)

ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RESERVE KNOCK-OUT CUP

GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES: 3. DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES: 0.

Date: Saturday 06^th April 2019. Venue: The Green, Great Bentley.

As the number of remaining fixtures reduces in the ESBFL there are still some crucial matches to be played in every division, and likewise in the three cup competitions which have reached the semi-final stages. Today I chose a Reserves Knock-Out Cup Semi-Final between two teams vying for promotion from Division Three. Great Bentley FC Reserves sat second behind champions Gosfield United FC, with 47 points from 22 games (+43 GD) and they also boast the meanest defence in the whole ESBFL with only sixteen goals conceded in the league to date and only one league defeat. Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, the reigning Reserve Knock-Out Cup holders, sat third also with 47 points from 22 games (+36 GD), both teams have four games remaining and they still have to play each other to set up an interesting finale to their respective seasons. Both teams had added first team players to their respective squads.

This being a cup semi-final the league had appointed Simon Bird as the man in the middle and he would be assisted by Lee Miller and Philip Barham this on a wet afternoon where the fine drizzle persisted throughout.

Dedham kicked off and the first free-kick was conceded with a foul on Moodie by Evans, of Great Bentley, good to see him playing again as the last time I saw him he was on crutches following a broken leg. In the second minute a deep cross from Bennett found the unmarked Bowles at the far post but his header flew harmlessly wide. Winney then fouled Went and with both defences looking untroubled the battle was going to be in midfield as players went toe-to-toe with some hard but fair challenges in this end-to-end game. Windsor was late arriving for a challenge on Taylor receiving an early warning and Peace returned the compliment by fouling Vitelli. The quick feet and control of Vitelli is well known, and he was thwarted by a timely challenge by Taylor and with the home team pushing forward Bell (D) just got the better of Winney to shield the ball back to keeper, Bentley. With ten minutes gone the feisty challenges continued as each team looked to dominate proceedings and another quality cross from Peace was cleared out as far as Gallant who leant back before lifting his shot over the cross-bar. A driven free-kick from Kierman forced keeper, Kirk to punch clear inside a crowded six-yard box and when Powell inadvertently sent his scooped clearance back towards his own goal a free-kick resulted with keeper, Kirk impeded by Randall.

After fifteen minutes the home team had seen more possession but both teams wanted to play the ball out from defence, another free-kick from Kierman caused problems just as before but the home defence marshalled by Taylor and McMahon stood firm. A corner from Halsey saw Gallant head back to keeper, Kirk who then cleared towards the half-way line, Vitelli who had drifted wide sent the ball wide to Kierman whose flighted cross was headed clear by Gallant for a corner, taken by Halsey but easily cleared. Dedham had worked their way back into contention after the early, expected home pressure and the game was now open, competitive, but with equally matched teams. A deep cross from Peace found the head of Bell (J) but the save was easy for keeper, Bentley, and at the other end Taylor defended well against Lee who picked up the ball from a throw-in, to win a goal-kick. Windsor fouled Powell just on the half-way line and the long and high free-kick taken by Bell (J) found Winney who just failed to control the ball for a goal-kick. When Lee for Dedham pushed the ball through the gap for Randall to attack only a well timed tackle from Taylor saved the day.

On thirty minutes a foul by Bennett on his opposite number Halsey, led to a free-kick taken once again by Kierman finding the head of Gallant, back defending for the home team, then Taylor intercepted a pass to find Gallant who looked to put Winney through but once again the experienced Bell (D) stepped across only to be fouled. Windsor was spoken to, not sure why but all the action was through the midfield areas and when home keeper, Kirk tried to beat the inrushing Randall he was forced to clear the ball in a hurry but only as far as the unmarked Moodie who looked up, saw an open goal but shafted his effort wide. Bell (J) had committed one too many fouls to avoid a caution, thus far but with five minutes to half-time he fouled Windsor and saw yellow. A minute later and Evans fell inside the penalty area this under a challenge from Bell and Went, the home support cried penalty, from where I stood it looked a fair challenge and the referee, close to play, waved play on leading to two more home team players being spoken too. As the half closed we reflected on a close game, defences to the fore with neither keeper being tested so far, lets hope the second half improves, unlike the weather which continued with that fine misty rain that clings to your clothing!

HALF-TIME: 0 – 0.

Right, its Great Bentley to kick-off, what we need is goals or one at least, as on the balance of the first half a tight second half was forecast but with the drizzle still in the air, extra-time was the last thing the large gathering of spectators wanted as it drifted across “The Green”. Evans set up Gallant for a long-range effort that drifted wide perhaps setting up his sights for later, then Gallant got the ball to Winney, in space but standing off-side then a poor clearance by keeper, Bentley fell invitingly to Evans who fired wide, ominous signs that the home team had upped their game. Winney chased after a long forward ball and put pressure on defenders Bell and Went and when Vitelli chased back to defend he fouled Bell (J) and was spoken too. From the resultant free-kick, on fifty-three minutes, Taylor launched a high ball from near the half-way line, into the Dedham six-yard box where home captain DAVID GALLANT nipped in to score amongst a crowd of players. Worse followed for Dedham within a minute when Winney skipped past Went, down the right side, playing the ball back to GARETH EVANS who scored from close range, with keeper, Bentley totally exposed. Before the restart Great Bentley replaced Peace with Herbert and Dedham replaced Moodie with Parsons and this was quickly followed with Vaughan replacing Winney for the home team.

On the hour mark Evans fed Vaughan who ran on past Ruffles as well as keeper Bentley only for his effort across the open goal to bounce wide of the far post, clearly this latest substitution was to up-the-ante on the visitor’s defence. A mis-timed challenge wide on the right side by Taylor on Vitelli led to a free-kick taken by Windsor with home keeper, Kirk advancing to punch away and from the return cross by Kierman, keeper, Kirk flapped at the high ball at the far post with Herbert clearing upfield. On sixty-five minutes and prior to a home corner, Dedham replaced Windsor with Rush, Bennett took the kick, keeper, Bentley pushed the ball out to Vaughan who lashed the ball high and wide of the cross-bar. When the pace and aggression of Vaughan saw him clear of the last defender and from a great cross, defender Kierman, headed out for a corner under pressure from Bell (J) who looked destined to score. Another corner from Bennett saw Bell (J) lose his marker and slip the ball goal-wards only for keeper, Bentley to grasp the ball on the goal-line. Despite being two goals behind, Dedham continued to build attacks out of defence and generally played some tidy football, it was just that a mean home midfield and defence swamped their efforts past half-way. An accidental clash between Taylor and Halsey led to the visitor’s player receiving treatment for a head injury both on and off the pitch before returning soon after. Evans and Gallant worked the ball forward to Vaughan who forced keeper, Bentley into a fine save and when Evans followed up on the rebound keeper, Bentley saved once again. Bell (J) was pulled up for a foul on Rush, mid-half and with play stopped Dedham replaced Bell (D) with Brown whose first action was to up-end Vaughan and get an early word in his ear.

With thirteen minutes remaining Great Bentley scored their final deciding goal, JAKE VAUGHAN, full of confidence and pace ran through, skipping past the advancing keeper, Bentley, one side with the ball played to the other before smashing the ball home with his left foot, a well taken goal. Home keeper, Kirk, was clattered by a combination of Taylor and Randall when he advanced to the edge of his penalty area, requiring treatment for a knock on the head. On eighty minutes Great Bentley replaced the tiring Evans, my player-of-the-match, with Burt and when play resumed Rush clattered into Bell (J) who also required lengthy treatment. The home team had been particularly dominant this half and from another Bennett corner, Went, headed out to Vaughan who laid the ball back to Burt who shot straight at keeper, Bentley. As we entered the final minutes, Vaughan was spoken too for a stupid foul on Went and a couple of other feisty challenges followed before Vaughan received a caution for an impetuous challenge that he didn’t really need to have made! At the final whistle a jubilant Great Bentley FC Reserves team celebrated reaching the final of he ESBFL Reserve Knock-Out Cup, sending my colleague Tim Tricker scurrying away to check when his club last reached that final, for the record it was season 2011-2012.

FULL TIME: 3 – 0.

Effectively, two fairly evenly matched teams played out a gritty cup semi-final, on the balance of the first half play a single goal might have sufficed but in the second half the home team raised their game, scored two quick goals inside a minute and consolidated the result late on and they did deserve their victory. Commiserations go to Dedham Old Boys FC Reserves, last year’s champions, they played well at times but found the home defence in another resolute frame of mind, that’s their twelfth clean sheet this season in all competitions. In the final, scheduled for Good Friday, 19^th April 2019, 11o’clock at Little Oakley FC, they will play local rivals Alresford Colne Rangers FC Reserves who strangely stood idle when their opponents Wormingford Wanderers FC Reserves failed to raise a team!

Now for my Player-of-the-Match choice, I’ve already given that away, and taking nothing away from his collective team they all played well but as this player, Gareth Evans, gets back to full fitness, his presence and influence in mid-field was a contributory factor in his team’s success today.

Finally, thanks to all at Great Bentley FC, too many to mention individually, who make my visits a pleasure, unfortunately I doubt I’ll be at the final as my daughter gets married the day after.

Teams:

GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES: Colours: Red shirts, Blue Shorts and Red Socks.

Trevor Kirk., Ben Peace., Jake Bell., Nathan Taylor., Ryan McMahon., David Gallant (C)., Connor Bennet., Christ Powell., Samuel Winney., Gareth Evans., Christopher Bowles.

Managers: Richard Herbert & Gordon Lawrence.

Used Substitutes: Steven Burt., Jake Vaughan., Archie Herbert.

Unused Substitutes: Michael Seven., Jake Allwood.

DEDHAM OLD BOYS FC RESERVES: Colours: Blue Shirts., Black Shorts and Blue Socks

Yan Bentley., Daniel Kierman., James Ruffles., Myles Went. Daniel Bell (C)., Nathan Moodie., Matthew Halsey., Ryan Lee., Layton Windsor., Matthew Randall., John Vitelli.

Manager: Luke Tuttlebee.

Assistant Manager: Daniel Coote.

Used Substitutes: Jamie Rush., Keir Brown., Ryan Parsons.

Unused Substitutes: Luke Oscar., Frankie Beedon.

Referee: Simon Bird (Wivenhoe)

Assistants: Lee Miller (Colchester)

and Philip Barham (Colchester)

Player-of-the-Match: Gareth EVANS (GREAT BENTLEY FC RESERVES)

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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.

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Reminder to Club / Fixture Secretaries

Once again this season the fixtures, results, referees and “kick-off” times will be shown automatically on “The FA Full-Time / The Whole Game System” ( http://full-time.thefa.com ) but would all Club / Fixture Secretaries please advise any agreed changes, as required, to Alison Willmore ( mjw1947@sky.com ) especially for evening games and for those matches being played under floodlights etc.

KO is 3:00pm from: March to end of season

Cup Matches:

Kick-Off times for ESBFL cup matches, are generally 30 minutes earlier than those shown above but check competition rules beforehand.

Kick-Off times for Essex County Football Association cup matches are published on the ECFA web-site.

( www.essexfa.com/competitions/county-cups )

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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,